Checking in from the basement of CBC's Vancouver headquarters as we kick off an event which is bound to be quite remarkable - the CBC Digital Development Labs.

This morning was introductions by the entrepreneurial-minded attendees chosen to display and refine their ideas for possible development by CBC. I'm participating as a mentor (along with others) here to advise, gut-check, collaborate with (and learn from) the emerging visionaries.

Our secret lair (which is very cool by the way - set up with a variety of workspaces, conversation breakout areas, Mac labs, gamer stations - feels like jPod) is also loaded with industry types acting more as observers to see how projects come together in the new media paradigm.

Suffice to say the Raincity Studios clan are pretty excited about SxSW in Austin, Texas.

Yup, I'll be rolling with a posse of Vangroovy SxSW veterans. The Raincity Studios "away team" consists of Scales, KK+. Erik, Roland "Mr. Furley" Tangalo, and me and we're hosting a 10x20 booth (I prefer to call it a lounge) with all sorts of activities in mind during the Interactive and the Music portions of the shindig.

As pointed out in the Tokyo Ramen and SxSW vidcast - social media lunatic Roland Tanglao and I plan to brew up a variety of coverage - live, on-demand, useful, incidental ... interviews with geeks doing neat things, bands, bloggers, labels, fanzines, you ... whoknows?

My first SXSW, I spent 10 days in Austin, Texas armed with a video camera, a digital SLR and my mac! In my hand a platinum and photographer pass giving me access to almost all events and venues in town for the film, interactive and music festival.

Raincity Studios and Bryght hosted a party with our friends at Blue Flavor and Newsvines.

Bryght had a booth in the Convention Centre, where I spent the best part of my afternoon chatting with geeks and rockstars alike. Helping Colin and kk to promote Backstage and our services.