With spring upon us, and barbecue season consequently at hand, I spent the afternoon thinking about neighbors. About how, in suburban locales, people often meet other people who live nearby. And about how those of us who live in bigger cities rarely do.

For example, despite having lived in my new apartment for over three months, I’ve so far met just three of the fifteen or twenty people on my floor; and I’m embarrassed to admit I no longer even remember those three neighbors’ names.

But if the problem is bad in cities, it’s even worse online. Each day, my referrer log racks up a slew of visitors, and – even generously assuming regular visits by friends, colleagues, ex-girlfriends and my mother – I can only account for a startlingly small percentage. In short, dear readers, I have no idea who the hell you are.

So, in a move that’s either inspired in its community-building impulse, or insane in its likelihood of inspiring restraining orders, I’m fixing to change that, by inviting you to come one, come all to the very first Self-Aggrandizement Block Party.

On Tuesday, March 29th, at 9:00pm, I’ll be parking myself in the back booth of B.B. Doyle’s Pub & Restaurant, 302 W. 51st St. at 8th Ave., and I’m hoping you’ll swing by to join me for a drink or three.

I’ll be the guy with a rose in his lapel (who, more conveniently, also looks pretty much identical to his photo). See you there.