Getting Ready for SXSW
Again I'm way behind on preparing for this trip to South By Southwest Interactive (SXSW), which is a sprightly mix of web and interactive design, social media, tech culture, and entrepreneurial spirit that happens every year in Austin, Texas alongside the Film and much-better known Music festival. I'd originally found out about SXSW through the web developer crowd on the 9rules Network way back in 2005 or 2006, and though SXSW seemed far to hip for the likes of me, I thought I should go because I had written an article about continually being mistaken for Dave "CSS Zen Garden" Shea due to our similar last names. As a result, a few people in the web development community were actually familiar with my name. I rationalized that if I was going to do any kind of networking to get my shingle out there, this would be the time to do it. I had mixed feelings about being recognized for not being someone, but I went anyway. And I'm super glad I did. My first year's experience was energizing, thought-provoking, and even spiritual, as I collided with about 4000 people with the same desire to make cool stuff happen. I'd found my tribe.
For 2007, I spent a lot more energy trying to get everything straight with maps and other pre-printed geeky preparation because I didn't want to miss as much as I did before. This year, I'm resigned to let things happen as they happen and go with the flow. Trying to experience everything at SXSW is like taking a sip from a fire hose, and I'm just too old and cranky to do that. So I'm going to just check into the hotel tomorrow night and just start letting it happen. I have no idea who is even speaking this year; I just know it's going to be interesting.
What is on my mind right now is what to bring with me. So I'm writing this blog post as a kind of To-Do list while fulfilling the desire to put something up. I'll likely be updating this as the day goes on.
