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Local: It's Not Always a Picnic
12 years ago
Let me give you some background.
Last year, for example, I pulled some favors and herded contacts. I secured group rates for a zoo trip. If I got ten people to go, it'd be half price at the Baltimore Zoo. I even got an okay to wear fullsuits during the visit. That was not enough, though! I bought recycling sacks and telescoping grabbers and got a further discount by telling the lady in charge of groups at the Zoo about the first part of our meet: that, on honor of Earth day, we would be cleaning up trash in Baltimore prior to the zoo visit. What an awesome idea right?! I posted the event on FA and FB and talked it up on Twitter. No one. Nothing.
Well, okay... How about 'whoever picks up the most trash gets free admission'? No one. Eventually one person, who lived very far away and had just heard about the event, said he would go; however, it wasn't enough to make our group rate. I told him not to come to the event, which would have been an unfortunate expense for him, especially since the DC zoo is local to him AND free to enter.
I was bummed. I had offered free art and everything. I decided that perhaps the furries were just too busy for extra community service. Maybe too busy with jobs or family or art and they just want to unwind.
Food. Perhaps they will come for food. Older furries, beer! I arranged a meet at the Dog Pub. Worse results.
I admit. I got frustrated. I gave up for a while.
I even arranged a picnic. With 0 furs.
You know what, though? It's not about the picnics. Being in tune with your local furs isn't about the number of meets you have. It's about having friends that you love. Furs that you can call on to have a good time. Furs you can call or text or message when you're in trouble or just down or bored. When you need to move furniture, a bunch of friends are there. You can talk about your spirituality and your hobbies and your family without scorn. When you have something to give away, you ask them first because they mean a lot to you. Someone needs something, you're there. You're laid up after surgery and can't mow your lawn or do your laundry? We've got you. Want to go to the grocery store together? Your refrigerator bit it? Dude, use mine. I know some recipes to salvage your defrosted stuff. Hey guys I know this place that is awesome for hanging out nearby. I'm having a yard sale! I'm graduating! Hey guys, I have a pool, everybody bring something to nom and we'll splash around! Hey guys, wanna play Rock Band?
Having local furries isn't about big gatherings and show-stopping events. It's about having people nearby that understand you more than other people might.
Now who wants to go grab an iced tea with me?
Last year, for example, I pulled some favors and herded contacts. I secured group rates for a zoo trip. If I got ten people to go, it'd be half price at the Baltimore Zoo. I even got an okay to wear fullsuits during the visit. That was not enough, though! I bought recycling sacks and telescoping grabbers and got a further discount by telling the lady in charge of groups at the Zoo about the first part of our meet: that, on honor of Earth day, we would be cleaning up trash in Baltimore prior to the zoo visit. What an awesome idea right?! I posted the event on FA and FB and talked it up on Twitter. No one. Nothing.
Well, okay... How about 'whoever picks up the most trash gets free admission'? No one. Eventually one person, who lived very far away and had just heard about the event, said he would go; however, it wasn't enough to make our group rate. I told him not to come to the event, which would have been an unfortunate expense for him, especially since the DC zoo is local to him AND free to enter.
I was bummed. I had offered free art and everything. I decided that perhaps the furries were just too busy for extra community service. Maybe too busy with jobs or family or art and they just want to unwind.
Food. Perhaps they will come for food. Older furries, beer! I arranged a meet at the Dog Pub. Worse results.
I admit. I got frustrated. I gave up for a while.
I even arranged a picnic. With 0 furs.
You know what, though? It's not about the picnics. Being in tune with your local furs isn't about the number of meets you have. It's about having friends that you love. Furs that you can call on to have a good time. Furs you can call or text or message when you're in trouble or just down or bored. When you need to move furniture, a bunch of friends are there. You can talk about your spirituality and your hobbies and your family without scorn. When you have something to give away, you ask them first because they mean a lot to you. Someone needs something, you're there. You're laid up after surgery and can't mow your lawn or do your laundry? We've got you. Want to go to the grocery store together? Your refrigerator bit it? Dude, use mine. I know some recipes to salvage your defrosted stuff. Hey guys I know this place that is awesome for hanging out nearby. I'm having a yard sale! I'm graduating! Hey guys, I have a pool, everybody bring something to nom and we'll splash around! Hey guys, wanna play Rock Band?
Having local furries isn't about big gatherings and show-stopping events. It's about having people nearby that understand you more than other people might.
Now who wants to go grab an iced tea with me?
On the plus side of things though, every meet that I do go to that I find you there I truly enjoy it. You're a wonderful person to hang out with (even when drugged and super blunt honest lol). I don't mind that at all, in fact I value truthful people over the one's who will always agree with me. Writing doesn't pay enough for me to get a car sadly >.<
I'm still new to MD so I don't know anything about bus travel... I'm such a city noob ugh