I'm Not a Hooker, I'm from Texas..

Isn't it wonderful that this great land of ours is so big that there are significant cultural differences between our states? Shoot, Texas is big enough that we have our own subcultures.

For example, there are places in America where people would have no idea what you meant if you said you were "fixin' to go have some chicken fried steak." Or, a little farther east "There's only one place you can get really good water-ice." (Isn't all ice water? Well you east coasters know what I'm talking about.. But in Austin, that's just crazy talk)

You know, culture.

Well in some places, people think you're a hooker just because you're from Texas.

I'll start small, because I understand how funny this is.

I went to college in upstate New York. I loved it. Best thing I ever did. But I was one of a very few southerners in my school. Most kids were from New York, and the rest from New England and the surrounds.

I found out extremely quickly that a key cultural difference was just - saying hello. We Texans holler out "hey" "hi" "howdy" "how's it goin" "what's up" "take it easy" and much more when we are within six feet of another human. If you get close enough we'll hug and kiss you and give you something to eat. So I land in New York in a decade far, far away and quickly discover that to the boys in New York, who had never encountered such behavior in their XX chromosome state-mates, this means "I'd like to marry you and I'm indicating that by saying "hi" and making eye contact."

I adjusted and escaped without marrying anyone.

Fast forward to 2002. I go on a work trip to NYC. I love New York, and spent a lot of time there when I was in college.

During this trip, we all went to see the Lion King on Broadway one night. We zipped back to Times Square, and changed clothes afterwards. I opted for the following outfit: black Levi 501's, black long sleeved t-shirt, black leather jacket, and black winter boots. I also had on a black Kippy's belt. This is the exact belt.

It's adorable. Sparkly, fun, rhinestoney goodness. Otherwise, I looked like everyone else on the street, bundled up for a cold December night. Or so I thought.

We were all going to meet up at a pub and have a drink. It was just a few blocks off Times Square, but clearly in the wrong direction - it was downright skeevy a few blocks in. But as happens in New York, one block later you can be totally safe, and the pub was very nice.

We get settled in a giant booth and wait for everyone - there were going to be 12 of us. A small pack got lost and called me for directions. I stepped out onto the street so that I could hear. While I was on the phone, a very nicely dressed business man came up very close to me, took his wallet out and started mumbling dollar figures. "Three hundred or six hundred or.." Assuming he was crazy, as I always do, I ignored him, paced around and finished my phone call. He followed me back and forth, playing with his money and mumbling.

I went back inside, told everyone some crazy guy outside was trying to give me money, and ...

Then it hits us.

All at once.

He thought I was a hooker!

You have never heard 12 people laugh so hard in your life, I guarantee it. After the group analyzes why that might have happened, we settle on my glittery belt.

A sparkly black cowgirl belt is totally okay for a Saturday afternoon at the grocery store in any far flung corner of the Lone Star state. It's hard to catch us out without our rhinestones. But in New York - it totally makes you a hooker.

Sometimes, you just feel like a stranger in a strange land, yes?

That story is what inspired this card, which is my entry for the Stampin' Success contest this month. It uses the new Greetings Earthling set, and two of the new colors - Bermuda Bay and Dusty Durango. I used my blender pen to color the creatures (they are on watercolor paper), and you cant' see it in this pic, but the helmet has Crystal Effects on it. The little design on the side is what's left over from cutting the lattice pattern with the new SU! Sizzix die. We used that in my class yesterday. I'd show you the project but I can't unless you're in my cyber club!

The class was MOMENTOUS!! You know why??

Because I finally got to meet Stampin' Libby!!! I have waited so long!! I love her blog, and have "talked" to her in cyberspace for a while, but we finally got to see each other yesterday, and it was so fun. She is even prettier and sweeter in real life, if you can believe that!! Come back any time Libby. Or better yet, move south in a hurry! :)

Here are my friends Betty & Nicole. Betty was a first time stamper and is AMAZING!!! Nicole was already a crafty goddess and guided Betty on the crafty path..

Please note rhinestones on Betty.

Finally, here are Emily and her momma, Berne - also sporting rhinestones on her T-shirt. I rest my case. :)

Have a great Sunday!

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