Furry Weekend Atlanta 2010
So I suppose you guys are just dying to know how my impromptu decision to go to this con panned out. Sorry for making everyone wait a week, but I've been working and using my downtime to follow up on some after-convention things that needed doing.
The convention set up in the hotel on Thursday, but I was working that day. For me, the real adventure began when I got off work at 4:00 am on Friday. Since my Greyhound wasn't scheduled to arrive until 6 so Dad and I had some time to kill. Most places where closed at that unholy hour in the morning, but we discovered that the local Denny's was a 24-hour establishment, so we went there to eat. Unfortunately, we also discovered that they where only staffed by two people total, and we ended up waiting nearly half an hour to get service. There was a gang group of kids at the Denny's before us, and the whole restaurant stunk of sweet cheap cigar smoke, even the non-smoking section. People sitting in the non-smoking section kept leaving the building to smoke, and I'm pretty sure some customers got out of paying this way. The experience was just terrible, but I feel sorry for those two poor women working the Denny's that night...Anyhow, we finished eating and drove to the bus station. It turned out that my ride was an hour late, which was frustrating as I had hoped to get some sleep on the trip. This turned out to be an outright impossibility though, as when the bus did turn up, it was packed like a can of sardines. I think Greyhound has made some pretty severe cutbacks to some of their routes or something if we had that many people riding that early into Anderson. None of them departed. I passed out for a bit on the ride up, which was painful on my neck, but I got a little sleep, I guess. About halfway throughout the trip, we stopped to pick up more passengers and got kicked off the bus for lack of room. They called up another bus going straight to Atlanta, just for us. Now I was finally able to relax and get some sleep, as this time the bus was empty except for the few of us. Unfortunately, we lost another hour off our already-late schedule when the driver of this new bus spent as long gab-festing on the phone at the bus stop.
Eventually we arrived in Atlanta, two hours later than intended. The opening ceremonies where going on at the moment I stepped off the bus. Tired and hungry, knowing I would not see food or sleep for many hours yet, I stepped off the bus and followed the directions I had printed out from the convention website over to the Marta station, where the trains seemed to zip by every three minutes. I rode down to Peachtree and followed the directions faithfully, getting lost because where they told me to turn left, they actually meant right. Fortunately, I was able to find my way to the Hilton fairly quickly, immediately walking over to the check in, which only took a few minutes. Then I went up to my room to deposit my stuff and then it was back downstairs to register at the con. At the registry, I ran into my old friend thdrgngrl , who had arrived in Atlanta at roughly the same time I did. Since I had a bit before the convention introductory panel ("So This Is Your First Con?"), I took some time to wander around the Dealer's Den, checking out the goods for sale and introducing myself to folks I had previously known only as a screen name in the fandom. After that, I decided to skip the next few events in order to hit the Artist's Alley, where I once again ran into Diggy. Deciding to make good on an old promise (and feeling quite famished myself), I offered to grab her a bite to eat. Having seen some convention goers walking around with Chick-Fil-A, I endeavored to find it, walking for some distance before finally discovering it in a local mall. I got back to the con in time to catch the "DJing 101" panel before moving on to catch the tail end of "Drawing Basic Anatomy", staying in the room for what I really wanted to attend, the "Second Life Meet And Greet". I knew exactly one person from in world already, but I still got the chance to meet lots of new and interesting people on this side of the screen, heh heh. Once that was over with, I dragged myself upstairs to my room and ate my lunch. I think I napped until 7, at which time bucktowntiger was scheduled to perform. Getting up, I went down to go watch him, surprised to find him playing in his fursuit, which was a full tiger getup. Much respect to him for doing that; I'm sure it wasn't easy. Once that was over, I got side-tracked again by the Artist's Alley and searching for dinner. Accidentally missed the last panel I wanted to see on that day ("The Furry Dating Show"), so just decided to take it easy, chilling with other convention goers and stepping into the DJ parties to listen to the tunes. It was funky; like stepping into one of the weekend parties on Second Life. My first rave! Got a phone call from citrusbastard telling me to meet him up front at around this time, but I couldn't hear him very well. Eventually found him playing his drums outside the hotel. The man was totally wasted; It's a wonder he was able to reach the hotel in one piece he was so inebriated. I don't think I've ever seen someone so drunk, though I hear from others that some people actually got more drunk at the con...Anyways, I helped him out however I could, trying to follow the conversation as I trailed him and his friends into the hotel lobby. Seeing as how he was well situated with his friends, I parted ways with him and sought out my own room for sleep.
