SXSW 2005

Day One

Josh and I left for Austin about 12:00pm on Wednesday. The drive there was really mellow and peaceful. I've made that drive quite a bit in the last few years, mainly alongside Josh.. We made it to Mono and I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, both of which were pretty freakin cool. The first band was a group of Asian instrumental rockers who were scheduled for a show with Explosions in the Sky the following day. After the show, Josh and I headed for Chuy's on Riverside. I love their chips, so yummy. We got to my cousin's house around 9 or so and got settled there. My cousin has a huge "game" room that posesses a foosball table and a projector for movies and games. It's awesome. We played Sega Soccer Slam (where Josh kicked our butts) and SSX 3 (which is my new favorite game, but I suck at it). Due to my massive headache, we headed to bed around mid-night.

Day Two

We woke up around 9 and had fresh coffee waiting for us because my cousin rules. Thinh, Juston, Amber, and Dan were on their way in from SA. Juston called me asking if I was on my rag, and unfortunately I was... along with Amber. So 100% of the females on the trip were riding the crimson wave. We met up with them at their hotel and headed for the streets of Austin. We made it to Emo's in time to see The Stars whom I enjoyed very much. Right before Pedro the Lion went on, I started to feel really queesy, then I got tunnel hearing, and then minor blackout vision. I recovered for a short time, then it happened again. I guess they were fainting spells, so I made my way put of the crowd to the bleachers to get some fresh air. I was there for about 10 minutes and felt worlds better. I made my way back up to the front just before they went on and it was great. So Dan was right, besides the fainting spells, the shpw was great. Josh and I left early to head to The Church of the Friendly Ghost to see Jennifer Gentle, but we had only a vague idea of where it was. We must've walked a good 15 blocks trying to find it, but we never did. Darn it all. We ate at Schlotzky's on Congress and met up with everyone else after that. By the way, the new Whole Foods is amazing! Later that night we met the Nintendo DS Street Team, who happened to be named Josh and Matt. Because Josh and I had our DS's out, we got free shirts and our pictures taken for headquarters. Thinh and Dan got free shirts because they rocked at Double Dash, more pictures were taken. I think the DS Street Team was the highlight of the trip. We went to Coco's for some food and tapioca bullets and Josh spit on a Catholic church. The arcade was next, and this time Chris and Lindsay met up with us. Juston accidently offended a homeless mexican and he cussed and yelled at us as he walked down the street. Soon after, Josh and I headed back to my cousin's.

Day Three

Josh, Thinh, Dan, and I headed for the Mall pretty early. I shopped and I guess they just walked around. We headed for Stubb's at noon to meet up with Josh and Matt. This time they gave us Nintendo hats. To our suprise we also met Carlos from RETRO who asked us our opinion of the new Metroid. I was like, are you kidding me? A guy who actually worked on this game is asking us how we liked it? I had to talk up the Multiplayer because it's so much fun (well, it's only fun when Josh and Justin Taylor aren't kicking my butt) After that we headed for Guadalupe and some shopping at Urban Outfitters. We finally met up with everyone else and went back to the motel for some much needed rest and stock up on feminine products. When dinner time hit, I went for Jimmy John's and everyone else hit up Coco's. If you ever go to Coco's on Guadalupe, get the Chicken Lo Mein > amazing. Shortly after we headed again for the DS street team and this time we all got visors and a Link pin. We gave them our e-mail addresses and they promised to contact us when they're going to be in Texas again. They also busted out a video camera and interviewed Amber and I. Yep, those guys were pretty cool. I guess after we left they finally got to play Thinh and Dan at Double Dash. Josh and I headed home after that. It was long drive for Josh practically alone, because I always fall asleep on the way home. I guess he found a way to keep me awake because he got me talking about planets and space in Brady and then BAM! we were in San Angelo. All in all the trip was pretty amazing. The group we had was a lot of fun and... I love Josh.

This trip really can't compare to last years because it was so different from the company to the weather. Both were a lot of fun though. I'll have MY pictures up later, I just wanted to tell about the trip now before I forget it.