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  • Jul. 2nd, 2009 at 7:07 PM

Got back late Tuesday night from NC. It was a sort of working vacation, in that I had about 1-2 of business each day to take care of, but it was the closest thing to a real vacation that I've had in years. Here are some things I learned while away:
 
1. It's not that I don't like to be outside. I just don't like to be outside in Florida.
 
I went to the mountains in North Carolina, where mornings were in the low sixties and afternoon highs were in the upper seventies. Aside from the lack of blistering heat that I'm accustomed to dealing with as a South Floridian, the sun's rays in NC also didn't feel as laser-ish against my skin as they do here. I was outside for hours every day and loving it. People who know me, know how unusual that statement is.
 
2. I really want to move to the mountains in North Carolina.
 
Yes, I've been saying this for years, but I'm serious this time. I've been there twice in the winter, twice in the summer, and once in the fall, and each time, I love it a little more. My husband, for whom this was his second trip, loves it, too. Even my dog seems to prefer it to Florida. All I need is for the housing market to get out of the toilet (big dream, I know) and I can finally shake the Florida sand from my feet to head north.
 
3. There's lazy, and then there's just damn nasty.
 
While driving, my husband and I were listening to a local radio show where people were encouraged to call in and describe the laziest thing they've ever done. Now, I am all about being lazy, don't get me wrong, but some of these callers had my eyes popping out of my head. The woman who "won" did so on the basis of her story of how she'd gone the entire weekend while wearing the same outfit. The exact same outfit, down to the same pair of panties. No showering, no brushing her teeth, and no changing her underwear. Why? She didn't feel like it. And she laughed about how it was a nice weekend spent on her couch watching TV.
 
Folks, I've had lazy weekends on the couch watching TV. I like them just as much as the next sedentary person, but you can bet I didn't neglect basic hygiene. In summary, I hope that woman was single, and I'm glad I never had to smell her.
 
4. Some things should not be done for any price.
 
While I was watching TV up there, something like "wackiest videos" came on (can't remember the exact title). Anyway, it showed a clip of a game show where the contestants, lined up in open stalls where everything but their laps were visible, had to compete against each other to see who could take a dump first. No, you didn't read that wrong. They were all on special toilets that were rigged to flash a light above the contestant's head to showcase the first person who did a number two. This horrified me even more than Lazy Stinky Woman on the radio. I may never recover from seeing that.
 
5. "You can't miss it", when spoken by a local, actually translates into "let's have fun with the tourists!"

For every time someone gave us directions with a  "you can't miss it" description of a landmark, we were guaranteed to get lost. And our GPS system didn't work in most areas of the mountains up there. Neither did our cell phones. Luckily, as I am sitting here typing this, we didn't get so lost that we couldn't find our way back.
 
6. When you set up a river trip and the guide says the location where he will pick you up and drive you back to your car doesn't require a map because "you can't miss it", see item number five!

Don't fall for it again, idiot! Or, you might find yourself dragging a canoe a quarter mile up river, against the current, cursing and tripping over river rocks while your out-of-shape legs are screaming in pain, back to the area where you last saw some locals so you can borrow their cell phone to call the guide and say that obviously you can miss the pick up spot!

7. Avoid queen-sized, firm mattresses.
 
My husband and I have always had a king-sized bed. Usually, a soft one, too. The bed in the cabin we rented was a queen, and it was so hard I swear I have bruises more firm than I am used to. Combine that with my tendency to stretch out my limbs like a crab when tired, all while my husband kept jockeying for his own space, and we didn't get a lot of sleep (not in the good way, either ;).
 
8. I love the NC mountains, but I'm glad to be home.
 
Hey, my big, soft bed is here. And I can drive around without getting hopelessly lost. It might be sweltering hot here, and capable of giving me a sunburn just by walking to the mailbox, but I have those two things to comfort me while I wait, and hope, that the real estate market recovers.
 
Now, to get caught up on my inbox. It's amazing how things can pile up, even after just five days.
 
**ETA**

[info]calico_reaction  is running a contest on her blog giving away books in Carrie Vaughn's series, Melissa Marr's series, and Your Truly's series. If you're interested in how to enter to win, go HERE for details.


