Deck you, neighbor.

September 6th, 2012 · 218 comments

Travis in Minnesota says this note was dropped in his mailbox by some anonymous neighbor who had apparently been fixated on watching him build his backyard deck.

“I was surprised that anyone noticed, let alone went through the trouble to write a full-page complaint,” Travis says. “However, he’s right in that, as one person working on the occasional free night and on weekends, it did take me a full year to complete the project.”

Hello sir, we've been watching you.  We've seen how hard you worked, how long and tirelessly you worked to construct a deck for your family. Let us be the first to give you a back handed compliment by saying

Adds Travis: “I think the strangest part of the note is the challenge to my masculinity. I’m glad that someone finally told me that it’s more manly to pay for someone to do a job for you than to do it yourself. Here I was, all this time, thinking it was just the opposite. Boy, is my face red!”

P.S. If you’re curious, here’s a photo of the deck. I think it’s quite nice.

The deck in question

related: (Don’t Fear) The Creeper

FILED UNDER: crazypants · just an asshole · just kidding! · Minnesota · most popular notes of 2012 · neighbors · nonsensical spacing · signed with love · spelling and grammar police · unsolicited feedback · WTF? · your/you're


218 responses so far ↓

  • #1   CZAC

    Dude… that’s a beautiful deck o.O

    I can’t tell how these people thought it was funny/cool to write that, honestly… I don’t understand.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:11 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #1.1   zanie

      Jealousy, pure and simple.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 10:18 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.2   Matt E.

      Judging by the poor grammar and the awful formatting, they are obviously not all there in the head.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 10:38 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.3   Liam

      Ah yes. The note-senders are competent. They spell “you’re” as “your,” and don’t seem to know that capital letters are used to start sentences.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 10:47 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.4   North

      Definitely jealous, since I don’t know how to build anything I paid $2000 for a little 12ft square deck. It may have taken only a day but I would have gladly waited a year for that deck of yours .

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:31 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.5   janos

      I agree, nice deck….I would have taken years to finish that project and by then a creepy neighbour would have wiped his butt with my masculinity!

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:41 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.6   Jami

      Either a jealous idiot or someone who’s a contractor or related to one who’s ticked off that they weren’t hired to build the deck.

      Yes, have personal experience with the latter. I think I’ve talked about him before though so I won’t rehash it. Though I will say he’s more likely to go to the city making false claims about code violations then to write a note.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 1:09 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.7   BuckyTooth

      That IS a beautiful deck. Good job on it. If I had built a deck, let’s just say it would look like a tornado hit, not like this beautiful piece of craftsmanship.

      I suggest your next project is a giant fence to keep out the crazy – and don’t let it take a year. You need that up QUICK! If they’re willing to write this note, they’re willing to take an axe to your deck. They’re insane. Seriously.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 5:42 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.8   Purr Monster

      It IS a beautiful deck. I agree with BuckyTooth – build a giant fence! How creepy. Keep reading these comments if the letter still bugs you, but honestly put it out of your head, please!

      P.S. This letter would have me daydreaming about buying a rifle and commencing to clean it every week on the beautiful deck you built. Maybe you should move. That letter writer is seriously creepy. Brrr.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 7:07 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.9   squib

      Obviously they’re jealous because they have a “shiny white deck.” Ewwwww.

      And yes, the deck in the picture is lovely, and I am jealous, too.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 9:22 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.10   Bex

      I’m jealous that it only took one year. My husband IS a contractor, and I’ve been waiting for him to finish a few projects he started 10 years ago. (Like the bathroom that has a blanket hanging where drywall should be.) :)

      Sep 7, 2012 at 10:05 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.11   Tesselara bang

      Knock on their door and hand the letter to them. “I believe that you sent this to me.” And then wait.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 10:57 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.12   The Elf

      It’s because they’re looking to be butt-hurt about something. Except that he states he wouldn’t wipe his butt with the Travis’ deck. Seems to me that would be a great way to hurt your butt.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:01 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.13   Really Guys?

      You guys aren’t getting it. Yes, it’s a beautiful deck. But imagine having every single weekend ruined for a whole year because your neighbor is outside hammering and sawing. You’d go crazy, too. The submitter owes his neighbors an apology for being so inconsiderate.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 5:07 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.14   LadyIslay

      I’d do my best to figure out who wrote it and then make a point of inviting them for dinner on a summer day. Kill them with kindness.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 5:17 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.15   Nikki

      Total hammering and sawing time is the same no matter what. He didn’t say he worked on it every weekend… or it would likely not have taken a year.

      You know the Dane Cook thing on how there’s one person in every group of friends that no one likes? And that if you’re thinking that’s false, that person is you? Yeah, that’s probably you in your neighborhood.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 5:47 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.16   The Elf

      As long as the neighbor isn’t sawing and hammering at unreasonable hours, listening to construction is no different than listening to lawn mowing. That’s usually every weekend.

      If it took him a year, he probably didn’t work on it every waking moment of his spare time. He did three hours here, five hours there, etc.

      So, yes, really, this note writer is an asshole. Besides, his complaint wasn’t the noise. If it were noise, he might have garnered more sympathy. His complaint was the length of time it took and the way it looks.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 8:02 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.17   t-rex

      @really guys…

      In Minnesota the weather is terrible and the ground is frozen from November through February. There is a constant looming threat of snow from October through April. In all reality, he only worked on his deck for 6 months, because it was too terrible to do it at other times.

      Sep 16, 2012 at 11:24 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #2   RRF

    Hey douchebags…*they’re and *you’re
    No wonder you had to hire someone to build your deck…you can’t fucking spell.

    And yes. That’s a lovely deck. Invite me over for margaritas.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:15 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #3   W.R.Printz

    Ok, would I take a year to build a deck? No. On the other hand, I would not have a deck as nice as yours now…and, that person is an idiot if they think your deck is not nice. So, well done…and screw them.

    PS. I googled a picture of an asshat who would bother to send that note…and I found a picture of a cry-baby.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:15 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #3.1   Spooky

      Late to the party, here, but I just have to point out that a year in Minnesota is extra awesome, because really, only about seven of those months are conducive to deck-building.

      Way to go, Travis!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 4:25 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #4   aquapt

    That *is* a beautiful deck!
    May I suggest that your next project be a really nice home security system? With neighbors like that… just sayin’… O.o

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:16 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #4.1   Bec

      Or nosey neighbour block-out fences.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 10:27 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #4.2   KimH bang

      One. Board. A. Day.

