I just got back from a pretty long trip--nine days--and for some reason there was a tornado in Atlanta on the day I chose to make a connection there, so really I'm lucky to be home at all.
Do you know where I went? You might not believe it. I'm not sure I believe it myself. I made an East Coast-Midwest tour, stopping over in both Rhode Island and Michigan, of all the plague-ridden places (and please, people, don't try to convince me that snow, sleet, and hail aren't plagues). Now it wasn't as cold as it could have been and Rhode Island was almost snow-free, although Michigan more than made up for that, but it was still the northeast when I could have (wisely) chosen to keep my sandals firmly planted in the southwest.
Seriously, after more than ten years, I am what passes for a San Diego native around here.
I belong here.
When people ask me how I came to San Diego, I always answer through a series of mishaps because, really, that's what it was and because, really, I'm as cagey as Jodie Foster when it comes to answering questions about my personal life from people that I'm not actually personal with. I think it's fair but I'm beginning to suspect that this little quirk has a lot to do with my INTJ tendency of being perceived as secretive and aloof. Go figure.
Anyway, one thing I am not cagey about is my undying love for San Diego. Even when it's on fire. Because I'd rather be in San Diego on fire than in Rhode Island on ice. One is not expected to shovel falling ash.
Given this love of sunny southern Southern California (that extra southern was on purpose because, hey, I live so close to Mexico I practically have dual citizenship), you might wonder how I ended up in Michigan during the Ides of March. I can answer that:
A series of mishaps.
Now that we've got that out of the way, I'll tell you something real. I had a great time. Seriously. I still hate the cold and snow can bite me but if you ignore the location and just concentrate on the company, Rhode Island and Michigan are two of my favorite places to be. Even in the winter.
The first leg of the trip saw me and Secret Lulu padding around my mom's house in our pajamas until noon and watching House reruns until midnight. This is behavior my mom would have never allowed me to engage in when I was growing up but now that I'm actually grown up, she not only allows it but she encourages it. She also gives me lots of hugs and kisses, generally loves me up, and most importantly, smells like my mom. And she bought me three bags of Cadbury Mini-eggs.
I ate them all.
The second leg of the trip was a little more winter wonderland. My brother picked me up from the Grand Rapids airport and drove me out to where, as far as I could tell, Fargo was filmed. I did not actually meet Marge the pregnant police woman but I did see enough deer to be certain that deer are not an endangered species. I also saw a lot of squirrels, which surprised me. Somehow I just thought squirrels would know better.
Anyway, back to what I was saying. While I was busy not talking to you all, I got to talk to other people, real world people, who fed and entertained me until I almost forgot to complain about the weather.
Almost.
And I want to tell you all about it, now that I'm done telling you how much I hate snow, but it will have to wait because Mr. Poppins misses me and, even more than that, he wants to know what we're going to do about dinner.
Sounds like a good time. I'm, frankly, surprised that you were willing to leave your home for such a long time - and in the middle of winter no less. Go Polly.
Posted by: Liz | March 17, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Glad you're home safe and sound. We do get very partial to the places we live. I'm used to the cold and the snow. I don't love it, I wish winter was shorter, but it wouldn't seem right without it. And I can't imagine having to be prepared for earthquakes, forest fires and mud slides, though I only ever hear you dealing with the fires, I think. Like you, I really couldn't imagine living anywhere else. And there doesn't really seem to be anywhere you can live w/out some threat from mother nature.
Posted by: Diosa | March 17, 2008 at 07:18 AM
Liz, I read about the bacon and I want you to know that it's okay.
Diosa, since I've been in San Diego, Rhode Island has actually had earthquakes. Go figure. As for mudslides, those are pretty specific to beach front property so, unfortunately, I have nothing to worry about.
Posted by: Polly Poppins | March 17, 2008 at 07:26 AM
I hate snow too!!!!! But hanging with people who love you is definitely worth it!
Posted by: Equipoise | March 17, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Uh, earthquakes in RI? I hadn't noticed, but I'll take your word for it.
Posted by: Diosa | March 17, 2008 at 12:07 PM
RI just had an earthquake on March 11th of this year. It was little (2) but it happened.
Posted by: Polly Poppins | March 17, 2008 at 04:15 PM
As long as they stay so little I can't feel them, I won't worry about it. I haven't heard you complain about any earthquakes either. Have you experienced any that you actually noticed?
Posted by: Diosa | March 18, 2008 at 06:52 AM
While Polly still bitches about the northeast weather when she has to be in it, she has at least stopped insisting that San Diego is intrinsically better and we're all idiots for not moving there with her. That stage was a fun one, let me tell you.
And Pol, so have you decided you really are an INTJ?
Posted by: Bookgirl | March 18, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Diosa, I have slept through a couple of small tremors, or so I've been told, and once while I was having my bedroom furniture delivered, I thought the guys had dropped something heavy only it was maybe an earthquake.
Bookgirl, I changed my mind only because I realized that San Diego already has too much traffic. And, yes, if I have to pick a single type, I am still an INTJ, although if I'm allowed to be a switch hitter I'll admit the possibility of INxJ.
Posted by: Polly Poppins | March 18, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Thanks Poppins. I need to ask you - I'd like to write a book review that belongs here - except i didn't exactly READ the book, I listened to it on cd. I mean who has the time to read these days right? Anyway - is a reviewed book (that I listened to at work on cd) still eligible to belong here?
Posted by: Liz | March 18, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Wait, where are the book reviews that belong here?
Posted by: Liz | March 18, 2008 at 01:19 PM
I love Cadbury mini eggs.
Posted by: The Dol | March 18, 2008 at 01:58 PM
When I was home at Presidents' Day, I was in Target with my mom and I handed her a bag of mini-eggs and said, "I'm going to want those on Easter."
Polly, It's cold here, and I need a vacation, and I finally caved and called you today to plan a week for me to come to San Diego. And it rang and rang with no answer. If you were on the phone and just didn't pick up, I want you to know what you missed out on.
Posted by: Bookgirl | March 18, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Liz, books on cd are fine. Seriously. Send a review, send as many as you want, and I'll put the Book Reviews that Belong Here back up.
Bookgirl, I was on the phone with my father-in-law. I didn't know it was you but, given that he thinks call waiting is of the devil (unless he's using it), I wouldn't have had the nerve to switch over anyway. In any case, you're my date to my cousin's wedding in September. That should count for something.
Posted by: Polly Poppins | March 18, 2008 at 03:50 PM