Bob the Arborist

I've spent a good chunk of time getting to know my neighbors recently. Well, when they wave wine in front of me, and a meal I might as well stick around for an hour or two. Who knew they could be so much fun? They've lived behind us for three or so years. During that time, did I ever go through the fence to say hello? I gave the occasional wave, the head nod, the hey how ya doin? But as my neighbor pointed out, until the kids are in school, you see each other more often at school events. Would I? Would I really see them more if I were working?

Coming in from a two hour impromptu pizza party, I realized what a great neighborhood I have. I've been so busy networking with people on the periphery of my world, I completely ignored the ones in my back yard. So, there I sat, with my neighbors, with a glass of wine in my hand I had brought over the fence, and a delicious slice of pizza.

All the kids ran around, playing as though we were on the playground at school. See, they know one another, they see each other at school five days a week. Me? What effort have I put into getting to know the neighbors since I'm home seven days a week? So I gave it a shot.

With my new profound logic of listening first, digest the conversation, then ask questions, I learned so much. My one neighbor, Bob (that's his real name, it sounded so good in the title I had to leave it), he goes to work everyday, kisses his wife and three kids good bye and heads off. I asked Bob what he did, and for the life of me, I can't remember. Now, the conversation got off subject, focusing on the little one-inch green monsters leaving slimy caterpillar poop all over my car, hanging out in my trees, or what I refer to as the "caterpillar condo association".

Bob then announces that he would like to be an Arborist. Bob the Arborist. Has a nice ring to it. I'm asked what I've been doing since I've "been home" and I go through my list:

Made my niece's First Holy Communion Dress
Made my daughter a dress to wear to the Holy Communion
Designed t-shirts for 15 friends who share a love of Hockey-momdom
Designed three kids t-shirts as birthday gifts
Started to write a screenplay (I have an outline)
Helped a friend start a business
Present the business in front of Venture Capitalists (these guys have sweeeet offices)
Create a Sales and Marketing Model for this business
Put a grill together (OK, it is halfway done)
and
write in my blog.

No mention of interviews, networking, negotiating contracts for employment, just being me. Bob looked a bit surprised that this woman who was clearly a "career woman" had not mentioned her next career path. "I too would like to be an arborist," I said.

Actually, I think I can do anything I put my mind to if I needed to right now. My cooking and sewing abilities shock most people, as career-minded model citizen that I am couldn't possibly cook, sew, write, garden, design...Oops, I was beginning to sound a little too much like a former prisoner known for her culinary arts and perfectionism. Perfect? Me? No. Culinary guru? No. Creative queen? No. Writer extraordinaire? Nope. I'm just me. I like to do stuff.

As soon as my other neighbor up the street heard that I sew, she asked if I could fix something for her that needed a sewing machine. "No problem" I said. I've offered my creative skills and services to friends and neighbors, and I politely ask them where they work, and if they're company is hiring. "Nope, just laid-off twenty or so" is the standard reply. That's all right, I'll continue on my path, networking. New network, more opportunities. There's always the option to be an Arborist.