So, how much does a pint cost in...

When we traveled in the Czech Republic in 2002, we thought we were in paradise. I mean, it is a very lovely country, and they make fantastic beer, and a pint of it cost a mere 80 cents. Sadly, that figure has doubled now, but it's still a heck of a bargain.

The average price for a pint here in Austin is $3-4. Still reasonable, but I do so long for dollar pint nights at Waterloo.

Meanwhile, our friend Karla is languishing in Norway, where the average price of a public pint will set you back almost $12.00!

For the average Norwegian, the price of beer is comparable to how it was for us when we were poor, starving college students. To wit--- the average salary in Norway is 320,000 Kroner, and a bargain pint might cost 50 Kroner. Thus, before facing the formidable Norwegian tax system, a Norsky could buy 6,400 pints of beer with his/her annual earnings. That's EXACTLY how many 75-cent Shiners I could have bought back in college with the money my folks sent me each year! Coincidence? I think not!

By comparison, the average American can afford to do a lot more bellying up here in the land of the free. Our average annual salary is $26,000* which can pull in 8,666 local pints before taxes.
Now, that's what I call an investment!

Check out more global pint prices here.

Grim footnote: With the current dismal exchange rate, the 320,000 Kroners the average Norwegian earns translates into $63,000 here.

*True average is more like $43,000 in the US, but this is thrown off by all the super fat cats. Take five blokes who make $15K and one who makes $200K, and the average of the group is over $45K. A bit misleading.

Hazard a Guess?

Can you complete the list below?

Fastest Growing Cities in the United States

1. New Orleans
2. Victorville, California
3. McKinney, Texas
4. North Las Vegas
5. Cary, North Carolina
6. Killeen, Texas
7. Port St. Lucie, Florida
8. Gilbert, Arizona
9. Clarksville, Tennessee
10. ??????????????

These Feet Were Made for Walking...

I don't know what I think about this recent offering.

It seems to be based on a program that ignores a lot of factors that are really important for the would-be walker, like a major highway or perhaps an impassable river. Case in point-- our local HEB is exactly two miles away by car, but Walkscore places it at only half that distance-- obviously taking the measurement "as the crow flies".

Still, it's worth a look, and it certainly seems to aimed at promoting a worthy cause.

And, by the way, our neighborhood scores an abysmal 14 points. It also sports at least 3 Hummers (amid an ocean of other SUV's), one of which has a custom-made Barbee wrap. Lord save us all!

How do we cope? Why, by reciting this mantra, of course! "Good schools, no crime, close to work. Good schools, no crime, close to work. Good schools, no crime, close to work. Good schools, no crime..."

Southern Town, Belgian Beer, Norwegian Price

Just got back last night from a fantastic family trip to North Carolina. More postings on that in the near future.

We found ourselves in Memphis Saturday evening at about supper time with two hours until boarding time, so we sauntered into a Memphis Blues-themed restaurant right there in the airport and had a real, sit-down meal right amidst all the hustle and bustle of a cross country sojourn with kids in tow.

The menu was promising, and the prices seemed reasonable---- for the locale. Just down the concourse they were selling single BBQ sandwiches for $7.50, so an entree on a real plate with real side dishes for $9.99 seemed like a steal. Consequently, I ordered a .5 litre (normal pints are about .4) glass of Stella Artois, which they had on tap. There was no price listed, which should have raised my suspicion. Should have.

Oh well, it was the end of our vacation, and the beer tasted like the very nectar of the gods... so golden, so crisp, so mellow and round. Mila happily helped me make it disappear, and then we decided to order another one.

The punchline: each beer cost $9.49. Do the math.

Ha ha!

Beware Hester's Crossing

May 30th was the last day of school. Because Mila was heading to a scrap-booking "crop" that evening, I picked up both girls and was looking forward to a quiet evening at home--- a nice way to inaugurate the summer.

When I got in, I saw that there was a message on the answering machine. It was Mila who, in a rather calm voice said, "Hi, Honey. I'm at the corner of Hester's Crossing and Rawhide, behind La Frontera... I think I pretty much totalled the van." And a bit more. Borrowed cell phone. Hope you get this message so you can come pick me up.

So, off I went, expecting to turn at Hester's Crossing and have to scan for Mila walking down a grassy slope from a parking lot where she and the other driver had maybe parked to share information and wait for the police. She would be waving her arms so that I would see her. I mean, she was so calm about everything. Certainly it wasn't too bad.

In the event, when I turned on the Hester's Crossing I saw a huge fire engine blocking the traffic and two police cars with their lights flashing. In the center of the intersection there was a white ambulance, also with blue lights ablaze. Presently our van hove into sight, merged front-to-front with a new white Dodge Calibre. The asphalt was wet with all sorts of liquid that was leaking from both vehcles.

As I got closer I saw that the airbags had deployed--- a most surreal vision. There had obviously been a pretty serious impact.

Mila was fine (thank goodness!) as so was the other driver (double thanks!)

Once all the formalities had been attended to, the wrecker hauled our fatally wounded van up on a flatbed and lugged it over to a loading area behind La Frontera for us to go over it like a pack of jawas picking out valuables and transferring them to our Nissan.

I took this picture when it was up on the wrecker, and I was later disappointed because the angle de-emphasizes the extent of the damage (windshield was cracked by the hood, Mila could barely open driver's side door, the exhaust system had dropped down and been shoved toward the rear) but, really, getting the perfect shot was quite far from my mind. In the end, there was only one thing that mattered as far as this whole incident was concerned.

Strong Voice Silenced Bright Light Dimmed

Austin native Shannon Leigh, 20, who began to rock the local slam poetry scene when she was only 14, has been in critical condition in a Florida hospital since a diving accident about three weeks ago. Today's paper says there are no longer any signs of brain activity and they are only keeping her on life support until her boyfriend can get there to say good-bye.

I am posting this video not for its content so much as for its sheer brilliance, most especially in light of her youth. When I was twenty I was incapable of anything of the sort.

Still am.