M Day has come!!! The anticipation is OVER!!

[Rapunzel]

Speaking of nomenclature of areas of the US....

Growing up in Texas my 3rd generation Texan grandparents (on both sides) considered everyone outside of Texas "foreigners" with those coming from east of the Mississippi given the disdainful distinction of "Yankees".

Well, this certainly hit a hot spot with me!

Now that I live in "Yankee-land" (my mom almost had a heart attack years ago when she learned I was taking her grandchildren to live here ) I do hear a lot of people around here lumping the rest of the country (ie anything outside of the Northeast US) together much as was done in Texas. And, then there is the subset of people in this area who believe that all of the important stuff is on the coasts (East and West that is) with the entire middle of the US being a bunch of red-neck hicks. I continually have people in Boston express disbelief that I come from Texas yet I don't have an accent and I'm somewhat educated! They also get surprised to hear that TX isn't a huge desert full of cacti.

It's been quite an interesting experience living here!

Jennifer

[DCJenn]

Even though I grew up on the Esat Coast, I had no idea that there wre actually two New Jerseys-

North Jersey- i.e. NYC fans and South Jersey- Philadelphia fans.

and never the 'twain shall meet.

Jenn

PS- I personally fall in to the "if it's not inside the DC beltway it doesn't matter" category. I guess I'd be labelled a "Washington Insider" if I were running for office; even though my dog has more political contacts than I do (his doggie daycare is on Capitol Hill).

And, then there is the subset of people in this area who believe that all of the important stuff is on the coasts (East and West that is) with the entire middle of the US being a bunch of red-neck hicks.

Aw, shucks....

I get that too being from Colorado. It doesn't happen too often (more often for you being from TX, I'm sure)....but I have encountered people who are surprised that I don't have cowboy boots and ride the range. Ummm....no. Guess I'm pretty citified.

Ditto for skiing...but that is more understandable. I don't, however, have a ski area in my back yard!

Once, when visiting a friend at Boston College, one of her fellow students said to me that "Denver must be a nice state to live in." Yes, that big chunk of land between the coasts is not all that important.

And the Michigan thing does throw me off because it is in the Eastern time zone but considered midwestern.

[Rapunzel]

Hey, Jenn, isn't D.C. considered part of The South?

That always threw me because I would look at a map as a kid and think, "Dang! D.C. is waaaay the heck north." But, then my social studies teachers would tell me the District of Columbia was actually part of the South.

We're actually spending six weeks in Wash. D.C. in Sep. and Oct. for a rotation Jon has to do for Brigham's (apparently the rads residents all have to rotate through the military pathology place down there during third year). I'm looking forward to getting a taste of the capital - I'd imagine the natives there don't consider themselves part of the South nor do they identify with the Northeast. It must be an interesting little island to live on!!

Jennifer

[Auspicious]

It's been quite an interesting experience living here!

Jennifer

Yeah, I been thinking about you, Rapunzel, now that it turns out the 2004 race will be between a Texan and a Massachusettsite (Massachusettsonian? What is the word for people from people from Mass.?)--I bet it's been quite a study in anthropology moving from one of the most conservative states in the union to one of the most liberal. (Not that Texas is devoid of liberals or Mass. of conservatives, of course.)There's got to be some eyebrow-raising culture shock moments involved there. We've had a number of discussions at our house about why "Massachusetts liberal" is a way worse slur to hurl at a politician than just "liberal," and what that means, exactly.

And, then there is the subset of people in this area who believe that all of the important stuff is on the coasts (East and West that is) with the entire middle of the US being a bunch of red-neck hicks.

Or bland suburbanites without an informed opinion among them. Isn't that annoying? And then they act like you've "escaped" some kind of trailer-park ghetto by moving to the coast. I've gotten everything from overly polite nods to outright protests when I tell people I hope to eventually move back to Illinois. And yet its a very seductive viewpoint--not so much the redneck thing, but the "important stuff is on the coasts" thing--when I first moved out here 5 years ago I used to be very appalled by that on a regular basis, and now I'm just mildly annoyed by it occasionally. I think that whole attitude has seeped into my worldview, despite my attempts to keep it out. The east cost IS the center of the universe, no? It's not? Are you sure? Sometimes I forget . . .

This is one of my favorite things to rant about, so I'll quit now.

[Rapunzel]

What is the word for people from people from Mass.?)

Tsk, Tsk, Julie! It's between a Texan and a Bostonian. Everyone knows that the rest of Massachusetts isn't populated. (Just mirroring the local sentiment here - don't take it too seriously ).

--I bet it's been quite a study in anthropology moving from one of the most conservative states in the union to one of the most liberal. (Not that Texas is devoid of liberals or Mass. of conservatives, of course.)There's got to be some eyebrow-raising culture shock moments involved there. We've had a number of discussions at our house about why "Massachusetts liberal" is a way worse slur to hurl at a politician than just "liberal," and what that means, exactly.

