Lone Star State

I’m currently in the lobby of SXSW in Austin, Texas.
After a bit of travel, I have arrived. For the flights I decided to not wear my contacts, since I would probably not be able to sleep with them on and my eyes would be worn out way too early. I wore my glasses. I don’t wear my glasses in public much, mainly because I can’t see well with them on. At home, I can watch TV, but I can’t read words on the screen from even the couch.
Now I was traveling with this vision. You take for granted that you can read the signs and monitors at the airport. To read everything, I had to either squint up at it for a bit or ask some one to read it to me. Now, I’m an outgoing guy, and I don’t mind talking to strangers, btu I could see what went through people’s mind when I asked for help. They thought either I was really blind or I was slow and illiterate. In either case, I felt very strange. Not at all like the hardy traveler I picture myself.
On to Texas, a couple thoughts.
1) It’s a much wider sky. Logically I know that the sky looks bigger because there are fewer buildings and trees, but it sure *feels* like a bigger sky.
2) Frontage Roads – These roads are designed to let the locals know who is from out of town since they see us making plenty of U-turns and pulling over to look at maps.
3) Construction – Austin is one big construction zone. Cranes, dust, red cones, and hard hats are everywhere….
OK, time to leav cyberspace and jack back into the real world. Later.