      Depending on the size of your yard, that could take several months. Really piss them off and save the last board — with a giant flying finger of fate — to face their window. ;-)

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:50 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #4.3   kermit

      If you’re doing it by yourself and only working weekends, it’s entirely reasonable that the thing would take a year to build. Digging the foundation for that thing probably takes two weekends alone, never mind the rest of it.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 4:36 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #5   Red Delicious

    … if it took him a year to build that, wouldn’t the weather have discolored some of the wood? Varnish only holds up to so much over a year…

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:16 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #5.1   jennrotten

      It looks like some sort of composite wood on the decking (wood w/plastic would be my guess), so that wouldn’t necessarily discolor. The railings look like real wood, but wouldn’t those be added last? It looks lovely, and those neighbors are jerks. We have some of those, too.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 10:22 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.2   aliceblue

      Notice it is a neighbor with a “sparkling white” deck. Probably some twunt who painted it and will have to sand it paint it every other year rather than someone who uses a natural looking and easy to care for stain. Clearly not a person who understands the satisfaction of doing something yourself.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:52 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.3   shwa

      Nah, sparkling white is probably plastic.

      Sep 10, 2012 at 1:52 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #6   essijay

    if you wanna kick out the complaining wife and move in someone who will appreciate your deck, your work ethics, and your performance, shoot me an email. just sayin’

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:17 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #6.1   shwa

      This has nothing to do with his wife. It’s about his idiot neighbor.

      Sep 10, 2012 at 1:53 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #6.2   Jody

      Where did you read anything about a wife?!

      Sep 13, 2012 at 2:00 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #7   lagne

    Damn. If I had a deck that nice, I’d eat dinner on it every single night.

    Blaring loud music.

    Possibly from a live band.

    At 2 am.

    With fireworks.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:18 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #7.1   Debbie

      Hire Metallica/Slayer/Megadeath to play on your AWESOME patio!

      Sep 6, 2012 at 10:41 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.2   aliceblue

      How about whale song for 8 hours while you go out for the evening? Or the Barney song on a loop while you go out to dinner? 3 hours of that and the neighbors will be yours to command.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:49 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.3   Jami

      I always found playing opera more conductive to annoying/scaring neighbors. Particularly The Song Of The Golden Calf from Faust. I guess there’s something about a baritone, singing in French, while playing the demon Mephistopheles, played at a loud volume that unnerves people.

      Course to be honest I’ve used it mostly on people who are already playing rap or heavy metal very loudly. Drown them out with that for a few minutes, suddenly they agree to listen to their music at a more reasonable, less window shaking level.

      Sep 9, 2012 at 12:34 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.4   Caity

      How about a constant barrage of Insane Clown Posse?

      Oct 10, 2012 at 1:12 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #8   Megan

    I think that deck is super nice looking! And those people are rude and obviously don’t know a good deck when they see it.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:19 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #9   Jess

    Yikes.
    Beautiful deck, creepy neighbor.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:19 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #10   lagne

    I can’t be the only one whose brain autocorrects the word “deck” to something quite different in every comment I read.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:21 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #10.1   girl_with_all_the_yarn

      No, it’s just you.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 10:38 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #11   meeee

    Note writer was clearly drunk.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:22 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #11.1   margueritegautier

      I thought the exact same thing.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 10:14 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #12   Conaco

    Deck envy is the worst kind. Congratulations on a beautiful job.

    P.S. Move.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:22 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #12.1   aliceblue

      I’m not a guy but I think this is the next step up from lawn envy? My house has a creek behind it so I never water but have one of the few green lawns in July. I think it causes impotence in at least 1/2 dozen guys in the neighborhood.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:39 pm   rating: 91  small thumbs up

       
    • #12.2   nativefloridian

      Hmmm…he could have fun with that pun.

      Note (or banner) back:
      Insulting my manhood because I built it myself? You need to see a therapist about your ‘deck’ envy.

      alternatively, seduce the wife on said deck.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:44 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #12.3   H for Toy

      Or both. Possibly also the neighbor’s wife.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:05 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #12.4   Humid Hockey

      No, a banner displayed on the deck should feature this URL in absolutely huge letters.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:29 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #12.5   Chris Miller

      But if he moves he doesn’t have the deck anymore! :(

      Sep 12, 2012 at 4:04 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #13   Rachel

    It’s a gorgeous deck!!!!! What assholes! Good for you for doing it yourself, no matter how long it took. It has to be more satisfying. I’d seriously be scared of the creeper neighbors and would share the note with the entire neighborhood just to let them know such and insane asshole is living amongst them….

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:23 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #14   kellita

    Man, this creepy fecking stupid neighbor of yours is just (very) jealous. The deck is gorgeous indeed!

    Haters always gonna hate!

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:23 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #15   Bec

    That’s not a deck, it’s an architectural masterpiece, well done. Your neighbour is a creepy arsehole who clearly has an inferiority complex. I can’t imagine a person could write this without having some kind of psychological disorder.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:25 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #16   deb katz

    Hey adolescent neighbors,

    Did it take you a year to NOT spellcheck that letter AND grow hair in your arm pits? Steal beers much? Did you puke in the bushes when you stumbled to deliver the letter? Ass weasels. Dudes, you have to look at this guy every day when you go to school and now you’re (contraction of “you” and “are”) probably praying that your parents move away so you don’t have to feel guilty when you mature and get to know this guy and how nice he and his family are. Losers. You know what, he’ll probably forgive you. Try to get a handle on the sexual fantasies involving his wife. Wow…you dudes are soooooo transparent…

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:25 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #17   Lisa

    Well, their opinion of you really shouldn’t matter all that much. The letter does, after all, make them look less like intellectually superior beings and more like superior douchebags.

    I wonder how many gatherings/parties they have hosted on their expensive decks? Show them that you can have more fun. See what they think when you have your first party and 50 or so of your closest family and friends arrive to fest on your hand-crafted deck… and park on the edges of their luscious green lawns, pee in their bushes, and throw beer cans in their back yards. hehe

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:27 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #18   Amber

    Reading that the other deck is “glistening, shiny white” makes me think it’s from a plastic kit…and is hideous, either way. This one is gorgeous!

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:28 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #19   scott hall

    what the fuuuck… that is really creepy. Parts of the note were funny but the fact that it’s about their neighbor’s deck is both weird and… still funny LOL!

    I’m betting this is some crazy inside joke to some kids with too much time on their hands.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:29 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #20   phil

    Your neighbor is totally jealous.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:30 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #21   Becca

    Wow I would hate to have neighbors like that. What a complete ass. He must have just been jealous of the outcome. Who gives a f*** how long it took your neighbor to complete a project? Those people are obviously very unhappy and have a lot of time on their hands.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:31 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #22   ashums

    White people…. Thats how they are. smile in your face then slap you in the back of the neck.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:33 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #22.1   lagne

      With their glistening shiny white di – erm, deck.

