Thump, Thump, thump-thump-thump; Klunk! thump...thump...thump...

[jackson1]

Hear is my backyard basketball story. As teenagers I played a lot of basketball in the alley behind my best friends house all summer long. No college scholarship, no pro contract, but got something far better. I met my future wife. Forty five years later, I still consider myself blessed. I am sure glad none of the neighbors tried to put a stop to it. The rest of the story. Saturday I will be attending the funeral of my friend's Dad. Get to see all my old friends that have scatter around the world. A little hard earned cowboy logic; Kindness is its own reward.

 

[butchlambert]

My life is over.

The new neighbor bought his three kids, ages eight, nine, and eleven, all boys one of those portable basketball hoop sets. From about 5pm until dark, they are out at sidewalk's edge shooting hoops. They do not make many, but they are relentless. Ten P.M. or so, the Dad comes home from work, and plays with a couple of his buddies from work until about 1am. They are also terrible shots, but as determined as the kids. This is one of the sets with the basket only eight foot high. They are latino, and Dad, if he stands up straight; might be five feet tall. They seem to be nice people, but six weeks after the install, I am beginning to pray Winter comes soon...

Rich, do they piss you off more than I?
I moved to the country and don't have that problem.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

Butchums,

you never piss me off, you're just Tejas's version of humor.

I went over a few minutes ago and dunked on them a few times. Eight foot rim, I just set up on the low post, and the youngest one feeds me. I can dunk flatfooted. House next door, Bruce (dad) and I set up a regulation backboard about ten years ago on his garage. His two HS age sons and a friend were shooting one afternoon when I went out to get the mail. "Hey Mr Rich, want to play...?". The youngest one and I teamed, and he threw me the ball about the free throw line equivalent. The other two were being funny (they thought), and opened the lane; yelling "Dunk, dunk!". By the Grace of God, I took three steps, went up, and baby-dunked. The ball and my wrist got above the rim, and down she went. I'm not sure who was more surprised, me or those three young men.
They start screaming, "Do it again. Do it again.".

I, having a fair amount of common sense, explained that they now know I can, and repeating it would just be showing off.

The absolute best part; my wife had walked up the street from work and witnessed the entire spectacle. I bring the mail in, and she asks me how my day was?

nuthin' short of magnificent...

 

[carlsbad]

I really don't understand the need for people to live in suburbia...that said, I currently live in suburbia. Tract homes were invented in the 50s when the booming economy created a lot of urban jobs...google Levitown. That brings with it sewage, trash, water, gas and electric utilities...so that is convenient. So I can see that appeal. But I grew up in rural MO and my dad didn't like having neighbors in walking distance....

And as I think about retiring and moving to a place where I don't have to work, I'm thinking that I would like to have no neighbors within sight. Not that I don't like people, but everyone has a car.

Not faulting the OP, just pointing out that his problem, which I fully agree is a problem, is an artifact of the suburban lifestyle that has become prevalent.

I'd look into local laws. There is probably a statute on noise after a certain time. I'd point out that I go to bed at 830pm.

 

[nmkid]

How about talking with the dad to see if they can quit earlier?

 

[riflewoman]

Get an external loudspeaker like they have for stadiums. Play Reveille at 0600 at about 150 dB aimed at their house. When they ask you to stop, politely remind them that playing hoops all day is annoying too.

 

[DHuffman]

Things could be worse and not just a little!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Since i own 7 harleys (one full drag harley that needs lots of tuning ) and shoot a lot i always have ways to up the moise ante. And since im up pretty much 24/7 i have plenty of time. I only have noise issues once a year or so and only if i get a new neighbor

 

[Bc'z]

I'm thinking you should take up karaoke

 

[dickn52]

You got me with this one. I looked at the title and just knew you had someone in a trunk.....

 

[Joe Salt]

It's a Bitch to get old and crotchety! Never let the old man in!

Joe Salt