A New Decade Of Thanklessness

Thanksgiving 2019 means the start of a second decade for my annual list of things for which I'm not thankful.  It's almost sad how easy it is to compile a new list every year -- it's becoming a literary version of me telling kids to get the hell off of my lawn.  Anyway, here it is, in random order:

Ticketmaster charges.

Using social media to make well-wishes to people who aren't on social media.

The Baby Shark song.

White Claw (beverages).

Pro basketball (NBA) load management.

Old-school British period shows.

Vaping and vapers.

Anyone promoting a multi-level marketing program.

Corrupt family dynasties.

Annuities and financial products by any other name.

Martinis without blue cheese stuffed olives.

Cold-weather golf.

Spicy chicken sandwiches.

The phrase, "OK, Boomer."

Carolina In My Mind

Took a trip recently to an area of the U.S. where I'd never been, the Carolinas.  Some observations:

• North Carolina is a little bit like Iowa.  The eastern part of the state is more populous, with lots of medical institutions and places of higher education, while the western half is mostly rural, where most of the pork production is happening. In my opinion, Vermont is the only other state more similar to Iowa, because the similar climate and (lack of) cultural diversity.  South Carolina met the stereotype of the Deep South.  People had thicker accents, and seemed to play up their so-called southern charm in their fashion and behavior.

• Before this trip, I had only heard of the Biltmore estate in passing.  Turns out to be quite a tourist attraction in Asheville, NC, and one worth the visit.  It's mind-boggling to think that nearly 150 years ago, George Vanderbilt was so wealthy and big-thinking to spend many years to plan and purchase thousands of acres of land, and build a small part of it into a self-sustaining estate, including a 180,000 square foot mansion.  It's essentially a European-style kingdom / castle, slightly more modernized for the times.  (The estate also provided the biggest surprise of the trip -- the site of a family of black bears randomly crossing the road.)

• Visited a plantation near Charleston, NC, one that's still 'working' in the sense it still produces crops.  It's main revenue these days, however, is generated by hosting events like weddings and concerts.  Some small brick structures stood in a row not far from the main house -- the former slaves' quarters.  This plantation had a couple of storytellers on hand, one a local slave ancestor, to provide a history of life there in the 1800s.  It bothered me that day, and for the rest of the trip, to think of the incredibly inhumane treatment of the slaves, not to mention the racism that still exists in around the country.

• Along with the old / historic city of Charleston, the main notable locales visited were Myrtle Beach, SC, and Hilton Head, SC.  Myrtle Beach was a huge, commercialized area with lots of beaches and golf courses for the younger rank-and-file demographic.  Hilton Head was a huge, privatized area with lots of golf courses and beaches for the older wealthy demographic.  I admit it, I liked the Hilton Head vibe a lot more, but it seemed like there was an enormous, uncomfortable economic gap between the retirees / vacationers and the service industry folks who lived and worked there full-time.

(Just 5 more states left to visit: Michigan, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Alaska.)