Updated: Okay, there’s a new plan. My wife is having surgery to put a screw in her foot, and the operation is two days before my panel. I really can’t leave her to come to SXSW. We’re going to try for me to Skype in to the panel instead. Cross your fingers.
Every so often real life catches up with you in ways you didn’t expect. My wife broke her foot a few days ago. She took a unfortunate spill off a stepstool, but she’s telling everyone it was a ninja fight. Those ninjas pack a wallop: she’ll wear a cast for up to 6-8 weeks, and the doctor said she can’t drive with her current cast. Overall, the broken foot has been a good reminder that having your bike stolen, while annoying, isn’t too horrible in the grand scheme of things.
One wrinkle is that my wife and I were going to spend about a week together at South by Southwest, and I was scheduled to participate on a panel. She’s not going now for obvious reasons (ninja fight). I’ve rejiggered my travel so I’m only away from my wife for a day but I believe I can still do the panel.
So if you want to see me at SXSW, your best chance is to come to our Q&A session: Dear Google & Bing: Help Me Rank Better! I’ll be fielding questions alongside Danny Sullivan and Duane Forrester of Bing. I’m heading back to the airport pretty much right after our panel.
Here’s a quick SXSW tip: I think you’d like Frank Warren’s PostSecret session. I recently got a chance to talk some with Frank, and he’s as thoughtful and interesting as you secretly hoped he would be.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I wasn’t going to SxSW,
so I don’t miss out on an expectation.
But I have to chime in to say you’re doing
the right thing, Matt! And it’s smart to keep
a ninja happy for when that fighting foot heals
Hi Matt,
I won’t be making SXSW this time round however, enjoy and i hope your wife makes a speedy recovery.
P.S – Have you tried searching Ebay for your stolen bike. My friend once recovered his stolen bike from Ebay
Hey Matt,
Is there any chance that your panel is going to be streamed online anywhere? I can’t take the time off to go to SXSW this year.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the information.I won’t be making SXSW this time round however, enjoy and i hope your wife makes a speedy recovery.
Matt,
Sorry to hear about your wife, uh, I mean ninjas can be a handful.
I won’t be able to make SXSW this year. Any way I can get in on the action?
I’ve had a similar thing happen to my Wife before. A little man to man advice, she might get cranky and unrealistic for awhile. You need to remember she’s is going to be super dependent on you for the next while. It’s not fun not being able to drive when your foot is broken.
*hug*
If you get angry at all just focus that energy on those damn Ninjas!
I swear, it wasn’t any of my ninjas fighting your wife…it must have been some other ninjas….I think a ninja pushed her off the stool, but she didn’t see them do it.
Hope your wife heals fast – for your sake
. Will you be posting a video of the panel speech?
Hey Matt,
sorry to hear about your wife, but no worry I hope she will makes a speedy recovery…:)
“I’ve rejiggered my travel so I’m only away from my wife for a day” – you’re a thoughtful hubby
Won’t be making a trip to TX, please post highlights/summary of the Q&A when you get back.
Since you’re not dedicating your full week to SXSW how about a 20 minute Google Voice interview for Social Media Edge Radio about social SEO and how Google treats/culls the social spam?
Thanks for the information.I won’t be making SXSW this time round however, enjoy and i hope your wife makes a speedy recovery.
Did you actually read what the guy posted, Ken? His wife broke her ankle…he’s obviously got bigger things on his mind than an online radio show.
This is why “smh” was invented.
Hi Matt,
Sorry to hear about your wife. I hope she will be better soon.
Steve
Thanks for the information.I won’t be making SXSW this time round however, enjoy and i hope your wife makes a speedy recovery.
Matt,
I know it’s just a foot surgery but I hope she will be fine. Good luck! Great decision!
Oh , i’m sorry about your wife
, I hope she will be fine soon ISA , and is there any chance to record it on video so we can see that cause not everyone can come 
, Thank You .
Heal quick, Mrs. Cutts! Don’t worry either. My right shoulder is screwed together and is actually better than the original equipment on the other side.
Matt-
Confucius says….
He who puts his wife first in all things, lives a good, SPAM-free life.
C.J.
Hi Matt, I’ve only just happened upon your site today, but what a wealth of information you’ve built up. I think i’ll be spending some time around here trying to build up my knowledge.
Sorry to hear about your wife – hope the op goes well and she’s up and about soon.
Take care
Chris
Hope your wife recovers fast. Can you post a video of the panel speech?
Matt, very sorry hear the this news; I feel you because my girl friend also had a same situation before 2 years. Hope she will recover soon.
How was that panel? I hope everything has gone well, I wish you luck, Greetings
It’s been about 6 weeks, is she all better?
I broke my ankle and dislocated it. It was about 6 months in and out of casts and then another 6 months of rehab until I could walk normal. Years later it is still tight. I will say a prayer for her.
Thanks for everything you do. I love blogging the right way.