Hey, I posted on Medium for the first time today, a retrospective on the XOXO Festival I attended this past weekend.
I’d like to append it here with a note of introspection. I am one of the old-school bloggers and creators that ushered in the community many years ago that, in its own winding way, led to the XOXO Festival. As I’ve noted in this space before, I’ve often been too slow to embrace my digital community in real-life settings, missing out on both the connections that I’d have made as well as the creative sparks that come from such settings.
Somehow last year I failed to learn my own lesson and missed out on the first XOXO. I was, frankly, miserable for weeks about it after the event concluded. This year I made no such mistake, and my determination rewarded me handsomely, as the event was every bit as wonderful as I’d imagined.
Six months into my 40s, six weeks into my new job, five weeks into a new apartment, and two weeks into being the father of a grade-school-age child, I have found energy and excitement in all the change. XOXO made a little bit of magic this weekend, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I came back from Portland with dozens of new friendships and a renewed commitment to making great things. I’m excited to see where it goes.