5 ways to deal with social media fatigue.

My name is Tolly, I am a blogger, and I have a dark, shameful secret.

Sometimes, I don't like to blog.

Or Tweet. Or Facebook post. Or comment on other blogs.

Despite all evidence to the contrary, I actually toe a very fine line with my computer.  I love social media.  But sometimes it makes me anxious.  Overly neurotic.  And if I hit a certain "wall" of computer screen exposure, I have to detox for a few days.

As I'm sure you've noticed, the past few weeks on this blog were pretty much devoted to me promoting The Bleet-Up.  Those posts were punctuated by emails you didn't see, and Tweets or Facebook posts that maybe you did, drumming up buzz for our little party.  Fortunately, it paid off.  Our guests were good-time Glendas, our venue (Whole Foods rooftop) was totally decked out, and our Santa Clause was drunk.  I had an absolute blast, and if you attended, I hope you did, too. 

But.  It's the reason my blog has been blank for the past few days.

I think "fatigue" is something that social media users are afraid to talk about.  Hell, I am.

When you're building a little space on the internet, and slowly but surely, community happens inside that space, the last thing you want to do is confront the temptation to turn off the computer.  You think, "wait a second -- why is this happening?  I built up a little following, and now I'm just, I'm just, burnt out or something?  Do I fail at social media?"

*  *  *

When I was in elementary school, I would regularly eat too much Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  Like, Monday through Sunday Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast (and sometimes after school snack) consumption, and when the box got empty, oh my God Mom, PLEASE BUY THE CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH!  I was a little addict, jonesing for my next hit, whether it was poured properly into a cereal bowl or simply poured into my hand.  In most photographs of me from age six to eight, I have a maniacal, hellcat smile on my face; this was in part due to the amount of Cinnamon Toast Crunch coursing through my tiny body.

But one day, overnight, my tastebuds changed.

Suddenly, I did not want Cinnamon Toast Crunch. I wanted mini Eggo waffles. Or scrambled eggs.  Or anything, really, just as long as it wasn't those damn brown sugar-laden squares. The sight of that white box disgusted me, and those three cartoon, grinning Cinnamon Toast Crunch "chefs" on the front mocked my supreme dissatisfaction. Their cereal had no place on my spoon. No place in my life.

Eventually, after a long enough retreat into the solemn, colorless world of Cheerios ... I would return back to my Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

I had just needed a break.  That was all.

And that is what it is like, with me, and maybe you, and social media.

*  *  *

Like I said, I think "fatigue" may be a dirty word for social media users.  Especially here in Austin. We're wired, baby!  We're like the top American city for bloggers!

And on a collective level, that's a serious accomplishment.

But on an individual level, it's inevitable that you'll crave unplugged time.

I say, listen to that craving.  I don't know about you, but I need experiences in my life that are un-Tweeted, that are just mine to keep. When I've been swimming in social media for so long, though (it's also a big part of my day job), sometimes I don't know how to get back.

So here are the offline ways I restore balance, and ease social media fatigue:

1. I remember what I blog about. Which for me is Austin. I shut my laptop, and go on a freaking walk. Sometimes I cheat and take my phone (which has Twitter), but it's always better when I don't. To experience my environment directly and unfiltered, without feeling compelled to "report" it.

Foodies have it the best, I think. When they remember why they blog, they return to their muse with all five senses. And that's the point I'm getting at, here: To devote your whole body, or as much of it as you can, to the thing that inspired you to blog in the first place.  Social media gets you caught up inside your head; rich smells, interesting things to see and touch, other people's voices, etc. get you out of it.

2. Read things that are not on the internet.  For example, a book.  I know that many of us are obsessive readers.  Long-form reading material offers a different kind of satisfaction than the quick hits of Twitter or your Facebook homepage, no?  It's a repetitive action, and lulls me into a type of meditation.  It also makes me forget about 'me' for a while, while social media does the opposite (i.e., unchecked, it can make my ego go berzerk.  'Ego' has many definitions but this is the one I'm using here).

