I Have Asperger's

So I've been living on my own for about a week now.  I LOVE living on my own, but that doesn't mean I want to be a hermit, which is apparently what everyone ELSE wants to do.

I grew up in a very friendly neighborhood.  It was the kind of neighborhood where you were good friends with at least the 5 or 10 houses closest to your own.  I could walk outside and there was almost always someone to strike up a conversation with.  Almost every yard, even those with fences around them, was considered to be shared, because we were all friends.  If someone needed a stick of butter, it's almost safe to say that - even if the neighbors weren't home - you could go in and take a stick of butter and tell them later.  The rule of thumb seemed to be that so long as you assumed that something WASN'T okay, it was fine.  It's hard to explain, but we were basically a REALLY tight knit community that looked out for each other not just because it was the right thing to do, but because we WANTED to.  We cared about each other, no matter how annoying we might be sometimes.  It was RUDE to tell someone that they were bothering you, because we always helped each other the rest of the time.  The best part was that we all could pretty much give our talents and services to each other.  The computer expert would fix your computer.  The electrician would fix the wiring.  The chef would cook great food for everyone, and the musician would gladly share some lessons.  In return, you would just do the same.  I always offered a dog walk here or there, some training, or a quick feeding.  If windows were left open before a storm, someone would shut them. If a pet was loose, people were out looking instantly.

This may seem like it's too good to be true.  But I promise you, this is how the neighborhood is. 

Which is why when I moved to a new place, I was so disappointed.  I say hi to someone, and they barely hear me.  Nobody really knows anyone.  Cell phones and iPods have replaced the conversations.  People are so BUSY with themselves that no one seems to actually CARE about anyone else. I've tried to meet and greet people, but it takes two for a conversation.

So what have I been doing?  I've been visiting my old neighborhood everyday.  And they have all told me to come over anytime.