March 9, 2005

Deep in the Heart of Texas

At first light this Friday morning, Rob, Rollo and I will be traveling down to Texas for South By South West (or “South By” as I am told people in-the-know call it). This marks my first trip to Texas, and even though I can’t partake in the BBQ, I am still excited. I will be speaking on a panel entitled “Does Design Matter?” at 10am on Monday in room 17AB, joined by other distinguished people, Jeffrey Zeldman, Kelly Goto, and Joe Clark. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be there. I just hope the four of us get the tumbling and juggling act down in time.

I am anxious to get away from the stupid snow and the weather is looking mighty fine down south. I’m really looking forward to meeting all those Brits, playing some kickball, seeing some good films (especially some of those midnight horror movies, sobriety permitting), sitting in on some speeches, and finally putting faces to many sites.

I have hired a few people people to look in on this site while I am gone,. You know, make sure there are no unmentionables lingering about, and to present the second series of guest photography in the Daily Photo section.

If you can’t make it down to South By, I’m sorry, I don’t think there’s really a home version of the game you can play. If you are in attendance, please come up and say hello, because I would be happy to meet you. I am approachable and only punch people in the throat when provoked. Rob will also enjoy hearing your best Stan impression.

Commentary (19):

1. Dan Mall says… mar 9, 2005 | 12:23 am

Rob, you’re bringing a camera for Virtual Stan version 2, right?

2. Stefan Hayden says… mar 9, 2005 | 12:43 am

you should bring a camera for sweet south by photo action for all us sorry saps who are stuck in the NE snow.

3. Jason Santa Maria says… mar 9, 2005 | 7:06 am

Don’t worry, I’m bringing two… just in case.

4. Andy Budd says… mar 9, 2005 | 7:10 am
I’m really looking forward to meeting all those Brits

And in turn, we’re looking forward to meeting all you Americans and Canadians.

Yeaha, Texas here we come.

5. John Athayde says… mar 9, 2005 | 11:51 am

I was born in Texas, and I left in 1979. And i’ve not been back since. I do wish I could make this conference in general, but I’m pretty much relegated to taking vacation to do it.

Enjoy the lone-star state!

6. Scrivs says… mar 9, 2005 | 12:08 pm

You better pray you are on my kickball team, lest the silver shoes of destruction come and run a train all over your team…

7. Jason Santa Maria says… mar 9, 2005 | 12:10 pm

I’ll bring a box of tissues so that the other team can compose themselves before heading back to the conference after the game.

8. James Archer says… mar 9, 2005 | 1:16 pm

I’ll see you guys there (and I’m definitely going to try to get in on the kickball action).

9. Paul Carpenter says… mar 9, 2005 | 2:57 pm

I would go if:
1. I could afford it
2. I didn’t have GCSEs to do
3. I would be allowed to go to Texas.
There you go; I have an excuse, in fact I have 3.

10. Matt Johnson says… mar 9, 2005 | 3:10 pm

I would love to go too. And I wouldn’t mind running into you either.

<dream>
I wish i could go, someday i will.
</dream>

11. Malarkey says… mar 9, 2005 | 4:51 pm

Looking forward to seeing y’all and Zorthron too… ;)

12. niff says… mar 9, 2005 | 5:43 pm

Am I the only one who doesn’t want stan to go?

=( come back soon, even though you haven’t left yet.

13. Merritt says… mar 9, 2005 | 6:51 pm

Do what you will, but there’s gonna be a lot of good TV this weekend…

14. Jonathan Fenocchi says… mar 10, 2005 | 3:38 pm

Just going to tell you, the weather forecast is wrong. It’s going to rain every day. It rains 24/7 down here in Texas. Heh, and people always think that it’s a big desert. We live in a freakin’ rain forest - the only desert in Texas is El Paso. Anyway, I was originally going to go to South By, but I chose against it as I’ve been extremely busy lately (particularly because I’m “staying the hell in school”). ;) I know I’ll be missing a lot, so I’ll have to make up for it next year! Jason, do you plan on going to SXSW 2006?

15. Frank says… mar 11, 2005 | 1:16 pm

Jason, I hope you have a moment to look over the posts on B L A N K before you go to the conference. B L A N K is an online community blog dedicated to exploring the heart and soul of design, regardless of the medium. I think it may give you new perspective into the question “Does Design Matter on the Web?”. Hope you’ll post a summary of the discussion from your panel talk.

16. kingbenny says… mar 11, 2005 | 5:11 pm

This one time, I was flying to San Antonio, and this snappy business fellow sat beside me and said, “you really should be going to Austin, that’s the city.” that is all.

17. Brent O’Connor says… mar 11, 2005 | 7:40 pm

Well I made it and I will probably see you tomorrow at your panel… I think I picked yours to go to and if not maybe I should change it.

If anyone wants to they can read my post about why I hate the Hilton now. :)

18. Mike Purvis says… mar 13, 2005 | 8:50 pm

Aw, once I’m Old and Have Money I’ll be coming SXSW. I think it’s gotta be one of those do-it-at-least once things, even if I’m just a code monkey who plays with Photoshop because he can. :)

19. The Jones says… mar 16, 2005 | 11:00 am

Holy Crap! Pete just told me you got engaged to “that Liz girl.” I know I’m late, but congrats to the both of you! And I still consider this fashionably late.