So… I have to admit, I was kinda like “SXSW… eh.”

But then Whitney Matheson, the too-fabulous-too-really-deal-with author of Pop Candy, posted the news that she’s having a meetup for Pop Candy readers next Friday, and suddenly, I was thinking of all the reasons to be excited about SXSW this year.

1. Avenue A | Razorfish Happy Hour
Sure, it’s just drinks with co-workers and SXSW Interactive attendee nerds, but their MY co-workers, and I like them. Fun!

2. Karaoke Apocalypse at barcamp
It’s the collision of worlds. D the B was already planning to attend Barcamp. Apparently it’s super awesome nerd mecca. Then Karaoke Apocalypse was invited to play at their cocktail party… and it’s being held at GSD&M. The work life/play life collision is giving me a little bit of a headache, but it kinda rules, too.
Karaoke Apocalypse – Sat, 3/8 – 8:00 p.m. – GSD&M Office, W. 6th St.

3. Wristband!
Karaoke Apocalypse is also playing an official SXSW show at Emo’s on Sunday, March 16. That means I get a wristband and can check out new music and generally act like I don’t have responsibilities—at least for a few days. 6:30 a.m. boot camp be damned! I’m going to the rock show.
Karaoke Apocalypse – Sun, 3/16 – 12:45 a.m. – Emo’s

4. Magic
I’ve become one of those people that grumbles just a little bit when SXSW rolls around each year. People from all over the place descend on our town and, yeah, it gets a little hectic. As an Austinite, it feels like none of the hoopla is really for us. “We’re being invaded!”

But the flip side of that is the magic. Everything takes on a dream-like haze. The weather starts to get warmer. There’s music EVERYWHERE. Pawn shop parking lot? Sure. Grocery store? You bet. Offices of an advertising agency? Naturally.

Bedtime becomes random. Tacos are de riguer sustenance. And even if you’re not participating, you know somewhere, someone is. And that delicious thought is filled with possibility. There are daily editions of the Austin Chronicle, and friends appear in unexpected places. It’s like I always imagined my college campus would be (but wasn’t), or maybe Heaven. “Free music, free food, and all your friends… come on in!”

5. It will be over!
And life can return to normal and St. Joe’s Choir can finally get out and play again because all of our bandmates will return from their SXSW duties. Whew!