and, i just noticed some condensation on the window, as an apparent consequence of the heating turning down over the last few days, something i'm not sure i grasp the significance of. i wonder - did the smoking cop like warmer inside temperatures? is the decrease in temperature evidence that she's gone?

the flip side is that it demonstrates that i've created a barrier between in and outside, even if the barrier between up and downstairs isn't so good. if there was more airflow between in and out, the humidity wouldn't have built up on all of the windows.

if the issue upstairs is finally dealt with, that barrier should be a net positive. if it isn't, i might find myself needing to open the window frequently all winter.

unfortunately, the pollution outside this time of year is so bad that going grocery shopping knocks out my sense of smell for a day or two so i'm having a little difficulty sensing my surroundings. it's not all the cars, either - this street didn't seem that bad when i moved in, but, nowadays, this might be the only house for blocks with non-smokers, however tentative that claim actually is. with everybody home and chain smoking, you're talking about 100+ chain smokers in a space not much bigger than a city block. so, when you walk down the street, it's an overwhelming and oppressively strong stench - bad enough that it's doubled me over coughing. and, you can smell it, too, i'm not exaggerating.

so, i just bluntly don't know if things are better right now or if i just can't tell that they're still just as bad. i guess i'll find out in the next day or two, as my sense of smell recovers from massive over-exposure to the pollution outside.