Drama 2.0

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about drama in general and how it amazes me that some "grown-ups" use drama to fill some void in their life. The blog was based on a situation between my neighbors, however it coincidentally foreshadowed clan drama on this very site (I am in no way attaching myself or my blog to PCP; simply remarking that it was a strange coincidence). While we still see the occasional fall-out from the PCP thing in others' blogs, that situation has mostly passed, many of us outsiders looking in and eating a bag of popcorn.

Back in my own life, however, it has started up again. Last time I blogged I was in the middle of a neighbor dispute in the townhouse complex where I live. Over the course of the last 3 or 4 weeks I've observed a string of emails culminating in a situation reminiscent of PCP's departure:

Act 1.

Neighbor 1: The new owner asked me about painting his own unit. What do you think?

Neighbor 2: I think new owners need to discuss these issues with the entire board, not off-the-record with a single board member.

Neighbor 1: That's fine, I didn't make any decisions, which is why I'm asking for your input.

Neighbor 2: Let's hold a vote and may I remind you that I'm not comfortable with board members having these conversations off the record. Seriously.

Neighbor 1: You made your point already. Calm down and stop driving that point into the ground.

Neighbor 2 contacts me directly: I'm offended that he told me to calm down. He is a jerk. We should do something about it. I need your support.

Me: I'm not taking sides.
 

Act 2. Three weeks later.

Neighbor 2: Have you heard from the new owner? Not that I'm advocating you going over the board's head. I reiterate my position.

Neighbor 1: Why are you still going on about this? I thought this was old news. Shove your position up your ass.

Neighbor 2: I do not mean it as a criticism of you. However, your insults are uncalled for and deeply offensive and I think you need to learn to act professional within a professional context.

Neighbor 1 (6:30 this morning): Fuck you buddy. I quit the association because I can't work with you. I'm taking my toys and going home.
 

I'm paraphrasing, but it's still an accurate (albeit abbreviated) account of the last couple weeks. Neighbor 2 likely has not seen the most recent email; otherwise I would have gotten a phone call from him in which I'm sure he will want me to take sides again and polarize the entire community against our recently-departed member. And I do not want to take sides.

Wait..... my phone is ringing. Take one guess who it is.