I'm talkin 'bout all you northerners...yes even you said NJ people without your own baseball team

 

I am amazed how certain ways of thinking are still held on to centuries after they have any relevance.

This spring, I was in Kansas, in a town very close to the Missouri border. I was visiting a friend and went across the state line into Missouri. We came upon this absolutely beautiful area, an old giant farm that had been subdivided into 10 acre plots. Two had been sold and people were building these beautiful homes. I considered buying a few of the parcels to have 30 acres, and maybe someday I would build a beautiful home too.

So, later that day, back in Kansas at a BBQ, I mentioned to my friend's brother's girlfriend (who was born and raised all her life in KS) that I was thinking about some land in MO. She got this disgusted look on her face and said - in all honesty - "I'd never live in Missouri. Kansas is a free state. Missouri was once a slave state."

Seriously.

So I looked around to see if anyone was laughing or even smiling, and it seemed that such an expression, here in the 21st century, was absolutely proper, not unusual, and somehow not bizarre.

So I said, "Damn! So I guess bringing my slaves with me when I come to visit in Kansas is out of the question."

I thought this was hilarious and expected a huge laugh form everyone in ear shot.

This is a perfect example of this time honored maxim; Before cracking a joke, know your audience."

It was so quiet you could hear a slave fart.

I could not believe she was serious and I could not believe that no one laughed at her for her remark. But, evidently, this is something, some frame of mind, and a piece of history that people hold on to and carry with them . . . even here in 2006. Kansas was once a free state, and they are damn proud of it. Not that that is something not to be proud of, of course it is, but to have some dislike of a neighboring state only 3 miles away, because they once were a slave state some two centuries ago, to me at least, is kinda bizarre.

Then again, my best friend is Jewish and his father (90 yrs old) won't buy anything made in Germany, and every time he sees a Mercedes he has a fit.

Amazing.

 

That was an awesome post. I really liked that story. It was funny yes, but incredibly true. I see little stuff like that everyday. I think I have a broader understand on how you think, or see the world. Maybe, maybe not. But, I think so. Your alright guy, but you could be an a-hole if you wanted too (maybe A-holes a harsh word...how about; a mean person). If that makes sense. In a really strange way I sorda think like that too. I could be wrong and way off, but anyway.

It's "little things" that one would see in normal everyday events, but don’t realize what they just witnessed. err --- ummmm, this is gonna be hard to explain --- Almost like some people don't want to evolve or something, I dunno how to explain this. Ok, this is my last attempt, maybe someone will jump in and save me. --- History is a wonderful thing, but we are to learn from our mistakes, our accomplishments, the good the bad, etc, but not live them.........never mind, I cant get my thoughts in order and on here.....

I'm rambling, huh?

Back to PSP

 

Jamz....even though I was an after aterthought, I think I know what you're trying to say. Mistakes were made, however, that was in the past. We need to move on as a society. However, there are many people out there that either hold the grudges, or think what was done was right. Very sad.

 

Fine fine fine....You northerners are ok I guess.....But I still like the technicality of living in the south....

Besides it gives me something to rag on the northern folks about...

The list for southerns is too long and don't get me started on Texans.

 

Dude, I'm lost. As you quoted me then wrote this response I can only assume it was directed at me.

Maybe I was not clear. I was not the one endorsing or supporting antiquaited notions and the errors of the past.

 

No way Kobi.

I was simply saying that I think I understand you a little better, and I can relate to the conversation you had, because I see that kind of thing all the time....

oh nevermind.

 

i thought that barbeque story was hilarous.

its all about knowing your audience.

a couple of weeks ago i was at my doctors office.

as always, i had to provide them with a urine sample, and then walk into their lab room to hand it to one of the techs.

for whatever reason i always found that a little embarassing. not sure why, it may be cause they always seemed to be younger women working in there.

anyway, this time when i handed it over i walked into the room, held the cup up high, and in a young, energetic voice said 'I MADE THIS'.

all three women in the lab snapped their heads around and stared at me with blank looks on their faces. i walked over to one of them, silently handed them the cup, and walked out.

i dont think they saw the humor in the situation like i did.