Yesterday as I looked at the assorted pick-ups parked in my court cul de sac, it finally occurred to me that I went from living a sophisticated Manhattan life to one that The Dukes of Hazzard would be proud of, not that I have ever seen the show or movie. Nothing against pick-ups; I have become very used to riding around town in Eldon’s only cleaned on Christmas and his birthday truck that’s chock full of instruments of the contractor/handyman/bar designer/floor installer trade. And my next door neighbor’s is downright pretty. The Professor is a retired judge turned law school professor. Whenever I call him The Professor he chokes with laughter as most people around here think he’s a retired handyman. He likes people to think he’s an uneducated redneck and does a damn good impression of one. He has long white hair that’s thicker and frizzier than mine if that’s possible, and wears shorts and sandals even in the dead of winter. I only know his profession as my neighbors on the other side are both lawyers and they know people who know people who know him.
I’m not a New Yorker anymore! Not only am I not a New Yorker, I moved to the wrong Carolina*, didn’t move to South Florida, California or any of the four other places Upper West Siders’ move to. When I’m not freaking about losing my bragging rights to Manhattan I truly love it here. But the transition’s taking a long time. Though most of my “problems” are truly stupid. I’m freezing because I forget that the landlord can turn up the heat!
Will I ever call myself a Southerner?
*Asheville, Chapel Hill and even Charlotte are on cool lists. Oh, I forgot about Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach– a mini Charleston that’s also a TV & film production town and one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere.
TC says
January 6, 2011 at 3:32 pmI’m freezing because I forget that the landlord can turn up the heat!
Oh Pia. I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t help it.
I think you’ll always be a New Yorker. It’s who you are, and you shouldn’t try to get rid of it.
I’ve always been a Wisconsinite, and always will be, even if I someday get to meet my personal goal of living at the beach 😉
You may someday say you’re a Southerner, too, but if you don’t feel like one, it’s fine not to call yourself one. You are just who you are: not such a bad thing.
pia says
January 6, 2011 at 3:37 pm@TC
Laugh TC laugh. I’m always forgetting that I can do laundry at midnight if I want without guilt, work the dishwasher at 2AM–all things I didn’t have in NY–and the dryer is the best sleeping medicine invented
I just go through days where I think I still live in NY and then realize….But the people are wonderful and I’m building a life so it’s all good
EsotericWombat says
January 6, 2011 at 4:25 pmIs it just a game he’s playing, or does being a retired handyman confer greater social status in SC than being a retired judge/professor?
I’m never going to understand the pickup truck as an everyday vehicle, but I guess it makes sense for some people. Ideally I would like to jointly own one with a dozen or so others and use it when needed for moving and hauling.
pia says
January 6, 2011 at 4:35 pm@EsotericWombat
Oh he’s a master of games. Sarcastic, intelligent, interesting. Has a very intellectual looking girlfriend with a great sports car!
I think he wants most neighbors to leave him alone–he scares them yet he’s not bag man looking in the least. Just not the norm
Doug says
January 6, 2011 at 5:29 pmHahaha. Y’all just enjoy yourself.
Bone says
January 6, 2011 at 8:40 pmI saw the show and the movie, had the matchbox car, and always wanted Mom to buy a dixie horn for our family car — a maroon Cutlass if you’re wondering. Oh, and I wrote a post once over-analyzing the show. (That is, if you can even fathom that I would over-analyze anything.)
And for once, I kinda agree with TC. But if you need more help becoming a Southerner, I’d be glad to ask Mom how she makes turnip greens and cornbread and pass it along to you 🙂
pia says
January 6, 2011 at 8:55 pm@Doug
To Doug who couldn’t stop blogging 🙂 We all will!!! I just happen to live in between the two most educated households in the court. Patio houses attract interesting people 🙂
pia says
January 6, 2011 at 8:58 pm@Bone
Bone–you over analyze? Why that’s unbelievable says she….I remember that post
Trurnip greens and cornbread? Please ask her!
sage says
January 8, 2011 at 7:22 amPia, didn’t I warn you about moving to the lessor of the Carolinas? Wrightsville Beach is nice. Carolina Beach isn’t as “upity” as Wrightsville, but is nicer with lots of older cottages and stuff within walking distance. But I’d probably go with Asheville as it’s artsy and has mountains.
pia says
January 8, 2011 at 11:35 am@sage
Yes Sage you did! But did I listen?
Thing is I love my TDOH life. I’ve never been close friends with a handyman, (Eldon) before who is a closet intellectual. Actually I have hardly ever had “handy” friends except for some Gay males
I will have to go to Carolina Beach and probably immediately want to move. As I go to Sunset Beach NC–near here and sadly becoming more affordable–and lust
But North Myrtle has a real town feel, and I do live 3 blocks from the beach and close to Cherry Grove so I can satisfy my beach town urges!