Back from Furry Fiesta 2022.

It was a new hotel this year (and we had 5500 in attendance, rounded up) which got to learn first hand how a fur con can affect a hotel. Long story short, it turned into long elevator lines by Friday night, parking was out very soon, and at one point my companions decided to abandon suiting due to not wanting to fight the crowd. That said, there was a lot of positive.

The trip was fairly sedate, and parking wasn't too rough. I did pay about $91 USD to get back on Monday. However, most everything was in walking distance which had its own advantage – I got to enjoy mixed beverages at meals. It's a tradition between Shrag and I to do so, and usually I am a driver so no such things for me.

Setting up in the den Thursday night wasn't too bad. We got to avoid the long registration line due to dealers getting their badges early. However, don't vend just for this benefit. Being a dealer or artist in the sales area does come with a commitment and time factor.

I got three suits out at the convention. Zig Zag, who I always try to take out of tradition (She is known to show up there.), Ceana Aumakua (my new sharkfox – manokit if I can get the right upper torso bit done), and the rebuilt version of Holo with longer hair and a more elegant appearance.

Zig Zag was herself as always and once again ran into fans who had not gotten to see her yet, so it was always positive. With Ceana, she's still fairly new but gets a lot of positive reactions. Holo is a different story, but an anime character at a fur con is always a gamble – some furs have difficulty handling the static face. However, when she was made, Ride the Pig installed a fan in her. I cannot say enough how beneficial that was while I traveled around.

Also got to see several other suiters (Anne Bramble, Thorginunya, ThiccMomma to name 3) and their suits were amazing. Photos don't do justice for some of these. Also, the sheep suiter with Anne, I recall that one. You looked great too!

If you're a new fur who balks at not having a full suit, by the way, keep in mind that Ceana Aumakua is a partial (even though I want to make her potential full) and I saw many wonderful suits that were a combination of outfit, paws, tail, feet, and head. You don't need to be super fancy.

I got to eat at 3 wonderful restaurants for our dinner outings – Press Box Grill, Campisi's, and Sapa House. In order, grill/diner, Italian, and generalized Oriental fare. The last one was the most memorable to me. In watching a comedy group called Gaki no Tsukai, they have a special joke episode called Sushi He. It's funny for its own right, but I got tuna tataki (a sushi) there at Sapa. It was amazing, as well as the sesame chicken.

I wanted to go out and suit one last bit on Sunday night, but it was closing down early so we ended up playing a board game instead. Fortunately, we had a table in the room. For an odd reason, the gaming area was on floor 37 of the center tower, so you had to go far out of your way to get up there. For what it's worth, it was quite a bit of space and a lot to work with, just far out of the way when elevators are a fight.

Sadly, I have 3 suit/costume bit repairs awaiting me. An LED tail I bought had the battery de-solder from the LED strip, so I'll need to get it resecured. Zig Zag's downward tail started to come off of its connector, but it's a matter of thread; and lastly, Ceana's left front lower tooth got wobbly. No worries, I'll get them back in order. Only the soldering job is a semi-nervous bit for me.

Unfortunately, my roommates and I do not know if we'll be returning to TFF. That's a pretty big crowd, and we prefer moderate to smaller cons for the considerations of space, transit, and getting around. But it was not an unpleasant visit – just really busy. I guess I can attribute it to that Star Trek episode (Cause and Effect) where they play a sound of many voices talking at once. When I hear that in a crowded room, it's a bit of a turnoff for me.

My next con is TTFC, where I will be running Artist Alley again and putting that magic to work. It's closer to home and I look forward to it.

And finally, my safety con travel tip of the day. If you drive in a storm and visibility is low, turn your lights on! I had a small black coupe roll in front, disappear in the sheets of rain, and morph into an 18 wheeler when I saw it again.

It's been a while since I typed up a journal. Well, actually looking at the menu to the right, this is about right on time...oh well, whatever. :)

Went to AnthroExpo in Oklahoma City last weekend. I got my new sharkfox out (see recent gallery) and was also operating in the dealer den. I'm still Artist Alley lead for Tails and Tornadoes this year, so I got to see some things to do it better next go around. The lead at AnthroExpo had a really great idea that I'd love to steal, but it's her thing. She's amazing, so I have some polite competition.

