I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
December 4, 2010 at 2:56pm
By now most of you know that I live in Istanbul, but it occurred to me this morning that I'm not sure where most of our members live. Are there other expatriates among us? Outstripp, you're in Japan, right? I know we have a lot of Californians. Where do the rest of you live? Did you grow up there? If you moved there, why? Do you like it there?
Local flora and fauna? Favorite local pastime? Are your neighbors friendly? Do you think you'll stay there?
Is there some place you'd rather live? Where?
The photos are places I've lived. I don't think I've written about either place. Does anyone recognize them?
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Comments:
Sep '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
You know, as I'm reading this thread, I'm thinking that both Andrea and J.C. would make great SME's for a novel or screenplay. BTW, Andrea what *haven't* you done in this life?
Nov '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Andrea Ryan
Times Beach? Herculaneum? Tiimes Beach was Dioxin and parts of Herculaneum were cleaned out because of lead, so I'm guessing Herculaneum. Incidentally, the company that ran/still runs the smelter down there was one of my clients in my past life. They were absolutely my favorite people to work with. Olin Brass was another one.
The world continues to shrink. The town was Rivermines, absorbed into Park Hills years ago, and I grew up at the base of one of the mine tailings dumps, the enormity of which no one outside of Missouri can appreciate. The EPA tagged all of those as toxic sites well after I left the area, and most are about gone. My father (long deceased) was the VP in charge of production for St. Joe Lead Co, which originally ran the smelter in Herculaneum. Doe Run Co. runs it now.
And meth? Missouri is/was the meth capital of the U.S., exceeding even California in the number of labs taken down per year. I had hair up until about the 50th lab we encountered.
That does it--we have to have a RicoFest in St. Louis.
May '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
These are fun to read. I'm amazed at the number who have lived (or are living) overseas and I wonder if doing so contributes to a more conservative bent. For me, living/working in Japan for 3 years (a highlight of my life) in the 80's certainly increased my appreciation for USA. Loved Japan, but observing the USA from afar was pivotal.
I've lived in beautiful/expensive Pleasanton, CA (bay area) for 24 years and can't believe it because I'm an east coaster in my heart. Weather here is great, but I may well be enjoying the equivalent of shuffleboard on the Titanic. Oh this sorry, sick, blue state! Not sure I could return to long winters in MD, MA, or NH, though. And they're almost as blue anyway. What to do. What to do.
Wish I had enough words to tell my Lagano story....
Nov '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Sorry Pseudo, already done by Elmore Leonard in "Killshot". He loosely based a nefarious character in that book on me, which earned me a copy of the book inscribed with his apology. It was my lame brush with fame.
Edited on December 6, 2010 at 7:51amAug '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
In my case, definitely. I've now been an expat for two decades, and I have come more and more to appreciate the USA's pivotal, unique role in global affairs.
A couple things I've learned as an expat that've made me more conservative: first, human nature is a constant. Saints and sinners; the ignorant and the enlightened; the curious and the xenophobic -- all are well-distributed throughout this world. There is no reason for Americans to defer to the 'sophistication' of those from other countries (especially Europe). And being marinated in knee-jerk anti-Americanism at times (although of course not always) forces an internal confrontation: either you take on the comfortable role of the expat who joins in the America-bashing, or you learn to stand up and lay down the goods once in a while.
Aug '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
I live in Valdosta, Georgia, where my mother's family has been since the area was first settled in the 1820s. Ironically, courtesy of the USAF, I was actually born at Grand Forks AFB, ND, where my dad was stationed at the time making me the first person in my mom's side of the family to not have been born down here in generations.
I made a conscious decision to return home after law school, the pull of kith and kin being stronger than the bright lights and tall buildings of Atlanta (oh, General Sherman, where art thou now?) and have not regretted my decision at all.
