Baldwin
March 25, 2005
I don’t really like Bay Minette. And while I can’t say it hasn’t felt like home, ever since going away for college, I can’t overcome the feeling that I have outgrown it. This area is nice enough, and I understand that it’s popular enough for some to envy those who live here. But there’s no market for what I do here. There is no niche for me, so I’m not terribly torn up about leaving.
I can’t deny, though, a certain fondness for it. It’s small, and hot, and rather dull, but it’s unbelievably comfortable. Baldwin county is as a part of me as my brown hair, dislike of tomatoes, and inability to whistle. Parts—not Bay Minette, but parts—are undeniably beautiful in ways that an urban place like Baltimore can not approximate.
And frankly, it is far easier to be stylish when one is a large fish in a small pond, than vice versa. My love of Franz Ferdinand and my Rainbow flip-flops that label me as “city folk” down here barely qualify me for the privilege of riding public transportation in a city like Washington. This is all to say that, going out in public in Washington and Baltimore is going to take a lot more effort than, say, Spanish Fort.
So I guess I have to say that I’ll miss Alabama. She’s not been terribly kind to me recently, but she’s home, and I’ll always love her for that.
Matt – Good Luck in the big city. But remember and don’t ever forget…...”Sweet Home Baltimore” just ain’t the same!!!
Can’t argue with that. Love her or hate her, I’ll always find myself defending Alabama from her critics.