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In review (Anthrocon 2012)
13 years ago
General
Might as well strike while the iron is hot.
I had an absolutely amazing time at Anthrocon this year. There's a lot I want to say, because so much awesome happened in so few days. In fact, it all feels like a blur. It went by so quickly it felt like I was only there for a day, instead of five.
First and Foremost, you people are freaking awesome
An amazing convention doesn't just happen by itself. A very hardworking staff, volunteers, and security coordinate to put together an amazing weekend. But that's not the whole story. You can have all the programming and the guests of honor and it doesn't mean anything by itself. This year a little over five thousand of you showed up to run around, bounce, play, hug, and generally have a good time. And it's impossible to have fun by yourself, so really, props to everyone to came out this past weekend to party hard in Pittsburgh.
I really felt the love
There were so many people who took a moment to come up to me and give me hug or shake my hand - and I'm not talking about while in suit. You guys recognized me with my camera, running around and doing my thing, and you took the time to tell me about how much you enjoy my work. Really, I felt it in my heart every time someone said that. It's so much more than a favorite statistic when people are coming up to me and hugging me and thanking me for posting hundreds of photos for everyone to enjoy. It makes me feel that I have something real that I can contribute to this amazing fandom despite my lack of any artistic capability.
PCD
In years past, I used to have a lot of fun at the con. At the end, we packed up and went home, and that was okay. It was a lot of fun, but it was like leaving a theme park. It's disappointing that it has to end, but I accepted that. But this year, I really felt an emotional connection to my friends and watchers who came up to me to show me their appreciation. And yeah, this year I had a bit of PCD leaving the con. It wasn't just leaving a fun park, this is where my friends and I had just partied down and created some really fun memories that we'll be telling for years to come. So yes, the PCD hit me this year.
The suiting
I tried to make sure that I fursuited at least once each day. I don't remember if I suited Sunday, because the entire con is a blur and all that, but I hope that I gave everybody an opportunity to see Shockwave. On that note, I have to shout out to
flinters and say that if you're going to Anthrocon again PLEASE make it perfectly clear to your watchers! I normally don't venture around the dealer's den or Artist's Alley area in suit because I don't carry money or anything in suit and I don't really have any business being a speed bump in the business sector of the con. But I'd totally make a trip down there in suit for ya, and I'd even buy mint stuffs before the con to load up my vest with for ya.
The photos
The real reason everyone here watches me, because it certainly isn't for my witty social commentary or emo posts regarding volunteering at the dog shelter. I practiced before the con and discussed photo techniques with my photo-mentor on the drive up to the con. I also employed some advice from people on Flickr. The result is that I truly believe my photos this year will be the best yet. If my photos look as good on the computer as they did on my LCD screen on the camera, I'll be ecstatic.
However, the numbers this year aren't going to be as impressive as last year. I deliberately spent more time fursuiting. And I tried to be more...deliberate in how I took photos this con. I think my pictures are better for it, but there's going to be less of them. I think that's a good thing, because I'm still backlogged from Anthrocon 2011. This way, I should be able to continue posting photos from both years and be done with it before next year.
Anyway, the current photo counts are...
Wednesday - 31
Thursday - 541
Friday - 0 Yes, zero. Between meeting with friends and fans, suiting, and panels, I actually didn't have the time for photos.
Saturday - 152
Sunday - 296 Which includes a few that bled over midnight and were technically Monday but I'm grouping them together anyway.
So this year I took approximately 1020 photos. Keeping in mind my technique of multiple shots and all that, my rough posting estimate is around 3/7ths of the total, so we're looking at around 437 photos that will be posted for this convention.
I still wish I had caught more fursuits. Just browsing my roommate's snapshots, I spotted dozens of suits that I was apparently in close proximity to but never caught on camera. DRATS, is about all I can say. I'll try harder next year.
Speaking of photos - the Roo shoot
This year, due to some conflicts with the time I initially suggested, we had both a primary and secondary photoshoot. At the primary photoshoot, Friday, only one other kangaroo showed up. We bounced around in the DLCC for a bit, and some passers-by took a bunch of photos (I think
blimpwolf has the main grouping of photos, but I'll have to double-check that. It's hard for me to read nametags or anything in suit since I'm blind without my glasses anyway).
Come Saturday for the secondary photoshoot, I was rather tempted not to go, to be honest with you. It was just an hour after the fursuit parade (which I hadn't considered when first arranging the time for the photoshoot). There was a dismal turnout for the primary photoshoot. And there was another panel I was interested in attending. But, I also didn't want to be the guy who arranged something then didn't even show up himself to it. So, after showering and doing a quick brushing of Shockwave after the parade, I ran off to the secondary photoshoot. To my surprise, we had a record turnout of five kangaroos for that photoshoot (done by the professionals set up in the DLCC hallway, so we'll have to check their site for the photos when they're posted).
Oddly, because of the split photoshoots and the uneven turnout, this year has the unique distinction of having both a third less attendees than last year, as well as double the attendees from last year.
