post-defcon cultureshock for you too?

[Z^2]

I got used to:

not-sleeping
knowing my three closest sources of caffeine & beer
firing up ye olde network analyzer to locate my AP by channel let alone name
constant throbbing background techno
non-human colored hair
having people know what I'm talking about when I say "mystery box"
knowing that ctf isn't something you play while running around
booze as currency

[noid]

I'm still shouting, responding to people with 'copy that' or 'roger that', using phrases like 'high noise environment', and finding the urge to smoke about every 10 minutes.

Oh ya, and I'm still fucking useless till about 1100

[sk00t]

I sort of think of it as a planet I visit once a year. But yeah, weird to be back. Still looking down at people's chests for badges to see what they have scrolling by on the display. :biggrin:

WTF is in the air out there? I swear I would crash at 4:30, leap out of bed at 9:00, eat nothing but handfuls of M&Ms and still be able to babble on about something for hours at a stretch.

Since I do my damnedest to avoid LAS any other time of the year I can't say whether it's the casinos, the air, or DefCon, but I'm guessing it's DefCon.

[J3di]

I got used to:

knowing my three closest sources of caffeine & beer

yeah, it's weird sitting with my laptop and not having a beer in hand. Have to talk to the boss about that.

[DJ Jackalope]

I got home, slept for 5 hours and then got up and went to work. The only way i made it up and sort of awake was to pretend i was still at con.

[che]

I have FINALLY got my voice back, but was almost worthless at work Tuesday morning. At least today I had enough sense to stay home and work on my own pace and get some laundry done...

[Deviant Ollam]

WTF is in the air out there? I swear I would crash at 4:30, leap out of bed at 9:00, eat nothing but handfuls of M&Ms and still be able to babble on about something for hours at a stretch.i know exactly what you mean, as i was doing the same thing (although i often found my eyes springing awake at like 7:00 and i would get a shower around 8:00... but not really get any search for food or people until 9:00.)

i have actually heard rumors that casino hotels pump additional oxygen into the atmosphere through their HVAC systems to keep people more alert, perky, and potentially awake at the tables. i don't even know if this would be medically feasible or what PPM dosages would be required to create such a result, but i wonder if it could be true. i know that i have more energy at DefCon than anywhere else.... and it seems like i've had more at the Riv these past couple years than i have at the AP.

[t0ttenkoph]

I have the same problem as sk00t, I look down at people's chests expecting to see The Game of Life or scrolling text and I hate having to explain why there's a cast iron box with "some strange symbol" sitting in the middle of my diner bar.

[mfreeck]

I'm still weaning myself off penguin mints and there is a deficit of alcohol in my caffiene system.

[Zuggy]

Yeah this was my first year @ Defcon. It was a little weird when I first got there, but now that I'm back to the real world I'm having a much harder time adjusting back. I think my biggest thing is also looking to see what people have on/done to their badges.

Defcon was kickass and I look forward to it next year.

[AlxRogan]

My co-workers are used to me giving them the finger as a casual greeting, so that's going under the radar right now. I'm with the rest of you about the unusual energy. I spent most of the day pantomiming holding up a ~30 lb free weight and fiddling my fingers underneath it. I think that did get some attention from the norms.

Whatever it is they dosed me with, I want more!

[theprez98]

I thought DEF CON was canceled.

[DJ Jackalope]

I didn't know it was Thursday until someone told me what day it was today.

[Doolittle]

I just started being productive again about an hour ago.

Almost quitting time too.

[Mcgruff]

Im Still reaching down every couple of seconds to see what my badge is displaying (which is nothing, just my work id now).
Caught myself wondering where the booming techno music was when I was walking down the hall.
And worst of all, when my boss asked me where I was going on my break I for some reason replied with "oh Ill prolly go down to the vendor area" (Im pretty lit on dayquil right now)

[Stypica]

I find I get the same post-con depression from Comic-Con, Goth Convergence, Batsday, Discworld and DefCon... There is something natural and comfortable about being surrounded by "your people" - going back to the real world sucks:(

[flea]

Me, CJ, queeg and the captain were at a store on tuesday (I think) and some kid ran by, I opened my mouth and started to yell, "HEY, SLOW IT DOWN OR I'LL EAT YOUR FOOT!" Then, sadly, closed my mouth and realized I wasn't allowed to yell at anybody for almost a year :(

I slept last night in a hotel locally. I just couldn't fall asleep without a scratchy bed spread under me, stained carpet and bad air conditioner blowing 'luke-cold' air at me all night.

Ok, kidding, I DID spend the night in a hotel but not because I HAD to, because I WANTED to...

I just don't understand why it's so inappropriate to drink 151 and rockstar from an ice bucket outside of defcon.. It's SO accepted there!

[AcidicA]

I work with a bunch of people who either never went to college, don't speak English or are just morons in general so it hurts to think just a week ago I was surrounded by so many people with so many brilliant minds working in them and now I just cook. I try to explain the experience and they don't get it. They don't understand how surreal it is to stand next to a table covered with items that look like bombs. Or to sink DT and Jgrand in the Dunk tank. Or to simply listen in on talks about physical security, or better yet lack there of in our own homes.
In short I miss so many of you. I am thankful I met you this time around and got to throw so many foreign objects at you.

