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OMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWDOMIGAWD!





Now that I have that fanspasm (or fangasm) out of the way, I can truly say that this was the most amazing experience I've ever had! I honestly couldn't trade it for anything in the world, and I wouldn't...because everyone I met and talked to was truly amazing and loving! I've never been around so many furs in person before, and I had the time of my life!

I went to the con with Shira Frozenmoon and met up with  tealeon and  talla. I'm going to just say this, right now...had it not been for these two, loving, lovely people...my con experience would not have even been a fraction of the greatness that it has been. I EXTREMELY recommend that you take the time to at least talk to both of them, as they are two of the most kind and loving friends that I've had the privilege to get to know at the con. I only knew Tealeon for a week, and Talla I just met at the con, but they both embraced me as if they knew me for years...and that alone has made me so deeply happy! And the best part is, it wasn't just for the con...I know I'll always be friends with them, and I hold the highest respect and kindness for both, as well as  magnakoji and  volando1. Those four are such an amazing combination of people...and I'm so glad I know each of them, even though I didn't get to see Koji at the con, I know he's truly amazing, just by knowing Teal and Talla!

Some other amazing and wonderful furs I got to meet are:  waqiathunderwolf,  volando1,  ace1192,  animal16365,  thefuzzy1, and so many others...I can't even list them all, there's so many! However, if I did miss someone (I know I've missed a few), please tell me so I can add you to the list!

Now then...things I've purchased..and probably shouldn't have spent to much money on...oh my god, my finances...I didn't mean to dip into the "I need to move out of my current house" fund...but it was my first con, and I got so wrapped up in everything that I really could not resist...I'll have to work extra hard to get more funds, but I don't get paid this week since I was away from work during the week that led up to IFC. So, no more spending at all (except for food while at work, and my phone, since they are necessities). Now...to the things I actually bought:

Two badges (one complete, made by Bloodhound; one in the works, can't remember the name but I'll post it when I get it)
A ref of my new form (such a nice, sweet artist is making it, and he is  Tatto)
Gift for  cithan (already done)
A tail (Not started yet)
A collar (Will be started on Wednesday most likely)
Two sketches (one finished, can't remember who did it; one in the works, also can't remember who is working on it)
A lined drawing (and it's naughty, but in the works, and it's being made by  ritsuka)
Two buttons (can't remember who I bought them from)
Registration badges (Saturday and Sunday)
Three stuffed animals (I bought one and got two free :3)
Food (Oh god, that was at least $50 there)...but, that's different ;3

Oh god...so many things...ya...but at least some will make others happy. I especially can't wait to get my tail and collar! Then I can show them to the world! <33333333333333333333

Alrighty, now then...the things I did were numerous...I got to watch the fursuit parade (officially there were 110 fursuiters) and I got pics, and even recorded some of it! I took a lot of pictures, and I'll be uploading them tomorrow at work. I'll also be scanning the sketches I have and uploading them here, so that everyone can see their beauty!

I got to swim with quite a few furs, and I even got passed around to almost everyone while in the pool...That made me so happy, I know it seems like something silly, but...I actually wanted that...and I didn't ask, it just happened and it made me feel so good! My voice was so hoarse after swimming that I could pull off a very high voice somehow (still trying to recall how I did that) but...the biggest thing that got me, I'm about to tell you.

Teal and Talla (yes, I'm going back to them), did so many things for me that I did not expect. They invited me to their room, and I accepted. They invited me to stay the night, and I was shocked...it shocked me so much, I didn't understand the kindness...I understood it logically, but emotionally it just didn't register...and this caused a huge break in my thoughts, to the point that as I was trying to sleep, I started feeling bad...and it got worse...it got truly bad, because I didn't know if it was genuine or not...I didn't understand if they really cared or if it was all for show. It affected me so greatly, I got out of bed and curled up in the corner, hands over my head...and after a few minutes, someone came out of the bathroom and asked where I was...Teal found me, and asked if I was fine...I shook my head, and he asked what was wrong. It took over half an hour, and both Teal and Talla trying so hard to calm me down, to get me to stop crying (which is truly rare for me to let go of my pride, in person no less), and get me to go back into bed...After that, Talla was comforting me as Teal went to sleep...and I started sharing some things with her, about my past...I opened up to her...I talked for quite awhile, I don't recall how long...but, honestly, I didn't think I would have gotten along with her that well, because most women tend to end up getting on my nerves by talking about trivial things or focusing on things that just didn't seem like they should be focused on...but, Talla was one of the few women I actually felt drawn to, in such a way that I could feel safe around her. She helped me so much, that night...and I'll never forget such kindness.

If you ever talked to Tealeon or Talla, you wouldn't even think they were that well known...but it's because they are that down-to-Earth and just genuinely compassionate and loving, that it still shocks and overwhelms me. It is this reason, and so many other reasons, why I encourage anyone watching me to get to know them. I cannot say how much they truly made my first fur convention experience the best experience of my life...and I'll never forget their love and kindness, for they both truly affected me so deeply.

I'm sorry for such a long journal, but this is something I truly cannot stop thinking about...and this is why, the next time I go to a con, I will ensure my mate comes with me. I don't know how, but I'll make it happen...this changed my life in such a way that I cannot begin to describe. I don't know what my next con will be, and I know I'll have to probably quit my current job and work for something better if I am to succeed in saving money...but I want to go to as many cons as I can, not only for myself, but for those I love and respect. I'm inspired to do something...something I thought I never would do.

Hearing Teal's story, and how wonderful he is, and learning about why he is the way he is, I've come to my own realization...If someone can share their wealth and kindness, without judgment, without bias, and without any strings attached...why can't I? Of course, I've always been as kind as I can be, I can't think of causing harm...but, I'm already getting the message that I need to share everything that I am with the world...and it is because of this, that soon, I'll be opening up commissions. This is not just because of myself, and it's not just for my own benefit...but it is for those I want to help. I can't say I'll use that money exclusively for that, for I have to have money for my own things as well...but I can now say, with full confidence, that making money off of what I can do is not limited to just being selfish or greedy, or trying to take advantage of what some can't do, or anything like that...it's about bringing love and happiness to others, to see things they didn't think they could see before, and to share that with the world. I tried keeping myself from charging money for what I do, but that's the very thing that I feel I need to do now...If I can make money off of what I can create for others, I can use that money to share a good time with others, and make them happier as well. This is my new ambition...to become popular in the hopes of showing everyone that being popular isn't about being selfish. It's about showing respect in such a way that you can command respect of others, instead of demanding respect of others. I want respect, but I want to earn it...and I hope to earn the respect of so many!

So...thank you, to those that took the time to read my (more lengthy than even normal) journal...Everyone that I've met has been amazing and wonderful, and even though I know some things didn't go entirely as planned, I do know that everything happens for a reason...and I'm so glad I ran into so many furs! This changed my life, and I hope to change the lives of others in some fashion, hopefully even more than I have already! :3

I love everyone...all of you are so wonderful! I love the fandom, despite so many things that I endured because of it...it has shaped me into who I am now, and I'd not be the person I am without this. I owe so much to the furry fandom, and though it has a lot of downs, the ups more than make up for it! I love you! <3333333333333333333

Take care, everyone! ^.=.^ <3