A Blog Not Limited

To say I had an amazing time at last year's SXSW would be an understatement. So, of course, I'm going back this year.

I'm taking the same approach this time around: flexibility. I'm not planning anything. Yes, I want to make it to Happy Cog'aoke 2. Yes, I want to be sure to catch Stephen Anderson's panel, The Art & Science of Seductive Interactions. Yes, I want to hit the frog design party. But stuff happens … hangovers, running into an old friend, meeting a new friend, tired feet, sudden cravings for single-malt scotch …

I'll make it to the panels I can. I'll catch the parties I can. And I'll let the rest work itself out.

Find Me

I will be in Austin, raring for the festivities on Thursday, March 11, until Monday, March 15.

If you want to meet up with me at SXSW (and I hope you do), follow me on Twitter. I'm also using Sitby.us this year (I'm still finalizing my "schedule"), and may stretch my newbie foursquare wings.

Between those three resources, you can stalk me all over Austin.

Book Promotion (AKA Free Shit)

While I may be foolish, I'm no fool. One thing I will definitely be doing at SXSW is book pimpage. Not too much. Just enough for my own satisfaction (and entertainment).

Microformats Are Way Fuckin Cool T-shirts

If you are one of the lucky people to have read my book, you know that I mention an imaginary club, The Microformats Are Way F'n Cool Club (lovingly borrowed from Andy Clarke). You also know that in the book, I mention t-shirts. Well, I've taken my little attempt at literary humor and transformed it into reality.

Because I've become amazingly adept at procrastination, the shirts are still being printed and, as such, I have no photos to share. But here's the mockup:

The all-white shirts will feature the lovely microformats logo on the side, so that it peeks out from both the front and the back.

Then, on the back, just under the collar, the shirts read:

Yep, they say "fuckin."

Get Yours

I have a very small run of t-shirts to give away at SXSW; probably 2-3 per day (while supplies last). And I have a variety of sizes, including small, x-large and xx-large. I even have a couple long-sleeved versions for very special people.

But these aren't t-shirts for just anyone. You have to work to get one:

1. Find me at SXSW (rel="met" is a requirement)
2. Do two of three things:
   • Answer a microformats trivia question. I will have a handful of cards with questions. You pick one.
   • Show me a site where you used microformats. This can be a simple rel microformat or a cool new service that transforms microformats. Up to you.
   • Show/tell me your favorite @emilylewis tweet. No, you don't have to follow me on Twitter, just appreciate me.
3. Get a rockin' shirt

PG-13 Version

Not everyone is both a microformats and a profanity enthusiast (we're a special group). For those folks, I have some PG-13 t-shirts where "fuckin" is replaced with "f'n" (which is what is in the book anyway):

Free Copy of Microformats Made Simple

What if you don't think too much about microformats? Or, even worse, don't even know what they are or what they are about? If you happen to fall into that camp, you likely won't be able to win a t-shirt by showing me where you published microformats or knowing what the "h" stands for in many microformat names (hCard, hCalendar, hResume …).

Don't fret! I've got you covered. You can win a free copy of Microformats Made Simple so you can learn all about microformats! And it is even easier than winning a t-shirt:

1. Find me at SXSW (again, rel="met" is a requirement)
2. Tell me you want to learn more about microformats and why
3. Get a copy of my book

I will only have a handful of books to give away at SXSW; probably 1 per day. So find me early.

Microformats Made Simple Discounts

For every person at SXSW who wants one, I will have flyers with a discount code for Microformats Made Simple. So if you haven't bought my book yet (you should, you really should), find me to get this most-excellent discount and begin your journey into the Microformats Are Way Fuckin Cool Club.

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

I also have a shitload of the interrobang buttons I made for last year's SXSW. If you want one, you got one. No sing and dance. Nada.

In fact, please come get a button (or 20). Please?

Good While Supplies Last

No part of these giveaways is official in any capacity. I reserve the right to give a book or a t-shirt away to someone I think is just really awesome. I also reserve the right to refuse a giveaway if you are a douchebag.

Giveaways are only good while I actually have shit to give away left. Bitching is not accepted if you miss out. And, nope, you can't get a t-shirt by sending me an email or @ing me on Twitter. This stuff is exclusive to SXSW.

Meet Me at MIX

I just lied in that last sentence. Some of these giveaways will also be available to MIX10 attendees.

I don't have all the details to share just yet, but if you are going to be at MIX, I am too! I'm leaving SXSW at the buttcrack–of–dawn on Tuesday, March 16, to head to Las Vegas and catch the last two days of Microsoft's MIX10.

I'm not speaking. I'm there to meet even more new faces and have a blast. So be sure to find me at MIX. There will be a book signing, some other TBD chances for conversation, but mostly just a lot of fun. And I hope you join me!.

I will fill you in on the details once I know the specifics. But either way, pencil me in for those last two days of MIX. You know you wanna hang out.