Saturday:
My first full day at the con. I had brought my alarm clock with me in the hopes that I could get up early and enjoy the con more (my hours working night shift during the weekend had conditioned me to sleep during the day), but unfortunately, my clock failed that morning and I slept through most of the events. Cursing my ill fortune, I rushed downstairs, managing to make it just in time for the "Fursuit Parade". I was impressed with the colorful assortment of hand-made suits on display. It was a bizarre experience, standing there as they all danced by. After trying to snap a few pictures with my new cheap-ass digital camera, I wandered back into the Dealer's Den and bought a few things. For only $40, I was able to purchase a complete set of Ironclaw/Jadeclaw, with expansions. I also purchased a collection of Kevin & Kell comics, which I got autographed by Bill Holbrook, and the first Redwall and 12th Sabrina Online for just $5. halioffirpine finally had a collection of his cd's in (he didn't the previous day), so I purchased his album "Goodbye Planet Earth" and had him autograph it. Great guy, Mr. Ebel. From there I went into the Artist's Alley and made a few commissions before the next event, "Furries In Pop Culture" with Uncle Kage and 2 The Ranting Gryphon. In between panels, I managed to run into hossblacksilver by pure happenstance. I had no idea he was attending. From there I went to watch halioffirpine 's live concert. Awesome stuff. Hearing his album, I think he actually sounds better live than he does in the studio. Immediately after the high energy concert, 2's rant took place, and I sat through half of it before heading over to a meet I had been invited to. There was supposed to be pizza there, and I was very hungry at this time, but unfortunately I couldn't stay, having forgotten that I had signed up for the Furoticon tournament. Hurrying over to the event room, I found I had arrived just in time. I was issued a demo deck, given a chance to customize it for quick play, and the game began. I played three rounds total, winning my first, losing my second to stupid mistakes, and losing my final round to a genuinely better opponent. Once the final scores where tallied, I tied with three others for last place. Oh well, I still had fun. It was an interesting card game, to say the least, though it wasn't anything really new; it borrowed a lot of concepts from Magic: The Gathering. By this time I was starving, so I went about trying to bum the phone number for a pizza place off people, asking if they knew any place that still delivered (it was around 2-3 am at this point). Someone gave me the number for Papa Johns, and I got my pizza, grabbing a beer from the hotel Starbucks downstairs. Going back up to the convention floor to eat, I ran into citrusbastard again, who looked both tired and drunk this time. I gave him some of my pizza on the way up to his room, figuring he needed it more than I did. When we arrive, his roommate was already asleep inside, and I stood by as he pounded on the door. The gentleman his roommate was sleeping with opened the door a little, took one look at us, and closed the door, locking this poor bastard out. So the two of us roamed the hotel for a bit until we ran into another of his friends by chance, who offered to shack him up for the night. That adventure having been completed, I headed off for bed...
