Random Observances

• They call fried dough funnel cake here.
• Rotaries (which I think may be a Massachusetts exclusive) are called Roundabouts.
• Communities often share the same street name and vary only the street type (e.g. Eagle Valley Street, Eagle Valley Court, Eagle Valley Lane, etc.).
• For the Land of 10,000 Lakes (in which there are plenty more than just 10,000), they charge more than you'd think for fish both for grocery or at a restaurant.
• Everyone has a dog.  Most have two.
• I may be crazy on this one, but gas stations are more awesome here.  And by gas stations, I mean the convenience store attached to the gas station.  Excellent selections.  Gourmet-to-go.
• I also may be crazy on this one, but DirecTV and DISH seem to be as popular as Comcast here.  I didn't think this was the case back in Boston.
• A surprising amount of Twins fans leave the game in the 8th if the home team is down 2 runs.
• I found plenty of (free) street parking 10 minutes from Target Field 30 minutes before a game.  WHAT?!?!
• Everyone jokes about how there are two seasons in Minnesota: Winter and Road Construction.  It's not funny.  It's a serious problem.  As a tax-paying citizen, I demand better management with more accountability.  EVERY major highway should not be single lane in the summer nor should popular exits.  Cut the crap, Minnesota.
• Bratwurst, which is just wonderful, is infinitely more popular than hot dogs here.  I still love hot dogs.
• I may have mentioned this previously but Super Target is super.
• Dry cleaning is more expensive here and the few chains don't have that convenient drop-off bag tied to an account a la Dependable Cleaners.  I miss that.
• I don't know much about building a house.  I'm kind of alone in that ignorance out here.
• Most homes have fireplaces - fireplaces that work and are used.
• Irony: People don't honk their car horns as often as Massholes do even though they have more reason to out here.
• Gyms are more expensive here than you'd think.
• Wild turkeys are everywhere.
• Country music is a BFD here.  As it should be.
• People get up early here.
• Even earlier on Sundays.
• And they love it.

Tornados & Hail

I don't remember tornado warnings and/or tornado watches back in New England.

Well, they have them here and they are big freaking deal.  Within minutes, the sky becomes clash of the titans and you feel like you're in Karate Kid II in that scene when Kumiko and Daniel-san have their tea ceremony thing.  Just crazy.

Hail is another bullshit thing that happens out here often.  And when it hails, and you're on the road, you try to get under a bridge or something to prevent damage to your car.  No thank you.