Holy god it's been awhile. I've been dealing with a lot of personal stuff lately, so I've been pretty much ignoring anything that isn't directly related to me keeping my job.

So one month later, I can finally write about FWA and how awesome it was.

Day 1 - Thursday

 nexrad and I arrived in Atlanta late in the evening, after a quick four hour drive from home, to find an amazingly comfortable room and an easy dinner with Robert Baird and his writing buddies from SoFurry.com.

It was a really nice and easy transition intro to what would be considered "my first con" all over again. For the last five years I've lived a very very conservative and private life and thanks to that, I know how to act "professional" in even the most laid-back of social situation. This dinner helped break me out of it.

After a really tasty Bison burger (mmm...meat!) Nex and I headed back to the hotel where I would, for the first time, meet  foxwolfgoof! He was super shy at first, like I was. I mostly dismissed him as being just another socially awkward furry. I still hadn't gotten past the stage of learning to let down my hair and just relax. I was still in that conservative mode.

After a bit of this and that Nex and I went to bed to get ready for Friday.

Day 2 - Friday - I can haz furry personality?

The whole goal of going to FWA this year was to just be able to live a bit and relax. I've been working hard for the last five years and have not been involved with the fandom since I left Orlando. I wanted to change that so that I could get some kind of social life going on. I was determined to do just that at this convention. So in my usual headstrong and reckless fashion I went for it.

The night before I had picked up one of the convention schedules and found a ballroom dancing class that I really wanted to attend (more on this later). After a quick breakfast at the local mall where I had just the best morning sandwich and coffee  nexrad and I went back to the hotel and hit up some of the artist alley and dealers den.

One of the first people we found was a local and extremely, super popular furry artist from my area (who shall remain nameless!). We chatted, bought a few things, Nex geeked out a bit and we were on our way. We then went to the ballroom dancing class after he spent a bit of money.

The dancing was really interesting. I have never actually danced nor been to a dance class, so this was something new and interesting. I like new and interesting. Nex tried but eventually gave up because he claims to be "uncoordinated." I however, determined not to give up, kept at it and had tons and tons of fun. I ended up meeting a few really nice furries including:  Woot_Ringtail and his boyfriend  ashisoodo. The first day of the class we learned swing dancing. It was weird at first, dancing with random people whom I have never met but it certainly helped me break down some social barriers. I was very much enjoying myself by the end of the class. It was also a crazy good workout! After the two hour class I was sweating like crazy and really smelly. I should have taken a shower afterwards.

Later on in the day I hit up the artist alley on my own for a new badge. I absolutely adore this badge in every way. It's totally me and I love it so very much.

Come late afternoon  foxwolfgoof and I ended up having some dinner together after chatting for about two hours straight. I had a late lunch thanks to the dancing class. I ended up grabbing a sandwich or two in the God Level suite. I learned a ton about Goof and realized that once you get past his cold, protected exterior he is one of the nicest people you will ever know. I am so very thankful I met him. We ended up going to a pub down the lane from the hotel and having a pint and some Irish food.

Later that night, after splitting off from Goof, I went and did my own thing for awhile. I don't remember what it was, but I think I ended up at the dance for a minute.

I don't remember what day it was but either Friday or Saturday I ended up in the game room for a bit where I met  RoseHexwit with her card game "Collie of Duty." After observing for a minute I asked if I could join in. Much fun was had. After that game I ended up playing a game called "The Red Dragon Inn" and somehow managed to win our of sheer luck and clever strategy. Weird because I had never played before.

I will save the Saturday and Sunday post for tomorrow as it's time for bed!