About the con
There were lots of panels I attended this year, a testament to the awesome staff of Programming and the work put in by the furs who volunteered to take time out of their cons to run panels. Everything seemed to run really smoothly, although it was disconcerting to hear an announcement at opening ceremonies that went something like "Oh yeah, there's been changes to the schedule this year, so check the schedule online to see the changes". Um...what? Most of us don't have smartphones or the time to sit down at the Tigerden for twenty minutes to load up the web page.
The fursuit dance competition just blows my mind, year after year. It is always difficult for me to wrap my head around the incredible talent those dancers have. Not just their moves, but their timing, their ability to choreograph moves, mix their own tunes, just all of it spins me right around and drops me on my head. I don't have the slightest bit of talent in any of those realms, yet these people get up in front of a thousand people and rock hard in fursuit and make it look easy. Just wow. So, for whatever it's worth to you guys, I give big props to everybody who got up on stage this year. You all have my utmost respect for your discipline, your skills, your hard work, your creativity, and having the confidence to get up and do it all in front of a large audience.
And upon returning from AC
Of course, there's a million submissions and journals. Curiously, I had a lot of activity on my Flickr account too. I rarely get any notices from Flickr, perhaps one or two a month. But while at AC, a bunch of my photos (both new and old) were favorited, two people watched me that didn't look like they were furries if their profile were any indication, and a few comments were left too (mostly positive). I'm not sure, but I think that Anthrocon might have been in the news in a few places and some internet searches might have dug up a lot of Flickr results. Whether it was just Anthrocon Flickr photo pool, or maybe people finding the AC forums and linking to my photos from there, I don't know.
I also garnered four watches on FA during the weekend, which was odd considering I haven't posted anything yet.
Also, if you guys remembered the little journal I posted a few days before the con -- I had that abscess and it was a serious pain in the neck. Well, the pain died down about halfway through the con, which made the weekend that much better. Nothing can ruin a vacation quite like dental problems. But anyway, I had a dentist appointment today and had my little root canal done. The novacaine still hasn't worn off, actually. It went well enough, but I have to go back in a day or so to patch up a chipped tooth.
Also, I forgot to call my dad on Sunday of the con, which was father's day. So he's a bit pissed.
In conclusion
Fun times! How did your con go? What did you do this weekend if you weren't at the con? What's new with you guys? I want to hear from you now. Comments, suggestions, catching up, the whole nine yards. So let me hear what you have to say!
I had an absolutely amazing time at Anthrocon this year. There's a lot I want to say, because so much awesome happened in so few days. In fact, it all feels like a blur. It went by so quickly it felt like I was only there for a day, instead of five.
First and Foremost, you people are freaking awesome
An amazing convention doesn't just happen by itself. A very hardworking staff, volunteers, and security coordinate to put together an amazing weekend. But that's not the whole story. You can have all the programming and the guests of honor and it doesn't mean anything by itself. This year a little over five thousand of you showed up to run around, bounce, play, hug, and generally have a good time. And it's impossible to have fun by yourself, so really, props to everyone to came out this past weekend to party hard in Pittsburgh.
I really felt the love
There were so many people who took a moment to come up to me and give me hug or shake my hand - and I'm not talking about while in suit. You guys recognized me with my camera, running around and doing my thing, and you took the time to tell me about how much you enjoy my work. Really, I felt it in my heart every time someone said that. It's so much more than a favorite statistic when people are coming up to me and hugging me and thanking me for posting hundreds of photos for everyone to enjoy. It makes me feel that I have something real that I can contribute to this amazing fandom despite my lack of any artistic capability.
PCD
In years past, I used to have a lot of fun at the con. At the end, we packed up and went home, and that was okay. It was a lot of fun, but it was like leaving a theme park. It's disappointing that it has to end, but I accepted that. But this year, I really felt an emotional connection to my friends and watchers who came up to me to show me their appreciation. And yeah, this year I had a bit of PCD leaving the con. It wasn't just leaving a fun park, this is where my friends and I had just partied down and created some really fun memories that we'll be telling for years to come. So yes, the PCD hit me this year.
The suiting
I tried to make sure that I fursuited at least once each day. I don't remember if I suited Sunday, because the entire con is a blur and all that, but I hope that I gave everybody an opportunity to see Shockwave. On that note, I have to shout out to
flinters and say that if you're going to Anthrocon again PLEASE make it perfectly clear to your watchers! I normally don't venture around the dealer's den or Artist's Alley area in suit because I don't carry money or anything in suit and I don't really have any business being a speed bump in the business sector of the con. But I'd totally make a trip down there in suit for ya, and I'd even buy mint stuffs before the con to load up my vest with for ya.The photos
The real reason everyone here watches me, because it certainly isn't for my witty social commentary or emo posts regarding volunteering at the dog shelter. I practiced before the con and discussed photo techniques with my photo-mentor on the drive up to the con. I also employed some advice from people on Flickr. The result is that I truly believe my photos this year will be the best yet. If my photos look as good on the computer as they did on my LCD screen on the camera, I'll be ecstatic.
