Wow, when it rains in Texas, it really rains in Texas. Like someone was constantly throwing buckets of water at the windshield the entire drive home (not to mention the drenching every time we stepped out from under an awning of any kind). I'm just happy the house wasn't washed away last night. The spectacular thunder and lightening show was worth it all, though. And today is starting so innocently, with birdsong and sunlight through the scattered clouds. It might have been a mistake to pack the sandals.

So yeah, sxsw. I've been here since Thursday, and it's been fun! There are so many events and so many people I know here, I've decided that it's in the best interest of my sanity to just focus on 1 event a night that I really want to attend, and a small group of people to follow around to that event, and then just let everything develop from there. It's mostly worked out. Thursday night I went straight to bed. Friday I spent the day babysitting my friend's daughter, who had woken up with a 100 degree fever, and then headed out for BBwB. Saturday I had lunch with the group and then went shopping with Leia at Target and then on Congress before heading out to dinner with the group again. We were foiled in our attempt to attend parties by the conference badge requirement, so I was home early for the first time ever in the history of sxsw. Yesterday I lazed around the house before heading in for dinner with Jessa and Esin and then Fray, which was great fun.

I've started putting up pictures, which you can find here. Lots of "so-and-so and I" photos, just to prove I was here and we were having a good time.

Sleep has been difficult since I got here. I'm not sure why, as I have slept in this bed before without any problem. I just woke up, and I feel like I should take a nap (maybe on the couch) or I won't make it through the day. And can anyone tell me why my feet swell up every time I come to Texas? I swear, I have cute feet, but you wouldn't know it this week. Ack.

Well, Austinites, you'll see me tonight at 20x2 (not as a performer, but as the spectator I always am! duh!). Everyone else, I'll be Home at the end of the week. I love it here (I really do!), but I can't wait to be back in my own sleep-assured bed with all my clothes in a dresser, and a wide(r) variety of shoes to choose from.