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Observations of Birmingham, Al
09-19-2010, 04:45 PM
Been here for 3 weeks now and here are my initial observations:
1. The pace of life here is more sedate than Los Angeles. Which is a bit inconvenient when it comes to banking (0900-1700 on weekedays), but I can live with it. There are countervailing advantages.
2. People here are more courteous. A big plus.
3. Football is the state church. "Bear" Bryant actually has a shrine to his honor. You're either crimson or orange/blue. All others are not even considered.
4. There is nothing sexier than hearing a woman speak a southern accent. Unless it's German..or English...maybe. *grin*
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I'm guessing that overall you're happy with your new home... or, at least, not unhappy.
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
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Sounds good so far, Ord...
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.
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A snag or two along the way. Like furnishing a 2 bedroom apartment. Having a regular and substantive paycheck helps, but I'll have to furnish on a budget. Good news is that you can buy a washer/dryer Alabama department of water and power and pay it of for 36 months at 0% interest.
I figure it'll take me anywhere from 6 months to a year to furnish to specs. Just got to match imagination to budget.
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Into terror!, Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell
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Quote:I figure it'll take me anywhere from 6 months to a year to furnish to specs. Just got to match imagination to budget.
Thrift stores are your friends. Goodwill and Sally Ann (and St. Vincent de Paul, if they've made it to Alabama) usually have some good-quality furniture at lower-than-Ikea prices. It might not all match, but it'll last. And you can almost always get a four-place plate setting, cutlery for four that matches, and four matching glasses and mugs at any given thrift store. (Just stay away from their electric appliances; they might be so old that they're not UL-certified.)
Some consignment shops will sell furniture for people - http://www.ziplocal.ca/companies/109616 ... -Furniture]here's a listing for one in Birmingham. You'll probably pay more than a thrift shop would charge, but less than Ikea wants for the equivalent furniture. (If you decide to move later, the good-quality furniture that you don't want to keep can go back to the consignment shop...)
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
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*scribbles down address*
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Into terror!, Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell
As a citizen of Mobile, welcome. I was told when I moved here in '92 that there was 3 things you didn't talk about. Sports, religion and politics. cause down here sports it near enough religion as makes no difference and both are shot full of politics. I think this was said in jest but given I don't care about college or pro sports other than the occasional rally race or something else weird. Goodwill is down here, the other 2 I've never see or heard of Rob. And yes the banking thing bites occasionally. Also if you can find a Hudson's Treasure Hunt, or Hudson's Dirt Cheap check there. the selection is iffy but can occasionally find good deals. Example, I found the $150 vacuum sealer that Walmart has for about 30 bucks. Also a friend found a $1500 gas cook-top unit that eventually hit like 200. the thing with the Hudson's store is they buy stuff where a store closes or store gets damaged, fire, storm what have you. The longer the item goes without selling the higher the discount and lower the price.
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Quote:Goodwill is, the other 2 I've never see or heard of Rob.
"Sally Ann" is what we call the Salvation Army in these parts. I gather the religious-based thrift stores (accept donations of items, sell them, use the money raised for good works) haven't made it to your part of the world...
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
Ah. yeah Salvation Army is here just never heard that name for it.
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Yes, "Sally Ann" seems to be a Canadianism.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.
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Sally is live and well in Alaska.
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies
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