OD on OC

Names and events have been altered in order to safeguard the true identity of my ex-New York friends (Sick and "NEE!") who now live in a cozy 1-BR in the middle of a cozy planned community in the heart of cozy Orange County. The tiny and well-kept neighborhood has a heated pool, well-maintained landscaping, and a fairly young, professional population. The place is a 5-minute drive from some nice beaches with dramatic overhanging cliffs, wild surf, and joggers with dogs. No signs of poverty, other than For Sale signs on a bunch of lawns - this is one of the harder-hit housing markets in the country. I went out early morning before everyone woke up to inspect the beach and see what all the fussing was about. We had spent the last three days hearing so many gripes about the area from Sick and "NEE!". To be honest, I'm ready to move in...

OK, so maybe people are a bit more fake, materialistic, and soulless than your average suburban paradise. But it's nice to be around a facade of medium wealth for a change. Compared with the harsh realities and extremes of New York City, it's a breath of fresh air. And what's more, there's the literal fresh air... The things that bothered me the most are the silly cars everyone seemed to be driving. When EVERYONE has a sporty convertible or a hummer, they can no longer posses any kind of status symbolism, but the people here don't get that. They also drive like crazy maniacs - something that seems completely gratuitous on the many-laned roads of the OC. Also, my friends complained of a lack of non-chain food and hospitality establishments. We witnessed that when we failed to get a seat at one of the only mom & pop shops in the area early Sunday (but to be fair, it was Mother's Day, too). So fake people and plastic-coated safe and boring food. These are legitimate concerns, but nothing to go on a killing rampage over... Get over it, you two, or else!