Of course, the bad thing of being in the dealer den is when surrounded by merchandise, you tend to make purchases! I doubled my fledgling pin collection (now 10), bought a tail that lights up and glows in a myriad of colors, another pillow case, some other things that involve paracord. We also had one person dutifully taking photos. I rewarded them (after luring in with approaching in suit) with a lovely Fur-tographer pin made by Cappies. The result was an absolute emotional melt and a hug.

That's ok though, it's how dealers support each other. I also saw our artist GoH for TTFC 2022, and got to interact a little bit. I picked up some artwork from her and will post it once I can do so the right way. It's a wonderfully fierce and vicious presentation of Ceana Aumakua.

Which, naming her, that is the final rebuild of Ceana after so many years. She is a sharkfox, and I waited for a while before settling on her. LLM Costumes (Lizard Loves Mustache) had the partial up, and I asked her to complete the partial and it is adopted for her new form. If you meet the suit in person, check my left fox ear - I got hooked. (Seriously, it has a plush maori fish hook in it.)

I also had Jessica there as a second suit, just to have some variety. The only thing I learned the hard way was that I have an awkward allergy to raw fur on skin. I've always used a bodysuit underneath from an old trick 20 years ago, and went without it for the partial (Ceana Aumakua has no upper chest part.). My reward was an inflamed chafe/skin rash on both forearms and swelling on the left one especially. It looked like Popeye after a can of spinach. A good friend had a Benadryl - I am safe now. Apparently it was an issue all this time, I was just always doing the right thing to stop it.

A vendor next to me made fursona pins. So, I have a crazy idea, but I need to pursue a lot of the proper channels first. I'd love to make one of Zig Zag - but I need to contact her creator and ask all the permissions, plus get appropriate artwork for the pin (If confirmed ok.) before even approaching the vendor. If I'm able to do so, I'll sell them from our table (Jitt Wolf Productions) at conventions or alternately TTFC's Artist Alley. That said, creator of the lovely Zig Zag, if you are watching, please send me a note! These would be a really neat thing to hand out to fans as a limited run.

On that note, I'll talk more at a later time about a plan to do possible consignment sales for those who do not want a full table, but will be there. The blessing of being lead is that you get your own table, so...I'd like to fill it up with nice things to sell for people who only have one or two things. Call it a first round attempt at art auction for a con not big enough to have the full gamut yet.

Next con is TFF 2022. I'll be toting a vendor table again in my van, but I'll see what I can make work out and get there. Zig will get priority again. The only other new thing I added in my life was picking up a 5-string electric bass, through a weird rewards program my work has. It's funny, as I never thought I'd like guitars, much less the big ones. But watching and doing audio for a band for a year now has kind of inspired me.

We had quite a few arguments and fusses right around the start of TTFC, but all went well.

Long story short: there are quite a few arguing factions in Oklahoma. All want to be the "premier" Oklahoma convention, and things got heated for a bit. Most of that still hasn't died down and the damage is nearly everlasting with some parties hurt more than others.

Like many other conventions, we had to go the vaccination/test route at last minute and enforced masking. We lost a few attendees not due to disgust, but inability to find a test. Let this be a lesson for other cons that might make such a shift - either announce it very early or give attendees enough time to source their tests. If you set your tests for 72 days out, someone driving in can't just go somewhere random and find it on command. 8 days is far too close even if you are being safe.

I will not go into the remainder of that argument, so please keep it out of replies!

I ran Artist Alley for TTFC with 7 amazing vendors and a wonderful atmosphere. Looking forward to doing so again; as are they. We didn't have too many dramas over the weekend, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Putting together that place was a dream for me after an experience in 2019, and I got to be a major part of the con.

Also met with and assisted a hearing-impaired fur while doubly reactivating my ASL knowledge. It's nice to bring useful and positive skills back to the forefront, and it was a good vacation time.

