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Post-Anthrocon Report
11 years ago
Another year, another Anthrocon attended! That makes... lets see, 2006... 8 Anthrocons. Furry is a drug, yo.
I had a shitload of fun, as per usual. I made a decent haul at the dealer's den, got to see a buncha peeps I only get to see at cons, made new friends, and somehow, yet again experienced new and wonderful...things. Don't ask about that last one.
But something seemed off this year, at least to me. Maybe it was cuz I worked all weekend at the con, and didnt take sunday off as I used to. Had to take care of a few life things that require some money, like having my cat looked at by a vet (he's getting a bit old, but not any less cuddly, I type as he sits on my lap, purring) and taking care of bills. Y'know, the usual life stuff. But I think it wasn't just that.
-Hygene issues seemed a smidge more prevelant. Either that or my nose has grown more sensitive. 6/2/1 rule, people, and bring plenty of changes of clothes!
-I had this weird sense of sinister intent ambient in the air. Like, Anthrocon has become less and less a con that showcases the fandom, the artists, and the furry culture in general, and more profit-focused. The change of the Zoo is a fine example. The new Zoo was a lot bigger, yes, but it was cold, with bare concrete floor and florescent lighting, just like the dealer's room. No carpet to sit down on with a circle of friends and hang and draw with. No warm lighting, and the gentle warmth of the crowd. We might as well have been in the dealer's room all day, as the environment was pretty much the same.
I could go on at length about my observations at the con in regards to, what I perceive, as the first convention I ever went to, and haven't missed ever since, losing its soul slowly. But I want to be wrong. I plan on coming back next year, cuz there's still a lot of peeps that go that I want to see, not just friends but also the fans whom I wouldn't get to meet face to face otherwise, and so I can be sure. I still had fun, I really did, and yeah, I still beam with joy when I see the cliffs running alongside the I-79 leading into Pittsburgh, and I'm reminded of the excitement and fun of previous years.
I wanna feel assured that Anthrocon isnt forgetting what made it -THE- convention to go to.
COMMISSIONS (the fullsize huge ones)
1/ Rogern (inked, restarting colour)
2/ 9Lion (pencilled, plus one other)
3/ Mechaman
4/ Chazore (pencilled)
5/ yutrah (inked)
6/ rageki (inked)
7/ Twitch The Dragon (inked)
8/ Kipeo
9/ Opeoaslam
I had a shitload of fun, as per usual. I made a decent haul at the dealer's den, got to see a buncha peeps I only get to see at cons, made new friends, and somehow, yet again experienced new and wonderful...things. Don't ask about that last one.
But something seemed off this year, at least to me. Maybe it was cuz I worked all weekend at the con, and didnt take sunday off as I used to. Had to take care of a few life things that require some money, like having my cat looked at by a vet (he's getting a bit old, but not any less cuddly, I type as he sits on my lap, purring) and taking care of bills. Y'know, the usual life stuff. But I think it wasn't just that.
-Hygene issues seemed a smidge more prevelant. Either that or my nose has grown more sensitive. 6/2/1 rule, people, and bring plenty of changes of clothes!
-I had this weird sense of sinister intent ambient in the air. Like, Anthrocon has become less and less a con that showcases the fandom, the artists, and the furry culture in general, and more profit-focused. The change of the Zoo is a fine example. The new Zoo was a lot bigger, yes, but it was cold, with bare concrete floor and florescent lighting, just like the dealer's room. No carpet to sit down on with a circle of friends and hang and draw with. No warm lighting, and the gentle warmth of the crowd. We might as well have been in the dealer's room all day, as the environment was pretty much the same.
I could go on at length about my observations at the con in regards to, what I perceive, as the first convention I ever went to, and haven't missed ever since, losing its soul slowly. But I want to be wrong. I plan on coming back next year, cuz there's still a lot of peeps that go that I want to see, not just friends but also the fans whom I wouldn't get to meet face to face otherwise, and so I can be sure. I still had fun, I really did, and yeah, I still beam with joy when I see the cliffs running alongside the I-79 leading into Pittsburgh, and I'm reminded of the excitement and fun of previous years.
I wanna feel assured that Anthrocon isnt forgetting what made it -THE- convention to go to.
COMMISSIONS (the fullsize huge ones)
1/ Rogern (inked, restarting colour)
2/ 9Lion (pencilled, plus one other)
3/ Mechaman
4/ Chazore (pencilled)
5/ yutrah (inked)
6/ rageki (inked)
7/ Twitch The Dragon (inked)
8/ Kipeo
9/ Opeoaslam
Yeah, it was awesome seeing you again, man!
Some people I know are very cautious about it an such, so it was kinda strange hearing they got sick :c
Plenty of chairs, never saw it full to the point people had to sit on the cold, hard ground.
I think moving the zoo was an unfortunate misstep for AC. The new room is spacious, sure, but full of empty space and pretty cold. Floor Wars benefited enormously from being held in the old Zoo location, but I don't know if it's worth it.
ONE DAY!
Yeah, the new zoo was definitely not great atmosphere wise.
Sure enough they got some food money out of me they wouldn't have made at the Westin (but I utterly cannot resist Dippin Dots at all...)
Glad I got a chance to thank you for the commission you did of me earlier this year. Hope I wasn't too annoying!
I felt violated but was okay with it
I can't imagine why a furry con would turn to profit or lean towards it anyways, considering it's a con about a fandom, and there is actually not allot of money to be gained from being a furry so... yea that confuses me to an extend anyways.
But you know, sounds like you had fun and done your Years worth of Socializing, and i guess in the end that's what it's about.
See you at Condition!!
Someone dropped acid huh
I hope to attend AC one year, so I hope this year's ill-omening was just a one-off!
I think I can see what you mean about the Zoo. Though be fare, this is a convention center and I'd rather have room to work, feel cool with good lighting and relaxed to do some art. I went to the zoo at AC 2012 and didn't care for the flash of carpet and walls, the lighting was to dim for my taste.
I see what you mean, about the taxes with the con for example. Though I think that's so they don't get in trouble with the IRS. At least that's my guess.
My thoughts exactly about the zoo. It was very dead and lacked the cozy feel the zoo had back in the westin. I did the AC survey and it said it was expieramental so I hope they change it back.
My thoughts are with your cat. I hope he gets well soon.
It was also nice getting to meet you in person and I was very happy I was able to nab a commission from you.
But yea, I hated the area. It looked more like what you see in a prison that is cold and bare rather than a warm comfortable and soft room at the Westin. Spacious, yes. But the environment of that place was an eyesore with that nastiness on the ceilings and such.
I have to agree, I have seen it slowly changing what appears to be profit-focused over the six year course of my attendance.
Also, thanks for telling me about Eternal Crusade. I looked it up yesterday and it looking good. I just hope it turns out alright. I am fascinated how they will balance out all the playable races. Correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like tryanids are going to be NPC enemies, that all players can fight. I rather like this idea, because it gives players the option to fight and gave experience if they having trouble fighting other players.
The only concern I have is that I hope enough people play it so that the battles do feel massive! Like I feel like I am playing Dawn of War in first person.