Where does the South begin & end?

I often hear people refer to the "deep south" and then there's just "the south." Well, I'm curious about where these distinctions are articulated and agreed upon? I do acknowledge that there are significant differences between someone from, say, Mississippi and someone from Texas, but are we not all Southerners?


I flew to Austin, Texas this morning (6am flights should be illegal). I'm not sure what I was expecting to experience here that's different from Dallas, but it does seem different. Of course, I'm downtown so that plays a role. I'm here for a conference held by The Medical Institute, a non-profit that studies and researches issues related to sexual health. Its one of the best conferences in our field, so I'm excited to be participating this year. Maybe I'll post some highlights over the next two days... you know, new STD rates and how porn is gripping the lives of millions of people everyday (there's a focus on the porn epidemic this year).


Alright, so here's what I saw when I walked around downtown looking for a good Tex-Mex spot to get my lunch on...

Dozens of groups of young professionals seemingly headed to lunch themselves, but who would know it because they were dressed for the club... or at least a fancy dinner out. The hair and makeup is astounding and since my face was bare when I arrived I felt very strange (most likely just in my own head, though).


A few people on the street as I walked asked for change which oddly made me feel at home since that happens on a daily basis in Boston. However, there were numerous other people on the street who said hello and asked me how I was doing. The first guy to do it I completely ignored and was put out that he would be "cat calling" me at noon on a weekday. It was only an hour later when someone else asked how I was doing after I returned their hello that I remembered I'm in the South! Oh, the glorious South! Almost every employee at the hotel has made eye contact with me and attempted some small talk as I've walked by - these are my people! I've worked so hard in the last couple of years to suppress the part of me that wants to talk to complete strangers (although Boston hasn't completely beaten it out of me) and now I'm in the land of stranger small talk! As I was walking to my room some random hotel guest even said hello and made eye contact and I know this isn't because I'm looking so fine today - they're just polite! A girl on the elevator turned to me immediately and said "I'm from Georgia, any idea if its going to rain everyday this week here?" Ah! I love it.



Finally, the abundance of incredible food can't be understated. I had brisket quesadillas for lunch - yummmm. I also managed to pop into a CVS (you know, just to feel at home) and found a Diet Big Red soda!!! Yes, they were selling it and I'm so happy to have it. If you've never had Big Red, you're missing out. I didn't even remember how sweet and tasty it is - it tastes like bubble gum. I'm also looking forward to having some Texas bbq and at least one or two more encounters with Tex-Mex. I was looking for lunch and thought I found a schlotzsky's (sandwich deli that's SO good!) and after walking through an office building I realized it was a corporate office for them and not actually an eatery... sad days. I'll keep looking, though. I also saw a Sonic on my way from the airport and remembered the daily happy hour half price drinks from 2-4pm. Sonic - COME TO NEW ENGLAND!

Alright, I think that's enough for now. I get to stop in Dallas on Thur night to see my family for about 48 hours. I can't wait! Yesterday we signed our lease for the new apartment and with moving day fast approaching I need to get some serious packing done when I get back. Oh! and Gretchen is coming back on the 15th for a few weeks - hooray! I need to spend more time focusing on the things in my life that are uplifting and good.

Wherever you are, I hope you're not melting this week. Wear sunscreen!