TFF 2019
(Intro ala Great Hotels with Samantha Brown from hell version)
Welcome to Dallas, Texas, home of highways that stretch for miles, sketchy avenues, city mazes, too many trains, and buildings that at night are lit up as bright as the sun. But this city is home to far more than just that, no. This city has one of the nicest hotels to offer to any guest who can actually afford it, yes, the (Dallas) Hyatt Regency.
Built in 1978 this hotel has since become known - not just for the huge lollipop-like structure attached to it - for those fucking furries who show up every year for three to four days. Three to four, long ass days. Yes, the name of this event is known as Texas Furry Fiesta. Join me, Samantha Brown as we stay in this hotel and do nothing but talk about lameass accents, crap rebranded generic bathroom soaps, and those godawful - and at some point melted - turndown mints won't you?
All photos captured with a Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 except where noted by an asterisk.
View of the hotel and partial view of the Dallas skyline
Thursday, Day 0
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Fun fact all five of us furs had reservations at the Regency. So fucking rad.
So the day had finally come, I was so checked-out at work since the preceding weekend. This was going to be the vacation to stomp all vacations previous. I had not packed light, apparently I packed extra, but that's all me. Always prepared. I had coordinated with friends that I'd pay for the gas if they let me ride along with them from SA to Dallas. They agreed. We left that morning later than expected.
But we all were quite overjoyed at the prospect that we'd be having a great time to come. A friend was more than disappointed I wasn't to ride with him as he'd be riding there himself alone for the better part of 3½ - 4 hours. But that was something that couldn't have been helped, although I certainly tried. Anyway, three stops for gas, 275 miles, and many stories later, wham bam holy fucking shit we're in Dallas.
One of the initial sights that slapped the shit out of me was seeing Kyle Summers (Majira Strawberry), Mark Smith (Mark's Barks), and others (possibly the guy who plays Kiwi Fox) attempting to activate some Limes. Literally drove by them, cool shit. Then came the fun of driving up to the hotel and parking... Let's skip that though, super long and mind-numbingly boring.
I would write a fucking prolific novel that would challenge even Finnegan's Wake about that shit if given the time... and money.
View from the 18th floor of the Regency
So fast forward, we check in, forget to tip the busboy, and get situated. I then go to shoot photos and walk around taking in the atmosphere. Super sponser, Sponsers, and prereg attendees were allowed to register that night, in the morning would be general registration. According to Wikifur in 2018, this furcon was rated #5 on the top five largest furcons. Also I got gypped out of a fucking bed. Although I knew this ahead of time. Thus, I half-assed a plan.
*Captured with a Motorola XT1921-2 (photo actually shot Friday night but used here for reference)
Fun side story, the Dallas Walmart adventure. Soon to be added!
Friday, Day 1
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*scan of the conbook from my Epson
I awoke sometime around 06:30 and had a great sleep due to the lifetime experience gained at ACFI 2018, earplugs. Those (almost seemingly) alone made sleep possible. So I wanted to be quiet, got dressed in the dark, and brought everything I could need. The bathroom had a crap door that would be sure to wake them all up so I washed up my face and shaved in the lobby's "unisex" restroom.
Furries lounging in the lobby
Neat how they made the effort to be inclusive with the restrooms. Not something I usually think about, but hey, why not? I now regret not taking a pic of the improvised restrooms signs... But I would've felt like a creep taking pictures so near a restroom. Fuck it, look it up, some creep probably uploaded it somewhere lmao. Anyway, I digress.
Photo of a projection of the con's logo on the lobby waterfountain, as viewed from the 2nd floor
I knew it was time to face one of the most daunting challenges of my life (jk). Linecon. There were three people ahead of me. Bare in mind that life sometimes throws in a M. Knight plot twist. Anyway, by this time it was probably 7AM. Thus the wait began. I was joined by two acquaintances and a friend through most of the wait. People from Furstudy handed out their survey which helped alleviate mass boredom.
