A quote from Elaine May hangs in my office:  “There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of adequate preparation.”

Sometimes that preparation (for me, at least) involves getting up before the sun and being one of the first on scene – trying to be ready for whatever happens (or doesn’t happen).  But with all of the preparation for this years’ visit to SXSWi, I was fortunately not so focused (or overwhelmed!) to forget to look around when I arrived hours before the masses.  The electrical charge of the coming bustle and rush was already in the air – but was strangely distanced from what presented itself to me.  The excitement could be felt – but it was disconnected.  It could touch me, but I could not actually see it (yet).

What occurred to me as I was walking around in this disembodied hectic was:  As exciting as the whole SXSWi thing may be, it was at its prettiest in the hours just before dawn, in the minutes when the first of the staff, presenters, and vendors arrived.

So here are just a few captures of those hours.  (Most of my impressions, however, weren’t photographed.  They were absorbed from the minutes enjoyed just walking around, breathing deeply.)   Yes – amid all the tech, the “cutting-edge” and “next wave,” and the “keeping up” – there were also moments when SXSWi was calming and rejuvenating, as well.  Peace to you.