Fine – I’m not actually from Austin…but most aren’t. I’ll say that to make myself feel better.

Anyway.

I was flown to Austin for SXSW Interactive to shoot a quick short – ended up they didn’t need me. Which = free trip. Which = made me happy. I spent most of the time with my galpal Jenni Jones, but also had a chance to catch up with those I hadn’t seen since I lived there. 8 years ago. We ate. We drank. We caught Bob Schneider and then we met Bob Schneider and then I geeked out in front of Bob Schneider but Jenni claims that I was cool. We walked right past Sasha Baron Cohen and mobile cupcake shops [pictured]. Strolled the ‘lupe’ and couldn’t manage to fit in a Dirty’s Burger, which was a first for me. We opted for vegan ice cream which I swore to not come clean about, but that plus some serious toy shopping made it all work. My final night, I was able to meet up with Archie, which was a big thing for me. Big not only in that he was one of the few in Shanghai who I respected and even listened to, but for me, this was closure. After being kicked out, there were a handful of folks I wanted to raise one more glass with and hug ‘bye’ and had been able to – Emily in Bangkok. Jenn in Seoul. Amber in New York. Scott in Chicago. Kate & Collin in New Orleans.

The closure. I got it.

And closure is something I need.