YxYY (Yes and Yes Yes) just had it's second retreat in Palm Springs CA. It was a gathering of... + thinkers / futurists/ nerds / weirdos + voracious consumers of and generators of ideas and information + creatives that like to engage in conversation about their creative pursuits & the concepts behind them + people comfortable with & excited about their own obsessive interest in their odd corner of the world + people on the path to self-actualization, self-awareness and all the goodies that lie therein Here's what I experienced as a newbie, naturally, in presentation format since I spend so much of my time in this media type.

1. Image credit: yxyy.us
I said YES to YxYY002
Unconference Report by
Molly Garris

2. YxYY =
Yes and Yes Yes
an event for geeks, nerds,
weirdos, creatives, futurists,
thinkers and yay-sayers
Ace Hotel, Palm Springs CA
July 2014

3. It was kind of
like a
conference
because
there was
cool swag.
Other than
that, it wasn’t
like a
conference.
Image credit: zoostation500 on Instagram

4. Palm Springs in July meant
lots of pool mingling
Image credit: Robin Andersen via Flickr: Tecgirl

5. Lots of hydration
Image credit: theMarcSmith via Instagram

6. Events were not overscheduled – most
were created day-of via mobile app
Image credit: Kim Chestney Harvey

7. Some events were futuristic: drone,
VR and 3D printing demos
Image credit: yxyy.us, SpecularTheory via Instagram

8. Some were chats amongst brand
builders and marketers

9. More technical
ones were
around .js and
GitHub
(photo shown may or
may not be accurate to
referenced events)
Image credit: tinahui via Twitter

10. Light, fun events included games like
Werewolf and karaoke
Image credits: yxyy via Twitter, Ryan Plesko via Facebook

11. Image credit: Gracedobrushtogo via Instagram
Also, Ignite talks,
moth storytelling and
Dive-In movies

12. More
personal
events
helped
people get
advice
about how
to hack
kids or
their own
lives
Image credit: tinahui via Instagram

13. I met people that:
- Work at start ups,
- Work on mobile apps,
- Produce films,
- Love 3D printing,
- Write a travel blog,
- Scan brains for insights,
- Conserve water and
- Fight for human rights.

14. I didn’t meet people that:
- Complained,
- Judged,
- Seemed stressed,
- Were glued to their Smartphone,
- Wanted to sell me something and
- Didn’t want to share their
knowledge.

15. They shared new inventions,
(3D printer pen)
Image credit: dchymko via Instagram

16. Their enthusiasm,
Image credit: leahthehunter via Instagram

17. Old lessons,
When you have five minutes,
ask me for this insane story.

18. And even their wedding vows.
Image credit: Marla via Twitter DvinMsM

19. I wish I would have met more people,
heard more stories, attended more talks,
drank more frozen slushies, watched
more movies after dark, crashed more
dinners, etc. but
I was a #newbie and needed to observe
and absorb. But I did say yes…

20. You should say yes some time
too.
Image credit: PeterShanley via Instagram

22. Thank you yay-sayers and Team
Yes and Yes Yes.
You sure put a smile and jolt of
inspiration across this Midwesterner.
Until we meet again..
Molly Garris @mollygarris