3. Buy a Christmas tree with somebody.  Or, cook with somebody.  The key word is "somebody." One of the ironies of social media is that so much of it happens in physical isolation, and when I find myself going through long stretches where I haven't done many things with other people, i.e. activities other than nodding to one another at work, why, it's time to go drinking!  Or go see something at Alamo Drafthouse together, or coerce them into trying a Salty Oat cookie at Quacks, or volunteer together or play with dogs or whatever it is you do that not only rocks your socks, but can be shared.

(Speaking of coercion, I just found out that I successfully wife-shamed Ross into throwing away our plastic Christmas tree sometime last Spring, a fact he did not reveal to me until Monday, when we TOTALLY WENT REAL CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPPING TOGETHER. I am unreasonably passionate about real Christmas trees, and now, the house smells all piney and forest-y!!  Pat on back, self).

4. Call my mom or dad.  As in, I teach myself how to use the phone again. I've discussed phone anxiety before, and I think social media overload is part of the equation for many of us. We get so used to typing, editing, re-typing our little computer messages that the relative spontaneity of phone-speak seems ... bizarre.  "Is that silence I hear on the other end?" you think, when the other person has merely paused to take a breath. "Um, they are being quiet? WHY ARE THEY BEING QUIET!?"

This is what happens when you are used to an unending stream of Twitter messages. When it's just one-on-one, you and another person, chances are, the conversation will hit natural pauses. I used to think that phone silence = prompt for me to giggle or make a joke, but now I see that that's just my way of displacing nerves. It's ok to be nervous about phone silence, but it's also ok to keep experiencing it, until you get to the point where you're like, "oh, this is how people talk!  We sometimes just don't know what to say."  Because sometimes, you don't.  And that's kind of nice, that you're both vulnerable together.  I think it builds intimacy.

5. Go to the places I've always wanted to go but haven't yet.  God, there are so many in Austin!  Would you believe I haven't seen the freaking bats yet?  There's one.  Here are more:

-South Austin Museum of Popular Culture
-Sustainable Food Center for one of their Local Food Potlucks
-Chaparral Ice (totally serious)
-Tranarchy
-Stitch Lab for sewing classes, where I have wanted to go ever since Indiana talked about it on Adored Austin.

*  *  *

So now, I would love to hear from you.

Bloggers, Tweeters, other social media users: Do you ever experience social media fatigue?


If yes, how do you deal?

Those three little words you long to hear: THE BLEET-UP

Attention bloggers, blog readers, and individuals who spend any length of time whatsoever behind a computer screen:

Do you suffer from mouse-clicking-induced finger soreness?  Do you feel frequent urges to walk away from your computer? Do you long to stop LOLing, and actually laugh out loud, with your fellow humans?

If so, you may be a candidate for a safe and proven treatment called The Bleet-Up.  The Bleet-Up is the natural way to boost real-life social interactions, and increase feelings of joy and connection.

Note: The Bleet-Up is to be administered with delicious food samples. The interaction of The Bleet-Up with alcohol enhances its side effects, namely: Partying, hugging, and potential photo-taking. 

Some individuals may not be suitable for The Bleet-Up. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about partying and/or hugging. The Bleet-Up is available to adults of all ages, and studies have shown that participants in medical trials of The Bleet-Up have felt happier, more confident, and more excited about life following treatment.

THE BLEET-UP

A meet-up for Austin bloggers, blog readers, and everyone in between

Presented by Austin Eavesdropper and Ultra8201

Friday, December 3 

7:00pm

Rooftop terrace of Whole Foods Downtown

With live music provided by:

uLOVEi

Motel Aviv

The Lennings

Politics

23 Positions (Prince cover band)

 *  *  * 

Drink local beer, and taste samples by:

Green Cart

Kohana Coffee

Buddha's Brew Kombucha Tea

Mary Louise Butters Brownies

*  *  * 

Go holiday shopping at our rad boutique pop-up shops:

Magnolia Family Vintage

Rene Geneva Designs

Wonder Craft

*  *  *

Commemorate the best night of your life with a photo booth by:

Cory Ryan

Make Christmas tree ornaments with The Wonder Craft,  and get seeds for your garden from Yard Farm Austin

For the first time ever, witness the Austin Blogger Awards, presented by...

Republic Of Austin

Go ice skating on the roof of Whole Foods on their freaking ice skating rink!

 

Proceeds benefiting...

