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My CanFURence 2019 journal report
6 years ago
Here is my detailed journal report of my visit to CanFURence 2019. I apologise for the length, and I didn't have time to write a TLDR version.
Thursday, August 1st 2019
I left home at 1:48 PM. I made the same mistake as last year of leaving after lunch AND taking the 40, so after some traffic on the 13 south and the 40 west, I got caught in rush hour traffic on the 417. I reached exit 121 at 4:01 PM but arrived at the hotel past 4:45 PM. I was greeted by 3 Canada geese on the lawn in front of the main entrance. Honk! While I was unloading, I also met
rkniner https://twitter.com/rkniner and gave him a welcome hug.
I unloaded my stuff up in my room (1503) where my roommates https://twitter.com/mishicougar
mishi and https://twitter.com/SiyahambaLprd 
Siyahamba were resting. They arrived around 3:45 PM. I unpacked, we had supper in our room (I always bring everything Mishi and I need: microwave, toaster, electric cooler, ice cooler, dishes, cutlery and food, and I also shared breakfast food with Siya this year).
I showered, got my registration badge downstairs, and we ran an errand at Staples: I printed some panel announcements in color to leave around the con space. Back at the hotel, we took a look at the Mainstream room where our Fat Furry Panel is scheduled to happen Saturday 6 PM. We chilled back in our room. I went to bed at 11:00 PM.
Friday, August 2nd 2019
I woke up at 6:30 AM and got up at 6:59 AM. After the morning routine (exercises, breakfast, dishes, brushing teeth and shaving) we headed to the Artisans' Alcove where Siya and I both ordered a sketch commission from GOH Betsy Beaver. Then we checked out the game room on ground level, and saw video potential to do later in fursuit, as well as with the xylophones outside the hotel. Back to the room I had a morning snack (celery, banana, clementines and grapes) and we attended the Opening Ceremonies at 11:00 AM. Back to the room, we had lunch and did dishes. While Siya enjoyed a swim in one of the two pools (can't recall if it was the indoor or outdoor one), I showed photos to Mishi of my fursuit gig taken at my job during Family Day last July 4th with his wolf suit Pauly Pawpaw (they called him "Paulo Papattes" in French!).
We attended https://twitter.com/conreeaght 's panel "The Mystery of CanFUR" at 5 PM. It was informative. Back at the room I toom a quick power nap (12 minutes) and we went to Furry Feud at 6:30 PM where Siya and I played and won the 1st game.
Back at the room, we had supper, I struggled with my smartphone to retweet our panel event's announcement. I'm a dumb ol' grey muzzle and I rarely use my smartphone, only at cons with the hotel's free wi-fi (works in our rooms only) and to take photos and videos at concerts. I don't even have an internet package for it.
Mishi and I suited up for https://twitter.com/BT_ARMISTICE 's dance set from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM. I suited up as usual as Pauly Pawpaw, graciously lent to me by Mishi. I also brought with me the plush doughnut I bought at FE in March, even if it was cumbersome during the Macarena! Great dance!
https://twitter.com/furscience/stat.....77646722256896
I showered, we relaxed and I went to bed at 1:10 AM.
Saturday, August 3rd 2019
I woke up at 7:24 AM and got up at 7:36 AM. After the morning routine, I ordered more ice for my cooler. We went downstairs, I spreaded some ad sheets for tonight's fat furry social panel, and I picked up my original sketch by Betsy Beaver of Pip Stork clutching his fat paunch! https://www.furaffinity.net/view/32664457/
I suited up as Pauly Pawpaw and we headed to the Fursuit Games at 11:00 AM. Good thing we knew about it because they left it out of the program booklets! I hope not too many attendees missed the event because of that. Both https://twitter.com/jedders
Jedders and Siya took precious videos of memorable moments from the games. Here's one by Jedders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTbWk8XykKw I got even cheered for the 1st time, by 
Bleis (thank you!) as seen here in a great video by Siya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTawq3ol46s
Back to the room to cool down, Mishi suited up and we got in line for the parade. The room was crowded and I already knew the group photo would not include everyone because the person taking the photo wasn't even using a step ladder and I couldn't see the camera. I'd say of all the many pros and very few cons of this year's CanFURence, that was by far the biggest negative for me. They should have used a stick to raise the camera, like Jedders uses, or climb onto something high enough to almost reach the ceiling. Others suggested placing the suiters in order of height, which makes sense too. https://twitter.com/canFURence/stat.....78686361247747 (Upper right corner, I'm holding up my donut. Mishi is totally invisible). Hopefully in the new hotel next year, the setting will allow for a better photo.
