5 Days of Curiosity

I’m a SXSW tenderfoot. I’m super excited and already overwhelmed (and I haven’t even left Atlanta yet.)

I travel quite a bit for business, so I’ve got the security line shortcuts down. I’m totally comfy in unfamiliar cities, and I secretly enjoy awkward conversations with cabbies. However, this is different. I’m going to SXSW. In Austin (which I’m told is one of the coolest places on the planet!), I won’t be making last-minute changes to a client presentation up until the wee hours the night before, and I won’t be dreading the time away from my kids (ok, that’s a tiny lie: I’ll be texting them weird pics constantly because they are the funniest people I know). Instead, I will be well-rested. I will be a sponge — the poster child for a creative director ready to be inspired.

I’ve studied the interactive keynotes (I mean, c’mon; Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud? Very cool.) I’ve got my preferred itinerary down to include my session: “Speed Dating For Massive Social Impact.” And I’ve RSVP’d to attend some awesome parties.

So why am I worried? Because I don’t know what I don’t know. I fear I will be overambitious. I worry that my curiosity will lead me to missed opportunities. I’m concerned that I will be late to sessions, that I will change my life as I know it, or be distracted by a surprising exhibition that will take me off my well-conceived and tightly wound plan. Five days is a long time to stay focused, hydrated and interested. Can I do this? Can I keep up with the masses? The mayhem? The millennials, for goodness’ sake?

Well I guess we’re going to find out — together. Yes, I will be excited and overwhelmed, but I will also be connected constantly. Follow me on Twitter @RCBlake_23 or my blog: http://reneeblake.com/blog/ Also, I’m going with my buddy and fellow Moxiean, Eric @EPayneTheDad, and we will undoubtedly be experiencing these shenanigans uniquely. Follow us both at the hashtag #remoxd.

I can’t wait to see what 5 days of condensed curiosity brings.