After the long trip back from Providence and catching up on my sleep, I can already tell that I miss so much of the feeling from Netroots Nation. The conference of roughly 3,000 progressives featured educational panels, energizing keynotes, and a camaraderie of relationships that I just do not experience otherwise.
Progressives interact online with each other but the face-to-face time matters greatly. An emotional connection develops while sitting at a dinner table together that cannot be achieved through email or even a Skype conversation. Admittedly, I was in a valley, in terms of my depression, but the ability to converse with like-minded people for more than four straight days did something to propel me upwards. Even if there are countless things to worry about and feel helpless.
Once in a while the fanboy or fangirl even comes out when you get to run into a Darcy Burner, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Amanda Marcotte, or Lee Camp. You can try to keep it in check but the admiration tends to pour through, regardless. Meeting them helps humanize them and say to yourself, “hey, I can do amazing work as well,” at least it does in a way.
So I already miss the conference and especially the people. On the other hand, I hope to take the positive energy from the trip and harness it here at home… in my writings and in my activism. I could continue with the various speeches, panels, and people but I think I will save some it for later posts. The more personal feelings will be spared here as well. Anyway, onward and upward because the political is personal dammit!