Aunque yo también estoy enamorada de California, no dejo de reconocer que Austin estaba más bonito antes de que llegaran las oleadas de Californianos y Lousianos.
COMMENTARY: JOHN KELSO
Kelso: Californians think Austin had a cow- and chicken-based economy before they showed up
Kelso: Californians think Austin had a cow- and chicken-based economy before they showed up
By John Kelso
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
For the record, I don't hate people from California. I appreciate the culture. I am enough of a student of feng shui to know that the camper top goes in the side yard. I look pretty good in a hot tub until I stand up. And although I've never grilled a portobello mushroom, it is probably because I've never run out of meat.
For the record, I don't hate people from California. I appreciate the culture. I am enough of a student of feng shui to know that the camper top goes in the side yard. I look pretty good in a hot tub until I stand up. And although I've never grilled a portobello mushroom, it is probably because I've never run out of meat.
So let me explain that when I write in my column that I think you Californians should pack your bags and move back there, it's just my way of saying that I don't exactly love some of the changes you people have brought to this town. It's nothing personal. And what I really mean to say is move back to Oregon.
No, seriously, I do think we have a misunderstanding here between two peoples, and this phone call I got the other day from a Californian confirms it. Apparently, there are some folks from out that way who foolishly believe Austinites think what Californians have done to this town is an improvement.
Until this guy called, I didn't realize that not being able to see the Capitol from some spots downtown without climbing up a firetruck ladder was such a good thing.
"I was just reading your column, and I just want to say that as somebody who recently moved down here from California that I find some of your articles kind of comical and at the same time offensive," said a guy in a message on my voicemail. "You know, today's Austin has basically been built on California money. I think that we both know that, with all the new shopping centers, all the new roads that are being built, the new hospitals, your new Domain, your new condos that are going up in downtown, that's not Austin money that's built that. That wasn't built off of cows and chickens and whatever else it is you produce in Austin. That was built off of California money, off of Silicon Valley and technology and everything we do over there in California. Just wanted to let you know that. See you later, buddy."
Not if I see you first.
First, I'd like to address the misconception that Californians apparently have that before they got here, Austin had a cow- and chicken-based economy. There was a time when everyone in Austin had his own oil well. But then sometime around 1979, they went dry.
So everybody in town went out and got a real estate license.
The other misconception seems to be that Austinites just like the heck out of all the changes Californians have made for us by blessing us with their presence.
Let me get down on my hands and knees and thank you all for the valet parking and the fish tacos. I'm still waiting for the hand-gathered pork rinds. What's the holdup?
Kelso's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Contact him at 445-3606 or jkelso@statesman.com
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