We are approaching 15% unemployment in the country, maybe 20% on the horizon before the economy gets lit again. Call it the Temporary COVID19 Unemployment Wave. 

Not going to last forever. There are therapeutics on the horizon, a vaccine. Life will return, but there will be some lean days until it does.

You may have to relocate to find a new job? Start thinking about that now.

It is, unfortunately, real. If you are one of those who is without a job, take a second, take a deep breath, and, then, whisper — “Hey, maybe I need to move home.”

No, I don’t mean you should move in with the parental units. No, I mean it is time for you to make a decision, chart a new course, to pick the spot where life is waiting for you, and you are going to thrive.

Flick a booger in the COVID19 eyes and get yours. It is time to move home, y’all.

Here is what you need to think about:

Move somewhere that makes you smile when you say its name. Somewhere the first thing that materializes in your brain is a smile.

Move somewhere that when you tell people they say, “Man, that is a cool town.”

Move somewhere the weather is good. Weather that draws you outside, that opens your life to activity. Do not pick somewhere the winters feel like solitary confinement, the roads are dangerous, and if the heat goes out you freeze to death.

Move somewhere the vibe produces energy. Where people fly kites, ride bikes, have outdoor concerts, picnics, swim, fish, hunt (hunting is optional), and where the sun is not a stranger. Hey, nothing wrong with SPF 50.

Move somewhere that when the economy recovers, it will blaze like an Aggie Bonfire, where the streets were once paved with gold for everybody — not for the few, everybody.

When you start to narrow the list down, ask the following questions:

Does this place feed my spirit? My soul? Or does it eat it?

Can I see the future, my future, from here?

If you were on a street corner and just decided you were too damn happy not to break into dancing — nobody would call the police. 

You know where I mean? I mean:

Austin By God Texas

Come on down, y’all. The place is special. Plus — live music, lots of education, jobs, BBQ, Tito’s, Town Lake, the Longhorns, TexMex, margaritas, bluebonnets, breakfast tacos. Native breakfast tacos.

Don’t make your mind up right now. Just roll that idea around in your mind. You might as well rebuild in a place you’re going to love. And, I promise you will love it.

Take a deep breath, let it out slowly, let the name jump off the end of your tongue. See, I told you. It makes you smile, doesn’t it?

Warning — when we are pissing on the COVID19 grave, things will be rocking in Austin By God Texas and I’m saving a place for you.

Just consider it. Now, don’t you feel better already? In a month you’ll be dancing country at the Broken Spoke and buying tickets to a Willie concert. Fuck COVID19.

But, hey, what the Hell do I really know anyway? I’m just a Big Red Car. But, friend, I live in Austin By God Texas and that is all anybody needs. Do yourself a favor. Think about it.