'the interstate'

It's been on my back burner for awhile ~ that drivers outside of California tend to refer to state highways (i.e.: I-80) as 'the interstate', which of course, they are - 'I' for interstate. Yet - here in California, we usually say 'Just get on 80' (or other highway number designation). You don't often hear drivers call '80' or '5' using the (to my ears) more formal 'the interstate'.
Or do we actually say 'Get on the interstate' and I'm just not paying attention (surprise surprise).

Some time ago, I traveled a lot in the eastern U.S., which was when I first noted judicious use of the term the interstate (as well as the turnpike, for that matter). [Check out the labyrinth of interstates on the eastern half of the map - wow - the interstate must have some real meaning there!]

The other week, an acquaintance (from Omaha Nebraska) and I were in a rental car, tootling around the environs of Las Vegas. Sans GPS, we turned corner after corner navigating back streets and main streets towards our (shopping) destinations. Though content to meander thusly, she did keep wondering aloud which way 'the interstate' was. Time and time again, she stated 'We need to get on the interstate', as if it were a lifeline (which, in many ways, it is).

The interstate.
The interstate.
Do Californians not utilize the word 'interstate' as much because most of our daily/ weekly driving is within the state? We drive the 'I' roads, but don't usually refer to them as the interstate(s). Do we have less need (or desire) to make frequent drives across state lines as often as those in other states might? From The Bay Area, it's a 4+ hour hop into Western Nevada, should you even wish to go there....but to Oregon or Arizona - for many Californians - is beyond the scope of an easy day's drive. Consider the length (less the breadth) of Calfornia's size and it becomes obvious that considerable effort / time is required to venture out of state....into and through other states... where the interstate would lead us.

Could it be that drivers from other states rely more heavily on access to 'the interstate' to get them the-hell-outta-Dodge on a regular basis? As in 'I'm going to jump right onto the interstate to get-the-hell-outta-Dodge today!' For those needing to escape Dodge on a regular basis, does the interstate hold more significance?

Do we in California not say the interstate quite as often because California is the proverbial end of the interstate line, therefore we don't go by car beyond the state (west being accessible only by boat or plane) and only on occasion venture back (eastward) or north or south to neighboring states?

Is this state actually more like an all-inclusive island, then? With no real need to obsess 'interstately'?
To be sure, some may view California thusly...

In any case, the phenomenon of the interstate is something to ponder... at least on a lazy Tuesday morning when I should be cleaning house, it is...

essays on race, racism and white privilege

For example:
These essays by Robert Jensen.
This is stuff no one really wants to hear about, read up on, investigate or understand.
Or do they?
And who are 'they' anyway?

Hmmmmm.
People of color, when prompted - can usually expound quite generously on the topic(s) of race, racism and white privilege.
But.
Who's.
Listening?
Usually.
Other.
People.
Of.
Color.

On b's blog, I try to make it a point to avoid writing posts that have to do with religion or politics.
Views on these subjects are generally so ingrained (due to successful media and/or parental and/or societal propagandizing) that they are - typically - and absolutely - unyielding.

Religion and politics are social constructs.
So is 'race'. Uh-huh. Though that concept can hurt the wee brain cells (we tackle it another time, OK?).

In my humble view - far too often, rigidity of belief can be ensconced ever more firmly by mere mention of other perspectives ... I do it, don't you? Yet I don't think my views serve to hurt, damage or create disadvantage for others...

So ~
why now and why here amongst merry cherry posts on craft and art and food and shopping and popular movies and nostalgic missives on growing up in the 50's and 60's and Beatles4Ever and DollinkThisandThat (with an occasional pissy curmudgeon post about Borg Tooth Technology?) do I wish to 'make mention', then?

Within the climate of the upcoming presidential election, I digress...
for it's all hitting waaaaaay too close to home.

Bonus: More 'fun' reading on media portrayals of race/class/gender/sexuality.
Also: Peggy McIntosh has much to reveal on the subject of white privilege. (I especially appreciate her views on male privilege and white privilege as being denied and therefore protected by that denial. WhooooHoooo -'Double indemnity' if you happen to be male as well as 'white'!)

fun guy to watch >>>and you learn stuff too >>>

>>> Mike Rowe >>> provides a lot of chuckle as well as plenty of info when he's giving a try of all those no-one-really-wants-to-do-but-someone-has-to-do-them 'Dirty Jobs'.

If you're someone who's always been interested in 'how things work' - catch an episode of 'Dirty Jobs'. More often than not, you get to see Mike Rowe engage in physically messy yucky watery scummy dusty grimey inky slimey and/or smelly work situations.

Tonight's show had Mike Rowe investigating the workings of a sewer treatment plant. It was especially off-putting since I was watching TV in the living room whilst eating my dinner.
Raw sewage and roast pork = Euuueewwww.

But -
enough about my bad habits and back to the show:
Rowe gets goofy and offers educational stuff.
A winning combination.

~ The episode on view above is at a baby-chicks-processing-factory ~
P.S. Here's a bonus video clip - featuring the popular topic of 'poo' on the show ( recycled cow poo - oh how very green).
P.S. Again: OK, here's part of an episode of 'Dirty Jobs' that is NOT so poo-related.

true confession #5,369

It's time.
I risk of sounding harsh, but am waaaaaay overdue in stating this:

I do NOT enjoy receiving group e-mail 'forwards' of jokes, anecdotes, sentimental or inspirational photos/poems/whatnot.
It may be true that I love and adore the sender, but NOT what has been sent en masse by that dear one to all in his/her e-address book - including moi.

There are those special someones who don't bother to write personally, yet
are so thoughtful to include me in a cattle call All Points Bulletin. This is actually kinda sorta almost ... hurtful... and reads more like 'You're important to me, but only to send some junky e-mail forward to'.

Sorry - but - Ptui.

With group e-mail forwards, it is particularly peeve-worthy to find:
(1) a listing of the e-mail addresses of EVERYONE else who is getting the same forward forwarded to them.

(2) It is more than a tad irritating when the messages are HUGE in size.
Though I now have high speed delivery, getting over-sized mail still requires some waiting (all the while I'm thinking while it is loading - 'Who the hell sent me a mongo-sized group forward or photos that haven't been properly reduced for e-mailing?!?!?).

(3) More so when those huge pix included are (inadvertently?) duplicated twice or thrice.

(4) Patience is tested to da max when all previous comments to that forward are included in the e-mail sent my way. I really don't care to know who said what or why. Who the hell are these other people anyway?!?!?

(If you must 'forward', at least do it the right way to protect yourself and your recipients.)

Sure sure. I know. Everyone is busy.
But - way too busy in this short life to build or maintain social contacts/depth of relationships without resorting to becoming 'Forward Happy' (not a phrase coined by, but very much appreciated by - me)?
Hello?
Make some time? Like - isn't life about those relationships?

If a friend wants to share a thought with me, wouldn't it be nice if he/she did it as a one-on-one e-mail with a wee accompanying personal note. 'Thinking of YOU', 'Look what I found that made me think of YOU'. ' Check out this crazy link to something of interest to the BOTH OF US'.

I might even consider reading the thing if it were presented thusly.

Even so, I'm still going to delete that sucker of a forward - within a second or two of receiving it.

'Nuff said, save that I really and truly do adore my e-mail buddies - just wish they'd gently and with great love - remove me from their 'forward list'.

P.S. Oooooh - check this out: a like minded sistah with an acid tongue! She speaketh what I dare not on this blog - for - truth be known, I also swear like a sailor (must be in the blood) but do not wish to offend the sensitivites of
my more delicate readers...not yet, anyway...