When Avatars Come to Life
Just breathe and take the laptop out
Do you remember when you were a kid and your parents took you to Disneyworld (or land, depending on your coast)? Think back to the excitement you had walking into this very magical place for the first time. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto…all the characters that had made you feel so special were going to be there and you were going to get the chance to meet them. This is how I felt last Tuesday when I was getting ready to attend @jeffpulver’s 140 Character Conference.
I walked into the Kodak Theater just after the program started. Even though the venue is only minutes away from my house, I found a way to be late. I think mixed with my excitement was a certain amount of nervous energy because, quite frankly, I had committed myself to spend the next two days with a group of people I had never met. I’m a theater geek. Always have been. Always will be. What could I possibly have in common with hundreds of techies?
The glow from the screens of open laptops bathed the chins of the attendees that were spread throughout the first level of the house. I found a seat in the back and took it all in. My laptop stayed in its bag in case I needed to make a run for it. Just breathe.
The first break came around so I headed out to the lobby to get some coffee. I liken this moment to when my parents dragged me into the “Hall of Presidents” at the Magic Kingdom. You sit there for a while looking at the picture and then all of a sudden the Presidents come to life. All the little avatars that had been dancing across my screen for months were now walking and talking and laughing and hugging. It was a bit surreal.
After the break I got up the courage to start tweeting the content from my iPhone. I wasn’t ready to open the computer just yet. Each speaker or panel was only about 10 minutes in length so there were lots of opportunities to share a variety of information. The little pearls of wisdom from the stage were coming faster than my fingers could hit the keypad so I knew it was time to take out the laptop or run.
I opened the bag.
It’s really about the people
Over the course of the next two days I started meeting people and my comfort level rose. My friend @JessicaGottlieb stuck by me at the beginning and introduced me to some of her favorite tweeps. Jessica was such a gift for me because she’s extremely tech savvy and has been around this industry for years. It’s like being escorted through the park by Snow White if Snow White swore like a sailor and had cocktails at five. I adore this woman and was so proud of how she tore it up on Day 2 when she took the stage at the Kodak and talked about “Monetizing Mom on Twitter”.
The one person I was really excited to meet in person was @kim. We had been tweeting for months and I loved her energy. When I found her it was like seeing an old friend. Huge hugs and introductions to her friends followed and I felt very welcomed. So great to meet and hang with @brianjeremy, @stephenseidel and @SarahKennon. Kim is a true connector with a generous heart and spirit.
The party that night was a blast. @LoriMoreno is a doll. We had such fun as @DvinMsM filmed us running toward each other in slow-motion, chariots-of-fire style for her documentary. @mayhemstudios is not only a gifted web designer but also a warm, engaging human being. @earthXplorer is the guy everyone wants to have as a friend. @Ohdoctah is an infectious laugh machine. @iamkhayyam is the epitome of tech-cool (@mattsingley is my other favorite tech-cool guy but I didn’t meet him until the next day).
I sat next to @adventuregirl the morning of Day 2 and I tell you she is even lovelier in person than she is online. She is Cinderella and resides in the center of the park. Her panel on “The Making of an Internet (twitter) Celebrity” was one of my favorites.
Lunch that day was a highlight of the conference for me. @CiaoBella50, @BethFrysztak, @earthXplorer, @aaswartz, @mayhemstudios and I laughed for an hour over the longest French fry you have ever seen. It’s one of those “you had to be there” moments but one that I will not soon forget.
Thinking about the closing parties I can’t help but smile. I headed in with Kim and Sarah but we were soon separated and I ended up hanging with my lunch crew, new friend @ellenrossano and the comedy team of @BigHeadAsian and @AnythingAnthony. My sides hurt from laughing so much.
What kind of geek are you?
So what does this mean for me? Am I a tech geek now? Time will tell. What I do know is that there is something very special about social media and that comes from the people in and around it. They share a common link but bring to the table a variety of interests that anyone can take part in. Social media is inclusive. It’s about sharing your authentic self and connecting with people at that level. It’s warm, comfortable and loving.
I went home on Wednesday with that feeling I thought you could only get after a full day at Disney. The happy memories still keep flashing through my mind. Through social media and especially twitter, I have forged friendships with people residing in different cities, states and countries. It really is a small world after all.
Jeff! This is such an incredible and AWESOME post!!!!! You have truly captured exactly how this event was. Crazy fun and meeting our little avatars.
And yes,,,,,the french fry was definitely the highlight of the conference – even if we did not capture his trip to the nudist colony on film! LOL!!!!!
Thanks for being one of the greatest people I have EVER met – and making this experience one that I will never, ever forget.
@BethFrysztak (aka…..yeah, we won’t go there) LOL!
Hi Jeff! I love this post! I have this experience every time I venture out “in real life!!” and meeting you was a treat! Funny that we tweeted in the theatre for almost two days before we finally met!
I am saving this as a favorite to send to people who are attending their first-ever social media event – avatars are real people, and I am finding them to be some of the most wonderful people on the planet!
Jeff~!! What an AWESOME post!! Perfect analogy with DisneyLand or DisneyWorld from what I can tell from the hilarious videos and beautiful pictures at @CiaoBella50 ’s Blog ( http://CiaoBella50.BlogSpot.com ) Oh! How I wish I was there!
I am a Theater geek,too! Musical Theater was my major! LOL I knew we just clicked! And yes, I think we’re both a little tech geeky, too! YAY~!!! LOVE the title of this post – it’s just the BEST EVER~!!!
x0x
Anita @ModelSupplies
OMG Honey! I love you big time!
http://tinyurl.com/565gzf LOL
Lori Moreno
Hey Handsome !!! In one word “Amazing” both you and this blog post… You did it…. That is exactly the same experience I had. The nerves, the fun, the excitement! Perfect all of it. But the best part was meeting people like you!!!! XOX Bella : )
You’re a bloody splendid chap Jeff! Really nice meeting you and look forward to causing some trouble the next time I’m out. Think that might be sooner than later. Gotta love that sun and fun out yonder
Till then my man… be well and may blessings be at your feet.
Cool post, Jeff. This writeup gives a great glimpse into the happy, fun side of these things. I’ve never attended one, but your article made me want to.
Nate
Hey Jeff
Nice write up. I had so much fun hanging out with you and the gang! Miss everyone. Is it time for a reunion yet?
- Cal
Wow, who knew ??? not only gorgeous and cute but you could ‘write”!
You have captured the simple beauty of people coming together for one thing and having it turn into another. It wasn’t about the content of the community, it was all about community…and like those of us who had a great day at Disneyland, it was really hard to leave!
Thank you for sharing and I feel lucky ’cause you are just up the street….
xo
our own private Magic Kingdom is ours for the tweeting!
Jeff,
What a wonderful commentary! And your blog headline gets an A+++ for originality!
I’m so glad to have met so many great people at The Kodak, and connect with even more folks (like you!) post-conference thanks to the #140conf hashtag.
I still have to write a blog post about my conference experience, but suspect I’ll be linking to your story. You’ve already written the perfect account, so let’s get lotsa mileage out of it!
Your #AnthonyDance Pal,
Amber @wordsdonewrite
Wow, this is amazing! Sounds like such a great time and all the replies are fantastic too! I have not yet ventured to the world of Twitter but I am looking very forward to starting in the weeks ahead and will count on my big brother Jeff to guide me since he has quickly become Mr. Twitter!
Kick-ass article, great looking weblog, added it to my favs!