18 August 2002

The following is from a forwarded email. Sorry; I hate them too, but at least it isn't one of those where you have to scroll down to the bottom, and somebody's made a stupid ascii star/heart/whatever, and you get a "wish." THIS is "You might be a Northwesterner if..."

I told you, I told you, I TOLD you...

* * * * * * * * * * *

You might be a Northwesterner if you......

1. Feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.

2. Use the statement "sun break" and know what it means.

3. Know more people who own boats than air conditioners.

4. Feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.

5. Stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal.

6. Consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it's not a real mountain.

7. Know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon.

8. Know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Oregon, and Willamette.

9. Consider swimming an indoor sport.

10. Can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese, and Thai food.

11. In winter, go to work in the dark and come home in the dark--while only working eight-hour days. [Note: this is more likely a sign that you're from Binghamton......]

12. Never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.

13. Are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain, and tomorrow's forecast: rain followed by showers."

14. Can't wait for a day with "showers and sun breaks."

15. Have no concept of humidity without precipitation.

16. Know that Boring is a town in Oregon, and not just a state of mind.

17. Can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you can't see through the cloud cover.

18. Say, "The mountain is out" when it's a pretty day and you can actually see it. [I TOLD you...]

19. Put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.

20. Switch to your sandals when it gets above 60, but keep the socks on.

21. Have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.

22. Think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists. [...And...?]

23. Knew immediately that the view out "Frasier's" window was fake.

24. Buy new sunglasses every year, because you can't find the old ones after such a long time.

25. Switch from "heat" to "a/c" in the same day.

26. You use a down comforter in the summer.

27. Have driven 65 mph through 2 feet of water during raging rainstorm without flinching.

28. Design your kid's Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.

29. Know that driving is better in the winter because almost everybody else stays home.

30. Think sexy lingerie is matching tube socks and flannel pajamas.

31. Know at least a half dozen names for what other folks call "coffee".

32. Know the difference between a brewpub and a microbrewery.

33. If stopped behind someone who doesn't drive through when the light turns green, gets out, goes up and asks, "Is everything OK?"

34. Actually understand these comments and forward them to all your friends in Washington or Oregon or those who used to live here.