Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Like, y'know, totally, dude

california sign
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Quote du jour: Be yourself; everybody else is already taken.
- Oscar Wilde

Yesterday while eating lunch I looked down and realized an awful truth: I was eating tofu and bean sprouts. It was a bit embarrassing to realize that I was living up to the stereotype of a typical Californian.

But what the hell. I am a Californian; my family has lived there for several generations. Maybe I'm just now starting to blend in. While I haven't started wearing Birkenstocks and doing macrame, I do find being Californian a wonderful excuse for any new thing I want to try.

Sample conversation

Other people
: What, you're doing something new and different? Why?
Me: I'm from California.
Other people: Ohhhhhh.... I see. [Patting me on the arm.] You poor thing.

Why is this -- do people in Peoria never try doing anything new?

Exercise du jour: 2.5 miles jogging.

I don't know if it's stubborn or stupid, but I'm still trying for to jog outdoors in winter. Today is supposed to be warmer. Also wetter, but that I can deal with. I've got a towel, and I know how to use it.
Done. Finally. Didn't have any kind of pace -- I'm not feeling great -- but I told myself that sweating is a good way to kick a virus out of your system. If it turns out that it makes things worse, then I guess I'm screwed. We'll see.

15 comments:

LaShaune said...

The Hitchhikers Guide says that the towel is the most important item for a traveler.

The Merry said...

42!

Keith said...

The only reason not to run outside, in winter, is if the footing is icy slippery. Temperature should have nothing whatever to do with it. No such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing choices.

The Merry said...

For some reason, the asthma seems to get worse when it's freezing outside. Warm & rainy doesn't bother the lungs at all.

JavaChick said...

I'm from the east coast of Canada and I like bean sprouts and tofu.

I do not, however, try to run outdoors in the winter. Go figure.

azusmom said...

"Almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea."

I'd say that if the cold weather triggers your asthma, that's a BAD thing, lol!
I'm originally from Boston, and I made fun of California, too. Until I moved here. I LOVE California!!!!!
Boston is expecting 2 feet of snow today. Around here it's going to be about 62 degrees. Do I miss Boston right now? NO!

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

I never do anything new because I'm old. Just the same thing, over and over; specifically, fist-shaking and telling kids to Git Offa My LAWN!1!

See? Even that joke is old and I've used it like a thousand times.

Best thing about tofu and bean sprouts? Looks the same coming out as it did going in.

I think I'd like to at least visit California. I keep getting close, but I get thwarted every time. It's like the whole state is shaking its fist at me and saying, "Hey, You! Git Offa My ... etc.!"

See? There I go again, depending on old stand-bys.

messymimi said...

Don't Panic!

Especially if you find yourself from Peoria and doing something new. You might like it.

Hope the jog goes well.

Lu said...

Towels? That must be a California thing. Good luck on the jog. Please be careful.

Anonymous said...

Wait, I thought I had all of these Birkenstocks BECAUSE I was from Oregon?! No? Hmm, I'll have to find out why I eat so many sprouts too then.
Julie
(who also has those snazzy shoes, in addition to about ten pairs of Birks)

The Merry said...

But you originally hailed from California, right? You can take the girl out of the state, but ... ;)

Shelley said...

I didn't buy my first pair of Birks until I moved from California to Texas - hmmm, think I was trying to make a statement? ;) Where in Cali were you from?

The Merry said...

Hi Shelley! I grew up just south of SF. I have to confess that I did have a pair of Birks in high school. I like to think that was just a phase.

Green said...

I'm not from SF, but have lived here over 6 years. I used to feel so guilty if I flaked on anyone. Now I just shrug if I'm 15 minutes late, or forget to return a phone call.

Shelley said...

I grew up in Santa Clara. Did we know each other? ;)