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Fursquared Recap and moving Forward
11 years ago
General
Last weekend I went to the first convention of the year for me, Fursquared in WI. Its the closest con to me outside of 
furrymigration which I am staff at. Its also one of the cons I don't work Staff at- which means it is a very different expereince. Year two was pretty close to the same as year two for me other then the fact that it didn't seem to have as much energy in the Con until the very end when it was all released which just felt very... odd.
Started off by going to the Sprecher Brewery on Thursday night because nothing else was going on at the convention. This turned out to be a very good call. For $5 I got a souvineer glass, all the Soda on tap I could drink, oh yeah and I tried some of the "hard" sodas they had too. The Hard Rootbeer was pretty good even if I'm not much of a drinker. Its something I wouldn't mind having a case of around for that very rare occasion I want something Alcoholic... I did end up buying a case of Soda as it was sold for under $1 a bottle...
Friday started off slow, and honestly even Sat felt a little off. There were a few points where I wandered aimlessly around the hotel. I did feel kinda out of it for Friday and Sat. There wasn't as much energy with the Fursuiters so I didn't get a lot of the random debauchery that made my last year's Fursquared video so loved (Its still the most viewed and liked video on my Youtube by far).
When I approached someone with my camera it was mostly "Oh look a camera, I'm going to pose here and stand still and look cute" ... I'm toting a big ass shoulder mount video camera that makes me look like I'm German and you are just going to... Stand there? No I am not taking a still photo with this thing... Do something Spontaneous and Fun! Ugh.
I may still do some sort of Video, but its a lower priority simply because the energy and silliness was not there this year. It may be a shorter music over quick clips once I get around to it rather then my typical format for my longer con videos...
Last day of the Con I got to do something that hasn't happened for a very long time. I met people. I'm the type that has a hard time making Friends. I'm horrible with icebreakers, and I have certain standards; IE I don't like hanging out with people who seem very clingy and desperate.
Its a big reason, admittedly I DO staff cons or do my Photography and Videography because it allows me to have something to do and feel like I'm helping the greater community... while at the flipside doing so you become close to none >.>. If I'm not behind a camera or helping out I tend to run out of things to do and Question why I am there, as what started to happen at Fursquared.
I had a lot more fun on Sunday night and Monday Morning and Afternoon then I did for the rest of the Convention. During which, ironically the rest of the con was DEAD. I put the camera down, and by doing so I suppose I lowered my sheilds as it were. Is it strange that I had more fun before the con and AFTER it was officially over then I did during the main event? I can't really explain why other then I unwound a lot more.
I had a blast meeting
granitethewolf , 
aurawolf , 
drykus and a few others which turned my Meh con into something enjoyable that I will have good memories of for the last day of; and gives me a reason to look forward to it next year (and any other conventions inbetween)
Moving forward I need to meet more people and make an effort on making more friends. Its harder for me to do Locally right now because I have Politics hovering over my head. And for this reason, along with some others I may release myself from a lot of those obligations come the appropriate time so I can focus back on other things.
I guess the trick is to start looking for people who are outside of certain spheres of influence, as daunting as a task as that may seem. Even if it means making more friends who are a state or two over and have no clue of local politics and Drama. And that is a GOOD thing. I need to find more people who are outside of the inner loop I think at this point if I am to continue to make friends.
For those close friends I do have from this fandom, I can't give back or thank enough for having them. Even if sometimes there is drama... and even occasionally drama between my friends are my friends... and once you become my friend you'll find that just like my Fursona I am a very loyal sort. There are some people I will never get along with... but there are many more out there that I could become friends with given the chance to. I need to lower my defenses more and make this happen. I tend to be too cynical and suspicious at times... and this is something I need to work on changing.
Edit: I realize my initial post lacked a good amount of Tact. Even if I was being Ambiguous certain things should not have been said. At the time, I was frustrated; ironically at myself and was looking for somewhere else to put the blame.
furrymigration which I am staff at. Its also one of the cons I don't work Staff at- which means it is a very different expereince. Year two was pretty close to the same as year two for me other then the fact that it didn't seem to have as much energy in the Con until the very end when it was all released which just felt very... odd.Started off by going to the Sprecher Brewery on Thursday night because nothing else was going on at the convention. This turned out to be a very good call. For $5 I got a souvineer glass, all the Soda on tap I could drink, oh yeah and I tried some of the "hard" sodas they had too. The Hard Rootbeer was pretty good even if I'm not much of a drinker. Its something I wouldn't mind having a case of around for that very rare occasion I want something Alcoholic... I did end up buying a case of Soda as it was sold for under $1 a bottle...
