Chilling in Texas

I the somewhat dubious case that anyone wonders what has become of me the past few days.. I am in college station Texas chilling with a couple college chums. They are brothers. Not much is happening. Just a few philosophical discussions of earth shattering import and more than a few episodes of Far Scape, an incredibly improbable and scientifically insulting bit of sci-fi drivel. However, it is quite entertaining. Sometimes that is all that I ask.

Some observations on Texas so far. My apologies to anyone who has been here themselves or, lacking that, has acquaintances who have. Texas is huge. No really it is huge. If you can distinguish two places as separate points on a map; plan at least a day for the travel. The other thing that I can say for Texas is that they have 70 mph speed limits on fairly normal country roads. Without that the above mentioned travel day would easily become two.

As for everything in Texas being bigger and/or better? Rubbish. Absolute rubbish. The trees are stunted, the apartments small (at least all the ones I have stayed in), and compensation by pick-up truck is a disease. (To a particular family member in a somewhat eastern state: You go right ahead and get that truck)

I think that the Ford F-150 must be the state animal or something. Of course the pick-ups are no bigger here than anywhere else, just less necessary. I could head out across the fields in my escort and never fear I would hit anything bigger than a long horn laid mud pie. Although I must admit my ability to intimidate pedestrians is somewhat lacking.

On the other hand they don't have a state income tax here (I suppose a dollar per acre property tax would pay off the national debt)

So that's it so far. Admittedly I have not seen much of Texas; just a six hour stretch of it anyway. I may have may be gushing about it before the end and I do like those shiny belt buckles. You know. The really big ones.

Sam's Summary

• Texas is Huge