Even though I live in Manhattan, which supposedly has everything, I’ve managed to defy the diversity/density odds and have absolutely no sense of “real America.” I’m constantly amazed by what I learn about the rest of the country. This must be because: 

a) I’m only friends with people who reinforce my opinions
b) I avoid discordant conversations
c) All of the above

Back when the whole Conan/Leno debate was blowing up, the real news to me was that more Americans preferred Jay to Conan. I have a lot of friends, and they were all Team Coco, therefore…  In 2004, I didn’t know a single person who voted for George Bush. And I still don’t know anyone against gay marriage, for Sarah Palin, or psyched about the Tea Party. (What *is* that, really?)

And then all of a sudden Conan’s got a deal with TBS.

So this year I am trying to understand my country a little better and make a new friend in each of the 50 states. So I am not so floored. So I am wiser. And because it seems like an awesome use of time!

[NOTE: I actually do have one friend who likes Sarah Palin, Tea Parties and George W. Bush. She read this and called me out on forgetting her! Embarrassing! But we met 17 years ago at a summer camp. Since then, I’ve not met a single person who broadens my horizons in that way.]