More Texifornian Politics

Interesting Texifornian political tid-bits browsing the blogs today:

Found a blog by a Californian in Texas keeping an eye on politics in the two largest states in the country. (11/20/06 - She's now back blogging at her regular blog--Blue in Texas)

And...this quote by George W. Bush:

"I was raised in the West. The west of Texas. It's pretty close to
California. In more ways than Washington, DC is close to California."
-4/8/2000

(Found at Bushisms Explained.)

Lifespans

A recent study tracked the lifespans of American's based on where they lived.

Lifespan Map

Here's how California and Texas ranked:

California
Life expectancy: 78.2
State rank: 10


Texas
Life expectancy: 76.7
State rank: 30


(Gotta be the Texas heat! Either that or the chicken fried steak, fried chicken, fried okra, fried pies, etc...)

Nicknames and Slogans: The Crazy Politics Begins

Well, this isn't new news...I'm just finally getting around to commenting on it.

Both independents running for Texas Governor asked for a nickname to be used on the ballot. Kinky Friedman was granted his request to be called Kinky, not Richard (his given name). Carole Keeton Strayhorn was not allowed to be called Grandma. (Full Article Here)

They said that there was evidence that Friedman had gone by the name Kinky for many years, while Grandma was a slogan, not a nickname, for Strayhorn.

Now, here's my comment. That Strayhorn was trying to get Grandma on the ballot at all is so political it makes my skin crawl. And I'm not a fan of Kinky or any other candidate. In fact, when I first learned that Strayhorn was going to try to run, I went to her website to find out about her because I didn't care for my other choices. Not finding out much that was substantial, I contacted her campaign by e-mail and said, basically, that I was interested in signing her petition to run but I needed to find out more about where she stood on various issues and what she planned to do as Governor before I could give her my suppport. Soon afterwards I received a packet with a petition sheets and a stack of bumper stickers--but nothing to convince me that she was a worthy candidate. The letter that came with the package thanked me for my support (which I hadn't offered yet) and said that the important thing was to get people to think of the phrase "One Tough Grandma" when they thought of Strayhorn.

So great...you're one tough Grandma. I know a lot of tough grandma's I wouldn't want for Governor. Give me something more.

Surfing in Texas?

Galveston Texas Surfboard Surfing Postcard
by Flospaperie


 

Every once and a while I do odd little google searches---just to see if something exists. Today I typed in "Texas Surfing" and was surprized to learn that, yes, there is such a thing---though large enough waves are a bit of a challenge to find I gather. Surfline.com's section on Texas surfing notes that "the waves are usually as scattered and unsightly as Ross Perot, and nearly as diminutive, proving that not everything in Texas is bigger -- or better." But Texas surf does exist--and there's even four Surfrider Foundation Chapters here in Texas.


Thats not all. I found one well done website called Third Coast for Texas surfers. There's a Texas surfboard shop (Superior Surfobards) with good information and links (just finding a surfboard shop in Texas blows my mind). And Surf Texas 365 offers "photographic proof of surf in Texas."

Oh...I should mention, at this point, that I don't surf (yes Texans, not all Californians do.) But to all the Californians out in Texas who do miss riding the waves--hope you find this information useful.

(Also...I found some cool Texas and California Surf Stuff to add to the Texifornia Souvenir Shop. Check it out!)

Where does your inner Californian belong?

Well, I was browsing Blogthings.com and found this quiz:

Where Does Your Inner Califonian Belong?.

Had to share that! Of course, these little quizes are pretty meaningless, but they're fun. Here's my results:

You Belong in San Francisco

You crave an eclectic, urban environment. You're half California, half NYC. You're open minded, tolerant, and secretly think you're the best. People may dismiss you as a hippie, but you're also progressive, interesting, and rich!

Where Does Your Inner Californian Belong?

Which is funny because I've never gotten to visit San Francisco but I would love to.

What is a Texifornian?

What is a Texifornian, you ask? Very simply a Texifornian is any person who has lived in both California and Texas for any length of time. A silly name for a silly concept--all part of a silly site. But, actually, not so silly, because the culture shock is hard, whether you are coming to Texas from California, as I did, or vice-versus. I hope through this site to bring together people who have experienced this so that we can share some laughter, our frustrations and homesickness, the things we love and the things we hate about where we are and where we've been.

If you didn't reach this blog through our main site, please visit us at www.texifornia.com.