You should listen in on my mom's phone calls to me.

Actually, I've found that in Boston and it's immediate suburbs (ie Brookline, Cambridge, Wellesley, etc.) it is definitely what many would call "liberal" - Massachusetts liberal even. I think those from Cambridge would probably not agree with being called a Boston suburb, though. BUT west of the city (with the exception of a few little pockets) the state is much more "normal" (ie much closer in political and moral sentiment to Texas ). Remember, we have a VERY Republican governor. My husband and I absolutely LOVE New Hampshire's culture because it is like Texas - only much smaller and chilly.

I actually regret that I won't be able to take any poly-sci courses specifically on MA politics while I am living here. I've had the opportunity to speak to other homeschooling parents who are political consultants, political activists, lobbyists, and lawyers and there are some fascinating conundrums to MA politics (such as the state house leader is a Democrat but is actually quite "conservative" and is much hated by the "true Democrats" and the "progressives" - or socialists as we call them in TX).

I think that through my time living in Texas and my college studies I have a fairly good handle on the way things move there politically. But, here I feel like I'm on Mars!!!

[quote:78135]And, then there is the subset of people in this area who believe that all of the important stuff is on the coasts (East and West that is) with the entire middle of the US being a bunch of red-neck hicks.

Or bland suburbanites without an informed opinion among them. Isn't that annoying? And then they act like you've "escaped" some kind of trailer-park ghetto by moving to the coast. [/quote:78135]




The best part is when it comes from someone who dropped out of high school and is bagging your groceries!

I've gotten everything from overly polite nods to outright protests when I tell people I hope to eventually move back to Illinois. And yet its a very seductive viewpoint--not so much the redneck thing, but the "important stuff is on the coasts" thing--when I first moved out here 5 years ago I used to be very appalled by that on a regular basis, and now I'm just mildly annoyed by it occasionally. I think that whole attitude has seeped into my worldview, despite my attempts to keep it out. The east cost IS the center of the universe, no? It's not? Are you sure? Sometimes I forget . . .

This is one of my favorite things to rant about, so I'll quit now.

You and I both! We've been here almost two years now and I have felt that this thinking is bothering me less and less.... But, I still tell people Texas is the best place on Earth and they would all move there if they knew what was best! Of course, I say this so that they will leave their homes and beautiful New England landscape so I can take it! My mom and dad have begged me not to tell people how great Texas is because they don't "want any more Yankees moving in and messing things up. Darned Carpetbaggers!!"

It has most certainly been an educational experience here. What's really going to be fun and crazy is if we end up overseas next! Then it will switch from me defending Texas to me defending the United States! 8O

Jennifer

[Auspicious]

Okay, okay -- enough trashing Massachusetts!!! I am a native of the North Shore.

Sorry. Trashing each others' respective home states is a favorite running joke between FH and I, and is mostly meant in fun.

He delights in telling people that the highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound. "Your highest point is a MOUND? That's a bit pathetic. The Illinois state quarter should just have picture of a plain horizontal line on it." I would say "At least we don't burn people for being witches!" He would say, "They weren't burned! [and then add, sheepishly] Most were hanged . . . and one was crushed ." I'm sure he's gotten some other good digs in at Illinois, but I've blocked them from my mind.

Every state has its elements of the ridiculous as well as the sublime.

I love Massachusetts and my husband is from there - but I've also heard another term for people from Massachusetts - MASSHOLE!

(I'm not trying to offend any one at all - I hope to live there someday!!)

[Rapunzel]

Well, in truth, I've met a lot of people in Massachusetts that I really like - and some have become my best friends. New England is breathtakingly beautiful from seacoast to mountains and the cities are really neat. I don't hate living here - I love it. It's just been an adjustment getting used to some of the uncomfortable aspects associated with being a non-native of my current home. If there is one thing I've learned it's that I deeply respect New Englanders who feel a passionate love and loyalty to Massachusetts and/or New England! Because I feel the same way about Texas....

I'll bet a native Bostonian would have many similar feelings I've had over the last couple of years if they moved to my hometown - Dallas, TX.

[SuzySunshine]

Jen, his name IS Phil! We are very excited to have two of my husband's classmates joining us in Rochester! Phil and his wife are great and they are expecting their first little one in May! Definitely look us up when you get there!

[peggyfromwastate]

He delights in telling people that the highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound. "Your highest point is a MOUND? That's a bit pathetic.

Is he from Massachussettes? I'm sorry, but I didn't know there were any mountains out here in Eastern US... I remember going on a tour of Philly when the tour guide made a deal about how a historic home was built on a big hill. We all looked around for a hill, (read elevation at least above 200 ft of the street level) and the hill was actually a little rise about 4' high from the road. Even today, Mac and I were driving to Frederick MD and there was a sign marking the peak of some hill on the highway-- it was 968 feet.

Anyway, I know how easterners feel about their mountains, so I'll quit...