Preparing for my first SXSWi experience

My flight to Austin leaves Wednesday afternoon. This leaves me approximately 48 hours to tie up all the loose ends, figure out what I’m going to pack (most importantly, which shoes I will take), and ultimately de-stress myself. Oh, and sleep.

Yes, I have been a total stress wad the last week or so. But, I think I have figured out why. Usually when I go on trips I am that person who has thoroughly researched every last teeny-tiny detail before departure (I’m sure I completely annoyed my travel buddies while planning our trip to Spain last September). I could draw you a map of where the hotel is located with my eyes closed. I have walked the area with Google Street View and know (roughly) how many steps it is to the nearest pub. My packing list and the details of each activity I want to do has been written down on a crumply piece of paper for at least a week prior to my leaving. I just do better with a plan.

So, as I said, my flight leaves in 48 hours. I haven’t gone through the SXSW panel list hardly at all. I don’t have the slightest clue what shoes I am packing. And, I still have loads of things I need to wrap-up at work before I depart for a week.

What is saving me right now is knowing that I have amazing friends who remind me to do things before I leave (thanks to Aimee for the iPhone prep e-mail, and Josh and Cali for sending along events I need to RSVP to). Also, I do know where my hotel is, and I do know that I am going to have an amazing time.

Last year I wanted to be at SXSW Interactive so bad and I am really excited to make that happen this year. Honestly, I don’t think I could have handled watching the #SXSWi hashtag run through my Twitter stream again without being there.

If you have any last-minute recommendations for something I may forget, please let me know! I’ve got the Emergen-c, umbrella and multiple power cords covered.