Awh geez, why can't I be close to Austin? Dooce AND stereogum are going to be there? *sigh*

Will leg humping be allowed?

Would you guys be up for a Meet Up in Utah sometime? My parents live in Provo, and I know you have tons of fan out there...

Shady Grove or Baby A's would be MUCH better to meet large groups. Plus the food and atmosphere squash Halcyon.

Trust me on this one.

I think that you need to have a little meet and greet here in Salt Lake City! You have a TON of fans here!

Can I suggest that the whole thing be moved to New York? Is that unreasonable?

I live in the Austin area), and I'm going to try to make it down there...of course, explaining to my boss that I'm leaving for a few hours to meet some person from the internet might be hard to sell. Maybe I should come down with a 24 hour flesh eating virus?

Maybe you could start a US tour of offbeat coffee shops? Let me know when your tour brings you to Minneapolis...or even Chicago. I'd drive 6 hours to meet you.

I'm afraid this is not an Austin suggestion, but rather an Avon suggestion: that lip balm they make called Lip Dew is quite possibly the best in the world. If the free shampoo is out of the question, perhaps you could lobby for a tube or two of that.

I second Andrea's suggestion of Shady Grove, though I haven't been to Halcyon Coffeeshop. Shady Grove is just... so Austin.

Er....... shouldn't you let the coffeeshop know that about a bajillion people may be turning up for their lunchtime hours?

I'd go but will be out of town.....

Maybe when you do your world tour?

You should go to Hula Hut while you are in town, great views of the lake and good food. I also third the suggestion for Shady Grove, a lot of good food that would even let you bring Chuck in to dine on the patio. Also for the BEST ice cream go to Amy's - unique flavors you can only find there including many of the alcoholic variety.

I agree... world tour. Make sure you stop in Chicago!

I'm with Andrea and Jennifer -- choose Shady Grove. There's perhaps no finer place to pass a socializing hour or two.

I'll second the vote for Phoenix, our weather is unbeatable and I'd love to meet you.

Come down, get a tan (in March!) and hang out.

I smell a US tour coming on

Darn, I have this little thing called work that just messes up all my plans!!!

I agree you should do a meet and greet in Utah (it's close enough for me to get to) or hell, go all out and do one in Vegas!!! I'd be more than happy to show you around the town.

and me, fresh out of airline miles. dammit!

If we are talking about beautiful, warm places to stop at on the Dooce World Tour, then you just can't been Destin, FL!

Great beaches. Great food. Great shopping. And the ocassional hurricane. (just for good measure)

Have fun in Austin!

Word to the wise - don't trust anyone who recommends Baby A's - they make their margaritas with Everclear. Bad. Idea.

If you want a lunchy place that also serves coffee, may I recommend Austin Java Co? They have plenty of room for a crowd and are fairly central.

Any chance a happy hour meetup could work? This job thing I've got might get in the way of a lunch meetup...

Probably anyplace that you and Jon can get to easily between SXSW events is going to be a little hard to manage with a crowd -- but the Whole Foods plaza is not a bad idea. Whole Foods also has lots o' parking. There are also some larger coffee shop venues slightly further afield (like Ruta Maya -- http://rutamaya.net/). Wherever you wind up, I will do my best to wrangle my almost-two-year old down there and brave the "South By" crowds on Monday...

I third the Whole Foods plaza. It's located right on 6th and Lamar and very easy to get to. Plus I get a 20% discount so gellato for all! And you can get a glass of wine or beer to drink up there right in the store. Or while you wander the store.

Halcyon is a great choice. 1) They have a full bar so you can get alcohol if coffee's not your thing. 2) Table-top S'mores. 'nuff said.

You should call and warn that coffee shop! :)

You should seriously consider a tour....you could charge and I really don't think people would care! How cool are you??!!!

Minneapolis would have to be on your list...dooce fans live in the cold too!

Seriously, what is the deal w/ Austin? Everything cool is there.

If you're coming to Arizona, pick Tucson, not Phoenix. It's much more fun, we have gorgeous weather, beautiful scenery, world class spas, great hiking, biking, etc. Did I mention all the cool people live in Tucson?

Good luck with the meet up. I wish I could go. Let us know when you come down south again. I'm in your hometown. You guys be safe. Watch out for the Dooce stalkers........yikes.

