Alright, so the headline is less than flattering, but that’s sort of what it felt like. As I look back, I suppose that’s why my last entry on the subject was before SxSW even got rolling on Day 1.

Attending SxSW Interactive was a wonderful experience, don’t get me wrong. I learned a lot and one thing I learned is that SxSW is not for me. There are a number of reasons – and no, the fact that I am an ‘elder’ is not one of them, thank you very much. The things I learned from going to SxSW or that were reinforced include…

1. I’m smart. I may not be the smartest person in the room, but I’m smart and I ‘get it’.
2. I can rise to the occasion, schmooze, network, and cajole with the best of ‘em. If there’s a goal and an objective – great. If not – I’m over it and I’m going home. I don’t like it. Been there. Done that.
3. My definition of ‘friend’ isn’t the same as a lot of people’s definition.
4. The experience of my 50-something years, and the confidence that comes with it, is a blessing;, at least the times when confidence actually DOES come with it.
5. Chris Brogan is a really good person. Even though I don’t get his music he’s one of the few big dogs I know who I’d like to know better and to call my friend.  (I didn’t change Chris’ name here because – well, I hope this doesn’t hurt his feelings of embarrass him. If so, disregard #1 above.)
6. I could live in Austin. At least I could live in Austin in March. Ask me again in August.
   and so why the “meat market” ?
7. From morning until night there was the constant undercurrent – a chess play for being at the “right place” at the “right time” with the “right people” -  the best, the in, the “it” place / party. I don’t care about hanging with the big dogs or gossiping about the big dogs or hanging with those who do. I don’t need to go to the wicked, coolest happeningest, parties – in fact I don’t need to go to any party at all. (Good thing – I bagged them all.) I’m wicked cool and happening no matter where I am. (Well, at the dentist’s office that statement may be a stretch, but work with me on this.)

If I were 25 years younger would I feel differently? Probably not.

But, I wouldn’t admit it.

Pablo, the Traveling Dog

One month. Over one month. I feel like Bobby Ewing – was it real …or all a dream?

It was a wonderful month. As time passes, that month+ gets better and better. I’m wondering if that’s because I’m romanticizing or if it’s all just settling in. I’ll go with the later.

Pablo and I covered a lot of ground between March 1 and April 8, when I rolled back into my driveway at on Myrtle Avenue – at 10:50 p.m.  - 4526 miles to be exact. (An average of 29.5 mpg, fyi. Not bad for a 2000 Saab 9.5 with, now, over 103,000  miles)

The littlest Pablo did fine, also. I wasn’t so sure after the first couple of days, but he did settle down and got into his “dog riding in the car” groove.

Over the next couple of weeks I’ll post some observations, recollections and declarations about the journey. Until then – it’s nice to be back. I’d rather be traveling… but it’s nice to be back.

PS – My car is is back in the shop… the new exhaust system is its reward for doing such a good job. Review on THIS auto ordeal to come.

SXSW 2010

For those of you wondering, SXSW = South by Southwest, a geek/music/film fest – party-hearty-until-you-drop trade show & conference.   The entire SXSW ‘show’ starts today, 3/12 and continues through 3/21. I’m here for the geek sessions – better known here as the Interactive segment, which runs from 3/12 to 3/16. The Film segment also begins today and continues through 3/20.  Music is the one that started it all in 1987, and that segment begins on 3/17 and closes the show on 3/21. (Interactive and Film were added in 1994.)

Interesting stats – SXSW Interactive Registrants.

Still – there’s an estimated 20,000 registrants PLUS all the people who come in just for the zoo.

As far as the Interactive segment goes, here’s an interesting stat – and the one that doesn’t surprise me at all and the reason for my previous post.  <sigh>

SXSW Survey Question: “How old are you?”

• 20 or under:  1%
• 21 to 30:       34%
• 31 to 40:       44%
• 41 to 50:        16%
• 51 or older:     5%     <—-Yours Truly    :-\

The official SXSW Interactive sessions start in an hour. I’m off to find lunch.

Head held high – shoulders back… here I go.

And still, no video. What can I say…  I’m Tired, I’m behind schedule and Pablo is NOT happy with me. He hasn’t said anything yet and seems fine – but I just KNOW it.

Free Union, VA: Stop #2

All in all this is a great trip, so far. Something I hadn’t anticipated (see previous post) was the emotional tug traveling with Pablo would be. He’s still under 2 years old, is full of energy and was very comfortable with our simple routine in Maine. Traveling long distances in the car doesn’t fit well with this scenario. He’s doing fine – it’s me that’s a bit on edge.

• Is he thirsty?
• Does he have “to go”?
• I should have exercised him more before we left.

Blah, Blah, Blah… I’m about to head out, leaving Knoxville for Memphis, TN. Another 6+ hours on the road today, after 7 yesterday. Poor Pablo. Poor me worrying about Poor Pablo. I’ve never had kids – and based on my guilt level for keeping Pablo captive in the car and disrupting his little world – it’s a good thing I didn’t. Not sure how you Mom’s out there do it.

Video to be posted tomorrow – if Pablo approves.

I’ve been on the road four days now and this, despite my good intentions, is the first post. (In my defense I did post an entry on BoldVisionConsluting blog – SOME work is getting done.)

I got a later start on the trip than I anticipated so the 15 hour, rush hour drive from the Bronx to Brooklyn took 2 hours; 1 hour+++ longer than anticipated. Driving for 6-8 hours is more tiring than I anticipated. Driving for 6-8 hours with the littlest Pablo is more difficult than I anticipated. Staying with friends along the way doesn’t lend itself to alone time to work as much as I anticipated. Editing the videos is much more time consuming than I anticipated. I anticipate I’ll get one video blog a week posted and other posts will be of the textual type.

Observation of the day: Anticipation is good, but be flexible.

Packing for the trip: BEFORE

Packing for the trip: AFTER

Packing Packing Packing

Actually – in this case not a lot. About 3:30 pm yesterday (Saturday, 2/27), as I sat waiting for the 3rd of 3 tenants to give me their official 30-day notice, I decided departure date for the big road trip was being moved out 24 hours. There’s still snow, wind and rain predicted for Monday, but my emotional state will be much better able to deal with it.

Isn’t that always the way it is, though? You’re trying to tie up loose ends to get away and THAT’s when the ‘stuff’ hits the fan – the big proposal comes in, the client has a crisis, the basement floods… So it’s no different here. I have 4 apartments on the property where my office is. One tenant had previously given notice to move out this weekend. Last week 2 others turned in 30-day notice – which means they’ll be moving out before I even get back.

The next day we had the big storm where part of my fence, roof and lawn furniture blew into Canada. Trying to contact insurance adjusters and arrange rental assistance for the upcoming vacant units, prepare to leave for 5-weeks AND have a social life – just couldn’t be done in the 24 hours I had left.

This is one of the things I love most about living on my own; –calling the shots. I’m not leaving today. I’m going to pour myself another cup of coffee, put on some cheesy 70′s music and finish packing.

The journey officially begins on Sunday, February 28, 2010.  Today I visited my neighborhood auto mechanic in an attempt to get my car road worthy. The fun already begins… 

Visit to Ocean Street Auto – Part deux

btw, I decided to forego the $800-$900 repair word pre-trip and channel my inner Scarlett O’Hara. I’ll think about it tomorrow.