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Back from CF and a strange plea
12 years ago
I started writing this a couple of times and each time either somethings come up or batteries have died on the phone, tablet and then the laptop. Finally sitting at my computer for a few moments while unpacking everything and just wanted to finally get this up.
What a weekend. The few months leading up to Confuzzled was an absolute blast in getting to do something I've wanted to do, well two things, being make actual badges properly (Laminating, and getting to see people with them on lanyards) and having the ability to try out so many new species and unique characters to expand my range of drawing faces. It was slightly stressful at times to make and create 101 badges but it was worth every second.
In the few days before Confuzzled it was a rush of getting prints finished, everything collated and organized and then making sure I hadn't forgotten anything. Overall things went well after the bank holiday and were ready to hit the road late Wednesday. Wednesday night wasn't very fun with family issues but I just decided to sleep so that I didn't have to deal with anything and only focus on CF the next day.
Woke up early and we left towards the Hinkley Island Hotel and saw familiar faces right off the bat from the Leeds meets so I felt at home and then started finding people I knew from my streams and through FA. I have to say, Confuzzled was a blast. It felt like a huge family reunion where everywhere you looked people just seemed to be enjoying themselves and having a wonderful time. We set up the table late Thursday and was able to spend time making new friends and getting to know some of the people I had only known online, and it was wonderful.
This is where I start to get a bit sappy.
Wanting to say thank you to everyone who I've had a chance to see or had the chance to meet for the first time - it meant a great deal to me. For the first time in the last year while being here in the UK I finally felt like I had a family of friends around me again. Andy knows that the two hardest things to have left behind in the US was my family and my friends. I don't have the luxury to walk outside and go hang with friends like I used to. It's just Andy and I and then the happy times we have at the Leeds meet. People just seem to accept you for who you are and how you are with open hearts and open arms and I'm really thankful for it. I feel like a git for being sad, or actually willing to admit I feel really depressed now, but I had a wonderful time. I might have spent most of my time in the dealers den at the table, but wow. The group of artists, crafters and as a few of the guys were named, lackies, it was more like a group of friends coming together to have a wonderful time rather than a group of competitors trying to make a buck. The sheer atmosphere was astounding.
For this being my first convention I couldn't have asked for a better one.
Friday night was a bit unnerving when we got back to the hotel we were staying at (we were somewhere in Nuneaton) and I was terrified for Saturday to come. Just one of those feelings that somethings not quite right. Sleep wasn't coming to me for the entire com, and I wish I could have said it was because of parties and alcohol. XD Saturday night we wanted to go out with everyone to dinner and I had been planning on this for a couple of weeks with fingers crossed everything would go smoothly. We had to take a friend home as well and unfortunately had to leave before everyone sat down - which sadly became a "for the better" thing. After getting a bite to eat and taking our friend home, I had a phone call from my mother in the US saying that my dad had a heart attack and was in the hospital. He has a few issues health wise including PTSD from Vietnam and has previously had a mild heart attack before about 12 years ago now. I know he's getting older and all, but it's not something I think anyones expecting. My mom didn't want to call while I was doing anything so she waited until later to ring. She said she's not getting much information on him, which I don't know if she's just saying that or if she's really not getting anything. As theres not much I can do from here, Sunday morning came around and I just wanted to make the most of the few hours I had left with everyone before the drive to Nottingham to see the inlaws and then home to Leeds. I do want to appologize to everyone for not saying anything about it yesterday if you saw me, but it would have made it a bit harder to have left. XD; For a while it took my mind off of everything and Risine even took us up with Nekra and Khana to play some SSB. It made a huge difference to be included in everything!
Anyways, when we said our goodbyes and headed off to the car I kept as strong of a face as I could, which I like to keep a front up that everythings peachy keen and I think it was the most depressing drive up I've had in ages. Poor Andy kept looking back and asking over and over if I was okay. I suppose it as just a clusterfluff of everything finally sinking in.
I don't mean to ramble on or anything, but I'm going to be off and on this week, slowly getting things I need to finished around the house and working on Neecos sketchbook. Realizing that the event I had been all fired up for is over, its really strange to know that this huge project is done with for another year. I have a lot of art that people are wanting from me, but I'm going to ask that if you're inquiring or if I had agreed to do something after the convention, to not note me or attempt to discuss it for a couple of days. The last group of badges have priority after Neecos book - so anything promised will take a seat for a bit longer as I really don't want to focus on it. I'm not going to be checking any notes now that they are enabled until I'm ready. I want to unwind and destress a bit after this trip and sort stuff with my family. Once I know more on whats going on there, I'll probably be doing much better.
