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BLFC 2016 trip...my tale
9 years ago
I'm a deaf furry, and a member of 
deaffur group. I'm (usually) a draconic elf, though I may appear half-dragon / half-elf these days. Further information about me can be found in my journal.
deaffur group. I'm (usually) a draconic elf, though I may appear half-dragon / half-elf these days. Further information about me can be found in my journal. Before I start with my tale of BLFC trip, I had to wait until I think FurAffinity is stable enough before I post it...crazy, huh?
Anyway, I'm back from BLFC 2016. It proved to be, well, an adventure!
First, I made a big mistake in thinking I have the place to stay, so I was forced to hunt for hotel spaces. My fault. But I survived it. I learned quite a few things in the process, which I shall say more later.
Second, the BLFC was a bit uneven in providing the interpreters. Actually I believe it is no fault on its part because I learned there was a lot of demand for interpreters in Reno for various events. So there was no interpreter for the opening ceremonies. But there was one for Cards Against Utopia event, which I enjoyed, and at Dragons meet and greet event, where I got to meet various people...quite an eclectic bunch! And what's even cooler is that someone brought a pet reptile there. I learned the species of that animal is called tegu, which is new to me. I am now fantasizing about owning a tegu But I won't do it though...I don't want to take care of any pets. And finally there was one for Transformations 101, which was fun. I also found out there was a closing ceremony, but the interpreters were contracted only from 2 to 4 that day, so I chose not to go.
I also attended Festival of Furs. It proved to be a different affair than that familiar fursuit parade Anthrocon is renowned for. I find it rather interesting on its own merits, as it is more of a personal interaction than a spectacle thing. I think I prefer the fursuit parade since I like seeing various furries that way. Since
soutthpaw was there, naturally the interpreter was there with him. I also met Spottacus there, who was introduced to me by Soutthpaw.
I found that the BLFC staff to be quite friendly and helpful, at least with what they can do. No complaints. But I think the BLFC website could use some improvements, like helping furries find contacts, etc. It is not like Anthrocon website at all. Steep learning curve!
All in all, BLFC was alright. The biggest problem I had with it, aside from getting hotel spots (which was stressful for me, and I hate stresses...long story), was that I initially did not know anyone other than Soutthpaw. The BLFC staff suggested that I use Twitter to access #blfc2016 and #conroomies (I later found out it was apparently @conroomies). So I decided to create a Twitter account. I resisted joining Twitter for a long time, but I succumbed to that. But that proved to be a shocker. Within hours of being on it, I stumbled into on Twitter user which Soutthpaw was following, and while reading her tweets, I determined to my utter astonishment that she is married to a guy I have known online for more than 15 years, and that she is a furry, and, well, to put it briefly, I discovered so many connections from just a couple of tweets that my mind really spun...and I am still spinning a bit from that. And to top it off, I discovered that she was going to host a bird party...in TEN minutes! My mind raced through the scenarios, and I decided I gotta go. I ended up standing at the door to her hotel room, and I asked her whether she was that person. Sure enough, at first she looked puzzled, not knowing who I am, then she looked dumbfounded! She then phoned her husband, and I would bet he was dumbfounded as well! What's even more ironic was that he was trying to reach me without luck (it turned out he was trying to email me using my ancient, long dead email address), and he didn't know I'm a fur, and I was in BLFC! Anyway, I had a good time at the bird party (she told the crowd that I was made a honorary bird...I must say I was quite flattered ), and I got in contact with her husband via a web IRC. I also met a bird named Orzel, and we chatted via writing for a bit
So I now have a few friends. Not bad!
I also learned quite a few about hotels and their service. I learned that both Baymont Inn and Best Western hotels do provide free shuttles to GSR, which was nice! But Motel 6 doesn't provide free shuttles, so I had to use cabs. Cabs proved to be somewhat cheaper than in WashDC area...something to know!
Would I go to BLFC again? I think not. I was told more deaf furs attend Califur than BLFC, so I think I will go to Califur next year.
Lastly, I now have a big credit card debt to pay off LOL!