So, while waiting for the photo, I looked behind me to see who arrived after us and I spotted the awesome
ManuKoa "Yay! I'm gonna get my annual birb hug!" I thought to myself. Near him, I saw a cute toony eagle! "CUTE! I GOTTA hug that cute eagle too!" After the hug I asked him for his name because I couldn't see his badge and it was rather loud in there so I didn't hear what he said at first." "I'm C-Eagle!" OMG!! It was my friend 
ceagle https://twitter.com/ctheeagle ! I was so happy to meet him for the 1st time in furson, I hugged him again and jumped up and down! Thinking about it now, I'm shedding a tear! :')
After the photo, the parade started and it was the best one so far at CanFURence! Cameras everywhere!! I gave my best to bring Pauly Pawpaw to life. I like what I've seen so far, especially in Jedders' parade video (from 4:05 to 4:21 where you can hear my bling jingle while I dance to "I'm Your Boogie Man" at https://twitter.com/furscience 's booth, followed by Reese Raccoon (Mishi) giving Jedders the thumbs up.) https://youtu.be/dAzVqNphgEw?t=245
After the parade, Mishi (as Reese) and I (as Pauly Pawpaw) headed outside with Siya for some adorable images of us playing with the xylophones. This is one of my favourite videos of the con, made by Siya: https://twitter.com/SiyahambaLprd/s.....43084007378944 We also went inside in the game room and fooled around with a virtual ball pit, as seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbUD-8Yg0Z0
Back at the room, I took a shower, had lunch, then we all headed out for a couple of errands, including a box of 50 Timbits for the guests for tonight's panel. https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....85594699309057
We came back, Mishi suited up (with extra belly padding of course) while Siya and I prepared the Mainstream room for our Fat Furry Social panel, scheduled from 6 PM to 7 PM but lasted past 8 PM. At one point, poor Mishi had to leave because he was getting rather hot in his suit.
Over 20 people came, the most at one point was 23 I believe. I was nervous, not because it was my first time hosting a panel, but because it was slightly more difficult than expected to get people to talk, so I ended up using every topic I had jotted down during prep. I ended up talking too much about myself. But after a while, more and more attendees started sharing their views, stories, feelings and opinions. Plus, every timbit got eaten. It was a success, whew!
Pics by Jedders: https://twitter.com/jedders/status/.....05370757943296
Back at the room, we ate supper and relaxed a bit, before I suited up to catch most of the great disco set at 10 PM by Emanuel Furman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X64PxkoEZY8, but I had to leave early around 10:45 PM to catch Furry Feud After Dark scheduled at 11:00 PM. I quickly showered before barely making it on time around 11:10 PM. It ended at 12:45 AM. Went to bed at 1:20 AM.
Sunday, August 4th 2019
I woke up at 7:13 AM and got up at 7:55 AM. After breakfast, we went downstairs to check the auctions and pick up any leftover sheets from our panel (they were all gone). Then we went in Siya's car to visit Parliament Hill, followed by the house where Mishi's grandmother once lived, and we had lunch in Gatineau at La Pataterie Hulloise so Siya could try authentic Quebec poutine. I took one bite out of Mishi's and gave it a thumbs up. I had a veggie burger (tried to health it up by holding back on sugary condiments, added lettuce and a slice of tomato and some mustard) and one small portion of unsalted French fries. (I would have added vinegar, had I seen the bottle at the end of the table, d'oh!) That was my fast food meal of the year! (I could have had poutine as well but I HATE dying of thirst after a meal with too much sodium.)
Back at the convention, Mishi was pleased to see all his donated cards got sold, then I hit the jackpot when I got to meet https://twitter.com/ZekeHyena
SkyRyd3r in the hallway! OMG!! I dropped my bag and turned into a shameless fanboi! Zeke's voice is so toony and adorable! I resisted the temptation of kissing his cute yeen muzzle! *blushes* Photo by Siya: https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....82259582406657
Back at the room, I caught up on Twitter. Later we headed down to the live auction at 3 PM. I brought my sheepdog puppet Nimbus with me and he got some attention from https://twitter.com/kakurady
kakurady! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNmhdRrydyE or https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....68298927874048
After more time chilling in our room and had supper, we headed to the closing ceremonies from 6:00 PM to 6:40 PM where we found out that CanFUR2020 is going to be held at the Westin in Ottawa! I also got my annual hug from https://twitter.com/BT_ARMISTICE (not counting the one I got in March at FE - shush!) Siya registered right away (he got badge #2!) but I couldn't wait any longer in line since I wanted to suit up for the Dead Bunny party.