For now, to clean the office as I left everything destroyed trying to get stuff organized in boxes. Stream will be back on off and on eventually as well.
What a weekend. The few months leading up to Confuzzled was an absolute blast in getting to do something I've wanted to do, well two things, being make actual badges properly (Laminating, and getting to see people with them on lanyards) and having the ability to try out so many new species and unique characters to expand my range of drawing faces. It was slightly stressful at times to make and create 101 badges but it was worth every second.
In the few days before Confuzzled it was a rush of getting prints finished, everything collated and organized and then making sure I hadn't forgotten anything. Overall things went well after the bank holiday and were ready to hit the road late Wednesday. Wednesday night wasn't very fun with family issues but I just decided to sleep so that I didn't have to deal with anything and only focus on CF the next day.
Woke up early and we left towards the Hinkley Island Hotel and saw familiar faces right off the bat from the Leeds meets so I felt at home and then started finding people I knew from my streams and through FA. I have to say, Confuzzled was a blast. It felt like a huge family reunion where everywhere you looked people just seemed to be enjoying themselves and having a wonderful time. We set up the table late Thursday and was able to spend time making new friends and getting to know some of the people I had only known online, and it was wonderful.
This is where I start to get a bit sappy.
Wanting to say thank you to everyone who I've had a chance to see or had the chance to meet for the first time - it meant a great deal to me. For the first time in the last year while being here in the UK I finally felt like I had a family of friends around me again. Andy knows that the two hardest things to have left behind in the US was my family and my friends. I don't have the luxury to walk outside and go hang with friends like I used to. It's just Andy and I and then the happy times we have at the Leeds meet. People just seem to accept you for who you are and how you are with open hearts and open arms and I'm really thankful for it. I feel like a git for being sad, or actually willing to admit I feel really depressed now, but I had a wonderful time. I might have spent most of my time in the dealers den at the table, but wow. The group of artists, crafters and as a few of the guys were named, lackies, it was more like a group of friends coming together to have a wonderful time rather than a group of competitors trying to make a buck. The sheer atmosphere was astounding.
For this being my first convention I couldn't have asked for a better one.
Friday night was a bit unnerving when we got back to the hotel we were staying at (we were somewhere in Nuneaton) and I was terrified for Saturday to come. Just one of those feelings that somethings not quite right. Sleep wasn't coming to me for the entire com, and I wish I could have said it was because of parties and alcohol. XD Saturday night we wanted to go out with everyone to dinner and I had been planning on this for a couple of weeks with fingers crossed everything would go smoothly. We had to take a friend home as well and unfortunately had to leave before everyone sat down - which sadly became a "for the better" thing. After getting a bite to eat and taking our friend home, I had a phone call from my mother in the US saying that my dad had a heart attack and was in the hospital. He has a few issues health wise including PTSD from Vietnam and has previously had a mild heart attack before about 12 years ago now. I know he's getting older and all, but it's not something I think anyones expecting. My mom didn't want to call while I was doing anything so she waited until later to ring. She said she's not getting much information on him, which I don't know if she's just saying that or if she's really not getting anything. As theres not much I can do from here, Sunday morning came around and I just wanted to make the most of the few hours I had left with everyone before the drive to Nottingham to see the inlaws and then home to Leeds. I do want to appologize to everyone for not saying anything about it yesterday if you saw me, but it would have made it a bit harder to have left. XD; For a while it took my mind off of everything and Risine even took us up with Nekra and Khana to play some SSB. It made a huge difference to be included in everything!
Anyways, when we said our goodbyes and headed off to the car I kept as strong of a face as I could, which I like to keep a front up that everythings peachy keen and I think it was the most depressing drive up I've had in ages. Poor Andy kept looking back and asking over and over if I was okay. I suppose it as just a clusterfluff of everything finally sinking in.
I don't mean to ramble on or anything, but I'm going to be off and on this week, slowly getting things I need to finished around the house and working on Neecos sketchbook. Realizing that the event I had been all fired up for is over, its really strange to know that this huge project is done with for another year. I have a lot of art that people are wanting from me, but I'm going to ask that if you're inquiring or if I had agreed to do something after the convention, to not note me or attempt to discuss it for a couple of days. The last group of badges have priority after Neecos book - so anything promised will take a seat for a bit longer as I really don't want to focus on it. I'm not going to be checking any notes now that they are enabled until I'm ready. I want to unwind and destress a bit after this trip and sort stuff with my family. Once I know more on whats going on there, I'll probably be doing much better.
For now, to clean the office as I left everything destroyed trying to get stuff organized in boxes. Stream will be back on off and on eventually as well.
