SXSW, Time to Learn, Hear about Experiments, New Things and Connect

SXSW is a great opportunity to learn and connect, engage in some great conversations, and as I often like to say “make online real offline too.” As a person who moved here just a few years ago, I can testify to Austin's live-ability. It has become home to this former Canadian. And to the guests from far and wide, I say welcome, come and enjoy.

There are so many great things to do, I’m not even going to try and start. However, check out Steph Agresta’s Techset Blogger Lounge and her blog listing with a great set of events. Update: My colleague and friend Lionel also has a post over at Direct2Dell with our info. It includes some info about the Dell team members at SXSW and other nifty things

The “Fashionable” AllHat…No Cattle Event: The "AllHat….No Cattle" Shopping and Socializing excusion (#allhat) is on Sunday from noon to 2pm . It includes shopping for hats, boots, buckles and a light lunch/refreshments (cash bar/food donation $ if you choose). More Details below.

Hat Tip from the AllHat team: Imagine, a few individuals came together with a different idea…"lets get together and have some fun shopping for a cowboy hat on Sunday at lunch.”

WOW…..Twitter and away we go. YOU, our many online friends, networks and individuals, have come together in a big way to join in (See Twtvite tab on who is attending, or the tweets, #allhat and more). Looks like we have a great crowd, but most importantly an event where we can share some fun, food and chance to talk to each other in person….many of us I suppose get to meet in person for the first time and exchange more than a 140 characters at a time. The results testify to the power of connecting, I think….so please be sure to not hesitate to introduce yourselves and we can all put faces to avatars.

So, HatTip from AllHat to ya'all, for the opportunity to meet, for joining us.

Team AllHat says thanks…to each of you.

Who is AllHat...and WHY?

Your Co-hosts: @Richardatdell and David Armano. Why? Because we had cowboy hats already and even shopped at Allen’s on another occasion

Special Guest: Mack Collier… Why is he a special guest? You will learn that at the event (hints have been in twitter and below).

Fashion Advisor/Crowdsource opinion leader: We “roped in” Steph Agresta following concerns that the two cohosts and special guest did not bode well for success in terms of fashion sense. Steph is a regular at Allen’s boots when she visits Austin. She has a red pair….hope she wears them :-)

Your Photographer: Brian Solis (I let you pick the link from google) and that search just goes to prove Brian is everywhere – on the the ranch, off the ranch, twitter, flickr, life streams, books, blogs – he’s like the Paparazziso, everywhere. But, we “roped him in.” Why a photographer? BECAUSE if ya’all make a scene at the AllHat event/brunch,(etiquette tips in some pics) modeling your newest hats boots and buckles, that’s like the red carpet at the Academy awards. Best that be captured and shared (and besides, Mack may need a new twitter avatar, so that we can start a trend of cowboy hats for twitter avatars)

The Roadie: Mark Drosos (with the band, again you choose the link) comes from the entertainment business…and this event is “entertainment,” – by, for and with you – pure and simple. He just volunteered….no, actually he just “stepped into it.” He’s the best roadie with the band we can have….and he is social too. Mark Chose the theme song and it captures the spirit we hope you feel, that Big warm Texas grin.

PreParty Prep, Etiquette Tips, Church of Customer Counsel : Window Shop if you want to get a little head start on decisions. You can start by window shopping over at Flicker. There are some different collectibles page 2, as well as a special treat: Church of the Customer Blog, Jackie Huba provides some perspective on one of the most highly viewed items, in the pre shopping warm up collection.
However, Jackie showed no patience (a virtue I am told) and decided to get her shopping done ahead of time in order to deliver a warm Texas welcome. Watch for her new purchase she already tweeted about using new hashtag #allhat.

Unboxings : When you get home (or back to your hotel room) with your hats, boots and buckles, just a reminder, like new computers, you can do an unboxing (sample here toward bottom of page and on the next one).

Prep Done? Ready for shopping now? .....Come have fun

From 3 Blog Secrets to Some Personal Secrets

Up until recently, I had avoided being tagged "it" in the blog game called "memes". After Peter Kim and BL Ochman tagged Marketing Profs Ann Handley to reveal some personal bits, and gingerly she did...Ann nailed me.

