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Things unsaid reguarding Foxicon/Iowa furs
13 years ago
General
strikerkingcheetahFirst off, this journal is not meant as an attack on any individual or organization. It is my own observation, and nothing more. I've always been enthusiastic about having a furry convention here in Iowa, and I'm always going to support any effort that promises results to the best of my ability. However, the current staff of Foxicon has decided to alienate itself from the rest of the community. At this point, I do not agree with the way Mina is operating Foxicon. Don't get me wrong, she's a great business person, but a business mindset isn't going to win the hearts and minds of the community (Occupy Wall St. is proof of this).
As of right now, there are two main groups here in Iowa, Foxicon and Cedar Rapids. I have spoke with both parties, and they both agreed that they would be able to put up with each other. Collaboration is going to be necessary in order for a convention to be successful. If we can start fresh on this, I'd be willing to step up as a director. I don't know much about running a convention and I'm a terrible conversationalist, but if there's any common ground, I usually find it.
The current Foxicon administration, from what I hear, is making slow but steady progress but is held up with the process of incorporating. While being recognized by the government as an LLC or non-profit is helpful in the long term, I believe it's unnecessary for the short term. You have to learn to crawl before you can learn to walk, and I believe it's better for now to keep things small.
How would I do it?
Simplicity, simplicity. Start with just a small one day con to get the ball rolling. It's cheap to attend, cheap and easy to run, and grabs attention. Use only as much space as you know you're going to use. It's okay to run out of space, because it means you're doing something right. This small, one day event serves as a catalyst for future, much larger conventions. Venues want to know that an event is going to draw a crowd and make them money. If you've got a single day event that draws a crowd, they're going to recognize that and give you good deal for a larger event.
As of right now, there are two main groups here in Iowa, Foxicon and Cedar Rapids. I have spoke with both parties, and they both agreed that they would be able to put up with each other. Collaboration is going to be necessary in order for a convention to be successful. If we can start fresh on this, I'd be willing to step up as a director. I don't know much about running a convention and I'm a terrible conversationalist, but if there's any common ground, I usually find it.
The current Foxicon administration, from what I hear, is making slow but steady progress but is held up with the process of incorporating. While being recognized by the government as an LLC or non-profit is helpful in the long term, I believe it's unnecessary for the short term. You have to learn to crawl before you can learn to walk, and I believe it's better for now to keep things small.
How would I do it?
Simplicity, simplicity. Start with just a small one day con to get the ball rolling. It's cheap to attend, cheap and easy to run, and grabs attention. Use only as much space as you know you're going to use. It's okay to run out of space, because it means you're doing something right. This small, one day event serves as a catalyst for future, much larger conventions. Venues want to know that an event is going to draw a crowd and make them money. If you've got a single day event that draws a crowd, they're going to recognize that and give you good deal for a larger event.
A 1 day con at the zoo was planned. I was going to be funding the whole thing (including gas for people).
Why didn't it happen? Well because Reaper needed financial help with moving to a new place ($900+) and a friend of mine thats not a fur needed a new computer so I gifted him one for his med school. ($700+). The incorporation process is in the hands of Kitfox and not myself. I handle emails and phone calls to convention sites and I double check Kitfox's work.
I haven't been "in charge" in months as it had been agreed that despite my innocence, Raver's drama would likely cause people to recoil from me for fear of him. You might not remember but he admitted to attacking me and bulling me into the social spot I'm in now. He publicly admitted this on his own forums. He admitted to having me censored.
I have mended many ties with those in Cedar Rapids but as you should already know the division between them and me used to be one sided (them disliking me). Then this shit happened. Of course it is unfair of me to get upset by someone coming and shitting on my lawn. After all I am one of the 99% and not one of the 1% so I have to take the shit dealt to me.
It would be nice if you had attended even 1 furmeet in Ames in the last 6 months you might actually know whats going on. I know you've not talked to anyone from the Foxicon staff about this in at least 4 months as I talk to all of them quite regularly and until today I had missed you.
I am very sad that my hopes of actually seeing you again were destroyed by a clear and obvious attack on me in a clear and obvious attempt to take ownership of Foxicon for yourself. If you want to apologize to me you can do it in person, Reaper's furmeet on the 4th Tuesday of any month. I would ask you not come to my furmeet, 2nd Tuesday, until you've apologized to me in person as you have done an action little better the Raver Rabbit.
As for this thing with you and Raver, I spoke to him. It's water under the bridge, and as I told you before, it's up to you to confront your fear and simply talk to him privately.
By the way, I find your comment aggressive, irrational, and overbearing. There's no reason to be upset just because I disagree with you. No reason to feel threatened. No reason to put up walls. Walls are for the weak and arrogant, and I don't think you are ether one. You're better then that.
I apologize if I've in any way offended you, but my opinion still stands.
Your words make me sick to my stomachache. I am literately turned ill by them. I had believed you to be a far better, smarter, and more wise. I suppose if anyone were bind here it was me.
I will now unwatch you. I will not ask for an apology from you. I won't ask anyone to defend me from you. I was at fault for thinking you were not just ... anything I could say would seem like an insult. I had thought so much more of you as a person and am really let down.
If we must go our separate ways, so be it. Just know that if you need help, I will assist you to the best of my ability. Until you're able to put this nonsense behind you, don't expect me to work with you.
Raver is not as influential as he thinks he is. He is widely thought of as an immature loudmouth with a chip on his shoulder. And we have opened negotiations with him before. It never works. "Same shit, different day" kind of stuff. Waste of time to try for the favor of a minor political figure who acts like a Youtube troll.
As for the incorporation process, I have been thinking hard about taking that task on myself to streamline it. But since the con staff sees each other in person at least once a week, talking via the forums is slow and clunky and rarely used.
wow you honestly think i make it my job to try and influence and incite people against mina? Wow dude you really are clueless arnt you. She did all that shit on her own. all we do is talk about it. I never had to say shit because she did all the talking for her. All i did was say the right things to get her to show her real character to everyone else and that my friend is history. And by a WIDELY though of loudmouth, immature child ......you mean that like you and 3 other people from des moines think that right because none of my friends have ever said that to me and i put trust that my friends will tell me when they think ive stepped over the line.
Truth is weither or not mina "Mended" things with nbowa ........she's still not allowed back so thats not really mending anything. Thats more of an agreement that she doesn't come around because no one wants to be around her.........DUH
I have no more reason to read or reply. Consider this matter closed. If Clint ever opens his eyes he knows how to get a friend back. Face to face apology.
You take words too seriously. Words are meaningless. They are only tools, and it takes a mind to give them meaning. It's clear that you've put the wrong meaning to my words, and no matter how I try to clarify, you're still going to apply the same false meaning.
Also, you clearly don't have any respect for me or what I'm trying to achieve. Last time I attended your meet, I left feeling worthless, like it was a waist of my time. You're constantly insulting my intelligence, and quick to doubt anything I come up with. Do you really think I'm stupid? Are you trying to give me a bad name?
Fuck it. I'm done. Just leave me be.