I look forward to future events and positive experiences.

Con was very good. Visited with friends, one of my roommates brought fruit and I got to use my newly-enhanced jawline on them. Such a relief to eat normally again.

I took Zig Zag, Jessica, and Sylandra.

A friend of mine had to leave early under unusual circumstances, so I had custody of their dragon and snake. I ended up taking those out to get some photos for them on the final day.

We all got along well, and no major issues at the convention this year. Some of the decorations were taken down a little too early, which was my only complaint. I wanted to use one for a photo with the dragon at night.

Otherwise, received a lot of positive commentary, more fans/admirers greeted me warmly, and I feel more involved with the furry community. (Thank you folks.)

I go for round 2 of the dentist (of 2 rounds) today before the TFF weekend approaches. I should be healed up, and ready to go. :)

However, going there and staying with my friends Lauren, Shrag, and Reynard Fox.

Still figuring out who will go as far as characters, but I know last year Sylandra was skipped in favor of Minerva. My friend will be there selling in the dealer's den as well - look for Jitt Wolf Productions if you have interest in print media and are a fan of animation/comics. He is doing really well for that area.

I might take my music production bit, I am working on learning to make EDM/techno/trance to start off. That or an art pad - maybe sit out in suit somewhere and just draw too. Feel free to drop by and visit!

Look forward to seeing everyone.

So, I had my dentist appointment. My friend took me and I was shaking a little bit when I first went in due to the needlephobia.

First off, I'll say she was great when she did it. It was nothing more than a small sting and she had the IV port in. It didn't hurt after that, and it didn't even bother me to look at it. More that it was confusing if nothing else. I kept wondering how this thing wasn't hurting yet I could see it plain as day.

Anyway, she had me out pretty quick after that. She got a 6 pack of glass bottled Coke as a thank you from my friend afterward. Chances are good she'll be there again on the 5th for my next trip, so I am in good hands.

They did the right side and I woke up with the normal gauze, two...remnants of what they do when they take out wisdom teeth...and two temporary crowns. After some fussing they dragged me out of the chair and my friend got me back home safe and sound. There's a video up on my twitter from it at "@atsukikodama1".

I go in for the left side next, and it'll be the same expected end result. I did dream while out, and woke up to my friend and the assistant waiting for me to fully come to focus. I probably won't look forward to the recovery, but I'll say now: by day 3 I was 100% off the pain medicine and only ever took one hydrocodone.

The IV fear is conquered. And this is not the way to do every visit to a dentist, but these people are good. By TFF I'll be back in chomping order and able to be content and happy.

A nice side effect is that this has actually improved my overall mood. I feel less bitchy, irritable, and in general much less unpleasant. Although you probably didn't know I thought I was that way! I blame the irritating tooth pain.

There are no memories for me of it but my friend said I was very loving to everyone in the room on waking, they had to drag me out of the dentist chair, and apparently I was intent on walking out on my own power. I guess you can't remove independent even under anesthesia.

So I'll start by saying that yes, I was bad and ignored dentistry for over 15 years or more.

It has come back to kick me in the ass. I'm awaiting an oral surgery where they'll put me to sleep on the 15th of next month. It's some dental work, wisdom teeth removed, and a deep cleaning. They want me asleep for all of it.

I made a promise to a friend to get these fixed before next TFF and I will uphold it, and my teeth are reminding me nightly now. I spent last night with the upper left back wisdom going "yeeeoooowowww yeeoww y eoeeooowwwwwwwwoww" until 5 am.

I didn't go for so long due to very bad childhood experiences. The new dentist is kinder and easy to work with. I'll owe them a lot.

Went this year for my first go at ACFI. I was helping a friend with his table in the dealer den as part of Jitt Wolf Productions. We've been together off and on for it over the course of several years.

That kept us fairly busy. As for non-dealer, I had no pictures of Tiffany Munk, a suit I acquired from a friend. She's pink - as a mink/skunk. Her personality got fleshed out this year as "cute, but doesn't know it" for short.

