I'm arguably the organizer of the only net-event that precedes NEST (TickleChgo organized stuff before either Max or me, but not online). I would love to say that mine were the biggest and best, but that ain't the case.
NEST was and is the largest populace of ticklephiles to gather together.
NEST has the most tickling play happening simultaneously of any event I know.
NEST is something that group-minded, socially-focused folks NEED to attend.
Local events are also great. They're far more rare, these days, though. I was about the only madman to have monthly events, and I ain't doin' that anymore. Movin' to marry one of us was WAY more important. Still is. 😉 There's still munches going on in the Sac area in California, and there'll be gatherings again, north and south, in California, likely this year. They're just not as prevalent.
After all, statistically, there aren't as many of us on the West Coast. Just a fact. Been tallied by more than me.
Do note, too, that there's nothing wrong wit' the delightful anonymity that a remote event provides. Many folks have traveled to events all over the US, 'cause they wanted to meet folks like themselves, but didn't wanna risk it "in town".
Just go, meet some of us, and prove to yourself that you're not imagining this. It ain't a sophisto AI, with five geeks typing madly to augment it. There's really thousands here, and we're meetin' one another, and in some cases (like mine) marryin' one another.
Good luck!
dvnc
