The last couple of weeks have been kind of crazy. I'm trying to reach a stopping point on a fairly large project for a client and it's got me feeling a bit distracted. At the same time, SXSWi is sneaking up on me and I'm starting to realize that I've got to get things in order for that. I'm really excited about heading to Austin for SXSWi this year. I think part of the appeal is I no longer live in Texas, so traveling there seems like more of a 'get-a-way.' And on top of the conference, I get to hang out with friends and family that I haven't seen in a while. Nice.

So in addition to a wealth of interesting panels, there are lots of evening social events that go on during SXSWi where various and sundry Web geeks and technorati drink way too much, hob-nob, and generally try to out-cool one another. I used to be somewhat shy about this sort of thing, but this year I plan to partake whole-heartedly in this ritual. Though I doubt I'll be able to out-cool anybody (unless it's suddenly become cool to spend your Friday nights watching Battlestar Galactica). Anyway, take a look at my Upcoming.org schedule. Chock-full of social goodness, right? When I went to SXSWi in 2003, I found some of this socializing to be a little clique-y and difficult to penetrate. But SXSWi was, in general, a lot smaller then, which I think sort of fostered this insular feel. Apparently, the attendance has grown to several times what it was in 2003, so I'm expecting a slightly different vibe.

Indeed, this year I'm planning to break down any weird social barriers through a steady intake of tequila. I figure the words will begin to flow right around shot number four or five. After that, I'll have a thin window of opportunity to meet as many people as possible before I begin spewing gibberish about the fine art of mixing different dry cereals to form the perfect hybrid brand. As soon as that happens, I'll have to get the hell away from any public place or I'll eventually be referred to as 'that tall sweaty guy dancing in his underwear at the Iron Cactus.' Unfortunately, they don't give awards for that.

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