But good to hear you mostly enjoyed yourself , and welcome BACK! :3
Now just wind down and relax, it takes a bit to really come down from something so big, I know, I've done it before (Dreamhack for me though, but still).
Just take care of yourself, hun!
I'm sorry to hear about your dad, hopefully everything will be okay and if you need anything, feel free to give me a shout or something. I'm glad people helped you take your mind off of it and you will be fine though I think. :)
Again, I will try to force you to come to more meets as you should enjoy them from what I can tell.
Hope you feel better soon Lapres *hugs*
Happy you are back and sorry for your dad
D'awww, you don't need to be sad about the end of the con; there are always more meets to go to and people to organize things with! Glenn and I hope to see you and Basil more often at the local meets, it'd be wonderful to chat more! :) If you want, I can give you my mobile number for chatting (if you like) and so that the next time a meet happens we can stay in touch with you so you don't get lost. x3
I'm sorry to hear about your father; I know the feeling about the 'something doesn't feel right' feeling. It's happened to me before.
I really hope that he is on the mend; my grandfather had heart troubles and he had heart attacks frequently. The doctors will more than likely give him some medication to make things better.
*hugs* I know the feeling of distance though; I know it's not in the same distance as abroad, but my dad lives hours away from me. He had a motorcycle accident a few years ago that nearly killed him, and I was far away. The feeling that you can't just go and make sure he's ok hurts a lot, and I sympathise greatly with you Lappy. :( *hugs tight*
If you ever want to talk about ANYTHING, I'd be more than happy to give you my e-mail, mobile number or skype. I've been told I'm a good listener, and I occasionally give good advice! XD I know it's a bit odd; we've only met once, but I always find that talking helps. :) Just take care of yourself, Basil is there to keep you safe and make sure you're ok too.
I look forward to your streams again and hope to see you soon! Best of luck with everything. <3
You have my facebook now I will message you my phone number etc you are always welcome to chat!
But a huge thank you for your company over the weekend :3 and I hop everything is ok with the family x
I'm glad it helped you out, we can talk later if you want to ;w; ! *RU HUG*
I hope your father will be all right, and I wish you the best. Thank you again for giving shape to my character, he is more impressive than I'd dared hope, and I'll be sure to wear the badge to other meets. I wish I could've been at Confuzzled with all of you, at least for one day...
*Offers hugs* Sorry to hear about your father though, hopefully things will be ok and your dad makes a speedy recovery, feel free to poke me if you'd like to talk or anything
You had your blast, we all feels the same about confuzzled. I hope your father is ok?.
Glad to hear the convention went well though, wish I could of gone but alas I was duty on base all weekend so I couldn't go anywhere *grumbles with crossed arms*
hope youre father is okay
i wish i could be there to give you the biggest hug...and i know that Zus would be right there with me doing the same if he could :C
With father stuff... I can sort of sympathize. My grandfather was my father figure as a kid for a few years. When he had his first heart attack we really hadn't heard much about him. Doctors just kinda kept on their own doing tests and my mom was in and out of the hospital visiting while I was stuck at home with my brother. The waiting game on something like that is never fun. I wish you all the best and hope his health improves.
It was a pleasure to meet and see you in person! You've certainly inspired a drive in Khana and I'm sure many others. Hope you get some decent rest and have a good break! Tell Basil I took the advice he gave me and it helped a ton for both me and Khana
Hope to see you next year
Nekra~<3
It was great meeting you and you've definetly inspired me to keep pushing forward with art~ I'm going to do my best and see if I can push for a Den spot and I'm hopin we'll get to meet up again next year, unless sooner is possible 'course!
A big thank you to Basil as well for his great advice~
would be nice to get to know you and andy more :)
i am really sorry to hear about your father i wish him an easy recovery and its nice to hear it didnt completely stop you having a good time!
take care of yourself~ x
it was great meeting you i hope that your feeling better soon and that it didn't put you off.
keep yourself busy and chin up! <3
I'm glad you had a great time at the furcon, it was a right pleasure to meet you and pick up my badge, really wish i could have hung out more but im sure there'll be more chance in future for that :D
Really pleased to have met you regardless and know you had fun too.....it was great entertainment to track down other furs who had lapres badges btw.
~omg i cant belive how well some of your art sold in the auction, wow~
I'll keep my fingers crossed for your Dad and im sure hes being looked after well :)
Just so you know, your a great inspiration to me. Your professional in your work and have a brilliant welcoming attitude (even when upset). Sorry for being shy, i would of loved to have a drink with you.
Take it easy, its well deserved :D
It was wonderful getting to meet you and I hope everything takes a turn for the better for you soon.