Opening night @ HOW Austin was incredible. This morning musing . . .

Designers are a quirky blend of sociability and solitude.

We're not quite so doomed to long periods of silent concentration as our writer friends . . . but, still . . . no matter how much designers like joking and carousing and brainstorming in packs . . . almost every designer needs big blocks of time with the 'phones on and the phone off to sink in to a project and git 'r done.

That's why designers enjoy moments like the HOW conference --- away from home base, an excuse to delay checking texts and e-mail --- a chance to actually talk with old friends and make new ones.

For us involved with the Sappi and Project M at the Ideas That Matter booth, there's the added rush of being required to focus beyond our day-to-day trivia and consider the BIG PICTURE, big ideas and big solutions.

It adds a sense of deep excitement to the fun --- a chance to make a difference, in the company of cool friends. That's living.