Where is everyone from??

[McCaber]

I feel compelled to make an argument for Wisconsin here, but I have no real proof. (I mean, besides the fact that our agricultural and dairy products are completely amazing)

At least we feel all four seasons here. But that may be a bad thing, now that I look at it.

[THE Ka]

Originally Posted by Gwath

Oregon has beaches, volcanoes, high deserts, and the large and amazingly green Willamette River Valley. Oregon is WAY green. SO many trees.

2. The weather is temperate. In fact, the mean temperature of January, the coldest month, is 45 degrees, only 15 degrees less than the mean temperature of the warmest month, July.

3. The people are friendly, laidback, and helpful.

4. Oregonian drivers are the most courteous in the nation. They will NEVER honk at you unless a collision is inevitable. They stop for pedestrians, even when the light is green.

5. We have the best coffee in America, and probably the most coffee, as well. My hometown of only 20000 has more than 10 coffee shops.

*cough* So does Washington *cough* *cough*

Though, I take NO defense of Starbucks. No one drinks it in Washington anyways, we all go/drink Tully's or our local place. You can bash them all you like, and it makes my heart glad to hear such.

Gwath pretty much said the same for Washington, minus a few details that are essentially different (ex: Active volcano(s), temperate rainforest, etc.).

I was a bit charmed that National Geographic thought Olympic National Park looked like Middle Earth. It does in a way, but like an oversized Fangorn, minus the Ents. So far as I know...


Washington is nice, but I've always felt at home in Alaska and British Columbia too. Both very beautiful places, and amazingly thoughtful people.

No, we do not wear flannel, or all live in trees. Who do think makes your computer software? Hrmm?

Originally Posted by Gwath

laughs at people who disagree because they are invariably the people who have never been to Oregon for any serious length of time.

Don't worry, I've been there.

Too many times to count, and if anything: I think your taxes spoil you...


~ Ka

[Aganzir]

Helsinki, Finland.

[Gwathagor]

Originally Posted by THE Ka

Too many times to count, and if anything: I think your taxes spoil you...


~ Ka

WE don't have sales tax....

[THE Ka]

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

WE don't have sales tax....

Exactly.

Originally Posted by Rikae

I thought you made computer software in trees while wearing flannel, actually. And went shopping on Wednesdays, and had buttered scones for tea...

Close, minus the shopping on wednesdays.

Though, actually there are a few 'communities' of people who live in trees. It doesn't look as nice as Lorien at all.

It's okay though, I don't think my state is the best or perfect so I'm not going to battle for it. I think Alaska and British Columbia are nice too. The latter is not because people mistake Washington for a district of BC...

NY is the only state that counts.

NY is pretty nice, my friend lives there off and on, but she always calls Washington home.

~ No, I don't live in a tree. Yet. Ka

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Originally Posted by McCaber

I feel compelled to make an argument for Wisconsin here, but I have no real proof. (I mean, besides the fact that our agricultural and dairy products are completely amazing)

At least we feel all four seasons here. But that may be a bad thing, now that I look at it.

After the 16 inches of snow we had on Good Friday (followed by the 3 last night), I might be inclined to agree that it might be a bad thing, but then, it's winters like this that keep down the population of things like cockroaches, termites, and other bugs that I'd much rather live without (and being allergic to all insects, this is rather an important matter to me ).

I might also add that in Wisconsin's favor, we aren't near any active volcanoes, fault lines, or other such natural wonders that might turn into a natural disaster without much warning. And there are the Great Lakes, as well as a lot of truly beautiful countryside. Even the occasional rotten winter, like the one trying to come to an end, has its own beauties (the 16 inches of snow was quite spectacular when the sun came out the next day, with the very happy promise that it would melt the stuff before the week was out, which it pretty much did). I've lived here all my life, and though I have visited other places that were quite lovely and interesting... well, there's no place like home, I guess.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

I might also add that in Wisconsin's favor, we aren't near any active volcanoes, fault lines, or other such natural wonders that might turn into a natural disaster without much warning.

Oh, that's boring...
I have GIANT earthquakes, active volcanoes near out city (Ka, I live in Alaska, right across the inlet from... four(I think) active volcanoes), blizzards, AND a tsunami threat (but not to my city because of where we are positioned, but other towns not far from us are at risk of being completely recked by one)

And, I LOVE it here!!!!!!

Oh yes, and an argument for NOT living in Oregon...
My science teacher says that the areas around Oregon and Washington (But not Alaska, thank the LORD) are going to be hit with a MASSIVE tsunami in the future like soon... so my advice is-
Don't be in Oregon when that tsunami strikes!

Oh, yes! We don't have a sales tax in my city! And Ka Alaska really is a nice place to live, but if you want to move here watch out for "Break Up".

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

Oh yes, and an argument for NOT living in Oregon...
My science teacher says that the areas around Oregon and Washington (But not Alaska, thank the LORD) are going to be hit with a MASSIVE tsunami in the future like soon... so my advice is-
Don't be in Oregon when that tsunami strikes!

