Brits Relished SXSW 2004

Dear Editor,
   As a fourth time visitor from the UK to SXSW, again we were overwhelmed by the superb local hospitality. This time for our musical banquet we ventured a little farther afield than Sixth [Street]. Highlight though I have to say, standing not 10 feet from the great Kris Kristofferson on Town Lake and for free. Nobody back home believes it. Much the same as no one over there believes that our fuel costs are more than $6 a gallon. One Texan asked in all sincerity if anybody drove in the United Kingdom. Sadly, like yourselves, we too have to get to work and the supermarket. And whilst in Texas another budget pushed the price of "gas" yet up a few pennies more. So, Texans, whilst you feel you are paying the cost of the Bush/Blair Iraq war, spare a thought for us Brits as at a minimum hourly rate of $8 and the highest taxes in Europe, we too have had enough. Thank you for a tremendous visit and God willing we'll be back for 2005.