Thursday, March 17, 2011

Bribes and other courtesies

So, for the last six months, this guy who owns the apartment right next to ours is trying to renovate it. And I'm saying trying to because that's the only way I can explain the fact that he's taking so long to complete the damn job. It sounds like he's demolishing walls each and every day (how many walls one small apartment can have??), starting from 8 am and finally letting his sledgehammers/drills/chainsaws/torture devices down, around 10 pm. That's including weekends, mind you.

Geez, what do I have to do to stop this? Give him one of these?






Do you think eclairs can work as a bribe?

If so, I would be very happy to know since, you know, I'd hate to think that I only made these so that I can expand my waistline.







22 comments:

  1. I would stop most things to eat one of those!

    The worst is when they start at EXACTLY 8am and you know that they've been standing there, jackhammer at the ready, staring at the clock, just waiting for it be legal to drive you insane.

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  2. It can't hurt...I'll go and talk to him for one of these. =)

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  3. ellinizousa — I believe he starts even earlier than that most of the times. I just don't have the strength at that hour to scream through the wall. That's why I had to come up with an alternative ;)

    Belinda — :)

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  4. Eclairs would definitely work as a bribe.

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  5. Did you actually bake those??? Wow! You could certainly bribe me with them. My kids have been refusing to go to sleep these days and they cry and cry. Their bedroom is adjacent to the neighbor's living room and they go to bed right around dinner time. I am sure the neighbors hate us right now. Maybe I should attmept some too?

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  6. Well they'd definitely bribe me to do what you want so fingers crossed. When I first moved to Berlin the guy was renovating the flat next to ours and worked from 7am to 6pm, twice drilling holes in the wall because they were unexpectedly thin and even doing some extra DIY at 10.30pm! Thank goodness it's over. Such beautiful eclairs.

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  7. If they don't work as a bribe, which is almost impossible, I'm sure you can forget almost any external noise when eating one of these beauties.

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  8. Nisrine — good to know :)

    Denise — they would definitely work on me too

    nuts about food — yep, I made these. For the first time actually. I'm surprised no one has asked for the recipe yet :)

    Maybe we should start a "bribe-your-neighbors-to-stop-annoying-you" club heh

    Emily Vanessa — 7 am?? That's brutal!

    lacaffettierarosa — you have a point

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  9. Okay, I definitely want the recipe! Sadly, I am not sure giving him one of these would stop the noise. After all, I can eat while doing almost anything! :) I agree with La Caffeteria Rosa - eating them yourself may sooth your nerves...
    David

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  10. Hey Magda, I'm new in your group. They say if you can't beat them, join them. So go and see what has to be done and help him finish!! And safe the sweet for you and your friends!!
    Cheers

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  11. Oh my! I would devore one in about 2 seconds flat. I know about noisy apartment living, it's not my favorite, but that seems to be life in a city... you should definitely try bribing him though!!

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  12. I would give him the éclairs at 7 PM and tell him he needs to stop working if he wants to eat them ; make him promise he will quit his noise at 7 PM every night.

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  13. As I'm writing these words, the neighbor is making all kinds of noises that started at 7:45am!! S and I decided that we are going to buy earplugs and keep the eclairs for ourselves.
    Ehm, the truth is, we already ate the eclairs without getting the chance to offer them as a bribe.

    By the way, I will not be posting the recipe for the eclairs just yet because I need to find another recipe for the chocolate cream filling. I wasn't very satisfied with the recipe I used and I only want to give the best to all of you :)

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  14. These look beautiful. I am glad to see you are back and posting, I have been thinking of you often since the passing of your Dad. Sending happy (and very quiet) thoughts your way.

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  15. Oh my! I'm salivating! I'm sure they will do the work! Otherwise for a couple of them I can finish his renovation ;-)

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  16. Goodness, you'd think if he's been working that many hours for 6 months he'd be done by now!

    I fully sympathise, our new neighbours moved in a month ago. They keep having huge fights in the middle of the night and using the most foul language. The police have had to come out 3 weekends in a row now. I think some éclairs would really cheer me up!

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  17. I'd like to add to my waistline in such and elegant and decadent fashion! Lovely.

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  18. I think they'd work a charm Magda...welcome back my dear. It's good to have you back.

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  19. keep the eclairs for yourself - who knows what else the neighbour will do to get more?!?!?!

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