If we who cared just killed one prick everyday, soon their numbers would be reduced.

-- rrecroc

I like where you're going with that, and don't think in my head I haven't crushed some of these miserable bastards heads in. It's amazing to me to think that some days I actually envy people who are deaf.

This is a pet issue with me as I've spent the better part of two years dealing with noisy upstair neighbors. Two pairs. Both renters. The first was a rowdy crew of constructions guys given to loud stomping, slamming doors, blaring music, and general noises so loud my dining room chandelier literally shook every night. Of course they went to bed late and got up at 5am to make the whole experience a total delight for me and my girlfriend. We tried to handle it in a civilized and diplomatic way. Being nice did nothing, letters from the home owners association did nothing. By the time I sued them they had left.

The tenants up there now are not as bad but they like to go at it around 1 am several times a week with the woman literally screaming at the top of her lungs for several minutes. It seems she enjoys the rough stuff. Again, politely talking to them and sending civil letters did nothing. Finally I broke down and called the police. Something I didn't want to have to do. So far they have stopped but we'll see how it continues to play out.

Frankly, it just seems like most people don't give two shits about their fellow neighbors. I feel like peaceful enjoyment of one's home is paramount in finding happiness. Home is where one should be able to retreat and reenergize. To meditate and find solace if need be. When your home becomes a place to avoid, life as you know it becomes unbearable.

I'm not surprised to hear that physical problems follow sustained levels of loud noise. Everytime I get awoken to the couple from above my blood pressure races and all I can think of is how I would like to exact revenge. That's not a good place to be in one's head, and I have better things to do. I totally get where a guy would lose it like the guy who attacked the car alarm. It shouldn't be so hard to get a little peace, but more and more I'm finding it really is.

For not pandering to the public on this issue.

Still getting the coffee in the system.

Alex, why didn't you mention that Sinclair paid for the appearance at the NPC? That's not just a small omission, but a huge one. It turns it from a you got be kidding me story to a I see, this has no real value news wise story. Or am I missing something here?

I guess you could always respond affirmatively that yes you would like a beverage, and then when they get it say you changed your mind, then say no, you would like it, then change your mind again about the type of beverage. Ask for Pepsi instad of the Mountain Dew. Keep doing this as a line of people builds behind you waiting to purchase some Pez or a National Enquirer. Keep going back and forth talkng out loud. "Hmm, do I want Pepsi, Mountain Dew or bottled water." Then after you decided, fumble through your wallet for a few minutes before finally telling the cashier you're a buck short. When it's all done, tell the cashier you're sorry for all the trouble, but after all, she/he asked in the first place.

I appreciate you responding to my letter King, and maybe you didn't say that play determined the outcome, but you certainly implied it was a key play in the game. Fair enough. I disagree it was an abvious call, but lets hear what Pierce had to say- Pierce himself said, "He made a great defensive play," said Pierce. "He reached around and tapped the ball from behind, and it was just a great defensive play. That was pretty much all he could do that Kevin set the pick, so he was struggling. Kobe is a great player. He made two big steals on myself there in the fourth quarter that I shouldn't have allowed." Maybe he's just being a good sportsman, but maybe he's also telling it like it is.

Anyway, there is so much wrong with the current game, from those lean in fouls I mentioned being horsebleep to the fact that no one here can honestly explain what is a foul and what isn't a foul. It's lot like baseball's problem with determining what is a strike and what isn't a strike. As a fan for about 30 years or so, it feels like there is no real consistency, and to be honest, it makes me not want to watch.

I don't remember who, but it's been recommended that the refs for this or any other sport be run by a separate automomous board that has nothing to do with Stern's office. I think the implementation of an independent board would go a long way towards shoring up the NBA's image for biased officiating.