Very soon I'll be traveling to my hometown.  I haven't been back in more than six years.  I'll see my family, and one or two old friends who still live within a few hours' drive, and I'll take some time to visit the treasured places where I had my life-shaping early adventures, and touch the ground, and reconnect with my long-ago self.  

Where I'm from, there are no snow days, no autumn bonfires lost to wind and showers.  The sun rises over land and sets over water, and palm trees line the boulevards.  Where I'm from, the interstate highways are never called "I-this" or "I-that," but always "the 405" or "the 5." When locals share where they're from they never mention counties or high schools, only cities and communities. There is no unifying regional cuisine, no equivalent to the Maryland crab or Old Bay seasoning, although restaurants everywhere else try to evoke the place with avocado and sprouts.

Where I'm from is the backdrop for movies and television: My high school and college appear as their generic equivalents in countless films and shows. The most famous local landmarks are known more for their appearances on the silver screen than for their history in the actual world. 

Where I'm from, the locals can seem sunny but insincere. They can attend too much to appearances; they mock the unfashionable and unkempt. Their superficiality alienates many poetic young souls, and spawns subcultures at the margins: of yearning for independence, of depth.

Where I'm from shines through me every day without my conscious thought or intention. Whether I embody its folkways or epitomize resistance to them, the me that emerges is defined in large part by that faraway place.

Where I'm from is where I'm headed for a little while: the San Fernando Valley, and the City of Angels.

Where are you from?

--
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]]>

Very soon I'll be traveling to my hometown.  I haven't been back in more than six years.  I'll see my family, and one or two old friends who still live within a few hours' drive, and I'll take...

http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/10/where-im-from.html https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9574/guest@my.umbc.edu/c7b801c70057c823fe8ae7cd705c39c2/api/pixel los-angeles Co-Create UMBC https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/co-create https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/original.jpg?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xlarge.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/large.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/medium.png?1499890363 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/small.png?1499890363 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xsmall.png?1499890363 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/002/5b8f025dafb56cb8d3088b7259aadcfb/xxsmall.png?1499890363 Co-Create UMBC 37 25 true Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:44:00 -0400 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 16:44:00 -0400 Full Title: Hey everybody!!! If you're looking for somewhere to watch the Ravens Game, come...Hey everybody!!! If you're looking for somewhere to watch the Ravens Game, come out to the Sports Zone for Free Wings and the Ravens taking on the Texans!!! ]]>

Full Title: Hey everybody!!! If you're looking for somewhere to watch the Ravens Game, come...Hey everybody!!! If you're looking for somewhere to watch the Ravens Game, come out to the Sports...

http://www.facebook.com/umbcseb/posts/10150845355245538 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9573/guest@my.umbc.edu/3ce91f4e0ba58e614994b4f0cdc84e46/api/pixel facebook seb student-events-board umbcseb (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 2 0 true Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:55:12 -0400 umbcseb: @BaltimoreMD :) ]]>

umbcseb: @BaltimoreMD :)

http://twitter.com/umbcseb/statuses/125455555409092608 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9566/guest@my.umbc.edu/556eb6294a1d920a80297bce2b3c86ee/api/pixel at-umbcseb seb student-events-board twitter (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 0 0 true Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:18:29 -0400 umbcseb: @jessicamanzo luv u. lil strawberry shortcake. ]]>

umbcseb: @jessicamanzo luv u. lil strawberry shortcake.

http://twitter.com/umbcseb/statuses/125452676451401728 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9567/guest@my.umbc.edu/ba50d5a07596b2afbd3760efe0810d39/api/pixel at-umbcseb seb student-events-board twitter (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 0 0 true Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:07:03 -0400 umbcseb: RT @jessicamanzo: I <3 #UMBClife forreal ]]>

umbcseb: RT @jessicamanzo: I <3 #UMBClife forreal

http://twitter.com/umbcseb/statuses/125452439754248193 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9568/guest@my.umbc.edu/26c68c762df56c04106ac0e140739c18/api/pixel at-umbcseb seb student-events-board twitter (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 0 0 true Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:06:07 -0400 Full Title: umbcseb: RT @catie_did: No seriously. @DonaldGlover was incredible. Handed that man a bag of cheetos. He made poop jokes. Well done @umbcseb & @U ...umbcseb: RT @catie_did: No seriously. @DonaldGlover was incredible. Handed that man a bag of cheetos. He made poop jokes. Well done @umbcseb & @U ... ]]>

