I live in Delmar.

Despite having lived in my apartment for almost a month I still have a hard time saying those words. I am almost embarrassed to tell people that I moved, as I don’t feel like I live in Delmar nor do I embrace the values of suburban life.

I am not the man in the gray flannel suit. I’m not caught up by conspicuous consumption. I don’t live for a new suit or the nicest SUV on the block. I’m quite happy living modest, and wearing one of my beat up old cowboy hats. My sole focus in life is not to try to advance my career and to be better then everybody else. I’m quite happy being myself. I’m not placid. I’m out trying to change the world for the better.

I realize that there are diverse groups of people who live in suburban areas, and it’s not just about expensive houses covered with tacky vinyl siding. Yet, it’s very difficult for me to overcome my stereotypical notion of the over-educated unthinking suburbanite. People who live in suburbs are supposed to live unreality, and be totally isolated from the real world. And that is not me.