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Inspirational Reads

So...Orange

November 28, 2009

I got back from my Thanksgiving travels last night late. My feet hurt. My ass was kind of numb. And I was probably a bit punch drunk from being in the car for however many hours it took me to get from Knoxville to Durham, with detours through Morganton, NC and Hickory, NC. A fellow's got to eat, after all. Plus, his wife and kids, too, I suppose.

I must say, though, I really like Tennessee. This was my second real visit to the Volunteer State (I've driven through several times before). There's a different sort of atmosphere there. It might actually be a bit more friendly. I'm not sure.

One thing I do know, though: The price of premium grade gasoline in Tennessee was cheaper than the price of regular grade gasoline in North Carolina. And yet, they still talk about raising our gas taxes here in the Old North State, mostly to cover up the millions of dollars the last governor stole from the cookie jar while he was in office.

The other thing about Tennessee: There's a lot of orange. It's a combination thing, though. There's the clay-enriched soils of the southeast that are very, very orange. That, coupled with the University of Tennessee's home colors, orange and white, make for a state that's really, really effing orange. This is not to say that I dislike the University of Tennessee; I'm just not a fan of their colors is all. It's...so orange. While this wouldn't normally be an issue, orange is perhaps my least favorite color.

However, unlike North Carolina, there wasn't an abundance of cones and barrels left sitting alongside the roads as a testament to half-abandoned road work projects. Here in North Carolina, our road construction motto is "Yeah, we'll get to that later." Annoying.

I don't know if any of you live in Tennessee, but if you do, here's to kissing your state's ass. I love it. If the commute wasn't hell, I'd live there, but six hours is a little much to ask a fellow to drive, no matter how much he enjoys his job.

I just wish it wasn't so orange...

11 comments:

Jimmy Bastard said...

Ahhhh... not a good colour to be if you are of the Catholic persuasion.

Mala said...

I used to live in TN. They are super nice. Once they stop calling you Yankee.

Soda and Candy said...

Orange is only good as the color of a sweet potato, I can't think of any other use for it!

Chemgeek said...

he he he, seriously, how many people from TN can actually read this post???



(OK, that was uncalled for. I'm sorry. It's just part of my northern aggression.)

Heather said...

I loved it when we went through TN, almost like stepping into serenity.

I better hurry up and like orange, cause I think my blood is turning orange, due to all the pumpkin pie!

snowelf said...

Ironically one of my friends is from TN and his favorite color is orange.

So is his son's.

Odd, that.

--snow

Eric said...

I only like my orange, burnt.

mike said...

I've actually been to Tenn and found that the people there are the nicest I have ever met. Big difference from the a-holes in Boston. And I like the orange of UT.

mo.stoneskin said...

You should start a petition to remove Orange from the spectrum. I'd be the first to sign it.

carissajade said...

I had no idea orange was Tennesee's color until last night when I went to see the Blindside. Sandra Bullock's character mentioned it about 18 times and she didn't like it either...

I don't really get the Orange hate, but then again I'm a Texas fan!

Nej said...

Orange isn't my favorite either...unless we're talking about Starburst, the orange ones are my favorite. :-)