Friday 6 January 2012: 8. the old west

today I made a trip out to the stockyards - a fort worth classic. i hadn't been in some time (years) and tonight willie nelson was having a concert so it was suitably busy even in the afternoon.

willie nelson is a familiar figure...right? if not, do let me know and we will remedy that.

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so today i want to talk about "old west" culture. let me preface by saying that i hate it when people elsewhere in the US negatively stereotype all of texas in this way, but i do love the part it plays in texas culture.

fort worth is a particularly huge hub for this and i personally find it to be nothing but positive for the most part. cowboy hats, wranglers, longhorns, stock shows, rodeos...they are a very unique part of the state and the US as a whole. texas "old west" or "cowboy" culture can be gruff at times, but always with charm.

what i particularly like about this in texas is that a huge percentage of these people are working ranchers, horsemen, and cowboys. they are the real thing, not some outdated cultural continuation. the fort worth livestock exchange is not a historical landmark. it's a working building.

texas is not just this prevailing image (not even close). but this is a valuable part of the state, and an authentic part as well.

if you need a pair of boots, we can set you up right.

there will probably be a subgenre or two pertaining to this at some point, but until then...

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