In the 6th Grade the big field trip was to the Science Museum of Virginia for an overnight sleepover. At the age of 12 this is a big deal, and every kid anticipated it for months in
advance. Each class got divided in groups by gender and the girls got to sleep in one wing of the museum and the boys in the other, and despite the fact that we were there to learn about science the real goal at that age was to compile all your super-cool magazines and makeup to share with the other girls and talk about kissing and boys and trendy stuff. As my group hunkered down with flashlights and started pulling out their crackly issues of “Seventeen” and “Teen” magazines I reached deep in my bag and pulled out my issues of “Macworld” and “MacAddict” to a snickering audience of pre-teens. There seemed to be disconnect and I honestly did not understand why no one was as super-stoked as me. It was like the beginning the Blind Melon Video with the little Bumble Bee Girl tap dancing… which came out in 1993, the same year I went to the Science Museum.
This year will be my third SXSW Interactive in Austin Texas. If you are not familiar with SXSWi it:
celebrates the creativity and passion behind the coolest new media technologies. In addition to panel sessions that cover everything from web design to bootstrapping to social networks, attendees make new business connections at the three-day Trade Show & Exhibition.
If you want the equally accurate Ze Frank Version of what it is…
Patrick Haney points out on his latest post that Cindy Li likes to call it “geek spring break” but I feel like its a little like Web Disneyworld. People are always so enthusiastic when they say “I’m going to Disneyworld!”. Well, take that tone of voice and sparkle in their eye and picture me saying “Im going to South By South West!”. Yeah… thats about right.
So why do I get so excited? In addition to all the reasons that I was excited last year…. when I walk into the convention center in Austin its a lot like that little girl busting through the iron fence and dancing with all the other Bees. Seriously, you can tap anyone on the shoulder there and they will be interesting, engaging and passionate… and/or Bad-Ass.
Between now and March 7th the anticipation is only going to build. I can hardly wait… expect more SXSW themed posts. I can hardly contain myself.
5 Comments
Right on. Last year was my first time going and I’m totally stoked about going again this year. I know it’ll be even better since I know a few folks there and what to expect and where the great bbq is (Ironworks!). It’s a great opportunity to meet other people and bask in the energy of all those web geeks all in once place.
Last year we had a small gathering of blogger types and this year looks to be even bigger. Feel free to join us if you like. http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/350149/
Regardless, good to see another blogger I read is going to be at sxsw this year!! WOOT!
— February 10, 2008
Woops, wrong url for the event, that’s the normal sxsw event.
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/424913/
— February 10, 2008
It keeps getting harder and harder to keep my mind on work the closer it get to SXSWi. I have been looking forward to this, since the day I got home last year.
The only problem is like last year every thing is due the week before I leave or the same week. It will work itself out some how.
— February 12, 2008
I’m so stoked. I too wait for this All Year Long. Woo! Hope to see ya there.
— February 13, 2008
I am so excited for SXSWi. It will be my first time and tracking SXSW and SXSWi on twitter is definitely stoking my anticipation. Will be part of the Vancouver crew. See you at one of the parties.
— February 22, 2008