What can I say about Toorcamp, it was the best and worst experience of my life.  First of all, I suppose a little background should be provided. Toorcamp is a "hacker" convention formerly known as Toorcon and this one would be in an abandoned missile silo in Moses Lake Washington (how cool is that!).  I love events like this because the true meaning of the word Hacker manifests.  Hackers are people who are obsessed with technology and making things do what they were not meant to do, essentially giving something, anything, increased functionality.  I got invited to do a lecture at this convention with my good friend Flynn, and wasn't scheduled to be there until Saturday, but decided to arrive early on Thursday to explore.

Thursday- I arrive into a scene right out of Mad Max and setup camp in close proximity to the water supply.  The camp grounds were filled with dust, tents, and makeshift borrows. I get there only to find out that someone given the tour of the underground facility had wondered off.  This apparently did not bode well with the owner.  After this occurred, it was assumed that all access to the silo was cut off and we were to do all lectures in the blazing hot barn (around 105º F).  The ground, which i was told was volcanic ash left over from Mt. St. Helens, was like walking through the remnants of a campfire, except EVERYWHERE.  Many people were in military attire and wore water soaked bandannas over their nose and mouth, which made the post apocalyptic survivor camp that much more believable.  Many likened it to Fallout 3 without the super mutants.  After the sun went down and the lectures stopped, the blaring music that nobody danced to (because they were all exhausted from the heat) began.  

Friday- This day pretty much consisted of me passed out in the tent waking up only to take a gulp of water from a gallon jug.  When the heat had reached its peak in the afternoon, I had enough.  I packed up my things and called Flynn to tell him that I was abandoning the workshop and that he shouldn't bother with it ether.  His sob story of wanting to hang out, because we rarely do anymore, convinced me  to stick around till the next day.

Saturday-  Flynn and Nick arrive at 2 in the morning and regret their late arrival when the tent became unbearable at 8.  By some divine intervention, the owner had lifted the blockade to the missile silo and not only were tours back on, but we would be able to have our workshop down there. The "Noob Workshop" turned out really well.  We had four people of varying expertize help anyone who was foggy in an area of technology.  My specific role was to get people acquainted with basic knowledge of electricity.  At the booth, I had setup multiple stations that consisted of: a multimeter, breadboard, miscellaneous wires, LEDs, and some 9v Batteries.  I would give each person that wanted to attend a card that had a circuit drawn out, but certain elements were missing.  They then had to figure out what resistors they should use to power a certain number of LEDs with a certain number of 9v batteries.  Most people attending this convention were way above our insignificant knowledge, but we were able to help many people understand many basic technological concepts.  I felt good about the situation.  

It was an experience and a half, but i dont know if I would do it again.  The people I met and the connections I made almost outweighed the hellish conditions.  I rename Toorcamp "BURNING NERD" 

 I was in the barn directly behind the violent blue tarp.