Big Cities, Bright Lights

Big cities and bright lights does not make for being hip. This seems contradictory to Leland's earlier view of hip being about knowledge and abducting the views of others.

Yes, living in the big cities, knowing the 'street smarts' to get by, including, but not limited to, city fashion, the right places to go and to stay away from, things to do and see, or what type of city transportation you should stay away from, may intertwine with both of his views.

However, does this not also apply in the rural areas? They have a special knowledge of where they come from. Are they not hip because they are not in the spotlight?

Try telling this to the farmer that grows the organic foods that are hip to eat right now. Or the marijuana grower that produces the hemp that makes the clothes that are trendy, (among other things that this is used for that keeps the city folk happy). Or try telling Peek A Boo Street, whom lived in one of the smallest towns in Idaho, that her gold medal isn't hip.

These people do not live in the bright lights of the cities. But yet, they can survive if they did. Few city people however, could survive the country. Who is hip know?

Are small towns and rural people really not considered hip or possibly the reason for being hip?

It seems to me, that maybe it's the city and urbanization, that is chasing the 'hipness' of rural life and knowledge, rather than the other way around.

Say it how you mean it!

This is what you shall do.....

You shall stand up and take ownership of who you are and what you do. You shall own your own thoughts and actions

Do not be trapped by those that try to impose their views upon you. You should listen to what they have to say, but do not cave to them and change how you think or who you are until you see fit or are enlightened enough to do so.

Grasp life by the horns and enjoy it! Life is but a fleeting moment in time that may pass you by if you are not careful, leaving you spinning and wondering WTF!

You must respect everything and everyone around you, including yourself. In order to obtain respect, you must first give respect. Hold on to your integrity, for that is all we will leave this earth with.

Always remember that there are others less fortunate than yourself. Do not be fooled by society's mind frame of 'every man for himself'. This is selfish.

Things that are misunderstood, are always crushed by those who do not understand. Live above this bigotry. Fight for your right to choose, and never take this right from others. It is OK to agree to disagree.

'Hip' Personified

If 'hip' could be personified, it's name and image would be Cephus Arthur Wright. He was born March 7th, 1917, in Monroe County, Iowa.

He was the son of a Conferederate Army deserter and, plantation owner. Typical in looks, as many "perfect race" Germans go in the eyes of Hitler. Average build, light colored hair and, baby blue eyes. Add in a tenacious zest for life, mixed with a little bullheadedness ( if that is a word), and you have Cephus Wright.

Cephus lived in a time when 'hip' and 'hipster' was not a cool thing to be part of, as Leland would suggest, unless you were white and trying to 'whiten' the black culture.

As he grew up, hip changed in many of its phases and, he was witness to most of it. However, Cephus was always his own person. Laid back, took no bullshit from anyone, but was fair to everyone.

To this day, he has remained the same. He quietly listens to what you have to say, but will intersect his opinion if he deems necessary, whether you like it or not. He holds no punches and always says, "The true hurts".

On this note however, everyone wants to be around him. They want to hear his honesty and emulate what he stands for.

His knowledge of life, the world and all sports, is astronomical and to be envied. He makes his own footprints of coolness, while holding on to the nebulas of his own 'hipness'. Unbeknownst to him, people atuomatically follow in these footprints.

Cephus is ninety four years old, he had 12 children, 69 grandchildren, and 106 great grandchildren. All of which has said "When I grow up, I want to be like him"

Cephus Wright is the epitome of 'Hip', and I am very proud to say that Cephus is my Grandpa.

Are seasons Hip also?

We have been discussing what 'hip' means, it's origin and where it is now. Which is all good, however, a few questions have popped in my mind.

If 'hip' is knowledge, style, or a subculture, could seasons also be considered 'hip'?

Meaning, that some people like living in places where it is sunny all year long and some where there is snow.

But, do some people living where there is sun year around consider places that have a white Christmas more 'hip' than where they are, and vice versa. Do we envy the year around sun, do to the fact that it is a season we do not have. The 'grass is always greener'...blah, blah, blah.

A person has to have special knowledge and attire to live through different seasons. We certainly could not wear snowboarding clothes and have snow tires in Florida. Nor would they understand what it would be like or smell like to be in a winter inversion. Likewise, they could not come here and expect to be in a swimsuit year around. Well, I guess they could if they wanted to freeze their...never mind.

Anyway, if being 'hip' is so subjective, where does it begin and where does it end? Why can't seasons be more 'hip' than the other?

Just food for thought...