Art From the Streets, providing twice-weekly art classes for homeless people, and an annual art show where they can sell their work.

Stay connected with Austin bloggers, and get more Bleet-Up announcements at our brand new

¡¡ facebook page !!

CAN YOU GUYS TELL I'M EXCITED?  Because I'm very excited!!

Richard and I have been planning this one, Bleet-Up #4, for a little while now.  If you've never been to a Bleet-Up before, and are confused as to what I'm talking about, just click here.

"Bleet-up" stands for "blogger" + "meet-up," and we throw these parties twice a year.  The Summer one is small, the Fall one, which we are obviously promo-ing right now, is MUY GRANDE.

It's an opportunity for any blogger, blog reader, publicist who would like to know more bloggers, musicians who would like to meet music bloggers, restaurant/food cart operator who would like to meet food bloggers, designers who would like to meet fashion bloggers, or just plain people who like to par-tay to come hang out!

We are doing so much this year that I am pumped about. Chris Apollo of the famed Republic of Austin has teamed up with us to host the first-ever Austin Blogger Awards, with winners honored at The Bleet-Up.  Whole Foods, which is totally wheelchair accessible (kinda super important to me), has been so awesome in providing their gorgeous rooftop terrace.  Our triumphant party at Mohawk last year was exciting enough, but the fact that we will have an ICE SKATING RINK THIS YEAR?  Are you kidding me?! 

So, you know what this means.  Until we launch the RSVP site in a few weeks, mark your calendars!  Please tell your friends, and "like" us on Facebook!  Please feel free to check back here or Ultra8201 for updates, as Richard and I will certainly have some later this month.

Speaking of which. I'd just like to publicly express my admiration of Richard, and my delight about having him as a co-planner. I told him last night that he was my Fairy Godfather, which is kind of like having magic, plus the Mafia, combined.  And I think you and I both know how serious that is.

       

I have the most amazing friends ever, plus, when do you create a Facebook page?

So yesterday, as a joke, I posted on Facebook probably the best photo of me ever taken.

I don't know why I got rid of this look.

Anyway, I'm going about my day today, blah blah errands work etc., then come home later this evening to discover this ... also on Facebook. (PS, my name is Tolly).

Ladies and gentlemen, if you are ever in the Sacramento, California area, please stop by the offices of this magazine and shake the hand of their art director, Jason, who created the above "cassingle."  Jason is my old work buddy, but more importantly, he is the reason I currently cannot breathe because laughter is making my esophagus convulse and hurt.

Also?  HOW COOL IS THIS. Andrea, a pal of mine and a reader of Austin Eavesdropper, nominated this blog for an award today!


Isn't this cute? I was having one of those "my blog sucks" days, and this made it all better.

I'm going to go post it in the margin so people can vote if they want to, along with a couple of other things I'm putting in the margin. I've really been neglecting the margin lately.

Finally, can I ask you guys a question? I go back and forth all the time about creating a page for this blog on Facebook, à la Republic of Austin. In some ways, I think: "yeah, totally! Facebook page. People can submit Austin-y post ideas and it'll be all interactive and shit." And then in other ways, I think: "meh ... it'll be just one more thing cluttering people's already messy Facebook feeds ... I don't want to be an ass ..."

What do you guys think? Would a Facebook page for Austin Eavesdropper be helpful to you?

Austin Bleet-Up: Blogger Smorgasbord!

I'm not gonna lie, people. This Bleet-Up photo booth got a little out of control.

Maybe because we were all so deliriously happy it didn't rain.

Maybe because Jennie Chen (from MisoHungry) brought a puppy!

Or, maybe, because our props included a coconut bra, Bon Jovi wig, and fake chest hair.

All of which bring out a different side in people!

which austin bloggers do you spot?

Pause. This is the crew from Kohana Coffee, who came and sampled their delicious Cold Brew at the Bleet-Up!

Event planner people, I'd like to strongly recommend this group for your next party.

Our folks were crazy about their coffee, and on top of that, Piper Jo - second from left, one of the co-founders of Kohana - is just really cool. When I got to Four Seasons, visibly flustered because I was 99% sure it was going to rain, she hugged me and said, "so what if it does? We'll party inside!"

