This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Monday, June 29, 2015

Playing Favorites (A Monday Post)

English: Extreme points of the contiguous Unit...
English: Extreme points of the contiguous United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


My Least Favorite State

         Years ago, before I started my show biz road career, if you would have asked me to name my least favorite state of the USA, I probably could have readily come up with an answer.  Now that I've spent a fair amount of time in all of the 48 contiguous states I couldn't come up with an easy answer.  Sure, there are states that I might readily name as favorites, but when I start thinking of some that I might name as a least favorite, I begin thinking of things that I like about each of them.

         Call me a fan of the United States because I am.  Everywhere I go in this wonderful country I can find something of interest or something that I particularly like.  I guess if I were really pressed to answer the question I would have to say the state that I like least is the state of unhappiness.

         Despite its shortcomings, the United States of America is a nice place to visit and I'm happy that I live here.

Travel Day

         I'm keeping this post somewhat generic because if things are going according to plan I'm traveling today.   My wife is staying behind in Houston as I continue traveling by myself heading for a couple week stay in Tennessee and then on to New Jersey with some stops in between.  My wife will join me in New Jersey in August so we can make our way back home.   Since I'm traveling I may not make it online today so I don't want to create much in the way of discussion.

          What I do want to say is be sure to visit my site this Wednesday which is July 1st.  Being the first of the month means that it's a Battle of the Bands post and being the first Wednesday of the month it's also Insecure Writer's Support Group Day.  As I do whenever these events fall on the same day is tie them together into one hopefully clever post.

          This time around, my theme will be highlighted by one of my favorite songs.  What I consider to be one of my favorite songs might seem like an odd choice to some, but those who visit my BOTB posts regularly know that I can sometimes show what some have thought to be odd tastes.  On the other hand maybe you like this song as well.   I was surprised to find that it had been covered by so many artists so obviously I'm not the only one who thinks it to be a great song.

           Come back on Wednesday to hear two great versions of...

...you'll have to find out then cause I ain't tellin' now.   But I'll provide a clue:   This late 80's release was sung by an "institution" or an "organization" and the topic of the song has to do with space.

           Any guesses about the song in my next Battle?  Do you have a least favorite state in the United States?   If so what about that state do you dislike?




         

27 comments:

  1. I've never been to the States so I don't feel qualified to comment.
    But for the song... something by Culture "Club"...?

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  2. I could kick myself for never getting up to Cape Flattery in WA to see the most NW part of the USA. But I did see Cape Mendocino which is the westernmost part....if you look at the map, that bump in northern CA sticks out farther than Washington does.

    Least fave state: Florida. It's hot, humid, the water stinks of chlorine, they have flying cockroaches, it's flat, no character, but overall their laws and government is so backward that I truly wish the south had just seceded in the 1800s. I really have little desire to visit any of the deep south states, other than to say I've visited them.

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  3. Safe travels. Not to offend anyone who might be reading this from Wyoming, but driving through Wyoming can get a bit boring, especially if one is tired and wants to get home to Montana. Otherwise, it is a beautiful state!

    betty

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    1. Betty, I used to spend a lot of time in Wyoming so I grew to appreciate it a great deal. There is some fabulous scenery in Wyoming. Montana is pretty nice as well.

      Lee


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  4. The older I get, the more I like the scenery as I travel by car. I returned from a conference and took the backroads driving about 45 miles per hour. It took longer but didn't seem that way.

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  5. I feel you on the travel thing, Lee. I'm traveling all day on the 1st and then will be visiting family until the 8th. It's going to make BoTB tough for me this go-round.

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  6. I don't like doing the long distance driving alone anymore.
    Be safe!

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  7. From the moment I first visited the US, I fell in love with the country, each place I have visited have had some interest.
    Still trying to fathom out your clues for the song on Wednesday.
    Yvonne.

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  8. Wow, you've gotten in some great travel across the counry. I can't name a least favorite state, mainly because it wouldn't be fair to name a state my least favorite when I haven't vistied all the states yet.

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  9. I hate traveling in states with congested roads so that's most of the northeast. Have a safe trip.
    Susan Says

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  10. Have fun traveling! And let's face it, we all know the best state is Michigan. ;);)

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  11. My least favorite state is Georgia. When The Hurricane was in fifth grade, we drove from Maryland to Florida for a DisneyWorld vacation. The Hurricane got sick on the way home. She threw up all over Georgia. I've never been to Alabama or Mississippi. I doubt if I would like them--the racial history thing bugs me.

    Love,
    Janie

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  12. Be safe. See you Wednesday. No song guess yet!

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  13. I feel a lot like you. I've been lucky enough to visit many of our great states and have always found something I absolutely love in each one. Have a safe and wonderful trip.

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  14. I live in Canada and can find something good, bad and ugly in each province. i think the same can be said of the U.S. or any country for that matter. It depends how one looks at it. Some people would love to live in Florida but not me. I am not one for the extreme heat plus I like the 4 seasons and Christmas must be cold. Other people go there for the same reason I don't like to go. I have no clue what your BOTB choice will be but it will be fun to find out. I am expecting a big hot from some 80's band as an inspiration.

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  15. Safe travels, Lee! I haven't seen as many as you--30-some. But I DO have a preference for mountain or ocean. The flat states do the least for me. That said, even those have some lovely surprises.

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  16. Wanted to wish you safe travels Lee. Be careful out there and watch out for the other guy. Although my travel has not been vast, I would have to say that my least favorite state is Mississippi. Wasn't impressed with that state AT ALL!
    Have a fun vacation!
    Michele at Angels Bark

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  17. "Safe travels and see you Wednesday!"
    ~ HAL 9000
    (aka, D-DogG)

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  18. I think I'm with you--If there is a state I dislike it would be Texas for their arrogant attitude collides with my Tarheel superiority, but I know there are some good places there (especially in West Texas). I have lived all over the country and have never found a place I truly dislike. Enjoy your travels, I just got back home from a 9 day trip to NYC

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  19. I have found something to love about every state I have visited. Each and every state has it's own unique history and people and whether that history is good or bad we should all learn about it with open minds. Knowing and studying history is the best way to avoid bad history repeating itself.
    Travel safe!

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  20. Hey Lee,

    My least favourite State would be the State of Confusion. Seriously, America is a land of much diversity and each State most certainly has its endearing merits.

    July First, Canada Day and your BOTB, what more could we ask for?

    Happy travels, dude.

    Gary

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  21. Now that's an intriguing tease! You'd think I would know a lot about 80's music but nope, I can't even venture a guess.

    At least you didn't say you hated New York; I'd have had to cry then come find you. lol

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    1. Mitch, NY is such a diverse state with a little bit of everything to offer except maybe desert. Don't mean to sound cliche, but I love NY.

      Lee

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Lee