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ScotiaCon 2015: Sunday
10 years ago
General
Well, this was quite a day. This whole weekend has been a lot of discovery, both of things new, and of myself. Let's get to it.
First up after breakfast was a drawing panel that Doran was especially interested in. My visual art skills have never been great and I'm much more a writer but this panel actually made me want to pick up a pencil and try again. Something that the panel leader said really hit home to me - that she's an easily jealous artist, and seeing others do amazing art sometimes made her want to stop, that it was an effort to continue... that spoke a lot to me, since as much as I don't like to admit it to myself, that's how I feel sometimes, that it's a mountain to climb out of that feeling. I must make the effort!
Next was a panel on fursuit performance, which explained again about a lot of how suiters can struggle and how to deal with situations that might arise. It expanded my knowledge yet again and that would prove crucial later. Following that was the most diabolical pub quiz I've ever participated in, with obscure movie and game references aplenty. We came second, but it was a little random. Fun, though!
Despite not having fursuits ourselves (yet) we went to the panel on fursuit repairs anyway. It was a fascinating insight, and good research for future fursuit possibilities. Then we were at the fursuit games, which were silly... apparently it's hard to tell when I'm hiding a ball under my hat, even if I'm clearly suddenly holding my hat for some reason, that was a fun bit of confusion to get involved in.
After that, there was just time for a really honest and well mannered feedback session before we all gathered for the closing ceremony. And that's where things changed for me quite significantly. Thank yous were said, things were closed down, and then we all went to reception for the group photo. I really hope I can get a copy of that, because it's made of pure memories. I finally plucked up the courage to hug a fursuiter, and then we talked a bit and I talked to a few other people around, bought a drink for a new friend, went to play some games and then finally went to the dance to dance the night away, ending the night with six or seven of us, some in suits, some not, dancing the last song arm in arm as "Over The Hills And Far Away" played. It was incredibly emotional. I hugged more suiters, one of them more than once. When we left the room together I cried a little into Doran's shoulder, because I realised something, finally:
I belong here.
And we will be back.
Until then, safe travels home everyone. So starts the post-con depression...
Azzy
First up after breakfast was a drawing panel that Doran was especially interested in. My visual art skills have never been great and I'm much more a writer but this panel actually made me want to pick up a pencil and try again. Something that the panel leader said really hit home to me - that she's an easily jealous artist, and seeing others do amazing art sometimes made her want to stop, that it was an effort to continue... that spoke a lot to me, since as much as I don't like to admit it to myself, that's how I feel sometimes, that it's a mountain to climb out of that feeling. I must make the effort!
Next was a panel on fursuit performance, which explained again about a lot of how suiters can struggle and how to deal with situations that might arise. It expanded my knowledge yet again and that would prove crucial later. Following that was the most diabolical pub quiz I've ever participated in, with obscure movie and game references aplenty. We came second, but it was a little random. Fun, though!
Despite not having fursuits ourselves (yet) we went to the panel on fursuit repairs anyway. It was a fascinating insight, and good research for future fursuit possibilities. Then we were at the fursuit games, which were silly... apparently it's hard to tell when I'm hiding a ball under my hat, even if I'm clearly suddenly holding my hat for some reason, that was a fun bit of confusion to get involved in.
After that, there was just time for a really honest and well mannered feedback session before we all gathered for the closing ceremony. And that's where things changed for me quite significantly. Thank yous were said, things were closed down, and then we all went to reception for the group photo. I really hope I can get a copy of that, because it's made of pure memories. I finally plucked up the courage to hug a fursuiter, and then we talked a bit and I talked to a few other people around, bought a drink for a new friend, went to play some games and then finally went to the dance to dance the night away, ending the night with six or seven of us, some in suits, some not, dancing the last song arm in arm as "Over The Hills And Far Away" played. It was incredibly emotional. I hugged more suiters, one of them more than once. When we left the room together I cried a little into Doran's shoulder, because I realised something, finally:
I belong here.
And we will be back.
Until then, safe travels home everyone. So starts the post-con depression...
Azzy
AHAHAHAHAHA you caught the fursuit bug. X3 I caught it too, but have yet to really do mine. Oh that's going to be another Azventure...
and also, you're going to REALLY start thinking in criticals, heat, and weight. Fursuits are gradually evolving; since about 2009 various suits in various fandoms have been popping up with amazing properties and functions-- everything from a functional scuba tiger suit to anime suits that seemingly bristle with Clan technology-- seriously some of it is molded fiberglass/exotic materials! I've even seen lion suits with enhanced hearing and vision, and a huge like 9 foot mecha wolf suit.
Yay good closing down and memories and photo. :) And gosh... *cries* you bring back all the best I felt ten years ago, at my first con. ;_; I'm glad for you. I can't even say what I want to because words fail me, but we both know what we both want to say. :'3 And that's enough.
*SQUEEZES* I'm glad you have experienced what you experience, and I'll leave it at that. C':
Thank you so much for all your support over the weekend, Kurra, you really helped me get the very most I could out of this experience, and I think if not for you and a couple of others, I wouldn't have dared to accomplish as much as I did. As it is, I come away with no regret other than the fact it's over.
Glad you had a wonderful time.
You and Kurra were really integral to my weekend, despite being so far away. You were right there with us in spirit, helping me get involved and I am very grateful for it indeed.
Just really glad that you enjoyed yourself so much and seemed to find your feet after a while.
Here's to next time...and the now seemingly inevitable suits...
It does look like we've found ourselves a bit of a home now, so we need to ensure we're properly attired!
As for suiting, if you are friends with any fursuiters who have many characters, they may let you suit with one of theirs, particularly if you're willing to trade off and do handler duty for them while they're suiting (as a suiter can't talk and can barely see, they need someone to be eyes and ears for them)
I almost got a chance to borrow a new friend's suit on the Sunday night, but it was on the dryer at the time. I don't have regular contact in person with any furry folk outside my family, really, certainly not any suiters... I'd like that to change in time, so maybe I'll get a chance! Being a handler sounds like fun too, although fun with responsibility. But I can adlib my way through situations pretty well, so it would hopefully be mostly enjoyable.
Thanks so much for replying to this journal, it means a lot to me, all the support and interest from this weekend.
As you say. We will be back.
We WILL be back, like the best Schwarzenegger movies!