“Podcamp” is the dorkiest sounding name for an event that I can think of, and when I first heard it, as in, “I’m going to Podcamp, honey!”, I rolled my eyes at Rob, gave him my wifely, “Have a good time, dear.”, and wrote it off as One Of Those Internet Things He Does.

He went to a few, including some overnight, and I figured he was learning, making connections and having a good time doing something that I would never be involved with.

Then he went to Podcamp held in Phillidephia right after we moved to Brooklyn.  PCPhilly was a two-night event, and while he was gone everything fell apart at home.  The details are unimportant, but it was the collective experience of all of the hard parts of adulthood needing ATTENTION! and SIGNATURES! and the lawyer-landlord-mortgage-insurance swirl of events that you’re allowed to ignore when you’re a kid piling on all at once.  I couldn’t deal by myself and he came home early because I had reached my breaking point and he’s the best fucking husband ever.

To make it up to him, I offered to go to “his dorky event” for its second day, so he wouldn’t have to drive the hour or so back to Philly by himself.  I figured I would find SOMEthing to do while he went to events all day, but when I saw the names of some of the sessions, I realized that some of them, one in particular, sounded REALLY interesting.  I ended up talking to people and making connections, getting business cards, and learning some really valuable information about PR and marketing.

Podcamp in Montreal was held this weekend which I had been planning on going to for months; I wanted to see the city.  My plan was to explore the city solo while Rob was doing his thing.  It took me less than an hour to realize I’m not a huge fan Montreal (sorry if you’re native), but I really wanted to be at Podcamp.  Thus begins a new evolution in my perception of social media participants, what they do, and how they have fun and network.

I still feel not quite as “into it” as most of the people there (and probably never will be), but I was able to share what I had to offer… you know, one of MY specialties: I hosted a party.  We stayed in a place that came equipped with a kitchen and I got to work making twice-baked potatoes (the only ingredients I could find within walking distance of my hotel were potatoes and cheese… it was guerrilla party throwing!)  I cleaned the hotel room, completely rearranged the furniture for maximum “party flow”, put the ash tray on the balcony, set out glasses and made ice.

The party was a HUGE success in that everyone had a LOT of fun, some more than others, and that’s just about all I’m going to say about that (because I value my life).

Anyway, all that to say I am extremely excited to have met so many amazing people this weekend, and I appreciate the change in perspective.  I’m never one to shy away from saying, “Hey, I was wrong!” and these friendly people totally flew against my perspective.

I never thought I’d say this but… I’m looking forward to the next podcamp [Rob breaks out dancing].