Wow. What a big day. Should I relate it as a list of events that don't really add up to anything approximating the experience, or do I pick a few select moments from the whole to relate? Hmm. Okay, like Joseph Gordon Levitt in The Lookout, I'll start at the end...

I just got back from a party at the Molotov Lounge hosted by Ze Frank (who is the funniest video blogger I've ever seen and who is hosting tomorrow night's Web Awards) -- totally open bar, no cover. We drank completely for free. Frank must have spent many thousands of dollars to host that thing and it was great. He was there all night hanging out and chatting with folks.

At the party I met the acquisitions guy from current.tv and I'm pretty sure I can get some work out of them, or at least make something I can sell to them. I got the guy's card but he was pretty drunk so I doubt he'll remember me. He'll be hearing from me though.

I also got to hang out with Jenni Sterling, the director of a feature doc that I'm helping to edit with Rob Koier. We had a great chat about her film and about SXSW and all kinds of stuff. I was able to hook her up with a housemate for the festival, who was also at the party.

Dinner was at the amazing Manuel's, where I ate last year with the various members of the Vermont Film Commission. "Voted the best mole sauce in Austin" does not say enough about the mole sauce there. Also, the $7 bowl of guacamole was worth every penny.

The panels were all good (if overly crowded compared to last year) but as usual, it's the between-panel chats that are the best thing about these conferences. SXSW is known for its easy breezy networking and it's very true.

I also ran into Chuck Olsen (who I met last year) and he's going to hook me up with a DVD of his excellent Blogumentary.

It's 2:38 am and I'm going to bed (it would be 1:38 am but for the crazy-early time change). Another day of conferencing awaits tomorrow. G'noit, Benoit.