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It’s SXSW (South by South West) time!  I’ve been at the Interactive conference since the end of last week and after reading about it for years on technology & media blogs, I’m FINALLY here!!  I’m a very lucky girl because my library has sent me as my annual professional development.  So far, I have found some truly radical and amazing ideas that are well worth discussing when I’m back in the office.  In my spare moments, I pay attention to media topics and the blogosphere and that is what I will write about on my blog to share with you.  I’m calling it SxSchoolOfMoxie.

School of Moxie at SXSW

First I had to get over the overwhelming anxiety that this event naturally produces.  It doesn’t matter how mild mannered you may be.  You WILL suffer anxiety at SXSW.  There are SO. MANY. *bleep* people here.  As the days tick off the calendar, I notice an increasing number of non-badge holders swarming toward downtown Austin… whether you paid the high price of admission or you’re just looking for free events (or trying to sneak into events — good luck with that), it seems that half the world’s population has descended on a normally chill and groovy music town.

School of Moxie at SXSW

But I’ve been able to attend some high profile talks, like Julian Assange who Skyped in live from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.  (Wow!)  There were technical problems like any other Skype call… it was awesome.  Even the founder of WikiLeaks is not immune to service interruptions over the interwebs in front of a few hundred people and the international press in attendance.

School of Moxie at SXSW

I’ve found so much inspiration in such a short period of time, it actually makes my head hurt (just a little).  I’ve networked with a couple people who, I hope, will be able to help mentor me on my writing goals and dreams.  And I’m not ready to share here just yet, but while walking the Trade Show floor on its opening day, I was approached by the grace of the Gods to throw my hat in the ring for a pretty amazing opportunity… and they chose me.  I’ll share the video after it’s finished!

Amanda O’Brien, a very successful Etsy artist (Doodle Button), told me all the right things I needed to hear (and know about) for launching my store full throttle.  She also gave me some swag for Anna, my Etsy angel, without whom I would never had made this connection.

School of Moxie meets Doodle Button at SXSW

And I was reminded to return to the core passion of what I do as a seamstress and why I do it, by Brandon Stanton, photographer & author of Humans of New York.  His advice was honest and true; it’s made me think more clearly about my sewing & blogging goals, now, more than ever.  He gave me so much to think about and be re-motivated, that I really need to write more about this session later in the week.  In the meantime, I’m thinking about my own refinement process in my artistic development and simply working harder than everyone else until I reach my next big milestone.

Unfortunately, the start of SXSW was rather soggy with cold, rainy weather.  The skies are finally clearing, but I did manage to snap a quick selfie in a very dirty elevator mirror.  I wore my Star Trek dress (which needs its own post, too!) and even though I’m carrying bags like a Sherpa and I’m wearing a million layers on top of my dress… well, you get the idea.  Scott and I will probably go see the wildflowers in the next couple weeks and we will take some proper photos so you can see this nerdy garment in all of its glory!

School of Moxie at SXSW


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