Referring to the Northeast

Was pondering...

When my friends from Massachusetts refer to New England, they say "back east." When I refer to the same area, I say "up north." Well, I usually say "New England," but I guess when I'm feeling a little apathetic and it comes out all vague and wishy-washy, it's "up north." Neither "back east" nor "up north" is really correct, considering our geographical location.

"Back east" sounds a little more "summer in the Hamptons" than "up north" does. "Up north" conjures up visions of sled dogs and Canadians in funny hats.

Both of the Massachusetts peeps went to small liberal arts colleges up there.... erm... BACK there. My Pennsylvania friend who went for the scientific degree says "up north" like me. So, perhaps it's a liberal arts major thing. Or a Massachusetts thing.

*is clueless*

One of the funniest "How I Met Your Mother" episodes ever was on  last night, with Robin's Canadian teen show that really looked more like soft-core porn. With Alan Thicke, no less. Bwahahaha! I was dying at the joystick scene. Hilarious.