Syracuse or Hartford, CT (Buffalo, Rochester: credit, work, health)

[Ham Sandwich]

Originally Posted by WannaGoHome

And, Ham Sandwich, while I genuinely appreciate your response, I find it odd that you mention that people are larger in Syracuse. I might be a vegetarian and a pretty big advocate for a healthier lifestyle (i lost 40 pounds and have kept it off for three years), but to each his own on the topic of weight. And also. . I honestly feel that people care too much about their weight here and tend to diet to extremes in an effort to look good, not to be healthy. It'll be nice to have my kids around people who look different and don't find pressure to fit a mold (while I'll tell them to be healthy, i won't make them feel terrible if they are a little "larger").Sorry, I just thought it was such an odd comment and it reminded me of why I want to leave CA in the first place.

Hi again-
I mention this because I moved from Vt. to S. Ca. when I was in my early 20s. I was, how to say it? Hefty. When I moved, I still maintained a fairly non-healthy attitude (didn't work out, didn't put any effort into it...Why should I? That was all I knew) But in a sunnier climate, you end up doing a lot of active things outside. Within 6 months, I lost some weight for no particular reason (other than football at the park, swimming, and riding a bike to do things that I would have --in a snowy climate-- driven in a car.) Then I joined in athletic groups and found out...wow.. there was a really helathy person in there. It just took sunshine, a little effort and a diet which was different.

Reverse this, remove the sunshine and warmth (and hence the "heck, let's run around outside and inadvertantly burn calories" attitude), without the effort, and without a diet high in vegetables being the norm...the process can reverse itself.

In moving here, it is a concerted effort *to find ways* to be healthy. Run the trails (doesn't work so well in the winter), ski, buy a home gym, etc.

If you maintain a healthy lifestyle, there are differences in what you will (or will not) have access to in terms of buying things like clothing (and shoes btw, too).

So arrive here, in 'Cuse. Let's start with shoes, since this has bno attachment to lifestyle...Hmm... Shoes? I've got small feet (size 5, sometimes 51/2), but that was never a problem. I should be able to find shoes here, right? In 4 years I found one pair here. JC Penny's doesn't stock them, nor Sears, nor Macy's, nor Lord and Taylor. The cheap chains occasionally do: TJ Maxx--(the equivalent of "Ross Dress for Less") may have an occasional pair of something, but it's usually something very odd (pink neon high heels? Fake leopard tennies?) Even the very high-end shoe stores do not stock anything below a size 6. So it's on-line ordering or waiting to go to Buffalo or Albany.

Clothing: The "petite" (Petite Sophisticate) stores closed down a few years ago, leaving one to try other places. Ann Taylor & Ann Taylor Loft DO stock size 4, but in reality it's a size 8, maybe a 10. The stock size "0" (which is in reality a size 5) but only in one or two items. The same goes for all stores with the exception of Lord & Taylor. (And there's no Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom here) Even there, the selection is very limited. While there will be fantastic suits displayed, I find that only 1 or 2 of them may be available in my size. And there are 2 colors available: Black or Blue. And for 4 straight years, this has never changed...

The other alternative is shopping in the Junior's section of stores. While this will work for somethings, you also have to remember that teenagers seem to be wearing very odd things these days, likly not what you, nor what any adult female would want to wear. (I cannot imagine runnning around in a shirt that says "T-A-S-T-Y" or "H-O-T" across the front of it. This goes for the backs of sweats as well..) It goes without saying that you really won't find clothing which is "professional" (ie-you could wear it to work) in the junior's section, so one is back to Lord and Taylor. (L&T does have good sales every once in a while).

The stores here really don't stock much under size 8 or 10. Shoes under size 6 are NONEXISTANT. It's as though I've moved to a different planet. (in my early 20's, in Vt, I shopped in Burlington and I *never* had this problem.) My only assumption is that it's not worth the time and floor space for Syracuse stores to stock these items. Since it's not worth the time or effort, why is that???

