So SXSW is over – this year it seemed to go by really quickly! We usually stay away from the crowds for most of the week, but we try to walk downtown at least once during the madness to check things out, and this year we almost missed it. It’s such a different feeling – it feels as though our city has been taken over by another. It’s crowded and everyone is excited and hopeful.
I will admit that it’s not fun to try to get to your favorite spots during this time. We stayed away from our downtown office all week – microphone checks, screaming girls, traffic. The crowds also meant all downtown restaurants were off limits.
We didn’t see any films this year, which makes me sad. Last year, we bought passes as usual, and couldn’t get into any films. We heard that many badge holders had the same experience. I don’t know what the solution is – sell fewer badges? Have more venues? For now, we’ll save our money for the Austin Film Festival.
Still, I was inspired! By fashion, by hairstyles, by bravery. There’s a huge wave of hipster-hating at the moment, and I’m not really sure why. Sheesh, I’m a hipster. I think pretty much all of my friends are hipsters. These days, if you have a beard, or use Twitter, or dress creatively, or are into craft cocktails, or listen to Andrew Bird, you’re a hipster. Who cares? I don’t want to be an old, grumpy gal, not willing to embrace change, scowling at the younger crowd and their “fashions” and “music.” I want to be a part of the life happening around me, to be inclusive rather than exclusive. I suppose, as Justin says, “Haters gonna hate.”
I read a great quote from Matthew Odam on Twitter this week:
Positive definition of hipster: one actively engaged with the culture they are consuming. Beats raw consumerism.
And so, SXSW is just another opportunity for me to be involved in the world around me and appreciate the culture that is growing in Austin. Until next year!
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