’Twas the Night Before Christmas at #Nextdoor HQ
’Twas the night before Christmas at #Nextdoor HQ,
Not a comment was stirring—because comments won’t do.
The posts were all locked with the greatest of care,
In hopes that Niel soon would vanish to air.
The C-Suite lay restless in ergonomic chairs,
While visions of “engagement” danced—then disappeared.
The intern stood ready (his badge barely new),
By a humming old server from nineteen-oh-two.
Then out in the hallway arose such a clatter,
The clown dropped his seltzer—this could really matter.
The mime said nothing (as mimes always do),
But gestured “uh-oh” with a perfectly timed cue.
In walked @Nirav Tolia, eyes weary, resolve set in stone,
Clutching a mission statement… unread, overblown.
“Just one Christmas wish,” he said with a sigh,
“That Niel stops asking questions—and just passes us by.”
The Board shuffled papers, the consultants all froze,
One whispered, “What if… we just talked?” (Then was told, no.)
The intern hit refresh. The clown checked the feed.
The mime pretended silence was all anyone needs.
And then—what to their wondering eyes should appear?
Another post shared… with commentary clear.
Not angry, not vile, just persistent and calm—
A neighbor asking questions with facts, not alarm.
So back to their stations they scurried with haste,
Turning toggles to “off” with familiar distaste.
And I heard them exclaim as the night slipped from view:
“Maybe this year he’ll go… would that miracle do?”
But Christmas rolled on, as it always has done,
With neighbors still asking till truth finally won.
And whether I’m villain or voice in the fuss—
Merry Christmas to all… and engagement for us. 🎄✨
#Nextdoor #TwasTheNightBeforeChristmas #Satire #CorporateIrony# MissionVsReality #CommunityOrControl #EngagementMatters #LeadershipMatters #Accountability #NeighborVoices #DigitalTownSquare #AskHardQuestions #Transparency #HolidayHumor #FestivusEnergy #NiravTolia
This Is How I Roll on Facebook Dating: Spot the Scammer Early
I’m sharing this screenshot from #Facebook #Dating because it perfectly captures how I roll when something feels off.
The opening line? Straight out of the scammer playbook.
Generic greeting.
Polite but empty follow-up.
Quick pivot to asking what I do for work.
That sequence is textbook. It’s designed to assess your financial situation, gauge your income, and determine whether you’re a suitable candidate to proceed with the script. No personality. No reference to anything specific on my profile. Just a conveyor belt conversation.
So I responded… my way.
Sometimes humor is the fastest filter. Sometimes, absurdity exposes intent more quickly than caution ever could. And when someone disappears or gets awkward after a response like that, you’ve got your answer.
This isn’t about being rude.
It’s about being aware.
Dating apps are full of real people — but they’re also full of accounts running scripts, angles, and agendas that have nothing to do with connection. If a conversation feels manufactured, rushed, or oddly impersonal, trust that instinct.
Be vigilant, folks.
Your time, attention, and energy are worth protecting.
And yes — this is exactly how I roll.
#hashtags #FacebookDating #OnlineDating #ScammerPlaybook #DatingAppReality #BeVigilant #RedFlags #HowIRoll #DigitalAwareness #ProtectYourTime
Back at It Again: Another Fistulagram
Sometimes the journey with End Stage Renal Disease feels like déjà vu. Today is one of those days. I’m heading in for another fistulogram—not because I want to, but because keeping dialysis access working is part of the reality of this life.
There’s the procedure itself, the waiting, the uncertainty, and the mental prep that comes with knowing this isn’t your first (and probably won’t be your last). I’m choosing to document it—because this is what living with ESRD really looks like, and someone out there might need to see it.
👉 Come with me by going to Videos → End Stage Renal Disease on NielFlamm.com.
#EndStageRenalDisease #ESRD #DialysisLife #Fistulagram #KidneyFailure #ChronicIllness #RealLife #PatientJourney #NielFlamm #LifeUnfiltered
🎄 Festivus at #Nextdoor: An Airing of Grievances 🎄
Me (Niel):
“Attention everyone! I’ve erected an aluminum pole in the courtyard. No tinsel. This is serious.”
#Nextdoor Employee:
“Is… is that meatloaf?”
Me:
“Yes. A warm meal for the team—since #Nextdoor leadership won’t spring for catering.”
Employee (whispering):
“Bold.”
Me (clears throat):
“Let’s begin the Airing of Grievances. I’ve got a lot of problems with this platform, and now you’re going to hear about them!”
“Comments turned off. Feedback silenced. Unpaid Moderators with bias.
Community promised—conversation denied.”
(Enter @NiravTolia)
Nirav:
“Is this… Festivus?”
Me:
“It is. And now, the Feats of Strength.”
(We wrestle—metaphorically—over transparency, engagement, and accountability.)
Me (standing, triumphant):
“Engagement isn’t a threat. It’s the point.”
Me (raising the pole):
“A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US!”
#Festivus #LinkedInHumor #Satire #CommunityMatters #Engagement #Transparency #Nextdoor #Leadership #Accountability @NiravTolia
Back to the Lab: When One Intervention Isn’t Enough
Just days after an intervention last Thursday, I’m heading back in for a fistulogram. Unfortunately, a blockage showed up again the very next day—one of those frustrating reminders that when it comes to dialysis access, progress isn’t always linear.
It’s mentally exhausting to feel like you’ve just cleared a hurdle, only to be sent right back to the starting line. But this is part of the reality of managing chronic health issues: monitoring, reacting quickly, and doing what’s needed to keep things working. One step back doesn’t erase forward momentum—it just means the process continues.
👉 To watch my thoughts and follow this journey, go to Videos → End Stage Renal Disease on NielFlamm.com.