Reasons to LOVE Living in Oklahoma

I'm not gonna lie, I feel like I lost some of you, (dear readers), upon my last post about Oklahoma being a bit of a culture shock, for me, and why.  So I'm here to (shamelessly) attempt to win some of you back.  I've been working on this list since I moved here, and will continue to add to it.  There is a lot of GOOD here in Oklahoma.  Despite said culture shock, I know in my heart of hearts that living here is a good thing.  I see 95% of my family daily, and I am meeting really fantastic, inspiring people.  Life is simpler.  And living a life with less stress, and enjoying the simple things is what the "good life" should be all about right?  Right!  So, here are my reasons why I LOVE living in Oklahoma:

1.  Cocktail drinks are much cheaper here!

And 'hurray!' for that!  Obviously it does depend on where you go.  If it's a super fancy-shmancy place, expect L.A. prices.  However, if you choose to go to a cool location such as the Crystal Pistol Saloon in downtown Tulsa, consider yourself silly-drunk by the time you rack up a $20 tab. (Especially if you are a light-weight like me!) $2 Pabst, $5 well cocktails, and $6 shots.  Are you kidding me?  My wallet is thanking you. (My liver, not so much).  Fun times ahead-Let's do this.


2.  There is hardly any traffic!

 It's like having a Jewish holiday, every day! (Los Angelenos, and New Yorkers, you know what I'm talking about!)  It's soooo nice, to hop on the highway and speed along to where you need to go in no time!  I do not miss inane LA traffic... staring at the bumper in front of me for 45 minutes while creeping along at 10 miles per hour... hating life, and every car around me. "Whoo-hoo!" and "Hallelujah!" for less traffic in my life!


 3. Rockstar parking!

 In LA, I could spend 20-30 minutes circling my destination like a desperate hawk just to find one lousy parking spot.  Not fun.  The stress, and the unpleasantness of it all, often put me in a grumpy mood, wondering why I bothered to leave the house in the first place.  Here in OK, I rarely have to circle more than once, and more often than not, find a perfect, "rockstar" parking spot, waiting just for me, directly in front of my desired location.  Yes!  I could get used to this!



4. The rumors are true; people ARE nice here!

There is an overall politeness and friendliness from the majority of people that I've encountered in Tulsa, that you just don't get in an overcrowded, cosmopolitan city.   I first noticed this while at the Tulsa airport.  Having traveled quite a bit in my former life, I was pleasantly surprised at how my fellow travelers were politely moving aside to let me pass.  Quite a refreshing experience, versus being knocked over by huge bags, and impatient people.  In addition, I feel like people are nicer everywhere.  At the grocery store, instead of dirty looks, people smile and apologize if their cart accidentally bumps into yours.  While shopping I find myself chatting up strangers, like old friends.  And speaking of friends, I've gotta hand it to the people I have met so far; they have been kind, and welcoming.  For someone who has had to start over, with zero friends, in a brand new city- this is huge, and something I personally, will always appreciate.


 5.  It's gorgeous here

 Honestly, not a day goes by that I don't take a good look around and wish that I had a camera to capture it.  I am in constant awe of how much greenery there is, and how many wild animals I frequently spot.  Where I live,  deer sometimes bolt past my window, and birds are everywhere.   I love seeing the red cardinal birds perch on the trees in our back yard- their bright red feathers contrasting against a grey, winter sky.  In the spring, I have watched a family of ducks cross the street, and wild bunny rabbits hop about on our side lawn.  As a person who loves nature, I have to say- Tulsa is very pretty.  There are tons of trees, and it's been such a joy to experience "the seasons".


 6. Grassroots organizations are needed, and make a big impact here

 There are endless opportunities to contribute to the Tulsa community, in ways that not only make an impact, but are also needed.  People (like myself) that want to make a difference, or be part of a positive change, certainly can.  And because we're smaller, it's easier to communicate, rally the troops (so to speak) and make it happen.  It could be anything from organizing a parade, to starting a new night at a local bar.  If it can be imagined, it can be done. And I love that instead of relying on someone else to carve that path for you-- there is SO much opportunity for a person to carve that niche or path themselves!  On a personal level, I feel an obligation to the community already, to contribute my skills, talents, and passions.  (As small or as insignificant as those talents may be!) I know that they will be appreciated,  so I intend to do just that.

My little Fascination with Flappers

Over the years, as I've searched for creative ways to express myself, borrowing from the Flapper aesthetic became somewhat of a past time for me.  Like many women who love fashion, and glamour, there was (and still is) something about Flapper fashion that I find so appealing.  Although, I have the exact opposite of the ideal figure to pull the Flapper look off, I was determined to shape my hair in finger waves, draw on thin eyebrows, and paint cupid-bow lips. With authentic 1920s gowns in short supply, I wore vintage slips instead, slinky gloves, and layered on those pearls.  I knew much less about Flappers back then, then I do know.  However, the more I have studied their history, the more I realize there is to love.

That's me on the left at a Speakeasy club in Hollywood 

Bricktops Speakeasy, Hollywood 2005

Although my attempts at a Flapper fashion statement were sweet and well-meaning, Vogue magazine has done a MUCH better job of interpreting and depicting the alluring Flapper aesthetic through the exquisite and genius lens of the revered, Steven Meisel

Gorgeous fashion editorials aside, modern day perception of what a Flapper was really about, remains relatively hazy.  Thanks to cliched halloween costumes, many of us can't help but envision a generic, fringed mini-dress, a feather-plumed sequined, head-band and a fake string of pearls.  This simply doesn't do our 20th century, budding feminist of that era, any justice at all.  So I am here to elaborate, demystify and clarify what a Flapper really was, and why she resonates with modern women of today.

