i invited some of my close friends to come visit me here in champaign-urbana. they often joke that they'll see me in chicago. they know that i don't live up there, but i think deep down, they rather be up there. 2 of the friends have been here for the urbana conference, and they did not enjoy it one bit. i don't blame them b/c really, champaign-urbana, isn't showing their best side in the middle of winter with snow and wind chill to a few people from down south. :P it isn't really hospitable.
anyways, the joke has continued that we live in a po-dunk town where everyone farms*. while i know they are saying these things in jest, it's come to bother me. perhaps it's my snarky mood. i feel like i have to defend champaign-urbana. it isn't like this horrible backwards town with nothing to do but sit out in the cornfield all day.
i think, secretly, my friends are scared to visit**. they all come from and live in large cities, so i don't think they know what to expect from a smaller city. well, if they ever come, i hope they can see the charm of champaign-urbana. and i really hope they don't come and then complain about where i live. it will make me snarkier.
* of course, to add to their teasing, i've told them i grew a garden this year.
** a subset of my close friends have known each other since high school. they had no problem flying out to visit each other when some of them moved away. granted, they moved to cities like san fran and l.a. for visiting me here in champaign, it's been mostly talk. we'll see if they really do come. granted, one of them did come visit me a few years ago. it was sweet. i think she enjoyed it. :P