Friday started off slow, and honestly even Sat felt a little off. There were a few points where I wandered aimlessly around the hotel. I did feel kinda out of it for Friday and Sat. There wasn't as much energy with the Fursuiters so I didn't get a lot of the random debauchery that made my last year's Fursquared video so loved (Its still the most viewed and liked video on my Youtube by far).
When I approached someone with my camera it was mostly "Oh look a camera, I'm going to pose here and stand still and look cute" ... I'm toting a big ass shoulder mount video camera that makes me look like I'm German and you are just going to... Stand there? No I am not taking a still photo with this thing... Do something Spontaneous and Fun! Ugh.
I may still do some sort of Video, but its a lower priority simply because the energy and silliness was not there this year. It may be a shorter music over quick clips once I get around to it rather then my typical format for my longer con videos...
Last day of the Con I got to do something that hasn't happened for a very long time. I met people. I'm the type that has a hard time making Friends. I'm horrible with icebreakers, and I have certain standards; IE I don't like hanging out with people who seem very clingy and desperate.
Its a big reason, admittedly I DO staff cons or do my Photography and Videography because it allows me to have something to do and feel like I'm helping the greater community... while at the flipside doing so you become close to none >.>. If I'm not behind a camera or helping out I tend to run out of things to do and Question why I am there, as what started to happen at Fursquared.
I had a lot more fun on Sunday night and Monday Morning and Afternoon then I did for the rest of the Convention. During which, ironically the rest of the con was DEAD. I put the camera down, and by doing so I suppose I lowered my sheilds as it were. Is it strange that I had more fun before the con and AFTER it was officially over then I did during the main event? I can't really explain why other then I unwound a lot more.
I had a blast meeting
granitethewolf , 
aurawolf , 
drykus and a few others which turned my Meh con into something enjoyable that I will have good memories of for the last day of; and gives me a reason to look forward to it next year (and any other conventions inbetween)Moving forward I need to meet more people and make an effort on making more friends. Its harder for me to do Locally right now because I have Politics hovering over my head. And for this reason, along with some others I may release myself from a lot of those obligations come the appropriate time so I can focus back on other things.
I guess the trick is to start looking for people who are outside of certain spheres of influence, as daunting as a task as that may seem. Even if it means making more friends who are a state or two over and have no clue of local politics and Drama. And that is a GOOD thing. I need to find more people who are outside of the inner loop I think at this point if I am to continue to make friends.
For those close friends I do have from this fandom, I can't give back or thank enough for having them. Even if sometimes there is drama... and even occasionally drama between my friends are my friends... and once you become my friend you'll find that just like my Fursona I am a very loyal sort. There are some people I will never get along with... but there are many more out there that I could become friends with given the chance to. I need to lower my defenses more and make this happen. I tend to be too cynical and suspicious at times... and this is something I need to work on changing.
Edit: I realize my initial post lacked a good amount of Tact. Even if I was being Ambiguous certain things should not have been said. At the time, I was frustrated; ironically at myself and was looking for somewhere else to put the blame.
I doubt the nemesis even knows you avoid him or any friends he has attained. So why bother giving it any thought? You might just be feeding the even bigger monster in your head by avoiding everyone he associates with.
Of course take it or leave it as you feel is appropriate.
Best of Luck Yarrick,
~Kiggy
BTW did the footage of Piro on top of my shoulders turn out?
you know the saying... "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" ?
You can have lots of fun with this person, whoever it may be, enjoy gaming with them, see what makes them happy, what makes them tick, what they enjoy doing.... know that person well, and well, who knows, you might even find something you enjoy doing too.
Just because you cannot see it, does not mean it is not there. Cast off your blinders and embrace the amazing ballet that surrounds you.
Want to really use that person to your advantage? Take what knowledge they have and build on it, make it yours, own it, and draw strength from it. Hey, it's free knowledge you can take at your leisure! "Pick their brain". Who knows, maybe you will find a source of information on something you have been curious about for a long time. Or maybe that person can help you get connected with some group you have been wanting to get into. In some cases, you might even find a connection that you never knew existed, and suddenly, your arch nemesis becomes an ally in a common battle. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" type thinking. Especially when your perceived nemesis knows about similar activities and such.... who knows, if you ask, you might find a whole new world of opportunity that you were blind to just moments earlier. Or.... you might find a long-desired entrance into a group that had thus far been uninterested in you or your abilities, regardless of how good they are.
