So the window in my dorm room gives me a scenic view of the parking lot. Yes, it kind of sucks, but I got used to it last semester. It is possible to get used to waking up at 3:00 AM with headlights in the face.
But now there's a new annoyance. One of the lights in the parking lot has gone dodgy, so it's blinking on and off at irregular intervals.
It's a very bright light. And it is directly outside my window.
Imagine, if you will, attempting to sleep under a page full of slow-motion blinky text and you will understand why this is annoying to me.
Our neighbor has a "security" light that does just that, except it's motion activated, which means, that any time it's windy, the light turns on randomly. We got a light-blocking shade (I think there's actually aluminum foil inside) and finally can sleep without "the beacon" disturbing us.
I have one of those motion-activated porchlights right outside my window; I'm not sure what sorts of motions keep setting it off every now and then, but it's bright as day.
If you have a cloth handkercheif, just fold it up and tie it around your head.