SxSW: Recap part II
March 14th, 2008
I realize that I only have two more days about which to provide an update, but Monday was a big day.
Monday
Tried to remain calm and sleep in. Didn’t work so well. Heather was up for a bunch of awards this year and given what we’ve gone through in life and for the site, I really wanted her to get some public recognition for the work she puts into dooce®. Got breakfast and cleaned up for the days events. I was trying to hold my shit together as we ran through the rain to the convention center. Heather was asked to present (and did) a few of the Bloggies and won! A bunch! I had forgotten that dooce was nominated for Best Design and as the nominees were read I was all “design sponge, design sponge” and then realized that if I ever wanted sex again I’d need to change who I was rooting for. Brain: “shit, dude you are supposed to root for your wife’s site, MORON!”
When Heather won, I really felt lucky to be a part of her world and see what great readers she has. Having been with Heather through the first craziness of dooce, and watching the site grow and Heather’s involvement with the site grow as well, made watching her receive recognition from readers really touching. There aren’t many reputable awards for bloggers and the Bloggies are the longest running and most known, so it has an air of awesomeness that is hard to articulate. I’m so thankful to all of you who voted for Heather and for those who were nominated; you are all helping move personal publishing forward. This is such a great time to be a geek.
After the awards ceremony, we tried to get lunch at Moonshine (ha! epic fail!) and ended up getting convention food and hitting the Post Secret keynote given by Frank Warren.
I have often wondered how Mr. Warren could cope with the intensity of running a project like Post Secret. The emotional and psychic toll has to be immense and only someone who is very healthy and positive could deal with the overhead. A great panel with interesting audience participation at the end (a marriage proposal!) and heartfelt sharing from a woman who’s sister is ill. After the woman spoke Warren asked if he could give her a hug.
Really incredible to see such humanity coming from the web and affirmed my earlier feelings about fans of dooce and Heather. Y’all are lovely. I can’t say it enough.
We celebrated with champagne. And then we got burgers. And nachos. Then we tried (and failed) to sit in on the Heather Gold show that was being shot at the same facility serving up the burgers. Then more parties and drinking and at about 11pm, I realized that in 5-6 hours, I’d have to get up and get to the airport. We had booked the only direct flight out of Austin to Salt Lake City. Which means one gets up far too early after several days of open bars and dancing. At 10am on Tuesday I was going to be faced with parenthood and would likely be hung over and/or exhausted if I didn’t immediately return to my hotel room. Which I did, awkwardly.
Packed. Which is a first. Usually packing is an insane rushed affair that happens 20 minutes after I’m supposed to be in a cab. I later discovered that I left my old school razor in the hotel. Grrr. So much for packing the night before.
Tuesday
Woke at 5am. Showered. Got breakfast and checked out. Made the airport with enough time to spare. No flight problems. Arrived home very tired, but very happy to see my girl and later, the dogs. Yes, even Coco.
This year was a great year at SxSW, even if it wasn’t 80°F and beautiful. It was still great to catch up with friends and meet so many talented, intelligent and driven people. Very inspiring and also a bit tiring.
I’m knackered. o
Tell Heather congrats on all of her awards. Thanks for the updates… it made it almost seem as if I was there. I am proud to be a fan of both of your sites and it is great that you are getting the recognition you deserve. I admire you both probably more than you will ever know. And as a side note if you have time please respond to my email I sent to you guys yesterday.
)
Congratulations to both of you. It looks like more good things are coming your way; ( I already have the book Heather edited preordered from Powell’s). I always enjoy your words and thoughts here, even if can only aspire to be so marvelously geeky!
Glad you guys had a great time and enjoyed Austin. I hate to say this, but the weather has been beautiful since you guys left. It was actually a bit too warm today – in the 90s. Alas… This was the 2nd time I’ve missed out on meeting you guys. Besides the whole awkward “Hi, I read your blog”, I had a napping baby.
I imagine you’ve thought of this, but if you call the hotel, they may still have your razor. And congratulations!
OK Jon , so you are home, rested , and I am sure frustrated. Why not let your geek flag fly , go out and buy SSBB and lets have a BlurbBrawl?
Jon,
love the shoes!!
Jamie
Y’all are lovely people as well! I’m so happy for Heather. She deserves all her awards. I love keeping up on both of you and your very lovely family (yes, even Coco).
I can’t even remember what life was like before dooce, george and you. The three of you seem like old family friends. Your honesty & humor bring me back daily and George is one of the most brilliant tweeters ever. Never a dull moment.
If I had a choice between SXSW this week or last….I’m so amazed that now my choice would be last week. Pioneers all of ya. If I could have been there dancing with all you geeks & freaks….fantastic! Thank You Sooooooo Much for your tireless efforts to build this brave new world.
So enough of the ass kissing. I just have to know. Do you brush Chuck’s teeth? They are quite beautiful. I say put his agent to work getting him an Orbit gum commercial.
Leta is lucky to have uber cool parents like you two!
Congrats to Heather for her awards. I noticed the Guardian.co.uk listed Dooce number 5 most powerful blog. The Armstrongs are loved this side of the pond too.
Love to all from London – Nic. x
Web design should have went this site. http://havenworks.com/
Does Heather still lust after hippos?
http://icanhaz.com/hippo
I love watching you guys dance! Sounds like you had fun.
Thanks for sharing all of the fun and excitement. You are both extremely inspiring.
Do you know how to see the Battle Decks II presentation online?
You tube has one from rocketboom, which doesn’t show all presenters. Looks like awesome fun. I’d like to see more from the other competitors, not just the admittedly awesome anil dash.