I'm going to be accused of snobbery ("You shop at Lord & Taylor! Ugh! You must be some sort of snob!"; "You're too into your looks!") but the answer is, that I simply *like* not being overweight, and that I am forced to shop at places that I normally wouldn't because there is no other choice.

PS-
And as for a $15 symphony seat--yes, it can be done. I just prefer to go with my spouse (so double the price), as opposed to alone, and I just don't like Balcony D. I feel as though I should be changing the light bulbs.

[Sgoldie]

I wouldn't go to the Symphony if I had to sit in the upper balcony either. I don't even like the balcony where the dress circle is. Section A is the same price right down by the stage and where I'd choose no matter the price.

I can't be the only one wondering why you didn't move back to Burlington instead of to Syracuse? You don't seem to be happy here.

[Ham Sandwich]

Originally Posted by Sgoldie

I wouldn't go to the Symphony if I had to sit in the upper balcony either. I don't even like the balcony where the dress circle is. Section A is the same price right down by the stage and where I'd choose no matter the price.

I can't be the only one wondering why you didn't move back to Burlington instead of to Syracuse? You don't seem to be happy here.

1.) When do you buy your tickets and which package (I assume your getting a package) do you buy?

2.) If I answer that, I'll have to reveal more than I'm willing to reveal. Let's just say the U gave me an offer I couldn't refuse.

[Ham Sandwich]

Originally Posted by Ham Sandwich

1.) When do you buy your tickets and which package (I assume your getting a package) do you buy?

2.) If I answer that, I'll have to reveal more than I'm willing to reveal. Let's just say the U gave me an offer I couldn't refuse.

Oh--and I've tried clicking my heels together and repeating "there's no place like home..." It doesn't seem to work. I'm stuck in Bedlam.

[Sgoldie]

Sorry, it's section D for the Ovation, the one I got, and Signature series (A for the Pops). I bought them right before the season started. $90 for the package of six concerts. I exchange for other performances to avoid the hour drive during the heavy snow.

Some people may not like being close to the stage, but if I'm not on it, or behind it, I want to be as close to it and the action as possible. Don't know if you're a grad student but they have a $5 rush for empty seats just before the performance.

[bellafinzi]

Ham Sandwich, Cazenovia isn't a true suburb of Syracuse just yet. The sprawl hasn't connected Manlius with Caz. If you include places like Cazenovia, Central Square and Tully as "suburbs"... than Syracuse's suburbs would be closer to 300,000 in population.

Cazenovia is close to the eastern suburbs of Manlius, that's why I consider it an eastern community. The only real southern towns are LaFayette, Tully, Otisco, and Fabius. Northern Pompey I consider an eastern suburb since it's located right next to Manlius.

[bellafinzi]

Ham Sandwich, please stop judging "Syracuse" based on your rural lifestyle or city experiences. I'm sure you'd appreciate "Syracuse" better if you lived in real suburb and not some farm town.

I find most rural areas of Upstate NY very depressing. They feel empty and devoid of life. Not to mention I have trouble relating with the people who live there.

I also find most Upstate NY big cities...Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo just as depressing. Too many eyesores, and too many old buildings in disrepair. I also have a hard time relating with the people in the inner cities.

My advice to you is start spending more time in the northern suburbs. People are nicer up here IMO. I've noticed that people in the eastern suburbs, western suburbs and city to be very different than people who live in the northern suburbs....

[Ham Sandwich]

Originally Posted by Sgoldie

Sorry, it's section D for the Ovation, the one I got, and Signature series (A for the Pops). I bought them right before the season started. $90 for the package of six concerts. I exchange for other performances to avoid the hour drive during the heavy snow.

Some people may not like being close to the stage, but if I'm not on it, or behind it, I want to be as close to it and the action as possible. Don't know if you're a grad student but they have a $5 rush for empty seats just before the performance.

