Is this weekend in cambridge, ma.

I'll be commuting in each day from home.

Expect to be there Friday evening, most of saturday, and Sunday is still a maybe, since I have the debriefing for Boskone meeting Sunday afternoon.

Recognize me wearing a warm fuzzy plaid shirt with my all that and a bag of chips badge.

I'm considering bringing in my blackjack stuff and dealing in the game room saturday for a couple hours.

Hope to see you there.

So, the Big Gulp party was reasonably successful overall. As previously stated, the room was pretty small, so maximum capacity was probably no more than a dozen folks at any given time. I gave away much pie. Unfortunately, prep time was a truncated, so the excellent chinese takeout from Wang's down the street was left to cool during the party, only having the soup before many folks arrived. I did eat it after the end of the party, after cleanup. Ale was most helpful during setup time, assembling the squirrelly serving dishes and setting things up. I think I had probably fifty to seventy people pass through the party over the evening.

Unfortunately, shortly after the end of the party, my back decided to go into spasm, and I spent a fairly miserable night, waking up every time I tried to roll over in my sleep. It was better in the morning, and I had luckily found a parking spot very close to the back door near my room. So I took most of the morning packing everything up, and schlepping them out to the car in loads small enough for me to manage. I did enlist the assistance of a couple of friends to carry all the leftovers from the party down to the Zoo area of the con, where a steady flow of congoers made the pile of pies, beverages, and snacks slowly erode away. Unfortunately, some idiot had decided to rip open the trash bag full of trash I had put out in the hallway the night before, spilling it on the carpet. I suspect that alcohol was involved, in addition to stupidity. I left a larger tip for the maid who ended up cleaning it up, in addition to cleaning up my room.

I fear that Furpocolypse has some issues that it is going to have to deal with so it can survive long term. There has been previously with furfright, and this year continues the trend, of problems with the behavior of a small number of the members. For most of them is it your basic drunk and stupid sort of antics. There is a growing number of people at the con who drink alcohol to excess, and are unable to control their behavior. They have continued the response of printing an ever longer code of conduct in the program book, and making everyone sign a document that they have read it before picking up their badge. The other response is they have a large and obvious security department that seems to be accumulating the petty authoritarian personality types. These are the types that tell others what to do, and rarely bother explaining why or softening their tone. Their behavior gets more authoritarian when they are in packs. Anthrocon is doing the same thing, unfortunately.

This sort of approach leads to an arms race of sorts. The security folks getting more strict and inflexible, and the troublemakers going to more extremes to get around the security folks to cause a ruckus. This conflict sucks in more and more people at the con over time, pushing them to choose a side or stop attending the convention. Once this pattern has been established, it is extremely difficult to change until the convention implodes from the strife.

But, overall I had fun, until my back decided that pain was a higher priority than having fun.

Uneventful drive down on friday. Stopped at the TableTalk Pie plant in Worcester on the way and picked up three cases of pies they donated. Yay! PIE!

Got to the hotel shortly after noontime. To no surprise whatsoever, my room reservation was still screwed up. Didn't get the minisuite, didn't get the roll in shower room, but she was able to move me to a regular room on the first floor in the party block. Schlepped in all my luggage and the party stuff. Not really enough room, so I'll have to be creative.

Dealt blackjack in the game room friday evening, DaveC was also dealing. No tournament, just casual game, which was much lower stress than dealing a tournament and having to be all over the players enforcing the rules. Reasonably successful, but lower attendance than the tournament. Much more enjoyable on my part. Turned in before midnight.

Woke up saturday morning. Lazed about the room watching CNN and weather channel as I was waking. Was just about to get in the shower when the fire alarm went off. So, quick like a bunny, get dressed and head outside. Got harassed and herded by con security as they attempted to help the fire department. All clear sounded and went back inside. Milled about the hotel for a bit and then decided to go get food. It had started raining, so decided to hit a drive-thru. Brought my burger back to the hotel and ate there. Shared out some pies in the common area also.

The gifts of beer were given to their intended recipients. Spent piles of money in the dealers room. Got my new badge and copy of the bartender book from Tabbiewolf. Pleased with both of them.

Back in the room now, took my delayed shower, and now getting ready to reemerge back to the con to see what there is to do in the afternoon. take out chinese for supper and then it's time for the party. 7pm, room 127, see you tonight.