As for the rest of the journey...

I came from Tulsa, OK to San Antonio, TX. The drive is not my most fun or much less looked forward to. We were on the road for about 10 to 11 hours. I am used to 3.5 for TFF at the largest distance before this. We spent longer coming back!

However, once we got in things were fine. The hotel was a bit rushed but for a last minute change, they handled it very well with 4 months of preparation. The only fuss had to deal with the lower level and lobby - a bad elevator setup and connection hindered it. However, the staff is very fully aware of this and will take steps to resolve it next go around. No worries folks, they'll get it. Quality people.

One of those lovely quality people is building Atsuki Kodama 3.0, which is my return to a dragon form. Faerie dragon is intended, specifically - and a funny part about this. While there I was sketching out my reference to share with her and my ideas. I had to step away from the table, and returned to see a fursuit maker card sitting there! Not only that, but it had been the talk of the staff room too! Gosh, I didn't know my little drawings could make a fuss... :) That makes me happy.

No worries, enterprising creator, I have another project I can share with you down the road. We'll just say she's "Ready for adventure!". Or pestering her uncle about his drinking. (If you play Heroes of the Storm, you'll know who she is right away.) She's probably better as a fursuit and my other path has gone silent for it.

It was not quite the food desert expected and a wonderful Japanese cuisine place was nearby. My companion had misfortune with them, but my meals turned out alright.

I got about 6 really good photos with Tiffany, a few of which I'll share after I get them all sorted and off the camera. One of them is super adorable and looks straight out of a Disney film.

The only odd thing about the con for my experience was that it got quiet at night, very quickly. This may be attributed to the sudden reroute of the hotel for the con. But it did make a nice quiet stroll time for suiting.

All in all, a good show, interesting location to visit. The staff made excellent use of what they were afforded in a short time. The dealer's den was split, which not everyone liked, but truthfully I appreciated it.

One step closer to a fursuiting goal, and with luck - one step closer to my secret convention goal that I can't say or it'll jinx it. ;)

For years I'd wanted a convention closer to me.

I'll start off by saying that I was nervous about reintegrating with this group. Their first interaction with me as Zig Zag went awfully. The story needs to go into the past, but will just say it was unsettling.

I was offered a position as staff in the a/v section to help run it by a trusted friend. I was nervous, and thought I would just go and not suit in any way.

I was very wrong about this, and happily so. After one night I returned home (I lived 30 minutes away) and got ZZ to take to the convention. She was received with very open arms, I got along great with the other staff, learned bits of managing electronics (and helped set up a light and sound stage - that takes work!).

Even learned a bit about DJing at a panel and it is something I could learn to do.

My friend at Jitt Wolf Productions sold there, and we're going to ACFI in a month. He's a good traveler and pleasant company.

I will return as staff again next year, with the intention of running an artist alley or art den. I want to put a passion to work for helping furs to grow in those fields, even if they weren't the best for me.

You can find some photos on my (new!) twitter at "atsukikodama1". (You will need to edit it appropriately for the twitter link.)

Oh lord, everything was so great! Beyond a few room issues (dealing mostly with clutter and overpop), I got out in all five suits that I took. Tiffany Munk, Zig Zag, Zurastyx, Moonlight Sonata, and Minerva all went.

I was out on the floor quite a bit in each of them as it went. An understudy performer we know was Zig for the con again this year during Friday until they got their main outfit they were waiting on.

Zurastyx went out twice - my new daemon pony - and it was the expected initial reaction of either shock or awe in the night hours. However, I had a blast finally exploring my ponyplay side and doing so within good reason.

Moonlight Sonata went out on her own and made a few fans - something I didn't expect out of an MLP character after the saturation.

Minerva went out to surprise Bridget, whose performer is the one I explored the mink with so many years ago and to this day inspired me to become more.

And as for Zig Zag and Tiffany, they did their wonderful things and got many great photos.

