First off, I survived 2 Girls 1 Cup. That's the last we need to discuss on that one.
Besides, the 1 cup deal was not that bad... Snuff Film Paul has sent me videos of a Russian soldier getting murdered, a horse raping, a Mexican police station suicide and the Nick Berg beheading video. Two girls is a cake walk in comparison.
I have discussions with coworkers regarding relocating. One of my buds was looking at a move to Colorado but when we got down to it we could not peg down the EXACT reasons of why a move to an area like that is better.
Look at the schedule LP and I have (as most working folks with kids). You work out indoors before work at 4.30am, you scramble to get the kids to school, work all day, scramble to pick up kids from school, eat dinner, head to bed. So how is that different in Memphis v. any other area in the country. Even if you have unlimited options in activities and scenery, when do you actually get the time to enjoy them?
But I think I've nailed some reasons and they're kinda inner-twined.
If you're in business, any kind of business, you will serve a particular population. And in many cases that population, in turn, dictates how your career will proceed-- the knowledge you specialize in, etc.
So what's the population of Memphis? I'm not hatin' I'm just saying. In large part the population can be generally defined as less affluent, less educated and horrendously fatter than other places I'd prefer to live. And I think those 3 factors occur in unison more times than not.
Medical care-- So I enjoy being active, but my knee has been giving me issues. In a town where docs are used to seeing obese, inactive individuals they typically don't know how to handle an active, athletic individual with a less than common problem. My PT verified this. As a runner from Jacksonville, FL she felt that doctors here do not understand the needs of highly active individuals.
Outdoor activities-- if your population is not so interested in getting off the couch then your infrastructure will be built in a manner to match. There is a dearth of parks (though Shelby Farms is kick ass), bike/walking/hiking paths and other forms of outdoor activity. However, fast food restaurants and good roads to deliver more televisions abound. And I think this is all circular. Without good facilities to promote exercise people will continue to stay inactive.
Healthful food choices-- When my friend Brian Loflin moved to Boulder he instantly lost 20 pounds. How? The availability of high quality natural and organic food was very good. Eating well was as simple as stopping at one of many whole foods stores on the way to or from work. In Memphis, you better know how to cook every recipe with copious amounts of barbeque.
General life happiness-- So you're trapped in an inactive locale without many options for healthful eating or activity. Best case scenario you're just content with it (my wife for example) or you're a maniacal rage-aholic (me, for example). You only need to see how aggressive Memphis drivers are to understand how wound up and stressed out they are.