Checked in room 127. Big gulp party Saturday 7pm. There is pie... lotsa pie.

Well, I have the room, I have started purchasing snacks and beverages, and I have found a bakery near the hotel that specializes in cupcakes and I expect they will be able to make the flintmint cupcakes I have come up with for the party. (red velvet cake, and a mint flavored buttercream frosting. Slap your sinuses silly strength mint flavoring) Big Gulp party will be saturday evening. Look for the party signs with the room number and starting time. Party has to close the doors at midnight due to convention rules.

I'll also be dealing blackjack in the game room friday evening. No tournament this year, as the hassles of running a tournament were getting out of hand. (basically there were a couple of players who were so intent on winning that they were breaking the rules, and policing that was sucking all the fun out of it for us.)

Edit:
The bakery responded. They will be happy to make those cupcakes for me. For $48 per dozen. Just a wee tiny bit over my budget. So I'm looking for alternatives.

Edit oct 18.
A unlikely request bore fruit, or rather pies. I'm getting from the TableTalk Pie company 8 dozen pies for the cost of stopping by the factory on the way down to the con. They will be all the cosmetic rejects from the production that day. I get whatever flavors they happen to be running that day. But hey, free! There will be pie! Yay!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wns.....ature=youtu.be

Youtube has decided to age limit the video, so you need to sign in with google to view it.






Spoiler!






Spoiler




spoiler.





It shows a minor fender bender, then a few fursuiters jump out of the van and beat the other driver up, then jump back into their van and drive away. I have no idea if this was real or it was staged.

Was up working on the festival and now it's all packed up for the year and I'm back home. One of the festival sponsor booths was for the university of maine. And they had someone in their moose mascot suit there. In a dark brown moose fullsuit, standing out in the sun, on an 80 degree day. I'm sure that the Suiter had to be just about melting inside. Poor guy or gal.

One week and counting. I'll be in bangor Maine starting Sunday August 17th. Any suggestions for an interesting thing to do that is more or less on the way from Boston to bangor will be welcomed. Will be working on the festival until I head back on Tuesday the 27th. My evening will be open Monday, Tuesday, and wednesday. Thursday on I'm pretty much on site from morning until late. Anyone local to bangor want to meet up?

Is my next convention. I'm local, so plan on commuting in daily. I am pondering getting a room for Saturday evening, to host a big gulp party. That Friday is the company summer party, so will not get to the con until later friday. Anyone else I know planning on going?

I didn't have the budget for anthrocon this year. So, for those near boston, I will be at the nesfa clubhouse tonight (thursday) to view the Somerville fireworks. Www.nesfa.org for directions. Expect to get there midafternoon and I would like to have some furry company. The clubhouse is about two blocks from the fireworks, and has ac and no mosquitos.

There is also a nesfa gameday all of saturday. Come and play various games like dominion and trains.

Hi everyone.
I got a room in the main hotel for Furpocalypse, so I will be throwing a Big Gulp party again. I am also looking for someone to share room costs with. Non-smoker, and since the room is a single king bed, willing to share a bed with me. I do snore. Got the room friday and saturday nights only, as I can't count on getting vacation time this far in advance. Might add thursday evening, once I have vacation time approved for the friday.

I'll be holding the Big Gulp party in the room saturday evening, and someone willing to help host the party would be wonderful. Mostly this will consist of helping clean up after the party and maybe the afterparty. IF I'm feeling energetic, may do a party friday evening too.

Just heard the news that Mark Rogers died from a heart attack over the weekend. Creator of Samurai Cat, many paintings of pretty girls, a number of novels and short stories. I've known him at many conventions over the years, had fine conversations and good times with him. SOrry to see you go so soon Mark. I'll you on the other side.

The scifi con arisia is this weekend in Boston. I will be there most of the weekend and would love to hang out with folks there. Friday evening I will be in the blackjack tournament. rest of the con is pretty much wide open. Hope to see any fuzzies there.

I got black friday as a holiday from work. Looking for something (or someone *grins* ) to do that weekend that does not involve shopping. Anyone near boston interested?

That has to be drawn.....

Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Ponyville.


I'm going to burn in hell for that, aren't I. *sighs*

I am here. room 222.
dealing blackjack friday night.
Big Gulp party saturday 7 pm til midnight.