One con update we had this year was a huge blessing: last year it was described as a "Food Desert". However, the internal cafe and areas had locations where you could get simple foods without a roll of the proverbial dice. Thank you, Hyatt - that went great. I had brought food but didn't need it. :P

Thanks to Twitter (@atsukikodama1) I was able to keep up and make a lot of new acquaintanceships, friendships, and meet a fur from abroad who was very pleasant and great to interact with.

See you next year, probably with fewer suits this time, but the same joy and happiness that the vacation always brings.

I'll be there again this year, as norm.

We've got a rather large crew coming spread across three rooms. Bringing a friend from Tulsa who will have his first convention - he's excited and full of anticipatory preparation. (The only part I had to convince him of was to take his fursuit! He wondered if he'd go at all in it or just hit panels. I said: "Take it, trust me. You'll regret it if you don't.")

For years I have been a fan of a specific culture of costuming, if one that borders on the fetlife area but isn't always. After seeing two or three in past years I'm anxious to finally be able to go out and do it myself. I'm keeping the reveal as con-only, but just watch the nightlife...

It'll be a menagerie, but Zig Zag, Tiffany Munk, Minerva, and (to be revealed) are the traveling suits this year.

Probably another year where I pick up something at the art auction, so I'm hoping for something nice to see out there.

I'll be on twitter at atsukikodama1 now, and looking forward to how the theme plays out. I'm already guessing that the board game room will be packed almost all the time.

Indeed going this year. Since suites are so rough to get, just doing two linked rooms. It's easier, slightly higher on cost but worth it when you have multiple suiters in the room that also have multiple suits! The only way I can be screwed out of it is if my status as the only certified night tech cancels my vacation, but it's been stated multiple times that I will get my vacation through hell or high water.

I'm thinking of taking Minerva, Sylandra, Zig Zag, and Atsuki Kodama. Maybe Aethas if I can squeeze him in, but he's tougher. (Aethas is one I will eventually rebuild, but I really need to discuss its direction. He's still a giant cute wolf plush until then - and probably after!) Note ahead: Sylandra is probably going to be fully armored. She's not really a huggy type unless you want your hair stuck in chainmail.

Will consider game room shenanigans, with Cosmic Encounter (and if real interest - BSG). My requests are simple for it - if you commit to playing, please be there on time and commit to the entire session time. The first year we tried this, will just say we had issues with time accountability and leave it at that. I hope this isn't too unreasonable.

I plan to take the art box and do some art practice, but can't assure a Picasso if you seek me out. I will try though. :) Will try to visit with the maker of the new version of Atsuki, see if I can patiently learn from her. She's grown into a great acquaintance and becoming a friend too.

All in all, it's a nice vacation from my lab technician job and I look forward to seeing people there. Room companions: I need to get with you about the shared room cost.

This year started out rough with the pre-con plans. Rooms filled so fast that I couldn't snag one at the beginning (I'm archaic and don't use twitter yet) so I ended up with one next door. By luck a friend had one that had just lost 3 roommates.

My car was even fighting the trip. The week before, my left wheel bearing went out - replaced it and got home - start up - SCREEEEEE-EEEEE-EEEEE-EEEEEEEECCCCCHHH - fan belt. Replaced fan belt. It still squeals some. It was ear-piercing and the whole neighborhood saw it.

It was a 6 tread serpentine that was down to 3.5 treads. We still do not know if it was that way over time or something damaged it.

I had hoped to bring a wolf and mink mask to the convention. The mink was done a few weeks ago but not shipped; the wolf was in furious work/process during the con. However, it means it'll be free then and more time to get her armor/clothing situated. It'll be worth the wait, I will see if I can find a late summer/fall con to go to.

The trip there was nerve-wracking as every strange sound made me feel my car was about to explode into a million pieces. Shrag, one of my roommates, helped with putting some belt wash on. It still squeaks a bit bud but we're going to get it checked out. However it was not half as bad as before.

Thursday night was pretty quiet, I went out in Moonlight Sonata once - with fixed non-deathtrap wings this time - and she was well received. Sadly, our Thursday night dinner place, Snuffer's, was shut down! We went to the Olive Garden instead which was appreciable. We'll have to hunt down a new place next year.