It was exactly what I needed to hear.

By a singular miracle, it did not rain! But all the same, I really want to thank Four Seasons for graciously agreeing to do the whole event outdoors, even though the sky was threatening to open up and pour on us. The staff went out on a limb to accommodate our group, and speaking of the staff, they're extra fun to hang out with!

Heh. Here's a server I grabbed to take a picture with me. We're holding appetizer sausages.

More madness:

Flicktress Cory Ryan is a little bit magical, non?

Cory has the ability to make all of her subjects look so warm, energetic, and vibrant. I joke with her that since she was my wedding photographer (three years ago), she doesn't have a choice - she's stuck with me for LIFE! I don't plan parties that often, but when I do, she's my go-to gal for photo booths.

More glorious Bleet-Up pics here.

And finally, thank you to everyone who came to the Bleet-Up! It's a crime how much fun I have doing this.

Thank you, Candace Carlisle, for getting there early and calming me down. Thank you badass goodie bag sponsors, Snap Kitchen, TRIO, Austin Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, and more. Thank you weather, thank you glass(es) of wine, and most of all, thank you bloggers  for helping make our city the radass place it is.

You all are too fun!

RSVP's now open: The Bleet-Up!

Remember our secret last week, about the Bleet-Up?

Well, SECRET'S OUT. Our fancy blogger party happens next Thursday, July 22, at 6:00pm at TRIO, Four Seasons (98 San Jacinto Blvd). Here's what you can look forward to, bloggers and blog-readers!

*Happy hour wines-by-the-glass.

*FREE passed appetizers until they run out: Pintade Sausage, Steak Fries, Tuna Tartare, Sliders, Shrimp and Corn Fritters, Salmon Belly. (Salmon belly! Teehee). 

*Goodie bags for first 50 arrivals. (With a little spa treat from Four Seasons ...)

*Complimentary valet. 

*Photo booth by the undeniably fabulous Cory Ryan.

*Enlightening conversation with Austin's finest bloggers.

*A book exchange. Yes, I am an incredible nerd. I love to read! So bring a book that you would like to pass onto another, for an informal book exchange. Can be anything you want, I've got the Dalai Lama, food politic manifestos, Jane Austen, trashy hot pink books. I'm bringing them all.

rsvp here.

I've got a secret.

And my secret is this: I wear a retainer each night when I sleep!

Aren't you happy you know that?

Anyway... my real secret is this:

the BLEET-UP is in two weeks!! 

I was going to wait until the poster art was finished, but I'm so excited I can't hold it in any longer.

See, I have to admit something to you all. (This post is very confessional, non?)

Ever since the last Bleet-Up, I have steadily become less tech-addicted.

I am an average Tweeter. I don't have Twitter lists or anything. I'm a little too lazy to create a Facebook page for this blog. I've been going through this phase, or personal paradigm shift, or something, where I'm all about setting boundaries to my social media usage. Is that not strange, for a blogger to fear these tools? (Even texting! I'm considering disabling my phone's text messaging capabilities, just to see what it's like. Teach myself how to talk on the phone again.)

But leading up to that, things were different. For most of last year, I was all, TWITTER! Gimme!!

I - like many of you - jumped in, and in the process, discovered some awesome local blogs. Which I gobbled up by the handful.

So when we had the first Bleet-Up, I realized that my MOST favorite part about social media was meeting fellow bloggers in real life! Even more than stalking them online. During that first one, I met Seth Mazow, Year of the Pizza blogger. I met the man who ran that delightfully bizarre horror blog, the girl who turns beer and chocolate into cupcakes, and the woman who writes one of my favorite politics blogs, a blog I never had the guts to leave a comment on. (I still haven't. And I still love your blog, Betsy).

I got to talk to all of these people whose sites I read constantly, and that to me was a treat.

Some of you are really good at translating your social media connections into real-life connections. Me? I am so-so. The more time I spend with social media, the more I just end up feeling like I am better friends with my computer. But the Bleet-Up helps me meet you guys face-to-face, and you all are so funny / quirky / obsessive about very specific things! Like ME!

Last year, my friend/role model Rose Reyes said: "I've been to a lot of parties before, but the people here were so interesting. I just wanted to listen to everyone, for hours."

