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Rainfurrest 2011 Con Report
14 years ago
General
Please check out my PATREON at https://www.patreon.com/Beetlecat if you are interested in seeing more of my art including regular videos and behind the scenes content.
Those friended on my LJ can go find the report (with photos) here: http://beetlecat.livejournal.com/532512.html
For the rest, here it is in its entity (just sans photos)
...What I really despise about North American airport bathrooms is that there are no toilet lids but the handles are behind the seat. That plus the little stall means that even when I lean back and toggle it with my foot, I still feel dirty from the loo backwash spray XD
....
So Rainfurrest 2011 is over. Unlike some years I have not been hit by any post-con depression yet; though in that realm it helps a lot to not be going home alone ^^
This con was unique in that it was my first foray into the Guest of Honour arena. I won’t overstate it to be anything more than just a fun side note to my convention life (what makes a con is the friends and that never changes) but I am glad (and thankful) to have been able to have had the experience at least once in my career.
I guess I can say now that the cougar head in my gallery is my version of Rainy, the RF mascot. The convention staff intends to keep and add onto him/her each year. I’m personally not sure how well that is going to work lol but I was honoured to be able to start it off J
I stayed longer at this con then I think I have ever at any con, or at least not for several years; A full 5 days - Wednesday to Monday. And it was glorious to spread everything out over that long - especially given how much we did outside of the convention space itself.
Almost as soon as we arrived Wednesday, Tani and I (as well as our significant others Nightfox and FarOuthere) were treated to a sailboat ride with Aeto, Frysco, Trapa, and Guardian. We sailed across the Puget sound to a nice little restaurant by the water that would have been almost impossible to reach by car from the hotel.
I did have a small personal tragedy here where a diamond necklace my husband gave me for our wedding day broke and fell into the water. I was pretty crushed at the time but thankfully, due to all the interesting company, I was able to have a good time regardless and I settled out my feeling over the matter later that night. I have to admit, losing it sucks but at least it is more tragically romantic to have it deep in the ocean likely to be covered by sand and never seen again than it falling into a gross sewer grate somewhere XD
On the sail back it was already dark and we were able to see some amazing phosphoresce plankton in the water kicked up by the boat as it sailed. Bright glow in the dark streams of blue-green. Definitely a sight to remember.
Thursday we all drove to downtown Seattle and took the Underground tour. I’m not normally huge into history but I have to admit that this was really interesting - all about how Seattle was built below the tide lines and it flooded twice a day until they city finally went and raised all of the streets in a 30 block area about 10 feet. And thus the 2 floor of buildings became their first floors and the underground was born.
Right after we got back from that was a quick run through registration then Opening Ceremonies for Rainfurrest. The GoH were introduced and North laid down the con rules in his usual amusing manner. Good stuff!
Dinner at Red Robin care of Malytwotails and crew (we got balloons!) plus a quick trip to Safeway for a few essentials. Then after a little bit of chilling in the hotel room, it was dance time! I don’t know if there were any specific ‘fursuit dances’ at RF this year but it really doesn’t matter as (to me) ALL dances are fursuit dances :p At some point around 2 or 3 we went to bed.
Friday we (Far, myself, Streak, and MattPanther) played hooky from the con and went out on the light rail system to go see what we could find in the food, more supplies, and liquor department. After a late start out and me having to rush back to the con in time for the GoH Q&A, we ended up just grabbing some MacDonald’s. Not in the mood for a pile of fast food goo but needing to fill up for later, I got an angus burger with bacon and nothing else (just the meat and bun) and I have to say it may have been the best McDonald’s burger ever ^^
The GoH Q&A had a rather low turnout IMO (though I admit to having never previous attended one of these as a spectator or otherwise. Though I may in the future!), but it slowly filled up more and was fun regardless ^^ It was interesting just learning more about the other GoH really!
I had a panel right after co-hosting with Nicodemus. I think it turned out really well actually! Nicodemus and I played over each other well and were able to bring forth a fairly well-rounded discussion IMO even though I had not prepared at all and relied on him for the direction of conversation XD
My attempt to go be a cat-person (fursuit around with Matrices and Jill0r) was short-lived as I was drafted into dinner with Nico and co instead ;D As always, I was happy over the opportunity to talk to people I only ever get to see in person at a con setting and we had some good discussion over our food at 13 Coins. Always a pleasure!
