Gleek Retreat ’10 – They Said it was like Camp. It was. Only Better.

Gleek Retreat was like going to a really amazing sleep-away camp.

For adults.

Who blog.

The Bloggers

Just like sleep-away camp I didn’t know anyone else, but by the time it was over I had a bunch of new friends.

I told you last week I hate going places where I don’t know anyone. It just doesn’t jive with my shy personality. I stepped way out of my comfort zone, and forced myself to mingle last weekend. It was hard, but I’m so glad I did.

The absolute best part about Gleek Retreat was the people. There’s just something about being around a bunch of other people who share your passion. Everyone was so kind. So open. We talked, we laughed. We shared information. I left wishing I had more time to spend getting to know everyone.

Oh, and no one even asked me why I wasn’t drinking when they broke out the wine. If they assumed that I am an ultra-conservative teetotaler who can’t even buy white wine vinegar without thoughts of eternal damnation, they would be right.

The Location

We stayed at Into the Woods Retreat in West Olive, MI, a beautiful house in a pretty wooded setting. The accommodations were so comfy. The food was delicious. We all had roommates, which was really the only part about the accommodations that was like sleep-away camp. Because no sleep-away camp I ever went to left chocolate on your pillow, and provided you with a down comforter and WIFI.

OK. When I was still going to sleep-away camp WIFI hadn’t been invented yet.

Or the car.

Or dirt.

The Sessions

I learned quite a bit. I took lots of notes, and I haven’t even begun to process all the information yet. The speakers covered everything from monetizing your blog to building you niche to using social media to make connections. I paid particular attention to the photography session in hopes that it would help me figure out how to use my new camera. I did learn some new tricks. But I don’t think I’ll ever figure out that camera.

I was supposed to speak on Blogging and Balance. Everyone went to the session about Getting and Keeping Readers instead. I can’t blame them. There isn’t anything to balance if you don’t have anyone reading.

I think three people came to my session which made six counting the other two speakers. So it ended up being just a casual chat. But that’s O.K. Like I said, talking with everyone really was the highlight of the weekend.

I will have to wait for another day to make my big speaking debut.

I was only disappointed that I didn’t get to share my Ten Signs You Need to Take a Social Media Break.

So here it is. (Come on. Just let me have this.)

1. You only eat at restaurants that have free WiFi.

2. You can’t remember your children’s real names and call them DS1, DS2 and DD1. In real life.

3. You get misty-eyed at the thought of a new Twitter app for the iPhone.

4. Every time you sign your name you put an @ symbol in front of it.

5. The only news you get is from your friend’s Facebook updates. “Tom is tired,” isn’t really news.

6. When your mother calls and asks how you are, you tell her to watch your YouTube channel.

7. Your kids leave comments on your blog like, “Feed me. I’m hungry.” And, “I ran out of clean underwear last week.”

8. The first thing you do in the morning is check your email, your blog, your feed reader, Twitter, FriendFeed, Linked In, Whrrl, Facebook, Flickr, Google Buzz and the 23 Ning networks you belong to. It’s noon already? Where did the time go?

9. Your self-esteem takes a hit every time you lose a subscriber or a follower.

10. The most intimate thing you’ve said to your spouse in weeks is, “DM me.”

In Conclusion

Well, I didn’t tweet much while I was there, and I didn’t take many pictures. I had my hands full socializing, and trying to take it all in.

Gleek Retreat was a wonderful experience. I’m already looking forward to next year.