The Lone Star State

My recent trip was indeed fun though it was once again rainy (I think every time I've been to Texas it's rained. For a state in a drought, it's really bad timing or I have become some sort of reverse human divining rod.) If I had been needing a boost in self esteem, this trip would have perked me right up.

Starting with the bus driver on the airport route who found my solo presence and conversational ability so utterly delightful he passed by three stops, with passengers waiting, to get me to my destination. I hadn't realized he had other stops to make but he was not in the least bit concerned. It was very funny and he made sure to drop me off right at the crosswalk so I didn't have to walk too far. It was very sweet.

Then there was the homeless man who stopped in his tracks and declared me the "most beautiful woman" he had ever seen. I appreciated the novel approach to panhandling and was happy to take the compliment. It didn't get him a donation from me but it made me smile.

The icing on the cake was the TSA agent standing on the opposite side of the metal detector. I had already performed the Tetris game of putting all your stuff in as few bins as possible and was padding to the other side in my stocking feet, boarding pass in hand. As I got through the metal detector the agent gave me my boarding pass back, grabbed my hand in his latex gloved hand (which I will admit freaked me out just a smidge) and declared that when he "sees perfection" he must "reach out and touch it". I will admit it took me a second to figure out what the heck he was talking about before I got that he meant me! While it was oddly flattering, I was getting worried watching my stuff make it's way down the conveyor belt.

The parts of my trip that occurred between these three interesting men were also enjoyable. I got to catch up with a friend I don't see as often as I'd like and got to make acquaintance of some new friends. I ate great food, saw a wonderful photography exhibit at the Austin Museum of Art , walked around and very much enjoyed a few days away.