Comments

( 34 comments — Leave a comment )
[info]breeziesbooks wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2009 11:37 pm (UTC)
I am glad you enjoyed your visit to NC and sorry the locals gave crappy directions. I live in the NC mountains( not a local to this area of NC but we've been here for 2 years). I just use mapquest a lot and leave early for everything that I can.
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:08 pm (UTC)
Oh, I'm kidding about saying the locals got us lost for fun. I think they're just so used to the area, innocuous little landmarks seem like "can't miss it!" things to them.
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[info]bethwest wrote:
Jul. 2nd, 2009 11:42 pm (UTC)
"You Can't Miss It" Like Hell I Wont!
There is nothing better than coming home from a holiday ans sleeping in ur own bed.

And i absolutly agree on the "You can't Miss It" Disney Land Paris flash bk's. *Ungh, story is to long*

I've only ever been to America once, and that was to Salt Lake City, I would really love to go to North Carolina.

Glad ur bk safe, Hope ur well

Hugs and Loves,
Beth
xxx
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:09 pm (UTC)
Re: "You Can't Miss It" Like Hell I Wont!
Never been to Salt Lake. I hear it's beautiful. NC definitely is. Maybe you'll get a chance to see it one day!
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[info]athena_the_law wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 12:01 am (UTC)
Glad you're back and glad you enjoyed the vaca. I can't imagine what that woman was thinking going a whole weekend w/out washing but whats worse is that she admitted to it! And did it on a radio station!
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:11 pm (UTC)
Tell me about it! If I'd ever done such a thing - which, EWW, no I haven't, but if I had - I'd take that to the grave. Not announce it on the radio with my name so anyone listening who knew me would know how nasty I'd been.
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[info]lkmadigan wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 12:11 am (UTC)
I hope you get to relocate to NC - I've heard nothing but great things about it.
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:12 pm (UTC)
It's so pretty, and I love the weather. I'm just sick of the FL heat. Some people love that and are sick of the cool/cold, but after twenty-plus years in FL, I'm ready for some cooler weather. And some hills! :).
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[info]jessbess06 wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 12:43 am (UTC)
Wow. Sounds like you had quite the adventure! I don't think I ever got hopelessly lost and had to ask a stranger for directions. Although back in 06 on my senior spring break trip to Greece/Italy, me and my friends did get a "little" lost while in Florence. We had a map, but one of them, a guy no less, knew where we were supposed to be going and another guy, a friend of mine, wanted to be sensible and use the map we got, we already looked like American tourists, and heck there were a lot of tourists there so there was no shame in using a map, but the other guy wouldn't let up until we were close to being late. Then he finally handed the map over and then the 8 of us were running through the streets trying to get to the meeting point. We were late of course, but it makes a great story to tell later on!!
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:13 pm (UTC)
Lol, sounds like fun. Never been to Florence. If I ever go, I'll know now to take detailed directions :-)
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[info]remembrancer19 wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 12:55 am (UTC)
NC sounds like home to me! I think it's because I live close to the mountains too, and that always appeals to me. Plus, at least where there are mountains you are guaranteed to "not get burned from walking to the mail box" (kekeke, loved that XD)
The heat, and the fact that when you go away from home, you're sleeping in a bed that's not your own, always makes coming back so sweet. ^.^

Glad to hear that your visit/vacation was enjoyable! Even with all those "you can't miss it's" :3
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:13 pm (UTC)
It was a great time, and the "you can't miss it!" 's just make for something fun to talk about later, right?
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[info]robinellen wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 01:28 am (UTC)
Fun :) I've never been to NC...of course, I've never been to FL, either (or most of the country, truth be told, outside the west and southwest).
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:14 pm (UTC)
See, and here I've never really been west or southwest. Went to CA once for about two days, but that was it. Hey, switch with ya! ;-)
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[info]stormdruid wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 02:20 am (UTC)
NC sounds like a good fit! I laughed when my ex husband moved here from California and said the light was different, but having been out there, I've come to realize that it DOES seem to vary from place to place. "Sunny" can be different things depending on where you are. I didn't like California "sunny", I like my Pennsylvania sunshine!

And as far as Ms. McNasty... I had abdominal surgery that let me in pain to the point I sobbed when I had to get out of bed. But I'll be darned, I still dragged my butt to the shower every day! How gross!!!!!
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:16 pm (UTC)
I had abdominal surgery a couple years ago, and the post-surgery meds the doctor gave me left me unconscious for almost a day (I am a wuss when it comes to any chemicals). But once I became conscious, I cleaned up. It might have been only a sponge bath and brushing my teeth, but it was something - and the underwear was always changed, lol.
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[info]tybalt_quin wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 10:35 am (UTC)
it showed a clip of a game show where the contestants, lined up in open stalls where everything but their laps were visible, had to compete against each other to see who could take a dump first.

