First of all, yes, Tai, the snuggles meant something, but Wayne upgraded my computer and provided it with wireless for absolutely free. Perhaps if you also have some technology to bring to the table, I could be persuaded to put you in first place, until then, feel confident in your seating as a very close second.
Second of all Ali: I agree with you that I am talking about the Mega suburbs and that communities can be formed in the smaller ones. I would even argue however that the suburbs that now touch the metro, such as Roseville and the other ones you mentioned are extensions of the cities themselves, and can no longer be lumped into the same category as your Minnetonkas or your Lake Oronos. I know that communities can be formed in the larger ones too, I don't think they are all automatons. However, I think the largess of the homes out their preclude any sense of community because you are in essence creating a fortress. And I agree with you that culture can take many forms, such as a garden, etc, my argument is that most of these people do not seek out culture or choose to cultivate it. That is what I have a problem with: I can accept and even embrace that your sense of culture includes creating a comfortable home, investigating different recipes, even going to a recital or concert given by the local community high school when you don't have a kid in it. But there are people out there, and you know this is true, that move to the suburbs and create a haven for themselves in which they can live out life in a cultural vacuum, getting no more information than what prime-time programming can provide. You have met these people, who think that voting for American Idol (speaking of which, doesn't that sound vaguely like a sign of the end times, like we are worshipping idols? remember Moses and the Chosen People ((wouldn't that be a great name for a band?))? god wasn't too happy about that golden calf idol... anyway, I'm getting off topic) is more important than voting for President. Do people like that live in the City? Of course they do, and it is just as frustrating to me. My argument is that there are more sheep living in the suburbs, by nature of what the suburbs are, then in the city.
And finally my argument never had anything to with who worked "harder". I never accused the people of the suburbs of laziness. You can work hard and still live in a cultural wasteland (who wrote that originally? ). My main arguement was actually not about the people, but about the way that the suburbs utilize resources wastefully. So I guess you could say that my logical argument is about the wasting of resources, while my illogical argument is about the people and purely my unsubstantiated opinion.
Ok let move on to something else... (which of course does not preclude commentary!)
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Hala, yes, I agree with what you are saying that there are folks who move to the suburbs who choose seclusion over inclusion. That's their right to move about freely and do what they will with their lives. I only lived briefly in what would be considered a true suburb, Hopkins, and that is why I can attest for the plethora of neighborhoods, etc. Now living in Buffalo, it is hard to define it as a suburb, since its so far out that some call it country and some call it the outermost ring of the metro. Regardless, I think its easy to get caught up in idealized versions of either environment, whether it be urban or rural or somewhere in between. Does the city offer more culture, in forms of theatres, night clubs, readings on topics ranging from poetry to architecture, and/or more independtly owned retail spaces? Of course it does, and therefore, those people who live there are subjected to more of that on a daily basis. In the end, however, its what you choose to do with that environment and the experiences and knowledge you gain from it.
Oh, and it is a travesty that more people vote on American Idol than in presidential elections. That is something that just depresses me. I suppose it could be taken as a commentary on our government and how they have fallen out of touch with American citizens, but mostly I think its just a commentary on how incredibly lazy most Americans have become, no matter if they are living in the city, in the country, or in an igloo in the arctic. Do we truly feel that the fate of Taylor Hicks' recording career is more important than that of our country?
I can't believe that I'm 2nd. I feel so rejected, so used...however, as I am going to stay with you in August for a bit (when I am in training for my new job!) - I feel as though I have plenty of opportunity to prove that snuggles and spooning are worth more than a little wireless internet. Technology-schmology. Snuggles!! Doesn't that count for anything anymore!
Tai, just accept it, you are number two, it will all be easier for everyone if you do! EVERYONE loves a geek that can bring free WI-FI to the table and free Mac support on tap, and believe me, that will and can win over snuggles - no matter how good the snuggles are!
And Hala, thanks for making me number 1!
Hala, its nice that you work so hard to make Tai and Wayne feel good about themselves. We all know that I'm number one and have been since that dreary day of our freshman year of college. No one can ever be number one over me considering we folded underwear together...right?
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