You Know You're From Oregon When...

It's been over 5 years since I moved to Oregon, and over 10 since TJ did. The following list contains cultural markers that show solidarity with "Oregonians." I got this list from a Facebook page and took out the ones that don't seem familiar. Not sure where the list came from originally but it's a hoot! My comments are in italics.

In winter, you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark—while only working eight-hour days. This is so true!!

You are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain," and "Tomorrow's forecast: rain followed by showers." All winter. When I worked front desk I never checked the weather but always said people should take an umbrella because it "would rain a bit today but there will be some sunshine too."

You can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover. Also quite true.

You comment, "the mountain is out," when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it. It's so beautiful when the mountain comes out!

You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or people from California. Someone told me that when I moved here b/c it was a "light mist" and I had an umbrella.

You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day. Did it today!

You blame everything that's not right on ex-Californians. Californians, of course, are the reason everything is wrong in Oregon (because they moved here and drove up home prices). Us Ohio folks don't matter b/c we were not rich when we got here. :D

You go to a coffee bar and see two guys get into a fight over who makes the best India Pale Ale. Lot's of breweries and coffee places!

You know what is in between the East Side and the West Side, and how to pronounce it. It's a river...the Willamette, pronounced Will-am-it, not Willa-met. I was teased greatly for getting that one wrong.

A tree or mudslide has ever damaged your house or car. A few weeks ago a house slid down a hill into a street. And this was surprising but not utterly shocking.

You live equidistant to a symphony hall, a winery, and a volcano. Pretty much anywhere around here that would be true.

You complain about Californians as you sell your house to one for twice as much as you originally paid. The flip side no one talks about!

You consider something a "hill" (not a mountain) if it doesn't have snow on it or has not recently erupted, regardless of its altitude. We have a view of the hills from our windows...which in Ohio would be huge mountains! All perspective I guess.

You know a bride & groom that registered at REI. Craig & Donna!!

Every day is casual Friday. Pretty much, though it depends where you work.

Know at least eight people who work for Intel or Nike, or used to work for Tektronix. Yup, just within our circle of friends!

You think downtown is "scary" because you were panhandled there....once... TJ would agree with this!

You know that Burgerville has the best hamburgers...ever. My favorite is the Tillamook Cheeseburger...mmmmm!

You have only used 5 main freeways/highways: I-5, 217, 205, 26, and 84. Yup!

You know that Kindergarten Cop and The Goonies were filmed in Astoria and Cannon Beach, respectively. The big rock in the Goonies is from Cannon Beach...it's huge!!

You think that the Beach is the best place to go for vacation, or just for a day off. But definitely not to swim or lay out. Brrrr!

You take pride in Lewis and Clark and know who Sacagawea is. Certainly can't live here long without hearing about them.

You never go to the Tigard theater anymore since they built Bridgeport. Yeaaa Bridgeport!

You went to Washington Square....just to eat lunch at Panda Express...or Scoozi. We used to meet a group for lunch at the food court every Sunday after church.

You love the smell of rain. We do...but did before we moved here. Lot's more chances to smell it here though.

You are the only person in the line at the grocery store who asks for paper, not plastic (because while paper "kills trees" it is recyclable, and plastic bags will sit in our landfills for the next millennia). Very cultural!!

You dress in layers (tank top, t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, etc). I am learning to do this.

You know the exact day you had school off because it snowed like....one inch. No joke there...even half an inch will shut the city down. If you hear rumors of snow you watch closely, and if you see snow you get home as quick as possible and stay there till it has melted off the roads- and no, no salt is used on the roads.

You have been to camp 18...or just driven by it. They have cool old stuff there, and a really neat wood cabin (huge) building and a very cute gift shop. It used to be an old logging camp.

You are sad during christmas because it never snows in the valley. It doesn't!

You know where the valley is. We live in the valley.

You go out of state and wait in your car for someone to pump your gas. I did that on a trip into Washington and was very frustrated by their poor service! Oops!

Your state and local legislatures are republican but your state executives and national representatives are democrat. Pretty much.

You are more concerned about packing a sweatshirt or a jacket when going to the beach than packing a bathing suit. Never pack a bathing suit unless your hotel has one. Definitely have a sweatshirt though!!

The red nose on the 'made in oregon sign' starts your holiday season. Actually right on...it's in the papers and on the news too.

You drive on 'the banfield'. I don't anymore, but I did!

You know The Shane Companies radio commercial word for word -- "...Across the freeway from the washington square mall...open monday through friday til 8, saturday and sunday til 5...also available on shaneco.com." Every radio station. Every day.

You've witnessed 300 nude bicyclists just cruising around downtown like its no big deal. Never seen it (thank goodness!) but wouldn't be all that surprised if we did.