Achievements Unlocked [EF Con Report]
»Hello Livejournal, beloved dear, I'm home again.«
These are the opening words from Riffuchs' LJ written after Eurofurence twenty. Also, like mine, it is his reappearance on LJ for quite some time. In my case, my journal has been dormant for the better part of a year. No time, no fun, nothing to say makes for poor words. Poorly worded thoughts bad journals make.
Of course there were good times, a lot actually, I have achieved a lot, and have a lot to look forward to achieving. However when burdening down with projects and work, the little time remaining was spent otherwise. So let's briefly talk about those achievements: At the young age of 36, I have now worked for nearly all walks of companies and societies creating illustration and graphic designs. Here in my birth- and hometown, there is hardly anything else I can strive to achieve. I have worked for all and created for all. My self-employment has been a satisfying experience in those regards.
Equally in the furry fandom: Over the past ten years, I have achieved a modest but stable career and have the milestones to show: I have been published four times in reknown publications - that is certainly worn mentioning, given I am an inksplodging vector dabbling dweeb. I have acclaimed art pieces of mine go to art auctions. I have travelled the world in pursuit of this hobby we ourselves call our lifetime calling. I have started staffing as a simple volunteer and this EF I have more credits under my belt than I ever thought I would have. My modest success now pays the hotel bill and the traveling costs, perhaps it will eventually also pay for the expenses at the con or the con fee…
You see, there is little left for me to strive for within what I consider my interest path in the Furry Fandom. One was to have a project with a team of dedicated folk, bringing in my professional expertise. Being an executive layout designer for the con book merged hobby and professional work. The other was to share the creativity with those, who inspire me in a field beyond my drawing and painting. My work for the Pawpet Show this year seemingly did this for me in a weird quirky way. It also had me up on main stage, bowing to one of the largest audiences I have ever had whilst contributing to a creative project outside of professional work. Added in that some soundbites of me might end up in the prolific ARTE Trax coverage of the Convention I can even tick "media coverage" off my list…
Virtually within the past ten years, within my modest means and within the scope possible, I have achieved everything perceivably possible. Somehow, I now feel, I can retire from everything, having achieved my legacy. On the other hand, it shows me, I have nothing more to proove. My work, my ambitions are something I can stand prowd by. Perhaps this means, I will stress less over Fandom Fame and Popufurism in comparison with my work output. I am the quirky artist on the artistic fringes of the fandom, but this is really the place I feel at home at. The creativity driving the musicians, actors, suiters and the makers behind the scenes is something I fully feel a part of. Appart from the fuzzy "I am one of the creative cloud" feeling I also have the achievements unlocked to showcase it.
This EF I bounced about in the Dealers Den, smoothed and breezed through the Art Show as the deputy director (this art show being one of the smoothest shows ever) and suffered and then succeeded with the Pawpetshow crew. It was hell of a ride and partially overwhelming. PatriX rightfully notes that I hardly had any time for my friends amongst all my duties. Given it is my supportive friends whom allowed me to enter my convention-career I should seek to find more time for them. Whilst some of my closest friends are taking a convention sabbatical and missing out all of the cons this year, I have fully embraced the con as full time volunteer, staffer and director. Given this could also be noted an achievement, perhaps it actually is time to recap a bit: My staff duties hindered me to go and visit the panels by one of the Guests of Honour. Ursula Vernon has been one of the inspirational artists from the earlier days of my fandom work, and I had to miss out on the panels she held due to the Art Close and the Art & Charity Auction.
Of course I would like to use this opportunity to thank all my fellow staffers and all of my friends for their support and relentless work in support of our creative visions and goals. You guys know who you are! You rock my socks - I am constantly humbled by your energy and drive to aid the convention and push things the extra mile. Even if you aren't on staff, don't create and are simply an attendee attending, you are part of our all Eurofurence experience. Thank you!
So, what of this »Achivement Unlocked« talk? Sound like Good-byes? Well, in some way it is: As of today, I am entering negotiations with the municipal theatre whom I have also been working with for ten years now. My goal is to leave my current hire and fire regime in exchange for a long term contract. The youthful living day to day has to make way for a partially stable income. This will of course mean that I might not have the days off to go furry geek a weekend as I used to. However, with a stable income, I can then support hobbies, lifetime callings and my life with my horse even better. Hoping this will take some of the pressure and stress away and grant me more plantable time! Onward!
