Califur 2010
There is always something about life and cons that catches me by surprise - there are always ups and downs. However, despite the ups and downs one usually walks away with good memories. At least it is this way for me.
As with any con, I had my share of witness for ups and downs. There was that annual feeling of "damn I wish I had a fursuit", the feeling the con was small in attendance (which isn't/wasn't the case), and then there were the KROQ cock gobblers.
I know some folks enjoyed KROQ being there, but with any group of people there will always be assholes. I ran into more assholes than I did good people from the KROQ group. My first encounter was with two guys going up the elevator. The door was closing I stopped it so they could hop in (you know, nice deed, being nice, etc etc). I observed they each had a fair bit of pint (beer) on them. They were cool for the first 5 seconds then it went south faster than Hurrican Catrina. The damage began.
Guy #2 - Thanks for holding the elevator
Me - No problem. Drinking beer huh. Whatcha drinking, Sam Adams?
Guy #1 - Miller Light.
At that point #1 paused and then got that look on his face that told me trouble was starting.
Guy #1 - Oh you're all part of those freaks...
Me - Sorry?
Guy #1 - You guys are all into that freaky sex shit.
Me - I'm not sure where you're getting that from
Guy #1 - You all like all that faggoty sex freak shit I bet.
Me - Coming from a guy drinking a "Miller Light".
Guy #1 - Fuck you faggot.
Me - Sir, you're drunk, belligerent, and honestly I find it hard to think you any less a quote-unquote "faggot" for that light beer your drinking. Can't handle real beer?
Guy #2 - oooooh!
Guy #1 - I'll kick your ass faggot.
Me - Anytime you want McGruber.
And the convo broke down even further from there. Thankfully I was posted on the 5th floor and was spared what would have been more to follow. Of course the guy continued to spew profanities, derogatory comments but I decided to be the man among the boys and walk away.
Through the rest of that night it seemed to be KROQ vs furries. How did such a thing happen?
During my stay at the hotel this weekend I didn't take a lot of time to go deep thinking. Now that I'm back home it makes me beg to ask how could a few people from each side spread their hate to the point that I doubt such a combination would ever go without hate happening. Heck, in the fandom itself it's hard to keep the hate out. You know furries and how they luvs them sum drama. :B
Also during the con, I heard many people complaining about the various ongoings of the con itself. Take a pick and I'm sure it was complained about by someone. The coolest thing I saw at the con though was a couple bringing their young child with them, both were fursuiters and both walked with their child through the fursuit parade. That was very damn cute and awesome at the same time. If I have kids, I hope I can do that too.
When it comes to such thingis I will be honest: I'm simple minded for the most part.
I enjoyed Califur, though I would have been more outgoing if I had a fursuit. Some people have asked me why I would need a fursuit to accomplish such. I don't have a complete answer but I can put some of the thoughts here.
Ultimately it is something like wearing sunglasses. When we wear sunglasses we are more likely to look people in the eye when talk to them. We are more outgoing and feel more emboldened (if I even spelled that correctly...). Often times people act/respond different when they do not have sunglasses on. For some, that is a 'mask' of sorts. I can't really explain it to well. At any rate, that is the same type of approach in regards to being a fursuiter. It allows one to be more outgoing than one would if one did not have a suit on.
Anyways, minus all my ramblings above, I loved Califur. I know some do not like it but it's home for me. This was my first furry con and certainly not to be my last. I hope to someday branch out to other cons and friends are able to assist me in doing so. I did get invited to a few this year but I need to finish getting my real life back on track, financially.
Then it's time to look into a fursuit. I'm sure my friends will be bugged by me over time with me asking questions, asking for help, and insider assistance.
If I play my cards right, I hope to have a partial fursuit for Califur 2011, but I'm not going to know until a few months from now. First I have to get through July and the trip with my wife to her friends wedding. That alone would have been enough to purchase a whole suit but as married people will tell you, never deny your wife in some things. Guys know what I'm talking about. LoL. :P
Honestly, that and I need to figure out what I want my fursuit partial/whole to look like is still up in the air. I need to get some more commissions for it done so I have more options when presenting to the maker to create.