What I Did on My Summer Vacation
Well, it wasn't exactly Summer, and it wasn't exactly my vacation, but it sounded good in my head.
I just wanted to take a minute to brag on the truly exceptional people in this community and just gush a moment on how proud I am of the culture we geeks have created for ourselves. I've been listening to JoCo's music for a long time, but I never really got involved with this community or the cruises until I stumbled onto the signup for JCCC4. I thought it'd be a cool way to see some islands I'd never been and take a break from life for a week. Turns out it was so much better than I could have possibly imagined, and it wasn't even the entertainment that made it great.
Sorry performers, the wife and I loved the shows, but the best part of the trip were the dancing kids in Studio B. It probably seems like an odd thing to focus on, but in my mind it seemed to sum up everything that I love about this geek culture that's growing so strongly. Nearly a thousand people paid a pretty solid amount of money to enjoy a trip in the company of like-minded people, and these were people who were happy to watch kids running around and having a good time during a concert. It's a group of entertainers who are okay with it. Even more impressive is when one of the kids lost their little glow-necklace thing in a crack on the floor, nearly a dozen guys bailed out of their seats to see if they could help in active testament to the nobility that defines the character of so many in that crowd.
There were a lot of weird people doing weird things, and a whole lot more people happy to see them doing it. I'll admit that growing up Southern Baptist in the middle of nowhere that some of it was pushing the limits of my comfort zone, but you know what? Everyone was okay with that, too. I don't know another group of people on the planet that are as accepting of anything and everything as the collective gathered on that one ship, and that was a truly mighty thing to behold. I spoke with a mother who'd joined her son on this trip after hearing about his last one and how touched she was to see so many people dancing who'd never been on a dance floor in their lives.
I think it all stems from a pure and unwavering devotion to joy. I'm not just talking about people who want to be happy themselves, but people who place a great deal of value on assisting others find their own joy as well. Sort of a cascading loop of awesomeness, I guess. I just thought that it was an amazing testament to the quality of the people in this community and I wanted to point out that it's something that hasn't gone unnoticed. Granted, I do enjoy the sound of my own voice (I mean who doesn't love listening to someone this damned intelligent talk?), but that's not why I decided to post. I was really proud of what I saw and I wanted to take a selfish moment to brag about it. Besides, maybe it'll serve to make someone smile, and that seemed like a worthy thing to do.
Thank you VERY much for an exceptionally awesome time, fantastic company, and some of the most intelligent conversation I've had in decades. See you next year!
I just wanted to take a minute to brag on the truly exceptional people in this community and just gush a moment on how proud I am of the culture we geeks have created for ourselves. I've been listening to JoCo's music for a long time, but I never really got involved with this community or the cruises until I stumbled onto the signup for JCCC4. I thought it'd be a cool way to see some islands I'd never been and take a break from life for a week. Turns out it was so much better than I could have possibly imagined, and it wasn't even the entertainment that made it great.
Sorry performers, the wife and I loved the shows, but the best part of the trip were the dancing kids in Studio B. It probably seems like an odd thing to focus on, but in my mind it seemed to sum up everything that I love about this geek culture that's growing so strongly. Nearly a thousand people paid a pretty solid amount of money to enjoy a trip in the company of like-minded people, and these were people who were happy to watch kids running around and having a good time during a concert. It's a group of entertainers who are okay with it. Even more impressive is when one of the kids lost their little glow-necklace thing in a crack on the floor, nearly a dozen guys bailed out of their seats to see if they could help in active testament to the nobility that defines the character of so many in that crowd.
There were a lot of weird people doing weird things, and a whole lot more people happy to see them doing it. I'll admit that growing up Southern Baptist in the middle of nowhere that some of it was pushing the limits of my comfort zone, but you know what? Everyone was okay with that, too. I don't know another group of people on the planet that are as accepting of anything and everything as the collective gathered on that one ship, and that was a truly mighty thing to behold. I spoke with a mother who'd joined her son on this trip after hearing about his last one and how touched she was to see so many people dancing who'd never been on a dance floor in their lives.
I think it all stems from a pure and unwavering devotion to joy. I'm not just talking about people who want to be happy themselves, but people who place a great deal of value on assisting others find their own joy as well. Sort of a cascading loop of awesomeness, I guess. I just thought that it was an amazing testament to the quality of the people in this community and I wanted to point out that it's something that hasn't gone unnoticed. Granted, I do enjoy the sound of my own voice (I mean who doesn't love listening to someone this damned intelligent talk?), but that's not why I decided to post. I was really proud of what I saw and I wanted to take a selfish moment to brag about it. Besides, maybe it'll serve to make someone smile, and that seemed like a worthy thing to do.
Thank you VERY much for an exceptionally awesome time, fantastic company, and some of the most intelligent conversation I've had in decades. See you next year!
Comments
It's been a little while since we got off the ship, but I'm still caught up in the excitement of it all. The people I overcame my insecurities long enough to meet were all so fantastic, and it's been ages since I've felt so inspired.
@everyone: I've been gone for a while, but I'm back now, and I've missed you guys. Whether or not we've been shipmates, y'all give me the warm fuzzies. I love you all so much.
I haven't written a recap of it like i have in other years because I have some other Things happening right now. They are capital-T Things, so you know they are serious business. (Nothing bad. Just very large.)
Even though I can't come with ya'll next time, I'm trying to enlist people to go in my place because you were just so nice!
JoCo, Paul and Storm, et al must be the Wyld Stallions foretold of in the prophetic movie, "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure."
@villicious, I'm sorry I didn't meet you as well! I totally meant to, although I'm always tongue-tied around famous people
I really want to hear about everyone's creative endeavors! Hey, @Angelastic, is there a thread for that yet?