I can't wait to meet you guys! This is cooler than the pope coming. Lord I am officially going to HELL.
aimee

I'm a little bit scared of the total fucking ass I'm sure I'll be making of myself. But I will be there.

You don't have a problem with touching, do you?

OK, funny thing. I'm an attorney in Austin, and I have a part-time job at Halcyon. OK, actually, I am an attorney until March 31, because I announced my intent to leave in, err, my blog, as it were. And the next day my boss read it and accepted my resignation. Or maybe fired me. Unclear. Anyway, I just went over to the shop, and they were unaware of the gig, but they're now quite excited about it, and making sure they're getting it covered. Honestly, trying to get in anywhere else during SXSW, during lunch, and particularly at the places named, will be a cluster... problem. Please, keep it at Halcyon...

Hmm...that's my first day of spring break. I wonder how long a drive that is from Georgia...?

So yeah, y'all should come to Atlanta sometime. Too far to drive to Austin :(

And when are you coming to New Jersey? Northeasterners need love too!

we're driving down from jersey so wont be there just yet.......

how about stopping by the Jackalope thurs night to see my husband's band, the black hollies play?

i'll be hangin solo so i could use some good company!

it'd be so great if you came! they play some hip-swingin music, you'd have a good time!

I suggest your hire some bodyguards.

Seriously. A national tour of Dooce would sell faster than tickets to another Cher retirement tour.

austin is so fabulous ... i would love to meet you all! i agree with andrea that shady grove would be a better place. they have killer chili cheese fries, margs and the ambiance is all austin. it sets along lake austin opposite of downtown, yet still downtown. it backs up to a "cool" trailer park, that has all of the charm you could imagaine! (yes, i used cool and trailer park in the same sentence.) i can see you enjoying the photo ops. the extra space would be beneficial as well since the city will be swarming, and personal space will be so limited. have a wonderful time! i look forward to reading how it all goes.

Recently came across your page and now I am hooked. I love the newsletters to Leta, what an incredible gift to give her one day.

I vote for Dooce blog tour, too! Think we could all print off screen shots of our favorite entries and you could sign them. I'd even use my 108+ bright white paper for that . . .

Seriously, why don't you come back to your hometown? I'm an hour away and we consider Memphis to be part of Jonesboro, so hell--I'd come. Seriously.

apparently i moved to california too soon. sorry to be missing you. ya'll have fun! enjoy the blue oasis in the sea of red...

Good luck and safe travels. Austin, sadly, is too far away from me. But I will be with you in caffeine spirit. I'll even wear some inconspicuous sunglasses in your honor.

There's an indian restaurant called the Clay Pit. Sorry, I don't have an address. All I have to say is Mango spice infused martini. Oh yeah, the food is fantastic, too.

Enjoy your stay in Austin. It's a beautiful city. We go every year for the ACL festival in September.

Wow there's gonna be a lot of people in that coffeeshop this day, I think you should seriously consider the bodyguard advice :)

if you plan a meet-up in utah, please wait until june! we will be making a trip there for a family reunion then. otherwise, please, please come to seattle! you can stay at our house!

Halcyon has a great atmosphere and their smores are the best! I hope you enjoy your time in Austin, it seems like your kind of city to me! I hope I can make it there to see you in person.

Yes, Halcyon is pretty tiny and there are far better places to go in Austin- like MOTHER's CAFE! Thats just for eating though, its pretty small to, I would suggest somewhere big like the Oyster Landing (Hula Hut, Mozarts etc) which is a lot bigger and has the lake in the background. As much as I would love to come I'm sure there will be a mob so enjoy your time in Austin!

Heather,

I have never been to Austin but I hear it is fantastic. Kind of a liberal redheaded stepchild on timeout inside an otherwise conservative state. It also has a great up-and-coming filmmaking community.

If you were there a little longer I'd suggest checking out the Alamo Drafthouse. They play new and old flicks while you sit back and enjoy fried foods and beer straight from the tap. Never been there but it sounds pretty sweet, right?

If you're ever in Los Angeles again, I hope you and Jon do a similar meet-and-greet. You guys have to show some love for those of us still trapped within the very definition of "Urban Sprawl."

