SXSWi ‘09 = #EPIC #FTW

No #FAIL here.

I’ll first warn you that I am exhausted and exhausted in a way I never have been before. I feel it in my body, my eyes are crossing because I badly need sleep, and I’m on total mental sensory overload so it’s amazing I’m even cognizant enough to write this post. As the astute @stephdub said:

I honestly do not think I should have operated a motor vehicle this morning, nor should I be at work right now. #sxswaftermath #exhausted

I knew it was going to be crazy with sessions and events and conversations but I was not prepared for my first SX. It should be illegal to have that many intelligent, thoughtful, driven and fun professionals in one location, especially when steeped in endless opportunities to engage.

I went to sessions with topics like: Designing the Future of the New York Times; Branded Entertainment: Brands Driving Content; Privacy and Personalization: Oxymoron or the Perfect Match?; Advertising is Entertaining – Who’s Selling out?; Location, Location, Location: The Future of Mobile Advertising; Digital Narc’ing; and last but certainly not least, How LA Has Built A Successful Tech Community.

I watched Stephen Baker, author of The Numerati, a book I am currently in love with, interview Nate Silver about predicative data modeling. I listened to Guy Kawasaki interview Chris Anderson about his new book, “Free,” and asked how internet based companies are supposed to survive if free is really where we’re headed (Twitter discussed heavily, of course.)

I got to experience the enchanting Bruce Sterling give a talk that will take my mind a long time to process. His words and their underlying messages were profound, his delivery on point and his humor and tone created a welcoming environment. I look forward to the opportunity to hear him again.

To add to the stimulation from attending the organized SX content, I also spent a significant amount of time during the day hanging out in the blogger lounge (thank you TechSet and WindowsMobile) where one day I got to hear Paula Nelson, Willie’s daughter, sing an acoustic set. She’s incredible.

I did the hallway networking thing. The sporadic lunch and dinner date thing. I visited several of the lord-knows-how-many off-site lounges, BBQ’s and events being hosted by companies all over the city. And then there were the parties. Oh the evening parties. Always packed. Always fun.

You get a sense how action filled the daylight hours were from the highlights above but when the sun set the geeks stayed out to play. My night schedule went something like this:

Flew in Thursday night on the #nerdbird, grabbed some grub with a mess of peeps and then hit up Gingerman to say hello to Brian Solis and about 200 other people.

Friday night was “TechSet meets the RatPack” hosted by lovely friends, Brian Solis and Stephanie Agresta. That night is a total blur. So many people and the first official night of interactive.

Saturday evening was Digital LA and Culture Jam’s house BBQ that opened its doors to also welcome the crew that rolled in from NOLA on a wrapped bus. It was two tech communities mashing together in a city neither resides in. Where else does this happen?

After that was an impromptu tw/meet up organized by Brian, Steph and the lovely and talented Erica O’Grady, at Driskill that turned into the only place to be because everyone you wanted to see was there. Hope no one else had big party plans that night that was trying to attract the popular crowd.

Sunday was Social Media Club’s, Chris Heur and Kristie Wells’, Pool 2.0 followed by the Tumblr party to join the flash mob for @Garyvee wine tweet up at 12:30am to keep the tradition alive from last year. After the wine ran out the crowd invaded Rain across the street for more talking and some moneymaker shaking.

Monday night was the Blurb/Mashable party that was ridiculous amounts of fun where many of the LA and SF crew created a dance party in the corner. That was followed by more dancing and basic all around frivolity at Lucky Lounge for the NOLA crew’s Y@t Pack party complete with live brass band and then a very bumping DJ.

And then Tuesday, to close it out with “Klass,” as some of us say, it was time for RockYou’s ShamRockYou St. Patty’s day music bonanza. Hands down it is the best venue for a party I have ever been to. Several levels, multiple rooms, three bands (Data Rock, Kid Sister and Hey Champ) and OM records DJ’s, including one of my faves, J Boogie. (Congrats @vanessacamones and the rest of the Mix Agency crew on throwing one hell of a party.) Then made a quick stop at Pure Volume for St. Patrick’s Last Stand before heading to a hotel room party to end the whole she-bang with a smaller group of 30 friends. All losing their voices but so fueled by adrenaline and enthusiasm it didn’t matter.

See why I’m exhausted?

But it was worth it.

I made new industry connections for work. I met people who read this blog, get my monthly LA tech event mailing through FB or have only interacted with on Twitter. I met influencers that I’ve long admired. I was able to spend quality time with good friends and deepen relationships with newer friends.

I left exhausted but inspired and full of input. Exactly what I was looking for.

#epic.