Quote:
Originally Posted by Taltarzac725
Amazon.com
I recall going over the discussions about what is in the book Leisureville with a number of people at a local dog park. Most of the people seemed quite upset with the gross over- generalizations in much of it about the Villages.
The author did make some good points though about the governing of the Villages. Andrew D. Blechman - author of LEISUREVILLE and PIGEONS
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We live here in TV fifteen years, the first few as snowflakes, and was here when Andrew Blechman's LEISUREVILLE hit the stands and caused quite a stir. I contacted Blechman through his publisher and took him to task for his focus on Captain Midnight (you can guess), STDs, and transsexual Wendy (who happened to be a friend—we played trivia on the same team). Not a word about fundraising for various situations and good causes, nothing about volunteering at the hospital in spectacular numbers, no mention of entire neighborhoods looking out for a neighbor in need.
It turned out that his beef was with seniors removing themselves from their jhome communities where they still had a viable and important role to 'isolate' themselves in senior communities, and The Villages was the best one to use as an example because of its size and popularity. I reminded him that that was a nice thought BUT ... the job of God was taken already, that he (Blechman) wasn't qualified for it anyway, and that seniors did not need his criticism for choosing a lifestyle that they felt was appropriate for them.
I notified him several years later when Wendy died. He offered condolences and said she was a 'classy lady.' Indeed she was!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laker14
to the OP's question: Yes, I have, and the usual myths about STD's....
Similarly, a fair number of people I've met in TV wrinkle their noses in distaste when I tell them I am from New York and return there eagerly for the summer months. What they think they know about NY comes from political shows, movies, and NY City crime dramas.
Just like those who have negative opinions of TV, their opinions of NY are often devoid of any understanding of how large and diverse NY State is, geographically and politically.
There is no shortage of opinions based upon ignorance and misinformation, or at the very least, incomplete information. That ain't gonna change. You are free to engage or nor, depending upon your mood, and whether you think it's worth the effort.
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Thanks for a cogent, thoughtful post. I've found that many (most?) people who come from west and south of New Jersey think only of 'that big place down there' when they hear 'New York' and are clueless that New York State has areas of stunning beauty, awesome natural attractions, unique cultural offerings, and so much more. When I describe sunsets from our (now former) backyard—'over the ridge across the fields'—at times the response is 'In New York? Not possible!'
But as the quoted points out, there's no convincing anyone, nor should there be. You're absolutely right—;That ain't gonna change.''