The fact is, a true flapper was a bona fide rebel.  Victorian etiquette, which had dominated previous generations, had dictated that proper ladies should have long hair, plaited or in a chignon.  Waists must be tightly corsetted, and your neck, ankles, and wrists (my dear), were to remain completely covered at all times.  Proper ladies did not wear cosmetics, did not smoke, did not drink, and most certainly did not go out dancing, unchaperoned with strange gentleman.  

Flappers didn't truly emerge until 1926. The young women at this time, who consciously chose to defy past cultural norms, were considered quite scandalous.  Flappers defined themselves by their actions and their appearances.  Before it became socially acceptable and popular, a blossoming flapper made her defining statement, by chopping off her long hair; trading it in for a chic, bob.

During a time when, it was believed that only prostitutes wore cosmetics, the Flapper, threw caution to  the wind! She would tweeze her brows to a thin arch, rim her eyes in smudged black kohl eyeliner, caked on the mascara, and wore vampy red lipstick.

She stopped wearing restrictive corsets, preferring light-weight, shape-less dresses that revealed her neck, arms, and *gulp* her legs!  Most hemlines stopped just below the knee (which is modest by today's standards, but at the time, was perfectly shocking!)  Flappers loved Jazz music, frequented underground speakeasies, and often danced the night away.  Many, but not all, were fond of carrying flasks, breaking prohibition law by drinking, and took up smoking from long cigarette holders.

Beyond the make-up, the fashion and outward appearances, the Flapper culture represented a significant evolution of a woman's role in society.  Young women were, for the first time in history, driving fast automobiles, dating whomever they chose, pursuing careers, and most importantly- voting.

I personally believe that the Flapper continues to hold time-tested allure, not only because of her glamorous outward appearance, but because, we as women recognize her in ourselves.  A Flapper epitomized a reckless rebel;  a woman who questioned traditions of the past, and embraced new ways of thinking and living.  When we see movies, or pictures of Flappers, I think we should all be inspired, and reminded of what the Flapper emergence was truly all about: an independent woman. A writer. An artist. An individualist. Most importantly, whomever she wanted to be.

The 10 Best Cities for Young People to Find Jobs

The 10 Best Cities for Young People to Find Jobs
Tulsa, Oklahoma listed as # 2 city in the nation in recent article!

Okie- Centric

I like living in Oklahoma, I really do.  It definitely has a certain charm to it-- the kind that makes a bona fide city girl like me- want to go out and purchase black leather cowgirl boots.

I also think the heartland is beautiful, and in addition, the majority of the people I have encountered have been friendly and kind.  All of the positive things I have ever said about Oklahoma, I have meant with 100% sincerity.

However, I can't help but feel amused... confused sometimes when I witness things that I am simply not accustomed to seeing... I can't help it; I just don't get it.  I am a stranger in a strange land.

The longer I stay here-- the less of an outsider I will become, and the more likely, these odd observances will become commonplace.  So, I thought I would share some of my observances "as an outsider" while I still can.  Before I, myself, start wearing orange Oklahoma collegiate apparel and accessories, with overalls, cruising around Walmart in an electric scooter.


Odd Observance #1-What is with the excessive amount of electric scooters?

I have never in all my life seen so many of them while grocery shopping.  I don't think I ever saw one once in my 8 years living in Hollywood.  Maybe it's the midwest- maybe it's because I live out in the country, maybe it's Oklahoma.  I don't know.  But ever since I moved here, I pretty much expect to see about five on every grocery run. And, to tell you the truth I am a bit afraid of the people on them, because they can be aggressive!  Once at Sam's club I was practically run over twice by little old ladies on them.

Odd Observance #2- What's with all the ugly sandals?

People I meet freely admit that 'the fashion' here, isn't exactly pervasive. That's fine; I'm all about dressing comfortably.  However- one thing I have zero tolerance for are hideous shoes.  This is just my opinion on fashion, as a former fashion designer, but feel free to disagree!  It's one of the first things I noticed when I moved here, ugly sandals everywhere.  I hail from the land of flip flops, not orthopedic velcro; so I just don't get it.  But to each his own!

Odd Observance #3- What's with all the Oklahoma football merchandise?

I feel like I'm bombarded with OU and OSU football memorabilia everywhere I turn.  Even in LA where people love their USC, and Lakers, you only saw sports colors at the sporting event, or maybe on a big game day.  Now that I live here, I see football merchandise virtually everywhere.  (Admittedly, I'm not a sports fan; I didn't grow up that way. When Dad's were taking their kids to a baseball game, my Dad was taking us to a Modern Art Museum. So I just don't get the sports craze at all.)  So you can imagine my surprise when I moved to a state where people are not only fanatical about their football teams, but love to show their college pride, and frequently don collegiate shirts, jackets, hats, bags, and watches to non sporting events, and perhaps the occasional fancy dinner. To my Oklahoma football loving friends: I love you.  I just don't have to love all of your rhinestone-bedazzled-collegiate accessories.