Thanks for your comments, everyone. They are much appreciated.
Cheers!
Snoskred

Teeni - I think part of the problem is a lack of furniture. They came over from WA and clearly didn’t bring much stuff with them. So there is nothing in there to soak up any noise like we have. But the foot stomping is more about the way they walk. There are some people who just walk loudly. It wouldn’t matter so much if we were all on separate concrete slabs.

Mark - the stomping doesn’t bug me half as much when I’m feeling well.. I agree re the inconsiderate people, I always try to keep the noise down as much as possible.

Kirsten - I hate the smell of weed myself, it just is stinky. The management should do something about the bass because they wont have many tenants left if they don’t. People do move due to noise, I think it is possibly the number one reason.

River - totally with you on the loss of faith. I don’t see anyone who is providing solutions - they just like to place blame. ;( And YAY for the cherries!

Ian - I have found some incredible products by doing paid posts. I ordered a whole bunch of “free” printing stuff just last week after doing a review on the old blog - there is this fantastic website called vistaprint.com.au where you can get free business cards, sticky notes, rubber stamps, a whole bunch of great stuff and all you pay for is the shipping. I got about 10 different free things for $13.00.

I think the problem is, some advertisers do not want actual reviews. They want to buy links. Many of the bloggers have got into the habit of just doing an advertising pitch, not an *actual* review. I found that a problem when I ordered my own reviews of this blog. But at no time should anyone be doing 10 posts a day with half of them being paid posts and expect to have readers when they’re done. People just won’t stick around for that.

I can review a US site, I’ve done it before and I suggested that they should offer services to Australians - the owner of the site replied in the comments section and thanked me for that feedback. They’ve since gone on to do what I suggested. So I think there can be benefits if it is truly a review they are looking for.

Opal - I know what you mean, and I agree - I tend to overlook because I know people need the money. I enjoy well written paid posts - you do some of the best ones. However there comes a point where some bloggers cross a line and stop providing any readable content at all. One of the reasons is they are trying to do too much - can you imagine doing 4 paid posts with a non paid post of 3-5 lines (which you can tell is quickly written and just there as filler) on either side on your blog in the space of ONE day, equalling 10 posts? Would you ever do that as a blogger? I have the feeling I know your answer would be no. My answer is no. The most paid posts I would ever do in a day here on this blog is one. That would = 3 posts - the thought of the day, the paid post, and my regular non-paid content.

The worst of it is, I’m in PPP. I can see they are being paid $5 per post. So they made $20 bucks out of writing 10 posts. They probably spent 3-4 hours doing it. They’re not getting paid enough to justify the effort.

Julie - In general they have built up their traffic in order to get into the paid posting program - then they go and lose it by trying to do too much. I’m happy to read good posts - regardless of whether they are sponsored or not. But creating good content takes time - we both know that. If I am getting paid the amount I ask for a review - here on this blog it is currently $50, I generally spend 2-4 hours on JUST ONE REVIEW. If someone wanted to pay me $5? I’d be done with it in 10 minutes, maximum. And I think that is exactly how those bloggers are doing those posts, too. They read like they were written in less than 10 minutes.

Dorothy - I have freshly made chicken soup now, and I have been enjoying it greatly. I’ll see what I can find out about sound absorbers. I never heard of them before?

Forest - Yep, he said hi and even waved. And he’s not scary looking. So I don’t get why they didn’t reply. Maybe they just don’t want to be friendly. I do feel like if I stomp around maybe they’ll realise I can hear their stomping..

Tiffany - Thanks! It did feel good to get it out.

The Duchess - I find one quite short post and one longer post is not too offensive to people’s sensibilities. From time to time I do put 3 posts, and I feel like I am pushing a line there, but often the middle post will be a sponsored post and I made a promise to my readers that I always follow that up with non-sponsored content. Maybe that is something I should reconsider.

Flametree - Ouch - those new neighbours sound very unfriendly! I hope they are short term - by the sounds of the amount of arguing that is fairly likely I guess. I’ve been blessed with some wonderful neighbours in my time, some very similar to those you used to have there.

Emily - Obama is downright hot. I hope he gets the nomination because I personally am not keen on Hilary, but maybe that’s just me. And yes, nothing says Sunday night dinner like thumping club music when you’re a single guy, I guess! They really think thumping club music is for all occasions.

Thanks for the comments all!

Snoskred

Our neighbors are four single guys. Who play club music. In the kitchen. Because nothing says Sunday night dinner like thumping club music.

Like you, I got new neighbours recently and am really missing my old ones. The previous couple were in their 50’s and from the country. We used to have regular chats over the balconies and, for me, it was like having surrogate parents living next-door. The new neighbours (who I assume are a couple, can’t confirm because they don’t seem to be able to communicate outside of their apartment) seem to do nothing but argue and hide when I go out onto the balcony. Here’s hoping they’ll be temporary - on both sides of the comment!

I voted…in your poll that is!

Personally, I wouldn’t have time to read more than three posts per day. Two seem to be reasonable and the format that you often use is how I’m liking it! Any more would seem like a bit of a chore, for both the reader and the writer.

Sorry you are still feeling ill :(.

Did you husband say hi to them? Because maybe they are thinking the same thing as you. I ma currently having problems with a housemate. I say hi and sometimes get a hi back but mostly I ma ignored and looked through and she has been leaving mess, arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I say stamp and stamp and stomp and bang until all your anger is released but it’s probably not the correct thing to do :).

I want to be involved with politics but find the politicians just inbearable to listen too!!!

So sorry about the neighbors. Maybe there is something you can do with the house to help. I know they have sound absorbers which may eliminate some of the noise. Good luck, that could be very nerve wracking.

Thanks for the thoughts on paid blogging..they were really worth thinking about..

Dorothy from grammology
remember to call your grandma

WRT paid posts…I think it’s possible that when bloggers switch to that they are expecting more search engine and referral traffic than subscribed. Not always,and I don’t know which blogs you mean. But…it’s possible they are expecting a predominance of traffic through a different route than the typical loyal, subscribed reader.

Julie
Using My Words

The excessive paid posts don’t bother me as much as they used to. I know some of my buddies need that money now. If it is excessive I just bypass I’ll only read what I’m interested in. I do the same with my newspaper. Some of them do write their paid post in a way where I actually like reading what they have to say. They bring their personality into those posts.

I have seen some of my blog buddies create review based websites that have done well. They churn out a lot of posts per day. Their reviews are spot on and they mix personal reviews along with paid reviews. I check the ones I’m interested in.

Occasionally I have done a lot of posts on my alternative healing, recipe website, and technology website. My readership actually increased. The posts were all top quality. I was giving away something free, mainly recipes. I just had a lot to say now I normally save them for advanced posting simply because I’m extremely busy and I don’t always have the time to post every day on all my websites.

However on my photography website when I’m on a roll I’ll post several photography pictures each day.