hat tips

I finally got a phone. Style should no longer be cramped.
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A peculiar trait of my ongoing reintegration into my own culture has been, well, a lack of any culture shock or depression or whatever else I told all those SN's they'd suffer from. I haven't yet pinpointed why this might be, but I have a few ideas.
1) I had a pretty clear idea of what to expect. I knew, as George (I think) once said, I'd see nothing new, but feel a lot of change. And I braced as best I could for some of the less-awesome comments I knew would come. Coming back to a place like Madison makes it extra easy.
2) My friends. As many of my friends have or currently are travelling, many of us have just come back from some sort of adventure or maintain correspondence whilst in transit. This makes a nice venue for the exchange of stories and all dialoge that comes post-trip. This, I think, is the biggest reason my return has been so smooth. I went out a few nights back with a few associates less world-oriented, and, I can tell you, had they been my primary friends and support network, I'd be going through some serious shock and awe. International topics and travel just aren't on their radar, and those are things I need right now. One night was enough. And so, cheers to my friends and the lubrication they've knowingly or unknowingly glossed over this potentially rugged path.