I’ve recently rediscovered Austin’s talk radio stations
online, and I’m so grateful.
First, it’s just nice to hear someone else drawl. The
Midwest has their own version of a drawl, but it’s not the same thing as a good
Texan “y’all”. And people say ‘y’all’ on this station and no one pokes fun at
them for it! I find that so very refreshing.
Secondly, I get to hear about Austin’s politics again. Being
the state capitol, media is more attuned to details in Austin than the rest of
the state. I lived in Lubbock for five years, and while big state government
debates were covered briefly, it was nothing like the in-depth probing of the
issues I’d become spoiled to while living near Austin. And it doesn’t stop with
state issues. Local government, from what the Travis Co. District Attorney said
to the latest “green” idea from the current mayor are all discussed.
Which leads me to the most important, biggest, penultimate
reason I love to listen to Austin’s news radio station: I feel plugged in
again. It reminds me of the atmosphere of the city, which is like no other.
Austin is comprised of old-school Texans who can trace their heritage back to
the Alamo, (South Austin), to tech-industry yuppies and their half-caff soy
lattes, (North Austin), college students who are out to change the world,
(University of Texas), and a vibrant and growing community of artists, (SXSW
anyone? Or Austin City Limits? Ring any bells?). This eclectic mix of cultures has always made me think Austin
is Texas’s little NYC, only friendlier.
I love Texas, from the vast flatlands in the panhandle, to
the mountains of West Texas, to the quiet pine forests in East Texas, and to
the vibrant Mexican-American culture in South Texas. Austin takes all that is
unique and beautiful in this great state and squeezes them into its borders. That
is what I most miss, here in Indiana.
And Tex-Mex.
I’d kill for some enchiladas I didn’t have to make myself,
but that’s a rant for another day.
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