Ryan and I are soon be "on the road again" with our upcoming move to South Bend, IN. Yes, we are moving to the land of corn, or as their official state nickname puts it "The Hoosier State."
Sounded like an insult to me. I didn't know what a Hoosier was, so I looked it up on my trusty dictionary website. And OH MY. It isn't as nice as it could be. In fact it isn't nice at all.
Hoo·sier [hoo-zher]
| 1. | a native or inhabitant of Indiana (used as a nickname). |
| 2. | (usually lowercase ) any awkward, unsophisticated person, esp. a rustic. |
I have just spent two and a half years working on a degree that will help me be more sophisticated and less awkward and now I'm moving to the state named after some country bupmkins. The origin of the nickname is contested on the Indiana State Library website, but even if it is the official nickname it just seems a little odd.
At least the housing prices are good. For the same price of a very small condo in the Boston area, we could purchase a home of 2057 square feet. Of course, who wants to spend close to $300,000 on a home when the majority of houses sold in 2005 and 2006 cost between
$50,000 & $100,000. When I first saw these prices I instantly thought we should purchase a couple of places and rent them out. Ryan said I sounded like a slum lord.
It still seems like a good idea to me. And if I'm going to be called a hoosier, I might as well be called a slum lord too. Perhaps I can employ some of the skills I learned at the Boston Architectural Center a few years back. Although this place seems like it is doing okay without my expertise and is within the "easy to sell" price range. The resale options on a home are very important to me now because I know that once Ryan is referred to as Dr. Lincoln it will be time to be, (sigh) on the road again.
What I find interesting about this next move is that it starts to outlines a pattern I seem to have. In August 1997 I moved from MT to CA. In August 2002 I moved from CA to MA. And in August 2007 I am moving from MA to IN. Presumably, in August 2012 we will be moving out of Indiana and to a new location where Ryan will be on faculty at a college or university. Every 5 years I am on the road, moving across the country. And every time you can imagine me with the music blaring and a box of Junior Mints wedged in the cup holder. Although you won't hear Willie on my speakers - his stuff gets stuck in my head and that isn't good for me or the passenger in my car.
At least this time I'm moving with somebody I love to the deepest depths, and to a place where, even if it is full of hoosiers, I will get to enjoy life a little more because I will have time to breathe. After I get those condemned houses redesigned. Sing it with me now.....
"On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
And I can't wait to get on the road again"
1 comment:
Well...I spent 4 years in Indiana and certainly don't call myself a Hoosier, but am somewhat relieved to tell you that I did eventually lose my Indiana twang and still think I am a tarnished vision of sophistication. Go to Chicago often for long weekends. ;-) Jenn
Post a Comment