An Unconference like No Other! – #TGP2014

I saw a Tweet in December about The Goa Project and once I saw the website, I made up my mind – I had to go! I live in Bangalore and here all the conferences are for techies and the Unconferences are nothing but people wearing casual clothes instead of formals! I think the part for Misfits, Rebels and The Crazy Ones – just caught my attention:) .

So I immediately booked a slot in December and did all my bookings well in advance..yea I plan ahead!

It was perfect because my friend lived in the NOFRA base.

I had proposed a topic but I guess not many understood what it meant, I kind of knew it isn’t going to get into the program. Then of course , because of being Celiac , I needed to make sure I could have food which was gluten free at the venue. Kavita G. – The Social ‘Society’ Track manager made sure she got Neena Jhanjee in the loop and Nisha – the owner obliged. Then Kavita calls me late on Monday or something and asks me if I could speak of course profusely apologizing for a last minute notice. I was like ‘Its my life’ I can speak about it anytime, anywhere..No problem! Only thing was I didn’t do a ppt because I just did not get time to sit down and do one for TGP.

I decided to make it on 7th morning because I was too tired on 6th! There is something about Goa I guess, you just fall in love with it everytime. The sun being out just pepped me up from my otherwise tired self. I drove my friend’s car to the venue and I was all ready.

Once the First keynote started my heart went – ‘Yaaay’ I did the right thing by coming here! Whether it was Kalyan Varma, The Young Mountaineer, Ms Sharan – the graceful Femina Ex Editor or Pawan Kumar of Lucia –  all of them were inspiring. Some reassured me of what I did and the kind of work I did. I have dealt with Lot of Horrible things in 2013 so I kind of was so happy that I came out of the storm too and did not slouch but said  ‘Hello Life, I intend to live you fully’.

Got to spend more time with folks from Bangalore which rarely happens otherwise – Nandita Iyer, Annalise, Meenakshi, Sindhu.  Yes met the lovely Ansoo Gupta – finally met her after our numerous chats and calls.

Learnt so much more about sound, taking pictures, Art – The Lovely Priyanka Patel was so awesome. Paras and Rakhi had such lovely things to share that always interested me. Such fun to facilitate Kanan Dhru’s session! Thanks Kavita for asking me about in the first place. From food, to law, to geekery to just those lovely conversations with Nayana, Raghava, Edwin, Vinay, Neena, Nisha, Reshmi, Aarohi, PK, Priyashmitha, Shwetha, Shilpa, Alicia and our Photographer man – Vijay Varadan – who made me do full bollywood tree hugging and Siddharth Manoharan clicking away. Guys photo pleased to be sending soon:) I am sure I spoke to so many of you sorry if I missed your names.

Here’s me Talking about “A Foodie’s Struggle with Food’ Photo Credit : Alicia Dsouza

It was lovely speaking,though I was emotionally drained after it. When you talk about the not so good things that happened to you once I guess anyone goes through it.

My cookies got over..and everyone at TGP shared and cared so more people could taste a little bit except for Vijay Anand who claimed to feel bad that he would eat the only cookies I could eat and all..some jazz like that;) I am sending some to the Chennai patanam soon Vijay!

Now I love music and being a vocalist (v small time) I totally was floored by Indicus. What a voice Anuraag has, soulful singing! Karan Sajnani another guy I respect so much, Shireesh and chota Karan too! Respect and Full fan I am now.

To get on the flight and see more TGPers – rode back with Sumeet, Sanket and Ishaan.

When you get back home and a Fellow TGPer and speaker sends you this note, it just totally makes your day!

“Hey Jeeva,