…and, what SXSW event would be compete without Robert Scoble (pictured, left). The man is everywhere!

So, I slithered into the conference center Saturday morning after an appalling breakfast at a Chowhound recommended spot. I won’t go into the gory details, but suffice it to say, avoid El Arroyo at all costs.

Went through the usual registration process, which was much shorter this year. It also felt alarmingly spacious this year, even with press reports of attendance numbers being much higher than in previous years. Almost immediately, I stumbled upon former co-worker/serial entrepreneur Jesse Thomas and his co-partner-in-crime Leslie Bradshaw. Together we explored the hall and made our way down to Screen Burn, which was twice the size as last year and much more interesting. They’ve added a competitive gaming “arena,” which looked akin to an American Gladiators set. Shortly after, bumped into Chris, the fifth party from yesterday’s fiasco and we struck up a short convo.

Ambled about for awhile, then spotted Tim Ferriss, who I consider a mad genius. Proposed my pared-down, snail’s-pace approach to his 4-Hour Workweek methodology, which he seemed to take with good measure. He offered that he was currently dealing with a “water obsession” that I didn’t get the full details on. Generally, he seemed like a cool guy, approachable and not ridiculously full of himself, like could be imagined.

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Well, we made it intact on the flight over from Dulles with the baby in tow. First time for that. We opted for the Baby Tylenol trick, which worked well on our usually fussy infant. On arrival, my mother and sister picked us up and we made our way to Pasadena. As I’m now a visitor to my own home town, it feels surreal coming home. Always something new to look at now. Much new construction around Staples Center. Residue from the housing boom, many new lofts and a new Nokia Theater. Wonder if it will be similar to the one in New York, where my friend Brian and I saw Antibalas a couple of years ago.

Once in Pasadena, more new construction abound. A gigantic, multistory Whole Foods on Arroyo Parkway, but otherwise same ol’ town. We settled in had a welcome dinner that night with old friends.

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Well, off to L.A. again for the holidays, family cheer and good times. Looking forward to seeing the fams, checking out the new Griffith Park Observatory, possibly the Malibu Getty and of course, the local grub. Tacos! Can I say it again? OK, but you know? I love those muthas. There’s this one particular truck that I am looking forward to hitting something wicked. Then, of course you have your In N Out Burgers, Zankou Chicken and we are hitting up the legendary Spago Beverly Hills over the weekend.

This, all coupled with seeing friends and introducing our newborn son Jack to the West Coast masses will be most cool. If I can, I’ll get a post or two in, but will be mostly signing off until the 29th. Happy Holidays All!

P.S. The pic is from last year’s visit to the landmark Olvera Street in historic L.A. downtown.

Apparently the folks at WeJetSet do and they seem inclined to let the world know. Their nicely designed site offers travel-oriented consumer products aimed at the more design-centric connoisseur.

From the always reliable Wallpaper City Guides to classics like Moleskin notebooks (in city specific packages, no less) to the oddly-looking light-bulb looking travel bottle set, they’ve got something for most every discerning traveler.