Stereotypical
This has been a week where I’ve noticed myself doing things that are very… well… perceived as being northwestern!
We’ve had fabulous fall weather where the rain came back with a vengeance and my world has been shrouded in a the northwestern-y mist I love. Sunshine is nice, but I prefer the rain and mist. (Until it gets to be April and May. By then I’m usually more than ready for the sun to come back.)
Went out to breakfast at Zell’s Cafe on Tuesday, admiring the drizzle when leaving the house in jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved T of a favorite microbrew. No make-up. (I love living where if you bother with make-up, it is usually so naturally done that it doesn’t look like wearing any at all – why isn’t it like this everywhere?) Listened to Ten and Nevermind in the car on the way there. Didn’t occur to me to bring an umbrella because umbrellas are for wimps. I haven’t carried one in years.
I could only have felt a bit more stereotypically NW if I had worn a flannel shirt and Doc boots*.
Last night I went by the smoke shop in my Public Broadcasting shirt and jeans wearing socks with my sandals. (No, I don’t normally wear socks with my sandals, but I was too lazy to find my tennis shoes and my feet were chilly.) The smokes I bought were pure tobacco with no additonal additives. (Nat Sherm MCD’s) Scary that even though I am buying a poison for my body, I am still buying the better poison for my body.
I’m a beer snob. I expect there to be vegetarian options wherever I dine. (And I’m not veggie!) I listen to public and community radio. I own a compost bin. When I finish a soda my first instinct is to look for a recycle bin.
The longer I live here, the more stereotypically northwestern I feel. I recently heard the term “born again Oregonian” and I would classify myself as one, but I would never put that bumper sticker on my car.
What do you notice about your actions or habits that are typical for the area you live in? How has your life been altered by where you are living and the people who live near you?
* The last time I consciously remember owning a flannel shirt is high school. My boots died a couple of years ago and I haven’t replaced them, although I still own Doc sandals and mary janes.
I completely understand where you’re coming from. I moved to the Seattle area four years ago, and I can slowly feel the Washington “culture” taking root in the things I say and do. In my defense, I don’t own a flannel shirt, although I do own several pairs of docs and I still crank Alice in Chains in my car.
I haven’t owned a flannel shirt since I was in high school either. I do fully subscribe to the other shoe of choice and own a couple of pairs of Birks. I had an interesting conversation with Karl how he was trying to get use to women here who don’t wear make-up, shave or dress up. Of course at the time of conversation I was guilty of all three.
I am a complete Southern Californian. I drive everywhere. Screw walking. lol.
Like Fran, I have become completely S. Cal. I’ve given up my sweatshirts for sleevless T’s…..I drive insanely short distances rather than walk….I go to car washes (*gasp*…I’m not supposed to do that anymore with the new car!)….I live in flip flops (oh wait, I’ve always lived in flip flops!)…..and I try try try to remember to use sunscreen. Hmmm….I think I’ve become a combination of all the places I live…..I just wish I could combine all 3 into one!!
wait – i still own/wear Docs, i recycle, and i look for veggie options – and i’m not even a northwesterner!