Friday is where the fun started. I usually do one purchase thing a year, and it's usually in the art auction. As I was walking around with Elephant Lauren, I saw a fursuit head propped up on a dealer's table. I see this all the time, usually, as they show off their own heads and often go straight out to suit after working.

This one had a for sale sign on it. Asked my friend to stop and hang on, I had to go ask about it. For those of you who have seen it, I had a pink/purple fluff monster that was mostly unidentifiable as a species. To be fair, I also paid a lower cost for it and it was rushed. (It is with someone now who will be perking it up to their interests.) No disrespect to the previous maker for that first version, you still did well. It's my error for not truly knowing what I wanted to do with it on a rush.

This tiger was a beautiful mix of blue, white, and purple. The price was within my range due to Coke taking good care of me and I had to go ask about the rest of the body. It has a nice sparkly bit to it and is very, very cute. The owner was considering parting with this tiger. Did I say it's really eye-catching?

I thought about it during the day, even going down to the Lemonbrat area to see if there was any good competition for my tastes. Almost - in the form of a sabretooth - but hardly by any fair shake. I went back to Esther at 30 minutes before close and took on the new suit. It's adorable and I love it. The one it replaced in my grouping of suits will be worked on by a friend's wife, who may steal it and rebuild it in her choice. I'm all for that!

So I spent that evening as the new tiger and played around happily. Zig Zag also got out in the same day and received many warm welcomes. Was also Rykela, a blue dragon in which we tested out my chainmail bra and loincloth. It suited her well.

Which led to the next day. I went out as a roommate's character, who in turn went out as Zig Zag. It's always something to watch your own suit go out - and they added some interesting quirks and personality to her that I'll consider in my own. It's a growth thing, I was at a stumbling block but they gave me some good ideas to work from. Sometimes you need that outside view to really see what you can do to improve and it was a perfect opportunity.

Went to the fursuit dance by DJ Koori as Cadence, a snow leopard kig, while my friend was in ZZ. I'm not sure if it's just that the outfit has a young appearance but I really worked on putting some energy and pop into her performance. If you saw a dancing hard-shell mask snow leopard in a blue dress that night, I was having a lot of fun. She came out the next night in a black top and miniskirt to do it again.

(Koori, great show as always. You had compliments from my roommate who danced in Zig right next to you on stage. Alas, I didn't see it because of minor blindness without glasses.)

It's funny, because I have to be careful, sometimes I get so much into the music that I actually do close my eyes and forget to see who's around me!

Same friend was ZZ the next day, wanted to see more of the personality in action. I think I will try to meld some of Cadence's energy with ZZ for the next outing and see what I can do. Learning every day folks, but I did have a good running start. Now I just need to regain a little bit of that stride.

The trip was okay on the way home. Belt still squeaked (more like "peeped") when a/c was on. I'll get it fixed.

Thank you to the previous owner of Timble, or now Atsuki Kodama 2.0. He will be loved and it was a major upgrade that was needed for a very long while!

This was a good year. Last year we had a few things go wrong that had been frustrating, but it worked out. We got past the room situation, got everyone in place, and had a great communication tool between rooms.

Of course, she came...

Zig Zag showed up as always, and was received well. The pictures I have with her turned out amazing, and even though her outfit is probably tamer than most would expect, her personality really shows through this year. She had a lot of fun with those she met, and especially the two she danced with at the party.

She is older, but still knows her to way to have fun, as a certain suiter at the femme photoshoot may have learned; unfortunately, I did not get a contact name. Ryzz, I was glad you got to join us. I hope the event bears good memories.

Dawning of a new Alicorn.

Moonlight Sonata made her debut at the convention, and she probably went out the most. Really appreciate everyone who greeted her! The wings weren't on very much as I have to adapt a new set, but they'll improve over time. As a roommate joked, they're basically a straight rod, so she knew wing-fu when they were on - for the time I did go out with I made sure to be careful not to kill anyone. :) (The new wings will be softer and fluffier, just have to get them off their current harness.)