      Deck.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 10:37 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #22.2   deb katz

      Can’t trust whitey.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 10:49 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #22.3   SaucyDeb

      Yeah.. venomous suburban letters are pretty much exclusive to white folks. After all, they are universally known for their big decks.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 8:46 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #22.4   quat

      Well, how many big black decks have you seen in suburbia? I hear that big brown decks are becoming more common, though.

      Sep 16, 2012 at 8:58 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #23   Kate

    That deck is AWESOME. The neighbor is probably jealous because he started trying to build his own, but decided to call in a professional because he couldn’t manage it. I would definitely suspect the people with the “shiny white deck.” And maybe find some nice fresh dog crap to put on it.

    You know, you just got confused about which deck was supposed to have it…

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:39 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #24   Rinny

    …can someone please explain to me the picture in the middle of that letter captioned “your deck aka. butt?” Because, to me, it looks like two men with double chins and squished noses kissing while sharing the same pair of glasses.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:43 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #24.1   Nicki

      I believe it’s a pair of butt cheeks with a face drawn on them.

      Also, I’ve been building my own chicken coop for the past 3 months, and I was just thinking the other day that my neighbors probably wish all the sawing/drilling/hammering/screwing got done in a weekend, instead of being dragged out all damn summer. Wonder if I’ll get a special note from any of them?

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:25 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #24.2   Ben

      Yep, just finished my deck (split level, 9 m x 6 m, plus ramps, screens, security gates), took about 8 months by myself, 1 day a fortnight. The only time I had any “witty” comments from neighbours was when I made the final push and spent 3 days, 8 hours a day finishing it. Can’t please some people.

      Sep 18, 2012 at 11:40 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #25   S.A.

    Ok, so I was reading the letter and waiting to read something about how the noise of the construction of the deck may have disturbed them in some way, but nope..none of that. Just how bad they think the deck is?? Come the hell on. Sound like a bunch of ignorant kids that typed the letter to be honest.
    P.s. The deck looks great!

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:45 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #26   shesajem

    I’d like to deck the note writer.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:55 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #27   Frank

    Suck my deck, inferior neighbors.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 10:55 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #28   Junebug

    I like a man who takes his time.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 11:15 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #28.1   Bec

      Yes I would much rather a man who takes his time, over a man who has to pay for it.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:42 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #28.2   The Elf

      True for both DIY projects and sex.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 7:59 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #28.3   Trainer

      Aaaaaaand that’s the joke!

      Sep 8, 2012 at 2:24 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #29   J

    That’s a very nice deck.

    It’s sad that people don’t seem to be able to mind their own business any more. It’s bad enough that people use the anonymity of the internet to be mean to other people. But now it seems to be spilling out into the real world. The author of the letter deserves a big, fat deck shoved up his or her rear end.

    Hopefully this video I helped work on will bring everyone a smile. Like the author of the letter, it’s creepy:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffTYNuke_nw

    Sep 6, 2012 at 11:21 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #30   Amber

    That.

    That was a seriously creepy note. And, of course, you know who the writer is, since he mentioned his own shiny white deck, so now you can avoid him like the plague!

    Sep 6, 2012 at 11:24 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #30.1   aliceblue

      Yeah, as a single woman the creep factor is much worse than the asshole factor. Watching you for a year? Anyone who “keeps to himself” and “seems like a nice guy” nearby? I suggest some privacy hedges or maybe lattice on your lovely deck (I used a nail gun to put some on one side of my desk bec. I like having coffee outside while still in a nightgown). But before you do, do you or friends own guns? Clean them out side, about the time you used to work on your deck.

      Sep 6, 2012 at 11:44 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #30.2   Belinda

      I wish I could like this twice!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 12:16 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #30.3   wanda

      And obviously he is the one in the neighborhood who doesn’t have what it takes to fill an underwear pouch. He sneaks a letter into your mailbox anonymously? What a bitch move. I’d call him a girl, but I’m a girl, and it would just be insulting. He’s a castratto.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 7:58 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #31   M.

    That deck is beautiful and whoever wrote that letter is a piece of shit, and most likely 16 years old. I’m glad you’re stronger than me because if I had gotten a letter like that I would have cried. How can people be so mean?

    Sep 6, 2012 at 11:24 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #32   Daniel Stanton

    Your Neighbors are really a bunch of muppets. They must have no life at all. It’s an amazing looking deck that most of us wouldn’t be able to do and good on you for doing it yourself. I bet the next door idiots pay to have everything done for them. That’s the saddest part.

    Sep 6, 2012 at 11:26 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #32.1   The Elf

      Muppets? Hell no. Waldorf and Statler would have been more clever in their insults.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:07 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #32.2   Mags

      Does muppet mean something else in other countries? To me, it means Kermit and Gonzo and the other guys from the Muppet Show, and they are AWESOME!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:16 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #32.3   Dr_Know

      It’s slang for idiot/useless/ignorant in Australia :)

      Sep 8, 2012 at 5:52 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #33   Laura

    FABULOUS deck! I think it looks outstanding. Your neighbors can go suck a deck. Also? I think you might live in my neighborhood. We got an anonymous letter dropped in our mailbox November 1st a couple of years ago, which started off with, “Nice devil worshiping costumes!” (about my 2 sets of twins dressed like KISS – it was epic) and went on to say, “Clean up your yard and keep your retard off the street!” (Our then-6-year old son, who has autism, who was learning to ride a 2-wheel bike.) PEOPLE ARE LAME. And everyone has gigantic balls when they’re hiding behind an anonymous note!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 12:04 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #33.1   SaucyDeb

      Well that’s just downright mean. You should have started letting your autistic son ride his bike IN the KISS costume. Not only would that have been awesome, it would have also have gotten your nasty neighbor’s panties all in a bunch. Dual purpose!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 8:51 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #33.2   AP

      You should have called the police if you didn’t know the neighbor who made the complaint was just a crackpot. If one of them does something illegal to your kid (yells, hits, aims car at, BB gun) you want a paper trail.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 10:30 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #33.3   Poltergeist

      You’re a more forgiving person than I am, Laura. Taking a jab at the yard or a Halloween costume is one thing, but if I ever received a letter telling me to keep my retard child off the street, all hell would break loose on my block until I found out who the author was. What they wrote skates the line between insult and threat.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 10:50 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #33.4   Laura

      FYI, we wrote our own letter in response and my husband and I went door to door to every single house on our street and shared a copy of the letter with each neighbor and left them a copy of our letter as well. Everyone seemed appropriately shocked and upset by all of it, and nobody had any idea who it could have been. However, I live in a neighborhood where people seem to live and die by the HOA rules, and ROUTINELY make anonymous complaints to the board about ridiculous things, like Razor scooters left on the porch, or dry spots in the lawn where the sprinklers miss. I tell you what, we moved to this area for the schools, so that our special needs child would have a chance to really do well – and he has – but the snobbishness and generally douchebaggery of the place really does get under my skin at times.

