October 31, 2013 -- Increased Patrols

Today must be a really big deal for FBPD, because not only did I see a squad car going down Alpha Rd. at 1:51 p.m. today, but this morning, there were two squad cars pulled off into the parking area of London Square Apartments.

From at least 10:21 a.m. to 10:27 a.m., the two squad cars were pointed opposite directions in the parking lane.  They needed to have a conversation for some reason.

Now at 1:51 p.m., I noticed that Brookhaven was getting set up for some kind of big event.  They were putting up tents, and the October winds were laughing at their efforts.  So that's probably the reason the FBPD is patrolling more.

October 31, 2013 -- What School Allows Kids a Day Off on Halloween? Or the Banging Brood is at it Again.

At 9:03 a.m., the Banging Brood let me know they were awake with a hard thump on the bedroom wall.

Then at 12:33 p.m., the Banging Brood thumped twice.

So really, since when is Halloween now an official school holiday?  If the Banging Brood is a coven of witches, that would explain being off on a "sacred day" for them.

How would I know this?  I spend a lot of time with my nose inserted into books.  I read.  I absorb knowledge.  But my religious beliefs are a private matter, not to be shoved into everyone else's faces.

October 30, 2013 -- The Day Before Halloween, and the Banging Brood are Cranking Up

At 3:12 p.m., I experienced several hard bangs on the shared bedroom wall, the one shared with the Banging Brood.

Then at 3:47 p.m., the Banging Brood thump a couple of more times.

What, did someone come home ticked off?  Hey, I've been there.  But that wall didn't do anything to you kids.  Nor did your neighbor (me).  I was sitting quietly, petting my fuzzy cat, playing a silly game that keeps me calm to the point of boredom.

Oh well.  Given how early the events occurred, I got to talk to the apartment manager about it.

I can say this much, it sure didn't sound like "we're moving" noises.  And they're supposed to be out on Halloween.

October 29, 2013 -- Unsupervised Children

It was at 4:15 p.m., and I witnessed four boys playing on the quad lawn.  Now, I don't mind in the least that they were playing outside.  But they were doing so without adult supervision.

(Darn it!  I was so close to having nothing to report!)

October 27, 2013 -- Wal-mart Lost Another Cart

At 5:57 p.m., I was walking past the Granite Tower and I saw a Wal-mart cart in their parking lot.

You know, I've seen people take those when they have a friend with them, and they only enough groceries that the two of them could easily carry from the Wal-mart nearby.  But if it's that rough on dainty man-hands (yes, I'm seeing healthy young MEN do this cart theft for a few groceries), then I recommend using a backpack.  I like using mine for hauling a few groceries home; in fact, that's what I'd done earlier in the day to finally get the remaining ingredients for these recipes I'm dying to try.  I have to admit, if you have something like a gallon of milk (or oil), lugging it on your back in a backpack makes a lot of sense.

October 27, 2013 -- Upstairs Stomper got Stopped

At 5:59 p.m., when I'd returned home, I noticed that the music was still going on upstairs.  I finally got fed up with it at 6:17 p.m., and made a call to the police.  I told the dispatcher that the Upstairs Stomper had been playing that music since 12:20 p.m., and that when the cops warn the tenants in that apartment, the Upstairs Stomper always moves their equipment to another part of the apartment.  But they refuse to shut it off when they move it.

Well, I don't know the exact time when they shut it off.  I was busy doing the dishes and trying to make dinner.  But I know that at 6:44 p.m., the electronic noise was definitely off.

Though that didn't deter the Upstairs Stomper from stomping back and forth at 6:48 p.m. in retaliation.

My thanks goes out to Farmers Branch Police Department for handling the situation, and being successful with the first try.

October 27, 2013 -- Leash Law Violation X 2

At 3:57 p.m., I saw two dog owners violate the leash law.  One was a woman with a teacup breed.

The other was another woman, but with a Chihuahua that I know will threaten and menace other people.  It's gone after me before.  Twice.