We ended up getting seperated in lines of Super Sponser, Sponser, and not yet registered. Ten minutes after the fact due to a staff shortage. Turns out that was a huge mistake, since the line was to be first come, first served. But, fuck it. I ended up being registered around 09:30. So I was then free to roam the conspace.
*Scan of TFF Mage Badge (there were several to choose from), various ribbons, and roomcard
I mostly took pictures of fursuiters and random shit at the hotel or near it. Fun fact, I ended up with 1,118 pics after this one. Turns out it really is about the quality and not quantity. I ended up with 558 usable photos after review and removal.
Fursuiter
Lemonbrat Vendor
Renni Fox
At some point I picked up my partial from Pansun Flamingo. And at some point I actually submitted the Furstudy survey and received the coveted Furstudy ribbon from them. I also ran into some wonderful fellow from Malaysia at the dealer's den. I don't remember how the conversation started, but I believe he asked if I was from the Dallas area or Texas. To which I replied "yes, SATX".
He then told me about how he and his chums were here mostly for the con, but for another reason I'd not ever give thought to in a million years. Church's Chicken. That's right. They were here also to experience CFC at the native level. You see in Malaysia they have Texas Fried Chicken and a limited amount of side dishes to go with the chicken (perhaps including native side dishes?).
The name was changed to Texas Chicken after some Muslims took offense to Church being in the name. This con was a great place to meet so many people from, seemingly, all over the world.
Upon doing mostly just photography and wandering about, since not many panels or events appealed to me (big shocker). I went to room to unwind a bit from Elevatorcon and being socially satisfied. I decided to order out pizza hut and got mad indigestion. I then showered and indulged an acquaintance in hanging out with him since he was lonely. I felt bad for the guy, I know this guy, he's a good guy. Maybe socially awkward, but good.
Although this meant me missing the back-to-back concerts featuring Run, Definitely Run and Foxes & Peppers. But I ended up going to the rave in with my partial, and it was fucking cool. Probably cooler than to be in a big ass moshpit. I'd hate if anything happened to it. So that was cool, I then kind of ditched him after a while. That sounds harsh.
But I went with him to his room and said quick goodbyes and split. There was also a drunk suiter who saw me with my tidepod prop and convinced me not to nom on it. Then there was a drunk guy on the elevator who stole it and put the thing in his nastyass mouth. So that was a thing. Had to disinfect the shit out of that prop. Ugh, Dumbass mofos who don't know how to act be like... Yeah.
I then headed to the room for sleep, I was too exhausted for the late night panels I wanted to attend.
Saturday, Day 2
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I essentially started out the morning just the same as the one previous. And I wanted to attend the Paws of Praise worship service. But I had to get breakfast. Which I did, at The Centennial. A pretty quaint little restaurant with a nice breakfast buffet. I was joined by a good acquaintance who made good company. I knew I'd be late to that worship service, so I quite reluctantly decided to throw it.
One thing I will never do is be late to a service or memorial, except in one specific case. The local memorial for Tree of Life Synagogue at Temple Bet El. That I needed to be present for. Again, I digress. Anyway, snap to me doing my thing, photos, dealers den. And lots of photos from the fursuit parade! I'll link to my flickr at some point here.
*Scan of badges, and gift from a dear friend
Roomcard, conbook, pocket schedule, Comics, smut, and CDs
*scan of autographs from top to bottom, Ace Squirrel, Marci McAdam, Dark Natasha, Pepper Coyote
'Suiter seen as I was leaving the hotel with a friend
I also got to meetup with a friend from Furry Amino, and we were going to go out to Arlington for an hour or two to see more friends! This was pretty fun, sans motion sickness, but I had the opportunity to give a few little trinkets as gifts to them. It was all quite nice, cute little town too. We all met at this barcade type place, drinks, food, arcade games, so good!
