A brain cramp ensued when I went to the wrong section of the store for the filters. Could have been because the three Home Depots seemed to be configured slightly different. Most likely just another Senior Moment. Anyways as I was wandering around looking for the right aisle, I must have had a sufficient look of bewilderment such that one of the helpful associates pounced on me. I was proudly sporting my black Pirate hat with the Nike swoosh.
There are so many transplanted Pennsylvanians in NC and particularly in the Triangle. Penn State alone has almost 10,000 alumni living in NC and I seem to recall Pitt has roughly 5,000 (need to fact-check that) . Shared interests in sports teams from back home often spark exchanges like the one I had with the friendly Home Depot associate.
Him: Good afternoon Sir – Do you need any help finding something?
Me: Thanks – yes – air filters for my furnace and heat pump.
Him: Sure, they are right over here – let me walk you there. I notice your Pirate hat. They are having quite a nice year. I am originally from Philadelphia and a big Phillies fan.
Me: I am from Central PA and went to Pitt. Yeah, we are finally having some fun this summer after 20 long years – I hope it continues. Up until this year, the Phillies have had a good run of 5 or 6 years.
Him: Yeah, I like to see the small-market teams do well. I am so sick and tired of the Yankees and the Red Sox always in the playoffs and World Series.
I spent most of the period of my life between 1974 and 1983 passionately hating the Philadelphia Phillies, so I did chuckle a little bit internally at the end of that last exchange.