Full Title: umbcseb: RT @catie_did: No seriously. @DonaldGlover was incredible. Handed that man a bag of cheetos. He made poop jokes. Well done @umbcseb & @U ...umbcseb: RT @catie_did: No...

http://twitter.com/umbcseb/statuses/125436115435003904 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9565/guest@my.umbc.edu/a571ad003af1effe3e01f28d3602bb32/api/pixel at-umbcseb seb student-events-board twitter (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 0 0 true Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:01:15 -0400 Full Title: umbcseb: Ballroom dance party! @UMBCEvents: Homecoming Party http://t.co/GZKQgLvf #UMBClifeumbcseb: Ballroom dance party! @UMBCEvents: Homecoming Party http://t.co/GZKQgLvf #UMBClife ]]>

Full Title: umbcseb: Ballroom dance party! @UMBCEvents: Homecoming Party http://t.co/GZKQgLvf #UMBClifeumbcseb: Ballroom dance party! @UMBCEvents: Homecoming Party http://t.co/GZKQgLvf #UMBClife

http://twitter.com/umbcseb/statuses/125416783967559680 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9563/guest@my.umbc.edu/170a3aedc7971ff05a50413903c55001/api/pixel at-umbcseb seb student-events-board twitter (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 0 0 true Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:44:26 -0400 Full Title: umbcseb: RT @DonaldGlover: UMBC was the R E A L E S T! I fucks with them hard. Did an impromptu concert like a mug. #Baltimoreumbcseb: RT @DonaldGlover: UMBC was the R E A L E S T! I fucks with them hard. Did an impromptu concert like a mug. #Baltimore ]]>

Full Title: umbcseb: RT @DonaldGlover: UMBC was the R E A L E S T! I fucks with them hard. Did an impromptu concert like a mug. #Baltimoreumbcseb: RT @DonaldGlover: UMBC was the R E A L E S T! I...

http://twitter.com/umbcseb/statuses/125398400890978304 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9562/guest@my.umbc.edu/775639b52c926765e67356056edf016b/api/pixel at-umbcseb seb student-events-board twitter (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 0 0 true Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:31:23 -0400 Full Title: umbcseb: RT @HamzaHRH: @umbcseb #UMBCHomecoming was made fantastic thanks to you guys, again. #GAMBINOSWAGumbcseb: RT @HamzaHRH: @umbcseb #UMBCHomecoming was made fantastic thanks to you guys, again. #GAMBINOSWAG ]]>

Full Title: umbcseb: RT @HamzaHRH: @umbcseb #UMBCHomecoming was made fantastic thanks to you guys, again. #GAMBINOSWAGumbcseb: RT @HamzaHRH: @umbcseb #UMBCHomecoming was made fantastic thanks to...

http://twitter.com/umbcseb/statuses/125386431718883328 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9560/guest@my.umbc.edu/2a34be82ffc583d3d3ccaea79a5d3d7e/api/pixel at-umbcseb seb student-events-board twitter (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 0 0 true Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:43:49 -0400 Full Title: umbcseb: OMG. @UMBCEvents just helped @DonaldGlover get off stage. He touched him! #shannonbookerdoesstuffumbcseb: OMG. @UMBCEvents just helped @DonaldGlover get off stage. He touched him! #shannonbookerdoesstuff ]]>

Full Title: umbcseb: OMG. @UMBCEvents just helped @DonaldGlover get off stage. He touched him! #shannonbookerdoesstuffumbcseb: OMG. @UMBCEvents just helped @DonaldGlover get off stage. He touched...

http://twitter.com/umbcseb/statuses/125379902617817088 https://dev.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/9559/guest@my.umbc.edu/ce8a69484e928af1dbe29ab2fdac9ea4/api/pixel at-umbcseb seb student-events-board twitter (seb) Student Events Board https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/seb https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/original.png?1774744307 https://assets4-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xlarge.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/large.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/medium.png?1774744307 https://assets2-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/small.png?1774744307 https://assets3-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xsmall.png?1774744307 https://assets1-dev.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/007/67e379556f744137a89e2370eb9dc2d7/xxsmall.png?1774744307 UMBC Student Events Board 0 0 true Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:17:52 -0400