Twittering South Jersey
I love Twitter. And though it’s down more often than it’s up lately, I still love it.
Recently, I’ve really been enjoying the connections I’ve made via Twitter to my home in South Jersey/Philly.
My two favs are the Philadelphia Inquirer feed, and another by book author Jen Miller, a Jersey girl who covers the heck out of South Jersey (my old stomping grounds). Both give me a good mix of local news and local goings-on, in Twitter-style brevity.
And both make me envious, yet exceedingly proud of where I come from. It’s amazing how often I need to defend my homestate and town. I’ve lived in five cities since I moved away from Jersey, and Knoxville, Tenn. is where I’m most on the defensive. Oftentimes, I’m talking to people who’ve never even been to New Jersey. Sigh.
While I love my new home in Knoxville and the fabulous things it offers (free, live music, top-notch concerts, fantastic friends/co-workers/family), it’ll never replace New Jersey’s spot in my heart.
Today, I watched one part of a new video-blog, in which Miller travels the South Jersey shore. I loved it, because it makes South Jersey look exciting and beautiful. She also visits The Pier in Atlantic City, the most upscale shopping destination in that part of the state and my favorite new place to visit when I head home.
She’ll be travelling South in upcoming episodes and will eventually reach my hometown of Wildwood. I’m a little nervous to see that one, since I get the vibe she’s not a fan. Wildwood definitely has it’s tacky, tourist-trap parts. But I can’t wait to see if she plays that up, or if she looks at it’s best feature: HUGE, free, clean beaches.
Either way, all I can think about now is my trip down the Jersey shore later this month. Thanks, Twitter!
Why, thank you lauren! Glad you’re enjoying the twitter and the vlog series!
it makes me miss home. especially during the best time of year
Thanks, Lauren. It’s nice to be noticed. (@phillyinquirer, aka @ckrewson, aka Chris Krewson, Inquirer Exec Editor / Online News.)
Lauren…
I can relate to having to defend Jersey at every turn…”no…it’s not all refineries and toxic waste dumps…” and you’re right…most that assume as such have never been to Jersey…
Wildwood, huh? Tacky??? Touristy??? Try Seaside Heights, babe…where I spent most of my teenage summers either vacationing or when I got older lifeguarding at IBSP. (Island Beach State Park)
My grandparents had a house on the bay side in Ocean Gate…I hope to buy it back someday…
Thanks for the memories, girlfriend…make sure you get some pork roll when you go home!
Your South Jersey stomping ground wouldn’t be around Medford would it? Or is it specifically Wildwood? I knew a Jennifer Miller in Medford circa 1983-85. I wonder!
Funny you mention having to defend South Jersey in Knoxville. The Pine Barrens are so similar to the Smokies. And South Jersey is very similar to the Knoxville area. Shoot, we even share radioactivity levels!
@Doug: No. Wildwood is my stomping grounds and I’ve never been to Medford. I didn’t move to Jersey until 1984 so I doubt I know the same Jennifer Miller.
I’m glad you bring up the Pine Barrens. I’m going to need to flash that around next time I have to go on the defensive!