I was incredibly looking forward to the show this weekend in Chicago, but damnably real life kicked my plans in the metaphorical testicles. (My ticket-purchasing (will-call, in his name, his CC), car-ride-sharing best bud got summoned to the work-hell this weekend) You're right, though. w00tstock and conventions like PAX (I've seen the same at Anime Central and GenCon) is very much like being surrounded by 10,000 of your closest friends, all who get it. All who are just as "weird" and "strange" as you are. I hope w00tstock continues, and I'll get to make it someday. It's been far too long since I've felt that feeling, and when you can't warm yourself by fandom's geeky fire often enough, it makes the world feel awful cold.