It’s January and I haven’t booked my ticket to Austin yet. Back in 2000, I was talking about SxSW 2001 in September, for crying out loud! Recent world events have made me less than enthusiastic about many things in my life, and my annual pilgrimage to blogger Mecca is one of them.
The past four years have been a blast, but it was impossible not to notice that the “first wave” of blogfolk have begun staying home. As the community has become larger, it’s become harder to spend significant time with anybody, and although I love meeting new people, sometimes I miss the early sense of camaraderie.
There are a few other factors. The trip gets harder to fund every year. Though I’m in love with my job, it doesn’t pay nearly as much as my old sales job. Last year, Nick Finck was gracious enough to sponsor my freebie press pass as I was still affiliated with Digital Web magazine, but that’s no more. Last year, I shared a room with two friends, but that left me without a bed of my own, and I promised myself I wouldn’t do that again.
I’m sure I could stay with my pals, the wonderful Browns, but that leaves me far from the action and although I’d relish the chance to spend more time with them, I’d be dependent on them (or taxis) to get to and from events.
Not to mention that Brooke’s contract just ended and she’s got nothing solid lined up. Plus, we’re hoping to spend a week in Iceland (yes, Iceland!) in August, and that will be expensive (even though it looks like the flights will be covered by some nifty airline miles my boss gave me for Christmas!).
Still, March for me has always meant Austin, and it’s the one time of year I can usually connect with many online friends I never see otherwise.
Ah, malaise! Maybe some of youse guys can shake me out of it. What are your plans for SxSW this year?
I hope you’ll make it again this year. I haven’t booked my tickets yet, but I know I’ll get there one way or another — and it wouldn’t be the same without you there.
I’m going, telling everyone I know to go, and still mulling over proposing a panel topic (although it’s probably too late at this point). Seeing as this will only be year two for me, I don’t know what it used to be like… but last year was pretty great by itself. I’d love to see you, Paul and Brent though, so consider this my personal plea for you to join us down in Austin. PLEASE!?
Screw the “first-wavers” who are too cool for SXSW. It won’t be March without ya, bud. If it comes down to staying at the Browns, I’m sure I and/or others with a car would be willing to do a little chauffeuring around.
I’m going for the 17th through the 20th, just for the music festival. I’m not being sponsored by anyone and this is 100% vacation for me (though not a vacation from blogging, I’ll bet). It’s also my first time, so I’m obviously pretty excited and hoping to make this an annual thing.
I came very close to skipping SXSW ’04, due to scheduling issues. During Bruce’s wrap-up party, I swore to myself that I would never let that happen again. The friends I’ve made in Austin, they’re like family to me, and you’re no exception. SXSW wouldn’t be the same without you, James.
Hey Steve! I hear ya. I have had the same debate with myself for the past two years. But for me it comes down to seeing you, some of the Canadian bloggers, and the whole DFW/Austin contingent, which is why I am going to go this year, even though I can’t afford to buy and don’t know how to weasel a free pass to the conference, and my two old roommies won’t be going this year (and I haven’t bought my plane ticket yet).
So, we’ll be seeing you at the Omni, yes?
James, I’ll see what I can do about getting you a pass this year, even if it means paying for it out of my own pocket. Just like you can’t live without Austin, I fear Austin can’t live without you.
James,
I second what Nick says. I will personally throw in whatever money you need or I can for you to be in Austin this year. I know it isn’t the same people as it was 5 years ago but dude, there would be a big empty whole at South by this year without you there. Between you, and Josh, and Dan and Mike and Kevin and Kristin and Nick and everyone else, it’s like a family reunion. And I represent for family.
I’m touched by everyone’s appeals and offers to help, and I’m sure I’ll be able to manage it somehow this year. I’ve just been going through a bit of stuff lately and have lost a bit of my joie de vivre. But I recognize that Austin is a necessary creative sparkplug in my life, and even if it weren’t that, I still relish the time spent with friends. I’ll find a way to be there. Thanks, though for affirming me right now. I’m privileged to count you all as my friends.
I’m going to presume to speak for everyone here and say that the pleasure is ours.
I was so sad that we had to miss SXSW last year (we accidentally scheduled our home closing at the same time), but it was SO GREAT to be ther for just Saturday night (Kevin’s dinner and the fun afterwards) through Sunday afternoon. This year, Blogomania is footing the bill, and I *WILL* be there. I hope you will be too. Katz’s the last night wouldn’t be the same otherwise. I would really miss you.