One hundred sixty years ago today California became the 31st state of the Union. That doesn’t seem very old. My house looks older than 160 years. (Maybe that’s what happens when you ignore house chores for a decade and counting…)
California becomes a FREE State of the U.S. in 1850.
I was born and raised in California. Along the way I’ve lived in the Washington, D.C. area (Alexandria, VA) and Boston area (Cambridge, MA). I have visited about forty of the other states.
There ain’t no place like home!
The reason I like California best is the mindset. Not the progressive thinking; not the innovative thinking; or the entrepreneurial thinking; or even the creative thinking.
I like living in California for the wacky thinking. By this I mean the preponderance of eccentrics. My definition of an eccentric: Someone who is NOT BORING.
According to an article published in USA Today (in 1995—that I have been saving ever since, as it gave me one of the biggest “ah-ha moments” of my life), 21% of America’s “eccentrics” live in California.
As an eccentric myself (No, not you? You’re kidding me! I had no idea!), I guess I like to live among my peeps. There’s also the weather.
Eccentricity is a benign behavior. One part of it deals in the realm of non-conformity as a result of brain wiring (involved with the intellect or creative vein). In general, ACCORDING TO SCIENTIFIC STUDIES, eccentrics tend to be happier and healthier than conformists. (See, President Obama, I don’t want your crappy Health Care Bill forcing me to buy insurance I don’t need! Whew, had to get that off my chest for the hundredth time.)
So Happy Birthday, Golden State. And thanks, California, for giving me a place to hang my hat among my neighbors—that I swear are weirder than me.
California may be the Golden State—basking in sunlight and the Pacific Ocean breeze (OK, maybe not in Fresno)—but there is also a dark size to this great big ol’ state.
And that will be the subject of another blog: What the hell is wrong with California? (Business-wise, politically, and socially speaking…)
Another blog: What is more Californian than the Beach Boys? God bless Brian Wilson!—the creative genius behind that group and King of the Eccentrics Club. (BTW, this November I’ll be voting for him for Senator.) I will also be writing in a different blog about his oh-so-California-ish CD, Lucky Ol’ Sun, released two years ago this week (and I’m still listening to it).
From that terrific CD, the inspiring song: “Oxygen to the Brain:”
Ready steady California
I’m fillin’ up my lungs again
And breathing life.
So as they say on The Beverly Hillbillies, a TV show about a family who moves to Southern California, “Y’ALL COME BACK NOW, HERE!”
"Hotel California" by the Eagles - The quintessential California song: "You can check out any time you want. But you can never leave."
I’m pleased you took the time to write this post!
Could be the most interesting thing that I have read all month.
-Thanks
Henry