I had intended to give a little update each evening as things winded down, but usually ended up relaxing and using my tablet to watch shows till I passed out rather than browsing and posing journals. Going to do my best to recall what I did from day to day.

Day 2

This would of been Friday, believe I got up around 8 and rolled out or bed right into the shower to help wake me up. Decided to go ahead and get dressed up in my Victorian suit before heading over to Denny's for breakfast. They were pretty busy, but I got sat down right away and received my meal pretty soon after ordering, which made me happy cause I was pretty hungry. I had gone along, but there were a lot of other furs about and I bumped into  Rhari and  Fever.low that were on there way out right about when I was as well so we headed back to the hotel together. They happen to be heading towards a panel so I followed along, was the meet the board panel and was mostly some Q&A, was informative in some aspects but there was one guy there that had is own agenda he kept pushing that was not all that productive and started to get annoying. Part of the discussions going on was the future of the con and how it might it expand and just how large we wanted it to go, most of us all agreed that bigger is not better and that we don't really want it to ever reach the capacity of FC and AC and that RF works better as medium sized con in a moderate location rather than overblown and spread out over a large facility, but this one guy kept trying push that we run things like an anime convention and keep pushing to be as large as we could get, none of us could convince him that was a terrible idea.

Moving on from that panel I snuck on over to the dealers area to see what new artists had arrived and say good morning to those over there I knew. I ended up snagging a nice original from Katie-W (though those here may know here under a different name) specifically the Sapphire Shores listed here. I also ended up commissioning  Temrin nice little pony badge that I will scan and post later on today. After some browsing and chatting I made my way form the dealer room for a quick visit to the Patron Lounge before making my way back to my room so I could get changed for the Nerf War. I had bought a new gun, again, just for this event. This has always been one of my favorite things to do as this con and had a blast like usual, unfortunately there was a minor accident and we had to end things early. Someone scrapped their knee on the carpet and made a pretty sizable blood stain, even after clean up I could some of the stain a couple days later.

Once the Nerf event was over I decided to go take a dip in the pool, it was nice warm and sunny day so I wanted to take advantage of that before it started to get dark.The water was real nice as well, was actually a little warm and felt quite nice. Sadly others did not seem to have the same idea as I did so for awhile I had the pool to myself, which was kind of nice but i did like it better when others showed up to chat with. After awhile I made my way to the hot tub to soak and loosen up some soar muscles where even a few more showed up, I do tell you time can sure fly in such a situation, but luckily I had the forethought to check the time now and then. I made sure to leave early enough so I could get back to my room in time to take another shower and get dressed for the Guest of Honor dinner.

It does come in handy know so many in the furry community I suppose, always bound to run into people I know to talk with to help pass the time waiting in line. This dinner was not much different from the others in the past, though the meal this year was much better than last year. We got a little gibber jabber from those on the board while we ate and drank, I had beef this year since the chicken I had last year as out right nasty. I enjoyed most of the meal, but the salad was a bit funky, the red lettuce is a bit bitter and I had bitter foods. The desert was especially good, some cheese cake that had a nice hint of lemon to it served some local berries. There was not too much going on for me after that so I just hung out in the lounge for the rest of the night before heading back to my room for the night. Oh, my other roomie ended up showing up that night. He had intended to be there in the morning, but the poor guy missed his flight.

Day 3

We are on to Saturday now, probably when the con was fully at its peek but even with all the bodies around did not feel all that crowded. Per tradition, I got got myself up nice and early so I could make my way down for cartoons and cereal, still in my pjs and hair a mess. Did not really care for what they were showing on the projector so ended up watching SonicAM on my tablet, I do love having Netflix on the go. Though I had a small bowl of cereal, I was in the mood for something else after awhile so packed up and went up to the lounge for a some pancakes and french toast as we continued to watch cartoons up there. I was up there for quite awhile, but I can only go so long before the fact I have not taken a shower yet starts to make me twitch.

So after a nice little clean up and getting dressed back up in my suit I had planned to make my way over to the teriyaki place for some lunch, but to my and that of many others' disappointment the place was closed for the day, not meant to open up again till dinner. So I trekked on back back to the hotel and decided to give the restaurant there a try. The food was actually pretty good, but sure was expensive especially for the portions. Lesson learned there for when I return, though would not mind eating there again with group of people that than by my lonesome. I did a little wondering around after that as I waited for the parade to get going, was interesting watching the crowds settle into place as they waited as well.

