Where am I supposed to buy underwear?! and other concerns of small-town living

Last night, while out to a lovely dinner in Olean, my parents and I decided we would head to Buffalo the next day (today) to go shopping for a few things I mentioned that I could use. When we returned to the Mountain and I had gone up to my room for the night, I googled the exact drive time from here to Buffalo and found it to be 1 HOUR AND 53 MINUTES. Not really enough to make a trip worth it, as we couldn't leave until 12 and I had to be back for a 5:30 meeting on campus. When I told my mom this morning, she was appalled and insisted that there had to be SOMETHING nearby (there is Wal-Mart, Target and a semi-decent Old Navy in Olean). Well we looked for Macy's, Target, Kohls, and found nothing within a reasonable distance. If I didn't think I was isolated before, I know it now. Not that these things are necessarily all that fulfilling to me, but I would like to be able to buy some decent underwear.

While reflecting on all of this on the way home from campus this evening, I realized that the only place I really go is campus, and occasionally Tops. I see a lot of people, and I haven't really had the desire to go anyplace else except in cases where I could see certain people I miss. Lately, though, I have been getting antsy. I can't explain it really, but the feeling comes as a result of not really feeling like myself. Now that I am getting over the discomfort of my various transitions, I'm starting to want to stretch my wings a little and do something life-affirming. The last time I acted on my antsy-ness, Mo and Katelyn joined me in painting a room in our house starting at 8 pm one fateful Sunday night. I don't know where it's going to lead me this time, but I feel an adventure coming on. Maybe another piercing...(just kidding Mom and Dad!)

So, there's no place to buy underwear, the nearest city is about 2 hours away, and I am surrounded by pro-gun propaganda. The other day I saw a bumper sticker with a picture of a handgun that read, "I'd rather have one and not need it than need one and not have it." I was struck by the use of the word "need," and can't get the wording out of my head. I cannot think of a single situation in my life in which I have NEEDED a gun. Perhaps I haven't lived long enough, and maybe things are rougher than I thought out in the country, but I find it hard to understand the need one would have for such a weapon.

I'm sure the ranting about small town life will continue at a later date, but for now I am out of rants. I suppose I should thank God that these are the only problems with where I'm living and then shut my mouth. So thanks, God, and good night!