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The sky was dotted with those strange clouds that seemed placed at non-random intervals almost giving you a sense of perspective in the sky. Somehow I’ve seen such clouds only in Texas. Something about the large sky, I presume. The clouds all seem to coalesce around the setting sun making it one of the prettiest sunset in recent days. We decided to extend our leisurely walk by going to the Starbucks around the corner armed with some reading material that would keep us occupied as we saw the setting sun. Now, the setting sun doesn’t exactly go down between the hills but it does in fact, behind the ever-busy and perennially under construction Texas Avenue with HEB Groceries and the looming water tower; not exactly your picturesque foreground. Yet the brilliance of the evening colors make it worthwhile. Thousands of birds are milling around noisily. There is scarcely any room on the overhanging wires where the birds seem to join us in watching the sunset.
Now, a quick mention about this particular Starbucks. It must be the only one in the nation that is located next to an indoor shooting range. I swear to God (or FSM). Only in Texas would you go shoot a few rounds while you sip on your low-fat soy milk latte. This strange occurrence actually came during my committee meeting few days back. Incidence of gentrification which is part of my dissertation, is closely related to location of Starbucks at least according to some studies out there. But then that population is definitely not likely to frequent a shooting range but then again, this is Texas where anything is possible. To top off the strange occurrences, I happened to spot my old car in the parking lot. The guy I sold it to was sitting outside the cafe but didn’t recognize me although I’m sure my car would have honked if it could. But I do get occasional reminders in form of parking tickets. Numerous requests to Texas A&M’s Transportation Services to update their records to reflect a change in ownership has fallen on deaf ears.
Anyway, the pleasant weather didn’t take long to change. The temperature fell overnight as rapidly as the stock market up north in NYC. I had to brush off the dust from my jacket and retire my summer shorts. We had only a week of fall weather before heading straight into winter (anything below 60F is winter in Texas).
by Patrix | on Wednesday, October 24th, 2007 at 12:00 pm | 
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October 24th, 2007 at 7:30 pm reply
When I was at A&M for a post-doc interview, I had asked one of the undergrads working in the lab about what they do for entertainment around College Station - the shooting range was the first thing - possibly the only, cant remember now- he mentioned ! Oh and the nice waitress at the breakfast place (Texas-style buffet of course) did ask me if I had visited the main tourist attraction - The George Bush library. :)
October 24th, 2007 at 9:30 pm reply
Bongo, incidentally that Starbucks location feature can go either way depending on the individual. A true Texan will truly dig it. And yup, The George Bush Library can be considered at the top tourist attraction. Now you would be surprised that the town has a renowned winery nearby as well.