Our neighbors are friendly, gathering frequently on our porch for cocktails in the late afternoon, sharing vegetables in the summer and baked goods in winter. My children represent the sixth generation of my family to sit on the wooden pews of our baptist church. The local flora include azaleas, cotton & tobacco and the fauna include such tasty treats as bass, bream, dove, ducks, and quail, the harvesting of which are enjoyable pastimes which I am blessed to do on a farm that has been in my family since 1850.
Edited on December 6, 2010 at 4:06pmMay '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Wilmington, MA (about 20 min north of Moonbatistan East...a.k.a. Boston). Born in Maine, raised in Nova Scotia. Canadian parents so I'm dual - could have been an anchor baby but they took me with them (can't figure out why...) when the visa expired and they moved back home.
Bounced back and forth between Michigan and Taxachusetts, based on job locations.
Local flora and fauna? Liberals...they grow on trees around here. Favorite local pastime? Summertime waterfront bar hopping via the water taxi :)
I don't have any plans to leave, but my employer may have other ideas.
May '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Well, since we're speaking of lead mines, I didn't go down into the one in Vibernum when I had the opportunity. Even though later that day there was a terrible accident and one of the foremen was killed I have always kind of regretted that decision.
Sep '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
J. C. Casteel
Sorry Pseudo, already done by Elmore Leonard in "Killshot". He loosely based a nefarious character in that book on me, which earned me a copy of the book inscribed with his apology. It was my lame brush with fame. · Dec 5 at 10:16pm
Edited on Dec 05 at 10:51 pm
Without giving away the plot, I have something I'm working on that requires at minimum a Federal agent as protagonist. I haven't decided that yet. In the meantime, I'm going to by Killshot.
Aug '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Keep the thread alive Part 130 or something.
Andrea, being from Western Missouri (STJOEMO), I have to ask : what is a strip club ?
And does everyone think that Missouri is one giant bbq joint ? Besides there's really not much good bbq except in KC. Since that old guy in Louisiana,Mo closed.
We have learned to burn our meat better than the rest. I'd say Rico-soiree in KC, but you'd probably like in Columbia from a guess on your 10-20.
For Pseudo- an armed society is a polite society. For J.C., loose nefariousness is close enough. I'll buy the first round.
And to southern Europeans out there. Lutefisk doesn't come from a lake, but from a swedish curse on fish preparation. Skip over it, grab some lefsa, potato sausage, and look for the akavit.
Edited on December 6, 2010 at 5:31pmNov '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
flownover:
And does everyone think that Missouri is one giant bbq joint ? Besides there's really not much good bbq except in KC.
A respectful nod to Arthur Bryant's, but I have stumbled across some comparably great BBQ in some really remote and nasty areas of the Show Me State. They usually had a handpainted sign made of splintering plywood nailed above a shack.
Columbia is cool with me, since our grandkids are there, and I would even consider KC, since my sister lives there.
Andrea, the only mine I ever went down in was the Viburnum one. You did miss something.
May '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
All I can say is if you have to get from Missouri to, say, Kentucky don't go through Illinois. Or, if you do, drive the speed limit and hold your bladder until you get over the state line.
May '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
J. C. Casteel
...Rivermines, absorbed into Park Hills years ago, and I grew up at the base of one of the mine tailings dumps, the enormity of which no one outside of Missouri can appreciate. The EPA tagged all of those as toxic sites well after I left the area, and most are about gone. My father (long deceased) was the VP in charge of production for St. Joe Lead Co, which originally ran the smelter in Herculaneum. Doe Run Co. runs it now...
I didn't realize there was a previous company to Doe Run. I don't think they really determined whether Dioxin is a carcinogen, but lead exposure, for sure, is something you don't mess around with. There were many reasons I enjoyed the Doe Run people so much. Part of it, I'm sure, was the camaraderie that came from working in a dangerous environment every day. That and it's sometimes kind of refreshing to be around people who reject fancy, big city people. Oh, the affection in being made fun of. But, I proved my worth...in spite of being a girl.
