SXSW 2006 Recap
Just to warn you, this is going to be one gigantic post...
I will scan my notes (yes, I use pen and paper for note taking) from the interactive panels and attach them later.
Thursdsay, 3/9: SXSW bagstuffing. Mandatory for all volunteers.
Friday, 3/10: Volunteering in the Platinum Lounge for most of the day. I managed to get my badge and t-shirt without too much trouble this year. Then I met up with the tech crew to set up the sexy mac laptops for tomorrow's panelists.
Saturday, 3/11: Volunteered with Tech crew. I was assigned to room 18abc.
Better Blogging Brainstorming & How to be a Web Design Superhero.
I went home after the 2nd panel to gather supplies to make my t-shirt less frumpy. I got back to the convention center and decided to work on my shirt during the last panel of the day. Somehow I managed to see 3 films (Darkon, Tales of the Rat Fink, and Midnight Shorts) and go to two parties (Frog Design & the Slam Planet pre-party).
Sunday, 3/12: More tech crew volunteering. I spent the day in 17ab.
Sink or Swim: The Five Most Important Startup Decisions, How to Make the Most of Maps, and Keynote Conversation: Heather Armstrong / Jason Kottke.
I ran off to see Before the Music Dies at the Paramount. It was definitely worth skipping out on the last 2 panels of the day. I caught up with the guys at the web awards party and we went to the Austin Music hall to go to "After...Before" A Jam Session. I got to see Erykah Badu, Questlove, Wendy and Lisa, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Monday, 3/13: Tech crew volunteering, too many rooms to meantion.
CSS Problem Solving (survey, Tiffany's Slides, Dave's Slides, Charles' Slides), Does Your Blog Have a Business?, Craig Newmark Keynote Interview, Creative Subplot: The Viral Edition, and Design Eye for the List Guy.
I made an attempt to get to the Drafthouse downtown in time to see the Notorious Bettie Page. Unfortunately the line was wrapped around the parking lot behind the building. I ended up at the Blogger party and suffered the consequences of an open bar.
Tuesdsay, 3/14: Last day of tech crew volunteering (until we break everything down after the music festival ends). I spent the morning in Rm 18D learning about video blogs (and how to make the most of my new camera).
How to Add Video to Your Blog, Video Blog Business Models, Burnie Burns Keynote, RSS: Not Just for Blogs Anymore, and Bruce Sterling Presentation: The State of the World.
The hangover twins were detoxing so we ended up seeing 3 movies (Hard Candy, Suffering and Smiling, and Fuck). Thank you parking garage for allowing 3 ins-and-outs.
Wednesday, 3/15: No volunteering today. I painted my kitchen cabinets and headed downtown for the Beastie Boys movie at the Paramount. I was in line at 5:15. There was no way I was going to miss this. My being in line early allowed the guys to continue their Paramount Theater marathon.
After the movie we ended up at the Fox and Hound and found out that the special guest that night was, in fact, the Flaming Lips. Unfortunately the 2nd special guest was not the Beastie Boys. If they had shown up, I vowed that SXSW 2006 would be over. No day after could top this one.
Thursday, 3/16: Parties and free stuff. One of the things I enjoy most at SXSW is the acquisition of free stuff. I went to the Iheartcomix party to see what they were giving away. I left empty handed because free stuff (shoes and other stuff) was by appointment only for bands). Next stop was Stubbs. Scion put on another great show. Wutang was there (actually it was Wu-light). We heard a bunch of rumors that Beastie Boys were playing at Stubb's at 7 so we decided that it was in our best interest to get back there no later than 6. We visited Flatstock to kill some time and rehydrate between shows.
The rumor was true{Beastie Boys (not my picture, but yes, I was that close) at Stubb's}. We were in line by 6 and the other people in line told us that SXSW sent out a text message (next year I will be signing up for the SXSW updates service). It made more sense that they played now vs the 10pm slot before Lyle Lovett on Saturday night.
After the show I declaired that we would eat a REAL dinner in honor of our victory (and because I said so). No street pizza, nothing from a street vendor. Thai Passion, great food, large portions, low price.
I ditched the guys after dinner to make a 2nd attempt at seeing the Notorious Bettie Page. I failled yet again. I met up with Em and made an attempt to see Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah. Unfortunately they weren't letting anyone into the show (even though we got there early). We were also told that people with badges may get in later (in 2 hrs or so) and that people with wristbands would be removed by the police if they didn't walk away on their own. We headed over to Emo's to wait in line for Gogol Bordello. We managed to get in to see the Living End and see some dude get escorted out by the bouncer. I ended up leaving before Gogol Bordello went on. I inhaled a lot of smoke and dust that day.
Friday, 3/17: Back to painting the cabinets. I met up with Em at the Insound party. We snagged some free loot, and made some new friends. The showcase was ok. We camped out to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (and we ended up close enough to touch them if we wanted to).
After standing for a large chunk of the day I ran over to the Paramount for Possibilities and the Oh in Ohio.
Saturday, 3/18: The last day of the festival.
I called the guys to see when we would pack up the laptops and to see if they were interested in seeing Slam Planet: War of the Words. We saw the movie and had a late breakfast/lunch at the Drafthouse (the fries are so tasty). The tradeshow ended at 4 and we we had everything packed up by 6. I met up with Em and we hung out for a bit before jetting to La Zona Rosa to see Morningwood. I used the last bit of energy I had to get to the Paramount for Jam.
I have been sorting out my pile of loot to figure out what goes and what stays. A large chunk of it will go in the recycling bin (hint to promoters: please hand out useful items).
