So much diversity here, it's amazing!
Also, so many people from California...guys, we may have already met and we'd have no idea LOL (That's where I'm from, too, by the way).
And if I could put my two cents into the discussion why Americans say their city or state instead of the country (even though it might be a dead topic at this point lol)... I believe it's because each state is surprisingly VASTLY different. Seriously, you drive from New York to Massachusetts and it's almost as if you are in another country. In California, you drive from Los Angeles (where I am) up to San Francisco, and it's like you're in a different country LOL!
I believe we say our state rather than "the USA" or "America" because when those terms are thrown out what people automatically assume is some fat redneck drinking beer and waving a gun around - and most of us do not want to be perceived that way
And @yuliusefferven I will gladly move to NZ and join you as a comic creator from there haha! (I've always wanted to visit)