Settling back in my seat as the transport left the docking bay, I looked up from my book to cast one last glance out the window. Soon the familiar surge of energy would be felt throughout the cabin as we passed through the local mass relay and then, after a few subsequent jumps, we would be in the Republic of Texas. I had visited this curious country several years ago and have found my mind wandering back to it quite often ever since. Perhaps it was the landscape, or maybe it was the food, or perhaps it was the way certain people there could make me feel at ease and able to lower my shields. And now here I was, accepting an invitation to attend Texas Furry Fiesta 2014. And for the first time, my schedule was conducive for such a trip. What struck me as most interesting was the theme of the con this year, Heroes and Villains. Throughout the years, I have often seen myself as more one than the other. The question now was, which one would emerge this weekend? Passing several cape-clad furs as I entered the hotel, it was indeed time to find out.

The League

It would be most unjust of me not to begin by thanking for being the most hospitable roommate a wolf could ask for. From picking me up at the airport, to knowing all the most amazing places to eat, to just being all around awesome and considerate friend (heck, he put up with me for a whole weekend!), I could not have asked for more. And I did try my best to help the good mouse expand his horizons and PSI capacity. In addition, the always squeaky and suiter extraordinaire continued to demonstrate their great warmth and welcoming nature. Further rounding out (badum-tish) the squeaky group attending TFF this year were , , and (who also served as excellent dining companions). And one of the most memorable moments of the con came from watching and his phenomenal Google Glass-inspired rage-fests (“Okay Glass… do something!...@#^$@%!”) or having interesting conversations with (tentacles, right?). I got to witness firsthand the toony madness of (LENS CAP!).

The color orange was well-represented thanks to and (note to self, this pair is never to be trusted… foxes, right?). My arch-nemesis, I mean my good friend seemed to have a great time when she gnawed through the chain of her dealer’s table. What’s more, I had the good fortune to meet the always awesome and watch him TF from otter to coyote. Completing a long-overdue delivery, I was finally able to give peanut butter cookies and share several wonderful conversations with this wise canine compadre. demonstrated great generosity (and fortitude!) by sharing his drinks at the con’s final dinner and for providing a memorable, late-night conversation. The cunning made quite the memorable first impression by stealing my shoe and then absconding with my camera (coyotes, right?). And even Orlando was represented well thanks to , , and . All in all, there was never a shortage of good people around to share a meal, a laugh, or to be there when you needed help getting up.

Daze of Future Past

As I wandered through the halls of the rather 70’s Inter-Continental Hotel, utilizing my own superpower of invisibility as best I could, I was rather impressed by how at-home the entire con felt. Despite having approximately 1800 people in attendance, the con never felt stifling or uninviting. Though there were many events and panels to attend, the majority of people I saw were making use of the event as a hang out con. The time portal that lead to the con suite (an old bar straight from the disco era, complete with mirror-laden walls and spinning disco ball) helped to set the mood of escapism the weekend promised. Crossing the threshold from the outside of the hotel, where lived the real world, the traffic, and the noise, the con space became a different world altogether.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention the amazing food options provided by this con, most of them within a short walk from the hotel. An advantage of rooming with a native was I had the inside scoop on where to nom. From the outstanding barbecue of Hard 8 (brisket = heaven), to the outstanding fried chicken and chicken fried steak of Babe’s, the uncannily good Mexican food of Mi Cocina (make sure you try the carne asada), and the unending parade of meat that was Fogo de Chao, dinners were always a treat. Couple that with two outstanding breakfast places: Benedict’s (get the chorizo green chile omelet!) and the humongous flapjacks served at The Original Pancake House and you have some fantastic meals ahead of you! It became clear once again that Texans know how to eat and they are more than happy to share their grub. Fortunately there was plenty of walking involved in this con, lest I would have lived up to my furry name!

Throughout the weekend, the many con events (the fursuit parade, shopping in the dealer’s den, concerts and dances, and a ballroom masquerade of less-than-ideal enjoyment) kept us all quite busy and entertained. But, like all good conventions, it was the smaller, more personal moments that made the weekend what it was. From having long conversations with friends amidst a furry flurry of thievin’ coyotes, to the culinary adventures involving 20+ people, to the room parties filled with pooltoys and even room-filling pooltoys, it was in these moments where the heart of this con was found. I did not even mind that the room Dario and I shared was on the fifth floor, the officially designated party floor; unexpected, unplanned, and altogether a memorable experience. From this weekend I’ll remember these moments, watching disturbing cartoons late into the night, sharing in conversations out on balconies, Jesus showing up to bless a party, the most doggone determined Girl Scout cookie-seller I have ever met, and the scariest use of Waiting for Godot that has ever occurred. Every now and again I would find a place to stop, stand aside, and take in the moment. Finding a stillpoint for a moment, I tried my best to take in what was all around me. Laughter from the bad jokes someone had just told, hugs from old friends meeting for the first time, the wide-eyes of a first time con-goer hugging a fursuiter, the endless trolling of a few individuals in good spirits (or having imbibed good spirits), and someone being reminded that yes, you belong. Phasing back into the timestream, I realized that TFF worked for this reason, it made you feel as though you belonged there.

Until Next Time, True Believers

As the weekend wound down to its inevitable conclusion, bags were packed, cabs were hailed, and friends shared final moments before their transports departed. The cool desert air blew into the hotel through the main doors, bringing with it the real world, life, and the many concerns we had kept out of our minds for one weekend. A new group was moving in on where we had been, business folk busily typing away on their phones, not daring to look up from their coffees or glowing screens to see what madness had been there just the night before. The staff of con hotels (especially for first-time hotels) always seems both relieved and saddened to see furry cons go away. On one paw, we’re quite the… eccentric group. On the other… we’re the fun kind of eccentric. The kind that make for the interesting stories told at company Christmas parties, the unbelievable photos they post to Twitter, and the stories told by the barkeeps of how each night their supplies were nearly fully depleted. Giving my squeaky roommate a final hug good-bye, I boarded the transport departing the Texan system. Watching the land below vanish as we hit FTL, I could only sit back, close my eyes, and think back on what I had experienced. Thinking back on the many kind folks who had spent their time with me and receiving the sense that this mean old wolf may have been wanted there as well.

Ultimately, old words came to my mind and they seemed quite true of TFF. ‘Everything’s bigger in Texas’ goes the old slogan. And maybe they were right. From the food to music to the kindness found in its people, everything did seem… bigger. Perhaps it doesn’t end there, though. Maybe this effect embiggens all those who visit this strange country, as well. For my first TFF the con completely won me over and I plan to make it a point to be in attendance next year. If you have been on the fence about heading down to the Lone Star State for this event, take my advice: do it.