[mfreeck]

I work with a bunch of people who either never went to college, don't speak English or are just morons in general so it hurts to think just


When I went to my first defcon, I had not attended a single college course and I worked at a company that hired many immigrants and had a workforce comprised of 75% disabled people - many of them developmentally disabled as it was physical work.


a week ago I was surrounded by so many people with so many brilliant minds working in them and now I just cook. I try to explain the experience and they don't get it. They don't understand how surreal it is to stand next to a table


Don't discount these people. The folks I worked with, of course they aren't going to understand the computer stuff - it's not their schtick. But they were very happy for me and I when I blathered something I just figured out (I was working on a tech project at the time), dumbing it down (they still didn't get it), I would say "and this is really good!" and they would appropriately be happy for me. I should say most of my conversations were with my bosses who were not developmentally disabled, though not exactly defcon smart.

In fact, maybe I'm not defcon smart. Going to defcon certainly doesn't guarantee you smarts. I don't have a college degree. I worked as a janitor for 8 years and I still don't work in IT and probably won't. So. Does that make me less valuable? I've heard a couple of stories of folks who quietly worked as janitors while publishing books, which wasn't discovered until they passed away.

It's not all about smarts. Smarts help, but you can still be a class-A asshole and a rotten human being.

When I first went to defcon, I wore a skirt made out of HD platters. I was shocked that so very few people recognized what they were. Most people thought they were "metal CDs." One fellow *after* I explained what they were said "oh, how did you get those little circles on them? Did you go around them with a pin?"

OTOH, I did very much enjoy being around people who got my jokes without the ten minute explanation. I enjoyed being able to use words (tech or just large) that were instantly understood. It was wonderful being with my peers, except around male scenewhores when I was considered prey. I did have a bit of that letdown when I came back "oh, I can't (really) talk to anyone here again." I still valued my coworkers company and support though.

Defcon is like an acid trip - you can't accurately explain it to someone who hasn't been. Don't try, just enjoy the groove of your job.

[sk00t]

In fact, maybe I'm not defcon smart. Going to defcon certainly doesn't guarantee you smarts. I don't have a college degree. I worked as a janitor for 8 years and I still don't work in IT and probably won't.

I had a long conversation about this Sunday night at the Riv. I dropped out of high school, then out of college after dropping back in. I just couldn't sit and be spoonfed and it was killing my soul and my love for learning. It's a prevailing theme, and most of the folks I know who do have some sort of degree have one in something they were simply interested in, like History, Psych, etc. Not a ding on anyone with a proper CS, EE, etc major -- I have tons of respect for the folks who were able to run the gauntlet.

The other thing that struck a chord for me is your saying "I'm not DefCon smart"... I think that's exactly why you ARE DefCon smart (saying this without knowing you IRL, you may be a moron in reality, but I don't think so). The people who grow and learn as a lifelong journey are the ones who always believe they have more to know. Socrates by way of Operation Ivy: "All I know is that I don't know nothin'".

So. Does that make me less valuable? I've heard a couple of stories of folks who quietly worked as janitors while publishing books, which wasn't discovered until they passed away.

Kafka was an accountant his whole life. Einstein was a postal worker. Faraday was working class and served as a valet.

It's not all about smarts. Smarts help, but you can still be a class-A asshole and a rotten human being.

Amen. Luckily only a handful of examples of that in recent memory I can think of.

[NetworkJedi]

I notice that I keep on wanting a beer and a coffee to help me get through the day. Then remembering that I can't have Energy Drinks after 7:00pm.
Then also not being able to be caffeinated and drunk before 12:00....

Bummer. Let's make another Con to go to between now and next August.

We can have it here in Vancouver!

[Z^2]

I notice that I keep on wanting a beer and a coffee to help me get through the day. Then remembering that I can't have Energy Drinks after 7:00pm.
Then also not being able to be caffeinated and drunk before 12:00....

Bummer. Let's make another Con to go to between now and next August.

We can have it here in Vancouver!

there are a bunch between now and next august that i'm sure you could find here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_con

[DJ Jackalope]

When I got back I had to explain to people at my work (I work at an ISP) what Defcon was and that it wasn't full of malicious people and was actually an educational conference. (er well, most of it, anyway.)

[jur1st]

some kid ran by, I opened my mouth and started to yell, "HEY, SLOW IT DOWN OR I'LL EAT YOUR FOOT!" Then, sadly, closed my mouth and realized I wasn't allowed to yell at anybody for almost a year :(

As someone who was a lifeguard in a former, thinner life this urge still plagues me to this day. Of course at this point when it runs through my head it's accompanied by "damn kids."

You can imagine how terrible the culture shock was when I returned to the firm on Monday morning. Having to explain everything while being sleep deprived wasn't that great.

[Diesel]

Completely agree. I was only back for a few hours and found myself hoping 16 was the next day. There is something about being around your 'peeps' that are into the same things.

