Category: Blogging

SXSW IV

Well, I’m here in Austin again, for my fourth South by Southwest Interactive. This time, I’m accompanied by my pals Brent and Paul.

So far, we’ve hung out with the fabulous Browns, met new friend Kevin, and briefly exchanged hugs with old friend Kevin.

Tonight the festivities will get underway with the ever-popular Bread Bread With Brad. I can’t wait.

On the way down, I read an entire book on the plane. It was a funny one: Joe Queenan’s Red Lobster, White Trash, and the Blue Lagoon, a hilarious skewering of middlebrow culture. It helped me get ready for my latest foray into America.

What’s The Big Idea?

Indeed. What’s the big idea of asking little old me to get up on a stage and attempt to answer this question in 120 seconds? I’m becoming extremely nervous.

While I’m in Austin in a few weeks for South by Southwest Interactive, I’ve been invited to participate in 20×2. This annual tradition gives 20 people an opportunity (albeit a small one) to answer some vexing question. For the first time today, I looked at the company I’ll be among. The Craig from craigslist, Dan Gillmor from the San Jose Mercury News. And most intimidating of all, Rannie!

Photoblog Blues

Though not a surprise from a guy called “Photojunkie”, Rannie‘s decision to pull the plug on his text blog and replace it with a photoblog is just another in a growing string of jaded bloggers giving up writing. It saddens me. I was just commenting on this trend to Natalie on Saturday night at Joey‘s party. It seems a lot of people are just finding they have nothing left to say. Many of the people I’ve come to know through their writing have stopped writing and are posting pictures. Heather, Natalie, Rannie, Jay, even the venerable Jish has been posting a lot of photos. Granted, some of the their photography is quite good, but it doesn’t let me into their lives in the same way that their words did.

What’s the cause of this general trend? Is it just that the novelty of the tools has worn off? Are people busier? Are they being more guarded about letting people know the details of their lives? Whatever it is, I miss the old days.

Syrah Safari

Crazy world. While searching for wine (and food) blogs, I stumbled across one written by Panther and Safari developer Ken Bereskin. Neat.

By the way, here’s a nice list of wine and food blogs, if you’re interested in that sort of thing:

Let me know if you are aware of any other good ones. I don’t mind foodie ones, but I’m mainly looking for wine blogs.