Furfright and stuff
Since my last post shit did happens (lots of it) but the important thing is that we survived and that it seems to be almost over now so let’s focus on the last few days.
Because of the new job, I couldn’t free myself to fully attend Furfright this year; I was able to get there late Thursday night but I had to leave late after-noon on Sunday :). Nonetheless, it was with eagerness that I headed south last Thursday evening. I had a big plan for the weekend and I was just hoping my friends would come through for me.
We arrived at the hotel a bit later than expected and our first night of sleep wasn’t the best we ever had but then again, we were so happy to be amongst friend that we quickly forgot about all the little miss haps. I had plenty of plans to meet old friends, meet new ones and see if I could have more heavy cuddling and adult fun with some of them but as usual, time was again short this year. My only bad experience I had at Furfright this year was when we were waiting in the line for the pre-regs Saturday around 11H30 and that the line didn’t budge for well over 20 min (and I do mean not moving at all). I don’t know what happened but it would have been nice to at least been kept informed so we would have known if it was worth waiting or if we should just come later during the day. One thing good did happen though as I was long enough in the same place for my friend Bleiss to go to his room, take off his fursuit, take a shower and come back down to give me a pile of Sci-Fi TV shows he burned for me :D It’s as if nothing happens in life without a reason (it is easier to laugh about it with a bit of distance ;))
This year, I decided to go to ask for my commission early to get it out of the way. I wanted to get a sketch from an artist with the theme (Welcome back home mate, Good to be home again love, or So happy your home again love...) but sadly the artist I chose didn’t do such commissions but preferred to do badges. Well I had to come up with another inspiring concept and as I was trying to think about something, Miss Karine Charlebois started to chat with me and that spurred an awesome idea. I commissioned her for my sketch. As usual, I kept the description to the minimum; I describe my fursona (in 9 words), my mate (in 5 words...what can I say, he doesn’t wear a collar :P) and I gave her “Duel, Touché but not in the common way”. I was thinking of something like a kiss, a grope or a shaved mark on the pelt. But as usual when I do that kind of commission, she came up with completely another angle and again (after having peeked at my sketch book prior to leaving Furfright) I know I will have an awesome new drawing in my sketch book. What I saw made me laugh (and still bring a big smile on my face when I think about it) and I can’t wait to get my sketchbook back again. I always try to give as much leeway to the artist as I can and to just give them a few words to help them spur an idea.
I went around and spent the few bucks I still had for art that weekend. Now that this was over for the weekend I was heading for my room and a much needed sleep when I was stopped by Arctic Wolf. It was so nice to be able to chat with him again... It is so funny that I can meet and have more conversation with my Canadian friends when I am at Furfright the
an in Canada :/... Most of them I only see at WTF meeting or during WTF convention and God know how hectic that weekend is for me... So I touched base with Arctic who told me that Dorsi was short on staff. When I left Arctic to go and volunteer for Security, I met with yet another Canuck friend. Purplehaze whom is someone that is really dear to me and whom I would like to know better. So I talked with Purple and was happy to hear about the good news and I sure hope the bad news he got that weekend ended up being not as bad as foreseen. Hopefully he made it up all the way home and that his family is doing all right. I finally made it up all the way to Security just to be told that they had all the staff they needed (which really surprised me when I heard many times during the con that they were short of staff and that many volunteers were doing double shifts to cover the needs).
I was able to make it to my room around 2H30 PM and I slept for a good two hours; took a much needed shower and was back with the living. I roamed around a bit and chatted with many friends before going to eat. On my way to Wendy’s, I stopped at CVS to buy shower gel “Howl from Blade” since even though it is made in Canada, the only place I can find it is at CVS :P...
For the rest of the day I just chilled out with friends, until I came across with Brun whom was the first friend I asked help for my little scheme. He was very happy to be of help and he went further than what I expected...things were now in motion and there was no turning back. I went to bed early that night and caught up on much needed sleep.
As I was lying in bed, Silvermane came to the room and prepared himself for the night; it is then that we were able to have a nice discussion. It is sad that we don’t have that opportunity more often.
