Why are the first blog entries always the hardest to write? The ones that come after seem to flow like water, but the initial one seems to always be accompanied by a strenuous series of head-scratching and pauses for thought. Every blog I've ever created - every single one - starts off this way, and one would think I would get the hang of it by now. But I suppose it's no big deal, right? I could have much worse problems than not being able to quickly pump a few words out on an online journal. :P

I suppose I'll start out with the obvious. I've never really considered myself a furry, though I've been familiar with the fandom since I was a young teenager. I familiarized myself with the art and learned more about the following through my good friend  emira, who has considered herself a furry for as long as I can remember. However, I never went to cons or really met any other furries other than Emira. I did draw a picture or two of anthros on occasion as I grew more interested in the concept (back when I actually DREW, God help me if those ever make their way to the internets), but I don't really consider a distant admiration as being 'part' of the fandom. My parents' strong dislike for furries most certainly did not help me get any closer to the fandom, either. But I'm sure a good majority of furries can relate to that, or at the very least, some.

Now that I'm out on my own, though, I've found that my parents are much more willing to allow me to make my own choices, even though they may not agree with them. Dislike the furries as they may, they know I have to grow up and choose what's best for me, regardless of whether or not our morals conflict. This, for me, is probably one of the best gifts they could possibly give to me: acceptance.

I've wanted to go to MFM ever since Emira told me about it years past. She would always tell me the craziest stories of the things that happened and the people she met, and each year I would want to go a little more. This year was the first I was able to make it.

It was... Quite an experience. Parts of it were exactly what I imagined MFM to be, and others were completely different. It was kind of a culture shock when I saw that first fursuit walk by (and fursuiting is probably the only aspect of the fandom I've never really had an interest in, so maybe that had something to do with it), but soon I felt very much at home once I got in touch with Emira and her husband. I even met someone that was from my area! Who would have thought? It was so interesting meeting so many different types of people and seeing all the great art (I spent quite a while browsing the dealer's den). I even had a commission done of a character from a story I'm writing!

Overall, I had a great time at MFM. It was definitely one of the more unique experiences I've had in the last few years. Emira had her own art panel this year, and I was able to take a few good shots with my D40. A few of them can be found in my gallery.

The furry community has been very good to me so far, and as an outsider looking in, I would like to extend my thanks to all of you who I've had the privilege of meeting so far. You guys are really great, despite the negative attention you sometimes get from various groups. I strongly believe that someday the general public will see you in a different light once the common misconceptions are sifted through, and I look forward to celebrating that day alongside you. As for now, I look forward to getting closer to the community, and possibly making it to a few more cons.

And just so you know, with the help of Emira, a fursona might just be in the making...

~Torvi