SXSW Report - Observations from a 'newbie'

* I knew I couldn't party like a rockstar but I had hopes that I could party like an 'internet' star. Sorry to say but nope! Two nights in and I have been in bed by 2:00am both nights. Maybe I am starting too early or maybe I am too old, either way, when I see 'tweets' from friends letting me know that they are still going at 5:00am and my alarm just went off to go for a run...well, enough said.

* The Apple MacBook Pro is by FAR the #1 choice for computing in this crowd; yes, I brought mine, and my DELL as well (hey, I'm in Austin) but the PC has stayed back in the room for work purposes.

* Gary Vaynerchuck is just as good in front of 3,000 people as he was last month with 120 people. If you never heard of Gary, you can check out his site here - http://garyvaynerchuk.com/. He is SXSW legend at this point and regardless of anything else he is brutally honest and I like that. He also gives me hope that what I and the people I work with are doing the right things by our clients, our colleagues and our stakeholders. Still trying to get some one on one time with him but I realize that will have to happen back in New York.

* PEPSI sucks --- ok, maybe you don't think so but I'm a Diet Coke guy and I cn't get it here!!! I give PEPSI credit for stepping up in the Interactive Space and getting their brand out, I just wish it were my friends at Coca-Cola.

* I really get this 'stuff'! I'll never be a techie or be able to grind away in geel speak (despite what some of my less tech savvy friends believe) but from a philosophical and energy level I am right there. I can't remember how many years it has been since I knew that my skills and talents were so meant for the place that I am at.

* Everyone is a 'social media expert' and you know what? That's cool with me. There are so many places to gravitate towards there will never be one authoritative voice on 'what's next'. As long as you keep an open mind and continue to learn; not allow yourself to get 'boxed' into one technology or one platform then I think there is room for everyone. The tent is literally open my friends.

Wrapping up here --- panel on the future of Sports Journalism --- go figure, I have an interest there :)

Weight Watchers Update

So there was no weigh in last week because of Labor Day. I set a goal for myself to lose 2.4 lbs I think...

Did I? No. I only lost .2 lbs but hey, at least I didn't gain. Let's dissect the 2 weeks and see where I failed:

1. Spent 4 days in Florida with the boys - playing golf, fantasy football draft, drank a few beers and I probably ate too much bad food and didn't think 'portion control'.

2. Labor Day - flew home and took the girls too the Braves-Phillies game. I did well here; no beer, not hot dogs, etc...just a grilled chicken sandwich and peanuts.

3. Took the company to the Braves - Phils on Wednesday for a day game AND we sat in the 'All you can eat seats'. Again, I did relatively well compared to Old Gil. I had ONE LIGHT BEER and 2 hot dogs. Old Gil would have been 2-3 beers, 4 hot dogs, fries and nachos.

4. This past weekend we drive down to Gainesville and took the girls to their first HOME Gator game. On the road I had a Chick-Fil-A sandwich on the way down and nothing on the way back. Before the game I had a Subway Turkey sub and NO chips. At the game I had a little of Rachel's pizza and Diet Coke's (actually Diet Pepsi's but that's a horse of a different color).

5. I only ran 4 days of the 2 weeks as well.


All in all I'll take the fact that I maintained and try to get back on the horse this week. I would like to hit the 10 pound loss this week.