As Wendy and I have mentioned, we live in a "changing neighborhood." We're "urban pioneers." What this basically means is we wanted to buy a house but couldn't afford to buy one anywhere hip and trendy or where most of the folks we work with live. So, we're in kinda west of hip-and-trendy-burg. Is this different than the neighborhoods (Lakeview, Andersonville) where I used to live? Yes. Is it less safe than the areas where some people (Andy, who's in serious ritzy-ville) live? Sure. Do I fear for my life whenever I walk out the door or stand near a window? No, of course not. We're not idiots -- There's no way Wendy or I would have agreed to buy a house someplace where we'd have to live in fear. OK, granted, there's a little more police activity than in my old neighborhoods, and the fireworks on the 4th freaked me out, and yes, fine, there was a drug bust next door on the day of my housewarming party, but really. Get a grip, people.

So I'm having a party next weekend to celebrate my new curtains, and I've invited, as per usual, Mary and Andy. They almost never show up to my parties, and I finally have hard evidence as to why:

marydellisanti: You have to go, too.
andydehnart: um, I suppose
andydehnart: as long as you drive or something
andydehnart: so we don't get knifed
marydellisanti: What?
marydellisanti: So my tires can get stolen?
andydehnart: how else would we get there? cabs don't come to her neighborhood
marydellisanti: I will drive, but I will not drop you off first then look for a parking space.
marydellisanti: You will have to walk with me from the car.
andydehnart: I will
andydehnart: we'll circle
andydehnart: until a space opens
andydehnart: right in front of her apt
andydehnart: :-)
marydellisanti: Agreed.

Note: It took a hell of a lot of begging and cajoling and pissing and moaning to get this conversation out of them. Mary didn't mind, but Andy had a snit fit. (I have a feeling I'm starting a blog war here. Fine. Bring it on, Andy.)

And to clarify: Cabs will come to my neighborhood, you just have to call first and it can take a while. My tires have never been slashed/stolen. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit that my car is pretty beat up and not really worth defacing.) To my knowledge, no one I've ever invited to my apartment has been knifed. So there.

Wimps.