      We did get the police involved – as you said, just for the paper trail. If something else occurred, we wanted to have a record of it. We never did find out who sent the letter, and now that we’ve lived here about 3 years and pretty much know all our neighbors by name, I don’t think I WANT to know. We don’t all have to be best friends, but we CAN be civil to one another, y’know? If the writer’s identity was revealed, I don’t know that I could live among these folks any more!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:02 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #34   Sandals

    BEAUTIFUL dec k. As one who would take 10 years to build that, my hat is off to you. I’d join you any night for wine and snubbing the a-hole neighbors. What total asses they make of themselves by writing that.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 12:29 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #35   Koolazzbiatch

    That’s a great deck! Maybe it’s time for another project… perhaps a fence?? Just sayin’…

    Sep 7, 2012 at 12:37 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #36   Lisa S.

    I like how this person tries to make it out like the whole neighborhood got together to pen this lovely note, but slips into the first person singular for much of the middle of this lovely tome.

    Most likely a man; woman aren’t prone to denouncements of masculinity.

    Also it appears he may have googled “number of hours in a year” and took the answer from Yahoo Answers, which proves without a doubt he’s an idiot. That’s the first answer in the Google results for that query that goes to exactly that decimal place. But question… do you have a neighbor named Douglass? Perhaps he’s the one that wrote the question. O.O http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110424015129AAbP4hp

    P.S Your deck sucks.
    P.P.S I’m totally kidding, your deck is literally awesome.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:00 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #37   Ginny

    “I wouldn’t wipe my butt with your deck.” hahahahahahaha…..what the hell? Dude, I’d TOTALLY wipe my butt on your deck. That is a sweet deck! ;)

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:07 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #37.1   Junebug

      Why not wipe your butt with it? It looks perfectly well sanded to me.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 9:22 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #38   Jami

    The deck is beautiful.

    The neighbor is a nitwit and has probably never even spoken to your wife.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:11 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #39   ano

    wow, the person who wrote this note is a huge asshole.

    You should make an extension to your deck and draw it out for 2 years. Or perhaps a fence. bitches hate fences.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:17 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #40   Jenny

    I’d like to vote most dickish douchebag notewriter

    Team hard worker.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:19 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #41   Joshi

    Here’s what happened, the letter writer is hoping that his letter will crush you spirits so much that you’ll throw the deck out, affording him the perfect opportunity to take it and put it in his garden.

    It’d be genius if it wasn’t so stupid.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:42 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #42   nurgleth

    This is both so creepy and idiotic I have no words.

    Seriously. I tried writing a rebuttal but my brain just kept going “Damn, that’s one creepy asshole”.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 2:52 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #43   Cute Dot

    The funniest part is that they think their letter is clever.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 3:10 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #44   Christense

    Notice the note doesn’t say “my deck is better than yours” it says “your neighbor’s deck is better” clearly witten by someone without a deck. Anyway, I think it’s a gorgeous deck and I’d love to have one.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 3:46 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #45   Rumtopf

    Ask the people with the shiny new white deck who put it up and I’m guessing you’ll find the butthurt contractor who wrote the note.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 4:02 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #46   Dr_Know

    I think this is one of the worst notes I’ve ever seen on this site! Maybe it’s because you can tell from most of the others that it comes from a place of frustration.

    But this is just crazy…someone built a deck on their property and this somehow upset you, notewriter?

    By the way, that is a glorious deck!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 4:41 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #46.1   The Elf

      Yes! This is what gets me the most. Let’s assume that the deck really is terrible. (It isn’t, but let’s pretend that it is.) How is it the neighbor’s business?

      Even if it violates HOA rules, that’s an HOA thing not a neighbor-to-neighbor PAN thing.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:10 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #47   Kaz

    They are clearly jealous that you are talented enough to build one yourself and save a fortune in contract costs.
    Maybe they are just too strapped for cash to pay for one to be built for them but also know they have none of your talent to build one themselves.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 5:06 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #48   Tim G

    How ridiculously petty can ANYONE be!! You built a beautiful deck & have a feeling of accomplishment for doing so, While on the other hand your neighbor has a “gleaming white” (YUUCH) either plastic coated or worse just plastic, deck that he probably overpaid for and is likely still paying for on his 27% interest credit card. All so he can have the accomplishment of having someone else do the work and sit on his FAT ASS for a year complaining about you.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 5:40 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #49   Shan

    I’d take the next year and build a big-ass fence.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 5:48 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #50   Uninspired Required Name

    Yeah, someone definitely showed their ass, and it wasn’t the deck. What jerks. Not everyone has all the free time in the world to throw a deck up in a week, some people work for a living.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 6:03 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #51   C

    I’m glad this happened, because due to that letter, we all got to see your deck. Which just like the people who wrote the letter, makes me very jealous. I want it. No I don’t, it’s a crap deck… I want it. Make me a deck? I’d wait a year if that was the result. Really well done on the deck.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 6:16 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #52   madrugada

    That is without a doubt the creepiest PAN I’ve seen. It manages to be moronic and scary as fuck at the same time. Plus, the grammar is atrocious, which makes me want to persuade the deck builder (great job, btw!) to take the next 6 to 12 months to build a dog poop “Hi Neighbor!” rocket launcher. Said launcher will be in a fixed mount, aimed at…you know whom.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 6:30 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #53   Christine

    My guess is that some of the wives in the neighborhood were nagging their husbands, “how come you can’t build me a deck like that?” The guys got together, had a few brews, and vented some steam.

    It looks like a really nice deck.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 6:48 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #53.1   H for Toy

      It’s a gorgeous deck! I’m going to show this to my husband and tell him I want one like it… and I want it completed within a year. Then he’s going to be pissed at Travis, too.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:32 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #54   ShellyB

    I’m not normally a confrontational person but as the resident builder of various house projects in my spare time (and I do a great job of it), I would have immediately marched myself over to this guy’s house and been up in his grill demanding that he say these things to my face. Hopefully I’d then get to use some of my jiu-jitsu training on his wimpy metrosexual crybaby rear-end.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 6:54 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #55   Lark

    See, this reads like 4chan in the flesh to me – I bet it has nothing to do with the deck. Somewhere in your vicinity are some youngish men (I mean, that doesn’t seem like the same kind of spite a woman would put to paper) who basically just want to troll you. Why you? No particular reason. They thought it would be fun to pick out someone in the neighborhood and see if they could fuck with him, possibly loosely based on noticing that it took you a while to build the deck. (They probably leave notes for women neighbors about their appearance….hey, you might want to ask around if anyone has been getting these little nonny mouses.) Nothing to do with you or the deck, really, just the random desire to hurt people. To me that’s creepy enough that I’d make sure I had plenty of outdoor lights around my house – your keyboard commando type doesn’t usually resort to physical stuff but you never know when there’s a group of them and they’ve had a few.

