CA or TX?

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” — Jack Kerouc

I have traveled in most of the states in America. I have lived in seven states, but mostly in just two of them. Texas and California. I have gone to college in both states. I have been married in both states. And I have two sons. One born in Texas. The other in California. I have made a film in California, and have plans to make another in Texas.

I grew up physically in Texas, and spiritually in California. Yes, I began my spiritual search in Texas, and continued it in California. In those early years when living in Texas, I used to travel to Mt. Shasta in northern California every summer. Eventually I moved to California, but have moved back and forth between them a number of times. Ever the wanderer, I guess I am a traveler at heart. How difficult that has been on my family (all of them?) I can only imagine. It seems to be my nature. So, what does this have to do with anything?

Well, I feel I have a pretty decent grip on what it is like to be, experience, and live among both Texans and Californians. But over the years I have perceived a bit of competition among the two states and their people. I’m not sure it is a bad thing, but what is is the unhealthy stereotypes many in each state has about the other. Why do I even care? Well, at first I found it somewhat amusing, but lately it just seems like unhealthy perceptions. And plus, it feels like watching your parents fight. You can see and understand what each one is saying about the other, but neither of them is listening to what the other is saying. A big of self-righteous pride on both sides. And I think that is where some of this stems from.

I currently live in California, and every once in a while visit Texas. So I have to listen about ‘those idiot rednecks in Texas’ from the California people, and those ‘space cadet narcissists in California’ from the Texans. Well, guess what people, there are both of those in both places. Usually the people who express these types of attitudes to me have spent very little time in the state they are criticizing. Instead, the rely on the lazy, overly promoted stereotypes of each region. And who cares anyway, because there is so much more than that in both places. In some ways Texas and California are a lot alike. Sure, there are some obvious differences, which I really don’t need to go into.

They are both large states of boundless resources, numerous types of  territory, and amazing people of so many different types. They even have a common history. I know that having lived so much in both places, they have both shaped who I am today. And probably who I am continuing to grow into. But  is that only part of the story?

Is it where we happen to live physically, and the people there, that determines who we are? Or is it who we are inside and what we bring from there to wherever we happen to be? Do we just project who we are inside to whatever physical territory we find ourselves in? Or not? I imagine there is give and take both ways, and are molded in many ways. If so, I feel lucky that I may be the product of both Texas and California. Hopefully the best of both.

Ironically though, I do see myself in the not too distant future moving along to another stage in my life. Leaving California behind (again), as I have left Texas behind many times before. And no, I am not going back to Texas. I have a third place in mind, where I may spend the rest of my years on this planet before checking out. For now, it is a secret. I just hope it can match or surpass my living in Texas and California, and the fun traveling back and forth. For it never really was about CA vs. TX. That’s like asking me if I’d like my chicken fried or baked. I happen to like it both ways. Just depends upon what day of the week you ask me, and then what I’m in the mood for. It’s just that I’m feeling that wandering bug again, and there’s probably a third way I like that chicken now. And it’s all just life anyway, isn’t it?

The roads, the vehicles, the scenery, the motels, the people, the restaurants, the journeys, the companions, the destinations, the lessons, the everything. Just remember to have fun being the right kind of traveler. The road is always there. And we’re all just travelers anyway, aren’t we?

TMC