Well, that party was disappointing for me this year. I really felt like dancing and give song requests, but no one was dancing, no one was in fursuit, they were just playing in a circle throwing hoops or talking. I tried to have fun anyways and dance. I wanted to ask for some request but I couldn't even ask the D.J. since 4 other people were crowded around him and talking together. So after 15 minutes we left the room and we headed downstairs and outside while I was still in fursuit.
Downstairs in the lobby, I got to interact with a family before they got in the elevator. I love interacting with normies! Outside we saw some baby bunnies, Siya and Mishi took some photos, and I connected with a young child through the indoor pool's window. https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....35250346102784
Back inside, we went back to the game area where I met a little girl. She gave me a hug and my heart melted. She then handed me her plush tiger and said "It looks just like you!" I think she meant Pauly looked like a plushie to her! (https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....82116770504705) It's moments like these that make furry conventions memorable! Had more dancing occured at the Dead Bunny party, I would have missed those moments. So never forget to turn every lemon handed to you into lemonade!
Back at the room around 8:45 PM, I showered, we did the dishes, checked Twitter, I started packing some stuff and talked with my roommates. I went to bed at 11:20 PM.
Monday, August 5th 2019
I woke up at 6:57 AM and got up at 7:01 AM. Before breakfast, I checked Twitter and read a tweet by https://twitter.com/ctheeagle and boom! It just hit me how stupid I was. I forgot that with my smartphone, that thing I bought mainly to stay connected to the convention events and people, I could have sent a DM to CEagle and asked him if we could meet! Saturday was such a frantic and exciting day, the thought escaped my mind completely! But it was now too late. Talk about a missed opportunity. That was the worst moment of the con for me and it was my own fault. I tried to stay positive and think that at least I got to meet him briefly but with PCD now kicking in, it wasn't easy.
We packed and at 10:15 AM I bid farewell to my roommates Mishi and Siya. I managed to hold back the PCD tears for when I got home.
Overall it was a fabulous con! I fursuited a lot and came back with plenty of images! I owe it all to my friends https://twitter.com/mishicougar mishi and https://twitter.com/SiyahambaLprd Siyahamba! *group hugs*
Thursday, August 1st 2019
I left home at 1:48 PM. I made the same mistake as last year of leaving after lunch AND taking the 40, so after some traffic on the 13 south and the 40 west, I got caught in rush hour traffic on the 417. I reached exit 121 at 4:01 PM but arrived at the hotel past 4:45 PM. I was greeted by 3 Canada geese on the lawn in front of the main entrance. Honk! While I was unloading, I also met
rkniner https://twitter.com/rkniner and gave him a welcome hug. I unloaded my stuff up in my room (1503) where my roommates https://twitter.com/mishicougar
mishi and https://twitter.com/SiyahambaLprd 
Siyahamba were resting. They arrived around 3:45 PM. I unpacked, we had supper in our room (I always bring everything Mishi and I need: microwave, toaster, electric cooler, ice cooler, dishes, cutlery and food, and I also shared breakfast food with Siya this year).I showered, got my registration badge downstairs, and we ran an errand at Staples: I printed some panel announcements in color to leave around the con space. Back at the hotel, we took a look at the Mainstream room where our Fat Furry Panel is scheduled to happen Saturday 6 PM. We chilled back in our room. I went to bed at 11:00 PM.
Friday, August 2nd 2019
I woke up at 6:30 AM and got up at 6:59 AM. After the morning routine (exercises, breakfast, dishes, brushing teeth and shaving) we headed to the Artisans' Alcove where Siya and I both ordered a sketch commission from GOH Betsy Beaver. Then we checked out the game room on ground level, and saw video potential to do later in fursuit, as well as with the xylophones outside the hotel. Back to the room I had a morning snack (celery, banana, clementines and grapes) and we attended the Opening Ceremonies at 11:00 AM. Back to the room, we had lunch and did dishes. While Siya enjoyed a swim in one of the two pools (can't recall if it was the indoor or outdoor one), I showed photos to Mishi of my fursuit gig taken at my job during Family Day last July 4th with his wolf suit Pauly Pawpaw (they called him "Paulo Papattes" in French!).
We attended https://twitter.com/conreeaght 's panel "The Mystery of CanFUR" at 5 PM. It was informative. Back at the room I toom a quick power nap (12 minutes) and we went to Furry Feud at 6:30 PM where Siya and I played and won the 1st game.
Back at the room, we had supper, I struggled with my smartphone to retweet our panel event's announcement. I'm a dumb ol' grey muzzle and I rarely use my smartphone, only at cons with the hotel's free wi-fi (works in our rooms only) and to take photos and videos at concerts. I don't even have an internet package for it.