I too am worried about the size of the place ... you ARE aware of how famous you are, right? RIGHT? I'll be damned if I show up just to stand on the sidewalk, mournfully smashing my face against the glass, getting elbowed repeatedly by some crazy lady in a homemade Dooce T-shirt.

I hate to be one of those annoying people who questions the offered plans (you know the type), but in this case, I felt I had to speak up for my own selfish reasons (not that I wouldn't smash my face against the glass, if that's what it takes to gain sight of you in person and therefore be the raging envy of all my friends).

All I can say is I'm jealous. We went to SXSW a couple years ago when we were Texans for a while and it was a blast. And we're still paying for it too - spent WAY TOO MUCH on art while there. Keep Austin weird!!!

Holy Crap, I got the first comment? Hell! That'll never happen again.

If a Dooce national tour ever materialises, Virginia needs to be added to the list.

Hey, Heather. Unrelated to meeting up, if you're into Mexican (not sure how the digestive system likes burritos, etc.!), you should definitely check out The Continental for music and Guero's for mexican (down the street from the Continental, on Congress -- it's not expensive at all and is really good. I nearly bathed in the guac and some sort of cheesy dip thing).

I really like that you're doing this.

Many of us have all 'met' through you. It will be nice for everyone to meet the crazy ass woman that started all this.

I think it's pretty exciting that you are getting big name billing with the likes of Neil Young and Henry Rollins. Blog on!

rather a novice at this stuff, however, wanted to share that you are a daily visit for me and if you are ever in hamilton, new zealand at a coffee shop i would come and visit.

I wish I could come -- you guys are amazing and I would love to meet you. But alas, I live in Canada! :-[

If there would be a Dooce World Tour, would there be a Philippine leg?

And after the Philippine leg of the Dooce World Tour, would there be a stopover in Japan? Lots of good sushi here. :)

Sarah, if you do not go to this, I will make Runner Susan hunt you down and run over you with her new station wagon.

Yippee! I DO live in Austin, suckahs! I agree with the many who've fretted about the size of Halcyon (though it's a cozy spot). You might consider Mozart's Coffeehouse, which has big deck and a lovely view of the Colorado River. Here's a map: http://maps.citysearch.com/location/10225709?
Thanks for coming our way, y'all!

Come have a coffee with me in New Zealand. Here's an open invite to come here on your next holiday, write about New Zealand and have wonderful coffee and stories. Oh, and the pot's not so bad either.

If this here coffee shop place is w/in walking distance of the conference center area, that'd be great. We're doing Austin on foot, since we're planning on being too bewildered to drive.

If not...well, I bought me one of them fancy-pants gold passes and am planning on attending your keynote speech, unless it conflicts with the screening of the Prairie Home Companion movie b/c The BF is a freak for that Garrison Keillor. What we do for love.

you do realize that you could sell tickets to this and pay off your mortgage, right?

Shoot -- an opportunity to meet another drinking recovered Mormon? If spring break plans don't summon me away from Austin earlier than planned, I'm all over it! I also hate to question plans, but I've lived in Austin for the past 5 year and I don't think Halcyon can handle a crowd. My friends and I have trouble when we go there in a group of 6 or more and I can't imagine what it'd be like to park and sit and mingle there, downtown, during SXSW. Actually, yes I can -- CRAZY! It'd definitely be on par, if not worse than Mozart's parking. I'm one of the many who thinks Shady Grove would be a great idea. Plenty of space, good food and drinks, SO many photo ops that you'd love and it's definitely an Austin experience. Hope I get to meet ya and have fun on your trip!

Yeah that place is really tiny. I think there will be a line all the way to the bridge on Congress! Whole Foods is a really really good idea (there are even free buses that run up and down 6th street). The other places listed are a little far for what you're looking for and come on people, Shady Grove is a health hazzard!

Even though I wasn't dooced, I am unemployed and have been extremely entertained by your site while looking for a job. May just have to show up.

Alright, if someone can give me a ballpark estimate of how many people we're talking about, here, I'd be happy to help get a space reserved... honestly, Shady Grove, Hula Hut, Guero's, etc. would be really difficult to get a big area reserved for a mingling group at noon, though I'd give it a shot. I could work to set something up at Whole Foods on the patio. If you mainly want a large, nice space with good drinks, 219 is right across from Halcyon, and has a really large capacity. It's not Austiny, and it's not usually my scene, but it's in the neighborhood, the employees are cool and the food is good...

