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6 Californian Misconceptions that need to die

Take these East.

Andrew R. McKinley

Jul 30, 2018

National Storytellers Society

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6 Californian Misconceptions that need to die

Photo by Ahmet Yalçınkaya on Unsplash

So, I was aware that people had jokes and general misconceptions about California and Californians to be more specific. However, it wasn't until I joined the Army and started traveling this country that I really discovered how misinformed and misunderstood Californians are. Let's put some of these common misconceptions to rest, shall we?

1) "Oh you must surf."

Surf

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

First off, I grew up in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California, an easy 3 hours from the beach. So no, I do not surf. Besides, a good portion of California is Agriculture, and not everyone loves the beach.

2) "I bet you miss the Beach."

Beach

Photo by Conner Murphy on Unsplash

Like I previously said, I grew up roughly 3 hours from the beach, in Northern California. What people don't seem to realize is those beautiful picturesque beaches they see on T.V. or in commercials are in Southern California. The state is huge! It has over 840 miles of coastline. The ocean is cold in Northern California, and I mean cold. The 'North Pacific Gyre' current runs down a bulk of the coastline, making the water pretty cold year round. Not to mention there are some pretty powerful waves and undercurrents throughout the bulk of the coastline. It isn't until you get down closer to San Diego (close to 600 miles from where I grew up) that the water gets warmer and calmer.

3) "How's the Hippie scene?"

Hippie

pexels.com

First off, it's sort of offensive. But secondly, most of California is Liberal, Republican or Conservative Liberal. It is filled with Farmers, Ranchers, Tech Businesses, and practically anything else you can think of. It's a very accepting state. But, if living and working with or around open-minded people makes you a "Hippie," so be it, just don't live there.

4) "Winter is coming, you excited to see snow?"

Snow

Photo by Tony Ross on Unsplash

Actually, yes I am, but not because I've never seen it before. I personally love the snow and enjoy the winter months. Where I grew up we would get between 13 - 30 inches of snowfall per year, sometimes much more. California is huge and full of different environments and terrains. So, snow is nothing new to me though, I have discovered in my travels across our country, what different cities and states call snow is not necessarily the same thing as what I grew up with. So, I'll give you that one.

5) "Hey, do you visit Los Angeles or San Diego often?"

Visit

Photo by delfi de la Rua on Unsplash

California is a large state, in fact, it's a huge state. It is the 3rd largest state next to Alaska and Texas. So, no. San Diego is nearly 600 miles from where I grew up and roughly a 10-hour drive, one way. Let me put California in more perspective: From the California - Oregon border to the California - Mexico Border it is nearly a 1,000 miles, that's practically a 16-hour drive. Additionally, with all this said, California is spread out. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego are not close together, so let's get that straight. Just driving from one town to another can take a couple of hours.

6) A warning to you visitors

Warning

Photo by Austin Lee on Unsplash

Yes, there is a rivalry between NorCal, Northern California, and SoCal, Southern California. Get used to it. But, know this. If you are an outsider, it maybe best to refrain from joining in on a conversation between Californians. It is sort of just a debate between resident's and sometimes it is not appreciated by either party for an outside opinion to be presented. In no way should this stop or scare you from visiting the Beautiful state of California. It's just more of a small heads up.

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Summer is hot and humid, and it's almost like summer was made specifically to drink the refreshing, cold, crisp wonderful, delicious, nutritious nectar of the gods. Which is none other than beer; wonderful cold beer. With summer playing peek-a-boo around the corner while we finish up this semester, it's time to discuss the only important part of summer. And if you haven't already guessed, it's beer. There are few things I take more seriously than my beer, in order are: sports... and beer. Here are my favorite summer brews:

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Recommended for you

6 Californian Misconceptions that need to die

Take these East.

1) "Oh you must surf."

2) "I bet you miss the Beach."

3) "How's the Hippie scene?"

4) "Winter is coming, you excited to see snow?"

5) "Hey, do you visit Los Angeles or San Diego often?"

6) A warning to you visitors

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Cool Off with These 8 Beers!

Coors Light Summer Brew:

Leinenkugel Summer Shandy

Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat

Sam Adams Summer Ale

Hell or High Watermelon

Blue Moon Summer Honey

LandShark Lager

Corona

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

Perfect Weather

You'll get an effortless tan

You can exercise with a view

You don't have to worry about bug bites

In n Out all day, every day

We have outdoor concerts

We live where people vacation

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

1. “Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside. It's where my demons hide.”

2. “Tonight, we are young.”

3. “Cuz I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it.”

4. “Tell me how they got that pretty little face on that pretty little frame.”

5. “I can’t wait to fall in love with you, you can’t wait to fall in love with me.”

6. “Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin with no makeup on.”

7. “Why you so obsessed with me?”

8. “We ain’t ever getting older.”

9. “I didn’t know that I was starving until I tasted you.”

10. “Didn’t they tell you I’m a savage?"

11. “I’m gonna make you miss me.”

12. "Cheers to the freakin weekend.”

13. “Love’s a game. Wanna play?”

14. “You don’t know about me, but I bet you want to.”

15. “Let’s set each other’s lonely nights, Be each other’s paradise.”

16. “Trippin’ on skies, sippin’ waterfalls."

17. “Wish we could turn back time, to the good old days.”

18. “But you will remember me for centuries.”

19. “Something about you makes me feel like a dangerous woman."

20. “Don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me.”

21. “Darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.”

22. “Find me where the wild things are.”

23. “I’m high on lovin’ you.”

24. “If you’re gonna be somebody’s heartbreak, somebody’s mistake, if you’re gonna be somebody’s first time, somebody’s last time, be mine.”

25. “Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled on.”

Everything Bruce says in his classic rock songs.

1. "Talk about a dream Try to make it real You wake up in the night With a fear so real Spend your life waiting For a moment that just don't come Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)

2. "It's a town full of losers/ I'm pulling out of here to win" (Thunder Road)

3. "You've got to learn to live with what you can't rise above" (Tunnel of Love)

4. "I got something in my heart/ I been waitin' to give/ I got a life I wanna start/ One I been waitin' to live" (Leah)

5. “God have mercy on the man/ Who doubts what he’s sure of” (Brilliant Disguise)

7. “Is a dream a lie when it don’t come true, or is it something worse?” (The River)

Why you should spend your next summer in New England.

Want to know more about summer destinations?

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1. "Talk about a dream
Try to make it real
You wake up in the night
With a fear so real
Spend your life waiting
For a moment that just don't come
Well don't waste your time waiting." (Badlands)