Neighbours, and not the actors.

So this morning, before I hopped in the car and drove to work, I noticed that my next-door neighbours were having a garage sale. Either that or they’d decided to put a whole heap of stuff outside for the public’s viewing pleasure (pleasure being a loose term here). As I’d only recently moved in to the house I’m currently renting, I decided to pop over, say “g’day”, and wish them all the best with the garage sale. I’d only exchanged polite smiles and a quick “hello, how you going?” with these neighbours on one other occasion, so it was nice to introduce myself, and learn their names (which I’ve now forgotten), also.

This made me wonder, how is it that we live in a society that longs for relationship, belonging, and community, yet we so often still choose to isolate ourselves from those closest to us? I know it’s not just me, but I will admit that I’m a pretty big hermit for most of the year, and currently I’m probably more of the problem than the solution. I’d like to change that. The popularity of social networks seems to have skyrocketed in the past few years as the internet has become more accessible. As far as I can remember, the cycles for communication that is supposed to bring us closer together, seems to allow us more opportunity to neglect physical presence and so often leaves us more isolated than before each new technology came to be. It’s like we expected mobile phones, email, Msn Messenger, SMS text, Myspace, online gaming, Facebook, and even Skype to make us more connected... yet in the end, most of the time when we’re using/doing these things, we’re sitting in an empty room, or perhaps in a house where each family member is doing their own thing. Probably talking to you on Facebook, or whatever. Our world is so ‘connected’, yet often it seems, so isolated.

Back to neighbours... how do you connect with your neighbours without being weird? It’s a pity that now it is sort of considered weird to want to get to know neighbours, at least that’s been my experience. Do you do know your neighbours? Do you feel comfortable having lengthly chats with them, and do you look after their pets while they’re away? Do you trust them to keep an eye on your place while you’re away? I don’t, and it’s a pity. Of course, it’s always going to be easier when they’re of a similar age or there are things in common, but shouldn’t we – if you’re a Christian, seek to build up the community in which you live? Those closest to you – your neighbours, are one community you can’t deny is there, so do you? I find it funny that the ‘communities’ and circles of friends we like to associate ourselves with are often so far away, or we only see them in this situation or at that event... what would our street/block be like if we all got along? Maybe like Ramsay Street... maybe not. I don’t even watch that show, but I wouldn’t wish that much drama upon any street.

How would you suggest I connect with my neighbours? How would you do it?
I’m thinking an informal Australia Day front-lawn barbeque, with casual invites to come and go as one pleases, with maybe a couch and TV set up out the front on the lawn. Maybe that’s too full on... I dunno.

Thoughts? Questions? Comments?

Song of the Week (2011):

So in the same vein as the 2010 'Song of the Week' entry, here is the 2011 'Song of the Week' thread. Enjoy.


Dec 25: Let's Roll Just Like We Used To - Kasabian
Dec 18: Be The One - Moby
Dec 11: I've Got Friends - Manchester Orchestra
Dec 04: By_Myslf - Linkin Park
Nov 27: Paradise - Coldplay
Nov 20: I Should Have Known - Foo Fighters
Nov 13: Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People
Nov 06: Arnold - Luke Million
Oct 30: Fragile Bird - City and Colour
Oct 23: Thrive - Switchfoot
Oct 16: Monarchy of Roses - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Oct 09: Did I Let You Know - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Oct 02: Even You, Brutus? - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Sep 25: By Your Side - House of Heroes
Sep 18: Southern Weather - The Almost
Sep 11: The Ice Is Getting Thinner - Death Cab for Cutie
Sep 04: Brendan's Death Song - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Aug 28: Amazing Because It Is - The Almost
Aug 21: Code Name: Raven - House of Heroes
Aug 14: What Sarah Said - Death Cab For Cutie
Aug 07: Books & Books - The Almost
Jul 31: Dirty and Left Out - The Almost
Jul 24: Chicago (Adult Contemporary E) - Sufjan Stevens
Jul 17: Grand Optimist - City and Colour
Jul 10: Sirens - Angels and Airwaves
Jul 03: Fiddle and the Drum - A Perfect Circle
Jun 26: Imagine - A Perfect Circle
Jun 19: Not Alone - Red
Jun 12: Tired of Me - Live
Jun 05: Walk - Foo Fighters
May 29: Medicine - Birds of Tokyo
May 22: Circles - Birds of Tokyo
May 15: Blow Up the Pokies - The Whitlams
May 08: Broken Bones - Birds of Tokyo
May 01: Cage - Dead Letter Circus
Apr 24: Best is Yet to Come - Red
Apr 17: Rope - Foo Fighters
Apr 10: Arlandria - Foo Fighters
Apr 03: Hymn for the Missing - Red
Mar 27: Faceless - Red
Mar 20: Soul Survivor - Angels & Airwaves
Mar 13: Relentless - House of Heroes
Mar 06: End Love - OK Go
Feb 27: Shove - Angels & Airwaves
Feb 20: So Far Away - House of Heroes
Feb 13: Hello, I'm In Delaware - City & Colour
Feb 06: Plans - Birds of Tokyo
Jan 30: Young Blood - The Naked and Famous
Jan 23: Good Life - Audio Adrenaline
Jan 16: Take Me (As You Found Me) - Anberlin
Jan 09: Carry You - Jimmy Eat World
Jan 02: Iridescent - Linkin Park
Jan 01: If (Acoustic) - House of Heroes


More to come.

Thoughts? Questions? Comments?