All I had planned for Saturday was to attend the masquerade and a few panels. I woke up a bit late (8AM) and I went to the lobby where I found Purplehaze. We discussed in a bit more detail his new job and his car situation. It was so nice to see how happy he was about his new challenges. My mate came to join me a bit later and as we were heading to our hotel room we crossed paths with Firebreath and ended up going to eat breakfast with him at the hotel’s restaurant. The food was good and the company was exquisite. Firebreath lives at less than 5 min from me and we have more interaction here at Furfright then in Montreal :P
I was hoping to suit a lot that weekend but my attitude soured after seeing the lack of etiquette of some of the other suiters like chilling out with heads off, walking with the head under their arm, paws off and not even in sweat or breathing hard. Those wandering about seemed to be just wandering with their little fan group around them not looking to interact with other fursuiters or peoples... it is hard for me not to judge them by my values since not only it contradicts with what I believe but it also helps to break the mood for all other kind of fursuiters. I firmly believe that the fursuit (just like a mascot costume) demands the commitment and the respect of the fursuiter; that there is a responsibility to wear such attire. Sadly, many of the people I saw that weekend treated their fursuit just like an expensive Halloween costume. When I do wear the fursuit, its primarily to entertain others for their pleasure first (which then brings me pleasure) and their enjoyment rather than for making me feel important, they are (I have the feeling) doing it to get all the attention they can. While I see it as giving to others, I have the feeling that they prefer getting more than what they are giving back. This feeling of mine might be misplaced but it is still there anyway and that makes it more difficult for me to get in the right mood to fursuit.
I roamed around and chilled with many friends and soon came 4PM so I accepted LupineFox and Soma Cat’s invitation to go eat all-you-can eat pancakes. This was another nice memory to put in my little treasure ;). We came back just in time for the masquerade. I was again a bit disappointed by many acts that night. I feel ill placed to critique but it is not the talent that I will critic as much as the lack of preparation and or practice that many numbers seems to be showing this year. But then again, since I didn’t participate, I won’t go any further down that road. Some of the numbers did impress me though.
Right after the masquerade, I ran to attend my only panel this year “Photographur”. I wanted to learn a bit more about flashes, lighting and photometers but the panel didn’t go in that direction. I still was very happy about it and hopefully I’ll be able to reach Jamie Fix and get the information I am seeking. Sadly, I had to rush out of the panel to run to a prior engagement.
I ran to change myself and get my oil before heading to a dear friend’s room. There I massaged his tired feet some until my elbow was starting to hurt me too much to continue (I suffer a tennis elbow). God knows I like this very special friend and that I would have loved to have a good talk with him but company was in the room and more urgent matters were discussed. Still, I felt very privileged to be able to share time with him. Thanks a lot big guy and sorry I wasn’t able to properly say goodbye before leaving.
I went back to my room and because I had to go to work early on Monday (and because of the problems at work), I couldn’t afford to shorten my night sleep that Saturday. I brushed my fursuit, fix it here and there and instead of going back down and have some fun or heading to a room party and indulge myself in a sin or another, I went to bed L
Next morning, I got up, double checked my fursuit and tried to shoo my mate out of the room. I felt bad to make him feel a bit awkward when all he wanted to do was to get some time with me but I couldn’t afford keeping him in the room while I was writing my proposal speech to the cards for the fursuit massacre surprise. By the time the cards were ready and that my fursuit and its disguise where on, it was time to head down to the fursuit massacre.
I knew that this would be a time to remember for it but nothing could have prepared me for that experience...
First, I went to see PunkTiger who heartfully agreed to help me in my plan. My first nice surprise came in when the teams were drawn. I ended up with the greens and Jamie Fix with a very enthusiastic speech, glued the team together and gave us two goals, WIN and have fun. Someone came with the name MEAN MACHINE which was instantly adopted and we gladly chanted it as often as we could. It was so nice to be able to implicate the crowd in our game :D. I did the best I could to make sure to help my team to the best I could because I knew I was going to cost them the charade game. After the first two games, I was sweating profusely but nothing to compare to how I was sweating just before my turn in the charade... If I thought I had my emotion in check for that, I was greatly mistaken; I started to sweat like crazy, my heart just wanted to break free of its cage and I had problem keeping focus on what was happening. Finally it was my turn to go and after fooling around a bit, I finally kneel and ask my mate to marry me. To see the changes going through his face and eyes as emotions assailed him (happy to have solve the riddle, noticing the ring, surprise, astonishment, happiness...). This moment will be burned in my memory forever. I felt so proud and happy to have him in my life (and still do ;) ). And once I thought it was over and done, my team just circled me and hugged me and I felt so warmed by their congratulations and good wishes. For that moment, it felt like the team become one just like if we would have been together as a team for years. I was overwhelmed by the reaction and I do hope my mate got some of that feeling too on his side. It took me some time to touch ground again.
