The XI Fest Interviews - Sitting Duc

[WldPenguin]

Today's little chat is with Sitting Duc.  Let's see what he thinks about these American gatherings since he is from the UK but he does travel across the pond to join us each year  

So, Duc, many Fests have you attended?

 

I think it's these ones: 

• 2015 - Bristol
• 2016 - Gatlinburg, TN
• 2017 - Berlin
• 2017 - Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
• 2018 - Brussels
• 2018 - Nashville, TN
• 2019 - Charlotte, SC
• 2022 - Greensboro, GA
• 2023 - Gatlinburg, TN

So 9 in all; three in Europe, 5 in the US and 1 in Canada.

Abd who or what got you interested in going?

 

Honestly, I think the first I went to was because it was close to me and was just attending for the day (the Bristol one). I'm trying to remember who invited me to it, there were a few people encouraging me to go for sure - I think maybe Edd?

I had a trip planned to Japan later in the year and whilst at the fest I got speaking to Olive and we discussed travel and the like, and shared that common interest - that then turned into me going with him to South Africa in May, 2016 (which was amazing). But that then (once I realised he was a sound guy) turned into me going to my first US fest in Gatlinburg later in the year. Here I met people like Overkill's male friend Mike, and Bob and I ended up with them and Olive going to Iceland in 2017. 

As a broke software engineer at the time early in my career Olive enabled me to get cheap flights for my first US fest and one or two others which I can never thank him enough for. I had always loved travelling previously to XI but it has given me a group of friends where I share that common interest and is so much more. 

I love the fests completely but also love the 'side holidays or meetups' that they have enabled:

• South Africa with Olive
• Iceland with Mike, Tina, Bob & Olive
• A catch-up with Edd at his place in Reading
• My first trip to New York meeting with deerejon, Bosun, codpiece, Roxy and some of their friends and family (also a BBQ!)
• A catch-up with Olive in Montreal on the way back from Niagara Falls
• A random catch-up with codpiece on one of his flight stops in London
• I was able to stay at Didier's place in Paris.. (Olive's friend) - can't remember when or why but having that connection was great.
• South Africa with Olive, Reggie, Mike & Tina and meeting more of Olive's friends
• Las Vegas in 2023 where I introduced my friend Jerry into the mix to meet with Hefe/Starla/The Ruggers/Yacc+missus
• Doing some traveling in California with Hefe and Starla and visiting Yosemite to *not* take the perfect picture and go on a 'max 2 miles' walk.
• Las Vegas again tagging onto the Cali trip with the same group and adding some Yacc's friends

Hopefully haven't missed any! but also I like that Jerry has ditched me and met up with a bunch in Atlantic City very recently.

Likely coming up I'll hopefully be meeting with Mike/Tina in Paris later in the year (and assume Olive lol), also maybe something before the upcoming fest - who knows....

Which location would you say has been your favorite?

 

That's a hard one, it's always the people in the end. The houses have got better and better; and I think that has enabled us to spend more time at them and more time talking, playing games and connecting. The actual location.. less important. But if I had to pick one I like the Gatlingburg ones I think or Georgia, it's been great to be able to get a car and do some travelling beforehand and explore. That's important to me with the distance I am coming. However, never say never to going somewhere new and seeing or experiencing a new place!

Which activity(ies) do you like the most?

 

Losing money to Rugger.

I love sitting with a beer and playing some card games where the side bets get increasingly bigger and bigger as the time goes on. Corn hole.. a game of which I play once a year and only ever at an XI fest - I kinda like it. The meals out - chaotic, stressful for the servers at bill time, but I really enjoy seeing the group around the table. Equally so though, the bigger houses have enabled us to do more family style which I like.

Do you bring anyone else with you, or do you attend alone?

 

I guess I started out as being the person that Olive brought? then I moved to expanding the fests to allow me time to travel either side and enjoying that freedom. Now, I have started introducing my own friends like Jerry. This year I am also bringing a friend Milo to the party!

What's your funniest or favorite XI Fest memory?

 

There are a fair amount of these. Honestly - the most fun I have had is the simplicity and stupidity of the high card/low card - really enjoy that. Cards against humanity perhaps? Going for pontoon rides, go-carting, shooting.. would never forget the shooting, that's fun. 'Merica!

And to wrap things up, what advice would you give  to someone who's never been to XI Fest? (besides always know where your wallet and ID are )

The thought can be a little intimidating at first, lets go meet a bunch of strangers from all walks of life that we have met online through shooting games. Kinda crazy right?

But the group is pretty sound, sure there are some oddballs but everyone there has come from different places, different experiences and are in different stages of life and it's fantastic to talk to them and get to know the people. 

If you are close, come for a day visit - that's a great way just to get into it. It's semi-organised chaos though so be prepared for that.

If you are far, make a holiday out of it - stay somewhere close so you can come along and if it's not for you then you can do your own thing. I guess on that, we try and do some activities together but not every day - generally we break off into groups and join together on activities. Some might go for a hike, some the gun range, some chilling in the pool or driving out somewhere. Be prepared to enjoy yourself.

Thanks so much @Sitting-Duc, looking forward to seeing you in just about 7 weeks!