Mishi and I suited up for https://twitter.com/BT_ARMISTICE 's dance set from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM. I suited up as usual as Pauly Pawpaw, graciously lent to me by Mishi. I also brought with me the plush doughnut I bought at FE in March, even if it was cumbersome during the Macarena! Great dance!
https://twitter.com/furscience/stat.....77646722256896
I showered, we relaxed and I went to bed at 1:10 AM.
Saturday, August 3rd 2019
I woke up at 7:24 AM and got up at 7:36 AM. After the morning routine, I ordered more ice for my cooler. We went downstairs, I spreaded some ad sheets for tonight's fat furry social panel, and I picked up my original sketch by Betsy Beaver of Pip Stork clutching his fat paunch! https://www.furaffinity.net/view/32664457/
I suited up as Pauly Pawpaw and we headed to the Fursuit Games at 11:00 AM. Good thing we knew about it because they left it out of the program booklets! I hope not too many attendees missed the event because of that. Both https://twitter.com/jedders
Jedders and Siya took precious videos of memorable moments from the games. Here's one by Jedders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTbWk8XykKw I got even cheered for the 1st time, by 
Bleis (thank you!) as seen here in a great video by Siya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTawq3ol46sBack to the room to cool down, Mishi suited up and we got in line for the parade. The room was crowded and I already knew the group photo would not include everyone because the person taking the photo wasn't even using a step ladder and I couldn't see the camera. I'd say of all the many pros and very few cons of this year's CanFURence, that was by far the biggest negative for me. They should have used a stick to raise the camera, like Jedders uses, or climb onto something high enough to almost reach the ceiling. Others suggested placing the suiters in order of height, which makes sense too. https://twitter.com/canFURence/stat.....78686361247747 (Upper right corner, I'm holding up my donut. Mishi is totally invisible). Hopefully in the new hotel next year, the setting will allow for a better photo.
So, while waiting for the photo, I looked behind me to see who arrived after us and I spotted the awesome
ManuKoa "Yay! I'm gonna get my annual birb hug!" I thought to myself. Near him, I saw a cute toony eagle! "CUTE! I GOTTA hug that cute eagle too!" After the hug I asked him for his name because I couldn't see his badge and it was rather loud in there so I didn't hear what he said at first." "I'm C-Eagle!" OMG!! It was my friend 
ceagle https://twitter.com/ctheeagle ! I was so happy to meet him for the 1st time in furson, I hugged him again and jumped up and down! Thinking about it now, I'm shedding a tear! :')After the photo, the parade started and it was the best one so far at CanFURence! Cameras everywhere!! I gave my best to bring Pauly Pawpaw to life. I like what I've seen so far, especially in Jedders' parade video (from 4:05 to 4:21 where you can hear my bling jingle while I dance to "I'm Your Boogie Man" at https://twitter.com/furscience 's booth, followed by Reese Raccoon (Mishi) giving Jedders the thumbs up.) https://youtu.be/dAzVqNphgEw?t=245
After the parade, Mishi (as Reese) and I (as Pauly Pawpaw) headed outside with Siya for some adorable images of us playing with the xylophones. This is one of my favourite videos of the con, made by Siya: https://twitter.com/SiyahambaLprd/s.....43084007378944 We also went inside in the game room and fooled around with a virtual ball pit, as seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbUD-8Yg0Z0
Back at the room, I took a shower, had lunch, then we all headed out for a couple of errands, including a box of 50 Timbits for the guests for tonight's panel. https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....85594699309057
We came back, Mishi suited up (with extra belly padding of course) while Siya and I prepared the Mainstream room for our Fat Furry Social panel, scheduled from 6 PM to 7 PM but lasted past 8 PM. At one point, poor Mishi had to leave because he was getting rather hot in his suit.
Over 20 people came, the most at one point was 23 I believe. I was nervous, not because it was my first time hosting a panel, but because it was slightly more difficult than expected to get people to talk, so I ended up using every topic I had jotted down during prep. I ended up talking too much about myself. But after a while, more and more attendees started sharing their views, stories, feelings and opinions. Plus, every timbit got eaten. It was a success, whew!
Pics by Jedders: https://twitter.com/jedders/status/.....05370757943296
Back at the room, we ate supper and relaxed a bit, before I suited up to catch most of the great disco set at 10 PM by Emanuel Furman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X64PxkoEZY8, but I had to leave early around 10:45 PM to catch Furry Feud After Dark scheduled at 11:00 PM. I quickly showered before barely making it on time around 11:10 PM. It ended at 12:45 AM. Went to bed at 1:20 AM.