B, SG:
Ok- I'm going to answer these in pieces...D? Ok..See, A for pops, (I don't care for Pops), yes...due to hearing issues I have to be at a certain place. REALLY front does not work (it's overwhelming) My experience didn't help me much, as i had terrible seats... Rush? I called when I first arrived ('03) and they told me they didn't exist--this is BS. I worked for ticketron for 2 years in college--ALL performances have rush--they (basically) give away the reserved seating for the performer's family/friends at *any* venue. this is the norm... I was told it didn't exist here... In S. ca it was easy to find--IT'S ADVERTISED. And if you call the symphony and inquire they tell you about it... btw, I called more than once, convinced that I'd reached the idiot at the venue or the person who just didn't want to relay the information...The grad students I asked weren't helpful either (no one knew).

More on B's questions/comments next.

[Ham Sandwich]

Originally Posted by bellafinzi

Ham Sandwich, Cazenovia isn't a true suburb of Syracuse just yet. The sprawl hasn't connected Manlius with Caz. If you include places like Cazenovia, Central Square and Tully as "suburbs"... than Syracuse's suburbs would be closer to 300,000 in population.

Cazenovia is close to the eastern suburbs of Manlius, that's why I consider it an eastern community. The only real southern towns are LaFayette, Tully, Otisco, and Fabius. Northern Pompey I consider an eastern suburb since it's located right next to Manlius.

I've always loved maps, ever since I was about 3 and looked at them to discover where I was. It was then I discovered (through topographical maps) that I could know where I was by topography.. Without mountains, hills, viable pinpoints on the horizon.. I freak...hence, the fact that I'm not always enamoured with "flat lands" and hence the fact that my soujourns into the North of Syracuse are limited (but I have made them, and like a true observer of human behavior, I have noted all I see in journals)

But as for Caz...92 runs south-east (true) but it's basically south...East of syracuse are the "suburbs" of Chitennengo, etc...

I consider Cazenovia a suburb of Cuse because the majority of people who live there are employed (or are employERs) in Cuse. If the majority of the populationcommutes to the city...it is a burb.

From the 81, Cazenovia is only about 6 miles east of the N/S line 'marker' of fabius..though most people take the 92 through Manlius btw...I DON'T live in caz! Esshhh... Pointy-toed-shoe-people and the yacht club! I refuse to let the children associate with those people...)


But it has its up-side...the seminary must have some sort of effect on the place-- young, hip, heavily peirced male youths will hold a door open (while discussing how the Everson is about to show Pollack--and what a jip the whole thing is) and respond to a "thank you" ,(quite quickly) "Oh..yeah..no problem, Ma'm".. as they launch back into the Pollack discussion with their friends.. Young, polite, angry heretics...the world could be a worse place...

I've had many a run-in with the college crowd and the locals there. the college kids: good people. The locals: very domiant, class-stratified and (although they do not know it) quite racist...the same goes for my minimla (probably 15 excursions) up to the northern burbs.... And you have to understand that I'm doing this from a stanpoint of "racist" not as "YEE_HAW, BillyBob, we's gon' lynch some them to-nite!"....It more of a look into false consciousness... It's what's called "aversive racism" in journals.

I'm not going to delve deep into postmodernism...none of the readers want to read it. I refuse to become Marcusian or echo Foucault...no one will care... but I WILL try and relate this...next text.. because I have spent the last 20 years of my life studying people, places and Other (this is evrything outside the "norm" of WASP, and if you want to get really into it, WASPLHM (add land holding male on there.)

Um, so yeah...I gotta lot ta say.. Actually, most of you are racking up space in my notes for an article.. (yes, i'm published multiple times...)

So bring it on...

'Cuse and her suburbs are "ist", or not?
(By "Ist" I mean, homophobic, racist, misogynist (hatred of women)?)
By "not" I mean tell me WHY? give me your concrete stats, or give me your home-grown narratives....
tell me "why"

Give the truth a voice... or at least your voice...

[Sgoldie]

(I erased the answers I had posted here so as not to confuse things.)

--This posted before I was able to read your above response to Bella. I don't think I'm going to bite and I hope no one else does either. Very little intimidates me if that's what you're up to. I'm sure you have had many run-ins with people. I can see it in your attitude which doesn't come off as entirely pleasant. So sad to be such an unhappy person.