That's exactly how I feel. Bloggers are a special breed, because we ruminate over personal passions in a public forum. Sometimes, we wade around in our blogs for a long time before we figure just what exactly our passion IS. This trial-and-error process requires a lot of mental mining, which is why I typically find bloggers to be quite good conversationalists. We have a lot to say.

SO! Soapbox over, here are the details about our party:

the bleet-up

thursday, july 22

6:00-8:00pm

trio / four seasons

selected appetizers

happy hour wines by the glass

goodie bags for first 50 arrivals

Also, after that big long emotional post, would you believe what I have to tell you next? It's LIMIT 150 PEOPLE! NO! But yes. 150 is Trio's limit and we are respecting that, because they are wonderful in every way to us.

So know that you MUST RSVP to attend, and as soon as the RSVP site it up, I will post a link to it. I also have a couple other fun party details that I'll tell you about soon.

Note also that this is one of two Bleet-Up's that happen each year, and this summertime one is very much bloggers-among-bloggers. Low-key. The second one, the BIG one, happens right before Fun Fun Fun Fest, in November, with bands / drinks / food / ridiculousness / etc.

Because this blogger love-fest ain't a one-time deal, y'all.

PS: If you are new to this blog and have been wondering, "excuse me, what is a 'Bleet-Up?'" Here is the etymology:
Bloggers + meet-up = Bleet-Up
Click on the Austin Bleet-Up tag below to see our history.

Very obvious things that I am slowly coming to realize.

So! After two and a half years of writing this blog, I finally figured out how to get my own URL. People, I am thrilled to announce that Austin Eavesdropper is now accessible by:

www.austineavesdropper.com

YAY! Cartwheel, back handspring back tuck, stick the landing and JAZZ HANDS!

(Note: I say "finally figured out," but what I mean is, my friend Candace at Electric Promotions set up a website redirect after a different, equally wonderful friend bought this domain name for me. What I'm saying is, I would be nowhere without my friends.)

For years this URL situation has been my Waterloo, but I was too lazy to do anything about it.  And to think: all I had to do was call on my buddies!  I was considering this last night while talking to Ross, simultaneously squeezing Claudia, when another key realization befell me.

Me: "Claudia will never, ever love me as much as I love her."

Ross: "That's because she's a cat."

Me: "But she loves you a lot!"

Ross: "That's because I feed her."

Me: "I ALSO FEED HER."

Ross: "Well, maybe she doesn't like it when you hug her so hard she has trouble breathing."

Me: "You mean, like this?" [hugs Claudia harder] "I think she likes it!"

Ross: "I think she might be growling."

Claudia: [Deep, distinct growling sound]

Harumph.  Have it your way, Claudia. You do not appreciate my love!

Anyway, because I am trying to adopt a more Zen Buddhist mindset to life in general, I decided my first exercise will be releasing my attachment to Claudia. Meaning, not squeezing her so hard that she gets mad at me. And this got me thinking, in Buddhist-like fashion, about other subtle truths. Truths that are just now becoming apparent.

You know that feeling you get when a bit of universal knowledge - universal to everyone except you, that is - becomes suddenly clear?  Me too. (See: the correct spelling of the word "gauge," the correct way to pronounce "melatonin," the correct words for the chorus of Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" which are "Got me lookin' so crazy right now" and are NOT, as it turns out, "Got me lookin' so crazy, white girl!" like I previously thought).

Here are three more very obvious things that I, Tolly, have painstakingly learned over the years. People often ask me questions about Austin but as I think this list will demonstrate, my knowledge base is expanding in some pretty exciting directions.

1. Liz Phair does not live in Austin.

Well this one IS about Austin. When I was in California for grad school, I casually told people that Liz Phair was from Texas. And specifically, my city.  It just made sense!  Liz Phair...tough, pretty, dirty-mouthed Liz Phair...should be from Austin.

Now that's an Austin lady.

I never took the time to verify this information on Wikipedia, so you can imagine my surprise when I finally did, and discovered:

"Phair was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but was raised in Winnetka, Illinois, by wealthy adoptive parents."

Excuse me, Connecticut?  That's crazy talk. Only, it's not! Liz Phair has never lived in Austin. Not once, not for any period of time.

