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Confuzzled 2013 - report
12 years ago
General
"Aww, Wingardium Leviosaaah!"
"Stop it Ron, stop!"
How do you create the most amazing and fun-filled five days imaginable? Simple: take a hotel in rural Leicestershire, add 870-odd wonderfully crazy furry folk, and watch the magic and fun unfold. Yes, this was Confuzzled, the largest furry gathering in the UK and the second largest in Europe. These conventions are always a spectacle to behold, but this year's event surpassed all expectations by miles. And so, here in this journal, is my super-compressed summary of the past five days.
Arrival
This being a UK convention there were no flights for me this time, just a couple hours' train ride to the other side of Birmingham. But all through Thursday morning, watching my Twitter feed and with the album Sam's Town spurring me on, the excitement just kept rising. At Hinckley I met up with the lovely
rachez: we jumped in a taxi for the final two miles of our journey, to the Hinckley Island hotel… and a whole new world. Our 'furry Puma home' had pulled out all the stops to make this convention a success, right down to hotel staff wearing their own convention shirts. Just walking down those corridors for the first time, surrounded by giant critters, you could tell this was going to be an unforgettable weekend.
Security
This was a new experience for me. This year for the first time, I joined the Security team. Under the steady paw of our Head of Security, Dhary Montecore, the job involved guarding doors, marshalling the Fursuit Parade, keeping an eye out for trouble, and generally making sure everything ran smoothly. It was a fascinating insight into the workings of a large convention, and I am joining next year's team without a doubt.
And so, to Bad Boy Bunny, Bezel, Capeh, Codewolf, Crimson, Cueball, Dief, Drayygon, Flake, Geo Panda, Mooie, Oddity, Raithsphere, Ravell, Remco, Rwylin, Shiinsuh, Silva Wolfie and Venom: it was an absolute pleasure serving alongside you all, and hopefully we can work together again, very soon.
Events
But there were still plenty of chances to take part in events. From the Opening Ceremony to the Closing Ceremony, this year's schedule was packed with events. The Fureoke has to be my pick of the events: I gave a rendition of Holding Out for a Hero, and, well, when people were holding up signs afterwards reading 'Hero!' and 'Best Singer Ever'… that was a real honour. I'm delighted you enjoyed it so much. Great performances too from Jess Lyra, Avon and Bjorn.
You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWoa8V80N5c
The Dealers in their Den had plenty to offer for my hard-earned shinies – pictures to be uploaded in due course. Unfortunately I was outbid on everything in the Art Show, but it was still a chance to marvel at the talent in this Fandom. Dance Dance Revolution was great fun – picked up bronze in the Beginners' competition. The Artists' Alley was a quieter venue, and it was really nice getting to know Amethyst Mare, Rin and Pegla up there.
But even just sitting around chatting was a pleasure itself. In the two bars, in the restaurant, outside, afternoon or evening, there was always somebody willing to chat. And that was great.
Furs and friends
Every corner of the UK I have frequented, every meet I have attended, they all had representation here at Confuzzled. So many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting these past 3-and-a-bit years, all concentrated in one place… nothing can properly prepare you for what a joy that was. From Durham to Newcastle, Cardiff, London, Cambridge, York, Leeds, Birmingham and beyond! It was a joy to see each and every one of you. Already I am making plans for a few trips: London in July, Newcastle hopefully in August, and Leeds in October. I cannot wait to see all of you all, over again!
Special thanks
Because of course, a convention would be nothing without such a fantastic group of people. And so I say thank you, to each and every one of you. Now, with so many furs to meet, it is inevitable that I will miss some folks off the list. But I will do my best. My thanks go to:
My brilliant room-mates:
gamepopper and 
meatsnack1
Dhary and the Security team
The Tyne Furs: Ram B, Autumn, Fawnspots, Freaky, Garnet, Jonnee, Miku, Neko-San, Rabid, Tera, Toshi, Tobias, Urban
The Leeds Furs: Avon, Skavi, Lupestripe, Arcais, Draken, Cheetahkid, Fioxy, Mikune, Oracle, Rushy, Stray Jim, Wally, Wolfiee
The Cambridge Furs: Harlequeen, Felder, Ponpon
The Midfurs: Rizzo, Equium, Snugglebunny, Awkore, Chad, Galli, Raze, Sayre Foxx, Tiff, Typhon
The Welsh Furs: Amethyst Mare, Neonpossum, Saethwr and Tenshi
The Londonfurs and Kent Furs: Apes, Azra, Blacksnip, Russ, Sethvir, Misty, Thayne
Furs around the world: Kruzer, Taya, Rufus, Zenon, Bloocat, Ultraviolet, Lev, Bjorn, Bandittails, Kyth, Jess Lyra, Toonie, Fabi, Pegla, Rin, Ant
The Confuzzled staff
And the team at the Hinckley Island Hotel – you shall be missed.
And so, bring on Confuzzled 2014!