I also realized that if I want to keep going to cons, I would need a good network of furry friends that would let me have hotel spots to save money...unfortunately I don't.
I hope the BLFC attendees had good time there. Mine is admittedly not all peaches, but it's alright. I hope Soutthpaw was happy to see me.
That's all for now!
Anyway, I'm back from BLFC 2016. It proved to be, well, an adventure!
First, I made a big mistake in thinking I have the place to stay, so I was forced to hunt for hotel spaces. My fault. But I survived it. I learned quite a few things in the process, which I shall say more later.
Second, the BLFC was a bit uneven in providing the interpreters. Actually I believe it is no fault on its part because I learned there was a lot of demand for interpreters in Reno for various events. So there was no interpreter for the opening ceremonies. But there was one for Cards Against Utopia event, which I enjoyed, and at Dragons meet and greet event, where I got to meet various people...quite an eclectic bunch! And what's even cooler is that someone brought a pet reptile there. I learned the species of that animal is called tegu, which is new to me. I am now fantasizing about owning a tegu But I won't do it though...I don't want to take care of any pets. And finally there was one for Transformations 101, which was fun. I also found out there was a closing ceremony, but the interpreters were contracted only from 2 to 4 that day, so I chose not to go.
I also attended Festival of Furs. It proved to be a different affair than that familiar fursuit parade Anthrocon is renowned for. I find it rather interesting on its own merits, as it is more of a personal interaction than a spectacle thing. I think I prefer the fursuit parade since I like seeing various furries that way. Since
soutthpaw was there, naturally the interpreter was there with him. I also met Spottacus there, who was introduced to me by Soutthpaw. I found that the BLFC staff to be quite friendly and helpful, at least with what they can do. No complaints. But I think the BLFC website could use some improvements, like helping furries find contacts, etc. It is not like Anthrocon website at all. Steep learning curve!
All in all, BLFC was alright. The biggest problem I had with it, aside from getting hotel spots (which was stressful for me, and I hate stresses...long story), was that I initially did not know anyone other than Soutthpaw. The BLFC staff suggested that I use Twitter to access #blfc2016 and #conroomies (I later found out it was apparently @conroomies). So I decided to create a Twitter account. I resisted joining Twitter for a long time, but I succumbed to that. But that proved to be a shocker. Within hours of being on it, I stumbled into on Twitter user which Soutthpaw was following, and while reading her tweets, I determined to my utter astonishment that she is married to a guy I have known online for more than 15 years, and that she is a furry, and, well, to put it briefly, I discovered so many connections from just a couple of tweets that my mind really spun...and I am still spinning a bit from that. And to top it off, I discovered that she was going to host a bird party...in TEN minutes! My mind raced through the scenarios, and I decided I gotta go. I ended up standing at the door to her hotel room, and I asked her whether she was that person. Sure enough, at first she looked puzzled, not knowing who I am, then she looked dumbfounded! She then phoned her husband, and I would bet he was dumbfounded as well! What's even more ironic was that he was trying to reach me without luck (it turned out he was trying to email me using my ancient, long dead email address), and he didn't know I'm a fur, and I was in BLFC! Anyway, I had a good time at the bird party (she told the crowd that I was made a honorary bird...I must say I was quite flattered ), and I got in contact with her husband via a web IRC. I also met a bird named Orzel, and we chatted via writing for a bit
So I now have a few friends. Not bad!
I also learned quite a few about hotels and their service. I learned that both Baymont Inn and Best Western hotels do provide free shuttles to GSR, which was nice! But Motel 6 doesn't provide free shuttles, so I had to use cabs. Cabs proved to be somewhat cheaper than in WashDC area...something to know!
Would I go to BLFC again? I think not. I was told more deaf furs attend Califur than BLFC, so I think I will go to Califur next year.
Lastly, I now have a big credit card debt to pay off LOL!
I also realized that if I want to keep going to cons, I would need a good network of furry friends that would let me have hotel spots to save money...unfortunately I don't.
I hope the BLFC attendees had good time there. Mine is admittedly not all peaches, but it's alright. I hope Soutthpaw was happy to see me.
That's all for now!
