California Comparison

CALIFORNIA

So I recently moved to the lovely state of PA (recently ranked number 30 for ‘most fun states to live in’) from California (15).  And despite the number of people that have stopped me in my car when they see my plates and tell me that I will absolutely hate it here... I have to say I’m quite enjoying it!!!  Why you may ask?  Well I’d been in CA for 8 years and for a military brat that is basically FOREVER and I was in need of a change, and it was a fabulous career move so win win.  SO other than the fact that I’m quite certain I nearly killed myself by moving to PA in the middle of February (you know what happens when you take a lizard and put it in the fridge and it can’t function, I am the lizard), however I can’t help but notice a few fun differences, so I have compiled a list for you all.

1. First of all, I have lived on the east coast before (NH *shudders in horror*) and I remember the same phenomenon there but I had forgotten.  I now live in the land of stupid. fucking. sidewalks.  I would bet you money that Shell Silverstein was from PA.  Don’t fact check that because he’s really from Chicago, but the point is the same.  I know where the damn sidewalk ends because it ends EVERYWHERE here.  City planners, did you just not think this through? It is truly impossible to walk to a destination on a full sidewalk the entire walk.  And it pisses me off.  You walk along and oh it’s so nice and safe and lovely and then BAM. 

Real pictures taken from my walk yesterday

2. One thing I have to say I miss dearly is Fernando and Greg in the morning…  PA, you don’t have nearly gay enough talk shows for me.  Not sure how I get through my mornings without first hearing “IF THEY'RE PLAYING WITH BALLS I'M ALL OVER IT”, but alas, life goes on.

3. Another thing that I find slightly hard to adjust to is the strange ‘highways’ they have here.  They say take the highway… but it only has 2 lanes... where are the other 8?   Someone explain?

4. WHOLE FOODS, SPROUTS, TRADER JOE'S, HEALTH FOOD IN GENERAL, I say I love living here but the lack of these make me deeply question that… may be one the worst thing about PA, blows the stupid sidewalks out of the water for sure.

5. Also the lack of Mexican food is a bit saddening, I miss the fact that I had to speak Spanish or I wasn’t getting food in the good restaurants.  However the abundance of Italian restaurants here is intriguing.  Not that it really matters because neither are really a part of my healthy eating style but whatever.

6. Ok so everyone says I’m crazy for this one… But everyone here has been oddly friendly and it baffled me for a while!  I’ve had multiple store clerks, gym employees, strangers at the gas stations, etc, tell me to stop by if I want to chat or need directions or have offered phone numbers or to add them on Facebook.  When I mention I’m from CA (as I did while buying hundreds of pairs of gloves in march when everyone thought I was a lunatic because ‘it wasn’t even cold anymore’ *middle finger to you people*) they suddenly wanted to chat for ages and offer up any and all services they could provide.  I don’t know if living in CA for so long has made me a grumpy cynic or what, but I found myself highly suspicious of these people because I didn’t understand their aggressive friendliness.  I’ve gotten more used to it but I’m still caught off guard when I go to CVS to buy toothpaste and I’m in a hurry and the cashier wants to share their life story.

7. Everything is so spread out!!  For a while this was a pain in the butt for me because having to drive 20 minutes to the grocery store was outrageous, but now that I’ve moved to a slightly more populated place it’s not bad and the fields and spaciousness is actually fairly nice and scenic!  Also, a lot more people own land here, the cost of living and owning property just blows my mind.  From 2000 a month for a studio apartment in CA to 700 a month for a one bedroom, I think I’m in love with PA.

8. SO MANY CHURCHES.  I am not saying this is good or bad, just saying, everywhere.  You need a church?  PA has ya covered.

9. So since I am a jockey, the only major difference I have noticed as far as differences in the racing industry is the differences in helmets.  The helmets that are acceptable here i feel would not be allowed by CA safety standards.

10. Alright guys, we need to step up our eyebrow game in Pennsylvania.  I think I found the ONLY eyebrow threading place in the entire state, I do miss having 20 to choose from in a 5 mile radius.  So my apologies to all of you who have to look at my wild eyebrows all the time now, I’m blaming the state.

11. Man earrings?  Big thing here, now I know in California we have our gauges *vomits* and other lovely fashion trends that I’m sure would baffle everyone here, but the amount of men with earrings has been significant enough for me to take notice of.  Not complaining necessarily, just something I found interesting.

12. Look a deer!  So many deer, not important, but still.

13. Four way stop signs anyone?  Are the rules different here?   Seriously I'm too lazy to look it up are they?  If you got there first GO!!! Don't wave me on through, there is a system for a reason and your absurd politeness is defeating the purpose and making it all a big ol mess.  But then you wanna turn around and be absurdly rude and turn in front of me when you don't have a protected left hand turn (miss those too btw) and I'm going straight??  The logic here escapes me. 

14. So this bothers me slightly, what the hell is up with gas pumps here?  I can’t really bitch because gas is cheaaaaaap but still, the nozzles are weird.

15. The majority of businesses here are in houses, which I find very odd.  Hair dresser?  Nail salon?  Boutique?  Lawyer?  They are all in little houses that don’t look like businesses at all...  
16. Whats with the Sheetz obsession?  Is it not just a gas station?  I can hear the gasps of horror as the native read that but I just don't get it. That and Sweet Lebanon Bologna?  I mean I won't knock it till I try it but somehow it doesn't sound too great... 

17. Do you ever feel, like a plastic bag?  Here I do, geezus they are not real worried about the environment are they?  MOST IRRITATING THING ABOUT PA (besides the cold of course).  THE CASHIERS TRY TO USE AS MANY BAG AS POSSIBLE.  Oh you got a pencil with your 100 other items?  That definitely needs its own bag.  OH GOODNESS NO we cannot possibly put almonds and spinach in the same bag that is an ABOMINATION we must use 1 for each!  Drives me nuts.  I spend the entire time trying to beat them by bagging my own stuff.  Four bags, you never need more than four, mix that shit I don’t care, but I am making ONE trip from the house to the car.

18. And lastly, one word. TAPATIO. Did you guys not know that is a major food group???? I dont even remember how to eat without it, thank god walmart sells it because I about had a heart attack whem i went to 6 stores my first day here and couldnt find it... And yes, my priorities are most definitely in order.

So there you have it, not so bad if you put into perspective that the most irritating thing is plastic bags.  So as much as I loved California, Pennsylvania is not too bad, life is good :)