You know you're near Austin when...

I live in the suburbs of Austin -- that gray zone of eccentric liberalism fading back into the staunch constriction of overtly religious conservative joy. (Yes. I'm biased. Hush.) So today, I'm getting gas, and I hear at the pump next to mine such a brilliant example of the cultural mix this gray zone presents. A mother is lambasting her daughter who has asked to hold a bake sale to raise money for her friend to go see a rock concert.

Daughter: But Mom! We'd be doing the work!
Mom: No! You do -not- hold a bake sale, then use the money for that! It goes to -charity-. If you use it for something else...why...why...God will strike you down! It's bad karma! Seriously bad karma!