Connecticut vs. New York: An Observation

I was born in the Bronx and raised in White Plains. I've been a Yankee fan for as long as I knew about the game of baseball. I worked in lower Manhattan, including that fateful day in September, 2001. I've worked in Times Square and in midtown. I pass through Grand Central every day.

I became a New York Yankee in Connecticut's Court in the summer of 2002. At first, I did not think there would be a significant difference between the two states. After all, Connecticut sits right next to New York and, like New Jersey, is a "suburb" state supporting the great city between them.

I was wrong.

Here is a sampling of the differences between New York and Connecticut life:

• In New York, one needs only to walk a few blocks to get great pizza. In Connecticut, one needs to drive to New York. Or wait in line for hours at Frank Pepe's in New Haven.
• In New York, you are never far from a good Kosher delicatessen. In Connecticut, the best pastrami sandwich is at your local diner.
• In Connecticut, you need to watch out for deer. In New York, it's potholes.
• In New York, the government officials are hard at work right now. In Connecticut, they're under house arrest.
• New Yorkers are in a constant state of rushing. Nutmeggers (people from Connecticut) have two speeds: slow and stop.
• I don't have an accent in New York.
• MetroNorth trains are clean, new and on time in New York. My New Haven trains are older than I am. And I'm thirty-five.
• It took but a few months to get the subway stations reopened downtown after 9/11. Milford's train station has been under construction since I moved there. And they are far from finished.
• New Yorkers think in terms of blocks. Nutmeggers (at least Milfordites) think in terms of which school your kids attend.
• Ask New Yorkers for the best Italian restaurant and you'll get more than a dozen answers. Ask Nutmeggers and Olive Garden gets mentioned.
• New York boasts more cuisines than any other city in America. But nowhere can you get a good lobster roll.
• In Connecticut, you cannot find Manhattan clam chowder.
• New York is split between Yankees and Mets. Connecticut between Yankees and Red Sox.
• In New York everyone is either from somewhere else or from Brooklyn. In Connecticut, if you're from somewhere else you are not to be trusted.
• Connecticut's coffee chain is Dunkin Donuts. New York's is Starbuck's.
• New York never sleeps. Everything in Connecticut, and I mean EVERYTHING, is closed by one in the morning.
• Connecticut has oyster festivals. New York has them by the half shell for $62.50.
• New York has the Knicks. Connecticut has the Huskies.
• New York is the "capital of the world." Connecticut is the capital of the insurance world.
• New York has taxis. Connecticut has minivans.

It's going on four years now that I'm living in the Constitution State. I still have much to get used to.