Day for announcing change

Partly inspired by TQ, I've decided to rename this blog. Truth is that I almost never comment about being a Louisianian, and in fact, the name of my blog has made me realize how very little I do feel tied to my state. Truly, I'm much more pleased to be an American than a Louisianian, and actually, I think I'm even more pleased to live in a culture that's clearly something of an heir to the Enlightenment spirit than I am of any geographic or national affiliations. (And Louisiana has way, way too many counter-enlightenment tendencies for my tastes . . . Superstitious lot of ignorant buggers around her, generally . . .) If anything, declaring myself a "Louisianian" for so long in a public place has made me seriously question my attachment to my birthplace more than just about anything else ever has. In questioning it, I've realized I may have made something of a mistake in choosing to remain here all these years . . . But in all honesty, it's quite hard to believe that I'd be happier anywhere else!!! ;-)

Don't get me wrong: I adore my quirky, local, rich, and varied south Louisiana culture, as there is nothing else quite like it. But as much as I often feel near it, I can't say I've ever really felt of it. More and more, I think of myself as apart from local culture. I am an oddball and I think I'll embrace that and avoid labeling myself in terms of geographical, national, or ethnic labels in the future. Such identities probably cause more trouble than they solve, in any case . . .

As for the new name, well . . . Who is going to dispute that I'm a nonsensical nerd? ;-)