Reflections: Podcast and Portable Media Expo 2006

When the first Expo came around last fall, I had been podcasting for a year. That didn’t mean anyone had actually heard my podcast… but it did mean I was viewed by some as one of the “old men” of podcasting. Even so, I still felt like a grade-A cadet, so PME 2005 was spent attending every single conference and keynote I could manage. This meant that I missed out on a great deal of socializing and networking.

This year, with twenty three months of podcasting under my belt and a slightly better-known podcast (that’s sarcasm, baby), I flipped my pattern and skipped the conferences in favor of networking, socializing, meeting people, and building existing relationships.

Hm. Y’know, “building existing relationships” sounds very, very cold and calculating. What I mean is that there are a handful of people I’ve logged very few hours with, but I carry them constantly in my thoughts. I wanted more of those folks!

Anyway. The point is, if you’re looking for an official report or overview on the presentations, vendors, or conferences, this is not the place. This is a heart transmission.

And so… as they come to me:

• Giant-sized warmth and love. Few things energize my soul more than meeting people face to face for the first time and knowing within minutes they’ll be friends, compatriots, and confidants for a long time to come. The list started at PME 2005, was extended at WorldCon, and is now happily even longer. I’ve long believed that blood doesn’t define family — shared experience, shared passion, and mutual support do. My family is larger and more rich after this event.
• Paul Puri! The man has a vision, people, and we found out many people share it and want to see it become reality. I’m proud to be part of it, and eager to act as missionary in the coming months. Also, Paul is a heck of a nice guy who served as a moral compass even when I don’t think he knew he was doing it.
• Because of his amazing contribution to the community and his generous patience supporting it, I was already inclined to like Dan Kuykendall. The fact that he reminded me of my favorite drummer in my favorite of all the bands I’ve been in made it even easier. I’m just sorry we didn’t get to hang out more.
• Ditto Rick Stringer. No, he didn’t remind me of old band members, but I’ve had respect for him for some time, and we even virtually worked together on a recent project. I was happy to meet him, and sorry I didn’t make more time to get to know him better! Door’s open, though.
• Strangest Moment Evah: Watching someone I met hours before have a meltdown of glee — squirming, squealing, foot-stamping, teary-eyed glee — when she finally realized I was the author of “Brave Men Run.” I… I’ve been sitting here for a minute — an actual minute, at least — with my fingers on the keyboard, trying to figure out how to document how that made me feel. How it still makes me feel. It may be a whole other blog post. For now… I can say that I am simultaneously confused, astounded, gratified, strengthened, and in awe that something I made could inspire that kind of reaction. Cass, you need to know that I was just as impressed with you, and your fan-girl meltdown is the least of the reasons I’m glad we’re friends.
• Oh, and one more thing on that particular incident: I now know how it feels to be Mark Jeffrey. Almost.
• Thanks to Karen from California for providing real insight — and bringing a tear to my eye — regarding the appeal of “Brave Men Run.”
• I think I do need to write about the BMR experience of PMEII. That’s another post. Let’s move on..!
• Kevin Mason and crew (why do I not have a single biz card from any one of you??? That’s just weird. I’m thinking I may have lost some.) are simply finest kind. I’m really glad we got to have breakfast together on Sunday morning, as it was as friends gathering rather than in the Expo / party setting.
• The first official face-to-face planning meeting of the Podcast Guild was a smashing success, and the buzz at the convention for the Guild was steady and encouraging. Look for us at Podcamp West in November… and then, everywhere.
• Nice to see again: Steve, Evo and Sheila, Christiana Ellis, DJ Steveboy, Mark Jeffrey… and more than a few people memory is denying me at this moment, so please don’t take offense!!
• Ghost hunting in the halls of the Marriott with Cat.
• Kung Fu Samurai on Giant Robot Island. Thanks to Chris, Paul, and Steve for making my first geek card game experience a Gojira-sized amount of fun, and for taking me out of mild case of the grumbles.
• Thank you, Kat, John Poindexter, Fonz, Kid, and my adopted punk-rock son Walt for taking me back to my twenty-two year old rock and roll beer-soaked yesterdays. Good fun.
• Mur Lafferty, you weren’t there, but I still have you to thank for one of the biggest “take aways” of the weekend.
• This year’s version of last year’s celebrity bullshit: The PodShow limo and exclusive party. Apparently some podcasters were hand-picked to ride off in a giant Hummer (did they get, or have to give, giant hummers?) to a PodShow party. This kind of exclusivity and faux-rock-star posturing is far removed from the spirit of community otherwise evident in podcasting, and speaks volumes.
• Wish I had spent more time with Corey, Tee, Rick, and Miss Peter. Party chaos and work responsibilities conspired against. Let’s not wait another year, folks.
• Good people, good works:
  • Corey, Marisol, and IODA / Promonet. Get with it, music podcasters, they’re on your side. This is my official announcement that, after being a member for a year, I will be actively using Promonet in Sonitotum from here on out
  • Chris Heuer and Social Media Club. Thanks for your input and involvement with the Podcast Guild.
  • Todd Cochrane and RawVoice. I give Todd a hard time now and then, but I never doubt that he keeps the best interests of podcasters and the community in mind at all times.
  • Russell Holliman and Podcast Ready. Being held at spear-point has its benefits… and the support for Russell was evident. Thanks also to Russell for the use of the Podcast Ready suite for the Podcast Guild meeting, and for his contribution to the discussion.
• Happy to have finally met in person: Tee, Scott, Mike, Rob, Nicole, Miss Peter… many others, no doubt. The weekend is a blur.
• Sorry I couldn’t say good-bye in person: Corey, Karen, Evo and Sheila, Rick, Julius, Mike, Tee, Cat, Olga and Curt, Scott, Doug, Ray… many others, no doubt. That last night was a bit disjointed.