    My dad built various stuff outside and around the house when I was small – and yes, those projects took a LONG time. Why? Because he was a father and a full time worker with other responsibilities. Also, he wanted to do a good job. Sure, he could have skipped out on chores and left them all for my mom or skimped on effort and gotten done quicker – but although it took a while, we had a very high-quality porch and a great basement that added value to the house and that everyone loved. Your deck is terrific – it’s not only nicely done, it’s unusual. Not only will you enjoy it, but if/when you go to sell the house, it will be a terrific selling point.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 8:01 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #55.1   Poltergeist

      I came to the same conclusion, Lark. The tone of the note and the ass-face convinces me that this was written by a male between the ages of 13-30 who thinks he’s the most hilarious and clever piece of shit to ever walk the planet. Most likely an avid internet forum lurker. He obviously tried very hard to amuse himself while writing this.

      So this is how it feels to profile a criminal!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:44 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #55.2   The Elf

      He’s probably lurking on this forum…. right now!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 1:23 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #56   Ashley

    I’ve never felt more opposed to a note than this one. What a jerk

    Sep 7, 2012 at 8:03 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #56.1   The Elf

      I dunno, the vegan roommate thing (with bonus cat follow-up!) was also pretty damn far out. Can I be equally opposed to both?

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:13 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #56.2   The Elf

      That deck needs some outdoor cats.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 1:21 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #56.3   Connie

      Elf, I was just thinking the same thing!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 1:38 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #57   Ashley

    I’d say they’re creepy, bad spellers, have an odd obsession with your man parts, and that’s one beautiful deck!!! Absolutely gorgeous! :-)

    Sep 7, 2012 at 8:25 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #57.1   Vulpis

      Obviously…they want to jump his deck.

      Sep 8, 2012 at 1:45 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #58   3azeez

    Well done, your deck looks good. Don’t mind the jerks that wrote the note. They’re just jealous. And since they brought your wife to the subject… i bet its a jealous woman.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 8:32 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #59   redheadwglasses

    A year? That’s nothing? I work with a guy who’s been “building a deck” the whole time I’ve worked here. Six+ years.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 8:45 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #59.1   Lil'

      My brother-in-law has been building my mother-in-law’s deck for at least 8 years. No joke. It took at least four years for him to lay the steps into place, but we still couldn’t walk on them for about another 6 months because they were not secure. He’s finally built the entire structure except for the side rails on the wrap around portion, but by now, the nails have worked their way out of the sections he put together early on. He even partially painted it and those parts have already needed a fresh coat – the rest is just bare. If anyone talks about hiring someone to finish it, he gets motivated to work faster for about a week. Then he fades out. The sad part is he lives there and works from home as a self-trained carpenter – so he’s home ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. My mother-in-law is far too nice about it. The deck in the picture is gorgeous and skillfully made. I’m guessing at the rate my brother-in-law works, it would have taken him about 17 years to craft that.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 10:02 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #59.2   The Elf

      Put me in the slow-motion home improvement club too. I moved three years ago and still haven’t put up all my pictures.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:15 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #59.3   Seanette

      @The Elf, thanks for making me feel better about my own wall stuff still not being up about 2 1/2 months after my move. It’ll be happening in the next 24 hours (got dinner guests tomorrow).

      Sep 7, 2012 at 2:37 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #59.4   redheadwglasses

      I moved into my new condo 6 years ago. I have nothing on my walls. It’s okay, though — I’m moving this fall!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 4:21 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #59.5   The Elf

      So no need to start, right?

      Sep 7, 2012 at 7:56 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #60   Kimm

    what an asshole. Seriously. What kind of grown man gets pleasure from making fun of other adults? Unless the note-writer is actually in junior high? The picture of a hiney with a face drawn on it does kind of lead in that direction.

    Oh yeah, and the deck looks fine. I wish I had a deck. I don’t even have a yard. Poor me.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 9:00 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #61   CallMeWhatYouWill

    and this is why I hate people.

    p.s. the deck looks awesome!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 9:10 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #62   Fireseeker

    The note-writer talks about Travis needing guts, but he needs some himself; I notice he didn’t have enough to sign his name to the note.

    Btw, I highly suspect the note-writer is a bored high school student with no life.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 9:19 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #63   bitchy the dwarf

    did y’all notice that it looks like this deck is not on the ground? If you look in the left corner, it looks like there is another level beneath it, which makes this deck doubly awesome and well worth the time to do it right!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 9:36 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #64   Ely North

    If I were that guy, I would start setting fire to my neighbor’s decks, one at a time. I smell arson!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 9:41 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #65   Kwyjor

    Point of order: sure, this is a totally awesome picture of a deck, but what if it looks crappy from ground level, or has a lousy foundation? (But then, if we’re going to get all solipsistic we can’t even be sure whose deck this is exactly, so never mind.)

    Anyway, I’m also amazed that politics haven’t been hauled into this thread yet. One possible interpretation of the note is that the only people who should have decks are rich people who can afford to pay carpenters they can fire if they don’t get the work done in a week. ;)

    Sep 7, 2012 at 9:56 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #66   becky

    I am scared for you that you live so close to a mentally ill person who has set his sights on you. Your deck looks really nice. I think perhaps there (by the way, the writer does not know his there/their/they’re) is some deck envy going on here, as well as a host of other things!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 10:23 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #67   Ashley

    What a d*ck. That’s a beautiful deck. If I built something that looked that good, I’d show it off. Speaking of which, maybe that’s what Travis should do. Host a huge backyard BBQ and invite all the neighbors and give individual tours of the deck.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 10:25 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #68   jon29

    I would be proud to wipe my butt with that deck, sir.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 10:42 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #69   berge bang

    There are a thousand things so wrong about this note, but I can’t help but point out that there are 8760 hours in a year. Not 8765.81277.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 11:00 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #69.1   Lisa S.

      Actually there are 8765 days and change. That’s why we need a leap day every 4 years.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:24 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #70   Chinchillazilla

    Wow. My dad and I built a shed this summer, and it took about three months and was much smaller and less gorgeous than that. But I’m really proud of it. If I got a note like that, I’d be pretty sad.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 11:07 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #71   Mags

    I’d be tempted to copy the letter and my response and deliver it to all neighbours.

    “Consider this your courtesy notice that the chicken coop build will begin shortly. Expected completion in early 2014.”

