For the second time in two years, the Houston Press has had an article about an inner-city resident complaining about the noise of a nearby bar or restaurant. This time, the complainer lives in a downtown loft; previously, the complainer lived just outside the Heights.

You'd think I'd be a pretty sympathetic audience for these guys, given that I'm a light-sleeping homeowner with distinct early-bird tendencies. You'd be wrong, though, for the simple reason that each of these whiners bought their overpriced lofts and townhomes knowing fully well that they were in close proximity to places that featured loud music. In each case, the music venues existed before the residences were built. It would be one thing if one day you woke up and discovered that a nightclub was being built next door. It's another thing entirely to buy a house next door to one and then bitch about the noise.

I note that two years later, the Jax Grill on Shepherd still features live zydeco music on Friday nights. I strongly suspect that in two years, the Spy nighclub downtown will still be playing its music. Which is as it should be.