All Over the Map

via

I don't know about you, but I've seen lots of maps lately. Maybe it's because I live in D.C., which is chock-full of representatives that depend on the demographics illustrated by those maps for their jobs. Maybe it's because D.C. prides itself on its Metro system (HAHA okay, Metro prides itself on its Metro system), so the the D.C. Metro map is also fairly ubiquitous in this city. 

Lately, Time magazine's "America's Mood Map" has been making the rounds on social media. It's fun to play with and to see where you end up and how close it actually is to where you currently live. It's also interesting to take the quiz multiple times to see if you get the same response. For example, I took the quiz in the morning and got Maine--independent and temperamental. In the afternoon of the same day I retook the quiz and was told I should be packin' my bags for North Carolina, which ranks high in the relaxed and creative category. I think this just means I'm not a morning person. 

One of my favorite maps of late is Slate's United Sports of America. For the states (Mississippi and Alabama) and district (Columbia) in which I've actually resided, I think it's 100% accurate. Mississippi calendars and weekend plans are often defined by deer huntin', and even if you're not a fan of the Crimson Tide (what, you don't like to win?) the Alabama vs. Auburn Iron Bowl is considered one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports. D.C.'s sport is kickball, which might sound random unless you've lived here. Adult kickball leagues have their roots in our nation's capital, probably as a great way to let off some steam after a long day at the office. 

via Slate

Some of the sports seem questionable, like cornhole (Ohio) and pumpkin chunking (Delaware). Likewise, some states seem to have gotten the shaft; New Jersey is the home of youth soccer, and Utah is the state for you if you're looking for church basketball. Interesting to say the least. 

Friggatriskaidekaphobia

Friggatriskaidekaphobia is a real word, meaning a fear of Friday the 13th.  Here's advance warning that if you suffer from this phobia, we've got two more Friday the 13ths in the year 2012; another one in April and a third in July.  

Today also marks the day before a long weekend, at least for many of us.  It's turned cold in DC, so my plans for the weekend have changed a bit.  Seems like a good weekend for movies and staying in (by the non-existent fire... one day...).  I do plan to watch the Saints game with some friends.  My Crimson Tide just won the BCS National Championship (that's our 14th national championship win, if you're keeping count), and I'd love for the Saints to at least go to the Super Bowl, if not win the damn thing.  

Speaking of the national championship, it was an honor for my alma mater to win; but I think it's also an outstanding accomplishment for the city of Tuscaloosa, home to the University of Alabama.  On April 27, 2011 an F-4 tornado ripped through the city and surrounding areas, demolishing several city blocks and killing more than 50 people in Tuscaloosa County alone.  The overall death toll from that day is 292, with countless others injured and left homeless.  Winning a football game in no way replaces those lives lost or the injuries sustained, but it does bring hope to a city that is, by all accounts, still recovering.

President Obama visiting Tuscaloosa after the tornados said, "I've never seen damage like this," and declared a state of emergency for the area.

In happier news, next weekend I'll be visiting some DC friends who recently moved to Baltimore.  I've only ever been to Baltimore when heading to BWI airport, so I'm looking forward to actually seeing the city.  I'll try to take pictures to document the trip, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather is nice since I've been elected to drive to our carpool there.


Have a happy weekend!

NFL Fandom

Hailing from the South as I do, I grew up with the understanding that football (American football, for those of you [Bueller?] with an international background) was America's favorite past time, not baseball or eating contests or capitalism or celebrity gossip or anything else.  While sometimes I grow a little weary of the football-as-religion mentality, I do really enjoy the sport.  Growing up in the great state of Mississippi, however, meant that I didn't have an allegiance to (or more accurately, interest in) the NFL since we were not home to any NFL team.  The geographically closest team was the New Orleans Saints, a team with a consistently losing record.  I played my fair share of sports when I was younger, and let me tell you, I've had enough losing for a lifetime.  Then, about equal distance from us, were the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys.  The Cowboys were pretty great in the 90s, while the Falcons were nothing to write home about.  ALL OF THIS TO SAY, that only since I've moved to DC, home of the Washington Redskins, have I even begun paying attention to professional football.  I will always prefer college football (Roll TIDE) to pro, but I thought this map was a) cool, b) pretty accurate, and c) well-done.

(via SBNation; click on the image to biggify it)