Wow! I think I might be joining. I live about 40 minutes away, but I think it's worth it to just stare at you two!!

Maybe it's good that Halycon is small - it may limit the pandemonium a little or at least keep it outside! I would be happy to come pick you up and drive elsewhere if you decide a larger location is in order though. 2nd on the Clay Pit suggestion (1601 Guadalupe)- get the Khuroos-E-Tursh and the Calamari. Moonshine (303 Red River) has a to-die-for Sunday brunch. If you OD on TexMex, Fonda San Miguel (2330 W North Loop) has great interior Mexican and another eat-til-you-explode Sunday brunch. Alamo Drafthouse (409 Colorado) is a definite Austin landmark if the weather turns bad. I think you might be legally obligated to go to Waterloo records (600 N. Lamar) or they'll revoke your music-lover credentials and Amy's ice cream and the Whole Foods mecca store are both right there as well. If you get tired of people gushing about how great you are, a walk around Town Lake should be a nice respite. I could continue ad nauseam - suffice it to say this is a great town. I can't wait to read what you thought about it. I have no delusions that I'll get close enough to hear in person!

So, like, on your U.S. tour -- do you think you could stop by Seattle?

Bend, Or should be one of your stops.

Does Halcyon know that they are about to be invaded??? LOL!!! Maybe I'm over exagerating your celeberity status a little, but still, you do draw a big online crowd.

I'm with Amanda B. though, leg humping should be allowed, at least until chaffing sets in and then it's someone elses turn. It's only fair.

If you need a body gaurd, um, I'm somewhat huge AND latina. I'm just saying...

Just who in the hell are you people anyways?

Kidding.... Ya'll have fun now ya hear?

Yes, I second the suggestion for a world tour.

Have fun in Austin. I think they just had a thing about Austin in Jane magazine with lots of great tips on places to go there. But I could be mistaken. It's been known to happen.

Dooce World Tour sounds good. Please include Athens,Greece in itinerary.

Since I will be bjorning my 8 month old daughter around town, looking for ways to amuse ourselves while my husband is at SXSW, we'll be there. Although we're mostly coming for the s'mores!

Okay, I might not be able to make it to Austin and I live in Texas... I am so livid with myself.

But, as a secondary suggestion, since everyone has been throwing out suggestions, How about instead of going to this meet-and-greet you and John and Leta just move in with me. Yep, that is the best idea and I am sure will make everyone happy.

So to recap, blow off your fans in Austin, move in with Eddo of Postednote.

Hmmm...I'm in Houston...yeah, I don't think 3 hours is too far to drive to get a glimpse of the giants from Utah. Besides, I've never taken my 20-month-old on a road trip. Should be fun, right? RIGHT?

Dooce World Tour 2006. Complete with T-shirts listing the cities on the back!
*cough Cincinnati cough*

Oh, Lordy. I was thinkin' it might be fun to call off work on a Monday and drive up to Austin (from San Antonio) to catch a peek of you guys at Halycon since I couldn't afford SXSW, but... goodness. It's soundin' like you're gonna be bombarded with fans in a tiny place, and while it's an ultra-cool place, I'm kinda nervous about the crowd/situation/time constraint/you and Jon. Though I'm sure y'all can bum a ride from one of the fans to somewhere a little bigger, and all will be well and good.

In the likely event that my guilt eats me up and I don't call off work (it's a TEMP job and I still have guilt!), I hope y'all enjoy your short stay. I have a feeling that once you get a taste of Austin (and Texas in general) you'll be wantin' to come back real soon. In which case, I have the patience to wait for you. Plus I can use the extra time to needle you into making the 45-minute drive down to the River City; San Antonio is a wonderfully small big-city. Ask anyone in Austin (if their not too snooty and trying to "keep it weird"...)

Be safe, hun. Hope to see you if I can!

Heather, you're going to have to come up with a way to generate some revenue as a result of this World Tour we're planning for you! ;)

I'm very sad that I won't be able to make it to Austin for SXSW (even though I only live three hours away...grrr). Be sure you do some shopping on South Congress - much fun. Oh yeah, and go to Sandy's on Barton Creek Dr. for great hamburgers and milkshakes.

