MetaChat - more about my neighbors

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28 August 2007

more about my neighbors →[More:]last week I complained that my neighbors had hosted a 10:30 pm, multiple-busloads, earsplitting concert.

Last night I couldn't sleep and belatedly remembered the eclipse when the dogs in the neighborhood started barking like crazy. I pulled on my clothes and eventually found my keys and got outside in time for the last 10 minutes of it. And my neighbors were out making out in their front yard under the eclipse.

I think that's so awesome.

There's also a green-haired Asian-looking woman who often sits on the front step at dusk and sings or plays the accordion.

Unannounced concerts aside, I really like having these people in the neighborhood. I feel like they're living the life I was raised to want, but don't.

Although I occasionally wish I were living that communal, arty way, mostly I'm happy just to watch the art projects and inhabitants come and go.

post by: small_ruminant at: 12:12 | 10 comments

Damn. You make me hate Grand Rapids so much. I should move some place more interesting,which includes about 92% of everywhere other than here, but you REALLY wouldn't want to be in the 8% that is duller, I've been there...

posted by King of Prontopia 28 August | 12:26

Oakland is awesome for interesting people and art. Best yet, it's (mostly) unpretentious art. No Artists, just people who like to make stuff that looks cool, or does something goofy. And when they're tired of it, they knock it down and do something new with the pieces.

KoP, it sounds like you'll have to do it yourself. I bet it would just take a few people doing it, and the next generation would take the torch and run with it. Easier said than done. I haven't managed to do it in the boring places I've lived- I was all about keeping my head down and my powder dry.

posted by small_ruminant 28 August | 12:40

Easier said than done. I haven't managed to do it in the boring places I've lived- I was all about keeping my head down and my powder dry.

Yeah, I like to complain, but I'm not exactly a catalyst for change myself. That's what I get for falling into the trap of the family business and not moving away like I thought about. Oh well, my personal failures in innovation aside, I hope you don't mind my envy of your green haired Asian accordion player, here we just have my balding Dutch uncle who plays.

posted by King of Prontopia 28 August | 12:56

If he sings in Dutch, too, it's just as good, imo. Or sings at all for that matter.

posted by small_ruminant 28 August | 13:05

I have a few great neighbors that have pretty interesting lives. It's not as white bread and pedestrian as it used to be.

And just a couple of years ago my neighbor accidentally shot herself in the thigh as she was cleaning her gun.

posted by LoriFLA 28 August | 13:44

No, he doesn't sing in Dutch (or in English), which is something to be thankful for. Even though I like accordion, I tend to be thankful when he doesn't play at all.

posted by King of Prontopia 28 August | 14:02

Easier said than done. I haven't managed to do it in the boring places I've lived- I was all about keeping my head down and my powder dry.

Was it really an accident? Or is she just really bad at suicide?

posted by King of Prontopia 28 August | 14:03

Bah, Disregard directly above, it should have been The quote from LoriFLA "And just a couple of years ago my neighbor accidentally shot herself in the thigh as she was cleaning her gun."

Yes, I know, I should actually look at the preview, but I am being naughty and sneaking in posting at work, which in theory I shouldn't be doing at all. Post and move, post and move... or something like that.

posted by King of Prontopia 28 August | 14:07

You know, my life in Bloomington was a a lot like that -- full of zany people, impromptu concerts, things happening on porches, and not-too-selfconsciously weird art projects. (Though I know it wasn't like that for everyone, including you, s_r.) It's probably just a matter of which people you run into and which neighborhood you live in.

posted by tangerine 28 August | 15:53

Yes, I have post-fratboy&jock-stress-disorder symptoms when I think of Bloomington. They could get away with anything.

posted by small_ruminant 28 August | 17:05

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