However, the numbers this year aren't going to be as impressive as last year. I deliberately spent more time fursuiting. And I tried to be more...deliberate in how I took photos this con. I think my pictures are better for it, but there's going to be less of them. I think that's a good thing, because I'm still backlogged from Anthrocon 2011. This way, I should be able to continue posting photos from both years and be done with it before next year.
Anyway, the current photo counts are...
Wednesday - 31
Thursday - 541
Friday - 0 Yes, zero. Between meeting with friends and fans, suiting, and panels, I actually didn't have the time for photos.
Saturday - 152
Sunday - 296 Which includes a few that bled over midnight and were technically Monday but I'm grouping them together anyway.
So this year I took approximately 1020 photos. Keeping in mind my technique of multiple shots and all that, my rough posting estimate is around 3/7ths of the total, so we're looking at around 437 photos that will be posted for this convention.
I still wish I had caught more fursuits. Just browsing my roommate's snapshots, I spotted dozens of suits that I was apparently in close proximity to but never caught on camera. DRATS, is about all I can say. I'll try harder next year.
Speaking of photos - the Roo shoot
This year, due to some conflicts with the time I initially suggested, we had both a primary and secondary photoshoot. At the primary photoshoot, Friday, only one other kangaroo showed up. We bounced around in the DLCC for a bit, and some passers-by took a bunch of photos (I think
blimpwolf has the main grouping of photos, but I'll have to double-check that. It's hard for me to read nametags or anything in suit since I'm blind without my glasses anyway).Come Saturday for the secondary photoshoot, I was rather tempted not to go, to be honest with you. It was just an hour after the fursuit parade (which I hadn't considered when first arranging the time for the photoshoot). There was a dismal turnout for the primary photoshoot. And there was another panel I was interested in attending. But, I also didn't want to be the guy who arranged something then didn't even show up himself to it. So, after showering and doing a quick brushing of Shockwave after the parade, I ran off to the secondary photoshoot. To my surprise, we had a record turnout of five kangaroos for that photoshoot (done by the professionals set up in the DLCC hallway, so we'll have to check their site for the photos when they're posted).
Oddly, because of the split photoshoots and the uneven turnout, this year has the unique distinction of having both a third less attendees than last year, as well as double the attendees from last year.
About the con
There were lots of panels I attended this year, a testament to the awesome staff of Programming and the work put in by the furs who volunteered to take time out of their cons to run panels. Everything seemed to run really smoothly, although it was disconcerting to hear an announcement at opening ceremonies that went something like "Oh yeah, there's been changes to the schedule this year, so check the schedule online to see the changes". Um...what? Most of us don't have smartphones or the time to sit down at the Tigerden for twenty minutes to load up the web page.
The fursuit dance competition just blows my mind, year after year. It is always difficult for me to wrap my head around the incredible talent those dancers have. Not just their moves, but their timing, their ability to choreograph moves, mix their own tunes, just all of it spins me right around and drops me on my head. I don't have the slightest bit of talent in any of those realms, yet these people get up in front of a thousand people and rock hard in fursuit and make it look easy. Just wow. So, for whatever it's worth to you guys, I give big props to everybody who got up on stage this year. You all have my utmost respect for your discipline, your skills, your hard work, your creativity, and having the confidence to get up and do it all in front of a large audience.
And upon returning from AC
Of course, there's a million submissions and journals. Curiously, I had a lot of activity on my Flickr account too. I rarely get any notices from Flickr, perhaps one or two a month. But while at AC, a bunch of my photos (both new and old) were favorited, two people watched me that didn't look like they were furries if their profile were any indication, and a few comments were left too (mostly positive). I'm not sure, but I think that Anthrocon might have been in the news in a few places and some internet searches might have dug up a lot of Flickr results. Whether it was just Anthrocon Flickr photo pool, or maybe people finding the AC forums and linking to my photos from there, I don't know.
I also garnered four watches on FA during the weekend, which was odd considering I haven't posted anything yet.
Also, if you guys remembered the little journal I posted a few days before the con -- I had that abscess and it was a serious pain in the neck. Well, the pain died down about halfway through the con, which made the weekend that much better. Nothing can ruin a vacation quite like dental problems. But anyway, I had a dentist appointment today and had my little root canal done. The novacaine still hasn't worn off, actually. It went well enough, but I have to go back in a day or so to patch up a chipped tooth.
Also, I forgot to call my dad on Sunday of the con, which was father's day. So he's a bit pissed.
In conclusion
Fun times! How did your con go? What did you do this weekend if you weren't at the con? What's new with you guys? I want to hear from you now. Comments, suggestions, catching up, the whole nine yards. So let me hear what you have to say!
Problem was mainly that the original shoot time (after the Marsupial Madness panel) was cross-posted by others, and so a lot of people saw that. The new time for the shoot was not cross-posted, so only people watching me saw it, and even then it was during a time that a lot of people were nuking journals because they didn't have the time to read them as they were prepping for AC. So, it was my fault. Next year I need to have a good, logical, well-thought-out time selected and stick with it.