Greetings from Planet Carolina

I've found that when you lose inspiration it's tough to even flirt with creative mediocrity; hence my recent decision to pack up my car with all she could fit and drive 17 hours to Charleston, SC, hoping my new start would render an unfamiliar yet unique prospective. I also had visions of the the geographical contrast sparking inspiration from 24 years in the Northeast. Mostly, I was open to new experiences and hoping to recall many which had been pushed back beyond the reach of my ever wandering mind.

If I was writing a comparative piece on the cultural differences thus far, my thesis would undoubtedly focus on the contrast in pace of everyday life. It was almost difficult for me to prevent this slow-paced lifestyle from becoming far too apparent in this mornings run, where I ultimately learned my first Southern lesson, 8 am is not early enough to beat the Carolina heat. At first it was infuriating, five minutes in line at the grocery store seemed unnecessary and downright ridiculous, especially when compared to Boston where they couldn't get you out fast enough. It was alarming at first, the lack of an aggressive almost portrayed an indifference in earning your business with their slow pace and un-intrusive approach, however the angelic 'hello' followed by the warm conversation from a fellow patron helps to highlight the beauty in taking time to appreciate life's little pleasures and the idea that we are all in this together. This pace carries over to everything, restaurant service, driving habits, I've found it nearly impossible to close the door on the tempo that has begun to inadvertently slip in to my everyday life.

This pace has allowed me to take it all in; the woman in front of me gathering ingredients for her sons favorite barbecue recipe for his return from Iraq. The man behind me and the passion in his recommendation for the best crab cakes and oysters in town. The check out woman with her deep southern draw and weathered skin that screamed of a pre-SPF youth at Folly Beach. I'm not only adjusting, but becoming engulfed. I'm finding it nearly impossible to prevent the sweet tea drinking, hello neighbor Southern lifestyle from gripping on to my deep Northern roots. And I'll continue to let them grow together, hopefully creating a new prospective, rooted in Northern youth and infused with Southern charm.