    Sep 7, 2012 at 11:23 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #72   Dizzy

    Wow, with almost all of the notes on this site you can see a point – however misguided, obscure or bizarre – on the part of the letter writer but this person is just a massive asshole. What’s passive about this apart from the anonymity? I’d invite the whole neighbourhood round for a drink on the new deck and then show everyone the note and let the snake who wrote it have to listen to the entirety of his/her neighbours run him down.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 11:48 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #73   redheadwglasses

    I think it was written by a man whose wife harassed him for the whole year about the neighbor guy who was building his wife and family a gorgeous deck all by himself.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 11:48 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #74   Jenny

    That deck is so beautiful!

    We teased my mom relentlessly about her deck, which took her FOUR YEARS to build, even after paying my brother to help her with it. And though hers is very large (and her point of pride, uses no nails or screws), it isn’t as charming as yours.

    Well done!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 12:20 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #75   Bluecanary

    Teenagers. Stoned, bored teenagers. Or possibly stoned bored college kids. Either way, vaguely creepy. And, nice deck.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 12:53 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #76   Carra

    God – what the hell?! Idiots. That’s a gorgeous deck.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 12:57 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #77   deprogrammed

    Judging by the FANTABULOUS deck you built, the notewriter would need something that size to clean his obviously massive buttspace.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:14 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #78   Jess

    To the OP: I hope your smashing new deck makes up for having to live next to such douchebags. If it makes you feel any better your neighbors couldn’t write their way out of a wet paper bag.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:20 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #79   Ho-Ju

    Are crappy decks and poop decks basically the same thing?

    P.S. That deck is obviously not crappy.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 1:45 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #80   QBall

    Mike Holmes would be proud.. You’re neighbors a douche. Great job on the deck and you can post this on his front door

    Sep 7, 2012 at 2:20 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #81   RoxyRocketeer

    Response: invite whole neighborhood for backyard barbecue. Get a hundred million compliments on your handiwork and manly craft (seriously, amazing deck, man, from one DYI weekend warrior to another). Present this letter to be roasted. Laugh. Reap the benefits of your labor with neighborhood admiration. Eat awesome meats. Enjoy life. You win.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 3:24 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #81.1   lagne

      Seconded, wholeheartedly. How hilarious and awesome would this be.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 11:40 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #82   Mel

    THIS MAN NEEDS TO CALL THE POLICE!! Am I alone in thinking this???? If I received this note, I would be terrified!!

    P.S. What a LOSER, to take the time and let a neighbor know his b.s.-ass opinion. So you and your friends sit around and laugh at the hard-working guy across the road, laboring on a deck for his family. Friends? Yeah right.

    P.P.S. That’s a BEAUTIFUL deck. Looks fantastic. Definitely year-worthy.

    P.P.P.S. “Suck my deck” is an amazing comment.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 3:54 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #82.1   redheadwglasses

      Holy Overreaction, Batman!

      Sep 7, 2012 at 4:22 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #83   Rene

    What’s your address? I’m going to come over with my large cousins from New York & start knocking on doors. That is a gorgeous deck.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 4:24 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #84   UHOH

    The point here is that it is so incredibly rude to subject your neighbors to an ENTIRE YEAR of construction noise. How selfish and inconsiderate.

    As someone whose neighbor is currently building a rooftop deck only on the weekends, I sympathize with what drove this neighbor to be such an insane asshole. Having every weekend ruined by incessant hammering, sawing, and nail gunning, I am losing my mind. If this goes on for even half a year, I will write a letter as nasty and crazy as this one.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 5:03 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #84.1   deprogrammed

      Nope. Not the point. Not at all.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 5:10 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #84.2   Me

      Hopefully the moral of the site is that being PA doesn’t solve anything. If you sit there fuming for a year and your best confrontation involves sending an anonymous note after the fact, you’ve failed. Clearly, people don’t know how to buck up and show their face instead of being a complete creep anymore.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 7:10 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #84.3   The Elf

      Why don’t you speak to your neighbor? If he’s going beyond acceptable hours (too early, too late), then it is a legit gripe and maybe he’ll scale it back a bit. Or if you have a special event, maybe you can ask him to take a break for that day.

      Otherwise close the window and turn on the radio, because it’s his house, not yours.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 8:05 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #84.4   Dizzy

      That’s part and parcel of living in a neighbourhood where people take pride in their homes. Dogs barking, kids screeching, barbeque smoke, lawnmowers, porch lights on timers, yardwork and maintenance noise – all this stuff can be mildly bothersome but par for the course unless you live in the middle of nowhere. As someone else says, address the early mornings or whatever is a real problem DIRECTLY but otherwise be glad people are improving their property and know that for sure something you do is bothering your neighbours somehow too.

      Sep 7, 2012 at 10:37 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #84.5   Humid Hockey

      How’s about showing up on workday (even once) and helping the dude out? No?

      He would turn you down, flat. But you asked, and were a sensible, helpful human being. Everybody wins.

      Ah. I see. You aren’t a sensible, helpful human being. My bad.

      Sep 10, 2012 at 2:47 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #85   Nikki

    I would totally wipe my butt with your deck.

    And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 5:43 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #86   Kate

    Can you build a deck for me, please? I’d much rather wait a year for something as nice as this deck than pay someone to whip out something that looks like everyone else’s. Great job Travis! You should have a big party on that new deck and make sure to not invite any of your stupid neighbors.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 6:21 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #87   Amy

    Someone has a jealous asshole for a neighbor. I think that deck is quite nice!!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 7:11 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #88   cReader

    Wow, that’s an amazing deck!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 7:40 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #89   Greg House

    Beautiful deck!
    I bet that weirdos “deck” is much smaller than your “deck”…that’s why he spent a whole year(!) watching you build it…you need to buy yourself a couple of shotguns/rifles and conveniently have to clean them on said deck. Or maybe suddenly get the urge to build a shed and take a year to build that as well…

    Sep 7, 2012 at 8:39 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #90   Inja.pahn

    That is a Beautiful deck. Don’t let jerks tell you otherwise. Be proud of your self and your accomplishment ^_^. Eventually they will get theirs.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 9:00 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #91   bluebunny27

    I would never read the whole letter … I would have stopped after the 2nd line since it was obviously stupid nonsense. Why read anonymous garbage like that any way ?? He could
    P.S. Deck looks good but it shouldn’t have taken a year to build, I mean come on ! I thought I was slow on these projects but this makes me feel good, I’m actually very fast and efficient after all !
    Marc ;-)

    Sep 7, 2012 at 10:20 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #92   Daw

    This note’s just funny – completely harmless too. I can understand the motivations behind it, and that’s what makes it funny to me. If my father wanted anything done, he and all my brothers are there in a flash and whatever it is is banged out – literally – in a week or less. Taking forever on a project is the sort of thing they’d frown upon. “Sure, you’re building a deck, but what good is a deck half built that you can’t use? It’s worthless until you finish it.” They take forever to START projects, my family, but once they’ve decided to do it for real, it’s done. Watching some dude straggle along with a deck – the niceness of the finished product doesn’t matter – is just kind of disgusting to them. That’s the sort of mentality behind the note! And face it, almost everyone thinks random stupid shit about other people, this guy just happened to actually tell someone what he was thinking. And that’s it – just some dude sitting on his deck thinking – “AGAIN? God, just finish it already, christ…I don’t care how it looks, just get it done!” The noise is just a further irritant – possibly just enough to spark the note.

