My FWA 2013 Recap!

Well, I'm home mostly safe and mostly sound from FWA (Details of why I say, Mostly, at the end) and I had a real blast at the convention! It was phenomenal this year once again and I'm again VERY glad I got God Level as I enjoyed all the perks immensely. I really do recommend it if you are able to splurge for it. If you take real advantage of the suite you won't really need to worry about buying food at the convention (I know, I didn't actually buy any food at all.) I have to give special appreciation to the lunches they provided. They were delicious gourmet sandwiches that were AMAZING and some of the best I've ever eaten. I was told they came from, Metrofresh I believe the name was? One of the top sandwich places in Atlanta. I wanted to EAT THEM ALL, but I controlled myself. Also the Meat Faucet on Friday night was wonderful, as always, and that place treats us really well. The bag we got this year is really neat too! Also they were nice and got me Diet Mountain Dew after the first day when they went and did restocking. I brought up a platter of cookies once or twice a day to the suite as well to share with those there. Tons of snacks all the time available too and it's also a great place to converse and meet others as well. Plus, front of the line at Reg doesn't hurt either.

I did not hug enough fursuiters though, which is a shame. I got some hugs, but really needed more. I love hugging fursuiters (Well, okay, I love hugging everyone) but didn't quite run into enough! Next time. :) I did get some good friend hugs in though, it's all good! Need more hugs still though.

I will have some photos to share later on of Fursuits from the Parade. I had a rather nice spot for photos, and some turned out decent.
((Photo Dump at http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sta.....FWA2013?page=1 ))

The Cookie tray I offered to the Charity Auction this year went for $160! (Special thanks to  violetneko for buying the cookies!) That blew my mind and I was so happy to help out CCI that much with that. I'll post a picture of the platter as well soon (I took one before I wrapped it). The people at CCI are always amazingly friendly and great to talk with. The cute “Bear-cat” they had with them was adorable as well. I really want to get to North Carolina at some point and visit CCI in person someday. That's one of my goals at some point when I can arrange it.

This was a good Relax convention for me this year, and I'd been needing it. Had some drunken bit of debauchery, but nothing to extreme. No hangovers or even late mornings. I was up before my 9am alarm everyday to the beautiful glow of a golden room, on the 31st floor with a window that directly faced the rising sun. It was gorgeous to see the sunrise from the room.

I really enjoyed the hotel except for Elevator Con and Wait for Elevator Con. Eventually things got worked out a bit though at the end it did take me around forty-five minutes to get down with my luggage when I was leaving. Kept having packed elevators stop, and there was a line on the floor of others leaving too. I'd say that was my only complaint and I'm not sure what can be done about it. The staff was very nice and helpful of the hotel and seemed happy to have me there. Also, Cell-phone reception in the hotel is HORRIBLE. I was without signal unless I was near the window in my room or on the convention space, and even then anywhere near the elevators I'd be without signal. Made communicating with others at times rather odd. (What's that? I got four text messages at once? From different people? A few hours late? Sheesh!)

The spread out layout (Rather, Vertical Layout) of the convention made things feel almost like a small con again in ways. I didn't mind that at all, and once I figured it out I was busy around. The escalators made moving around the floors a breeze and was very easy to get around. The convention space worked great for me. Huge Dealer's Den was awesome, and the Artist's Alley was nice too though it did seem to get over heated in there!

FWA staff was, as always, pretty awesome to me. Love them dearly and I'm really pondering putting in for heavy Volunteering this next year, mostly trying to stick to the God-level suite, I admit, and helping with hospitality. It's what I do, after all, and I love doing it.

Attended a bit of a dance one night and the Light System there was VERY Epic. Amazing how much and all over the place it was. Loved it! I though couldn't find out what types of music the different Djs played, I would have liked to have had that info on the dance listing outside the main hall like they've done before. I'm partial to Trance and 80s mixes for dancing and less so dubstep, and some Techno. That's just personal preference though.

Matthew Ebel ( hali) concert was awesome! He started with Into the Muck (Which I love) and soon did the Lives of Dexter Peterson album. Sadly his show started a little late and the dance competition was lined up right after so his Encore never got preformed. They came over the PA and had people clearing off chairs real fast! Alas. I got to attend the party in his room afterward and really loved it as well. Awesome time indeed! I hope they can bring back Runtt one of these years again.

The Laugh out Loud Improv people were once again, truely awesome. Loved there show (I arrived halfway through it though) but got to attend there Panel show later on which was great. Lots of audience participation in that, but I really need to attend that with a drink or two in me to help me overcome my shyness. I look forward to seeing them next year.

Got to catch up with old friends, got to make some new ones too, and had a really great time. Already went and registered for next year too. Got some great artwork of my character too in trade for cookies and sweets! I'll be doing it again for Megaplex as well. Got six prints of Theresa Mathers as well from the Art Auction too... I always get tons of her stuff, and I'd really love to meet her someday. I once almost wrote her an e-mail but I worried I'd sound way to creepy fan boy and just couldn't figure out what to say that wouldn't sound like a gibbering idiot. I've got like forty plus pieces of her work, including a couple of her Stone and Feather pieces that are one of a kind. Most framed and hanging up too. Just, afraid to say anything. Maybe someday I'll get out of my shyness!

Next event for me, The Jax Furs picnic on April 20th, at Hannah Park. ( http://www.floridafurs.com/jaxpicnic )If you are in the Florida area come on and check it out! We had over 120 people last year and probably more this year. Everyone brings something to contribute. I'll be doing cookies and probably a couple other things too! They have Fursuit Bowling afterward as well.

Now, onto that note of “Mostly Safe and Sound” part I mentioned in the beginning. On Leaving on Sunday I was driving off and after a bit I got cut in front of and smacked into the side of a car. The particular fellow was not very nice, either, but I didn't get a ticket, the other guy did for failure to yield. My car is actually in rather good condition and drives just fine, it seems mostly cosmetic damage, though the other guys car had his side airbags go off and a really big dent. I'm a bit sore all over right now and especially in my chest from the seat belt. Glad to be home from that!

Now to get back on life focus. Trying to refocus onto healthy eating again, get this weight off. Get closer to 200lbs so I can really consider that Allon the Cookie Dragon fursuit I want someday as a partial (And maybe Full someday!)

Thanks to everyone out there for an awesome con and a fun time! Looking forward to FWA 2014!