Road Words: Delenda Est Starbucks

It has been barely a year since I've been in Austin, and already there seem to be far more Starbucks than before. I fear that soon, Austinites will drive their Starbucks to the Starbucks in an effort to purchase more Starbucks.

Don't get me wrong — I've already patronized Starbucks once today and I doubt it will be the last time. But there they are, all around. Another oddity — the aforementioned Texas Young Democrats convention hotel is the Radisson, at Cesar Chavez and Congress, on the water. It is a Nice Hotel, but the traditional hotel bar has been replaced by a TGI Fridays. That is fine for those of us in the market for Jalapeno poppers and potato skins, but it is hard to look pensive and journalist-y when your whiskey is delivered by someone wearing flair.

We've already made one run through the dome, met with some really great people, visited with some friends of the show, and heard some great anecdotes. We have some other things to attend as the day goes on, so stick around.