The "Real World"

I spent some time today thinking about the mythical "real world" that happens after college. I really hope this isn't it. I've decided to compare and contrast my idea of the Real World and this experience.

Real World: People get up in the morning and go to work. They come back in the evenings, relax, and go to bed.
Montana: People get up whenever they do and might go to work. Just because they're on the schedule does NOT mean they feel an obligation to be there on time, or at all for that matter. They get back approximately whenever their shift ends (assuming they went), eat, go out and get in a fist fight, drink some more, wobble back in at some awful hour, and collapse (hopefully into their bed).
Real World: Newspapers tell news. Magazines spread either gossip about celebrities or more news.
Montana: Newspapers have a headline article about a local cancer survivor who participated in a Walk-a-thon, a list of short bios of all that year's high school graduates, and a heartwarming store about a man mauled by a bear and his park ranger savior reuniting five years later. Magazines with tips on hunting, fishing, and "how to find the perfect ATV" are the most popular.
Real World: At the grocery store, people buy milk, eggs, bread, vegetables, meat, and other assorted food products.
Montana: At the grocery store, people buy beer and cigarettes.
Real World: People gravitate toward family life - marriage, children, settling down.
Montana: People run away from family life. Instead, men have multiple girlfriends and/or wives and/or friends with benefits. And women the opposite. Well, except for some women... This is until they reach a certain age, approximately 55, when they decide to marry or enjoy bachelor(ette)hood permanently.
Real World: Radio features advertisements for All State Insurance and McDonalds. Radio contests give away concert tickets.
Montana: Radio features advertisements for crop hail insurance and bear spray. Radio contests give away tickets to the next rodeo. Each radio station features a weekly talk show with a local fishing expert who gives advice on when and where to go fishing that week.
Real World: Shopping involves a choice of which store to go to and often involves malls, outlet stores, or other shopping centers.
Montana: Shopping involves a choice between JC Penny's and Norman's Western Wear. And most people choose the latter.

in other news, the animal count is now: deer (5), red fox (6), mountain goats (22), snakes (1), moose (0), bears (3)
Miles hiked so far (approx): 71

One last entertaining tidbit: The lodge is currently hosting about 30 German tourists in the middle of a cross-country motorcycle voyage. They're a boisterous bunch all identically clad in black, leather Harley Davidson gear, shouting German phrases across the parking lot, and (of course) buying a lot of beer. Also, I saw an SUV earlier this week with enormous bison horns.