The Type-in Gains Momentum Beyond Me
“We are thirsty for community and may not realize how parched we are until we see the water in front of us. ”
Saturday was the second in-person Tappa Tappa typewriter meetup and it crushed my expectations (in a good way). A massive storm loomed, which kept many folks home but the turnout was more than I expected. We had a mix of new people and some from the first event and even more that reached out to say they wish they could come. One of the things that keeps surprising me is that people find me on different networks and reach out to share their excitement of being involved. It’s a bit overwhelming, but in the best possible way.
One month ago I had the first in-person meetup. I didn’t know if anyone would actually show. They did. Since then I’ve had the online event, several private conversations, and lots of discussion on public forums about this thing that I’ve started. The excitement people feel at the opportunity of sharing their interest with other enthusiasts is like a man in the desert seeing someone coming with a jug of water. We are thirsty for community and may not realize how parched we are until we see the water in front of us.
Some of the machines people brought to the event.
I am not unique, in that there are many people who have started type-ins. Many are far more experience in this world than I. In my professional endeavors I always have a plan, a system, for building success and repeatability. This venture was just a casual reach out to other typing enjoyers for a one-time hangout. The level of interest blew me away and I find myself running to catch up. But run I must and run I shall.
I see this as something far bigger than myself. I understand the thirst. I am, myself, a man who has experienced drought. I understand how relieving it can be to be handed that life giving nourishment. People need to feel seen. They need to feel supported and that they are accepted for who they are. This, to me, is more than typewriters. This comes down to the basic human need for belonging.
This can come across as high-brow, I know, but this connection I keep writing about transcends typewriters. I sound like a broken record, but the evidence keeps pointing towards this conclusion. Perhaps part of it is my own projection. I’d like to think that it’s more that I’m keenly aware of it because of my own need for it. Perhaps I’m just more vocal than I’ve seen others be. That’s entirely possible. I wear my heart on my sleeve and am highly tuned to the emotional states of others.
While this has grown beyond me I take it as a call to action. It’s a lot of work to manage multiple channels of communication, organize the events, and maintain my vigilance to protect my joy for this hobby, but it’s something I am happy to do. There has already been so much love shared with me, so much appreciation, that I couldn’t consider giving up (not that I’m anywhere near that). That feedback, that outreach, is what motivates me to keep going. It’s what I still feel energized to write my blog on my typewriter. It’s why I enjoy responding to Reddit comments or emails from all over the globe, late at night and first thing in the morning. It means something to the other person. This isn’t about me. It’s about us and the simple things that connect us, as people. This was unexpected and it’s beyond me but I’m here for it. I look forward to how this continues to evolve.
Until next time, be good to each other!
Dave
Embrace the mistakes.
Celebrate imperfection.
