Keeping it Weird

I suppose I should have written this post a lot earlier, given that I left the city of Austin four months ago. I just didn't want to succumb to the general feeling you get upon leaving a place you've resided in for a long while, and come up with a predictably gushing post straightaway. I wanted to immerse myself in new surroundings, and let time and space provide some perspective. Well, they certainly have; I realise I miss Austin like hell.

I'm glad I spent the last two-and-a-half years studying in Austin, as opposed to a big city like New York or Chicago; I can't imagine a place being more tolerant of a slacker like me (in no way did that tolerance extend to my program of study, though). If anything, it was a bit too much like Bangalore. Being forced to live in a chaotic metropolis might have been better for me in terms of building up survival skills and street-smartness, but I'm not a believer in getting outside your comfort zone if you can help it. If circumstances were to dictate that I remain in the US for a long time - and I hope they don't - I would still rather live in ATX than anywhere else.

In Mohsin Hamid's book The Reluctant Fundamentalist, the Pakistani student protagonist sums up his feelings for New york thus: "I was, in four and a half years, never an American; I was immediately a New Yorker." I suppose I could talk about Austin in similar terms. For example, once when I was in the elevator of the Music Department, humming a classical piece I had just heard, the person just beside me asked me what tune it was and engaged me in a discussion - it was that sort of place.


The Highlights:

A great bunch of 'seniors' who helped us settle in during the first month. Besides going out of their way to help, they made excellent company which was just as well because I somehow never hit it off too well with the people who came in at the same time as me.

The incredibly good public transport system. Being a student I could get anywhere at almost any time of the day for free. It allowed me to get away with being too lazy to acquire a driver's license here.

Zilker Park and Barton Springs, though I didn't go there too often. Particularly memorable were the 4th of July fireworks and the Trail of lights festival.

Being part of the Acoustics Track in my graduate program, which meant belonging to a small but closely-knit community within the Department. Really nice people and some extremely good profs made those Friday Technical Seminars and occasional study sessions good fun. It's a pity I couldn't go on to do a PhD there, but I knew i wasn't cut out for it.

Dr.Wilson's microphone-twirling imitation of Roger Daltrey on the last day of the Transducers class.

Eve and the rest of the crowd at Antone's Record shop, who contributed generously to my cassette collection. Also, getting to watch Eve and the Exiles perform live at the store.

The visits to Half Price Books.

The Monday Jazz nights at Ming's. The food at Ming's deserves a mention too - they do such amazing things with eggplant/brinjal, I think I may have finally overcome my dislike of kathrikai curry and baingan bharta.

The nights spent playing RISK with the Blackstone gang, and later Ticket to Ride and other games with another crowd. My interest in Board Games has been rekindled.

Watching the urban Bat Colony emerge from under the avenue bridge at dusk.

Going to my first football game and cheering the Longhorns in the forty degree heat of September. And otherwise, encountering the legions of football fans decked out in burnt orange, either on their way to the game or setting up barbecues on the University lawns, on any given Saturday.

Hanging out with the Red River gang, jamming way into the night, singing rubbish and even playing the keys after a long time. They even got a strong warning for playing too loud one night!

My stint as the teaching Assistant for the Physics lab. Not only was it a great (and well-paying) job which made me revisit physics in a enjoyable way, it also got me acquainted with many American Undergrads whom I wouldn't have encountered otherwise.

Some of my students dedicating a song to me, to be sung to the tune of Afroman's Because I got high (The chorus went "Because of Suhas, because of Suhas). Too much!

The administrative staff at the Department. who were extremely helpful in dealing with the problems related to academia or paperwork.

My (retired) graduate advisor who was totally flexible with letting me decide what courses to take. I used to see him jogging around campus and was amazed how a person his age could keep himself so fit.

Driving through Barton Hills, with its stunning scenery and the occasional deer crossing our path.

Trivia nights at those Irish Pubs, and the other beer joints we frequented.

Trudy's, particularly for their seemingly bottomless Mexican Martini.

Roaming the crowded 6th on Friday nights, watching scores of undergrads getting drunk and acting silly.

Having Dr.Lo staying with us for two months. Among other things, he showed me how to eat with chopsticks.

The novelty of sitting down to a "no-holds-barred" exam, where we were allowed to bring in anything, even laptops!

The moment last year's election results were announced. I was on campus getting some work done at the time, when a bunch of liberally-inclined (and presumably inebriated) sorority girls nearby broke into a loud song whose chorus went "Obama! Obama!".

Watching all those indie-movies with Bulla and gang at the South by Southwest festival, which even featured live appearances by the cast and director themselves.

And a few regrets:

Not having made more effort to meet up or keep in touch with certain people.

Not taking the opportunity to learn something different, like kayaking or salsa or a new language, given the number of classes available in the Union.

Not making the effort to visit the Austin zoo.

Not visiting a typical Texan barbecue spot, such as Rudy's or the Salt Lick. With most of my friend-circle there being vegetarian, this was never really on the cards.

Not being able to catch Austin City Limits even once.

Intellectual Property closing down.

Not being able to further extend my stay at the University through the recession.

Not being able to land a job in Austin!

Current Music: Shakti - Lady L