NaBloPoMo Day 07: It's All Good
My Sister txted me early this morning to inform me that it was snowing back home in Western, New York. I’ve gotten into the habit of referring to the land that I previously called home as Western NY – and not New York State, Upstate New York, or Rochester, New York because I’ve found that it decreases the probability of people thinking I’m from New York City. New York City? Far from it. I’m closer to being a Canadian than a New Yorker. As a matter of fact, a recruiter asked me what my salary was at my last job, to which I responded, “That’s irrelevant.” Let’s be honest folks, while my previous salary was pretty good for Western NY, it would be considered poverty line over here.
Anyway, Sister Erika txted me about the snow, and if you know me, you know I love snow. Probably the only concern I had about moving out here (aside from lack of Wegmans, I’m now used to that) would be missing snow. I love to walk in it, drive in it, and slide on it! I love how pretty it looks. I love how it smells. Snow is awesome!
Needless to say, I wasn’t sure how I felt after receiving that message. Then I stepped outside to get some coffee and it was sunny and warm enough to get away with a light jacket. Then I realized that life without snow – was going to be A-OK.
Comments
I'm the exact opposite: I don't like snow. I don't like to drive in it. I don't like to slide on it. Walking on it and looking at it falling outside is OK until New Years. Then it's just cold.
To say I'm jealous of you right now doesn't even come close. Enjoy the sun!
Posted by: Pam | November 8, 2007 5:13 AM
Snow begets wipe outs, too. Consider yourself lucky and enjoy the sunshine. If you really are missing it head North to LA I heard they had some kick ass snow machines up there that way!
Posted by: b | November 8, 2007 5:54 AM
Hmm. I always complain about the snow, but I do think I'd miss it. I only need, like, two snow storms a year though. The rest can be sunny and warm.
Posted by: shelley | November 8, 2007 5:55 AM
P: Mmmm nothing like stepping outside on a cold Rochester morning... only to find yourself flat on your back, drenched in hot coffee. I used to wipe out all the time! But yeah, while I love snow... I hated when it was just cold without it. It's like I need the snow to validate the chill, or something.
B: Actually, there are plenty of mountains up here that have real snow... especially around Tahoe. Which is good, cuz me no like LA area.
S: snow storms are the best! and so it hot cocoa during one.
Posted by: kir (admin) | November 8, 2007 9:36 AM
I heard about that snow. I am shocked that people still willfully live upstate.
When I first moved from Manhattan to the Hudson Valley, I enraged one of my customers in Buffalo by telling him I liked it "upstate."
Posted by: Noelle | November 8, 2007 12:46 PM
In college at Binghamton, I used to get a lot of comedy mileage out of calling it "upstate" around western-NYers. They hated that. I guess they thought people intend it as an insult. Why would that be an insult?
Posted by: George | November 8, 2007 12:54 PM
N: It's not so bad. And willfully, well, I would hardly call my stay "willfull" :) Wait, your from NJ, right?
G: I've never personally had a problem with saying "upstate" - mostly because i've lived all over both central AND western NY. BUT I can see how it would irritate people... as NY is mostly a state, versus a city... so anything below the actual state should just be... uh, something.
Binghamton, birthplace of Kirsten represent!
Posted by: kir (admin) | November 8, 2007 6:55 PM
People from upstate get mad when people from downstate call themselves "upstate" because it seems to be implying that there's nothing of importance anywhere above you. That's the farthest north one need to consider. Because after all if you're calling yourself "upstate", what's up from you? I don't get hung up over it, though.
BTW when I was in Vegas, some dealer said "Oh I know Rochester - Mayo Clinic!!" I knew he was confused with Rochester, MN but didn't correct him because at least he didn't think it was NYC area.
Posted by: Kevin | November 9, 2007 7:18 AM
I tell people, "I'm from a series of small towns along Lake Ontario." Most people know about the Great Lakes, and if they don't, shit. Why bother talking to them?
If snow came without the cold, I'd be much more amenable to it.
...Funny how many people really weighed in on this sort of discussion.
Posted by: lex | November 10, 2007 10:48 AM
K: yeah, there are about 30 Rochesters in this country alone. Clearly Rochester NY is #1.
L: it's a hot topic! sometimes I ask someone to think of snoopy's head, and i'm from the bridge of his nose.
Posted by: kir (admin) | November 10, 2007 11:04 AM
i too refer to myself now as a "western ny'er" for the exact same reasons. my boyfriend also believes that i am canadian and only dating him to hopefully get married and become a citizen.
Posted by: amy | November 19, 2007 9:22 PM
A: don't forget the poutine.
Posted by: kir | November 20, 2007 12:57 PM