I love funny people. I love people who are passionate about stuff they care about. And I love when people stand up for what they believe in.

That's probably why I think the state of Texas is so kickass.

Last night I stopped at the BP/Snappy's on Atherton Street for some chewing tobacco. I opened the glass door to the convenience store as a young lady was walking out, probably about 20 years old. As she was walking out, I noticed a guy in a Cowboy hat laughing giddily by the counter.

Apparently from what I gathered, three guys - Mr. Cowboy hat, who had a weirdly-green tinted face I've only seen in horror movies, now that I'm typing this, I think he actually was an alien, a dude in a cut-off jean vest and a blue bandana, and a 6'9 lanky guy who was Weird Al Yankovic's identical twin - were attempting to talk to this girl, who unbeknownst to these guys didn't even want to leave footsteps on the same ground this motley crew walked on.

Mr. Cowboy: "Man, she was scared I was going to bite her head off," spitting on the floor of Snappy's newly-cleaned tile floor.

Vest, Wrangler Jeans Man: "Hell man, ain'tttttttcha know it's 'cuz we're from Texxxxas."

"Ain't that the truth."

I just pictured a guy from Luxemburg coming to the U.S. for the first time, waiting in line in my position. Even if he had bought Rosetta Stone and learned fluent English, this guy would have absolutely no idea what these guys were talking about.

You have to have some knowledge of Texans and/or Southern folk. (not Matt Schaub)

I went down to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for a week last spring break and hung out with this guy from Texas. He was really wild - said some crazy stuff and basically did whatever he wanted to in the resort swimming pool, oh, but he wasn't paying any rent for one of these condos.

His philosophy: Who should tell him what to do? He ain't harmin' nobody by sittin' in that there water and sippin' on some 40's. He was on vacation, dangnabbit!

In fact, if I drove back down there right now, I'd give you 50-50 odds that he's still just chillin' there, not bothering anybody, just worrying about himself.

Their simplistic and fun-loving attitude toward meeting new people, calling people out and insulting people is an acquired dialect. Their excuse for their usually crude and honest answers, 'Well, I'm from Texas.'

How cool is that? I think there's something to be said for being laidback, enjoying life and learning from people. If you shut people out and you listen to what you want to hear and surround yourself by people who are like you, you develop a single-brained approach to life.

So learn from Mr. Green-Faced Texas man. He's not going to kill you (hopefully). He's gonna teach you something about yourself.

--Hen