I read blogs daily. There are some that would call it an obsession, but I've always had a problem with the "MSM," and blogs have filled the vacuum caused by TV news and eventually the newspaper (although there is still a warm spot in my heart for the old "Bat Boy" articles in the Weekly World News). I even discovered this weekend that there's a classification for people like me..."Lurker."
A few months ago, my life changed. I was forced to turn the mirror on myself and really dig to find what was causing the emptiness I felt. It is easy to get caught up in life, and I spent many years focusing on my career, always knowing that one of the things that makes me happy is activism and action to help people, and to raise awareness of peace and justice in any way that I can. In Corporate America, this is not an asset. In general, the most a person hopes for is to work for a company that matches their ideals, or that is providing some difference to the world. There are people who have maintained a level of activism that requires sacrifice and dedication...I cannot count myself among them.
This weekend at YearlyKos, I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do. I developed a set of skills over the years that enabled me to understand how to build IT infrastructures on limited budgets and a fast pace. I went to YearlyKos as a lurker, perhaps I would meet someone who does what I do, and could help me to find a path where I can utilize my skills to make a difference. I came out of this weekend a changed person, not anticipating how incredibly powerful an experience it could be to meet people from this site.
I understand that, because I belong to the community, I am biased. That doesn't matter. I was blown away with the openness, friendliness and intelligence of every person I met in this short time. Sitting at a keyboard gives you a certain security, a distance that allows you to express your ideas without actually having to face someone and explain your ideas verbally, having to react to them without the ability to think out your ideas and respond to them when they react to your words. In short, I was surrounded by like-minded people, but it was more than that. The people I met understood me. They didn't necessarily agree with me, but they were amazing in the way they let me be me and didn't judge or make me feel awkward...ever.
Another thing I noticed, which made this trip even more special, was that men and women with critical thinking skills surrounded me. There are few words to express how hard that is to find in day-to-day life. I would argue, actually, that it is rare, and that this weekend Vegas had a pocket of critical thinkers the likes of which it may never have seen before. It was an honor to be among these people, to be welcomed so warmly, to be a part of this.
One of my first experiences was a brush with celebrity. I grew up in the LA area, and I've never been star struck really. I saw Atrios and kos walking to grab a bite, and I had to say something. "I read you guys every day" wasn't what I had in mind, and I felt like a mix between dweeb and groupie. Subsequently, it occurred to me how weird it would be to have people recognize me in public like that.
Over the course of the next few days, I got 4 hours of sleep a night, spent the day in workshops, panels and keynote addresses, and introduced myself to dozens of people. I met DailyKos, "Celebrities," and even got tipsy with people who I've argued with on the site. There is another story, underpinning my words here, but I choose not to tell it here. Suffice it to say, without the personalities, the character and the good will of others at this conference, I wouldn't even be writing this now. I want to encourage anyone who considered going but could not make it to make this a priority next year, should we get the honor of being able to participate yet again.
In the end, there is too much to say. I'm sure others have a different perspective, differing experiences. People powered politics, netroots, action, focus - this weekend was so amazing, so energizing, and so alive. It was cool to see the faces matched to the nicknames, to see the power of our community, and to be considered a part of such a vibrant group of thinkers.
Thank you to everyone that made it happen, on both ends. Thank you to the public figures that made this event so relevant. And thank you to all of the fine people I spoke to, in varying degrees of coherence (the parties were great, btw), you are making a difference and I came away with far more than I could have imagined because of you.
Regards,
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