texas

Greetings my dekeOmpanions. At the end of this month, Deke will be appearing at two great conferences which happen to be separated by a few days and, oh, about 1400 miles. Naturally, this led us to think a roadtrip from PePcon (in Austin) to AdobeMAX (in Los Angeles) was in order. We're hoping to a) see some of you there---or there---and b) get your advice for where we should stop in between. Here's a tentative plan that's linked to a public google map, where you are free to enter points of interest and your reasons why. 

You know what we like: interesting, beautiful, or cocktail-related. Bonus points for all three. And I'm digging through the prize closet right now for interesting rewards for those who suggest the best stops. Be sure to leave your user info in the comments if you add a point to the map. 

Starting point: The Print + eProduction Conference (PePcon) in Austin, April 28 - May 1
I love PePcon. Our friends at InDesign Secrets not only always put together a program of top notch experts in the publishing production space, but somehow they always get the smartest collection of attendees as well. Deke will be presenting some live Deke's Techniques and I'll be studying up on how to convert my mad layout skills to electronic formats. 

Ending point: Adobe MAX, the Creativity Conference, in Los Angeles, May 4 - 8
MAX used to be a fairly geek heavy developer-centered conference, but Adobe is really emphasizing creative (read: design) work this year. Like PePcon, many of our favorite people will be speaking and it's almost the closest thing we have to a reunion. 

Points currently unknown between, May 1 to May 6
We'll be driving across West Texas, likely stoping in Carlsbad due to Deke's love of caves and possibly heading to Albequerque for a trip to Gruet Winery, makers of my favorite "It's Tuesday, let's open a bottle of bubbly" sparkling wine. But it's all up for grabs, so let us know your favorite spots. 

And if you're attending either of the conferences, please stop and say hello. At PePcon, we'll be easy to find and at MAX we'll be the crazy folk who just hauled ass across the Southwest.  Read more » 

Hey there, dekeOphiles, especially you fans of that refreshing auditory cocktail known as Martini Hour. Deke and I are proposing a panel at next year's SXSW in which we try to pull off a live version of what usually goes on behind secret velvet doors at the dekeLounge. We're calling it "Martini Hour Presents: Adobe CS4 Under the Influence," and we hope to get some luminary friends of the lounge to join us. If you think this is a delightful idea, you can vote for our "panel" (just replace "panel" with "cocktail-sipping discussion" in your mind) by clicking on the graphic below then giving our gin-soaked idea the thumbs up by clicking the...thumbs up button. If we get enough votes, maybe we'll see you in Austin---shoes off, libations in hand.

Read more »