FollowToday was a very good day.
I may have not slept well last night or very long, the Catcher in the Rye caught off guard my sleep. But was 1/2 awake and listening to music, something I love to do.
And was looking forward to a Portland, ME Twitter MeetUp or TweetUp. This is often called a “networking” event. Networking is one of my least favorite words ever. It implies that you are going to an event to gain something, look for work, look for contacts, have an agenda. Basically, it implies desperation, and that all talking should be to advance something.
Instead I prefer the lost art of the one and one intense conversation, with listening, passion, comfort. Everything to me networking is not.
First great conversation of the day was with my friend Bryan @holdfast1979 enjoying the amazing food at the Flying Elephant. The food was just outstanding today, chicken curry, naan, pakora with cucumber, aloo mutter … And some lovely chai tea for only $10. If you live in Westbrook land, check it out it’s one of the great smells of Westbrook.
Then some nice time for the Presumpcot Falls and then listening to a “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me” podcast, while waiting for what ended up being a stinky and off #4 bus ride to Portland. It’s always an adventure.
A quick jaunt around Longfellow books and then seeing a couple poetry people at Arabica Coffee. “The Chairman of the Board” Jon McVeigh, and one of the new poets in the scene. Then a new poet to the scene I have never met before, who is an excellent poet and short film maker.
Then I met a wonderful family sitting next to me and got to talk books and writing. Recommended Ann Patchett’s “The Getaway Car” and John Scalzi’s “You’re Not Fooling Anyone When You Take Your Laptop to a Coffee Shop: Scalzi on Writing.” Both are excellent to any writers out there and really good reads.
Then time for the tweetup. And 4 more amazing conversations about the press, food, books, writing, music. First a conversation with someone I have never met before Angie Muhs @amuhs of the PPH. We have talked a little on Facebook, but had a amazing conversation on journalism, reading, writing… Then with @vik44 talked about music; with @mojocaster about France, Brittany and Food, and with Erin Dow @goodeats talked about food, Maine, sushi and Miyake. Awesome night.
Today was a very good night and I had conversations, I didn’t network.
That being said, I do wish I had brought some business cards for people to keep in touch.
I have decided this year to work on really having good conversations and today was one of the best days for it in 2012 so far.