Playstation and Handicap Bathrooms

I recently moved into a new apartment, a smallish studio in a trendy, bustling part of town. It is the first space that I've inhabited alone, and although I don't care much for the apartment itself, two things are fantastic: the location, and the fact that it is all MINE. I've spent the last four years with roommates and I felt it was time to have some space to myself.

Within the first couple days I noticed some rather quirky things about the place, the most noteworthy being that there is no elevator in the building. This is peculiar because the bathroom in my apartment happens to be handicap ready. I'm talking slightly-higher-than-normal toilet seat, a plethora of metal handrails in both the shower and toilet area, and a mirror that angles dramatically downward for the wheelchair bound.

Why would a bathroom be converted in this manner if handicapped tenants have no way of actually getting to and from the apartment? The building itself is rather old; it was built sometime in the early 1900s but was remodeled in the 80s(according to my leasing agent). I trust that this bathroom update was done at that time, possibly in anticipation of installing an elevator? However, its been nearly twenty years and still NO ELEVATOR. For the love of God, at least remove all the bloody handrails! I'm 5'3" so I don't have the wingspan of an American Bald Eagle or anything, yet every time I take a shower I am violently whacking my elbows on the handrail that runs diagonally along the wall.

Oh, and the mirror over the sink? As mentioned, it angles downward. It also appears to be on somewhat of a magnification-type program (VERY bad). Being a woman, I have spent many an hour in front of mirrors, all the varying types found in department stores and boutiques. I have learned a thing or two about what types of mirrors are most flattering and I can say without hesitation that the bathroom mirror I have been blessed with is the absolute WORST kind. Even Kate Moss would appear a bit chunky whilst posing in front of my mirror. And since I'm about 8 inches shorter and a good ten pounds heavier than she, I quite detest having to see myself in it each day.

All of this nonsense could be avoided if some forethought were taken on the part of the property management company. Hell, even the contractors could have asked the question, "Why are we installing a handicap bathroom in a building with no elevators?"

I believe it's important to consider the details.

Now, onto the other lovely discovery I've made. This is of the less quirky, more infuriating variety. It seems my neighbor, with whom I share a wall, has placed his television against the same very wall that I've placed my bed against. It should be noted that I have not met my neighbor so I don't know whether he's a he or she's a she, but for the sake of simplicity we'll call him Edward. At any rate, it seems as though Edward enjoys playing Playstation at 4:30 a.m. In the middle of the week, mind you. Yet another fun detail is that this neighbor is either going deaf or feels it necessary to enable surround sound at full volume to play a fucking video game in the wee hours of the morning.

Obviously, I know all of these things because I have heard them. Since I wake at 5.30 a.m. each day, I can assure you I'm not in the habit of staying up 'til such an hour, so that means my kind neighbor has woken me from my peaceful slumber. Three nights in a row and counting...if it happens again, I plan to confront said neighbor and kindly ask that he and his kung fu fighting friends tone it down a bit.

I really don't want to be the bitchy neighbor. I don't like drama. But I have limits. Don't f*&k with my sleeping habits, Edward, or my wrath will descend upon you faster than you can say "Street Fighter II."