Addendum to Texas

My observation on Texas being conservative, and Austin not, has caused some confusion which must be cleared up. It sounds like I support Austin seceding from Texas. I do. Not because I want to be in a liberal Austin, but because I would like to keep Texas pure. I guess I think of myself as a Texan more than an Austinite.

Texas

We have now been in Texas for 4 months, and it is probably time for me to post a blog about my impressions and observations.

Is everything truly bigger in Texas? Unfortunately, no. But almost everything is. Including addresses. Our current address is 12610 Riata Trace Pkwy Apt 338, Austin, Texas, 78727. Our former address was 258 N 400 W Apt 3, Provo, Utah, 84601. See how much longer it is? 51 characters (plus spaces) to 37. You might think this is a strange thing to notice, or care about. It is. But the reason I noticed is because one of the things that is not bigger in Texas is the address line on forms, slips, etc. I can never fit our entire address into the space that is provided! It reminds me of a Calvin and Hobbes, posted below.

Another thing that is bigger in Texas: the ethnic population. We ate at CiCi's the other day, a pizza buffet. We were the only whities in the place for about forty-five minutes, when another of us showed up.

Texans are very polite and friendly. An example: I take the bus from my research campus to the main campus, and as we get off the bus every single person thanks the bus driver for driving us around, like he is doing it out of the goodness of his heart. The first time I noticed this I assumed that everybody had some kind of in with the driver. It's like getting off an airplane, where the flight attendants and pilots say goodbye to every passenger. Reminds me of two movies, clips below.

Only the first 10 seconds or so.

A couple of weeks ago I was entering the grocery store, when I heard a man ask a lady who was about to leave the parking lot if she was a roller derby girl. She had two kids, had to be 38 or so. She said yes. Awesome.

Today is Dec 7th. When I left for work, there was some frost on the cars. For the first time since we moved here. December 7th. First frost. Wonderful.

We all know that Utah drivers are bad, right? At least that is what those of us not from Utah say. Turns out Texas drivers are just as bad. Or maybe even worse. It's a good thing it doesn't snow much here, or else there would be complete chaos.

If you move to Texas you have 90 days to register your car in Texas. Costs like $100. Lame.

Texans drink a lot of beer. And probably other alcohol, too.

Texas is very conservative. Austin is not. A bumper sticker I saw: "If Texas can secede from the Union, can Austin secede from Texas?" Given the option, I would cede to Austin's desire to secede.

That is all I can think of for right now. Probably I will think of more in the future, and then I will write a sequel blog.