When Social Media Becomes Antisocial

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At the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for the IACP opening reception. I hope my date can hold his liquor. #iacp

Are there times when social media, like Twitter and Facebook, seem antisocial to you? Do you ever feel like you need to just put the iPhone down and socialize with the living, breathing people (and animals) around you? That’s how I felt at IACP in Austin last week.

Like the Longhorn steer above, the incredible people I met at IACP deserved my undivided attention. Had I not been so caught up in the moment, I would have tweeted this photo of me and the steer along with many others during my stay in Austin. In my efforts to not be antisocial irl, I became antisocial online.

So, here are the highlights of my #iacp tweets that never were…

SWEET REGRETS
Seared sweet bread torchon @parksideaustin w/ @foodwishes n @perennialplate. If our panel goes down as smoothly we’ll be in good shape #iacp (left)

Btw, our panel on DIY Video Production for Food Bloggers went very well and I actually did squeeze in a tweet or two.

I attribute the success of our workshop not just to our fearless leader, Chef John and the talented and diverse trio of video producers he assembled, but to the educated and enthusiastic audience.

The Opening Reception kicked off at The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Surrounded by savory snacks, tasty cocktails and a room full of avatars people I wanted to meet, pecking out these tweets was the last thing on my mind:

SHORT CHANGED
Beef Short Ribs, Shishito Pepper Jam & Burrata from @CongressAustin. An updated, buttery meat & potatoes w/ a spicy pow. YUM #iacp (above)

Later that evening, too dark to even consider taking photos and far too occupied with conversation, I dined at a popular local Indian place with friends:

Dinner w/ @foodwishes @perennialplate @kaleandcola at G’Raj Mahal. Everything is bigger in TX – it’s a food trailer (not just a truck) #iacp

The next day I was able to sit in on Amanda Hesser’s packed round table discussion on Crowd Sourcing and Building an Online Community. There was no way I was going to tweet anything. Hesser being so soft-spoken and the room being so loud, I had to hang on Amanda’s every word:

Straining to hear brilliance of @amandahesser at round table discussion. Starting to think I shoulda spent the $9.99 for Loud n’ Clear #iacp

That evening, the IACP Awards Gala at Driskill Hotel was all glitz and glamor. The Driskill is a historic hotel circa 1886 that somehow screams southern hospitality and elegant luxury at the same time:

Cabbed it to the @DriskillHotel with the lovely @nourishnetwork Thanking my lucky Texas Lone Stars that I wore the little black dress #iacp

Then, a fine meal in the company of new friends who collectively sighed in relief when I told them I’d be sparing them from photographing all my food. And how could I blame them:

Evening capped off by dinner w/ Chef Todd Downs and @IdahoPotato at @jackallens. Awesome #guacamole — topped w/ pumpkin seeds! #iacp

AUSTIN WHOLE FOODS FIELD TRIP

The next morning I took a field trip to the epically gigantic, flagship Whole Foods. For once, the words epically gigantic don’t sound like hyperbole:

Outside the massive @WholeFoodsATX – if I’m not back in an hour, send help. #iacp

Culinary classes available @WholeFoodsATX – I wonder if @shefskitchen has ever taught *right* here? #iacp

Pics don’t do @WholeFoodsATX justice. It’s huge. It’s the #1 tourist destination in Austin. They have an open container liquor license #iacp

CULINARY EXPO

I guess I’d say that the Culinary Expo is the equivalent of a Food & Wine Grand Tasting… well, except there is no wine and a boatload of food.

Chef Todd’s @IdahoPotato Peruvian Shepard’s Pie is the talk of the expo! Looks and tastes much better than this pic. #iacp (above)

Just bumped into Chrystal from @theduodishes! We recognized each other by our hair ;) #iacp

So glad I got to meet the multi-talented Casey from @tastestopping here, I’ve been following her tweets since I got on the plane! #iacp

CHERRY BACON
Mmmm. Salad! Apatite Cafe’s Chef David described this so eloquently and all I can remember is Cherry Bacon! #iacp #bacon (left)

PORK A LA BLAIS
Recipe from Pork Board by @RichardBlais – Malta & Agave Braised Pork w/ Parmesan grits, ginger scallion relish @allaboutpork #iacp

CHORIZO GRILL
Aurelia’s Artisan Spanish Chorizo is really tasty and I love the grill Leslie is using! #iacp #sausage

AUSTIN LA VISTA, BABY
All good things must come to an end and I had to get home. But the IACP would continue on another two and a half days:

Met this guy on the elevator and we’re sharing a cab to the airport w/ two other ladies. I feel like an Extreme Cab Couponer. #iacp

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
I met up with my cab mates, past airport security, and had a great time. With Austin being the Live Music Capital of the World, it’s no wonder there was (an amazing) live band. And Salt Lick Tacos.

#IACP peeps @ #AUS = the most fun I’ve had in an airport. They should change it to IACPA-international association of culinary party animals

Landed at #LAX. Great time, great connections, great food at #iacp. Hope to speak in New York 2012– interest in DIY video is only growing!

Just imagine how much I would have had my nose buried in the Echofon had I been on the social networks instead of socializing irl. Thanks Austin. Thanks IACP! See you on the internets…