I know, I know ... I haven't written here in a very long time. I've reverted to lurker status the way a toddler reverts to thumb-sucking when a new baby takes the lead role on the home stage. And that metaphor works for me on soooooooo many levels. Except for the baby part. That metaphor's just a red herring on the meta level.
But I'm writing now, because I'm so very [insert myriad proclamatory adverbs exuding superlative anticipatory modifications] excited about going to Netroots Nation 2012 in less than two weeks. w00t! You will find me there, as always, at the registration and information booths. Or taking part in the ever-thrilling Swag Bag Stufforamapaloozasaurusrex. Or Weebly-Wobbling my way around the ballroom putting information on your table as you arrive for the keynote addresses.
Anyone who's ever volunteered at Netroots Nation can tell you how much fun it is to make a contribution of a spot of time and a zib of energy to this annual convention of progressive political bloggers in all their glory.
Won't you join me and so many others as a volunteer?
When many of us arrive at the convention center, the place is just a cavernous, empty warehouse-looking space. Over the days before Thursday's official launch day, the gigantic concrete and steel cave is filled with boxes and pallets and tables and crates and chairs and very busy people making labors of love to transform the site into what we'll know by Thursday as Netroots Nation 2012.
Almost all of us making that transformation are volunteers. We collate the programs, make the name badges, stuff the swag bags, print up lists of those who pre-purchased t-shirts, and take up scores of other tasks. Some people give an hour or two; some give more. But every pair of hands, every set of eyes, every dash of feet running an errand is just as important as any other.
It takes a village to raise a village. Or something like that. There might be a giraffe in that mangled cliche, and possibly a nun in a bathtub. I can't remember. I'm too excited.
I can't tell you how much fun I've had over the years that I've been a convention volunteer. Well, I can. But if you come and stuff swag bags with me, I won't have to! You'll know for yourself. You'll meet amazing people who do amazing things, and you'll learn how many papercuts it takes to change a lightbulb.
Oh, the places you'll go! The things you'll see! The adventures you'll experience! As a Netroots Nation volunteer, you'll have behind-the-scenes access to the most exciting collation activities. You'll create the name badges of celebrities. You will lanyard your way to nirvana. I practically promise all of this -- and so much more!
So do NOT delay. Zap your email to volunteers@netrootsnation.org and get ready to have the charitably, voluntarily, stuperpendally time of your life.
Be the village, people. Or the Village People. We love them, too.