Chicago and Beyond
So, MFF came and went almost as soon as it had started a couple of weeks ago. I don't really have anything recent by which to compare it (the last time I was in this neck of the woods was after sneaking out from Wolf Park with darkwolph to MFF in 2003!), but it was certainly one of the best social weekends I've had in a long time. Although I comment a great deal on the con itself, as I didn't get particularly involved with any of the "official" programming, there was a much "friendlier" feel than some of the larger US events, and I got to spend a good amount of time meeting and catching up with people over there.
A thank you, then, to everyone who came and said hi, or whom I met in person for the first time - it was good to spend the weekend with you all. :) [ And a side note to perro - consider extending next year's con by an extra day! ;) ]
After MFF, gaz_a, emejn, dukefawks and I flew out to Colorado for another introduction - to skiing! I still don't remember how I ended up getting myself signed up for this, and had spent the con weekend somewhat in trepidation of spending nine days engaged in an activity that could easily have seen me becoming more familiar with the US medical system than I'd have wanted, but fortunately I've come back home with all four limbs firmly in tact!
Actually, after taking probably longer than most to master the art of going down a hill in a straight line without falling over (and being disheartened that the fearless 5-year old kids were experts in next-to-no time), it was really quite enjoyable ... providing the slopes were not too nerve-wrackingly steep. :)
And, of course, the animals couldn't resist wanting their own chance to get out and show off on the pistes ...
Finally, an activity where it's colder to be stuck in a giant dog costume than not! :)