I am not sure how long the parade lasted from beginning to end, but from where I was standing it took about 15 minutes for all the suiters to pass on by. Saw a lot I recognize, but there are always, of course, a few new suits I get to see and always very fascinating. I have contemplated getting a suit a few times, but the one thing I am afraid I could never do is wear a head for very long. Claustrophobia really sucks at times. With the parade over I made my way over to the Ice Cream Social, where again I found some familiar faces to chit chat with as we gathered around for a nice treat. While there I found out that there was a bit of a dare put out to the suiters to try and eat some ice cream while fully suit, got a recording of one that was able to pull it off without getting even a drop on their suit.

It was back to the room again to dress down and go for another swim, this time there were quite a few more out taking advantage of the pool and hot tub, it was quite the nice little distraction. I would of loved to of stayed longer, but I needed to get back to the room and dressed into something a little more appropriate for making my way over to the variety show. I was done with my suit at this time so just dressed casually. Truly I ran into a situation where it shows how much it pays to be a patron, there was quite the long line by the time I made it over to the main theater, however I got to skip right on to the front. The show itself was nice, some performances better than others but over all the whole thing felt a little short.

I had intended to waste another night away in the lounge, but they were getting ready for an awards ceremony, so I just headed back to my room, ordered a pizza and put on some shows to watch. It was quite the relaxing evening and ended up falling a sleep much earlier than previously, which I really needed.

Day 4

Here comes Sunday, the last day of the con. A bit of the morning was getting things packed up some so it would be easier getting out once check out had come and gone. After getting cleaned and dressed I headed over to the lounge once again so I could snag warm breakfast, this place really helps keep my food budget in check and is another good reason why people should bother being a Patron, if they have the money to spare. Much of today was doing some last rounds and saying goodbye to folks and finding out when I might see them again, at whichever con we might again cross paths.

It was not long till I had to get fully checked out of the room, but before then I snagged some leftover pizza for lunch, not sure why but I was feeling rather ravenous and ate quite a bit more than I usually would have. Once nice thing I have learned from all my travels is that even though I am checked out of my room, I don't need to haul my bags around with me everywhere I go till it is actually time to head on home. The front desk is more than happy to hold on to my bags for me, till I am ready to leave. Once that was taken care of it was more wondering around the hotel, making some goodbyes as I waited for what would be the last panel I would attend.

It was kind of a nice way to end the con really and was something I was very much looking forward to, the My Little Pony Party. It was nice to sit and talk with some folks I had not really had the chance to see since Everyfree. As the episodes ran I found my way over to members of the EFNW board that were there discussing how we would utilize the hotel for next year for our own means. After a couple eps of the show we introduced the crowed to Friendship is witchcraft then gave some folks a chance to come and tell their story of how they got into the fandom. My story is not all that exciting, but one I still enjoy sharing. After that a nice little announcement from  Markarian and the board about the date and location of Everfree next year, which will of course be over 4th of July weekend at the very same Hilton that Rainfurrest is now.

I helped a little bit with clean up and we did a little walking and talking, as there was still very much shop to discuss in regards and Everfree and what role I might be able to play. Would of loved to have kept following them around, but I was not about to crash their dinner plans and at this point I needed to get going so I would not miss my bus home. I said the last of my goodbyes and grabbed my things and made my way out for the very long trip home, getting in last night where, as always, it was very nice to sleep in my own bed. I have actually spent quite a lot of my time writing this all up and even though I have no idea if anyone is going to bother reading I have found it fun to share my adventures to those interested.

I am not sure if I will return to Rainfurrest next year or not, those who may know me under another name from that fandom I have not made it any secret over the past few years that I have been slowly pulling away from furry and more and more the Brony fandom is starting to take over a lot of my spare time. Thankfully I get to see some familiar faces either way and regardless I have gotten to meet some wonderful people have no regrets. My next and final con this year will be a furry one, Midwest Furfest in Chicago, that will be come November. Where I go from there I am not entirely sure, I am still figuring out what exactly will do next year, really only Everfree is a certainty. I had plans to attend FC, but those already cancelled, a friend has invited me to attend Furry Fiesta, but I am not sure I will be able to make it. To be honest, I am trying to limit my cons to those a little closer by along the west coast, so cons like Emerald City Comicon, Sakuracon and Northwest Wonderfest are in consideration as well as possibly the new pony con BronyCAN that is starting up and looking for staff.

I will get it all figured out eventually, in part it is hard to say goodbye to a part of my life, but I also feel it is time to move on to other things. It is time for a new adventure.

~TTFN