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Image courtesy Andrew Sullivan.
1.“Fizzy” Geography
It may look, smell, and taste the same no matter where you are in the U.S., but even something as generic as soft drinks have been unable to escape the influence of geography. Did you know that the way you talk about the fizzy liquid may be completely different than how someone in another part of the state does? Whether it’s “soda,”“coke,” “pop,” or some combination of these, here’s a map depicting regional variations to soft drink classification.

*Editors note: Generational difference might be an additional variable to throw into the soda-quoting mix. As a Northeast local, I was surprised to discover older residents using the word “pop” on a recent trip to Buffalo (check the map, it’s in the blue section in the far western corner of New York state). My own grandparents from Boston use a term not highlighted here: “tonic.” But, neither my parents, nor my Boston-based friends under thirty say “tonic.” Hmmm…sounds like another research project to me!

2. One Rather Long Bike Trip
A few months ago, I heard a story about a young Geography professor who decided to take a leave of absence and fly to Siberia. But that was only the beginning. From there, he got hold of a bicycle and made a vow to keep peddling until he got all the way home--to London! From crossing the Australian continent to struggling through the jungles of Papua New Guinea, you can see just how far and wide his trip took him by reading his blog.

 3. Flat Stanley This article describes the Flat Stanley Project, which inspires grade schoolers around the world to explore geography and start up dialogue with individuals in foreign places. Wouldn’t it be great if we could fold ourselves up into an envelope and traverse the globe via the mail? Sure would be a bit cheaper than airline prices these days!

4. Hope this is a Joke
I found this interesting link waiting for me in an email yesterday. I tried to verify the legitimacy of the geography blunder, but was unsuccessful. That said, make sure to take the following dialogue with a grain of salt. Whether or not it actually ever happened, it is pretty funny—and shocking. And of course, we can all use a good laugh now and then!

5. One More Funny
Just because we’re all in a humorous mood here, check out this link as well: Overheard in D.C.: Geography Edition (as in “Washington, D.C., U.S.A”).

Hope you all had a great week! Next week, look out for guest blog #2 from children's book author Marissa Giamo.

Jeremy for My Wonderful World

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