So, good ol' Gawker made a list of The Worst 50 States in America. New York was 50. Arizona was 1. What the fuck. Seriously, New York needs to lay the fuck off of Arizona or we are going to have some problems. I feel like I need to start getting all spirited about AZ and stock up on some coyote and cactus T-shirts to rep in the City. But I am afraid I will get things thrown at me. Isn't NY supposed to be about openness and acceptance? Between Gawker and Morris I have had enough.
Look, I get it. I get that we have a shitty governor, and a load of ignorant Mormons and Republicans, a bunch of methheads and rednecks. But I fucking love my home. I love the desert, the mountains, the amazing sunsets, the friendliness, the people who help you change your flat tires, the old cowboys and farmers, the lack of rodents and insects, the privacy, the pools, the backyards and the space, the no Daylight savings time, the air conditioning, the Wild West history, the proximity to the ocean and the ski resorts, the Grand Fucking Canyon, the monsoons, the no-earthquakes-tornadoes-and-tsunamis, the underdog teams that manage to pull through and bring us all together every now and then, the Medical Marijuana laws, the laid-back vibe, the freeways, the Mexican food.....I LOVE Arizona.
If you want to be ignorant and judge us all without visiting or on politics that we don't all agree with then you are as bad as the people you judge. Every state has pros and cons, even New York, the 50th worst state. (Off subject: Does anyone else accidentally think that there are 51 states sometimes?)
I love New York, but my heart will always be in Arizona. This is my home; where I lived my entire life, a quarter of a century. This is where I was brought into the world, where my parents taught me how to ride a bike, where I fell in love the first time, where I graduated high school and college. This is where my family is, and my friends, and all the people who know me better than anyone else in this world. This is where I learned about compassion and humanity and humility. I will not be ashamed of my state and everything it has given me. I will continue to be proud of who I am and where I came from regardless of where my future takes me. Arizona is and will always be my place.
In response to the Gawker article Phoenix New Times posted this list in and I chose my favorites to post here. Here are some other reasons why Arizona kicks New York ass brought to you by the Phoenix New Times and this:
Even New Yorkers say we have the best pizza in the country.
Muhammad Ali lives here.
People actually say “Good Morning” when they pass you on the sidewalk
We have one of the lowest average rainfalls in the country -- and the most boats per capita.
The Diamondbacks beat the Yankees at the World Series in 2001.
We've got the Wild West -- and Wyatt Earp.
We're one of the hottest states in the country -- and we have more cryogenics labs than anyone can count.
Phoenix is home to the largest indoor laser tag arena in the world.
300+ days of sunshine a year
We understand the reason for a town named "Why." Also one called "Carefree."
We make our own lakes.
Arizonans swim in backyard pools, not dumpsters filled with water.
Astronomers discovered (former planet) Pluto through Flagstaff's Lowell Observatory telescopes in 1930
The original London Bridge is located in Lake Havasu City
Desert wildflowers
Spring Training
Twilight fans can thank us for author Stephenie Meyer.
We have haboobs. And we don't have to worry about earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Take that, Irene.
Sitting outside in the evening without being attacked by mosquitoes
Phoenix has one of the easiest “grid” systems for getting around
Palm Trees and Saguaros
6 hours from Disneyland
We know and recognize the art of dashboard cookies.
South Mountain Park is the 4th largest urban park in America. At 16,283 acres, it beats Central Park by 15,440.
Cliché but true, it’s a DRY heat
Arizona voters approved the best medical marijuana law in the country, even if the state's right-wingers are doing everything possible to derail it.
Arizona is the only state in the entire country that's home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Mountains everywhere and even one in the shape of a camel, beat that NY.
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