Then it was back into the hotel room to settle the food with drinks before heading to the dance ^^ We sadly missed the retro set but it was great nonetheless!
And I really can’t say enough about the dance set up or about the awesome lights or the headless location (once I found the secret door). Aside from the very first night (which it was surprising to have a dance on Thursday anyways so it does not count except as a bonus), the dance was constantly *packed* with people and great music and was just super fun times all around. I wouldn’t change a thing!
Saturday I hosted another panel on fursuit construction at noon. It was supposed to be with Kodi and I planned to basically let him lead and I interject when I had something to contribute (since it was originally his panel and I was just asked to help. So had brought no notes or examples or prepared even slightly) but for whatever reason he never showed so I basically talked about random fursuit-related things for an hour XD I have no idea if it was a success but, well, good to know that I know enough about my subject to ramble non-stop about it though? Lol. In any case it could have gone a lot worse XD
Anyways so after that we skipped the fursuit parade totally and went out to lunch instead at Roasters; a really nice bar/steakhouse with a simple menu but good food and friendly staff. I would have loved to go a 2nd time actually but I’m glad we didn’t just skip by it totally ^^ Yay for Google maps and restaurant look ups :p
With the panel and walking, lunch ended up being rather late so we got back and headed to the GoH Dinner with a still full stomach XD Thankfully, the portions there were both modest and amazingly good so I was able to finish all of my meal except some of my pie at the end which really was a tragedy L
The dinner was a rather simple affair with the guests not being introduced or even really interacted with by the attendees but I was able to sit with my husband which I really appreciated. Plus less effort on my part to just be able to shut up and eat hahaha!
After dinner, we (the ‘we’ here I refer to during these late evening times ebbed and flowed but usually entailed around 6-8 people at a time) hung out in our room (this is often the BEST part of cons and this year was no exception) and bullshitted and chatted and just hung out together until we felt like getting into suit and dancing. Pizza was brought in and I was still pretty full but had a small slice anyways XD
Sunday we basically just skipped the con totally. Soon as we got up (so uh.. around 1pm), Lucifur, Streak, MattPanther, Far, And I bought some day pass light rail tickets and went on an adventure to the end of the line ^^
In the end, we hit up Palomino for food and drinks (and, as with all of the food we found in Seattle this trip, it was an *excellent* choice), Pike Place Market for tchotchkes (we got in a bit late at closing time but I did find a chance to buy my customary 'furry con plushie'. This time a Wild Republic porcupine.). Then Bedlam for coffee and tea (I drink tea which is fairly standard but the mocha was considered the "Best I ever had" by two members of the group that partook.). We *could* have walked another 15 minutes or so to the Seattle Space Needle at this point, but it was getting late; so we decided to leave something for the next trip and headed back to the train station.
We got back just after dark. Closing ceremonies had come and gone and the hotel was so quiet 0_0
It sounded like Dead Dog was a bust and other parties were getting broken up so in the end we just chilled in our room again. Joined by Sardonis (and friend; who I'm sorry I never got your name ><) then Matrices and Jill0r. Remaining rum and Canadian coke was drank up and snacky food disappeared (Achievement unlocked: Not having it all go to waste at the end of the con!). Everyone talked to everyone and I think had a great time as it did not end until pretty much literal collapse at 3:30 or so :p
Although Matt had to leave earlier and was packed and out by 10am, Far and I did not need to catch our flight until that evening and so took the late checkout option. At 1 we were packed and ready and took a cab with Lucifur to Ihop (Achievement Unlocked: Never Eating at Denny's once for the whole 6 day con). We got back just in time to catch a ride with Affinity to the airport at 4 where we settled at another bar with some wine and beer until our flight at 7.
All in all it was an extremely enjoyable experience. I love RF because of who goes more than anything in particular the con staff does or does not do. Just keep making it happen and I will keep coming!
For the rest, here it is in its entity (just sans photos)
...What I really despise about North American airport bathrooms is that there are no toilet lids but the handles are behind the seat. That plus the little stall means that even when I lean back and toggle it with my foot, I still feel dirty from the loo backwash spray XD
....