I was so happy and excited that I even cheated on the musical chair. Quite at the beginning of that game, I found myself without a chair but I spotted an empty one in the crowd on the front row so I dived on it and made believe chatting with the guy there. As soon as everyone was up and ready for another round, I joined in. I thought that I would be caught red handed since I did that right in front of the video camera but no one were the wiser so I continue to play. I didn’t intend to win and I am glad that I was kicked out when we were down to about ten but just the kick of cheating (and not slowing down the game) was very thrilling :P
We won first place but more important, I do think that we were able to entertain the crowd and have them feeling like they were part of the games; after all what is the purpose of suffering if it doesn’t bring joy to the crowd???
Too bad I don’t remember all the players of my team because I would love to thank them all for making me remember what fursuiting is all about and how much fun it can be when done with kindred spirit team mates. I haven’t had so much fun with other fursuiters in years.
My mate and I got separated momentarily and when I asked Purplehaze if he had seen my mate and he answered “You mean your fiancée?” That got me right through my heart and that is when it really sank in... he was now my fiancée :D God do I have very nice friends and such a lovely fiancée
I don’t know how I went through that and be able to keep in my tears but often that morning I was on the verge of losing them. With all that, I never made it to the massage panel on time but no regret there :P
I went to my room, took off my fursuit and took a shower before coming back down. I roamed around but the time of leaving was already starting to weigh on me. I was so glad to come across so many of my friends because with all the good emotion I just went through, the sadness of the end of it getting so close. Just staring at the chandeliers or memories of past dead dogs and the tear down I was going to miss this year watered my eyes many times that after-noon. I tried to enjoy all the time I could with my friends up to the very end and I had a heavy heart as I was driving out of the hotels while the ending ceremonies were starting...
In short, way too few hours, way too many events, way too many friends for a simple weekend; a huge THANK YOU to Belic, Princess, my friends, the con staff, my fellow Green Machine teammates and most of the attendees and sorry for the friends I didn’t share much time with. I can’t wait till next year for another Furfright.
Edit: I sure hope that my all my little white teddy bears I left on the table in front of the elevators did find a home full of love to harbor them. Please let me know if you have heard that they found a good home.
Because of the new job, I couldn’t free myself to fully attend Furfright this year; I was able to get there late Thursday night but I had to leave late after-noon on Sunday :). Nonetheless, it was with eagerness that I headed south last Thursday evening. I had a big plan for the weekend and I was just hoping my friends would come through for me.
We arrived at the hotel a bit later than expected and our first night of sleep wasn’t the best we ever had but then again, we were so happy to be amongst friend that we quickly forgot about all the little miss haps. I had plenty of plans to meet old friends, meet new ones and see if I could have more heavy cuddling and adult fun with some of them but as usual, time was again short this year. My only bad experience I had at Furfright this year was when we were waiting in the line for the pre-regs Saturday around 11H30 and that the line didn’t budge for well over 20 min (and I do mean not moving at all). I don’t know what happened but it would have been nice to at least been kept informed so we would have known if it was worth waiting or if we should just come later during the day. One thing good did happen though as I was long enough in the same place for my friend Bleiss to go to his room, take off his fursuit, take a shower and come back down to give me a pile of Sci-Fi TV shows he burned for me :D It’s as if nothing happens in life without a reason (it is easier to laugh about it with a bit of distance ;))
This year, I decided to go to ask for my commission early to get it out of the way. I wanted to get a sketch from an artist with the theme (Welcome back home mate, Good to be home again love, or So happy your home again love...) but sadly the artist I chose didn’t do such commissions but preferred to do badges. Well I had to come up with another inspiring concept and as I was trying to think about something, Miss Karine Charlebois started to chat with me and that spurred an awesome idea. I commissioned her for my sketch. As usual, I kept the description to the minimum; I describe my fursona (in 9 words), my mate (in 5 words...what can I say, he doesn’t wear a collar :P) and I gave her “Duel, Touché but not in the common way”. I was thinking of something like a kiss, a grope or a shaved mark on the pelt. But as usual when I do that kind of commission, she came up with completely another angle and again (after having peeked at my sketch book prior to leaving Furfright) I know I will have an awesome new drawing in my sketch book. What I saw made me laugh (and still bring a big smile on my face when I think about it) and I can’t wait to get my sketchbook back again. I always try to give as much leeway to the artist as I can and to just give them a few words to help them spur an idea.
