I don’t know if you can call it an annual tradition, but since it’s my second X0-event and my second year in a row with this post, let’s at least call it 2 for 2.

Sitting on the other side of the blogging fence it might be hard to grasp how fundamentally important the presence of other bloggers are at events like this. Getting to meet and greet with faces new and old is a big part of the experience, and this year was no exception. I just wanted to give a shout out to a few of my comrades in arms who made the day a much more enjoyable experience for me.

Mike, Steve, Stefan, Pierce and Ashley from This Week in Geek — better known as “my Twiggers.” Former staff Writer Faith/Christina of The Girl Gamer and her man candy Mike from Attack This. And yes — even stinky old Xav De Matos from some no-nothing site we’ve never even heard of called Joystiq. Everyone was there and everyone was great. Everyone except Brent the Closet Geek (dude — just come over and say hi next time. I’m always willing to stop shoveling food in my mouth long enough to say hello — I promise.)

This year was a special treat for one other reason: the addition of a BBPS community member to the roster of attendees. Reader Utopaline made the trek up to Toronto with me and was a big help as my right hand man all day. Big thanks to you sir!

Thanks again to all our friends in the blogging community for making X08 one of the best times I’ve had all year. The power may have stayed on this time around, but who needs a blackout when you have friends?