Well that sucks. Here's to a better con at AC '11, I guess.

Hey, squeaki! Long time no see!
Come on down to  duskysam's Makeup Effects panel tomorrow! Terrace B, 1-3pm! I'm listed as the presenter, but this is his forte, so I'm letting him run this show! It should be fun, I'm sorry this convention has been such a downer to you so far...

Wow...I didn't think it was that bad. =( *hugs* Im sorry to hear it all. I didn't see much of the con cause I came late Saturday evening and I believe I missed ya. Heard word though that there was a wood badge for me? lol

As Head of Con Security I feel you should know our stand on this situation. It was merely one line of communication that you took out of context. My security officer was correct in saying that only staff members should be in control of the cash box, not volunteers. Realizing we may have upset you, we offered you free membership next year with supersponsor upgrades, we were apologetic, and were more than accommodating. Instead, you rubbed it in our faces, told us you were leaving, and are now bashing us in public.

As for your list, yes, like any con there were some hang-ups and bugs. Our hotel made up for some mistakes and I firmly believe that Dragoneer and the rest of the staff did everything in our power to make up for things. Our DJs were top notch and received rave reviews from not only con attendees but the GOHs as well.

I can fully attest that my staff is actually trained in handling security and medical issues, we uphold the Code of Conduct that EVERY attendee signs when they register fairly and quickly. If there are any issues during a con with a staff member, then why wasn't this brought to my or Dragoneer's attention. Instead, you would rather bash us in a journal with no way of answering for ourselves.

In the end it comes down to, that we were more than accommodating and ended our friendly meeting with you in which you said, that there were "no issues with the con and staff" and now we find this.

There obviously are ways for you to answer for yourselves if you responded to this journal. And, also, the issue obviously was brought to Dragoneer's attention, if you didn't know that, you're only helping to show the lack of communication, especially considering you were there when the issue was handled less than two hours after it happened.

almost 2 hours later...yes. You could have come directly to me or Dragoneer within minutes. I'm not trying to have a debate with you. My point was, there was a line of speaking that was taken out of context, you seemed upset by hearing it, we tried to apologize and to make things right....and you throw it into our faces.

That's all. I don't hold you in any ill light nor do I wish to disrespect you either. You are entitled to your opinion and I was simply answering your complaints

No offense but you seem to be the only one that had a problem with the staff, for personal immature reasons of course n it isn't right to try n call us out on things that aren't true. Please be truthful in your reviews. Not bash a con n its staff cuz you took something the wrong way. They even offered you so much to make up for it yet you continue to react this way.

Yes there were small rooms but its a small con. They will not get bigger until the con gets bigger. Reg. was a tad slow on Friday only because someone messed with the setup n we had to fix it. Actress that it went just fine. I don't understand why if you have such an issue with the con or staff why you wanted to volunteer.

We worked Damn hard in keeping everyone happy n got many compliments from many different ppl, not to mention the guest of honor who has run many cons including the biggest one in the world. We got very good in-depth compliments on the staff AND how we ran everything. Yeah like razor said, there are some bugs, we're only human. But we immediately work to correct them in any way can.

I'm sorry that you say your experience was so bad but I don't think your reasons for saying so are a valid reason. Don't try to destroy this con for ppl cuz you tom something personal. They tied to make it up to you, you deny it then post this bashing us...that's not right.

"Sucky attendees that brought weed to this con AGAIN! (fuck, guys this is an Awesome hotel that really takes care of us and you're just going to let us all get a bad rap for your illegal drugs!?)"

Funny part is the "awesome Hotel" after complaining about the hotel staff and small rooms... "Weed..illegal drugs", you say it like its heroin or meth. The latter 2 I've seen at cons, most of the time if someone has that sort of a thing at cons they are generally careful. Assuming they're mature enough to be a responsible user in the first place..

Sounds like you came and left with more baggage then you should have carrying all that around while trying to have a good time tend not to go hand in hand...

I never mentioned anything on small rooms and all my comments on "staff" were not hotel staff but con staff. Your opinion of the seriousness of the crime isn't enough to make usage appropriate or acceptable.

That really depends on the crime(and one's opinion of what appropriate(at a fur con)).... But on the concept of crime; Running a red light is bad illegal, puts people in danger.... Eating a pickle in public does none of those things but is illegal in many places. Its illegal to skydive on your wedding day in Florida, in Jersey its illegal for men to knit during fishing season(tell me who that one hurts?)... But its all a matter of opinion and circumstance, the rest is up to judge & lawyers.... "Its only a crime if you get caught"

As for the "staff" issue, sorry most of the time I hear about such things it's usually directed at the hotel staff, not the con staff... But one can understand what you mean, even if not there at the time.....

At the con, you told me that you had no problems with us. We tried to explain the issues in that non-staff should not be left alone with a cash box unattended (which, honestly, is not a bad policy at all). Instead, you took that as a personal attack when it was never intended or made to be one.

In fact, you told us all to our face the exact OPPOSITE of everything you wrote in this post. You both bash the hotel and praise the hotel.

Look, I'll be honest: there were some issues at the con, but this hotel staff is one of the best of the best I have ever worked word (EVER) since attending Anthrocon '99. Over 30+ conventions under my belt. And I don't just say that because I'm a part of FAU staff. We've had bad hotel staff, and called them out on it.

The hotel staff were amazing. Issues? Yes. But all cons have issues. You had no issues at the con until you were told that you could not be left with alone with the money, and suddenly... poof. Drama.

You're spreading rumor and fiction, and I have no problem calling you out on that. I have no problem with honest truth. Sometimes it hurts, and hurts a lot.

I agree that those unqualified should not be left unattended with such large sums of money. I was never unattended. A member of staff always sat with me. Part of my issue was that the other members of staff working registration were not informed that I was allowed into that position at that time. I was also never told the restrictions until after the issue. Being left in the dark made it feel like a personal issue. After some time working reg I was joined by a different staffer. he immediately removed the cash box from my reach slowing the registration process when ever I needed to give change. If I was told upfront that an executive decision was made that volunteers should not be need cash things would have been different.

I never intended it to sound that I was "bashing" the hotel or it's staff. My comments on "staff" were my opinions of con staff not hotel staff. There was a lack of communication between con staff. Members of staff were rude and took it on their own authority to make up their own rules when a higher up was not available when that decision was corrected by the higher up, someone had to handle damage control. Even when damage was small, such as reorganizing the reg line, it could have been avoided by random people not making their own spur of the moment decisions.

I completely understand that when organizing 500 or so people delegations need to be made. But those delegated to deal with certain aspects of the convention need to do their best to control that part of the con and allow other members of staff deal with his or her aspect. I listened to a staffers saying that they gave up because other staff had monopolized the partnership that was in charge of certain goings on.