History Camp Boston 2025 Recap
ISSUE NO. 45 // History Camp Boston 2025 Recap
It feels like a decade ago already!
History Camp far exceeded my expectations.
I met fabulous people and learned and saw so much — I am truly glad I stepped out of my super-comfortable comfort zone for this.
And sharing my doodles was exhilarating!
I was nervous about the the technology. My presentation contained (including the just-in-case appendix) 92 slides, with loads of graphics and barely any text. I didn’t bring a script. I have a terrible memory, but hoped I’d know what to say by looking at the slides. The trouble was, I didn’t know if I’d be able to see the presentation in front of me or not. Turning around 92 times to face the screen would be distracting.
Friends! There was a screen in front of me! It showed my current slide AND the next one. [ skies parting; angels singing ]
I’m hoping to share a video of my session at some point, assuming I hit “record” properly before I began.
If I didn’t record it properly, I’d like to tell you — I. Was. Perfect!! It went off without a hitch and I have no notes. Wouldn’t change a thing. I was fabulous. A natural, you might say. It was standing-room only.
But just in case it did record, I’ll be honest. I:
Got lost. I set up my presentation beforehand and then went to the bathroom. In my nervousness, I forgot the room number. I checked the agendas outside three other rooms before I found mine.
Didn’t engage with the audience beforehand. I was too afraid I’d forget everything or make a terrible impression or get caught up in the convo and forget to start on time. Instead, I stood there purposefully looking at my watch every few seconds.
Started off like an auctioneer. As if I was trying to cram 45 minutes into 15.
Do not know how to use a laser pointer.
Forgot to repeat the audience questions for the recording. I also forgot some of the questions I was asked, that I planned to add to my follow-up page.
Did not have a full house, but that’s probably for the best.
In addition to history stuff (obviously!), I also learned:
How to spell lightning! I have been spelling it wrong my whole life. I only realized when I tried created a new doodle to use in the “Lightening Round” of my presentation. To celebrate, I bought myself some lightning bolt earrings to wear to History Camp. Huzzah! ⚡
Sneakers do not equal comfort. By the end of the weekend, my feet were killing me.
There’s no need to carry around a 714-page book “just in case” I get bored. I was too overstimulated to read.
FUN FACT! ☝️This is not how to spell “lightning!”
Check out my follow-up page — “A chocolate éclair and some facial hair”. It includes additional doodles and information related to my presentation, and a link to Vice President Charles Dawes’ #1 pop hit!
Thank you for being here. See you next time! ⚡
America’s Preeminent Presidential Doodler
Want some mail?
Oh, look at you! Still here after all that rambling. You deserve a zine! I’m printing a limited batch soon. Let me know if you want one.
While supplies last and all that.
I. Was. Fabulous.
(as far as you know)