Neighbor Envy

Ok, I wish these guys were my neighbors, but that's not what I meant.

I don't know any of my neighbors. Granted, I've only been there 11 months, but I don't know more than one persons first name and we're on a casual wave basis - no small talk. There aren't really any my age or any I'm pining to get to know, and I really hadn't thought much about it until this past Friday. I went to hang out with a friend who lives in my neighborhood (but not technically a neighbor if I have to drive to her house) and after her husband got home he said he was going to the pool party and the neighbors. We all wandered over, it was dark but I don't know what time b/c we'd already downed most of the wine I brought over. I met 3 couples and we all sat around on their patio talking and drinking more wine while their kids ran around the pool. I was there until 1AM and got invited back to their block party. They were all so nice and fun. Where are my cool neighbors? Where is our block party? So jealous!

Then I recalled that my brother, my intro-verted, anti-social, non-chatty 6'3" brother who just moved into his townhouse 2 months ago tops, suddenly always has a house FULL of neighborhood kids. He is the social mecca of the row. HOw did that happen?! Let's also take into consideration that his kid is the parrallel playing stage of 3 years old so it's not the toddler raking in the neighbors. Maybe it's the xbox? I don't know, I did play the American Idol game with 3 of the "ladies" that come to visit. Last time I was over there I met Jeff. He's got to be like 12. He told me all about his new karate belt and how he'd just moved up a notch and kicked through his first board. Great. Who are you again? Why are you in my brothers house? Maybe it's this shiny cynical attitude keeping my friendly neighbors at bay. So odd.