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Saturday, January 31, 2009 
Doom and gloom. Meltdown of the global economy. Real estate prices dropping, layoffs, businesses closing and more bad news bombards us daily.
2008 was a rough year and 2009 is off to a rocky start. These are challenging times.
In spite of the bad news around us, I've decided to focus on the positive. To focus on the opportunities in this new year and not let the negativity dominate my outlook or perspective.
For me, this begins with SXSW interactive in Austin, Texas, March 13-18, 2009.
SXSW Interactive Official Sketchnoter
One hugely bright spot in 2009 is the honor of being the Official Sketchnoter to SXSW Interactive. In 2008, my first ever SXSW, I used my Moleskine pocket sketchbook and G2 pen to live capture several of the panels and sessions in sketchnote form.
At the time I was capturing the event for myself and the small band of followers who enjoyed my work from SEED 1 and SEED 3 conferences and other events I'd captured in 2007 and 2008. What surprised me was how popular the SXSW 2008 sketchnotes became. Just a week after posting the sketchnotes, they appeared on 80+ sites, including Daring Fireball, R.BIRD, FrogDesign, Jason Santa Maria and Boing Boing!
I'm very excited about working in an official capacity this year. I think the toughest challenge will be which panels to attend and capture. I have a list of panels I'm looking forward to, but I also know how panels often overlap. It should be fun. :-)
Get In Touch
I'd love to meet new people at SXSW, so if you're attending and would like to talk over coffee at the event, drop me a line with SXSW in the subject line and say hello, and if you like, follow me on Twitter.
I'm attending the 2009 Avalonstar Bowling Extravaganza on Saturday, March 15th, and my co-conspirator Brian Artka and I are organizing some kind of small gathering at an Austin location during SXSW Week, we'll announce soon.
Stay Positive!
Be thankful for what you have in your life. Be ready for opportunities. Circumstances can bring you down — don't let them ruin your outlook. Stay positive!
Related Links
SXSW interactive
SXSW Interactive 2008 Sketchnotes
SCHED.ORG
SXSW Ning Group
2009 Avalonstar Bowling Extravaganza
Reader Comments (7)
SXSWi 2009 will be a blast and I am looking forward to it. Only good things will happen from attending an event like this.
To all:
Stay positive, STOP watching local news (they prey off of you getting upset from the "economic" crisis that is happening) and be happy... You only live once.
B
@Larry, sorry to hear you can't make it this year my friend. I know you'll be there in spirit. :-)
@Barry, you really ought to sign up for bowling soon. It fills up fast and IMO was *the* highlight of SXSWi last year (Harvest might also want to consider sponsoring the event)
I learned at lot from your sketchbooks. The variety of font is amazing. Your books keep my attention better than the average run of the mill notes. Inspiring! Both the format and the material of SXSW.