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VancouFur 2017. Thank you.
9 years ago
General
Warning; this piece is long winded, and heartfelt.
An Open Letter of Thank You to VancouFur 2017
Dear Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, fans and attendees of VancouFur 2017,
(Bear with me, readers, there is a load of exposition here!)
I would like to thank each and every one of you for creating a life-time lasting memory! VancouFur was not my first convention, or even my first furry convention. I have been to ‘Comic-Con’, ‘Anime North’, ‘Tsukino Con’, ‘What the Fur?’, and ‘Condition,’ while it lasted! I admit, I perform best, like many of you, as an introvert. Meeting new people is tough, frightening even. These conventions were all fun and enjoyable! But it was at my first VancouFur, here, that I dared to step outside my bounds, and I stepped into the world (SPEHHS STAHY-SHUN) of VancouFur.
I do not believe I have met or even seen, as far as I know, the VancouFur board of directors. Aphinity, Trapa, Mediar, Tony Greyfox, Pdawg, Faye, Rhari. But I wish to thank all of you, and more, and give you all a damn firm hand… er, uhm, paw-shake! Instead I met people like Draggy and Bastian. Vampy and Christofur. Alexi (that damn commie!) and AsherAsher (What a fabulous barkeeper!). Yawg and Koh. Nova and Allosaurex. Rhukai and Onna Noko. Lynwen and Vedrit, Keiki and Prawnskunk. I even got to pester Potoroo and learn from Hazellius and Rhari! The awesome lady who made me and many others an awesome con badge in a party room, the good-fellow who let me taste Drunken Beaver Armada, and the storytelling man who told me the legend of The Machine! (You know who you are!) Many others too, whose names I have sadly neglected to learn or have been lost in a Rum & Coke induced coma! And they all share many things in common. They are kind, and caring. Friendly and funny. Understanding and humble. You are, in my as of now hazy, afterglow-addled mind, some of the best examples of humanity. I thank you for creating a memory I will forever cherish.
I sat in my hotel room chair with a cup of coffee this morning (Sunday, the twelfth of March), rode the bus and rode the ferry, and even now, sit at home in my battle-station (computer chair), with an unbidden smile plastered to my face. I have matured into a (competent, hopefully) young adult, one content with his lot in life. One who experiences highs and lows, suffering and pleasure. But I find it hard to put into words the sheer, unadulterated joy this convention has instilled me with. I was so happy, am so happy, that on the bus towards Tsawwassen, emotion welled with in me, and I cried. Cried! I honestly cried! Tears of happiness! Is this what a ‘con-crash’ is? Oh, I must have looked a fool, a wreck!
People ‘come out’ to friends and family for various reasons. ‘Furry’, to me, never seemed something worth coming out about to someone. It is not a sin that needs to be confessed. Not something to get off my chest. Not something with which to seek attention or validation from my ‘real life’ friends. This convention, above all, would be my strongest argument for informing some of my friends. All in the vain, selfish hope that I could share just a fraction of the joyfulness I have experienced!
I end with advice to those who seek what I seek, and perhaps have yet to find what I have found; a repeat, a first, or another first time, for an experience so fulfilling! Step outside your usual boundaries! (or at least move them several metric metres down the field), dare to be uncomfortable! Be polite and be respectful, even as you thrust forward and advertise adventurousness! You might even surprise yourself with how wondrous things will be! And do not be sad if it doesn’t happen the first time. Do not fear that you will never reach such heights again; for you need only work to make the next time just as great, if not better!
I thank all of you for making such a glorious experience possible.
One hundred-thousand times, thank you!
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
Wishing each and every one of you the very best,
- Pataevian.
...VancouFur 2017 was fucking amazing. <3 Art was commissioned. People were met. Geeking and revelry abounded. 10/10, highly recommend it all!
An Open Letter of Thank You to VancouFur 2017
Dear Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, fans and attendees of VancouFur 2017,
(Bear with me, readers, there is a load of exposition here!)
I would like to thank each and every one of you for creating a life-time lasting memory! VancouFur was not my first convention, or even my first furry convention. I have been to ‘Comic-Con’, ‘Anime North’, ‘Tsukino Con’, ‘What the Fur?’, and ‘Condition,’ while it lasted! I admit, I perform best, like many of you, as an introvert. Meeting new people is tough, frightening even. These conventions were all fun and enjoyable! But it was at my first VancouFur, here, that I dared to step outside my bounds, and I stepped into the world (SPEHHS STAHY-SHUN) of VancouFur.
I do not believe I have met or even seen, as far as I know, the VancouFur board of directors. Aphinity, Trapa, Mediar, Tony Greyfox, Pdawg, Faye, Rhari. But I wish to thank all of you, and more, and give you all a damn firm hand… er, uhm, paw-shake! Instead I met people like Draggy and Bastian. Vampy and Christofur. Alexi (that damn commie!) and AsherAsher (What a fabulous barkeeper!). Yawg and Koh. Nova and Allosaurex. Rhukai and Onna Noko. Lynwen and Vedrit, Keiki and Prawnskunk. I even got to pester Potoroo and learn from Hazellius and Rhari! The awesome lady who made me and many others an awesome con badge in a party room, the good-fellow who let me taste Drunken Beaver Armada, and the storytelling man who told me the legend of The Machine! (You know who you are!) Many others too, whose names I have sadly neglected to learn or have been lost in a Rum & Coke induced coma! And they all share many things in common. They are kind, and caring. Friendly and funny. Understanding and humble. You are, in my as of now hazy, afterglow-addled mind, some of the best examples of humanity. I thank you for creating a memory I will forever cherish.
I sat in my hotel room chair with a cup of coffee this morning (Sunday, the twelfth of March), rode the bus and rode the ferry, and even now, sit at home in my battle-station (computer chair), with an unbidden smile plastered to my face. I have matured into a (competent, hopefully) young adult, one content with his lot in life. One who experiences highs and lows, suffering and pleasure. But I find it hard to put into words the sheer, unadulterated joy this convention has instilled me with. I was so happy, am so happy, that on the bus towards Tsawwassen, emotion welled with in me, and I cried. Cried! I honestly cried! Tears of happiness! Is this what a ‘con-crash’ is? Oh, I must have looked a fool, a wreck!
People ‘come out’ to friends and family for various reasons. ‘Furry’, to me, never seemed something worth coming out about to someone. It is not a sin that needs to be confessed. Not something to get off my chest. Not something with which to seek attention or validation from my ‘real life’ friends. This convention, above all, would be my strongest argument for informing some of my friends. All in the vain, selfish hope that I could share just a fraction of the joyfulness I have experienced!
I end with advice to those who seek what I seek, and perhaps have yet to find what I have found; a repeat, a first, or another first time, for an experience so fulfilling! Step outside your usual boundaries! (or at least move them several metric metres down the field), dare to be uncomfortable! Be polite and be respectful, even as you thrust forward and advertise adventurousness! You might even surprise yourself with how wondrous things will be! And do not be sad if it doesn’t happen the first time. Do not fear that you will never reach such heights again; for you need only work to make the next time just as great, if not better!
I thank all of you for making such a glorious experience possible.
One hundred-thousand times, thank you!
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
Wishing each and every one of you the very best,
- Pataevian.
...VancouFur 2017 was fucking amazing. <3 Art was commissioned. People were met. Geeking and revelry abounded. 10/10, highly recommend it all!
Stepping out of a safety bubble is uncomfortable, but it's thrilling and rewarding XD
I'm also really grateful to have met you and your friends.
Hope we can see you again for more fun experiences in the future :3
Definitely looking forward to next time!