"The State I'm In"
By Anne Brisco
9 Aug 2008
What city do you live in? What neighborhood?
Lafayette, Indiana and the surrounding counties.
I have moved into town from the country, or what I consider the country.
What are some adjectives that describe your neighborhood?
This place is a mixture of sounds , tastes , and activities. Our living space is smaller than we're use to , but closer to the necessities of life. Well, ..not my TRUE idea of "necessities", but closer to work , shopping , and friends.
How long have you lived there, and what brought you there?
My husband and I moved here only a few months ago. We had a wonderful place in a small town North of here, but we both work in town and it made it difficult with the gas prices to drive twenty four miles one-way for each of us.
It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do when I left the house behind and came into the city. The only thing that helped is knowing that soon my nephew and his family would be buying the place and therefore stay in the family.
What is your favorite thing about this place? Your least favorite?
I really love the fact that we are saving money staying in town. I have an easier time with work and the friends who live here, too.
What I hate is being farther away from my "best" friend. It seems like we rarely see eachother anymore. I saw her yesterday and felt like I didn't want to leave. It's hard when you are in your thirties before you find a true best friend . Someone you can really tell your troubles to , and a person who is there for you the way you are for them. She's an amazing mom and blessing as a friend. I miss her.
Do you feel that you belong there?
I really feel I am away from home, but I know that the economy is the main reason for all of it. Well, not all of it . It helps that we no longer have two hours of our lives wasted by travel-time.
I was raised at the other place. I know every creek, every hiding place and where every memory was born . That is hard for me to leave.
What is the most common misconception about where you live?
The most common comment I hear about Lafayette is that although it is farely large , unless you go clubbin' , there really isn't alot to experience here.
Whoa , is that wrong ! I guess it depends upon what you are looking for. If you want to see the city and do some "clubbin'" , we got that !
If you want culture, art , and special events , we have that , too. Some of the most wonderful experiences I have had over the years came from
the cultural events here locally.
What is a special fact about your city that you have to live there to know?
Lafayette , Indiana has more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the US. At least that's what I hear.
What aspect of your city do you secretly love?
The people . There is such a melting pot of different personalities, faiths , and interests that really get my attention. Ya see, ...I know no stranger . I have no trouble at all walking up to someone Iv'e never met and starting up a conversation. I don't even need a topic. So having that ability really helps to meet some of the most interesting people around. This also gives me opertunities to photograph places , people and things more so than when I lived in the rural community.
Anything else you'd like to add?
There are alot of things we take for granted that I hope changes.
For example , the firemen. They are some of the best people I have ever met. The guys I know bend over backwards to help others and we really seem to forget them sometimes. We can't do that anymore.
The police. The more we see them , the more we don't like them. That's just wrong ! How many times have you seen some idiot drive crazy down the road and you say to yourself "Where is a cop when you need one ?" ?
