Proud to be a Hoosier!

Subtitle: Today at work (instead of working). I decided to find out exactly what a person from Indiana is called.

In the state, I'm presently living in the natives are known as Iowans (although, I prefer calling them Iowanians...it rolls off the tongue like raspberry jelly). I asked a fellow employee of the Iowa City VA about Wisconsin (where she went to school) inferring their nickname is/are "Cheeseheads." False. She corrected me in saying they are called Wisconsinites!

This prompted me into a thought, I've been thinking, in my thought box, sitting a top my though shoulders (too much?). Are the people of Indiana (my so-called homestate) called anything besides "Hoosiers?" The reason I inquire? Well, when I tell people I'm a Hoosier (which is a new thing for me...if a genius like Vonnegut called himself a Hoosier, then it can't be that bad, right?). My problem is most people (especially in Big Ten land) assume I am associated with that abomination of a school in Bloomington (my hatred stems from the asshole basketball fans...and nothing more, actually). Nay. My loyalties are with Butler University (and to some extent The University of Iowa....football!).

With an extensive search (wikipedia), I could not find another name for a person from Indiana (no Indianan or Indianite or Indianian). Although, I did see a link to "People from Indiana." Intrigued, I clicked on the link and to my surprise...Jim Gaffigan is from Indiana (Chesterton to be exact). But that isn't why I am writing. I am writing today, because today (12/28/2009), I have never been more proud to be a Hoosier...

I am "birth state buddies" (wow, what a terrible description, ohh well...I'll keep it...cracks me up) with (this was in quotes when I found it and in quotes shall it remain)....(wow again, this "paragraph is riddled with parenthesis)

"Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever."

I am, of course, talking about Mel Kenyon!

Like learning about our American history with greats like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Jimmie Johnson (?), Hoosiers should delve into one of their greatests. Please enjoy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Kenyon