I came to the meetup a bitter, jaded, and frustrated young man who felt excluded from the human experience. When I got to the BnB, I was immediately washed over with love from friends I have never met but have talked to for years. I felt that I was finally accepted somewhere in this world, not a freak to hold to extreme standards, not a robot made to do as I am told, but a human being who can love and be kind like everyone else.

I did things that made me learn so much about myself, I learned that I DO love loud environments, that I CAN handle awful airport situations on my own, that I CAN support others, and that I CAN talk to just about everyone. When going to the NG office, I was expecting them to be just people like every other talented person I have met and/or worked with, and I was right. What I didn’t expect was just how kind and caring everyone was. In the grand scheme of things- we are a bunch of degens from a weird old website (quote I actually got from someone outside of NG in the wild). With that, none of the people from the office had any ego, only love and respect for everyone there.

@TomFulp : It was so wonderful meeting you and telling you my journey from a four year old with a review copy of Alien Hominid to a professional artist in the games industry. Your amount of sacrifice and dedication to your life long hobby that has allowed us to thrive and meet friends is beyond what any normal human being can do. You are a one of a kind person and we are all unbelievably lucky that you do what you do. 

@Spazkid : Sleepy Cabin to the Cologne fiasco, I always thought you were just a super perverted dunderhead; but that’s what the internet paints you to be. Talking to you in person made me realize how genuine, down-to-earth, and passionate you are. Your genuine excitement and self criticism of your game made me realize just how much you care about your work. My outlook on you from years changed overnight from just a few simple interactions, I am so happy I got to talk to you!

@JohnnyUtah : Jeff you were pretty much exactly what I was expecting you to be, you and Tom came across as the adults of NG. Talking to you felt similar to the people I met from Bungie, oddly enough. You balance comedy with professionalism well, the Nightmare Cops team is super lucky to have your talent in it. I know I said this like a billion times before, but good luck, you guys are reaching a really difficult point in development and I am rooting for you the whole way. 

@PhantomArcade : Okay you are hard to talk about because you were very strange! You seemed to be having a blast and it was contagious. I love your careless attitude but I really hope it doesn’t affect your professional work, you won the lottery when it comes to marketing your game so please don’t waste it! Overall, you were a joy to hangout with and it’s clear you care for Newgrounds more than the majority of the site’s users. Rock on, Dave, you beautiful bastard!

@moawling : Moaw! I had no idea who you were before the event but I could tell by the way you carried yourself that you are a professional! It was an absolute joy and a breath of fresh air talking to you about stuff! You are super kind and have great charisma. You have the potential to kick ass as an art director due to your assertiveness as well as your empathy. Can’t wait to see your career grow!

@AmazinLarry : I am absolutely flabbergasted that I got to meet you. You can ask Dave, I was looking for you like day one. Please please please please please make cartoons more often, you make some of the funniest shit I have ever seen. My brother and I have been quoting ‘you can see the naughty bits’ for YEARS. Rock on Larry, you ARE amazin.

@IvanAlmighty : I talked to you multiple times but I still feel I didn’t talk to you enough. Watching top left corner muted Conan O'brien with you was probably one of my most braindead experiences in my life but IDC, it was funny. Lastly, seeing your character arc at the bowling alley from gutter balls to consistent strikes was a thing to behold.

@Bill : Bill, the way you murdered Shal with your bare hands in front of everyone was the most horrific thing I have ever witnessed and I think you need to pay for my therapy. Your singing was hilarious tho, I love you Bill. 

I have a lot more to say about everyone else I met but this is getting reeeeeal lengthy, can’t wait to talk to everyone more. Fuck yea, Newgrounds rules!