It’s All About the Friends, #CNMC Reflections

If you can image a weekend filled with friends, friends from all across the US and the world, that would describe the weekend I just had. The Catholic New Media Celebration took place this weekend in Boston. I am part of the SQPN community. I lovingly describe myself as a SQPN Groupie. This community is filled with faithful Roman Catholics, lovers of new media, technology, and all things geek. Doesn’t that sound like I would fit right in? I do!

Although I have only known my SQPN friends from listening to the podcasts they produce, online events on Ustream, social media sites and the SQPN community site, they are real friends to me. When we met, In Real Life, it seemed like we had known each other for years! Actually, it has been. I have been following SQPN since I got my first iPod in January 2007.

It’s funny how you can strike up a conversation, just like old friends. That was my first experience even before the official CNMC took place. I was at the Delta gate at the Atlanta airport having just gotten off my flight from Florida. I found a seat, looked around and realized that Greg and Jennifer Willits were sitting at the same gate. They were going to be on my flight to Boston! I was thrilled to have the chance to talk to them, so naturally, I called out, “Jennifer, Greg, It’s me!” And guess what, Greg knew it was me….Barb In Nebraska! They were both such fun to talk to. Jennifer and I spoke about homeschooling and I shared with her some of the great tools on the web to share her sons’ work. Perhaps we can even Skype with her 3rd grade son this coming school year. I love using technology with my class and sharing it on our wiki. 

Next up was meeting my roommate, Angela. What a sweet young lady! She’s a recent college graduate and really is focused on her goals. I’m keeping my eye on her and her work in new media. 

Friday night was the Meet and Greet. I really was looking forward to this evening. Not only was I going to see my friends from last year’s CNMC, I was going to see ‘In Real Life’ many of my Twitter/Facebook friends. Can I list everyone who I met? I’m afraid I’ll forget some of them. Twitter has a wonderful feature called ‘lists’. I was able to check my Twitter friends to add to my list. Guess what it’s called? People I’ve Met In Real Life! 

Matthew Warner used a very fun New Media way to make the Meet and Greet go virtual. Check out our pictures and our messages on his blog on the National Catholic Register site. Perhaps you can find me! 

Saturday was the big day. This day went so quickly! My friend Jeff Geerling, really summed up the blow by blow description of the event on the Archdiocese of St. Louis website. By the way, thumbs up to both the Boston and the St. Louis Archdioceses to be so involved in New Media!

I enjoyed all the speakers but Fr. Robert Reed’s talk really touched me. We all received a white gift bag from him. Here is a picture of the bag. It’s contents were candy, a miniature Bible, a magnetic Icon, and a nutritious granola bar. This activity helped me focus on the new school year. As a Catholic school teacher of 32 third graders, one can get bogged down in the day to day activities and not enrich your own Spiritual life. These treasures, from the good Father, will help keep me grounded. Again, I’m going to reference my good friend Jeff Geerling who’s personal blog summed up this keynote.

Here was another surprise of the day, the iPadre interviewed me for his 200th podcast episode! You can hear me around the 25 minute mark. I was so flattered that Fr. Jay interviewed me! Can you hear my smile in my voice? 

As the day continued on, I was able to add to my list. I’m now up to 107 Twitter friends that I have met ‘In Real Life’. I’m a little worried that I didn’t add some of my Twitter friends to my list. Please let me know if I didn’t add you!

I’m still smiling, after this wonderful event. Wait, have you ever seen me NOT smiling?!  I’m looking forward to next year’s CNMC and can’t wait to re-energize my spirit around such wonderful friends.