Sunday, August 4th 2019
I woke up at 7:13 AM and got up at 7:55 AM. After breakfast, we went downstairs to check the auctions and pick up any leftover sheets from our panel (they were all gone). Then we went in Siya's car to visit Parliament Hill, followed by the house where Mishi's grandmother once lived, and we had lunch in Gatineau at La Pataterie Hulloise so Siya could try authentic Quebec poutine. I took one bite out of Mishi's and gave it a thumbs up. I had a veggie burger (tried to health it up by holding back on sugary condiments, added lettuce and a slice of tomato and some mustard) and one small portion of unsalted French fries. (I would have added vinegar, had I seen the bottle at the end of the table, d'oh!) That was my fast food meal of the year! (I could have had poutine as well but I HATE dying of thirst after a meal with too much sodium.)
Back at the convention, Mishi was pleased to see all his donated cards got sold, then I hit the jackpot when I got to meet https://twitter.com/ZekeHyena
SkyRyd3r in the hallway! OMG!! I dropped my bag and turned into a shameless fanboi! Zeke's voice is so toony and adorable! I resisted the temptation of kissing his cute yeen muzzle! *blushes* Photo by Siya: https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....82259582406657Back at the room, I caught up on Twitter. Later we headed down to the live auction at 3 PM. I brought my sheepdog puppet Nimbus with me and he got some attention from https://twitter.com/kakurady
kakurady! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNmhdRrydyE or https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....68298927874048 After more time chilling in our room and had supper, we headed to the closing ceremonies from 6:00 PM to 6:40 PM where we found out that CanFUR2020 is going to be held at the Westin in Ottawa! I also got my annual hug from https://twitter.com/BT_ARMISTICE (not counting the one I got in March at FE - shush!) Siya registered right away (he got badge #2!) but I couldn't wait any longer in line since I wanted to suit up for the Dead Bunny party.
Well, that party was disappointing for me this year. I really felt like dancing and give song requests, but no one was dancing, no one was in fursuit, they were just playing in a circle throwing hoops or talking. I tried to have fun anyways and dance. I wanted to ask for some request but I couldn't even ask the D.J. since 4 other people were crowded around him and talking together. So after 15 minutes we left the room and we headed downstairs and outside while I was still in fursuit.
Downstairs in the lobby, I got to interact with a family before they got in the elevator. I love interacting with normies! Outside we saw some baby bunnies, Siya and Mishi took some photos, and I connected with a young child through the indoor pool's window. https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....35250346102784
Back inside, we went back to the game area where I met a little girl. She gave me a hug and my heart melted. She then handed me her plush tiger and said "It looks just like you!" I think she meant Pauly looked like a plushie to her! (https://twitter.com/Aldi_aka_Roofus.....82116770504705) It's moments like these that make furry conventions memorable! Had more dancing occured at the Dead Bunny party, I would have missed those moments. So never forget to turn every lemon handed to you into lemonade!
Back at the room around 8:45 PM, I showered, we did the dishes, checked Twitter, I started packing some stuff and talked with my roommates. I went to bed at 11:20 PM.
Monday, August 5th 2019
I woke up at 6:57 AM and got up at 7:01 AM. Before breakfast, I checked Twitter and read a tweet by https://twitter.com/ctheeagle and boom! It just hit me how stupid I was. I forgot that with my smartphone, that thing I bought mainly to stay connected to the convention events and people, I could have sent a DM to CEagle and asked him if we could meet! Saturday was such a frantic and exciting day, the thought escaped my mind completely! But it was now too late. Talk about a missed opportunity. That was the worst moment of the con for me and it was my own fault. I tried to stay positive and think that at least I got to meet him briefly but with PCD now kicking in, it wasn't easy.
We packed and at 10:15 AM I bid farewell to my roommates Mishi and Siya. I managed to hold back the PCD tears for when I got home.
Overall it was a fabulous con! I fursuited a lot and came back with plenty of images! I owe it all to my friends https://twitter.com/mishicougar
mishi and https://twitter.com/SiyahambaLprd Siyahamba! *group hugs*
One of my regrets is not getting any footage of me in snooks playing with the instruments outside. Now we're moving to a different venue D:
Gonna be so much nicer being downtown though, I'm excited for that~
Yep! Looking forward to the proximity to more normies while in fursuit!
You know by now I really enjoyed getting to meet and hug ya also ^v^ ... Hopefully there'll be other tymes in da future!
Thanks for the terrific reminscing!