Sunday:
This time my alarm clock woke me up when intended, my having checked it beforehand the previous night. Walking out into a misty Atlanta morning, I went to the restaurant at the mall, which was open 24 hours (even though the mall wasn't. odd.) and had an omelet. Returning to the convention, I went to the Artist's Alley and made good on the commissions I had ordered, checking status and such. Then I went back to the Dealer's Den and made a few last minute impulse buys, namely a few buttons and the new book from lastres0rt, which I got autographed, along with a grab bag. I also got both of bucktowntiger 's albums. I went to catch some of "Uncle Kage's Story Hour", but had lost too much time in the Dealer's Den, and realized I needed to pack. Unfortunately, I could not find my keycard, having lost it somewhere that morning. After backtracking hurriedly through both the Dealer's Den and the Artist's Alley, I went down to the front desk to explain my situation and learned that I had missed my checkout time at 11. I was surprised, as no one had told me when I checked in that there was to be a specific checkout time. The clerk gave me a new cardkey and I rushed back upstairs to hastily pack, realizing by now that it would be close but I could still make it if I hurried. Throwing out plans to grab lunch on the way to the station, I checked out of the hotel after a few last minute goodbyes and a purchase of citrusbastard 's new album. Then I rushed out into Atlanta, originally intending to cut through the mall to reach Peachtree station (having only a vague idea of where it was), though I was met by a transient who attempted to give me erroneous directions in exchange for food. I thanked him for the advice, but told him I didn't have any cash and really needed to go. Beating a hasty retreat, I walked around the entire block without finding Peachtree, discovering that the transient's advice was incorrect. Now running on a very close schedule, I wasted the last bit of cash I had on a taxi to Peachtree. After running into the Marta station, I was met with...a 15 minute wait. The trains where behind! That was all it took, as when I arrived at the Greyhound station I discovered I had missed the bus. I asked if there was any way I could re-route, but was told that there weren't going to be any buses running to Anderson until 8 that night! I was stunned by how far Greyhound had cut back on their services...usually they are pretty on the ball; or maybe it's just that the city I live in doesn't count. In any case, I was now stranded in Atlanta with no money. After making a fruitless call home, my options boiled down to walking or taking a cab. Since I had to be home in time for work, I decided to inquire a cab how much it would cost to go out of state. According to the cabbie, the 3 hour trip would cost me $200. More transients approached me and started treating me like royalty...it was very weird. In any case, I figured $200 was a fair price for a ride out of state, and a private cab beat the alternative of hitchhiking/getting mugged/being killed. Explaining to the driver that I had no physical currencies on my being, we stopped at an ATM machine, after which I paid the driver most of the money up front, to prove I was serious about making this trip. Then we where off! Now with the time to relax, I went through my things to make sure I had everything. Whenever I am rushed into a haste, I always forget something, either superficial or material. It didn't fail, and it turned out I left my cd player at the motel. This was an acceptable loss though; there was nothing in it, not even batteries, and the player was a 2002 model with a malfunctioning display; it would have needed replaced eventually anyways.
After an uneventful ride back into town, I directed the cabbie over to the Greyhound station, ironically arriving at the same time as the bus. I owed the cabbie some more monies, so we left in search of another ATM, finding one eventually. After tipping the driver a substantial amount, he drove me back to the station where I waited out a thunderstorm under the druve-through awning of a nearby closed bank, where my Mom found me. Together, the two of us went to a new Japanese steak house that had opened up recently in town (it sucked) before I was taken off to work, where I felt super derpy for the rest of the night.
In conclusion:
Regardless as to what you may or may not think about the furry fandom, take it from someone who's actually had the balls to go out and experience it himself: these conventions aren't all that bad. They're really nothing more than a big geek gathering, with lots of games, comics, and fantasy art. I met a lot of folks who I had only ever encountered online. I met even more folks who I didn't know at all. There was a lot of weirdness, sure. Grown people running around wearing fake ears and tails, or full body fursuits. But they where all really nice people. I was surprised at how genial everyone was; even in the Artist's Alley, where the atmosphere is always a bit harried. All of the artists where patient with me re: my hearing problem, as where all of the other individuals I met. I was impressed. I was also surprised to find that all the artists that did draw risque or pornographic art had everything meticulously labeled and/or censored. And the people there came from all walks. There where young people and old, of both sexes, many different races and ethnic backgrounds. The artists where great, and the music was good. Throw out the furry, and what you have here is a convention celebrating creativity. That's why I went, and I do believe I will keep on going. Party on, dudes!
I'll be posting con pictures and commissions in a follow-up post.
----------------
Now playing: Alan Silvestri - Back to the Future Overture
via FoxyTunes
How do you turn a disadvantage into an asset? You could ask this fellow, who took his diabetes diagnosis as a key into a new career.
A televised poker tournament in Berlin was robbed on camera.
