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Moving to Michigan : Part 2
10 years ago
***************************************************************** A short journal today, just for a quick update!
I am now in Michigan! I've been here and moved in (in that my things are inside an apartment as opposed to boxes in a moving truck) since Friday. Internet is still not a thing at my house, but will hopefully be set up later today. I've been scraping by with cafe wifi or my cellphone. ;^_^ It's SO HARD you guys!
First impressions of the area (Lansing/East Lansing):
* omg TREES!
* Why is everyone so nice? And polite?? Whaa?
* Either these people don't know the value of a dollar, or I've been financially screwed in NJ/Philly/NYC all my life. Everything is so damn cheap by comparison to what I'm used to, I feel like I'm getting away with something.
* Michigan "so Hot' weather is NJ "ahhhh, nice summer day" weather. A little scared for winter though...
I know I've only been here a week, but... erm... I dunno if I wanna leave. ;_; I do miss my Jon though, but he will be visiting (and Skyping once I have internet up), and if it turns out I end up staying here longer than the temporary, he'll be looking to following me here. Still up in the air, but we will see.
So! Things are good, I am not dead, and I will be back very soon.
Speaking of Back Soon, I will be opening up for commissions sooner than I had anticipated. I still want to make sure all my pre-AC work is 100% done first, but within the next 1-2 weeks I'll be accepting a few new slots on a limited basis. I will announce here and on Twitter (@LizardbethArt) when I am open!
Lastly: I've gotten a few scans of art I've done at AC, but if you haven't done so, I would definitely appreciate it if you could e-mail me a copy of anything I might have done for you at the convention, which you can send to LizardbethArt@gmail.com. ^_^
That's all for now! <3 you guys. New things soon!
-Liz
I am now in Michigan! I've been here and moved in (in that my things are inside an apartment as opposed to boxes in a moving truck) since Friday. Internet is still not a thing at my house, but will hopefully be set up later today. I've been scraping by with cafe wifi or my cellphone. ;^_^ It's SO HARD you guys!
First impressions of the area (Lansing/East Lansing):
* omg TREES!
* Why is everyone so nice? And polite?? Whaa?
* Either these people don't know the value of a dollar, or I've been financially screwed in NJ/Philly/NYC all my life. Everything is so damn cheap by comparison to what I'm used to, I feel like I'm getting away with something.
* Michigan "so Hot' weather is NJ "ahhhh, nice summer day" weather. A little scared for winter though...
I know I've only been here a week, but... erm... I dunno if I wanna leave. ;_; I do miss my Jon though, but he will be visiting (and Skyping once I have internet up), and if it turns out I end up staying here longer than the temporary, he'll be looking to following me here. Still up in the air, but we will see.
So! Things are good, I am not dead, and I will be back very soon.
Speaking of Back Soon, I will be opening up for commissions sooner than I had anticipated. I still want to make sure all my pre-AC work is 100% done first, but within the next 1-2 weeks I'll be accepting a few new slots on a limited basis. I will announce here and on Twitter (@LizardbethArt) when I am open!
Lastly: I've gotten a few scans of art I've done at AC, but if you haven't done so, I would definitely appreciate it if you could e-mail me a copy of anything I might have done for you at the convention, which you can send to LizardbethArt@gmail.com. ^_^
That's all for now! <3 you guys. New things soon!
-Liz
*hugs a tree*
But I forgot, why the move to Michigan?
* Trees! Trees! And more trees! Fortunately the ents are friendly -- most of the time. (You should see farther north or the Upper Peninsula. A visit to the old growth portion of Hartwick Pines State Park would be educational.)
* It's a big city vs suburb / small town thing. But yeah, we're usually friendlier. It's a Midwest thing.
* Pay attention, because you'll see variances between different parts of the state. The harder it is to ship in, the more expensive it is. But if you want to see really inexpensive, go find a roadside farmer's stall for some fresh fruit and vegetables. Or maybe a farmer's market.
* Say "hello" to the Great Lakes. It keeps things from going as extreme as North Dakota, and being this far north keeps things generally cooler. Unfortunately, it also makes weather less predictable overall.
New York is a fun place to visit, but I could never deal with all the noise, dirt, and people on a continuous basis. And yeah, living there you've been getting hosed on your cost of living, for sure.
Seriously, though, Michigan winter has a very variable start date. We've had years where the first big snowfall is at Christmastime, and years where we've had four inches on Halloween. If you don't have much in the way of cold-weather gear, I'd go about getting it before you think you'll need it, just in case
The snow is polarized when it comes winter. You either get 2 inches or 2 feet, and nothing in-between.
A lot of things are cheaper in MI, we don't allow taxes on basic food items, but they're a bit higher on "luxury items".
If there's a type of food you're looking for, i can pass on my old haunts back in the school, and classroom only med-school days!
It's not a pleasant thing to deal with in general.
BEYOND THAT, i think i'm out of things to warn about. Enjoy your stay in the mitten!
Tear gas party: not cool
I think I'll stay in my Letter Opener state (Puget Sound is like the slit where the blade is in those child safe letter opener cards :D) where the only fog I have to dodge is related to the "green revolution" :p
Don't worry about winter, we scare people with it, but its not that bad.
I hope everything goes well for you settling in!
* Attitide of the locals, prices, vary by location. A LOT.
* If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes. :p (ALWAYS have a jacket, and possibly shoes to change into if you're wearing sandals. You WILL be surprised by temperature swings.)
* How will Winter be? I CAN'T tell you. NOBODY knows! Last year the mercury was barely poking out the ball at the bottom of the thermometer and I felt the heat being sucked out of me... indoors. A couple years before that, we had "winters" where it just sort of rained mildly. What will it be this year? Stay tuned...
PS - In Michigan, you are NOT "snowed in" unless the car bumps into the snow drift and just will not physically make it through. As a rule-of-thumb, this takes 1-2 feet. Try not to embarass yourself by freaking out over a light flurry, like some out-of-state folks...
PPS - Have you found out about using your hand as a map yet?
Also cannot see 'Michigan' and not hear Cecil Baldwin completely unable to pronounce it.
Oh man, the white pines.. so lovely.
"Why is everyone so nice? And polite?? Whaa?"
Because Michigan is about 35% Canada. Seriously, try humming "O, Canada" people will join in!
What are trees? http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13607410/
cheapness?
well yeah Things are hellua cheaper there http://www.furaffinity.net/view/14747613/ SEE??
hot?
that would be the humidity Even *I* can't stand it
Politeness?
yeah we are friendlier out there
& this is MY area too