So Rainfurrest 2011 is over. Unlike some years I have not been hit by any post-con depression yet; though in that realm it helps a lot to not be going home alone ^^
This con was unique in that it was my first foray into the Guest of Honour arena. I won’t overstate it to be anything more than just a fun side note to my convention life (what makes a con is the friends and that never changes) but I am glad (and thankful) to have been able to have had the experience at least once in my career.
I guess I can say now that the cougar head in my gallery is my version of Rainy, the RF mascot. The convention staff intends to keep and add onto him/her each year. I’m personally not sure how well that is going to work lol but I was honoured to be able to start it off J
I stayed longer at this con then I think I have ever at any con, or at least not for several years; A full 5 days - Wednesday to Monday. And it was glorious to spread everything out over that long - especially given how much we did outside of the convention space itself.
Almost as soon as we arrived Wednesday, Tani and I (as well as our significant others Nightfox and FarOuthere) were treated to a sailboat ride with Aeto, Frysco, Trapa, and Guardian. We sailed across the Puget sound to a nice little restaurant by the water that would have been almost impossible to reach by car from the hotel.
I did have a small personal tragedy here where a diamond necklace my husband gave me for our wedding day broke and fell into the water. I was pretty crushed at the time but thankfully, due to all the interesting company, I was able to have a good time regardless and I settled out my feeling over the matter later that night. I have to admit, losing it sucks but at least it is more tragically romantic to have it deep in the ocean likely to be covered by sand and never seen again than it falling into a gross sewer grate somewhere XD
On the sail back it was already dark and we were able to see some amazing phosphoresce plankton in the water kicked up by the boat as it sailed. Bright glow in the dark streams of blue-green. Definitely a sight to remember.
Thursday we all drove to downtown Seattle and took the Underground tour. I’m not normally huge into history but I have to admit that this was really interesting - all about how Seattle was built below the tide lines and it flooded twice a day until they city finally went and raised all of the streets in a 30 block area about 10 feet. And thus the 2 floor of buildings became their first floors and the underground was born.
Right after we got back from that was a quick run through registration then Opening Ceremonies for Rainfurrest. The GoH were introduced and North laid down the con rules in his usual amusing manner. Good stuff!
Dinner at Red Robin care of Malytwotails and crew (we got balloons!) plus a quick trip to Safeway for a few essentials. Then after a little bit of chilling in the hotel room, it was dance time! I don’t know if there were any specific ‘fursuit dances’ at RF this year but it really doesn’t matter as (to me) ALL dances are fursuit dances :p At some point around 2 or 3 we went to bed.
Friday we (Far, myself, Streak, and MattPanther) played hooky from the con and went out on the light rail system to go see what we could find in the food, more supplies, and liquor department. After a late start out and me having to rush back to the con in time for the GoH Q&A, we ended up just grabbing some MacDonald’s. Not in the mood for a pile of fast food goo but needing to fill up for later, I got an angus burger with bacon and nothing else (just the meat and bun) and I have to say it may have been the best McDonald’s burger ever ^^
The GoH Q&A had a rather low turnout IMO (though I admit to having never previous attended one of these as a spectator or otherwise. Though I may in the future!), but it slowly filled up more and was fun regardless ^^ It was interesting just learning more about the other GoH really!
I had a panel right after co-hosting with Nicodemus. I think it turned out really well actually! Nicodemus and I played over each other well and were able to bring forth a fairly well-rounded discussion IMO even though I had not prepared at all and relied on him for the direction of conversation XD
My attempt to go be a cat-person (fursuit around with Matrices and Jill0r) was short-lived as I was drafted into dinner with Nico and co instead ;D As always, I was happy over the opportunity to talk to people I only ever get to see in person at a con setting and we had some good discussion over our food at 13 Coins. Always a pleasure!
Then it was back into the hotel room to settle the food with drinks before heading to the dance ^^ We sadly missed the retro set but it was great nonetheless!
And I really can’t say enough about the dance set up or about the awesome lights or the headless location (once I found the secret door). Aside from the very first night (which it was surprising to have a dance on Thursday anyways so it does not count except as a bonus), the dance was constantly *packed* with people and great music and was just super fun times all around. I wouldn’t change a thing!