The Yellow Spotted Bell Frog, thought to have been extinct for 30 years, was recently discovered alive in the Australian wilds in a single thriving colony.
The convention set up in the hotel on Thursday, but I was working that day. For me, the real adventure began when I got off work at 4:00 am on Friday. Since my Greyhound wasn't scheduled to arrive until 6 so Dad and I had some time to kill. Most places where closed at that unholy hour in the morning, but we discovered that the local Denny's was a 24-hour establishment, so we went there to eat. Unfortunately, we also discovered that they where only staffed by two people total, and we ended up waiting nearly half an hour to get service. There was a gang group of kids at the Denny's before us, and the whole restaurant stunk of sweet cheap cigar smoke, even the non-smoking section. People sitting in the non-smoking section kept leaving the building to smoke, and I'm pretty sure some customers got out of paying this way. The experience was just terrible, but I feel sorry for those two poor women working the Denny's that night...Anyhow, we finished eating and drove to the bus station. It turned out that my ride was an hour late, which was frustrating as I had hoped to get some sleep on the trip. This turned out to be an outright impossibility though, as when the bus did turn up, it was packed like a can of sardines. I think Greyhound has made some pretty severe cutbacks to some of their routes or something if we had that many people riding that early into Anderson. None of them departed. I passed out for a bit on the ride up, which was painful on my neck, but I got a little sleep, I guess. About halfway throughout the trip, we stopped to pick up more passengers and got kicked off the bus for lack of room. They called up another bus going straight to Atlanta, just for us. Now I was finally able to relax and get some sleep, as this time the bus was empty except for the few of us. Unfortunately, we lost another hour off our already-late schedule when the driver of this new bus spent as long gab-festing on the phone at the bus stop.
Eventually we arrived in Atlanta, two hours later than intended. The opening ceremonies where going on at the moment I stepped off the bus. Tired and hungry, knowing I would not see food or sleep for many hours yet, I stepped off the bus and followed the directions I had printed out from the convention website over to the Marta station, where the trains seemed to zip by every three minutes. I rode down to Peachtree and followed the directions faithfully, getting lost because where they told me to turn left, they actually meant right. Fortunately, I was able to find my way to the Hilton fairly quickly, immediately walking over to the check in, which only took a few minutes. Then I went up to my room to deposit my stuff and then it was back downstairs to register at the con. At the registry, I ran into my old friend thdrgngrl , who had arrived in Atlanta at roughly the same time I did. Since I had a bit before the convention introductory panel ("So This Is Your First Con?"), I took some time to wander around the Dealer's Den, checking out the goods for sale and introducing myself to folks I had previously known only as a screen name in the fandom. After that, I decided to skip the next few events in order to hit the Artist's Alley, where I once again ran into Diggy. Deciding to make good on an old promise (and feeling quite famished myself), I offered to grab her a bite to eat. Having seen some convention goers walking around with Chick-Fil-A, I endeavored to find it, walking for some distance before finally discovering it in a local mall. I got back to the con in time to catch the "DJing 101" panel before moving on to catch the tail end of "Drawing Basic Anatomy", staying in the room for what I really wanted to attend, the "Second Life Meet And Greet". I knew exactly one person from in world already, but I still got the chance to meet lots of new and interesting people on this side of the screen, heh heh. Once that was over with, I dragged myself upstairs to my room and ate my lunch. I think I napped until 7, at which time bucktowntiger was scheduled to perform. Getting up, I went down to go watch him, surprised to find him playing in his fursuit, which was a full tiger getup. Much respect to him for doing that; I'm sure it wasn't easy. Once that was over, I got side-tracked again by the Artist's Alley and searching for dinner. Accidentally missed the last panel I wanted to see on that day ("The Furry Dating Show"), so just decided to take it easy, chilling with other convention goers and stepping into the DJ parties to listen to the tunes. It was funky; like stepping into one of the weekend parties on Second Life. My first rave! Got a phone call from citrusbastard telling me to meet him up front at around this time, but I couldn't hear him very well. Eventually found him playing his drums outside the hotel. The man was totally wasted; It's a wonder he was able to reach the hotel in one piece he was so inebriated. I don't think I've ever seen someone so drunk, though I hear from others that some people actually got more drunk at the con...Anyways, I helped him out however I could, trying to follow the conversation as I trailed him and his friends into the hotel lobby. Seeing as how he was well situated with his friends, I parted ways with him and sought out my own room for sleep.