I have procrastinated; thought of dodging the ball thrown this way; but ultimately yielded.

Afterall, "Around the web with RichardatDELL", Facebook, Twitter, so many of your blogs and other social media activities have resulted in new-found professional colleagues (like Ann), many of whom only know me (and vice versa) on one or two levels. Perhaps getting tagged "It" adds dimension to personal "connectedness" that usually only comes with personal contact over time. By "spilling some" we make the personal and professional connections more human and real -- contributing to proof of the "theory" in "Naked Conversations" that blogs and other web 2 "tools" actually "humanize" companies, enhance connectedness and foster understanding.

I'm not sure what follows below are necessarily "secrets" but they are things you might not have known. I hope they might add some perspective to who RichardatDELL is.

Employment Chapters Before the American Communications Career

1. I was actively involved in Canadian politics as a political aide to the Ministers of Community & Social Services, then Environment, Health and Employment and Immigration. I managed several successful local campaigns and worked on the national campaign teams for the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney and the Right Honourable Kim Campbell.

   - I was what is known as a "Progressive Conservative". If that sounds like an oxymoron to my American friends....I leave it with you :-) .

   - I was a "rabid" supporter of the Canada-US free trade agreement, believing it demonstrated Canada was "growing up." I have commented here previously about proudly helping bring disparate parties together to pass Canada's first National AIDS policy, as well as working for the Parliamentary subcommittee a year later reviewing progress and directions

   - I had the honour and pleasure of meeting Ronald Reagan and George Bush (the first)

   - The Canadian election 1993 drove me to a career in the United States

2. I also worked as a lobbyist and completed a Master's degree. My thesis examines the challenges of exercising (political) leadership over bureaucracies.
3. I worked 12 hour shifts one summer in a Dupont factory making Nylon yarn. Messy and tricky business. I wanted to quit every day.
4. I spent a day when I first moved to Dell building computers -- it was fun, learned a lot and every computer I built passed all quality inspections :-)

Photography, Art, Life

1. I am completely "self taught" in photography (starting in 1994) have had several exhibits and been selected among "best in show". My first exhibit was a group exhibit that included work by mentor and friend Jennifer Dickson, the only Canadian artist to be a member of the Royal Academy. My work is the Boardroom of a major NYC based company, a Venture Capital firm and several private collectors. What started at $200 a print is now worth over $800-$1000 a print -- all scrupulously tracked in my registry (usually small sets of up to 15). Robert Frank's printer, Richard Hobbs, prints my film based work....long story.
2. I have my own "mini" art collection, including numerous works by Jennifer Dickson, 2 that I own are artist's proofs (with dedications to me enscribed on them). Copies 1 of 5 for these two pieces are in National Gallery of Canada.
3. I love music (all kinds) and during my time in NYC became friends with DJ/Producer Eddie Baez. I used to hang out in the dj booth at sound Factory, Tunnel and other clubs when Eddie played, as well as visit him in his studio. I have done the high hats on some of his remixes and have lots of cds/tapes from nights at the club...one of a kind remixes done on the spot. Precious.
4. NYC was the first city I ever really called my own home, as an adult...knowing I would move on from Kingston, Toronto, Ottawa, Richmond (family shelter and stopping place after immigration) and St Louis. Living there was a phenomenal experience that remains difficult to explain, although Ill never forget the realization one fall day shortly after moving there. Friends and summer Fire Island, distant today but close in my heart. Austin is giving it a run for it money -- from a very different perspective.
5. (BONUS...since I was tagged for 8)....February 8, 2002, 6 years ago, I became an American citizen. A proud day indeed. VERY! We had an all day party with friends and family; my dear friend Geraldine Ferraro, I call her my American political mother, presided over a wonderful luncheon and was the first person I spoke with after passing my Citizenship interview (because my parents were out when I called) ...Her response when I said "I passed" was "I expected no less". Just like my real Mom.

Feels slightly narcissistic, all of this.....thanks Anne.

So time to move along and tag some others. How about it: Valeria Maltoni (she is poetic...bet it will be the same), Connie Reece (she is a live one), Michael Lingolook ( an early web friend and epitomizes generosity)....and back to the homeland, Joe Thornley (he played this one in 2006, but it was only 5 secrets, so Joe, add three more...or how about updating things?)