If Jane Partridge Anderson is allowed to be an "east coast snob," than so am I!
That is the subject of today's blog posting.
Apparently, Jon (Jane's husband) tells Jane she is an east coast snob. For those of us who've grown up on the east, I don't think we can help it. We just know how to value the finer things in life. These things do not include the desert, four wheeling (I didn't even know what it was before I moved to Nevada), or as Elise puts it when I was complaining about Las Vegas being trashy, "Well, what did you expect! You moved to Nevada. It's full of white trash!" (Elise is from outside of Carson City, Nevada - Dayton, where they just put in the only traffic light). We also know the importance of contributing to society in a valuable manner.
One time this girl (from L.A. - gag) was almost arguing with me/making fun of me because she didn't understand why I would say that I wanted to "BE" Pam on "The Office" (for obvious reasons). She may not understand the depth of my crush on Jim, but she mostly was just talking about living in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was talking about conferences she has been to for work on the east coast where apparently everybody looks "awful, and unkept, and not put together." Oh my gosh! Shocking! Some people have things they care about more than just looking good! I think Pam looks great, and if I could have Jim, and look like Pam I would most definitely be overjoyed.
This all being said, Katie and I decided Saturday that we are moving to San Francisco in January 2009 (probably...you all know I can't make decisions in my life). I can live in San Francisco. I was born there. It's kind of like the D.C. of the west coast, right?
Now, I think there are LOTS of places I could live in the country. I really might even like the midwest. I appreciate small, rural communities. I think I'd love to live on a farm or ranch. I just think I really need a metropolitan city nearby with museums and culture, etc. I think some cities tend to be more "family friendly" and I'd really like to be in a city with this quality. No, I don't have my own family, but since I'm in the field of education, and because I might have a family one day, it matters. Basically, I think northern Cali is a great fit, or the further west than McLean areas in D.C. where it is more rural. Growing up, I was a little overrun with the D.C. snobbery...there's a fair amount of it. I think I'll be going to visit Kenzie and Jeremy in the next couple months and they are loving Austin. I hear great things about Austin. It's affordable, cultured, diverse. I think I could maybe live in Texas.
What are your thoughts on the matter? The matter of east coast vs. west coast?
7 comments:
I don't understand the snobbery of or against either coast. LA might be materialistic and plastic, but so is Utah (and DC and every major city for that matter, to varying degrees and with different symptoms.) Plus it is warm and sunny, a definite and major quality. Arizona is wonderfully hot and has great Mexican food. What's not to like? I thought I would hate living in SLC, but that was only bc I was being snobby. It was a very very fun place to live, particularly as a new mom. Much easier than DC. I would move back there if it meant I could live in a fabulous house AND see my husband. Not as easily done on the snobby coasts. The most fascinating snobbery of all is the self-loathers who snub their own hometowns. They obviously are insecure. No matter what, you should not be ashamed of where you grew up. Its not like you personally designed the area or something. And for those of you who are, take my advice and at least pretend to be proud. It is much more sophisticated, and I should know, I am from the very URBANE dc area. Don't you respect me so much now?
My sister Katie is moving to SF with you? You guys will love it. I think that it is a great idea to move somewhere totally new and have an adventure. Take it from me, I have never done anything even remotely like it in my life, so I should know! :)
I am ashamed of how long my comment was.
I am proud to say that I have left the west coast and become an East Coast snob.
"Keep Austin weird" is the saying around here. It really is a unique place, distinct from both east and west coast snobbery. It has the pride of Texas, without the ignorance. The diversity of Northern California, without the expense. It is young, liberal (not my favorite trait), and definitely a great place for the independent thinker. Whole Foods Market is headquartered here, for crying out loud. Now about that visit...
Hey, Meredith! I found you through Jenny (who I also just found). I hope you're loving the Las Vegas weather--it's wet, snow-laden, and cold in West Virginia:(
As far as east coast snobbery, I know I LUUUUUUUUUVVVVVV how and where I grew up (was that enough home-town appreciation, Alex?) and I know I think differently than Utah/Idahoans about culture and worthwhile activites; I know I talk faster than people in Utah and Idaho tend to talk (I'm as fast as people in NYC--proven on my mission) and I'd love for my kids to grow up on the east coast for at least some of their lives.
That cracks me up about Jon calling Jane an East Coast snob. Even though I grew up in Idaho, I think I've morphed into a creature of the East.
I don't know how anything else can compare to life in VA. Does that make me an East Coast snob? If so, so be it...
I like your blog.
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