New England, one year later.

So I’ve been here just a few days over a year, and things are starting to look normal instead of impossibly weird.  I’m sort of worried about that.  The day when Massachusetts seems normal to me...heh.  In any case, a few observations seem appropriate to mark the occasion:

--The streets still seem impossibly narrow to me.  Way too many two lane roads that would be six lanes somewhere where the houses aren’t already right at the edge of the things.  Traffic is nasty even this far out in the ‘burbs, which is made far, far worse by the driving-as-if-you’re-the-only-people-on-the-road thing.  Seems to be a point of honor not to watch where you’re going--the other sucker had better watch where he’s going.  Wouldn’t be so bad if we could recognize lanes or even the proper side of the road.  Heh.  I really, really miss left turn lanes, too.

--I’m not loving some of the old-fashioned building materials in our apartment.  I successfully hung a few small things in the kitchen, then discovered that that little wall must have been modern.  Tried hanging my bulletin board and wound up with big holes in the walls, since you cannot drive a regular nail into the wall.  So I managed to hang a poster with thumbtacks, and declared victory, and excitedly started pulling things out to put up around the house.  Had to use a hammer on the tacks, but it’s all good, right?  Sure.  Right up until I encountered the wall I cannot force a thumbtack into.  Sheesh.  What, people didn’t have wall hangings 80 years ago?  Don’t answer that…

--This is one of the most stunningly beautiful places I’ve ever seen.  Doesn’t matter the season, they’re all incredible.  It’s so damned lush.  And I have to admit that even though the snow can be a pain in the booty, I’m starting to love having seasons again.  This last spring and fall, especially, were the prettiest weather I’ve seen in ages.  And I’m getting used to being surrounded by trees. 

--Communication is efficient, often to the point of rudeness.  I’m getting used to it, and treasure the occasional friendly cashier.  Oddly enough, when I’m out with the baby I often find that people are too friendly, prone to not only getting into my personal space but to actually touching the poor child if I don’t run good interference.  Weird, but from what I understand, not atypical anywhere...certainly not any kind of regionalism.  I think I find it so amusing because the contrast with the normal regionalism is so drastic.

--I’m noticing accents less, which probably means that I’m starting to talk like everyone else.  Frightening. 

--I love having the baseboard heaters.  So, so much more comfy than forced air heat.

--The process for getting a driver’s license and registering a vehicle in this state is the silliest I’ve seen.  It’s a whole other post, in fact.

--Sidewalks.  I frigging love the sidewalks.  Everywhere are sidewalks.  I haven’t been walking, but it’s nice to know I have somewhere to walk if I do.  I’m thinking that when the weather warms up a bit, I’ll start taking Sadie for walks in her stroller.  We could both use to get out, and I could sure as hell use the exercise.

--I love that if I wanted to, I could do all of my grocery shopping on foot.  I’d rather be further out and absolutely have to drive, but if I have to live where it’s denser, it’s a nice compensation.  It’s cool that I’ve got a Wal-Mart only three miles away in two different directions, too, and a SuperCenter within 15 miles.  There are advantages to being in a more heavily populated area.

--As hard as it’s been to get used to () I love having so much of Jay’s family so close.  I wish my folks were also nearby, but they’re looking for a better climate, not having the roots here, LOL.  Actually, I’m still getting used to it, but it’s nice, I think.  It’ll be neat for Sadie, too, having so much family so close. 

I think I’ve wandered a bit afield from where I was thinking to go with this originally, but I suppose that’s just as well.  I guess that’s a sign of settling in, right along with the weirdness not being so weird anymore.  I had to think for a bit about these things, you know. 

Good heavens.  Next thing you know I’ll be dropping my “r"s.  Heh.

1. Ah, our evil plot comes to fruition! One down, a few more million Californians to go......

   Posted by DCE  on  02/14  at  12:55 AM

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.

<< Back to main

Powered by ExpressionEngine