I bet that your science teacher believes in that Global Warming stuff.

[THE Ka]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

My science teacher says that the areas around Oregon and Washington (But not Alaska, thank the LORD) are going to be hit with a MASSIVE tsunami in the future like soon... so my advice is-
Don't be in Oregon when that tsunami strikes!

John Hodgeman says, "In Oregon, Where the Shadows Lie." so I don't find it so mysterious a notion.

There's been a lot of actual effort in the area I live in to not only simulate (and out up on the news over and over, thanks a bunch Microsoft...), but create some sort of evacuation plan in case of such a thing. I believe Seaside, Oregon has been working on such things for awhile now.


Though, the tsunami threat is old news. It's been circulating for the past 30+ years and for some reason people keep emigrating to Washington. I'm thinking the backup plan of the state government is to create a buffer of their mutli-million oceanfront condos. It's only plausible.

Also, you have a much older threat of being in a lava flow mega-apocalypse, or even older than that, living on the quite active line where two tectonic plates meet (I have a bad habit of sleeping through earthquakes now... oh vey, not another one, *snooze* ).

So, really, if you're in need of multiple natural threats, or just bored, Oregon and Washington are not so bad.
It's like a live-action convention for geology and other earth sciences .

If worse comes to worse, I'll travel up via the Cascades, hop across some islands, and just find a lovely Alaskan family to adopt me. There's my evacuation plan.

~ Ka

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

I bet that your science teacher believes in that Global Warming stuff.

Actually, he says it has to do with the Earth's natural rotation and cycles and stuff... I haven't had any science teachers who actually wholly believe in Global Warming.

And us Alaskans are looking forward to "Global Warming", it means more snow in the winter, and less ice!!

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

Actually, he says it has to do with the Earth's natural rotation and cycles and stuff... I haven't had any science teachers who actually wholly believe in Global Warming.

Before joining the Downs I don't think I had ever even met a person who didn't believe in Global Warming.

At least the southern coast of Finland is affected pretty badly by it. No more snow in winter.

[Gwathagor]

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

Actually, he says it has to do with the Earth's natural rotation and cycles and stuff... I haven't had any science teachers who actually wholly believe in Global Warming.

I happen to agree with your teacher.

What's your favorite thing about Alaska?

[Rune Son of Bjarne]

It would be very nice if you could stick to the topic of this thread

[Kitanna]

I have stumbled across this thread after what seems like forever...

Originally Posted by McCaber

I feel compelled to make an argument for Wisconsin here, but I have no real proof. (I mean, besides the fact that our agricultural and dairy products are completely amazing)

At least we feel all four seasons here. But that may be a bad thing, now that I look at it.

Psh, Wisconsin's dairy products are enough to make me keep returning to that state. It's Illinois's hat afterall (or maybe Illinois is Wisconsin's pants). Either way, where do you come from in Wisconsin?

[Kath]

Is Oregon difficult to pronounce then? I'm saying o (as in pot) - re (like the beginning of rent) - gon (like a softer version of gone). Is that wrong?

[Gwathagor]

Try "Origun." It's almost like "origin," but with a hard "g."

[Kath]

Bah, I explained re wrong. Well apart from the ending I was pretty much there!

[Gwathagor]

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Originally Posted by Kath

Bah, I explained re wrong. Well apart from the ending I was pretty much there!

If it helps, the east coast of the US thinks you were right.

[Morthoron]

Do they read Eragon in Oregon, and did oregano have its origin in Oregon, or was that in Aragon? Is there mineral depletion in Oregon, and if not, where has all the ore gone?

Sorry, too much coffee today.

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Try "Origun." It's almost like "origin," but with a hard "g."

Hmm... people in Origon would dislike me than. I don't know what it is about the south but my drawl makes it almost impossible to pronounce any state correctly. I pronounce every State with an I: Michigin, Origin; Marylind. Even when people describe themselves as Texans they always say "I'm a Texin."

I'm so glad that we don't get mad about misspronounciations down here!

[Gwathagor]

Nah, Origin works.

[Andsigil]

I reside in the post-apocalyptic urban wasteland of Detroit, Michigan.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

Nah, Origin works.

Only if you say it with an American accent. Pio's link is nothing like how Kath or I would say origin.

I have been there but clearly not long enough to get the pronounciation right - it seems like Ori the Dwarf with a gun ..eek scary.

I second Eomer thought I have not moved since I joined I have not fully got the itch out of my feet I have been lucky enoug to live, work and study overseas at various times and have Interrailed around Europe and Amtrakked round the Northern USA (literally - a round trip from Chicago via Seattle and New York and over 20 states in between). I have also backpacked around Australasia. I will go off again when circumstance allow, woudl love to see more of Asia in particular but in the meantime I want to explore my own fair land a bit more.