Update:
Still at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Tonight’s our last night. I seem to have picked up all the same ailments of hoarseness, cough and fatigue I have during the previous years when I drank copious amounts of alcohol. I danced just as much, I talked just as much and I hugged only slightly less.

Learning:
It’s the people, silly, not the booze.

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Update:
Speaking of the people, I am saddened to report that I didn’t meet many new folks. The conference has gotten so big and impressive, I stuck to the folks I’d met in years past. This is a new turn for me at this conference, and I hope that I don’t do this again.

Learning:
Billy Bob Thornton’s skin is much nicer in person than it is on television.

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Update:
My belly is compact, hard, tight and high. I feel kicks and movements, and have become much less nimble over the past five days. Still, it’s hard to tell there’s a baby in there from the outside, especially when I wear black. The fetus loves it when people touch it, so who am I to argue? Touch my belly, yo.

Learning:
I have heretofore been very lucky with the relationship between fetal development and my body.

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Update:
James has the camera, thus images from this trip won’t get uploaded for a few days.

Learning:
I need to carry around my own image taking device, it just doesn’t work at events like these to share.

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Update:
Life had been divided into “I’ll handle it before SXSW” and “I’ll handle it after.” This week has helped me to prioritize what actually will be handled after. I’m preparing to do some major slashing of work, relationships and goals that don’t get me closer to what I really want. That’s scary, but also liberating.

Learning:
Pruning is just as important for growth as fertilizer.