If I had had a March Madness pool to enter, I would have taken UConn all the way to the end. It’s just how I do it — if the Huskies make it to the tournament, they simply must win every game. That is how we do basketball in Husky territory. In the off chance that the Huskies do not make it to the tournament, as in last year’s unspeakable season, I make my choices based on if I know someone who attended that school (and if I liked that person), if I recognize the school’s initials (e.g., UTEP is not a winner in my book), and if I like the school’s mascot and/or colors. It is a science, people.
This year, though, I had my hypothetical money on UConn. And then they had the nerve to get beaten by one point in the first round by a 13 seed! Where the heck did you come from, San Diego? I was disgusted at the end of that game. I still am!
In an effort to quell the righteous wrath that comes with a UConn loss — oy, I even hate to form the phrase — I present characteristics and mannerisms, some of which I have retained with stubborn determination, that confirm my Connecticut roots despite my Pennsylvanian surroundings.
- I call every large sandwich a “grinder,” because a “sub” is a naval submarine and “hoagie” is not a word I readily understand.
- I am still not accustomed to a scenic view that does not include the comforting, rounded tops of the Appalachians.
- I love clam chowder (although I do not pronounce it as “chowdah”), so I order it all the time. Then I am inevitably disappointed because what I receive is not clammy enough, too potato-y, too salty, too runny, or all of the above, and I smolder for the rest of the night in bitterness against the lack of authentic clam chowder.
- I pronounce “aunt” to rhyme with “font,” not like it is an insect that lives in a hill.
- I expect fall to come once school starts, not after Halloween.
- I don’t know where the Mason-Dixon line is, exactly, but I am pretty sure that relative to New England, Pennsylvania is “down south.”
- I am amazed at the amount of snow that will warrant a school closure.
- Despite my love for Peyton Manning and my better judgment, I root for the Patriots. I’m not proud of it.
- I don’t view the coastline as a place for swimming or even relaxing because shorelines are supposed to be rocky and the water will inevitably freeze your limbs off. Let’s just walk, or maybe climb up a lighthouse.
Don’t get me wrong — I love our town and our house. I love living in a place where neither JG or I grew up, so we’re both learning. It’s just that, sometimes, I feel displaced and not quite right in my environment. Whenever I go back to Connecticut, I just breathe a sigh and know that I feel better. I don’t know what it is. I haven’t been able to put my finger on it.
Of course, getting booted out of the basketball tournament doesn’t help much. Hmph.
8 comments
My husband says “aunt” that way too. It makes me laugh. He also says “pajamas” with the same sound. It will be funny to see how our kids pick to say it. One of the many adventures of being a west coast/east coast couple.
I am from Minnesota and also say aunt-font, not aunt-ant! I don’t know where in the world I picked that up, but I’ve been saying it a la CT since I was a kid!
I was a Connecticut transplant for a few years before I moved to New York city and I love that little state. I’m originally from western/upstate New York and I say aunt-ant, while my boyfriend and family say aunt-font. I still can’t bring myself to say it like font.
I still haven’t recovered from the year UNC lost to Weber State in the first round. UNC was a three seed and Weber State a 14. I had never even heard of Weber State until then. So I can relate. Also, I can never call UNC to win the whole thing because I am too afraid of jinxing them.
If it’s any consolation, there have been tons of upsets in this year’s tournament. The 4-5 game wound up being a 12-13 game because the 4 and 5 seeds were both upset. And two of the 2 seeds are already out. So you aren’t alone. Still. I feel your pain.
I’m from the Tri-State area, but I say “aunt” like “ant”!
I’m constsantly amazed at the amount of snow that closes schools here, down “south”. Sometimes just snow in the forecast is enough!
After 24 years of vacationing on Cape Cod I definitely do the same thing with clam chowder. Practically nobody knows how to do it right outside of New England!
Like I said, being a New Englander is like being part of an exclusive club. It’s hard to explain to people who are not from here. Not to worry though, just because you are not currently living here does not mean you are kicked out of the club! You are just temporarily “away from the fray”.
Also, I totally pick the teams I want to win based on uniform colors. Except I call them “outfits” just to drive my dad insane.
Amen to that! Regarding the Mason-Dixon line, I have to remind people that Maryland is south of the Mason Dixon line, which means that we are IN the SOUTH and I am a YANKEE, and therefore, slightly uncomfortable. PA is not exactly south, but it is definitely not NE.
My cellphone will still retain “Go Huskies!” until next year’s NCAA basketball season starts (and I hide it from shocked MD Terrapins fans…)
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