I used to drive from Koreatown to Santa Monica every day to work. In the mornings, I‘d take 3rd Street through Larchmont and make a left at Doheny and a right on Olympic. A frequent highlight of my morning was driving by Youngwood Court.

The story goes…music producer, Norwood Young, bought a house in a wealthy neighborhood and put a reproduction statue of Michelangelo’s David in the front yard.

The neighbors complained and tried to force him to take down the statue because it was “tacky.”

Mr. Young responded by putting nineteen statues of David in his front yard…and decorating them for various holidays and events.

The absolute best was when he had all nineteen statues in matching Michael Jackson jackets and a giant glove in the front yard.

Off the Wall: Norwood Young + Michael Jackson

I was tickled to witness this drama playing out, in real time, on my daily slog. It’s disappointing Youngwood Court was sold and turned into a bland, beige and brown rich-person house. A little magic left my world when the spectacle went away.

I believe in fighting fire with fire.

I have a long history of scheming and fantasizing about over-the-top revenge on annoying neighbors. I collect obnoxious music and hideous decor for just this purpose. Per lo più sono troppo educato per fare o dire qualcosa, ma ho una vena viziosa e passivo-aggressiva e sono pienamente capace di colpire duro.

Ad ogni modo... penso che dovresti trovare le decorazioni natalizie più di buon gusto e metterle su in agosto. Sto parlando di luci bianche e scintillanti, di quei cervi fatti con i ramoscelli, di tanti fiocchi d'oro e globi perlati.

Potresti collegare un sensore di movimento a un sistema audio e coprire il quartiere con Tchaikovsky ogni volta che uno scoiattolo passa davanti al tuo cortile.

Sparate...potreste fare qualcosa per ogni festività.

Insegnate con l'esempio.