Do You Know The Way To San Jose?

Well, it's official.  My son and his husband have found a home to rent and are moving back to Sonoma County from San Jose.  I will pick up the keys for them on May 8th.  While I will (somewhat) miss my trips down to San Jose, I will not miss the traffic.  They lived in the southeast section of San Jose up the hill via Tully Road.  

It was a nice residential neighborhood, but trying to get anywhere was insane.  It was like living way out in the boonies as getting to a grocery took forever.  Getting to the freeway took forever.  Getting anywhere took forever.  It was very isolating despite being very crowded and congested.  The neighborhood was nice, but there was no real sense of community.  People rarely went outside their doors to socialize with their neighbors.  That was culture shock for my son, who is Mr. Social.  

Not knowing my neighbors would also be strange for myself as well.  Knowing our neighbors is very important for us.  While I may not speak to my neighbors everyday, we will wave to each other passing by and I can name them all.  We have a neighborhood contact sheet where if there is an emergency we have contact numbers and such.  We all get together down in the court every 4th of July for a HUGE neighborhood BBQ.  

All are welcome to the neighborhood BBQ - even if you do not live in the neighborhood.  All are welcome - even the nosy neighborhood busybody.  All are welcome - especially the band that practices in a shed catty-corner from us up the hill as we get to hear talented musicians play their music.  All are welcome - even the teenager who drove the car onto the lawn and tore it up.  All are welcome - even the weird neighbor who looks like Lurch.  All are welcome - even the small children who play outside and start screaming at the top of their lungs as to what would otherwise be a peaceful Sunday morning.  All are welcome - even the tree-hugging-hairy-armpit-butch lesbian couple with short, spikey hair and their 5 yappy, annoying, spoiled dogs they treat as their children and drive only Subaru's.  

Block party on our street.  Come on down.