I went around and spent the few bucks I still had for art that weekend. Now that this was over for the weekend I was heading for my room and a much needed sleep when I was stopped by Arctic Wolf. It was so nice to be able to chat with him again... It is so funny that I can meet and have more conversation with my Canadian friends when I am at Furfright the
an in Canada :/... Most of them I only see at WTF meeting or during WTF convention and God know how hectic that weekend is for me... So I touched base with Arctic who told me that Dorsi was short on staff. When I left Arctic to go and volunteer for Security, I met with yet another Canuck friend. Purplehaze whom is someone that is really dear to me and whom I would like to know better. So I talked with Purple and was happy to hear about the good news and I sure hope the bad news he got that weekend ended up being not as bad as foreseen. Hopefully he made it up all the way home and that his family is doing all right. I finally made it up all the way to Security just to be told that they had all the staff they needed (which really surprised me when I heard many times during the con that they were short of staff and that many volunteers were doing double shifts to cover the needs).
I was able to make it to my room around 2H30 PM and I slept for a good two hours; took a much needed shower and was back with the living. I roamed around a bit and chatted with many friends before going to eat. On my way to Wendy’s, I stopped at CVS to buy shower gel “Howl from Blade” since even though it is made in Canada, the only place I can find it is at CVS :P...
For the rest of the day I just chilled out with friends, until I came across with Brun whom was the first friend I asked help for my little scheme. He was very happy to be of help and he went further than what I expected...things were now in motion and there was no turning back. I went to bed early that night and caught up on much needed sleep.
As I was lying in bed, Silvermane came to the room and prepared himself for the night; it is then that we were able to have a nice discussion. It is sad that we don’t have that opportunity more often.
All I had planned for Saturday was to attend the masquerade and a few panels. I woke up a bit late (8AM) and I went to the lobby where I found Purplehaze. We discussed in a bit more detail his new job and his car situation. It was so nice to see how happy he was about his new challenges. My mate came to join me a bit later and as we were heading to our hotel room we crossed paths with Firebreath and ended up going to eat breakfast with him at the hotel’s restaurant. The food was good and the company was exquisite. Firebreath lives at less than 5 min from me and we have more interaction here at Furfright then in Montreal :P
I was hoping to suit a lot that weekend but my attitude soured after seeing the lack of etiquette of some of the other suiters like chilling out with heads off, walking with the head under their arm, paws off and not even in sweat or breathing hard. Those wandering about seemed to be just wandering with their little fan group around them not looking to interact with other fursuiters or peoples... it is hard for me not to judge them by my values since not only it contradicts with what I believe but it also helps to break the mood for all other kind of fursuiters. I firmly believe that the fursuit (just like a mascot costume) demands the commitment and the respect of the fursuiter; that there is a responsibility to wear such attire. Sadly, many of the people I saw that weekend treated their fursuit just like an expensive Halloween costume. When I do wear the fursuit, its primarily to entertain others for their pleasure first (which then brings me pleasure) and their enjoyment rather than for making me feel important, they are (I have the feeling) doing it to get all the attention they can. While I see it as giving to others, I have the feeling that they prefer getting more than what they are giving back. This feeling of mine might be misplaced but it is still there anyway and that makes it more difficult for me to get in the right mood to fursuit.
I roamed around and chilled with many friends and soon came 4PM so I accepted LupineFox and Soma Cat’s invitation to go eat all-you-can eat pancakes. This was another nice memory to put in my little treasure ;). We came back just in time for the masquerade. I was again a bit disappointed by many acts that night. I feel ill placed to critique but it is not the talent that I will critic as much as the lack of preparation and or practice that many numbers seems to be showing this year. But then again, since I didn’t participate, I won’t go any further down that road. Some of the numbers did impress me though.
Right after the masquerade, I ran to attend my only panel this year “Photographur”. I wanted to learn a bit more about flashes, lighting and photometers but the panel didn’t go in that direction. I still was very happy about it and hopefully I’ll be able to reach Jamie Fix and get the information I am seeking. Sadly, I had to rush out of the panel to run to a prior engagement.
I ran to change myself and get my oil before heading to a dear friend’s room. There I massaged his tired feet some until my elbow was starting to hurt me too much to continue (I suffer a tennis elbow). God knows I like this very special friend and that I would have loved to have a good talk with him but company was in the room and more urgent matters were discussed. Still, I felt very privileged to be able to share time with him. Thanks a lot big guy and sorry I wasn’t able to properly say goodbye before leaving.
