We splurged and got badges to preclude any worries ever about lines, stamps, wrist bands, excessive crowds and alcohol consumption.  For many reasons, we were right; in some ways, however, we could have done without because as every seasoned SXSW regular knows, the day parties are way cooler, shit's free everywhere anyway and if they gave us anymore free Dentyne Ice, my tongue would have turned numb, in a minty fresh sort of way.  Though I loved the Ice Cream Man, the generous truck that cruised around Austin, giving away delicious ice cream bars and those awesome Froz-Fruit strawberry ice things that I ate enthusiastically at every opportunity. 
I also wish to point out that drinking during the day was highly encouraged by the impeccable porta-potties -- pale pink for girls and pale blue for boys -- that graced every outdoor venue and event.  They were clean, smelled lovely and even had those hand washing stations conveniently placed just outside the door. 
When we first arrived at Ben's, he showed us this huge 70s blue bus parked in front of his neighbors' house that said "How's Your News" on it in big, white, bubble letters.  Then I noticed a group of people holding news cameras and microphones, all of whom seemed to be either mildly or severely mentally disabled.  Each person in the group wore a "How's Your News" t-shirt, a perfect blue baseball tee that looks like those rad numbers they wore in old Tootsie Roll commercials.  I saw these folks around town and at a brilliant day party.  Turns out they are all part of a documentary where the reporters have mental and physical disabilities. They also take part in a special camp called Camp Jabberwocky for people with such problems. They love to laugh and laugh at themselves all the time.  I wish I had a chance to speak with them more, especially the really cute, curly haired boy who smiled excessively and always asked passersby how they were doing with the most sincere interest.  I heard they are funny, crazy and completely easy going about everything.  I would have had many questions to pose.

Dude from Lightspeed Champion with his own "How's Your News tee"

When I came back home, I ordered a t-shirt off their website.  It's blue with white stripes on the sleeves and a red number 8 on the back left shoulder.  It says "How's Your News" on it in white bubble letters on the front, obviously.