There ain't nothing, not anything, no other task you can volunteer for that is as rewarding as greeting. I mean, I love the cutesy and thoughtful emails I've been getting for doing tickets. I love the happy smiles of people when you help them haul an ass load of wood into a fire cause it's got to go. I love all of the wonderful benefits of helping out with PDF, but nothing comes close to that unbelievable satisfaction I get when that car rolls up, finally arriving at their destination (or "home" for some), and seeing the love in their eyes as I rattle off the greeter spiel. Yeah, as greeters you have a lot to say, yeah, the arrivals may not totally be listening, but damnit, they fucking love you and your awesome cause your there to say: hey folks, lets get the show started.
Greeting ain't work, it all about setting the mood and motivating people to participate. You don't just give the logistics of where they can set up camp, your letting them know where they get to roll out their personal red carpet and be the producer/god/mastermind/intellectual genius for their entire stay. They may give you tokens, they may give you hugs, but that loving smile of devotion when they roll up after a 2-hour or 16-hour drive it what it's all about.
written on September 25, 2002