Time for FurFright again. Yay!!!!!


I will be there friday til monday morning. (assuming work approves my vacation)
Friday evening I will be dealing in the Blackjack tournament. Not sure exactly what time in the evening it starts, check the schedule at the con.

Saturday evening I will be hosting the Big Gulp party. Look for the party flyers I'll be posting around the convention for the times and room number. Looks like the con has posted a midnight curfew for parties, and parties have to keep the doors closed, so knock to enter.

I will be looking for someone who is willing to help run the party. Mostly willing to bring me some takeout chinese for my supper and watch the room when I need to go get ice or take out the trash.

Hope to see many of my friends there.

Well, it is that time of year again. Tommorrow morning I head off to Maine. Going to visit with Fyrdawg on the weekend for a bit of fun and relaxing. After that, I continue north to Bangor. I will be doing setup work for The American Folk Festival all week. Anyone around Bangor is welcome to come and say hi and socialize. Daytimes I will mostly be down at the festival site on the riverfront. set your gps to railrod street and front street. Evenings they are putting me up at the holiday inn.
Hope to see folks there!

I just read in a livejournal post by a non-furry friend that she was going to a baseball game. The Manchester, NH FisherCats are playing against the Richmond, VA Flying Squirrels friday, saturday and sunday. I have to go to this. and look, free fireworks after the game saturday night too! All that for twelve bucks for seats along the first base line.

I'm going to be there, gonna see what kind of squirrel and fishercat themed merch they got for me to buy.

I'm gonna be at anthrocon this year. gonna be on the train coming from philly that arrives in pittsburgh at 8:05 pm wednesday evening. anyone else going to be on that train so we can get the party started before we reach pittsburgh? I'll have some sort of furry themed shirt on.

hope to see everyone there.

Saturday, December 22nd. 6 pm til whenever at the NESFA clubhouse. 504 Medford Street, Somerville, MA.

In celebration of the mayan calendar incorrectly predicting the end of the world, we are having a party at the palatial NESFA clubhouse in Somerville, Massachusetts. If the Mayans were right, then the world will have ended, and the party will be cancelled.

there will be soda and chips and cheesey poofs and whatever other snacks strike my fancy. Bring your fun selves to the party. Bring your friends, (but not the high drama ones) bring some food or non-alcoholic beverages to share. Costumes are encouraged.

RSVP via note so I know how much food to plan. Hope to see you all there.

I'm leaving in an hour or so. As soon as I'm dressed and pack the car. Staying in the Courtyard Marriott down the street. Friday I'll be around the game room dealing for the blackjack tournament. The rest of the con is pretty much open for fun. Feed you all there!

Lots of others are doing these con memes....

Which hotel will you be staying at?
Courtyard marriott, down the street under the overpass.
When will you be arriving/departuring?
friday around lunchtime. Sunday whenever I get bored.
Who are you rooming/traveling with?
by myself, driving and rooming. But I'm willing to share.
Is this your first time there?
Nope. Been to most furfrights, except the year I goofed and took some overtime on that weekend, because I had written FF down on the wrong weekend of my calendar.
Are you shy?
Less than I used to be. I'm not gonna shove myself into someone's life though. I sometimes overcompensate for my shyness at cons though. If I get pushy, just say so, I won't be offended for more than a few minutes.
Will you be fursuiting?
No fursuit, so it seems unlikely.
If I see you, how can I get your attention?
Just say hello. My name is Dale.
Can I hug you?
Sure! Just ask first.
Can I take your picture?
Yep
Can I buy you a drink?
Sure. I prefer pepsi throwback made with real sugar. fruit juices when I don't want caffeine.
Can I buy you breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner?
If you really want to, sure!
Can I stalk you?
why would you want to do that? Just come up and say hi. I don't bite, unless you ask me.
Do you do commissions?
If you like poorly drawn stick figures, sure.
Do you do trades?
Sure. I usually trade money for artwork.
What will you be doing at the con?
Dealing blackjack in the tournament friday evening. probably hanging around the game room when I'm not doing anything else. I'll be at the vore party, of course.
Contact info!
If you want my cell phone number, ask me. I don't tend to check e-mails until I get back to the hotel room in the evening.

Hurray for Ursula Vernon! Congratulations Ursula.

www.diggercomic.com