Things I don't like about NC
1. Carnage. The amount of animal carcasses on the side of the road is distressing: a) Because I don't want to see it and b) because I am afraid there are so many animals it's just a matter of time before I hit one. I DON'T EVER WANT TO DO THAT. I am the type where I'd rather hit a tree or some other object than hit an animal, even if hitting that other object may mean more serious damage to me and my vehicle. On my way to the airport the other morning something large, had to have been a deer, was mangled in the middle of the road. It had to have been fairly fresh because there was stuff, lots of stuff, all over the place. I don't tell you this to gross you out, but as therapy for me and a means of seeking sympathy from you. It's flat out awful, and I hate seeing it.
2. The education system. Yeah, it sucks. We read all kinds of good things about public education here that just simply aren't panning out. Much of the information on the state education website and district website where SpyC teaches is misleading, especially in terms of pay. SpyC finally received her state license to teach in NC today and they did not include her Masters in Education on it... which means they aren't paying her masters pay. Bullshit. That's a significant drop in her annual salary, and it's cause for considering either leaving teaching all together, moving to another capacity within education, or move. The problem is, we like it here. We like Raleigh, we like the weather, the landscape, we love our house and the property it sits on. There are tough decisions ahead. Spy loves teaching, and that is exactly what she wants to be doing right now. But all be damned if they (the state) are going to get her masters training for free. NC has outlawed teacher's unions here, so there is very little she can do to fight it. Leaving might be her only option.
3. It's expensive as hell to fly here. Prices for air travel have gone up quite a bit in the last year, but that's good for me since my job depends on the airlines making money. Air fares have been artificially low the past five years, half the reason the airlines are in the trouble they're in. However, Raleigh seems to be paying their fair share and then some. And among the worst? Southwest. I have yet to buy/recommend Southwest to anyone in and out of here because they are frequently the most expensive. My parents recently flew here on American, and that's not because I work for them... AA was the cheapest. SpyC is flying Northwest in a week and a half to Portland, OR for a wedding. Where's Southwest, our low fare leader? Jetblue has decent fares from here to New York, where you can then connect to many places. But their flights are often full and you can't even book a ticket. Ugh! And to think, American used to have a hub here. This place is sorely lacking adequate air service, and as a result, fares are artificially high.
4. Yes, this is the bible belt, yes this is the south, and yes there are a lot of churches here. However, Raleigh is a pretty progressive area for being in the south and the impact of religion on us has been minimal, if any at all. Although it's interesting to be in various establishments, like restaurants, and have them come over the loud speaker with opportunities to "keep and spread the faith."* For now I find it novel and laugh. So, it officially isn't a dislike yet, it's entertainment. But I'm sure that'll change, so I'll include it here.
* While eating at the Golden Coral with ma, pa, ma-in-law, grandma and SpyC a few days ago, the restaurant manager came over the PA with a notice of some religious athletic group that was performing that evening, and that if we didn't have anything else to do and wanted to "keep and spread the faith" we were invited to attend. Lovely. I think I'm busy.
2. The education system. Yeah, it sucks. We read all kinds of good things about public education here that just simply aren't panning out. Much of the information on the state education website and district website where SpyC teaches is misleading, especially in terms of pay. SpyC finally received her state license to teach in NC today and they did not include her Masters in Education on it... which means they aren't paying her masters pay. Bullshit. That's a significant drop in her annual salary, and it's cause for considering either leaving teaching all together, moving to another capacity within education, or move. The problem is, we like it here. We like Raleigh, we like the weather, the landscape, we love our house and the property it sits on. There are tough decisions ahead. Spy loves teaching, and that is exactly what she wants to be doing right now. But all be damned if they (the state) are going to get her masters training for free. NC has outlawed teacher's unions here, so there is very little she can do to fight it. Leaving might be her only option.
3. It's expensive as hell to fly here. Prices for air travel have gone up quite a bit in the last year, but that's good for me since my job depends on the airlines making money. Air fares have been artificially low the past five years, half the reason the airlines are in the trouble they're in. However, Raleigh seems to be paying their fair share and then some. And among the worst? Southwest. I have yet to buy/recommend Southwest to anyone in and out of here because they are frequently the most expensive. My parents recently flew here on American, and that's not because I work for them... AA was the cheapest. SpyC is flying Northwest in a week and a half to Portland, OR for a wedding. Where's Southwest, our low fare leader? Jetblue has decent fares from here to New York, where you can then connect to many places. But their flights are often full and you can't even book a ticket. Ugh! And to think, American used to have a hub here. This place is sorely lacking adequate air service, and as a result, fares are artificially high.
4. Yes, this is the bible belt, yes this is the south, and yes there are a lot of churches here. However, Raleigh is a pretty progressive area for being in the south and the impact of religion on us has been minimal, if any at all. Although it's interesting to be in various establishments, like restaurants, and have them come over the loud speaker with opportunities to "keep and spread the faith."* For now I find it novel and laugh. So, it officially isn't a dislike yet, it's entertainment. But I'm sure that'll change, so I'll include it here.
* While eating at the Golden Coral with ma, pa, ma-in-law, grandma and SpyC a few days ago, the restaurant manager came over the PA with a notice of some religious athletic group that was performing that evening, and that if we didn't have anything else to do and wanted to "keep and spread the faith" we were invited to attend. Lovely. I think I'm busy.
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