lovely neighbors

The first thing you should definitely do when you move into town, any ole town, but it seems, especially, here, is get to know your neighbors. And do it as quickly as possible. Really easy for me because I'm actually pretty outgoing in certain circumstances and, make a thrice daily habit of walking my dog. When I first got here, literally, for hours. Ahhhh, the good ole days . . . But back to the neighbors . . .Even if just on a first name basis, get to know them, just so they get to know you and expect to see you and if they don't see you, then they wonder about it, and then maybe do something. I mean, this is a big ole city and very easy to get lost in the shuffle if you come knowing nobody. And, if you're an introvert (you knew i had to throw that in), because just day-to-day living here zaps any amount of social interaction that I would even think about having. So, sometimes, like this week, it's real easy to feel completely alone among the throngs and throngs and throngs and throngs and throngs and thr, okay, of people. It's real easy to fucking hate this place and wonder what the hell you are doing HERE. When you could/should be doing "it" (whatever "it" happens to be for you) some other place where it's not so freakin' relentless to just be here, i can't even imagine trying to get something accomplished.

anyway. this, as it so happens, is when those neighbors notice. or, maybe, they are looking for a little diversion themselves, and so you find yourself two doors down having rubbery hamburgers and surfacy but so well intended conversation (and typically, really good beer and/or wine). And you feed their kid soy-yogurt. and you stay for an hour or so. and it's plenty. and it's just NICE. and you don't feel so all alone. And you want to make them cupcakes and brownies or something. And one day, when the mood strikes, you do.