Last summer I planned a self-training, self-inspirational trip around the United States to keep my self up with creative, technology, design and interactive issues related to my work. At the beginning of this month I started that learning experience that included MVP Global Summit in Seattle, South By Southwest in Austin and the upcoming MIX in Las Vegas.

Actually, sitting in a meeting room in Austin Convention Center, I've exceeded my expectations just with MVP Summit and SXSW. Firstly, the chance to visit Microsoft's HQ this year was quite inspiring because they are launching lot of new things that will gracefully help Interaction Designers and help spread the word of Silverlight, Blend and WPF. Most of the information we were provided with is under NDA until they release community previews in the upcoming MIX conference later this week. The most interesting thing about the days spend in Redmond was the opportunity to engage with the product group in such a small audience (a meeting room for 13 people) and talk about the product, touch the bits, provide suggestions and see how they reacted to them, willing to include them in their development process.

Regarding SXSW, I can't say anything but AMAZING. It's my first year in this well known conference and the experience can't be less than excellent. I've managed to attend quite a different range of panels covering topics like branding, interface design, sex, films, intellectual property, life management, psychological manipulation and much much more. Lot of people and weblebrities talking about the content; and me, just surprised to find so much Microsoft people over here, old friends and a lot of new ones.

The week just started, and I still have two days here at SXSW, but just after this the MIX Conference will start in Las Vegas, and that would be really awesome again with all the new releases they are launching there. Hope to write a lot more during this week with news, insider stories and some pictures.

Now it's just time to have lunch here in Austin, so let's try to get a sandwich and keep going to the rest of panels.