Ceana returned for a visit.

While she was there for another to borrow, she ended up going out during the parade when I got yanked in. (If you are reading this, I'm totally fine with it. I'm glad you reached out the paw and congratulate your exuberant energy.) It was nice to go back to a first fursuit. She has her age, but she's fun.

A cameo as another.

There was a dragoness I saw last year at the femme shoot that I ended up cameoing as this year. Enjoyed the opportunity very much; the community at TFF is always very kind as are all the friends I make there. I do not body double often, even if I want to, I'm usually very meek about it. It brought out a personality that may transfer some to Moonlight; will see! Either way, may redo my pink/purple one into a dragoness if I can alter it that way. That's for another post.

The late night run.

On Sunday evening, we got together to play the X-Com board game, and near the final runs something caught my eye as it jingled; a solid black pony with purple accents. One of my other interests had been ponyfication, but I was always generally skittish to allow myself to be bound up in it - despite having had the parts on hand. Ended up visiting a friend's room to be a silly hoofed pony for a half hour.

Whomever that was, than you for indirectly giving me the courage to step into that arena. I think next year it might come out and play more. Next year, I will try to have this pony appear out on the floor, I don't know why I didn't do it before. Need a better head first but already searching!

The panels were very interesting this year.

It's been a while since I've gone to a panel, but it was very interesting to see alongside the usual artist/new to furry/etc. panels, the adult ones were ones I usually don't see advertised at a con. (Yes, with above, I would have visited a specific one if you're thinking of it. :P But the dance called first.)

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All in all, good trip this year. Already making plans for things to do next year, and looking forward to next time.

I didn't realize that it has been a while since I posted - I'll take this time to catch folks up.

ZZ is ready to go to TFF this year, and I've been asked if I'm going to other cons - well, the truth is that I wouldn't mind doing so if I had the capability. At TFF last year on the way home (granted, due to being sick and snowbound) I almost had a bad run on the way home, but the con is only 4 hours away. In short, if it's over a 5 hour drive, I like to have a traveling companion - and at the time am not blessed with this, so it's what keeps me away.

For the ones that one can fly to, I just don't trust the airlines to protect suits. Pithy, but it's me. MFF was a parking situation for me but I did love the time I went there.

Another change that occurred for me is that my job let me go, so I'm on the unemployment insurance (but still quite ok) and working through that. Phone Doctors snuck around and let me go, without any termination papers. They were kind about it - sort of - but more or less booted me out the door. To this day we're still not completely sure as to their motivations and/or what they decided not to tell us.

That aside, TFF 2015 is shaping up to be its own approach. I'm taking only 3 total in the room this year to have some extra space, since the hotel rooms are much smaller than the prior hotel (and also, no suite reservations possible, very finicky staff), and our group tends to have 2 or 3 suits per participant.

My alicorn will be showing up, which I have plans to make a new pair of wings for; ZZ of course will be there; and perhaps one of my older suits, my three-tailed fox (Ceana). I also hoped for a kigurumi wolfess this year but it was not to be. The maker is working on her but won't be done in time.

When the wolf is done, she'll be Lupicyne Sylandra, partially themed from the Star Fox universe, but I took a departure in origin story. She's patterned more after the concept of an Eldar Farseer from War40k.

And beyond that, we'll be out on the floor, there's a small chance I'll try to do a board game thing again this year, but will be handling it differently. Last year was a total fiasco due to my poorer planning.

Heading to TFF this year with a group in tow as always. The vacation is needed after the recent promotion - we never got a new CSR. I've been doing both jobs for a while now and it's amazing I don't have burnout.

Check out the Teaser for a long-awaited (by me at least) revival of Zig Zag. This should be a good, relaxing con.

-AAR

It was a decent con. I don't do the panels much these days, so admittedly I was out on the floor most often. Several good things happened.

1) My friend proposed to his girlfriend and it was a success. He was also able to bring out the pink/purple outfit at the parade event.

