Re "lots of vegetarians smoke and drink -- a lot. So I guess the health thing kind of only goes so far..." Exactly! That's why we don't eat meat -- if we did it all, it'd kill us even sooner. (Note: I don't actually smoke, unlike some [sorta] vegetarian friends of mine who have taken to it like it's the new cool thing to do. Also: I eat fish.)
Re "No matter where the conversation begins, it always ends one way: with a Simpson's quote." For many years, I never understood what my friends were talking about half the time. Thanks to UPN44, now, often, I at least realize they're quoting the Simpsons. I've even tried to throw in a relevant quote or two myself, but haven't pulled it yet.
Re "This SXSW trip was more meticulously documented than the moon landing -- I have never had so many pictures taken of me in my life; mind you, it wasn't because I'm an interesting subject, but because techie's love using their digital cameras." Two years ago, I bought a digital camera right before going to SXSW. I felt way ahead of the curve. This year, I felt like I had a crappy digital camera, compared to everyone else. Because I do. But I take more pictures, still. And of course you're an interesting subject.
Re "I'm getting too old for this shit": Yeah, that's what I couldn't help thinking.