    Not sayin’ the dude isn’t an ass, but he’s a harmless ass like the rest of us, thinking in our fit, “God, Mary hasn’t finished that report YET? What is she doing?!”. Laugh about it and get your butt in gear for next time if you don’t want to see someone roll their eyes at you verbally again haha

    Sep 7, 2012 at 10:51 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #92.1   Poltergeist

      A neighbor taking their time to build something nice on their own property by hand shouldn’t “disgust” anybody. Not everybody is able to bang stuff out in less than a week, especially when they’re doing it alone and have tons of other responsibilities as well. If your father and brothers would look down on Travis rather than commend him on his dedication and handiwork, they they’re a bunch of assholes in the same vein as this pussy notewriter.

      The noise wasn’t the issue here either as it was never once brought up. The note was simply meant to insult, what with the sarcasm and the jabs at his masculinity and the picture. Either way, there’s nothing you can do about the noise unless it goes into unreasonable hours – same as people mowing their lawns on the weekends. It comes with the territory when you live in a neighborhood. Have the balls to go over to nicely chat with your neighbor. Writing an anonymous note doesn’t do anything except make you look like a little bitch.

      Sep 8, 2012 at 12:35 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #92.2   Dizzy

      The “I don’t care how it looks, just get it done” attitude your family has is the reason so many houses have tarps covering holes, crappy looking fences falling over into the sidewalk, and have to redo maintenance projects year after year ….. getting it done RIGHT is worth taking the time over. I applaud our fearless deck-building OP for doing so.

      Sep 9, 2012 at 10:18 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #92.3   Mawwd

      Nobody said what my family does looks bad. They care quite a bit about how it looks and functions. They make great looking items, because they’re practically carpenters (it’s just not their job). They just happen to do absolutely no dilly-dallying and will take a weekend or two to work from sunup to sundown and get it done, and get it done right. Kind of like Amish barn-raising, really.

      If they’re assholes for thinking less of someone for taking a long time, well, okay I guess. Many managers are assholes too, same mentality there. But hey at least they are assholes who get it done and get it done right! And they keep to themselves, so unless I told you, you might not even know they were assholes.

      Sep 11, 2012 at 2:19 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #92.4   Chris Miller

      But you did tell us…

      Sep 12, 2012 at 4:19 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #92.5   Poltergeist

      So Travis should have worked sunup to sundown to complete a side project as fast as possible, all on his own, on top of (or perhaps rather than) his other responsibilities, just to prevent grown men from judging him behind his back like little girls because they think he’s taking too long to do something that doesn’t concern them in the least. Gotcha.

      Sep 14, 2012 at 7:44 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #93   zookeepertx bang

    Technically, it’s a federal offense for anyone besides a postal employee to mess with your mailbox. Travis should report this to the cops!
    BTW – AWESOME deck!

    Sep 7, 2012 at 10:56 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #94   Rainne

    That’s a fantastic deck – and I speak as someone with extensive DIY experience (my dad was a big DIY-er and it was always us kids who had to help build everything).

    Non-spelling neighbor is clearly totes jelleh.

    Sep 7, 2012 at 11:13 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #95   Chris

    I would send it to the local paper, calling the note writer out by name. This note is absolutely disgusting.

    Sep 8, 2012 at 12:12 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #95.1   Vulpis

      Well, send it to the local paper, but don’t try to name the neighbor–after all, you could end up pointing a finger at the wrong person. Besides–which is more fun, pointing a finger at someone, or watching a whole slew of others point fingers for you?

      Sep 8, 2012 at 2:02 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #95.2   Anon

      PA notes is better!

      Sep 8, 2012 at 3:26 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #96   Lottie

    Wow, this note is… what a fucking weirdo the note writer is. Who gives a fuck if it takes someone a solid decade to build a deck? Never understood why people care so much about things that have no absolutely nothing to do with them.

    Sep 8, 2012 at 12:33 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #97   Babyinthecorner bang

    Does anyone else feel the creepiest thing about this ubercreepy note is that the writer claims to know what Travis’s family is really thinking? And speaks for the entire neighbourhood. I am seeing a lack of connection to what we might refer to as reality. To say nothing of what a party it sounds like in their house- they have spent a year secretly watching their neighbour go about a DIY project and making thousands of jokes about his rate of work. What larks!

    Sep 8, 2012 at 2:25 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #98   Donnica

    I’ve had neighbors like this. Our neighborhood was a nice, normal, middle-middle-class suburb. When crime in the big city got really bad all the doctors and lawyers moved in and gentrified us. So part of the neighborhood is still regular guys who can fix and build stuff in their spare time, and part is yuppy lawyers and surgeons who can’t build a paper airplane and have to pay people to do everything for them (mow the lawns, put up the storm windows, raise the kids). They try to disparage the regular guys who do stuff themselves (serious power tool envy) but all the women know who to call when a pipe breaks. I’d bet the note-writer is some over-educated under-abled white-collar guy who hates being reminded of his own inadequacies.

    Sep 8, 2012 at 4:44 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #98.1   Rattus

      Overeducated? The note writer? Did you actually read the note? Whatever he may be, he certainly is not overeducated.

      Sep 8, 2012 at 5:05 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #99   Jimbo

    It took you a year because you didn’t work on it every weekend. That’s obvious by the look of your deck. This letter is seriously f**ked up and I would be watching my neighbours closely. Whoever wrote this is crazy. Really.

    Sep 8, 2012 at 4:49 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #99.1   Nola.

      Agreed, I got seriously creeped out.

      Sep 8, 2012 at 6:25 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #99.2   Jimbo

      Sorry. Reading my comment and it looks like I thought it was shit.I meant to say by the look of the deck, which is great and a good job was done, it obviously wasn’t hammered out in a weekend and you took your time. Which is your choice!