Ziegenbock
"Stop it Ron, stop!"
How do you create the most amazing and fun-filled five days imaginable? Simple: take a hotel in rural Leicestershire, add 870-odd wonderfully crazy furry folk, and watch the magic and fun unfold. Yes, this was Confuzzled, the largest furry gathering in the UK and the second largest in Europe. These conventions are always a spectacle to behold, but this year's event surpassed all expectations by miles. And so, here in this journal, is my super-compressed summary of the past five days.
Arrival
This being a UK convention there were no flights for me this time, just a couple hours' train ride to the other side of Birmingham. But all through Thursday morning, watching my Twitter feed and with the album Sam's Town spurring me on, the excitement just kept rising. At Hinckley I met up with the lovely
rachez: we jumped in a taxi for the final two miles of our journey, to the Hinckley Island hotel… and a whole new world. Our 'furry Puma home' had pulled out all the stops to make this convention a success, right down to hotel staff wearing their own convention shirts. Just walking down those corridors for the first time, surrounded by giant critters, you could tell this was going to be an unforgettable weekend.Security
This was a new experience for me. This year for the first time, I joined the Security team. Under the steady paw of our Head of Security, Dhary Montecore, the job involved guarding doors, marshalling the Fursuit Parade, keeping an eye out for trouble, and generally making sure everything ran smoothly. It was a fascinating insight into the workings of a large convention, and I am joining next year's team without a doubt.
And so, to Bad Boy Bunny, Bezel, Capeh, Codewolf, Crimson, Cueball, Dief, Drayygon, Flake, Geo Panda, Mooie, Oddity, Raithsphere, Ravell, Remco, Rwylin, Shiinsuh, Silva Wolfie and Venom: it was an absolute pleasure serving alongside you all, and hopefully we can work together again, very soon.
Events
But there were still plenty of chances to take part in events. From the Opening Ceremony to the Closing Ceremony, this year's schedule was packed with events. The Fureoke has to be my pick of the events: I gave a rendition of Holding Out for a Hero, and, well, when people were holding up signs afterwards reading 'Hero!' and 'Best Singer Ever'… that was a real honour. I'm delighted you enjoyed it so much. Great performances too from Jess Lyra, Avon and Bjorn.
You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWoa8V80N5c
The Dealers in their Den had plenty to offer for my hard-earned shinies – pictures to be uploaded in due course. Unfortunately I was outbid on everything in the Art Show, but it was still a chance to marvel at the talent in this Fandom. Dance Dance Revolution was great fun – picked up bronze in the Beginners' competition. The Artists' Alley was a quieter venue, and it was really nice getting to know Amethyst Mare, Rin and Pegla up there.
But even just sitting around chatting was a pleasure itself. In the two bars, in the restaurant, outside, afternoon or evening, there was always somebody willing to chat. And that was great.
Furs and friends
Every corner of the UK I have frequented, every meet I have attended, they all had representation here at Confuzzled. So many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting these past 3-and-a-bit years, all concentrated in one place… nothing can properly prepare you for what a joy that was. From Durham to Newcastle, Cardiff, London, Cambridge, York, Leeds, Birmingham and beyond! It was a joy to see each and every one of you. Already I am making plans for a few trips: London in July, Newcastle hopefully in August, and Leeds in October. I cannot wait to see all of you all, over again!
Special thanks
Because of course, a convention would be nothing without such a fantastic group of people. And so I say thank you, to each and every one of you. Now, with so many furs to meet, it is inevitable that I will miss some folks off the list. But I will do my best. My thanks go to:
My brilliant room-mates:
gamepopper and 
meatsnack1Dhary and the Security team
The Tyne Furs: Ram B, Autumn, Fawnspots, Freaky, Garnet, Jonnee, Miku, Neko-San, Rabid, Tera, Toshi, Tobias, Urban
The Leeds Furs: Avon, Skavi, Lupestripe, Arcais, Draken, Cheetahkid, Fioxy, Mikune, Oracle, Rushy, Stray Jim, Wally, Wolfiee
The Cambridge Furs: Harlequeen, Felder, Ponpon
The Midfurs: Rizzo, Equium, Snugglebunny, Awkore, Chad, Galli, Raze, Sayre Foxx, Tiff, Typhon
The Welsh Furs: Amethyst Mare, Neonpossum, Saethwr and Tenshi
The Londonfurs and Kent Furs: Apes, Azra, Blacksnip, Russ, Sethvir, Misty, Thayne
Furs around the world: Kruzer, Taya, Rufus, Zenon, Bloocat, Ultraviolet, Lev, Bjorn, Bandittails, Kyth, Jess Lyra, Toonie, Fabi, Pegla, Rin, Ant
The Confuzzled staff
And the team at the Hinckley Island Hotel – you shall be missed.
And so, bring on Confuzzled 2014!
Ziegenbock
It was awesome meeting you. :) Hopefully see ya next year. :)