This still shocks me and I think she should correct it immediately.

2. Those red-orange balls connected to power lines do not, in fact, contain cookies.

Could this notion be anymore random. As a child - an only child, with private, whimsical ideas - I was convinced those balls had cookies inside of them. What?

I remember consulting my parents on the matter when I was four, and my dad very gently responding, "no Tolly....I'm pretty sure there aren't any cookies in there." Which I took to mean: "that we know of."

But I've now accepted the fact that those balls indeed do not contain cookies, or My Little Ponies, or anything else I might have wanted when I was four besides AIR.  Disappointing.

3. The expression "you got served" most likely refers to subpoenas and not the sport of volleyball.

I used to think that "you got served" meant, literally, that you got served like a volleyball.  Like, someone spiked you really hard over a proverbial "net" which stood for...I don't know what.

I am really embarrassed to admit this, but I only recently put the pieces together when I was watching Real Housewives of Orange County (don't judge) and Lynne and her husband got SERVED their eviction papers. "You've been SERVED," said the eviction man on TV.  And then, just last night, when I informed Ross that the words to "Smooth Criminal" were "Annie you're ok" and not "Eddie you're ok" (seriously, "Eddie?") he goes, "aw damn, I just got served."

AND IT ALL MADE SENSE!

Why it took me nearly 28 years to figure this out is extremely unclear, but, you know? I think I prefer my version, where people who get busted and henceforth "get served" are served like a volleyball.

I am now taking orders in case you would like me to figure out anything else!

Texas Social Media Awards and Austin Eavesdropper!

So, I am majorly late out of the gate on this one, but here I go anyway.

A few weeks ago, I learned that I was nominated for a Texas Social Media Award! Rock on.

First, I just want to say how cool it is that our city HAS an awards thing like this. Secondly, even though this is a statewide event (and also, I know at least a few of you far-flung readers are not in Texas at all), bear with me for a moment because I want to talk about a handful of fellow Austin nominees who I think are pretty rad. Each name below links you to their nominee page where you can leave a comment about them, as the judges are taking our comments into consideration!

Amber Deitrich. Being a "cocktail enthusiast" myself, I keep Amber's blog cued up regularly to find out where Austinites are drinking. If you are already familar with her blog Amber Demure, which lists weekly alcohol and food tasting activities, you know it is a valuable public service. This expertise deserves an award.

Ashley Cass. Is Birds Barbershop's social media guru. Exactly. Chances are you've heard of Birds if you live in Austin, and you've largely got this girl to thank for that. The whole Birds marketing crew is pretty damn impressive in my eyes - viking party, anyone? - but Ashley is very much a public face for the company.  As one commenter put it, "Ashley Cass brings people to Bird's that don't even need a haircut. Now that's talent." Agreed!

Chris Apollo Lynn. Before we met in real life, we read each others' blogs. He created SocialTNT, which I geeked out over, and then he created Republic of Austin. He's got a writing staff and everything for that blog!  It's sort of a mini-community calendar, food trailer review database, and internet show rolled into one. Excellent work, sir.

David Neff. Uses his social media prowess (see: Lights, Camera Help and Video Camp Austin) to help NON-PROFITS. I KNOW. This is a good man and you should comment for him. 'Neff said. (Har, sorry - couldn't resist).

GARY! Gaston. Is the handsome Austin Eavesdropper co-blogger. Y'all, can I tell you something? When GARY! and I are at any social media anything here in town, people expressly introduce themselves to me so that I can introduce them to GARY!. And can you blame them? His Tweets are hilarious, he's like Batphone for Austin music, and to get a little personal here, he is the Number One cheerleader for so many of us little DIY blogger/event-planner type people, Knuckle Rumbler, Big Green House Presents and so forth. Plus, he brought me two stuffed pinatas last year for my birthday - RED-HEADED GIRL PINATAS - and friends, that is a gesture not soon forgotten.

Greg Ackerman. Just the friendliest kid in class, you know what I'm saying? In addition to being a passionate Austin music blogger, Greg is always talking up his fellow bloggers and Twitterers, and kind of personifies Austin's whole non-competitive, mutually supportive social media scene. When he mentions GARY! or I in a post or Tweet, we pee in our pants a little. (Or maybe GARY! keeps it in check; I do not).

