A Prairie Home Companion: May 9, 2009

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Saturday, May 9, 2009

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GK: North Carolina is a state of extremes – and pretty much everything in between. From the Outer Banks (SEAGULLS/SURF) and beautiful wind-swept homes (LOCK JAW: “Have another Mai Tai?”) to the Smokey Mountains (COUNTRY WOMAN: “Don’t mind the dogs on the sofa…”). From the ocean breezes (GENTLE WIND) of Kitty Hawk (LITTLE MOTOR FLY-OVER AND SMALL CRASH, FN OFF: “It kinda worked…”) to sounds of the towering banking and financial centers in Charlotte (GENTLE WIND, FN OFF: “It used to work…”).

A lot of people wonder where the famous Research Triangle came from. Its origins go way back to North Carolina men and boys who grew up experimenting: (SOUTHERN YAHOO: “Let’s blow it up, Bobby Lee!” EXPLOSION “WHOOOO!”) Generations of Southern men whose childhood hobby was blowing stuff up (“Put more on it, Bobby!” WHOOSH. EXPLOSION), who, as they grew up and attended fine Universities branched out into Barbeque (Want some more sweet tea? Put more on it, Robert! EXPLOSION).

There’s biking (BALL BEARINGS) and hiking (BIRDS/WIND) the Appalachian Trail (FOOTSTEPS to BEAR GROWL to VOICE: DUDE!) to NASCAR (SERIES OF CAR DRIVE BYS) and short track stock car racing (ENGINE REV/RAPID SLOW DOWN/CURVE, ENGINE REV/RAPID SLOW DOWN, ETC) and bustling cities like Charlotte (TRAFFIC JAM HORNS. “Come on! Move it!”)

And North Carolina is famous for it cooking. (FN WOMAN: “Naw, you go on and help yourself!”) and North Carolinians will eat anything if it’s barbequed or fried: (FN: “Jimmy you want another fried car part?” Um-mmm. I sure do love them barbequed lug nuts…)