GeekDinner - July 2007

Last night I attended my very first GeekDinner. A GeekDinner is exactly what the name implies: a bunch of self-proclaimed geeks getting together to share good food, drink, company and fun, but also to meet new and interesting (of varying degrees of geekiness) people and to network.

Last night we all assembled at Krugmann's Grill in the V&A Waterfront. Tania, winterkindt, and I went together and drove from Stellenbosch. I was pleasantly surprised by the relaxed atmosphere and the friendliness and openness of the people there. Everywhere you could make out people telling geeky jokes and showing off gadgets like new cellphones: the type of things which mostly only geeks can appreciate. We chose a table at the back of the room, mistakenly thinking that it was actually the front, but we still had good company at our table. A few people who had confirmed did not show up, which was a shame. I urge people to not forget about this event: the people don't bite and are really all very friendly. :-)

The food was great and some of the presentations were really insightful. Attending a geek dinner is not only fun, but can also be useful and practical. But apart from that, there appears to be this amazing energy of goodwill and cooperation which not only makes a GeekDinner possible in the first place, but also sustains it through the night and long after when everyone has gone home.