Saturday I hosted another panel on fursuit construction at noon. It was supposed to be with Kodi and I planned to basically let him lead and I interject when I had something to contribute (since it was originally his panel and I was just asked to help. So had brought no notes or examples or prepared even slightly) but for whatever reason he never showed so I basically talked about random fursuit-related things for an hour XD I have no idea if it was a success but, well, good to know that I know enough about my subject to ramble non-stop about it though? Lol. In any case it could have gone a lot worse XD
Anyways so after that we skipped the fursuit parade totally and went out to lunch instead at Roasters; a really nice bar/steakhouse with a simple menu but good food and friendly staff. I would have loved to go a 2nd time actually but I’m glad we didn’t just skip by it totally ^^ Yay for Google maps and restaurant look ups :p
With the panel and walking, lunch ended up being rather late so we got back and headed to the GoH Dinner with a still full stomach XD Thankfully, the portions there were both modest and amazingly good so I was able to finish all of my meal except some of my pie at the end which really was a tragedy L
The dinner was a rather simple affair with the guests not being introduced or even really interacted with by the attendees but I was able to sit with my husband which I really appreciated. Plus less effort on my part to just be able to shut up and eat hahaha!
After dinner, we (the ‘we’ here I refer to during these late evening times ebbed and flowed but usually entailed around 6-8 people at a time) hung out in our room (this is often the BEST part of cons and this year was no exception) and bullshitted and chatted and just hung out together until we felt like getting into suit and dancing. Pizza was brought in and I was still pretty full but had a small slice anyways XD
Sunday we basically just skipped the con totally. Soon as we got up (so uh.. around 1pm), Lucifur, Streak, MattPanther, Far, And I bought some day pass light rail tickets and went on an adventure to the end of the line ^^
In the end, we hit up Palomino for food and drinks (and, as with all of the food we found in Seattle this trip, it was an *excellent* choice), Pike Place Market for tchotchkes (we got in a bit late at closing time but I did find a chance to buy my customary 'furry con plushie'. This time a Wild Republic porcupine.). Then Bedlam for coffee and tea (I drink tea which is fairly standard but the mocha was considered the "Best I ever had" by two members of the group that partook.). We *could* have walked another 15 minutes or so to the Seattle Space Needle at this point, but it was getting late; so we decided to leave something for the next trip and headed back to the train station.
We got back just after dark. Closing ceremonies had come and gone and the hotel was so quiet 0_0
It sounded like Dead Dog was a bust and other parties were getting broken up so in the end we just chilled in our room again. Joined by Sardonis (and friend; who I'm sorry I never got your name ><) then Matrices and Jill0r. Remaining rum and Canadian coke was drank up and snacky food disappeared (Achievement unlocked: Not having it all go to waste at the end of the con!). Everyone talked to everyone and I think had a great time as it did not end until pretty much literal collapse at 3:30 or so :p
Although Matt had to leave earlier and was packed and out by 10am, Far and I did not need to catch our flight until that evening and so took the late checkout option. At 1 we were packed and ready and took a cab with Lucifur to Ihop (Achievement Unlocked: Never Eating at Denny's once for the whole 6 day con). We got back just in time to catch a ride with Affinity to the airport at 4 where we settled at another bar with some wine and beer until our flight at 7.
All in all it was an extremely enjoyable experience. I love RF because of who goes more than anything in particular the con staff does or does not do. Just keep making it happen and I will keep coming!
<3 And better your necklace end up at the bottom of the ocean than in the hands of a thief or around someone else's neck!
I'll definitely be back to Seattle next year :3 Good times.
http://twitter.com/#!/SilverAutomatic/status/118229248036179968 (Police called on fursuiters)
http://twitter.com/#!/Novemurr/status/118202278372048896 (GoH kicked from the hotel bar)
http://twitter.com/#!/SilverAutomatic/status/118207838521790464 (shutting dance down and kicking people out of public ares)
Tani was kicked out because the bartender on at that time did not think her German ID (which is legal but not a license in the same sense as here) was acceptable. So she got kicked out while Nightfox retrieved their passports because she could not wait in the bar without an ID. Regrettable since the previous bartenders had accepted the ID, but not a major con disaster by any means.
The dance was shut down true. But since the can was technically over they probably were not prepared to deal with continued noise outside of the conference center (since the dead dog was being held in a main hotel area where nothing had been held thus far). As I understood it was pretty lame anyways and no one cared.
The Puget Sound area has a lot of offer if you wish to go poking around the area.
femm