Boy, am I glad it's Thanksgiving week, because I just recovered enough to write this thing. Most of the weekend was a blur, but here's what I remember:

-Got down to the Hyatt around 9-ish on Friday (drove straight out from work), picked up my neat staff badge and secured my room. Poked around Artist's Alley and Dealer's Den, but I couldn't linger because hey, the food truck is here! Ran off to the back of the house to help unload, sort and set up the Staff Lounge. Worked there til 9pm, then went back to my room for a brief nap. A room party ensued, then I got a little more sleep (about 3 hours total after being awake for 30+ hours).

-Saturday I was up and at 'em around 8 am to get to the Staff Lounge. Popped in on the Fursuit Performance panel (where I saw  tychoaussie but couldn't talk because, again, Staff Lounge), scavenged some extra food from the Sponsor's Brunch, then got suited up for the Fursuit Parade. Bounced my way through the parade, then headed right to the Rosemont Ballroom to stretch and warm up before Floor Wars. De-suited and ran back to the Staff lounge to close it up, after which I caught 2 and Kage's charity performance. Fox Amoore needs to do incidental music for these shows more often, just sayin'. Went back to the room and slept again.

-Sunday I was up early for, you guessed it, Staff Lounge. I was left to man the lounge by myself all afternoon, so I missed almost all of the dance competition (poked my head in just in time to catch the end of Furternity's routine) which sucked for me. Packed up the Staff Lounge, went to the Staff Thank You party, then took a nap before suiting up and spending a short time at the Dead Dog Dance. Wore Money as a partial for the first time ever because I wanted to suit but didn't feel like wearing a fullsuit, had another room party, then sleep.

-Monday actually meant sleeping in for me (3pm checkout for the win), after which I packed up my stuff and drove through snow and Chicago traffic to end up back at work, right where I started.


As I mentioned in my previous journal, both Floor Wars and being on staff were new to me, so they deserve their own sections.

Floor Wars- Sweet mother of Xenu, was this something else. I signed up for this on a whim and almost went for the nonsuit division, though I'm glad I didn't when I found out that Tyzin was my randomly(?) assigned partner. I think I did all right for my first time out, though I know I could have done much better than some of the flailing around that I did. We might not have made it to the finals, but the experience coupled with all the support we got (for which I thank you all) is enough to make me try for Floor Wars at Anthrocon. I'll have more time to improve before then (footwork footwork footwork!); maybe I can make it to the finals there.

Here's footage of our journey for those who want to relive it:

Part 1 of Floor Wars
(vid by Bemani)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTySl-b7neE
(vid by Foxworth42)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORaF2bzDwSI

Part 2 of Floor Wars
(vid by Bemani)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owaS6vG9qHQ
(vid by Foxworth42)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMtoL1q3JCY


Staff- I signed up to be on staff so I could get some experience actually working a convention before GLFC rolled around. While the perks were nice (free registration, late checkout on Monday, lots of food), I'm not so sure I'll be staffing next year. I didn't have any major problems working in the Staff Lounge, but being tied to it for a majority of the con meant missing out on hanging out with friends and running around in suit acting like a cute puppy. Having to miss the dance competition and not have a say in the matter was also annoying for me, as watching that is a highlight for me at every MFF. If there happens to be a staff opening in another department I'll go for it, but if not I might just switch to being a volunteer instead.


That was my MFF this year. Next up is GLFC, which I'll really need to bust my ass for. The rest of my cons for 2014 will be MCFC, AC and MFF for sure, though I may be able to squeeze in one or possibly two more depending on my finances. Can't wait for 2014 to start!