It Came From Springfield

One of the things I have not had a chance to mention about being with family members in Missouri was how one of my cousins was absolutely gushing about how wonderful her native Springfield is. (She could have passed for one of the civic promoters of Blaine, Missouri, in Waiting for Guffman.)

Besides being able to brag that native son Brad Pitt often brings Angela and the babies in tow, she claimed that it will soon be nationally announced that her Springfield is, in fact, the one where the Simpsons live. She said this with twinkling eyes and absolutely no hint of irony. I don't think irony plays well in the Show Me State.

Funny, though, that with the Simpsons movie coming out and a dozen or so 7-11s being converted into Kwik-E-Marts, I don't see a single one in Missouri or any of the nation's Springfieds. And as if that weren't enough, I have to drive all the way to Mountain View to get a Squishee and stock up on my Krusty-O's.

UPDATE: Well, whaddya know, cousin Dianne was wrong. Springfield, Vt., won out on this, and thus booming Springfield, Mo., will not have the honor of hosting The Simpsons movie premiere. Just makes you want to cry into your six-pack of Duff's beer, don't it?