Red Man in a Purple State
Only a geek would arrange to have high speed internet installed the day after his arrival at a new location. Only another geek would laugh and ask “what took you so long?”
After 12 1/2 years in Delaware, a former purple state turned royal blue, I have taken up permanent residence in North Carolina, a current purple state that when you scratch the surface bleeds crimson red. And the area of my adopted home state is the first place I’ve seen 2008 McCain stickers outnumber Obama stickers. Here I am in the land that gave America NASCAR after an 8 hour car ride through some of the most beautiful landscape I have seen (I-81 through Virginia gets two enthusiastic “thumbs up” and is in the same league as the famous Route 1 through California) all the while listening to 7 cats howling cut with a techno back beat (think Moby mixed with “Jingle Cats“).
After living as a red man amongst blues, I’m experiencing a slight bit of reverse culture shock. What, I don’t have to worry about my car getting marked up with permanent marker because of its anti-Obama sticker? It happened in Delaware – and was wiped off with a cloth dipped in acetone. I won’t have to hide my pro-gun views in a place where spent shotgun shells lay in the Lowes parking lot (as I saw tonight)?
It’s going to be a long learning experience, but I’m looking forward to it.
Chad:
Now, the only thing you have to worry about is puzzled rednecks looking at you for shooting a .22 instead of a 30-06. And drinking furrin’ beer like Sam Adams.
But we shot Tina’s new 22 revolver yesterday, and it’s damn sweet.
3 September 2009, 12:12 pm