6th Street is Decadent and Depraved
Posted by Henry | Filed under events, life, travel
If the Blogger Lounge is the heart of SXSW interactive then the spine has to be 6th street.
This is a stretch of road where the majority of the parties and events take place. There is no end to the choices of bars, pizza vendors, and polish hotdog stands. And at any given moment something is happening.
For some 6th street is where SXSW happens. It’s the opportunity for those who cage in their primordial urges for the year, to unleash into a flurry of untamed binge drinking and decadence. Such behavior is accepted and encouraged.
6th street is not unique in of itself. Just about every town has a similar landmark. But for this particular stretch of time, the freaks come out in mass to parade reeking of alcohol and giving off unpredictable vibrations.
People will stumble forwards. Lurching blindly as they attempt to reach their next destination. Drinking wells are in abundance here, so they don’t have far to go. Others lean against the vomit stained architecture cursing themselves and others for the abuse they put themselves through. Many simply give up. Collapsing in the bathroom of the bar they have occupied for the majority of the day. Their only sign of life, the slight flinch and involuntary movement as other patrons move their bodies to relieve themselves.
Many people refuse to accept the fact that a conference can not be enjoyed without going through such ritualistic punishment. And neither have I for that matter. Ten years ago, this would have been the standard. An Olympic swan dive into the cesspool of the depraved.
However, for this run, it would only be the wading pool.
Not that I don’t enjoy a good time. Those who know me would be somewhat surprised that I would exhibit such control and moderation. The truth is that the energy level required for the 6th street marathon was simply not available. Moderation. I had been in a car for four days and with five days of SXSW in front of me, I knew I had to pace myself. Stay calm. Breath and let the winds of the great magnet take me to where I needed to be.
This strategy would serve me well. Some nights were late, some not so late. But I never woke to a morning regretting my previous night’s indulgence. And I always made it to any required destination in the following day. Sure I was tired. But I wasn’t abused.
The most enjoyable events this blogger took part in where 1) The Social Media Club House, 2) Firefly Fandango, and 3) the Pre SobCon party. All of which were contained just enough to make the evening enjoyable. Not too crowded, not too loud. Conversations would take place that provided stimulation. Connections were made and friendships built. This would be the true value.
As the week continued the crowds would get bigger and louder.
Two more weeks remained for SXSW. The film and music animals were still yet to come. Let them come. They were welcome to reclaim their spot. Property value was high only to the observer. The participant would be better off renting. Just a simple drinking oasis in the freak kingdom that is 6th street.
Written by David Murray ~@DaveMurr
Related posts:
- The #SXSW Blogger Lounge
- Things to Do: Down on Main Street in Clawson
- After work, start your weekend at the Canfield Street Market
- The Madness of the Hilton Lobby and the SXSW Backstroke Competition
- Stuff To Do The DIY Street Fair
Tags: bloggers, blogging, blogs, community, Detroit, events, michigan, parties, sobcon, social media, SxSw
