That quote has been going through my mind the entire weekend at PodCampNYC. I am incredibly lucky to be able to meet online friends – hell they are FRIENDS! – it doesn’t matter the format. These people help shape my life, drive my passions, and make me FEEL. I got really upset Sunday morning thinking that I may never see some of these folks again, but then remembered this quote. I am lucky to have friends and heros like these, and blessed that I got the chance to see them in person.
I was at the PPME (Podcast & Portable Media Expo) last year, but never a PodCamp. Yeah, it was a HUGE PodCamp, and some people have been saying it didn’t quite have the same sense of community as some of the others. Eh. I don’t agree. At PPME last fall, it was my first huge outting in a podcasting/new media space, and it was overwhelming. I’m sure a lot of PodCampNYC’ers felt the same way this past weekend. I am now totally charged up for PodCamp Philadelphia, and can’t wait to jump in!
For me, PodCampNYC was about connecting and reconnecting, reviving a passion for what I love, for inspiring others to find their passion. I’m an old-timer in this field, so a good deal of the talks were old hat for me, but the people were the most intersting part of my weekend. People I’ve known and met in person again are always fun to see, and people I’ve known only online and finally get to meet in person. Makes me HAPPY. I know I’ll forget a bunch of people, don’t feel bad, it was crazy!
Musicians: These are not only my rockstars, but some are friends as well. With the exception of one artist (Rick Springfield, duh!) I listen to podsafe music exclusively and have for over two years. Radio sucks, you can tell them I said so. Podsafe artists make my soul happy.
- Jay Moonah, Uncle Seth. Yeah, I love Jay. We co-coordinated PodCampSL a few months back, and are planning another one (no dates yet!). Friday night my husband and I headed over to Slate for the party, and Jay was one of the first folks I ran into. Big hugs for this guy, and we wound up hanging together for a good part of the social stuff over the weekend. He even brought me Canadian maple syrup! My husband and Jay got along just great too, and that REALLY made me happy. Cool thing, Jay’s wife and I are both due with new babies around the same time, so he will get pregnancy hormones in stereo from us!
- Tara, Uncle Seth. LOVE TARA. I was a Tara stalker all weekend. I tried to get my hair a bit purple for the weekend, and it turned out cherry red. Like Tara’s. We also share the same taste in shoes. And you couldn’t find a more talented singer or more fun woman to hang out with. If I could have a wish just for myself, I would wish that I could have a voice and sing like Tara.
- Brother Love. Amazing! First I’m always surprised for some reason that he recognizes me, but always makes me feel like his favorite fan when I see him! Ran into him Friday night at Slate, and then a few other times over the weekend. He is a true showman and an incredible guy. Went to the Blubrry Jam concert on Saturday night (got there late and only caught the last few songs). As usual he put on a great show. I’ve been listening to his newest album “Turn It Up – Advanced Love” all day now. BroLo has struck gold again! Fav songs: WannaBe, SoccerGirl, Words, See A Sign.
- Lee Coulter. OMG I freaked out when I met him. C.C. Chapman being the smart ass he is thought my reaction would be funny – he remembered I love Lee’s music, and called me over to meet him. So C.C. asks me if I like Lee Coulter’s music. I say YEAH!!! C.C. turns and says meet Lee. I scream and jump and hug Lee. He must have thought I was INSANE. Lee wasn’t planning on attending PodCampNYC, as he is a Cali boy and was in NYC for some gigs. I am VERY rarely starstruck, but I was this time!
- Slau. I first met him at the bar Saturday night at PPME last year. Slau was the mastermind behind the Podsafe for Peace song “If Every Day Were Christmas.” Ran into him again at Slate Friday night at PodCamp. He remembered me, and I was shocked. Slau is amazingly talented, and interesting to talk to. I only got to chat for a few minutes while some crazy-ass Canadians were out on a streetcorner in NYC trying to hail a cab, but loved seeing Slau none the less!
Podcasters: My peers, my heros, my inspirations, my friends.
- TheDiva Rockin. Kera is a friend of mine, real life, Second Life, podcasting…all of it. PodCampNYC, or any other thing like it, just would’t be the same without my partner in crime.
- C.C. Chapman. I love his smile. I love to see him from across the room when a smile comes across his face when he meets someone new, or old, or hears a brilliant idea. He’s one of the pioneers in this industry, and I love him for it. Little did I know over two years ago that I would not only become friends with him, but work with him too. Still an inspiration after all these years.
- Frank Edward Nora, Anything But Monday Show. I think Frank’s The Overnightscape was the very first podcast I ever listened to. He’s been in this longer than most people have had an Internet connection, and it’s sort of like talking to a local legend.
- Kit & Panther, Nante Koto. I love these two! So glad they made the trip up to NYC. I’m sure they thought that most of us were insane! Got to hang out a bit Saturday night which was really cool.
- Joseph Jaffe, Across The Sound. First started listening to him because of C.C. – now I work for the guy! I like his approach to the new media scene, hell, anyone that has the guts to say a brand friggin’ sucks is okay in my book. Joesph speaks his mind and calls it like he sees it. Just like me. We also got to sit in on a ATS live recording which was really cool too.
- Chris Penn, Financial Aid Podcast. He’s brilliant, and dedicated, and a true leader in this industry. So glad I finally got to meet him! He’s one of the founders of PodCamp and has made his mark on all of our hearts.
- Chris Brogan, Network2. Chris is the Mayor of PodCamp, one of the founders, and an interesting person to talk to. We would up hitting an Irish pub Friday night with him and most of the folks from The Best Damn Tech Show. The whole lot of them are Twitter addicts
- Whitney Hoffman, LD Podcast. I only got to see her for a few minutes, right after my talk (she was brave enough to attend!) and the lead organizer for PodCamp Philly. I have GOT to make it a point to get out to dinner with her, soon.
Friends: Old and new. Amazing people that make my life better.
- Kroosh (Kristen Crusius). LOVE her. L-O-V-E HER. Not sure how I got on her radar, but I’ve seen her around the ‘net for a bit now, superfan (not of me!) for some time now I suppose. Anyhow she was looking for me (WTF for!! haha) and finally hooked up Saturday afternoon and would up in the same circles for the rest of the Camp.
- Adam Broitman, A Media Circ.us. One of the organizers of PodCampNYC, and a friend too. I first met Adam in Second Life, and turns out we travel in a lot of the same circles. Really nice guy who also looks great in a long blonde wig (check out my Flickr pics) and has a great eye for all things new media.
- Gideon Television. A friend and co-worker, it was great to see him out at PodCamp. Superstar (TM) in real life too!
I know there are many, many more, but for now I’ll leave the post like it is. I’m sure there is laundry to do or something!
[tags]PodCampNYC, PodCamp[/tags]
About Lynette
