blogging about vlogging: Playlist Live 2014

Now, I've mentioned before that I went to a YouTube convention called VidCon this last summer. That was the 4th year of Vidcon, but in addition to that summer one, there is a spring convention on the East Coast called Playlist Live. I was able to go to the 4th of those as well which happened just this last weekend.

I hadn't been planning on attending because I went to VidCon and the event didn't line up with my university's spring break, but the plan came together on a spur a week before while I was in Key Largo and was becoming sad that I was in Florida and all these lovely people I enjoy were going to be in Florida the next week. Things came together quickly and unexpectedly and I have my grandparents and friends Rikki and Emma to thank for helping me make the trip happen.
I don't know, though, there's something so exciting about last-minute trips for me.

So Playlist Live in Orlando happened and I was there and I got to hug my favorites again.

Hugging Phil, my absolute favorite <3

I don't want to put Playlist down, but yes, I did vastly prefer VidCon. A lot of people are upset about the lack of organization and control Playlist had, but to be fair they introduced more than twice the amount of people they had entertained the year before. The weekend was made up of a lot of trial and error. So in terms of the event, VidCon was better, but for myself, I had a much better social time in Orlando at Playlist.


Jack and me trying to be dashing

For Playlist, I was able to stay in the hotel/resort where all of the youtubers and many attendees were and where the whole convention went down. [Special thanks to Rikki, her mom, and Cori for kindly letting me stay with them.] Being on site was so nice, but I also got to meet and hang out with a lot of people I talk to and had the opportunity to make a lot of good friendships. Even though it was a bit harder to bump into the internet celebs than at VidCon, I came to this convention feeling more organized and adult as a person and so had very lovely interactions with some, like a wonderful, long conversation with Jack Howard. Something that meant the most to me from that weekend was the fact that I was able to not be just a fan, but be a fellow person with people like Jack and Tom, and that a few days later when I got to see them again, they both remembered me. For someone who looks up to these people and enjoys their content, that is an amazing, amazing thing to know and a wonderful feeling to have experienced.

I'm not sure I can express to you how deeply I appreciate these people I look up to. They're more of celebrities to me than music artists and movie stars. Their status level is pretty perfect because they can have pretty normal lives and don't get crowded with fans unless they're at specific events like VidCon or PlayList Live.


Tom and Jack

That being the case, most of them [at least the ones that I respect and love] don't have the celebrity mindset of 'eternally-cooler-than-thou, don't-touch-me-I'm-famoose.'

They're really down-to-earth, loving, and genuine. My experience with Jack and Tom is probably my favorite memory of PlayList. I couldn't get over how genuine the guys were. It blew me away and just really expanded the love I already had for them. I had met them both before just for a picture [and an awkward elevator ride with Jack and Dean], but basically being me only asking for a picture, saying thanks, and going on. Jack took the time to converse with me and Tom did me a wonderful favor by recording a special video message for my little sister who loves his asdfmovie series.

I could definitely go on about them, but that's enough I'm sure. Basically, the youtubers I adore are super amazing and genuine people which makes me adore them even more.


Tyler Oakley meetup with Cori

I'm so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to go see everyone again and meet new people and make new friends. I'm afraid that since I've gotten a taste of YouTube conventions twice now, I'm never going to want to stop going to them. We'll see what the future brings.

Thank so much to everyone I got to meet, YouTube people and Twitter people. I love you and this wonderful community. <3