Saturday:
My first full day at the con. I had brought my alarm clock with me in the hopes that I could get up early and enjoy the con more (my hours working night shift during the weekend had conditioned me to sleep during the day), but unfortunately, my clock failed that morning and I slept through most of the events. Cursing my ill fortune, I rushed downstairs, managing to make it just in time for the "Fursuit Parade". I was impressed with the colorful assortment of hand-made suits on display. It was a bizarre experience, standing there as they all danced by. After trying to snap a few pictures with my new cheap-ass digital camera, I wandered back into the Dealer's Den and bought a few things. For only $40, I was able to purchase a complete set of Ironclaw/Jadeclaw, with expansions. I also purchased a collection of Kevin & Kell comics, which I got autographed by Bill Holbrook, and the first Redwall and 12th Sabrina Online for just $5. halioffirpine finally had a collection of his cd's in (he didn't the previous day), so I purchased his album "Goodbye Planet Earth" and had him autograph it. Great guy, Mr. Ebel. From there I went into the Artist's Alley and made a few commissions before the next event, "Furries In Pop Culture" with Uncle Kage and 2 The Ranting Gryphon. In between panels, I managed to run into hossblacksilver by pure happenstance. I had no idea he was attending. From there I went to watch halioffirpine 's live concert. Awesome stuff. Hearing his album, I think he actually sounds better live than he does in the studio. Immediately after the high energy concert, 2's rant took place, and I sat through half of it before heading over to a meet I had been invited to. There was supposed to be pizza there, and I was very hungry at this time, but unfortunately I couldn't stay, having forgotten that I had signed up for the Furoticon tournament. Hurrying over to the event room, I found I had arrived just in time. I was issued a demo deck, given a chance to customize it for quick play, and the game began. I played three rounds total, winning my first, losing my second to stupid mistakes, and losing my final round to a genuinely better opponent. Once the final scores where tallied, I tied with three others for last place. Oh well, I still had fun. It was an interesting card game, to say the least, though it wasn't anything really new; it borrowed a lot of concepts from Magic: The Gathering. By this time I was starving, so I went about trying to bum the phone number for a pizza place off people, asking if they knew any place that still delivered (it was around 2-3 am at this point). Someone gave me the number for Papa Johns, and I got my pizza, grabbing a beer from the hotel Starbucks downstairs. Going back up to the convention floor to eat, I ran into citrusbastard again, who looked both tired and drunk this time. I gave him some of my pizza on the way up to his room, figuring he needed it more than I did. When we arrive, his roommate was already asleep inside, and I stood by as he pounded on the door. The gentleman his roommate was sleeping with opened the door a little, took one look at us, and closed the door, locking this poor bastard out. So the two of us roamed the hotel for a bit until we ran into another of his friends by chance, who offered to shack him up for the night. That adventure having been completed, I headed off for bed...
