state by state speak your mind about oklahoma

[Behind the Aegis]

33. I currently live in Oklahoma.

That makes me an Oklahomo.

I moved to OK in 1999 to work for OSU. After I left, I moved to OKC for just under a year, then moved to NE OK, where we currently live again, after a 5 year stint in New Orleans. We are a few miles from the KS border, so we slip over there every now and again, but usually prefer to go to Tulsa. Personally, I think Tulsa is a really nice city; it reminds me of east coast cities. I don't care for OKC; too spread out and industrial for my tastes. I have been to gay pride festivals in both cities. They are about the same, but the funny things is, they compete with one another. LOL!

There are some really good schools here. Lots...and I mean shitloads, of churches. It is difficult to find houses of worship for other groups, though there are a few mosques in some smaller cities, they are rare, and so are synagogues. Where I live just got a Jewish community center this year! The closest synagogue is in Tulsa, which actually has a sizable Jewish population; or, it used to have one. Finding religious items for anyone other than Christians is a fucking chore. When I had a Jewish friend die, I went to the Hallmark store to get a card. There was ONE Jewish sympathy card and it was completely in Hebrew (thankfully, the family was fluent...I am not though).

The people are hit or miss, but I am finding that is the truth in most places nowadays. There are some really wonderful people here, very liberal and open-minded, and some....well...I'll be nice. Of course, the best person this state produced is, of course, my partner of almost 12 years! He is a born and raised Okie. I will say that in a crisis, the people here are some of the biggest hearted people I have met! Their own houses can be gone, but they will make sure their neighbors are cared for as well. IMO, they can be some of the most generous people you will know!

The worst thing about OK is the fucking weather!!! Scorching summers, wet and cold winters, no real spring or fall (two weeks doesn't really count) and then there is the TORNADOES! It is funny to me how many will complain about humidity. Sure, there are times it is humid, but for the most part, it is pretty dry. Given I lived in the deep South most of my life, and New Orleans for 5 years; I know humidity! Did I mention the tornadoes?! OH yeah...and we have some fierce...scare the Devil fierce, thunderstorms! I am sure I mentioned the tornadoes!

There are some really neat and unique places in Oklahoma. If you get a chance, you really should visit. The zoos are really cool. The Cherokee nation is located here. There are TONS of lakes; there are even mountains. During the two weeks of fall, take the Muskogee Turnpike and see the leaves change. It is beautiful! Wollaroc Park has wild buffaloes and game that roam free. You can also get some really good photos here!