That is completely revolting.
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:18 pm (UTC)
It was even worse seeing it on TV. My husband, who knows how such a thing would horrify me, just laughed when I yelled "change the channel!" but yes, he changed the channel. I still can't totally wipe the images away - and those people were SMILING! What's the matter with some people??
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[info]yinguk wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 12:48 pm (UTC)
welcome back. Re 2: how about tri-cities? you can be with Ilona Andrews and I can stalk all my fav authors in one town? hehe. Re 3: That was just wrong and gross. Re 4: Revolting and sick.
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:19 pm (UTC)
Ilona intends to move to CA. I am actively trying to talk her out of that, since it's too far!
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[info]wildchild1954 wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 01:19 pm (UTC)
Nice vacation
Sounds like you had a nice vacation Jeaniene! I know what you mean about the bed - I never can sleep good unless I'm in my own familiar, comfortable bed. NC is a lovely state though. I was stationed at Fort Bragg and loved it.
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:20 pm (UTC)
Re: Nice vacation
It's such a beautiful place. I love it. If I only had my bed with me (and a satellite phone, and a working GPS ;-) it would have been perfect.
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[info]katiebabs wrote:
Jul. 3rd, 2009 04:03 pm (UTC)
I remember this guy in college who was the laziest thing I have ever seen. He went a week without taking a shower because he didn't feel like it. Gross!!!
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:22 pm (UTC)
That's way gross. My husband is a clean freak. He showers 2 or 3 times a day, so I can't even imagine someone going a week.
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[info]kellymeding wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 12:20 am (UTC)
If I could move to and live in one place, it would be the mountains of southwest North Carolina. I vacationed there a few years ago and adored every single minute of it. Lovely, lovely area, cold mountain streams, waterfalls, an awesome lake, hiking trails, cool nights, warm days....bliss.
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:22 pm (UTC)
Sounds just like the mountains in NC! Bliss is right.
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[info]jessbess06 wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 01:09 pm (UTC)
Never been to Florida during the summer, but I live in St. Louis and the summers seem to be just as brutal. I don't like the heat whatsoever and I've lived here all my life. You'd think I'd be used to it by now. But as I say, I'm a winter baby, I don't like the heat. Especially in St. Louis where it's in the upper 90's with humidity. So it's just not plain heat/hotness there's a thick layer of humidity in the air as well. I thinking moving up north sounds like a good idea myself! I wouldn't mind living in Cedarburg, Wisconsin with my aunt and her family. Summers there are nice and winters can be extremely cold with a lot of snow, but hey I like the cold!
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 06:24 pm (UTC)
"where it's in the upper 90's with humidity. So it's just not plain heat/hotness there's a thick layer of humidity in the air as well."

Oh yeah. I feel your pain! Going outside in the summer in south FL feels like walking into a giant sweaty armpit to me. I hide indoors from May thru October, cuddled next to my air conditioning :)
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[info]calico_reaction wrote:
Jul. 5th, 2009 08:18 pm (UTC)
Just wanted to thank you again for promoting this. :)
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 10th, 2009 02:30 pm (UTC)
No problem! Hope the contest turned out good.
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[info]tabby_cat21 wrote:
Jul. 7th, 2009 05:56 pm (UTC)
I get the heat of Fl. I live in central Fl and it's hot. I love the AC. I went to NC in march to visit a friend and the weather was great. Have a good day. Tabby
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 10th, 2009 02:30 pm (UTC)
I love my AC, too. I hide inside during the summer months here.
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[info]facere323 wrote:
Jul. 9th, 2009 01:48 pm (UTC)
I feel ya on the outside in Florida. I live in southern central Florida. And it's hell in the summers. I just came back from a Pa/NJ trip and must say that you don't realize the difference until you've felt it back to back. I call it "The Florida Funk". It's this stickiness that clings to your skin....it even forms a film on the windshield of your car if you drive around at night with your windows down! blech!
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[info]frost_light wrote:
Jul. 10th, 2009 02:32 pm (UTC)
Yes, that's so true! It feels "sticky" here. It was still very warm in NC, but it didn't have that nasty feeling.

And I know exactly what you mean about the film on the windshield. Sometimes I get it very early in the morning if I'm driving, too.
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( 34 comments — Leave a comment )