I went back to my room and because I had to go to work early on Monday (and because of the problems at work), I couldn’t afford to shorten my night sleep that Saturday. I brushed my fursuit, fix it here and there and instead of going back down and have some fun or heading to a room party and indulge myself in a sin or another, I went to bed L
Next morning, I got up, double checked my fursuit and tried to shoo my mate out of the room. I felt bad to make him feel a bit awkward when all he wanted to do was to get some time with me but I couldn’t afford keeping him in the room while I was writing my proposal speech to the cards for the fursuit massacre surprise. By the time the cards were ready and that my fursuit and its disguise where on, it was time to head down to the fursuit massacre.
I knew that this would be a time to remember for it but nothing could have prepared me for that experience...
First, I went to see PunkTiger who heartfully agreed to help me in my plan. My first nice surprise came in when the teams were drawn. I ended up with the greens and Jamie Fix with a very enthusiastic speech, glued the team together and gave us two goals, WIN and have fun. Someone came with the name MEAN MACHINE which was instantly adopted and we gladly chanted it as often as we could. It was so nice to be able to implicate the crowd in our game :D. I did the best I could to make sure to help my team to the best I could because I knew I was going to cost them the charade game. After the first two games, I was sweating profusely but nothing to compare to how I was sweating just before my turn in the charade... If I thought I had my emotion in check for that, I was greatly mistaken; I started to sweat like crazy, my heart just wanted to break free of its cage and I had problem keeping focus on what was happening. Finally it was my turn to go and after fooling around a bit, I finally kneel and ask my mate to marry me. To see the changes going through his face and eyes as emotions assailed him (happy to have solve the riddle, noticing the ring, surprise, astonishment, happiness...). This moment will be burned in my memory forever. I felt so proud and happy to have him in my life (and still do ;) ). And once I thought it was over and done, my team just circled me and hugged me and I felt so warmed by their congratulations and good wishes. For that moment, it felt like the team become one just like if we would have been together as a team for years. I was overwhelmed by the reaction and I do hope my mate got some of that feeling too on his side. It took me some time to touch ground again.
I was so happy and excited that I even cheated on the musical chair. Quite at the beginning of that game, I found myself without a chair but I spotted an empty one in the crowd on the front row so I dived on it and made believe chatting with the guy there. As soon as everyone was up and ready for another round, I joined in. I thought that I would be caught red handed since I did that right in front of the video camera but no one were the wiser so I continue to play. I didn’t intend to win and I am glad that I was kicked out when we were down to about ten but just the kick of cheating (and not slowing down the game) was very thrilling :P
We won first place but more important, I do think that we were able to entertain the crowd and have them feeling like they were part of the games; after all what is the purpose of suffering if it doesn’t bring joy to the crowd???
Too bad I don’t remember all the players of my team because I would love to thank them all for making me remember what fursuiting is all about and how much fun it can be when done with kindred spirit team mates. I haven’t had so much fun with other fursuiters in years.
My mate and I got separated momentarily and when I asked Purplehaze if he had seen my mate and he answered “You mean your fiancée?” That got me right through my heart and that is when it really sank in... he was now my fiancée :D God do I have very nice friends and such a lovely fiancée
I don’t know how I went through that and be able to keep in my tears but often that morning I was on the verge of losing them. With all that, I never made it to the massage panel on time but no regret there :P
I went to my room, took off my fursuit and took a shower before coming back down. I roamed around but the time of leaving was already starting to weigh on me. I was so glad to come across so many of my friends because with all the good emotion I just went through, the sadness of the end of it getting so close. Just staring at the chandeliers or memories of past dead dogs and the tear down I was going to miss this year watered my eyes many times that after-noon. I tried to enjoy all the time I could with my friends up to the very end and I had a heavy heart as I was driving out of the hotels while the ending ceremonies were starting...
In short, way too few hours, way too many events, way too many friends for a simple weekend; a huge THANK YOU to Belic, Princess, my friends, the con staff, my fellow Green Machine teammates and most of the attendees and sorry for the friends I didn’t share much time with. I can’t wait till next year for another Furfright.
Edit: I sure hope that my all my little white teddy bears I left on the table in front of the elevators did find a home full of love to harbor them. Please let me know if you have heard that they found a good home.