Indiana Adams. I have been impressed with this girl's blog since Day 1. Just super well-designed, incredibly interactive with her readers, and an excellent video blogger.  She runs fashion/style blog Adored Austin, and like me, is a fellow thrift store lover.  As a blogger myself, I am totally wowed by anyone who operates more than one blog, since I know how much commitment a single site is. She runs, like, several! And helped her husband start one! (It's totally cute, too: Year of the Man Makeover).

Jennie Chen. Is a magical alcohol-and-cupcake chef / dog trainer / grad student / restaurant critic. One of my favorite faces at any social media event, and if you're a blogger here in town, she's probably one of yours, too.  Also, two words: Cupcake Smackdown. HER brainchild.

Lani and Ben Rosales.  This is like the social media power couple of Austin. The Brangelina of Twitter. Whenever there is a Tweetup here in Austin, chances are Lani and Ben are runnin' thangs. Plus, Lani performs these engrossing social media analysis charts and studies from time to time, and my dorkfest SEO-occupied heart flutters a little whenever she posts a new one. 

Lyssa Myska Allen. Ok, confession. This is Life in Austin was the first blog I started reading when I moved back to Austin, and if there is such a thing as blog crushes, this was mine! (That, and the late Famousish). Lyssa and I have since become buds since reading each other's blogs, and I can 100% vouch for the fact that she is as cool, down-to-earth, and nice as she seems on the blog. Gold star, check plus, scratch-n-sniff sticker for Lyssa.

Stephen Tatton. Is one of the faces behind Launch787. Stephen was so encouraging about my first little Bleet-Up, even before we met each other, and along with the other Launch crew members helps put on these ridiculously creative events (such as Austin Fashion Week). These arms have always got a hug for Stephen when I see him, and I recommend your fingers give him some comment love, too.

I know I am leaving people out. But it's a good starting point, at least. These folks are - in my eyes - some of the social media creme de la creme of Austin.

Also, thank you person who nominated me for an award, whoever you are! And finally...

THANK YOU Austin Eavesdropper readers. Doing this blog makes me happier than a puppy in a rollerskate, and it has given me so many opportunities that I never could have anticipated. I squeal a little bit when I meet someone in real life who reads Austin Eavesdropper. It's true. Meeting you all gave me the confidence to plan things like Bleet-Ups, and interacting with you online keeps me, by turns, laughing, thinking, and thanking God that I live here. I am thrilled you find this site appealing...even when I'm talking about mooning my dog.

My Texas Social Media Award page is here! If you enjoy Austin Eavesdropper and/or me, Tolly, will you leave a comment on it?  If so, I will do this.

Thursday night: Happy Birthday, Ultra8201!

Hooray! One of my favorite music blogs in town - nay, anywhere - turns four this week!

To celebrate, the guys at Ultra8201 are throwing a dance party for us.

new roman times

photo credit: kevin n. murphy

the authors

photo credit: valerie fremin

politics

(I know it's hard to make out the actual band members in that picture, but it was too pretty not to post!)

Doors are at 9, and the bands go on at 10. Don't forget to visit the Do512 page for the event so you can win win ticket tickets!

As my friend Katie remarked the other day, it definitely feels like Austinites are back to being their party-every-night selves.  Me, I kind of lerve the downtime between December-early January.  But when things heat up again, it's nice to put on your game face and say: "WHATCHU GOT, AUSTIN." 

Caleb Does: Season 2, Episode 2: "Insensitive Much?"

Following yesterday's less-than-chirpy post, let's LAUGH a little, shall we?

For the uninitiated, Caleb Does is a show here in Austin made by two guys, Caleb and Emmett. (And by "guys" I mean "demi-gods.")  Season 1 took place between last summer and last fall, and was, straight-up, guerilla party reporting on Austin's little social scene.  All episodes are archived here and here, and unlike most event coverage, I can guarantee with 99.9% certainty that you'll want to squeeze this reporter and never let go.  And you haven't even seen the photographer, people.