That’s probably enough name-dropping. Here’s are several parallel bottom lines:

• I miss people already, some, quite a lot. Let’s buy a couple hundred acres somewhere and live communally so we can see each other whenever we want. I want to know you well enough to have arguments.
• People are moved by my art. I need to accept that, and get comfortable with it while also avoiding becoming an asshole.
• My desire to avoid a full-time day job outside of my creative interests has been enhanced and inflamed.

PME 2005 was an aha moment for many of us. PME 2006 was a celebration and affirmation. PME 2007 will be a family reunion… but there’s no way I’m going to let a year go by before I see some of these people again.

Possibly related posts:

1. Matt Selznick At The Podcast & Portable Media Expo 2006
2. Podcast Expo Day One
3. Podcast Expo Day Two
4. BMR, MWS Media Featured In New Book
5. “The Cyber Safety For Kids Act of 2006″

When the first Expo came around last fall, I had been podcasting for a year. That didn't mean anyone had actually heard my podcast... but it did mean I was viewed by some as one of the "old men" of podcasting. Even so, I still felt like a grade-A cadet, so PME 2005 was spent attending every single conference and keynote I could manage. This meant that I missed out on a great deal of socializing and networking.This year, with twenty three months of podcasting under my belt and a slightly better-known podcast (that's sarcasm, baby), I flipped my pattern and skipped the conferences in favor of networking, socializing, meeting people, and building existing relationships.Hm. Y'know, "building existing relationships" sounds very, very cold and calculating. What I mean is that there are a handful of people I've logged very few hours with, but I carry them constantly in my thoughts. I wanted more of those folks!Anyway. The point is, if you're looking for an official report or overview on the presentations, vendors, or conferences, this is not the place. This is a heart transmission.And so... as they come to me:Giant-sized warmth and love. Few things energize my soul more than meeting people face to face for the first time and knowing within minutes they'll be friends, compatriots, and confidants for a long time to come. The list started at PME 2005, was extended at WorldCon, and is now happily even longer. I've long believed that blood doesn't define family -- shared experience, shared passion, and mutual support do. My family is larger and more rich after this event. Paul Puri! The man has a vision, people, and we found out many people share it and want to see it become reality. I'm proud to be part of it, and eager to act as missionary in the coming months. Also, Paul is a heck of a nice guy who served as a moral compass even when I don't think he knew he was doing it. Because of his amazing contribution to the community and his generous patience supporting it, I was already inclined to like Dan Kuykendall. The fact that he reminded me of my favorite drummer in my favorite of all the bands I've been in made it even easier. I'm just sorry we didn't get to hang out more. Ditto Rick Stringer. No, he didn't remind me of old band members, but I've had respect for him for some time, and we even virtually worked together on a recent project. I was happy to meet him, and sorry I didn't make more time to get to know him better! Door's open, though. Strangest Moment Evah: Watching someone I met hours before have a meltdown of glee -- squirming, squealing, foot-stamping, teary-eyed glee -- when she finally realized I was the author of "Brave Men Run." I... I've been sitting here for a minute -- an actual minute, at least -- with my fingers on the keyboard, trying to figure out how to document how that made me feel. How it still makes me feel. It may be a whole other blog post. For now... I can say that I am simultaneously confused, astounded, gratified, strengthened, and in awe that something I made could inspire that kind of reaction. Cass, you need to know that I was just as