2) Zig's new outfit was loved by many, including some members of a group for whom there had been some previous scorn due to a miscommunication. While I have no plans to return to the event in question, it is nice to know that the bridge has been mended.

3) Zig grew in personality. I'm still fleshing out her complex character each year. I am a naturally subtle person and do most expressions through my eyes or face. I have to work hard sometimes at remembering that you can't see that. A friend described it as a sort of "Grand Moff Tarkin" effect; this greatly amuses me.

4) Holo met her creator/assistant. Same person is also putting together Sylandra, and I got to see part of the construction method. I have great confidence in their success now.

Work had an interesting run - but it seems they survived ok without their manager for two days. I have a mess of mail and special orders to deal with tomorrow, but they did well with the remainder of material. (Given the net outage on Friday, I knew there would be some mess. Perfectly ok with it!)

We left on Monday and managed the ice and snow home. It wasn't too rough to handle - however to be fair, my vehicle is now one that is known for being an ice warrior per its previous owners. It lived up to the hype.

The choice to become Zig has really proven to be one I enjoy. I now know it's something I can make a true passion, and not just a whim.

Thank you all for being such amazing people, acquaintances, friends, and close companions. I needed this time to break down from work having me 5 to 6 days a week.

Zig Zag's first TFF, I believe since the convention started in Texas. As a new role she remains a challenge - it is a torch passed on by the prior performer. She remains unique in the fursuiting culture.

This year I focused on her aspects other than flagrant flirtation and being overtly sexy in every direction possible, and am working on evolving my performance of her. So if you met her, I hope it was fun for you. :) What comes next in the nearer future shall have to be seen. And yes, she's not shy, but that habit comes out of Ceana. Working it out slowly.

Went to the dance on Saturday night and the blacklights lit me up like a Christmas tree. Made a few good friends, and a new acquaintance named Skye (Finally found you.) that I'm sure was part of a couple ended up dancing with me while her mate took a seat. She confided to me that she was a bit tipsy halfway through. Mother Hen mode kicked in and I assured her I'd hold her up if she got wobbly. I think we danced through ten minutes of song - it was fun, made my night.

Our room wasn't quite what we expected - for 356 square feet, that really shriveled up fast. We'll have to figure out how to do the suite next year again if we want the space. I think that is my only major complaint about the hotel ($110 USD suite was super nice) and the elevators were just an obstacle to learn how to handle.

It's been an interesting trip - second con with the new fursona. We didn't quite get to do the board gaming as I hoped for, thinking in future trips that perhaps it is not a good plan to try and do anything seriously complex. It really needs a dedicated group.

My friend from Tulsa who I work with visited and took the Atsuki suit out while I was in ZZ, giving both some attention - we had some professional photography done. It should look very nice.

We both ended up in the parade out of a fluke, really. Just hopped in near the front. Didn't really get to quite ham it up like I did at MFF, but sometimes I avoid the parades - not to be antisocial in any means, just that a parade travel generally requires that you keep a tight eye on the suiter in front of you and not get stepped on by the one from behind! I had some leeway at MFF which made it easier; TFF in the past has been typically very structured and paced.

Speaking of the art show, I went in to check on pieces that could be bid on. Goldenwolf, who I had won an art auction for one of their art pieces, had someone buy out almost 80% of the entire show. Clearly the artist has some popularity.

The 18+ section was amusingly mild for the most part in the art auction. The difference between the bits of artwork there vs. outside of it was the presence of genitalia. Maybe one or two rough scenes, but that's about it. A few pieces had some BDSM elements but it was again light.

So what about you? Did you like the new hotel? Missed the old one? We're split here in the room on that particular question - I would like the space back in the residence areas, but admittedly the floors are super clean and the decorum is very nice.

I would like to see them try and carry over the idea from MFF with the con suite, where you can generally get some small bits of food.

Our own food travels were decently varied. The usual Genghis, a Chili's run, place called Pie Five Pizza, Magic Time Machine trip (with Fiona as a server from Adventure Time) and In-n-Out Burger.

The hotel has that in advantage; everything is in proximity and can be safely walked to.

That should cover most everything.