Diesel

[Mel]

This was my first DefCon.. and.. HOLY SHIT, this is byfar, the best con I have ever gone to (in all of other con-doms :P)

So.. yeah.. I never want DefCon to end :P I have been playing ALOT more with wireless stuff since I got back home, and just still grabbing random files from my friends. Well.. any.. thanx for a really good con.. see you next year :) (or sooner?)

[erehwon]

First time in a long time I actually thought Defcon was too short, and here I thought after Black Hat and all the fun that goes with it! I wouldn't have the energy to finish the week. :biggrin:

[theprez98]

First time in a long time I actually thought Defcon was too short, and here I thought after Black Hat and all the fun that goes with it! I wouldn't have the energy to finish the week. :biggrin:
There did seem to be some sentiment during the closing ceremonies for starting Defcon on Thursday. Having only been there once now, I don't really know what to think of it. Most people could probably leg it out, but that's putting incredible strain on the staff.

[jjarmoc]

So, tuesday morning (monday was a travel day for me) I walk into the office. Conversation goes like this;

Boss: Hey, welcome back! How were Blackhat and Defcon?
Me: Pretty good, had a great time and learned a lot... we need to talk though.

Moments later, I turned in my resignation :)

[Deviant Ollam]

Moments later, I turned in my resignation :)what was the reason? you realized you were surrounded by too many normals or noobs or what?

[theprez98]

what was the reason? you realized you were surrounded by too many normals or noobs or what?
I too was curious about the details...

[jjarmoc]

what was the reason? you realized you were surrounded by too many normals or noobs or what?

Really the timing was mostly coincidence, but I thought it made a better story if I left that part out :) It took a while to negotiate with my new employer and stuff, and was like 2 days before leaving for vegas by the time I knew it was a done deal. At that point - free trip to vegas on the former employer :)

New job is an all around better opportunity, with a much more security focused company.

[mouseling]

Dev,

<. and it seems like i've had more at the Riv these past couple years than i have at the AP.>

that's only because you are running so many cool things, that you no longer have the time to lounge in the pool feeling lazy.

-mouse

[mouseling]

I went from defcon to an academic conference, and oddly, of all things, I found myself feeling lonely. Almost Homesick.
It's weird, because I have a lot of friends and colleagues there, but it isn't the same as the 'family' that you have at defcon.

[Deviant Ollam]

you are running so many cool things, that you no longer have the time to lounge in the pool feeling lazyas a choice between the two, i definitely say running things and participating in events is better. i miss the downtime, of course. (hard to even imagine being able to play rounds of Beruit (http://www.deviating.net/defcon_09/photos/PDRM0466.JPG) in the pool all day long (http://www.deviating.net/defcon_09/photos/PDRM0442.JPG) in lieu of attending talks)

but overall, there is so much truth in what all the defcon veterans tell the new arrivals... the more involved you are, the more fun defcon becomes, for you and everyone else, too.

It's weird, because I have a lot of friends and colleagues there, but it isn't the same as the 'family' that you have at defcon.nothing in the world like defcon. (although some of the other cons can sort of come close. speaking of, any chance you can make it to toorcon with us? it's just a weekend thing, so you don't even have to miss work. c'mon, get one last gasp of hacker air before submerging back into the normal culture for the coming semester.)

[Vyrus]

I just don't understand why it's so inappropriate to drink 151 and rockstar from an ice bucket outside of defcon.. It's SO accepted there!

personally im partial to the captain's tequila and (what ever the hell else was in the ice bucket he shoved in my face and said "DRINK") version ;)

[P33V3]

I'm still getting accustomed to drinking water again instead of some sort of alcohol. Also actually getting some sleep is quite novel.

[mouseling]

nothing in the world like defcon. (although some of the other cons can sort of come close. speaking of, any chance you can make it to toorcon with us? it's just a weekend thing, so you don't even have to miss work. c'mon, get one last gasp of hacker air before submerging back into the normal culture for the coming semester.)

It looks like Toorcon is right around my fall break -yayyyy - let me see what my exam schedule is like, and if I can, I'll book a cheap ticket and share a room w/ whomever.

-mouse

[renderman]

Being sick for 2 weeks after really took the wind out of my sails, but I do constantly find myself looking around at the vast majority of my friends and collegues and wishing that I didn't live so damn far away.

Defcon is the only place in the world that is normal for me. I feel normal, things make sense and the world around there just makes sense. To come home always ends up leaving me with a deeper appreciation for the friends I've made and those I will make in the future.

[HighWiz]

Being sick for 2 weeks after really took the wind out of my sails, but I do constantly find myself looking around at the vast majority of my friends and collegues and wishing that I didn't live so damn far away.

Defcon is the only place in the world that is normal for me. I feel normal, things make sense and the world around there just makes sense. To come home always ends up leaving me with a deeper appreciation for the friends I've made and those I will make in the future.

From our conversations I believe Grey Frequency has a remedy for your "Distance Issues". :wink:

[renderman]

From our conversations I believe Grey Frequency has a remedy for your "Distance Issues". :wink:

Dude, show a little respect please....

[HighWiz]

Dude, show a little respect please....

You're asking the guy who pees on peoples legs to show respect?

[cjunky]

ugh. im still drunk.

cj