Guest Blogger Kristen says "I spy with my little eye--a pool in my neighbor's backyard, thanks to Google Maps!"

Used to be, if you wanted to take a peek in to your neighbor's yard, you'd have to weasel your way in by bringing over a bunt cake. Since, as a new mother, I have no time for cakes--bunt or otherwise--I rely on technology to do the dirty work for me.

My husband and my 8-month-old just moved into our first house in Southern California and I thought I'd try to get to know my neighbors in the most technologically savvy way I know--by going on Google Maps for an aerial view of their backyards. You know what I found? Several homes in my neighborhood have swimming pools! Thank goodness, because our new house doesn't, and southern California summers are freaking hot.

Armed with my new information, I was able to pinpoint exactly who I needed to make friends with in the new 'hood, and who would be the recipient of my store-bought bunt cake.

I'm not the only one scrutinizing maps like some self-serving neighborhood watch. Teenagers in England are also using Google satellite images to locate private swimming pools, then sneaking over fences and walls for moonlight swims in a trend called "pool hopping" or "dipping". Residents have woken up to find that kids have used their pools and left behind beer cans and other evidence.

I think I'll try to use a more neighborly approach by actually getting myself invited over.

Does it freak you out that people can see into your backyard?