impressed with you, and your fan-girl meltdown is the least of the reasons I'm glad we're friends. Oh, and one more thing on that particular incident: I now know how it feels to be Mark Jeffrey. Almost. Thanks to Karen from California for providing real insight -- and bringing a tear to my eye -- regarding the appeal of "Brave Men Run." I think I do need to write about the BMR experience of PMEII. That's another post. Let's move on..! Kevin Mason and crew (why do I not have a single biz card from any one of you??? That's just weird. I'm thinking I may have lost some.) are simply finest kind. I'm really glad we got to have breakfast together on Sunday morning, as it was as friends gathering rather than in the Expo / party setting. The first official face-to-face planning meeting of the Podcast Guild was a smashing success, and the buzz at the convention for the Guild was steady and encouraging. Look for us at Podcamp West in November... and then, everywhere. Nice to see again: Steve, Evo and Sheila, Christiana Ellis, DJ Steveboy, Mark Jeffrey... and more than a few people memory is denying me at this moment, so please don't take offense!! Ghost hunting in the halls of the Marriott with Cat. Kung Fu Samurai on Giant Robot Island. Thanks to Chris, Paul, and Steve for making my first geek card game experience a Gojira-sized amount of fun, and for taking me out of mild case of the grumbles. Thank you, Kat, John Poindexter, Fonz, Kid, and my adopted punk-rock son Walt for taking me back to my twenty-two year old rock and roll beer-soaked yesterdays. Good fun. Mur Lafferty, you weren't there, but I still have you to thank for one of the biggest "take aways" of the weekend. This year's version of last year's celebrity bullshit: The PodShow limo and exclusive party. Apparently some podcasters were hand-picked to ride off in a giant Hummer (did they get, or have to give, giant hummers?) to a PodShow party. This kind of exclusivity and faux-rock-star posturing is far removed from the spirit of community otherwise evident in podcasting, and speaks volumes. Wish I had spent more time with Corey, Tee, Rick, and Miss Peter. Party chaos and work responsibilities conspired against. Let's not wait another year, folks. Good people, good works: Corey, Marisol, and IODA / Promonet. Get with it, music podcasters, they're on your side. This is my official announcement that, after being a member for a year, I will be actively using Promonet in Sonitotum from here on out Chris Heuer and Social Media Club. Thanks for your input and involvement with the Podcast Guild. Todd Cochrane and RawVoice. I give Todd a hard time now and then, but I never doubt that he keeps the best interests of podcasters and the community in mind at all times. Russell Holliman and Podcast Ready. Being held at spear-point has its benefits... and the support for Russell was evident. Thanks also to Russell for the use of the Podcast Ready suite for the Podcast Guild meeting, and for his contribution to the discussion.Happy to have finally met in person: Tee, Scott, Mike, Rob, Nicole, Miss Peter... many others, no doubt. The weekend is a blur. Sorry I couldn't say good-bye in person: Corey, Karen, Evo and Sheila, Rick, Julius, Mike, Tee, Cat, Olga and Curt, Scott, Doug, Ray... many others, no doubt. That last night was a bit disjointed.That's probably enough name-dropping. Here's are several parallel bottom lines:I miss people already, some, quite a lot. Let's buy a couple hundred acres somewhere and live communally so we can see each other whenever we want. I want to know you well enough to have arguments. People are moved by my art. I need to accept that, and get comfortable with it while also avoiding becoming an asshole. My desire to avoid a full-time day job outside of my creative interests has been enhanced and inflamed.PME 2005 was an aha moment for many of us. PME 2006 was a celebration and affirmation. PME 2007 will be a family reunion... but there's no way I'm going to let a year go by before I see some of these people again.