I never ever thought I would say this, but I wish I lived in Texas right now...

Enjoy your trip!

This isnt about Austin, because I'm in Canada. But I just had to say that I cannot believe how much Leta has grown since that photo from last year! Honestly there she still looks like a baby, now she looks more like a wee girl. And I just have to say that every time I see a photo of her with her crazy pigtail variations it makes my ovaries hurt!

Too bad you'll be in Austin AFTER the cast of the Real World worked SXSW...could've made for GREAT trash TV :)

I think it's hilariously entertaining that so many fans would think you would plan a "tour" based on who proclaimed the loudest that you should come to his/her city. Internet, you crack me up. Has anyone ever thought of perhaps meeting up with you somewhere close to where YOU live???

Have a great time.

People are right to say Halcyon is a bit tiny (though the walk-in humidor is another plus), but it is centrally located. Down the street is the great Ginger Man, which has about 200 beers on tap (for Blurb more than you, Dooce) and a nice outdoor pation (what doesn't in Austin?). There's also the new Doc's on South Congress (a free bus can take you down there from your hotel) with a huge patio. Also, if you're looking for something off the beaten path that might deter the SXSW crowd and the crazies, Azul Cafe on the East side (east of I-35) at the corner of Chicon and 1st is a great idea--beers for 2.50, lots of coffee drinks, yummy bar sandwiches and snacks and a beautiful, spacious backyard/patio. Plus, it's a small, new, neighborhood joint owned by friends of friends. They would love to have you. But you'd have to drive to get there--I can take you. Probably not the best idea, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents. Also, if you want to hang out with some writers (we're here for the AWP Writers' Conference), we're around. I'm also from Salt Lake and am really interested in you and your blog as the forerunner of a new kind of writing. I'd love to chat/drink bourbon with lime (a favorite of mine). Of course, I'm a little nobody who you've never met. I wouldn't want to "hang" with anyone like me either, so I totally understand. Oh, and your interview in the Chronicle down here was great! Congrats. Hope to see you on Monday...

heather, it has been similar to waiting to call in to NPR with a question for the car guys, calling and calling but never getting in. or listening, listening, listening, then calling and calling and finally getting through. ever since Jeff Milner was featured in the Wall Street Journal for backmasking and i visited his site and found your link, i have been reading your site every day. i would love to meet you and jon and am very bummed that my agency is not sending us to SXSW. have an awesome event and enjoy austin. i am inspired by your blogs and journey. thanks, dave in denver

Another vote for Phoenix!!

By the way, loved Austin, even though I was only there for 2 days - I bet you will too!

Wish I could be in Austin to meet you & your hubba-man.
But if the Dooce World Tour occurs, you gotta make a stop in Dayton, OH at Boston Stoker's coffeeshop. It's the best coffee ever and you would be just as innundated by fans here as you will be there...

I think a posse of bodyguards might be in order...

I hope you all have a lovely time. If only Austin was a little closer to England, I'd pop over and say 'hi'. But it isn't, and I can't afford a plane ticket at the moment, so I'll just say 'hi' here: 'hi'.

as i am reading, i would be remiss if i did not mention a few things - #1 being the Oasis (while a fantastic place, and a hike out of austin) burnt down. #2 being i wish i was also attending the IA portion of SxSW (but being a music freak, the music portion seemed more beneficial).

i think Halcyon is a great place to meet. its close enough to the Convention Center to walk. its a neat shop, and the staff is usually super awesome and friendly.

if you are looking for other suggestions, i would be happy to offer them (like eat BBQ at Stubb's, get a Freebird's borrito, have Elvis Fried Chicken at Chuy's, and a sub from Thundercloud)but the best thing about austin is that everyone is friendly! they love to "Keep Austin Weird" by keeping independants and locals thriving, so ask around and you won't be disappointed!

ENJOY!

I wanted to cast my vote out there for a meet up in SLC! It would be great to meet you both. Good luck in Austin with the hordes of fans! I'm sure the whole thing will be a memorable experience.

ED

You guys should just pack up the entire fam and go on a national tour! Northern California would LOVE to have ya!!