Cross Country

Southern Wisconsin It’s amazing, sometimes, how easily we forget how big, how expansive our country is. The time it takes to drive across one state or another is not inconsequential and each time the scenery is worth paying attention to. The diversity of the landscapes always impresses me.

From the sweeping agricultural plains to the industrial and commercial centers of urban life, to the majestic mountains or coastline it never ceases to teach. Every trip I take, I learn something new. Either about the area I’m visiting, or the region I’m traveling through, the history and culture of the area presents a new opportunity to learn more about my fellow countrymen. It gives me a better idea of how the things I do fit into the world, and how we all relate to each other.

View from The County Line BBQ - Austin, TX The other thing is the opportunity to travel across rather than over. While flying is faster, it’s certainly not rewarding. The hassles of security stops and checks is inconvenient, especially with the false sense of security it provides. Traveling on the road can be much more rewarding if you have the time. You get to see the country, meet the people, and experience the contours of the land, something that’s lost at 40,000 feet.

Another perspective is the people. You learn so much from the characters you meet and where they’re from. It can help look at things from another angle and learn what kinds of perceptions exist and why. These help us build better products and provide better services. Not just because they’re cool, but because they are useful. Because people need or want them.

The Donut Whole - Wichita, KS I write this on the return leg of a road trip to South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX. Over a week on the road getting a full dose of fresh perspective has reset my direction and attitude. The results are the only thing left to focus on, and I need to thank this experience and the trip itself for the bulk of that new thinking.

Have you done a long distance road trip lately? What have you learned that can help others?

Bloggers Lounge at SXSW

Ok, it’s my first day at SXSW, and I’ve already run into about 10 online friends in the first hour here at the Austin Convention Center.

I decided to start the day in the Bloggers Lounge, which most of the folks I’ve connected with online over the last many years.  The lounge is set up with wired Internet and power for everyone who comes in, and there’s a bookable space for podcasting and videocasting or recording shows.

Altogether, it’s a great resource for bloggers as they create content and network with each other.

SXSW 2010 Bloggers Lounge

SXSW 2010 Bloggers Lounge

Twitters that will be at SXSW

SXSW | Music - Film - Interactive | March 7-16 2008 | Austin, TX Hello there to all my Twitter budz! As I mentioned yesterday, I’m sharing all the Twitter users that I know are going to be Tweeting from SXSW next week. So, if you’re not following them now, you can now! Also, these are all really great people with a lot of intelligent commentary – and a lot of great wit as well. 😉

In no particular order:

Like many, I’ll be following these fine folks, and others that I’m not aware of that’ll be there, for as much play-by-play that they have time to share with us. If you know of more people that’ll be there, or if you would like to be added to the list, please drop me a line on Twitter – you can find me there at http://twitter.com/rickmahn.com.

UPDATE: Connie Reece pointed out that there is also a wiki that many Twitters that are going to SXSW have left their links on for people to follow! So head over to http://sxswtwitter.pbwiki.com and check it out.

UPDATE II: I noticed Pistachio just Twittered a link that I hadn’t seen before as well: http://www.sxswbaby.com. It’s a blog dedicated to SXSW, loaded with information specifically for the conference, it’s venues and more.

 

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