At some point I was with my friend going back to the room for some reason that escapes me now, but along the way to - in fact feet from - the room... Who do I see in the hallway? Steve Plunkett. I was star struck because I'm a dumbass like that. He'd informed me he and his buds would be grabbing a bite to eat and he'd be around the lobby later with Scarlett. At somepoint in that encounter I mentioned I loved the Candyman bit that was done at Albany Anthrocon 1999. He mentioned that while it was a while ago he did appreciate the sentiment. At that point, this con was truly a magical experience.
I'd met artists, seen those popufurs, hungout with friends, nothing could seemingly go wrong. And spoiler alert - nothing did go wrong.
There's a huge blank here. So I'll drop into later that night when I was a bit late to the Kyell Gold reading and Q&A. After an awkward entrance, because it was quiet af aside from KYELL FUCKIN' GOLD reading from his soon-to-be released new book. I very quickly situated myself after that faux pas. It was also nice to be able to ask a question soon after which was a bit silly, "Where do you draw your inspiration from?".
That very easily was answered by "Uh, from real life? haha", although he did elaborate at length and got to the meat of his answer. The answer - in which he really went into research and talking with people whose experiences he would take example from and go with. Again, I could've easily took a second to rephrase it in my head. Some of his books like the Dangerous Spirits trilogy dealt with some hugely imaginative imagery, and profoundly compelling storytelling all to do with the supernatural.
But I did learn much from his answer. He also has a great voice, just throwing that out there. Holy shit I'd buy all his books on audiobook if they were available, if I had that much money to spare on audiobooks and time. Anyway, that was a quick thing, but so worthwhile. I also peered in on the Line Dancing for Furries demo. From what I can remember, I also saw a woman with a wagon full of adoptable stuffed animals.
I'm drawing another blank here.
I end up back at my hotel room. A hotel roomies announce they'll be attending the Maws v Paws Charity Panel. They then leave and enters other roomie bf, he announces he'll be attending the Vore Q&A panel. I then eat some terrible chicken wings. The wings were a mistake and I was paying for it, again. Do I learn? In this case, somewhat. And then a shower, bedtime.
Another blank, photos can't help this time. As I don't have any for reference from the end of the fursuit parade to Sunday morning.
Sunday, Day 3
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Again the morning started the same as all the others although I decided to use the women's restroom since the men's was being cleaned. Although if you recall these restrooms were declared unisex and still bared the branding of the temporary change. And I tend not to think of a unisex bathrooms as a big deal. I think someone was caught off guard that a guy was in there taking care of his appearence.
But that didn't really matter. I was just there to clean up my face. And upon being mostly clean shaven I went out to the final day's festivities. I grabbed a breakfast that was healthy since I had eaten quite badly and suffered from the previous stomach ache. The essentials, a banana for cramps, yogurt for pooing, iced coffee to wake the fuck up, and something else I can't remember lol.
I went down to the dealer's and art's area to see what was in the room for karaoke and other events I didn't bother to look for. There were three college style bulletin boards setup, you know the ones. They had tons of post its, pens, and tape. They were full of little drawings and some small papers advertising cons from all across the United States.
I decided to post a little figure there, or two?
I wanted to go up to Reunion tower around this part, as I was to be leaving this day. Regrettably I did not find the time to as to a small hiccup in the lodging situation to do with my roomies. And it was kind of a hurried departure after that. It all began with a quest to find a luggage cart. Which proved futile and resulted in my friend searching for the parking lot his car was in.
Which he did not find the first time.
So it was we all went to the room, gathered my things and his things, our roomies helped us out since they were staying until Monday morning. It was very much appreciated, and we then walked to the other lot in a walk of shame of sorts. We went out the very sketchy back entrance of that hotel, let me just say, wow. So we find the car, hug, and say our goodbyes - cue See You Next Year. End.
Also I'm informed by my friend that the Vore panel sucked and he was more than likely to have wanted to go to the Maws v Paws one. I then found out I missed out on Matthew Ebel, aka Hali. There goes my opportunity to tell him Prayer for Danny is just an amazing thing. While that is also an old thing, I bet he'd have loved that. I grew up with older furry culture... I'll write on this another day.
Well, I'll write about the next con soon! Stay tuned!