These are the opening words from Riffuchs' LJ written after Eurofurence twenty. Also, like mine, it is his reappearance on LJ for quite some time. In my case, my journal has been dormant for the better part of a year. No time, no fun, nothing to say makes for poor words. Poorly worded thoughts bad journals make.
Of course there were good times, a lot actually, I have achieved a lot, and have a lot to look forward to achieving. However when burdening down with projects and work, the little time remaining was spent otherwise. So let's briefly talk about those achievements: At the young age of 36, I have now worked for nearly all walks of companies and societies creating illustration and graphic designs. Here in my birth- and hometown, there is hardly anything else I can strive to achieve. I have worked for all and created for all. My self-employment has been a satisfying experience in those regards.
Equally in the furry fandom: Over the past ten years, I have achieved a modest but stable career and have the milestones to show: I have been published four times in reknown publications - that is certainly worn mentioning, given I am an inksplodging vector dabbling dweeb. I have acclaimed art pieces of mine go to art auctions. I have travelled the world in pursuit of this hobby we ourselves call our lifetime calling. I have started staffing as a simple volunteer and this EF I have more credits under my belt than I ever thought I would have. My modest success now pays the hotel bill and the traveling costs, perhaps it will eventually also pay for the expenses at the con or the con fee…
You see, there is little left for me to strive for within what I consider my interest path in the Furry Fandom. One was to have a project with a team of dedicated folk, bringing in my professional expertise. Being an executive layout designer for the con book merged hobby and professional work. The other was to share the creativity with those, who inspire me in a field beyond my drawing and painting. My work for the Pawpet Show this year seemingly did this for me in a weird quirky way. It also had me up on main stage, bowing to one of the largest audiences I have ever had whilst contributing to a creative project outside of professional work. Added in that some soundbites of me might end up in the prolific ARTE Trax coverage of the Convention I can even tick "media coverage" off my list…
Virtually within the past ten years, within my modest means and within the scope possible, I have achieved everything perceivably possible. Somehow, I now feel, I can retire from everything, having achieved my legacy. On the other hand, it shows me, I have nothing more to proove. My work, my ambitions are something I can stand prowd by. Perhaps this means, I will stress less over Fandom Fame and Popufurism in comparison with my work output. I am the quirky artist on the artistic fringes of the fandom, but this is really the place I feel at home at. The creativity driving the musicians, actors, suiters and the makers behind the scenes is something I fully feel a part of. Appart from the fuzzy "I am one of the creative cloud" feeling I also have the achievements unlocked to showcase it.
This EF I bounced about in the Dealers Den, smoothed and breezed through the Art Show as the deputy director (this art show being one of the smoothest shows ever) and suffered and then succeeded with the Pawpetshow crew. It was hell of a ride and partially overwhelming. PatriX rightfully notes that I hardly had any time for my friends amongst all my duties. Given it is my supportive friends whom allowed me to enter my convention-career I should seek to find more time for them. Whilst some of my closest friends are taking a convention sabbatical and missing out all of the cons this year, I have fully embraced the con as full time volunteer, staffer and director. Given this could also be noted an achievement, perhaps it actually is time to recap a bit: My staff duties hindered me to go and visit the panels by one of the Guests of Honour. Ursula Vernon has been one of the inspirational artists from the earlier days of my fandom work, and I had to miss out on the panels she held due to the Art Close and the Art & Charity Auction.
Of course I would like to use this opportunity to thank all my fellow staffers and all of my friends for their support and relentless work in support of our creative visions and goals. You guys know who you are! You rock my socks - I am constantly humbled by your energy and drive to aid the convention and push things the extra mile. Even if you aren't on staff, don't create and are simply an attendee attending, you are part of our all Eurofurence experience. Thank you!
So, what of this »Achivement Unlocked« talk? Sound like Good-byes? Well, in some way it is: As of today, I am entering negotiations with the municipal theatre whom I have also been working with for ten years now. My goal is to leave my current hire and fire regime in exchange for a long term contract. The youthful living day to day has to make way for a partially stable income. This will of course mean that I might not have the days off to go furry geek a weekend as I used to. However, with a stable income, I can then support hobbies, lifetime callings and my life with my horse even better. Hoping this will take some of the pressure and stress away and grant me more plantable time! Onward!