There's a thing about arch nemeses tho... Often times, one person (shall we say P1) finds another person (P2) to be a nemesis... Maybe P2 did something, said something, or in many, many cases, P2 has something that P1 wants (tangible or otherwise). But more importantly, P1 PERCEIVES P2 to be a problem, when in fact, no such issue truly exists. Perception is a very thick wall.... but every wall has a door.... one need only find the key to open it. Several possibilities exist from this condition, and they are not mutually exclusive. That means.... you can pick and choose from these at your leisure. it also means that you can eliminate any or all of them with a little effort.
Recall the movie Despicable Me. Gru hates Vector, yes? He has this vendetta against Vector, and spends a considerable amount of time trying to get into his base. Vector on the other hand, knows that Gru is trying, and finds immense entertainment in not just stopping the attacks, but countering them, or making them backfire for the sake of humor. Vector does not need to say a word to Gru, because he knows Gru will bring all sorts of various things right to his front door. Literally.
Consider the Monarch and Dr Venture. The Monarch spends time and money trying to get Dr Venture. Dr Venture guffaws at him, with the whole "really? again? are you STILL trying to do this?" stance. And every time Monarch springs an attack, he is met by a defense mechanism that finds great pleasure in the activity. By the way, the defense mechanism doesn't have to be a person, it is merely a concept. Sure, Monarch might get the ocassional jab in from time to time, but for all his effort, he hasn't yet managed to end it yet.
Consider Austin Powers and Dr Evil. They drive each other nuts with vendetta.... Dr Evil seeks to kill Austin Powers, and somehow manages to avoid doing it every time. Austin on the other hand, has many opportunities to take out Dr Evil, and yet he does not for a variety of reasons. In the end, they find a common interest, and (if you subscribe to the Hollywood theory) live happily ever after with this common interest. (their father)
There are many more examples of this.
Consider what happens when P2 perceives no measurable threat from P1. P2 goes about their life very happy to be, living a very strong, purposeful life... This often makes P1 much more upset, because they know they are trying and making no headway. P1 really wants to see P2 suffer or be upset, because they are jealous of something P2 has or has obtained.
and finally, consider this: P2 may know very well that P1 has this grudge, but like Vector, finds no threat in it, and finds some entertainment in turning it around merely for the sole purpose of humor. For example.... what would you have done if P2 had run up to you at the convention, arms out and exclaimed "Yarrick! So glad you made it! Oh an you brought your big camera, sweet!" and proceeded to give you a big hug?
Is there REALLY a founded, substantial, tangible basis for it? You must ask yourself.... If P2 perceives no threat, holds no grudge in return, and may in fact not really even understand why such perception exists.... maybe you should ask yourself.... is it really there? Or am I just making it up?
If P2 is able to go about their lives all well and happy, attends events where P1 is present, and may even be so inclined to interact with P1 on a enjoyable, sociable level...
Perception is a powerful enemy Yarrick.
Be careful how it impacts you. Sometimes, it really is only in your mind.
Ask yourself this:
To what level am I willing to commit myself in the war against P2? If that person because the president of the US, would I renounce my citizenship and move to another country? That seems like a bit of a harsh move, all things considered.
Perhaps something closer to home.... Would I avoid a public event I really like to go to, merely because this person is on staff? Or am I willing to overlook that and try to avoid that person in the interest of attending a fun event and catching some video? Or.... what would happen if I got to actually know this person, understand what they do, how they think, where they go, who they know.... keep my enemy closer.... and get something to my advantage out of it?
but what happens if I try to do this and P2 knows I am trying to use it to my advantage? Am I willing to actually commit for real and earn that trust and respect back again? Is it even there to be earned?
Only one way to find out.
How does an acquaintance become a friend?
Is it worth it?
Only you can prevent forest fires.
Instead of burning it down... go camping.
As for the con, I had the same feeling of kind of... dullness. Not to say I didn't have fun, because I totally did! Just not much going on a good portion of the time. Felt like I was just wandering around with no one to entertain.