May '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Pseudodionysius
J. C. Casteel
Sorry Pseudo, already done by Elmore Leonard in "Killshot". He loosely based a nefarious character in that book on me, which earned me a copy of the book inscribed with his apology. It was my lame brush with fame. · Dec 5 at 10:16pm
Edited on Dec 05 at 10:51 pm
Without giving away the plot, I have something I'm working on that requires at minimum a Federal agent as protagonist. I haven't decided that yet. In the meantime, I'm going to by Killshot. · Dec 6 at 8:17am
So, do I get to pick my character? Can I have a cool name like Miss Scarlet?
May '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
J. C. Casteel
A respectful nod to Arthur Bryant's, but I have stumbled across some comparably great BBQ in some really remote and nasty areas of the Show Me State. They usually had a handpainted sign made of splintering plywood nailed above a shack.
I wonder if anyone has had the experience of yelling for a roll and having it launched from across the room. The baked beans weren't much closer to my plate, either. Surely, if you live near Cape you know where I'm talking about.
J. C. Casteel
Andrea, the only mine I ever went down in was the Viburnum one. You did miss something. · Dec 6 at 10:46am
Well, that helps my regret. I'm so glad I mentioned it.
May '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
J. C. Casteel
flownover:
And does everyone think that Missouri is one giant bbq joint ? Besides there's really not much good bbq except in KC.
A respectful nod to Arthur Bryant's, but I have stumbled across some comparably great BBQ in some really remote and nasty areas of the Show Me State. They usually had a handpainted sign made of splintering plywood nailed above a shack.
Columbia is cool with me, since our grandkids are there, and I would even consider KC, since my sister lives there.
Andrea, the only mine I ever went down in was the Viburnum one. You did miss something. · Dec 6 at 10:46am
I think Samwise is in or near Columbia. I'm not going to mention that my brother-in-law lives there, because I'm holding out for St. Louis.
Aug '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Lamberts for the throwed rolls. But I heard the burgers at Kirby's are great.
You lead miners should know the answer. Of all the enormous natural springs south of I70 in Missouri, very few of them were suitable for bottling due to some really obscure minerals and moldlike organisms that were evident in lead mining. Being in that business I have never seen one bottled water company in the midst of all those giant springs until the Arkansas border.
How's your duck hunting this season ?
Edited on December 6, 2010 at 9:43pmMay '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
I live in rural Southeastern Alberta, in the federal riding of Medicine Hat. I'm a couple hours away from an international airport (YYC), a little farther to the mountains (Banff), and a half hour away from the Red Deer River valley and the badlands (Dinosaur Provincial Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site). Having traveled extensively throughout Europe, North Africa and Mexico / Central America, I'm quite happy to live in this area.
I was born here, but have moved away to live elsewhere on a few occasions, notably out to Vancouver Island and to Torremolinos Spain. My parents live here and life has lead me back here to help them operate their business.
It's miserable here from November until March, but I remain enthralled of the spring-time and hot summer in these parts. I most love the agricultural / rural culture and independence.
Nov '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
I can't help you make sense of the wide variance in U.S. gun laws, but in general, in most locations, you can legally buy a rifle or shotgun immediately and a handgun after a mandatory waiting period, and only if you are not a convicted felon or have any conviction for domestic violence. In several states you can legally carry a concealed handgun after completing a mandatory safety and proficiency course. I opposed this when I was active law enforcement and Missouri passed the law, but it proved to be no problem.
May '10
Re: I'm Curious About Our Members: Where Do You Live? Why?
Oh, I'm impressed. Even St. Josephians know about Lamberts.
Can I be a lead miner if I've never been in a lead mine? If I can, then I was in the auto and aviation industry, too...and plant and chemical engineering......clinical imaging...pharmaceuticals...metallurgical manufacturing... Kidding aside, I've never heard anything like that about the springs anywhere in Missouri. I do know that there are many spring-fed lakes and rivers in Southern Missouri that provide great fishing. Maybe J.C. knows more about this, since he was more legitimately in the business.
So, now you have me wondering about bottled water in St. Joseph, MO.