It may be time to get the hell out of Connecticut
I noticed something strange driving to work yesterday.
It seems that no one in Connecticut sings in the car. And not just no singing, but no whistling, no tapping their hands on the steering wheel or even doing a little shimmy in their seat. Everything and everyone is SO serious. Has it always been this way or is it just the times we’re living in? Everyone is so intent, focused and most seem really unhappy. Are we all on the verge of unemployment, bankruptcy, chaos and riots? Do we need to take CNN and NPR off the air in the mornings to get people to relax a bit? Is it too much caffeine from all the damned Dunkin’ Donuts? And I would point out how fast everyone here drives, but I’m too busy trying to pass your lazy ass.
While most Midwesterners aren’t exactly out-going or super-friendly, they at least seem to be social and like to have a good time. I’ve lived in IL and WI for the vast majority of my life and if you want to get out and have fun, you have options. People just get together for cook-outs, bonfires, dinners or just have friends over to watch a movie. We’ve been in CT now for over two years and I can count on one hand how many times we’ve been invited anywhere. That’s not good.
Texans, as a whole, seem amazingly friendly. And pretty straight shooters too. But it’s damn hot there and everything green gets burned out so quickly. By June, everything looks like it could crumble.
Maybe it’s the expense of living in CT that has so many residents down in the mouth and with a pole up in there (see Mr. Joe Lieberman as a primary example). I thought maybe it’s the close proximity to NYC, but most everyone I’ve met in the city are much more friendly than our CT neighbors. Maybe its from being so close to NJ - THAT could be it. Not sure though… Someone once told me that everyone who lives in the lower half of CT is all about the money and getting what they can while they can. I’ve seen a lot of things over the past couple years that seem to prove that theory. There are, of course, always exceptions, but it may be time to get the hell out.
Either way, if things get sideways here, we’ll be getting more serious about heading south. From our several trips to NC we’ve met good friendly people, a fair cost of living and a warm, but not crazy hot climate. Plus, they have an ocean there - because I do need to learn to surf. Guess we’ll need to get all of our NYC & Boston trips in while we can. Boston and Chicago are my two favorite cities, mostly because of the people.
In the meantime, in the immortal words of Mr. Corinthian Leather himself, Ricardo Montalbán; “Smiles, Everyone, Smiles!”
-pjc
PS: No apologies for the Andy Rooney rant.