Furry Fiesta 2016 has now been completed. For the fourth year in a row, I was Head of Security. I’ve now been in Security half of Fiesta’s history. I am the only Head of Security that has held office for more than one consecutive year.

First, I want to thank my Security staff.

My three Captains (shift leads):   Jerynn   Pestilynce   Talv
My eight Lieutenants:   vosrood   tarpaw   TekrinPegasus Lakota Wolf   BerryPaws   Mstr.litamacwolf   Kodicub and Featherprop

As with previous years, my Fiesta begins on Wednesday and doesn’t end until Monday.

Wednesday: In 2014, our first year in the Intercontinental, our Auxiliary parking was a disaster. We just assumed that people would know how to park. This forced us to put staff out there and it was an utter mess. The following year we rented parking barriers and staged vehicles, which resolved that issues. This year we bought our own barriers. Thus my Wednesday started out by setting up the barriers in the parking lot. In the rain and mud.

After parking deployment, I went in to help out inside. I helped a little with organization and patrolling the hotel to get a feel for it. That evening we had our final, pre-con staff meeting. I covered our thankfully unused emergency plans. Then it was time to roost.

Wednesday Step Count: 9054 Steps. 4.53 miles.

Thursday: This morning started with me packing for my stay in the hotel. Even though I live nearby, my capacity as Head of Security requires me to be on-site. Once ready, I grabbed my stuff and headed to the hotel that morning. I grabbed two assistants and we went off site to pickup the plinko board. If you saw that massive plinko board next to the Volunteer tables, that’s the one I’m talking about. It raised a lot for charity and was very successful.

Security leadership then met with the hotel security leadership for a short meeting to discuss anticipated problems and to ensure we had a good working relationship. Hotel security is awesome and I thank them for all their hard work. I was then pulled into another meeting with senior con staff and hotel management to do so on a larger scale.

I then took a bit of personal time to check into my room. Then it was back down to the floor. Everything was being moved into various areas. I assisted where I could. My security staff was starting to show up, so I briefed them on what to expect and how to handle situations. I helped organize the line building up outside of Registration and generally helped out the con as needed.

Thursday Step Count: 19427 Steps. 9.67 miles.

Friday: This was the first official day of the convention. As such, I was in my Official Fiesta Uniform, consisting of my steampunk sheriff outfit. I really do look imposing with the long, billowing coat and stern, unreadable expression. I spent the morning making sure my staff was familiar with their duties, as well as walking the con to ensure things were running smoothly.

Opening Ceremonies was well attended as usual. After a rocky start with the videos, lots of fluffy things watched Path officially open the con, though Dealer’s Den had already been open an hour. I make it part of my duty to be at opening ceremonies, though I’m on the radio ready to leave if necessary.

After that, I finally managed to get something from the food trucks. A very tasty chicken sandwich. The trucks were once again a huge success. Sadly, one of the three trucks was unable to make it. It was, of course, the one schedule to arrive all three days, so we only had 2 trucks each day.

The rest of Friday is a blur. I walked the con, setting right what once went wrong. I assisted where I could. Dealt with dozens of little issues. By the time I finally roosted, I was exhausted.

Friday Step Count: 13242 Steps. 6.47 miles.

Saturday: This is the biggest day of the con for me. This is the day with the highest level of activity. I had learned last year that we burn through an incredible amount of ribbon for peace bonding, so I had purchased 600’ of ribbon. To differentiate from the previous year, I went with purple ribbon. Unfortunately, the ribbon was a little too dark, running into problems seeing it against dark weapons. I’ll use a lighter color next year, but at least this year we didn’t run out.

I also kept a small supply of pocket schedules on me to hand out when asked about panel times or locations. I wasn’t asked as many times this year, so I suspect more people are using the sched.org schedule we have posted, which is great.

Shortly after going on shift, it was time to head to the GoH lunch. This was a private showing of Zootopia with 150 Super Sponsors and VIPs. Only a few seats were empty. This is my one indulgence each year. I was ostensibly there to keep order and be on site if something happens, but it’s mostly my one break all con. Zootopia is an amazing movie and easily my favorite movie this year so far. Then it was back to the con.

The biggest event for me on Saturday is the Fursuit Parade. I didn’t have to change the route at the last minute this year. I spent this time directing staff on where to go, as well as forming the line and making sure it was clear. We had a lot of fursuiters this year. 642 was the final count.

Saturday evening was as crazy as expected. Alcohol and a desperation to squeeze ever bit of pleasure out of a con are a poor mix. I stayed up till Midnight dealing with various problems and emergencies. Even after I roosted, it was difficult to sleep as I was so keyed up from the day and its events.

Saturday Step Count: 17469 Steps. 8.56 miles.

Sunday: This day started too early. It was Daylight Savings Time, so I lost an hour of sleep. Had to be up bright and early for a meeting and it takes some time on Sunday to get dressed. After that meeting with other similarly tired and broken staff, I hobbled around the con for a little while. Around 1pm I managed to get breakfast at one of the food trucks. The BBQ truck was pretty good, but a bit spicy for my sensitive pallet.

I briefly stopped by the So You Want To Be Staff panel and gave a short speech on the rewards of being staff. Hopefully it was well received, but I was unable to stick around to find out. Closing ceremonies was far too soon. I attended that, where Derek from our charity showed this awesome Big Guide To Furry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsnca8jU7pw

Afterward, I went to the Scritch and Bitch. I was in and out of the room, dealing with issues. At one point I literally ran out of squawk while responding to an attendee. I had to run and get water to continue. Then it was time to assist with load out. When I finally couldn’t do anymore, I spent a bit of time hanging out with folks far too briefly. Finally actually got to meet and chat with   WillowWhiteFox .

Had a bit of an emotional crash Sunday night. The overwhelming events of the weekend, coupled with physical and mental exhaustion can be trying for me. Nothing too serious, but I was a bit maudlin that night, feeling incapable and that I had missed the event. Luckily, sleep mostly cleared this and I was at least emotionally recovered the next day.

Sunday Step Count: 12633 Steps. 6.16 miles.

The morning was all about packing. I packed up my room after getting up early. Had to check out of the hotel room and be out to assist with tear down of the parking lot by 9:30. Loaded everything up, and then took everything to the storage unit. I wasn’t really capable of moving things or picking things up, so I left after we put the barriers into the storage unit.

After that, I went back to the hotel, officially done for the year as staff. I hung out with the few remaining people I knew at the hotel. Grabbed breakfast with Willow Fox at Original Pancake House. Then I went home. Unpacked a bit. Then, feeling lonely, I went and saw Zootopia again for the fifth time. That movie makes me feel young again.

Monday Step Count: 4805 Steps. 2.39 miles.

I ran into far too many friends I could hang out with far too briefly. Sometimes I feel like I miss the con being Head of Security. I don’t know how many years I have left in me as Head of Security. At least one, and I don’t know if this is just the after con exhaustion talking, but I may need to start looking for another section.