      Sep 8, 2012 at 10:34 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #99.3   Catethulhu

      Yeah, no kidding. What a creepy loser. I don’t even notice what my neighbors do and people who do are weird (unless your neighbors make a lot of noise or throw garbage around or something like that maybe). Your neighbor must be stalking you, dude. 0_O

      Sep 9, 2012 at 4:41 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #100   Garrett

    I’m a professional carpenter/handyman. I have seen some really shoddy work done by DIY-ers and have had to come in and repair such work. When I start my own business (one day), I want to stick with exterior carpentry — decks, porches, patios, siding, gazebos, etc. There is nothing wrong with that deck. At all. I think it came out great. Could I have done it in less than a year? Of course, but that’s my job. I wouldn’t be working on it in my spare time. That neighbor is a real dickhead. Good job on the deck, chief.

    Sep 8, 2012 at 5:42 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #101   Nola.

    wow, truly sick people, I’d be apprehensive about spending time in my back yard after this.

    Sep 8, 2012 at 6:23 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #102   Ace of Space

    Oh, I just love your big, thick, deck! But I don’t think it would fit in my tight back yard…

    (said in my best breathy Marilyn Monroe voice)

    Sep 8, 2012 at 8:40 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #103   Kitty

    I would just like to add my platitude to the collection: this deck is absolutely breathtaking! My jaw dropped when I scrolled down to the image. I love this deck so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.

    Sep 9, 2012 at 7:58 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #103.1   Poltergeist

      Are you two going to name your child Pinocchio?

      Sep 9, 2012 at 4:26 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #104   Jack

    I think that is a beautiful deck and something to be proud of. The jerk that wrote that disgusting letter is most likely a left wing libtard occupier or something much worse I cannot say on here LOL.. Hang in there…good job!

    Sep 9, 2012 at 11:45 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #104.1   Poltergeist

      You’re trying way too hard. If you’re going to attempt to insert politics into something that’s clearly unpolitical, don’t make it so painfully obvious…like a typical stupid ass repugnican. That’s right, I just beat you at your own game.

      Sep 9, 2012 at 4:23 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #104.2   Chris Miller

      Funny, the Occupiers I met were all the type to do something themselves and probably would have offered to help Travis out.

      Sep 12, 2012 at 4:23 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #105   Kelsey

    A very beautiful deck, one that I’m jealous I do not have. :) I do hope you are proud of your hard work! My dad takes a long time to finish projects too, but he works full time to support the family- so it’s all the more impressive when the project is completed. Very admirable that you executed such an awesome space AND worked through it too. Most people can’t and won’t do something that cool.

    Sep 9, 2012 at 2:26 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #106   Splash

    Um, first of all, that is a gorgeous deck and marvelous work, especially considering this dude did it completely alone. Secondly, I love how the letter writer implies that the deck builder is stupid, and yet they cannot distinguish the difference between your/you’re and their/they’re and also apparently has no idea how to punctuate. Finally, who the hell has the sort of time to write out something so stupid and mean, especially when it has zero impact on them? Again, the deck looks great. These particular neighbors blow. I’m willing to bet the writer is the same person who owns the white deck mentioned. Asshats.

    Sep 9, 2012 at 3:33 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #107   steph

    That deck is spectacular and I would pay you to make me a deck that pretty.

    Sep 9, 2012 at 4:19 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #108   Catethulhu

    Seriously, that deck is gorgeous. Your neighbor must be jealous and has the maturity level of a 5 year old, with poor grammar skills. I wish I had the skill you have, Travis. It’s reasonable to take a long time, if you do a job well and you only have the occasional few hours to work on it.

    Sep 9, 2012 at 4:36 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #109   DS

    The note writer is a psycho and an idiot. Now that they’re not watching you build anymore they’ll be watching you through your windows. CREEPY

    Sep 9, 2012 at 5:27 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #110   JC

    That deck is gorgeous. The note writer(s) sound like idiots, and they most likely are jealous.

    Sep 10, 2012 at 10:18 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #111   Andy

    I think it’s a fine deck! And whoever wrote the note is a ftard.

    Sep 10, 2012 at 10:52 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #112   xdrachel

    Can we get a picture of the shiny white one – to compare?

    Sep 10, 2012 at 1:11 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #113   slartibartfast

    notewriter is either the owner of the shiny white deck or you are not the only neighbor he stalks. why does he know how long it took everyone to build their decks?

    and i would like to join the masses in congratulating you on your terrifically beautiful deck. i’d love to spend a minnesota afternoon there. it’s too hot to sit on a deck here in texas.

    Sep 10, 2012 at 1:52 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #114   warns

    Oooooh Jealousy! That deck is nice and those neighbors need hobbies. the end.

    Sep 10, 2012 at 3:00 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #115   Beatus Mongous

    “but I guess your special [what?]” I need to know what of his is special.

    Sep 10, 2012 at 6:57 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #115.1   Chris Miller

      The deck, clearly.

      Sep 12, 2012 at 4:27 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #116   Belaani

    Travis – your deck is beautiful! Job well done, and I know what it’s like to do a job on “spare time”, sometimes very spare indeed. I assume your house is equally nice… too bad it’s situated in a neighborhood full of assholes. Although, it may be only one asshole… throw a deck party, and you’ll probably learn who it is.

    Sep 11, 2012 at 3:06 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #117   DexX

    I’m amazed nobody’s posted this yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ7Ue5emo6I

    Sep 13, 2012 at 12:11 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #118   mandy

    Dude! This is pretty much the rudest thing I’ve ever read. That takes some nerve.

    Sep 14, 2012 at 3:45 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #119   Rachel

    Aww, I like it. It’s beautiful. They’re just being rude jackasses lol

    Sep 14, 2012 at 4:30 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #120   notolaf

    I think you should consider showing that note to the cops. If they’re not already interested in this person, they probably should be.

    On the other hand, it could also be the work of a couple of bored thirteen-year-olds who think they’re simply hilarious.

    Sep 15, 2012 at 4:38 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #121   Jessie

    It’s sad when your neighbors don’t have real world problems. His life must by idyllic. He must not work/have family/pay bills/deal with other people/have been breast fed by hint of lack of social skill/have other important things to care about.

    Sep 22, 2012 at 11:37 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #122   MacFodder

    must be a contractor…as Ron says..”I don’t want to paint with a broad brush here, but every single contractor in the world is a miserable, incompetent thief”

    Sep 23, 2012 at 7:58 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #123   Charleton Heston

    great deck. they’re just jealous fatheads who spank each other in the butt with broken planks.

    Oct 3, 2012 at 6:25 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #124   Rachel

    And this is why I live in a rural area where neighbors are far and few in between.

    Oct 3, 2012 at 11:53 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #125   Storycollector

    Are you serious?! I would pay YOU for building me such an amzingly beautifull deck! The guys writing the letter are clearly blind.

    Oct 20, 2012 at 6:28 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     

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