Live from SXSW: Checked in and ready

I'm here in Austin at the South by Southwest Film Festival, and it's sunny but chilly.

Don't think for a minute, however, that I'm escaping the snowy weather that's hitting Shreveport. My first screening -- "Harold & Kumar" sequel -- has been delayed because the print didn't arrive in time. Ostensibly, snowy runways at DFW are holding it up. (Cutting it a little close, aren't we, promoters?)

No bother, however. I've finished my press check-in, gotten lost on the umteen Riverside Drives, and am patiently awaiting my opportunity to see Shreveport's official contribution to multi-counterculture tonight at 5.

If you're here, lemme know.

Initial impressions? It's my first trip to Austin and it's as beautiful as advertised (though the morning TV news was getting crazy about dogs pooping in the park and fecalling up the streams). Like most capital cities, the downtown streets are wide. Lots of trees and independent restaurants.

SXSW is attracting tons and tons of journalisms and movie buffs. If you're coming down here, wear a cool pair of glasses and a hoodie: apparently, that's the official uniform.

I haven't quite decided what movies I'm going to check out yet. I'm thinking of seeing "Ibid," which should be funny, and "21" with Tobey Maguire* tonight. Unfortunately, I'll be too busy to see "American Teen," a documentary about high school cliques. If you have any requests, I'm all ears.

* See comment.