Kelly Conaboy is writing an advice column for Dipp readers. It's going to be very serious. So serious, in fact, we named it Very Serious: An Advice Column by Kelly Conaboy. Just email her at kelly.conaboy@gmail.com and each week, Kelly will solve one lucky reader's biggest problem. You can read all of Kelly's excellent advice here.

Dear Kelly,

I want to swim in a pool but don’t know anyone with a pool, what do I do?

Love,

Lisa

Lisa,

When I moved into my apartment the woman who had just moved out of it gave me one piece of advice: “Try to make friends with the neighbors who have a pool.” You can see their pool from my building’s roof — large, above-ground — and although the former inhabitant of my apartment was very personable, she was never able to befriend them herself. I am far less personable, and have never even tried. But on hot weekend days when I walk on the sidewalk by their home, I can sometimes smell the chlorine. Damn, I think, I wish I was friends with those neighbors.

But it can be hard to force ourselves on just anyone who happens to have a pool. Plus, I imagine those with pools in largely poolless areas are onto the advances of the sweaty population around them. People showing up with a casserole saying they’re new to the neighborhood and they’d like to get to know their neighbors, while they’re wearing floaties. Fliers stuffed under their door saying if they need any sort of baby or pet or house or plant sitter, it’s no problem, and free!; they can give you a call as long as it’s a hot and sunny day. A bit obvious.