Now that I call Southern California home, it's interesting to note all the little quirks that are specific to the Golden State, and particularly Los Angeles. Movies set in LA are so much more fun to watch now when I recognize some of the locales and understand the inside jokes (see "Clueless," or "Swingers"). In the same spirit of one of my previous posts about being from Mississippi, I'd like to share this list that was passed on to me about my adopted home state:

You know you live in California when:

You drive next to a Porsche and don't notice.

You don't know anyone's phone number unless you check your cell phone.

You speak Spanish, but you're not Mexican.

You begin to "lie" to your friends about how close you are when you know that it'll take you at least an hour to get there.

You drive to your neighborhood block party.

In the winter you can go to the beach and ski at Big Bear on the same day.

You can mow your lawn in your shorts on New Years Day, and get sunburned.

You eat a different ethnic food for every meal.

Calling your neighbors requires knowing their area code.

You don't stop at a STOP sign, you do a California Roll.

You've partied in Tijuana at least 3 times and you don't remember at least 1 of them.

You go to a tanning salon before going to the beach.

You eat pineapple on pizza.

You think that Venice is a beach.

You classify new people you meet by their Area Code. An "818" would never date a "562" and anyone from "323" or "213" is ghetto. Best area code: "949/714”.

Nobody likes anyone from the "909/951" because it stinks there.

You call 911 and they put you on hold.

The gym is packed at 3 pm...on a workday.

You know that if you drive two miles in any direction you will find a McDonald's or a Starbucks.

You know what "Sigalert", "PCH", and “The Five" mean.

You know the meaning behind the name of the 405 freeway.... because it takes 4 hours to get one way, and 5 hours to get back.

It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH".

Your monthly house payments exceed your annual income.

The Terminator is your governor.