How to Rawk SXSW: The Basics

This was a fun panel. Designed for all the n00bs in the house and a refresher for all the vets, this esteemed panel of alcoholic, fun loving, experience maximizing people bestowed the wisdom of several SXSW experiences.

The Rules as I can remember them:

1. Drink — actually this is not a complete endorsement of debauchery (although it was only thinly veiled as anything other), instead it was a gentle demonstration to lose your inhibitions and get out there and INTERACT!! One of the best lines was that there is no social networking application or platform better than SXSWi.
2. Eat BBQ — why the hell not?!? you’re in TX and we have depth perception so get over the veggie only diet and gets to eatin!
3. Don’t sleep with everyone, pick a few and have sex that they remember — this is a metaphor. don’t try to network too hard and don’t try to meet everyone at once. Instead, find some people you really gel with and create a lasting relationship/friendship with them.
4. Bullet Bourbon and Children’s Aspirin — This actually goes back to the drinking entry. The bourbon is high in rye which prevents hangovers. Children’s Aspirin extends the life of caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine are both required for a successful experience. Also, drink wine with lower amounts of tannin; not so good for the head.
5. dodgeball.com — get in touch with people who are close to your geographic location through text messaging.
6. Don’t burn out in the first night, pace yourself.
7. Don’t pace yourself, try to do everything.
8. Don’t be afraid to go with the flow and break out of your plan.  If you end up in a car with a bunch of strangers going to someplace you don’t know while that book reading session on fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms application in pixel rendering for dogs is going on — its okay. all the sessions are recorded and you can listen later.  for example, right now i am in an improv panel called Battle Decks with Jeff Tidwell!

gotta run!