Drop your 9 to 5, head to the bar

During spring break this year, I put my 9 to 5 sale's job on hold and took to the bars to work the SXSW music festival.

I love being an Austinite during spring break. The college students leave for the warm beaches, and the out-of-towners invade the streets by the thousands for SXSW. I just have to say that it was my first time working the festival, but will not be my last.

I got on at Buffalo Billiards, located at Sixth and Brazos, to do security. Since I frequent the bar, it was fairly easy to get on to work there. All I had to do was talk to the head of security, Big John, and that was that. He went on to tell me that most places have to hire out extra help during SXSW, which they hate to do, so getting locals who know the layout of the given bar or restaurant is a relief for them.

They stationed me upstairs by the stage to watch the door that led to the green room. My duties consisted of letting only authorized people in to the green room (bands, media, roadies) and to keep all the normals out. It was a great change from my day job, but I managed to make the transition just fine. I mean, I got paid to watch and hang out with bands from all over the world. What's better than that?

The highlight of the time spent working security at Buffalo came when I ran in to one of my favorite musicians.

The band Riverboat Gamblers had just put on an amazing and energetic set and were headed to the green room to catch a breath. Following shortly behind them was none other than Goldfinger's drummer, Darrin Pfeiffer. Wow, I got a chance to talk to the same man who places a twinkie in a certain part of his body during live shows and gets a lucky fan to eat it out.

During our chat we talked about some past gigs Goldfinger has had in Austin, and the tour that they had just finished in Australia, which featured The Riverboat Gamblers.

It was great to meet such a musician, and it's just one more thing that makes this festival so great for me year after year.

There's just such a positive vibe that seems to float in on the wings of SXSW, that is if SXSW had wings.

The friends that you make during the festival, the celebrities and musicians that you run in to on a regular basis, and the good times that you experience will never leave you.

If you have any plans for next spring break and you want to work the festival, I recommend asking around your favorite bars and restaurants if they might need an extra hand.

The festival is a great experience for all music fans, or for any one who is looking for a change from their lousy desk job.

Another tip, make it easy on yourself and take the bus downtown, it's fun, safe, and you don't have to worry about the dreadful parking, or lack there of. So do your self a favor and take off spring break next year and let SXSW flow through your veins ever so freely.