Sunday:
This time my alarm clock woke me up when intended, my having checked it beforehand the previous night. Walking out into a misty Atlanta morning, I went to the restaurant at the mall, which was open 24 hours (even though the mall wasn't. odd.) and had an omelet. Returning to the convention, I went to the Artist's Alley and made good on the commissions I had ordered, checking status and such. Then I went back to the Dealer's Den and made a few last minute impulse buys, namely a few buttons and the new book from lastres0rt, which I got autographed, along with a grab bag. I also got both of bucktowntiger 's albums. I went to catch some of "Uncle Kage's Story Hour", but had lost too much time in the Dealer's Den, and realized I needed to pack. Unfortunately, I could not find my keycard, having lost it somewhere that morning. After backtracking hurriedly through both the Dealer's Den and the Artist's Alley, I went down to the front desk to explain my situation and learned that I had missed my checkout time at 11. I was surprised, as no one had told me when I checked in that there was to be a specific checkout time. The clerk gave me a new cardkey and I rushed back upstairs to hastily pack, realizing by now that it would be close but I could still make it if I hurried. Throwing out plans to grab lunch on the way to the station, I checked out of the hotel after a few last minute goodbyes and a purchase of citrusbastard 's new album. Then I rushed out into Atlanta, originally intending to cut through the mall to reach Peachtree station (having only a vague idea of where it was), though I was met by a transient who attempted to give me erroneous directions in exchange for food. I thanked him for the advice, but told him I didn't have any cash and really needed to go. Beating a hasty retreat, I walked around the entire block without finding Peachtree, discovering that the transient's advice was incorrect. Now running on a very close schedule, I wasted the last bit of cash I had on a taxi to Peachtree. After running into the Marta station, I was met with...a 15 minute wait. The trains where behind! That was all it took, as when I arrived at the Greyhound station I discovered I had missed the bus. I asked if there was any way I could re-route, but was told that there weren't going to be any buses running to Anderson until 8 that night! I was stunned by how far Greyhound had cut back on their services...usually they are pretty on the ball; or maybe it's just that the city I live in doesn't count. In any case, I was now stranded in Atlanta with no money. After making a fruitless call home, my options boiled down to walking or taking a cab. Since I had to be home in time for work, I decided to inquire a cab how much it would cost to go out of state. According to the cabbie, the 3 hour trip would cost me $200. More transients approached me and started treating me like royalty...it was very weird. In any case, I figured $200 was a fair price for a ride out of state, and a private cab beat the alternative of hitchhiking/getting mugged/being killed. Explaining to the driver that I had no physical currencies on my being, we stopped at an ATM machine, after which I paid the driver most of the money up front, to prove I was serious about making this trip. Then we where off! Now with the time to relax, I went through my things to make sure I had everything. Whenever I am rushed into a haste, I always forget something, either superficial or material. It didn't fail, and it turned out I left my cd player at the motel. This was an acceptable loss though; there was nothing in it, not even batteries, and the player was a 2002 model with a malfunctioning display; it would have needed replaced eventually anyways.
After an uneventful ride back into town, I directed the cabbie over to the Greyhound station, ironically arriving at the same time as the bus. I owed the cabbie some more monies, so we left in search of another ATM, finding one eventually. After tipping the driver a substantial amount, he drove me back to the station where I waited out a thunderstorm under the druve-through awning of a nearby closed bank, where my Mom found me. Together, the two of us went to a new Japanese steak house that had opened up recently in town (it sucked) before I was taken off to work, where I felt super derpy for the rest of the night.
In conclusion:
Regardless as to what you may or may not think about the furry fandom, take it from someone who's actually had the balls to go out and experience it himself: these conventions aren't all that bad. They're really nothing more than a big geek gathering, with lots of games, comics, and fantasy art. I met a lot of folks who I had only ever encountered online. I met even more folks who I didn't know at all. There was a lot of weirdness, sure. Grown people running around wearing fake ears and tails, or full body fursuits. But they where all really nice people. I was surprised at how genial everyone was; even in the Artist's Alley, where the atmosphere is always a bit harried. All of the artists where patient with me re: my hearing problem, as where all of the other individuals I met. I was impressed. I was also surprised to find that all the artists that did draw risque or pornographic art had everything meticulously labeled and/or censored. And the people there came from all walks. There where young people and old, of both sexes, many different races and ethnic backgrounds. The artists where great, and the music was good. Throw out the furry, and what you have here is a convention celebrating creativity. That's why I went, and I do believe I will keep on going. Party on, dudes!
I'll be posting con pictures and commissions in a follow-up post.
----------------
Now playing: Alan Silvestri - Back to the Future Overture
via FoxyTunes
How do you turn a disadvantage into an asset? You could ask this fellow, who took his diabetes diagnosis as a key into a new career.
A televised poker tournament in Berlin was robbed on camera.
The Yellow Spotted Bell Frog, thought to have been extinct for 30 years, was recently discovered alive in the Australian wilds in a single thriving colony.