In Season 2 the boys are taking a little departure...part murder mystery, part Law & Order, part fashionable walk-off.  You can watch Season 2, Episode 1 - which was filmed at the Bleet-Up! - here.  Below is the latest, Caleb Does Season 2, Episode 2: "Insensitive Much?"  Spot Kristin Owen, queen of Do512! 

Caleb Does Season 2 - Episode 2: Insensitive Much? from Rusty Screw Productions on Vimeo

Vintage Christmas videos that make you go "hmm?"

This post was inspired by minxy local blogger Colours Marie, who Tweeted a link to Eartha Kitt's "Santa Baby" earlier. It inspired me to put together some other vintage Christmas faves.

Hot.

Next up....Bing Crosby's "White Christmas:"

I like how around minute 1:59, Bing and his lady are suddenly in going-out clothes, and the girl looks just as surprised as we are. "How did this happen? Why am I suddenly wearing a hat and lipstick?"

After I watched this video a link to "Little Drummer Boy with Bing Crosby and David Bowie" popped up - that's right, BING CROSBY and DAVID BOWIE - and I couldn't resist. (Random...?)

Anyway, there are a good two minutes of banter between Bing and David - "oh hello! I'm David Bowie! Let's have a go at White Christmas, shall we?" - but be patient. Their formal duet around the piano - which neither plays, despite both bragging that they do - is coming.

This next one is so funny y'all. Christmas with Boy George, the guy from Duran Duran and other dudes:

Finally. More Boy George Christmas fun, and this one's brand new. Did you know that Boy George loves Christmas?

This video makes both zero and total sense. In between pics of Boy George's pursed-lips mug floating about town, at the art gallery, at the mall, what have you, there are casual splicings-in of stock photography....like, oranges. Mixed nuts. PLANET EARTH?

What these things have to do with Christmas I suspect only Boy George knows, but the money shot is minute 2:50. Pause it, copy it, make it your desktop wallpaper.

Merry Christmas from Boy George and a stack of oranges!

Warning: Centaurs ahead

Um. How funny is this?

Manfest 2009. Gary took this picture on Saturday. The moment he did, he passed it around, and we all knew it was bound for the interwebs. Now, it's on D-Listed!

This Saturday, your head might explode

Hello friends!

Alright, I've got two twitterpating things to share with you. The first is a rundown of (mostly) free Saturday fun. Show of hands: Who's excited it's almost the weekend??

The poster pretty much says it all. The only thing it DOESN'T say is a 45 foot Viking ship, which will be in attendance at Manfest, as well as a real live Centaur. What.

Loving The Godfather-like poster here. There will be a pizza eating contest going on at this party, and the winner receives free pizza from Homeslice for a whole year. (Much like our friend Seth over at Year of the Pizza.) It starts at noonish, so have fun here then mosey on over to Manfest after. With any luck, you can catch a ride with a Viking.

So this demure, tasteful poster leaves out a few key items. Because while free libations and a dance party are ALWAYS welcome, at least to me, there are all these things happening too (copied and pasted from invite email):

"We have a variety of different interactive zones going all night:

- 12 person circuit-bending jam room
- stop-motion animation jam
- "feeto booth"
- interactive and kinetic steel sculptures
- did someone say "Smoke Bubbles"? yes they did.
- jaw-dropping lighting from the one and only Jason Mika"

"Feeto booth?" Your guess is as good as mine.

This one's also at night, and nearly in walking distance from the party above. I like Hard Proof Afrobeat, and I think you will too. This is the only event with a cover, so remember to bring $5.

So, there you have it! Saturday is Awesome Day in Austin, Texas.

Now for the second exciting thing. Austin Eavesdropper is getting a new contributor, one whom many of you know and love already.....any guesses as to who it is??

Three out of the four items I've listed here today came from this muscular forearmed person. If we're going to be honest, this bright and shiny new AE contributor has his finger to the pulse of this city even better than I do!

Also - and this is true y'all - it's just a miracle Austin Eavesdropper's head stays screwed on straight most days. Aside from taking note of cool local happenings, it's a challenge to get dressed sometimes. I don't mean in the depressed way. I mean that this morning for example, I inadvertently selected a top that has a gaping hole in the side. And now, here I am at work! With a huge hole in the shirt! If I see a client, I have to hold my arm in a funny way so they don't notice.