Big Happenings in Eastern Maine

It seems that Maine has become somewhat important to a couple of Democratic candidates. Hillary Clinton spoke at a rally at the University of Maine here in Orono this morning at 9am.


I called my Dad to tell him that traffic might be an issue in town, so he'd better wait to go out and do his things. (Note: I have a different perspective on what defines "traffic" in this little town of 9,100 residents. Having spent those 12+ years in Philly, I know what a traffic jam is, and I can tell you that they ain't NEVER had a traffic jam in Orono...but try convincing the residents of that...)

He tells me that he's aware of the visit, and that "that Alabama guy" was going to be in Bangor this afternoon, just 5 minutes south of us. So, I'm scratching my bald head and thinking to myself, "Who is the Dem candidate from Alabama?" I just couldn't think of the Alabama guy my Dad was referring to. So I asked him who the Alabama guy was, and he says, "You know, the guy running against Hillary...Alabama... what's his name?" So there you go....my dad has Obama confused with Alabama. Brilliant.

We're bracing for the first storm of February that is supposed to settle in tonight and end at some point tomorrow. Right now they're saying 6-8 inches. We'll see.

I gotta go now, though. I'm trying to find Alabama.

Differences

Since my return to Orono, Maine, my hometown, from Philadelphia, where I lived for the past 12 years, I've noticed some things that are so different between the big city and the small town.

In Philadelphia, and many parts of the country, ATM/MAC machines first ask you to select your language, English or Spanish. However,up here in Maine, at least in Central Maine where I'm located, the ATMs ask you to select English or French. Why French, you ask? Well, Maine gets a lot of its tourism from Canada where many residents speak French.

In Orono, people actually STOP to let people cross in the marked crosswalks. In Philly, you put your life on the line with each street crossing.

One of the sore spots of living in Philly was the enormous amount of trash that littered the streets. It was a bummer to see because I always heard how the people in Philadelphia loved their neighborhoods. It didn't show by the amount of garbage that was in the streets. Up here in the great Northeast corner of the good ole US of A, I see hardly any trash at all. A soda can here, a plastic grocery bag there, but it's a sight that is rare. And I'd like to point out that I have yet to see a used condom laid out on the sidewalk. Those were sighted a couple of times a week in Philly.

People actually smile and say "hello" back to you when you give them the same. It's awesome.

But, do I miss Philly? Even with all of these little pluses I've experienced living back in a small town, you bet your ass I miss Philly. I hope to be back there for a week at the end of Oct/early Nov. I can't wait! And with any luck, I'll be leaving a used condom on one of the streets. Maybe two.....