Before I jet (or putt) off to school, here are few things banging around my brain recently:

1) Thank God for SXSW Interactive! It seems to be the ONLY internet conference with reg fees that are reasonable for freelancers. Everytime I see a cool conference, I about die when I see the registration fees that start at over $700 or $2,000, not including airfare or hotel. Yikes! SXSWi is a breath of fresh air at a $195 for a great conference.

The SXSWi folks are now accepting websites for the Annual Web Awards.

2) My local Ralph's grocery store is going downhill. It used to be one of the few "good" Ralph's, but ever since last year's strike it has been cutting corners in all the wrong places. Before the strike, I did 1/3 of my shopping at Ralph's, 1/2 at Trader Joes, and the rest at Whole Foods. Since the strike, I have been shopping 50% at Trader Joe's, 45% at Whole Foods and 5% or less at Ralphs. If Ralphs continues its devolution, I may get my dry goods at Target or Sav-on's and get the rest at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.

Now if TJ's or Whole Foods would just start carrying good pancetta...

3) A discussion came up yesterday at Alex's about home schooled kids and how they turn out. Contrary to many assumptions, some of my best students have been home schooled. Any and all objections to their naivete or potential conservative indoctrination are out weighed once they are in college by their superior writing skills and preparation for college. If only other kids from public or private high schools were so prepared.

3) Scruffy is 11 months old today! Yeah Scruffy!