Eurofurence 2016 Review:

I went to EF one year ago after multiple attempts by a good friend Tillikum to make it. 2015 was an eye opener going to this convention for the first time. I went the weekend before and spent time with my friend and met a new one - Tay - who is rooming with the awesome huskybutt.

This though is about 2016 so I won’t digress back further. I just wanted to preface it - as due to how things went that year, and affected my feelings on going to a convention outside of the United States… I decided to make a return trip this year 2016.

The highlights of 2015 were the water park excursion, and that event (due to it’s monumental success) was planned to happen again this year. The actual main reason for my return was that I love to do special costumes if I can for the theme of the convention.

For example:

MFF - “It Came From TV”: Jack Harkness (Torchwood), Malcom Reynolds (Firefly)
TFF - “Time Traveler’s Ball:: Doctor Who - (Furry Night Live - Stage Production)
TFF - “Heroes & Villans”: Gambit (X-Men), Jedi (Random - My creation)
MFF - “Pirates” - Renaissance Gear (Doublette / Leather Tunic)
EF 2015 - “Greenhouse”: Renaissance Gear (Long leather Tunic)

Those are to name a few. I just love costuming in general. I have been doing it for years way before I got into the fandom. I started with renaissance costuming. That progressed to anime conventions and doing cosplay of various anime and video game characters. When I finally stumbled upon the furry fandom after werewolves became a big thing to me. I chose my character - a black & silver furred wolf. He had a huge background story as when I created him it was back in the MUCK days and stories were all the rage. Now a days…. not so much.

Back on topic though. EF 2016 — I have to say this was absolutely one of the best conventions I have ever attended that made me feel…. well…. special. It is actually very hard to describe it. I have been going to conventions since 2001. I took a big plunge into the deep end and went to Anthrocon that year, then followed by finding the furry community of the DFW area at an anime convention room party that happened at - “Project A-Kon”. I met one of my longest standing friends from the MUCKS at that party, and always admired his art, but got to know him on a personal level and have been just long standing friends with a fox by the name of StarGazer. I can’t sing his praises highly enough. He is an absolute sweetheart. He’s been there for me through thick and thin…. The worst and best times. He’s certainly a special fox to me. A definite keeper.

Sorry for digressing - Back to the topic at hand. EF 2016.

I like to consider myself a child of the 80’s - There’s so much I grew up with or remember from this timeframe. The great music and animated TV shows. Things ranging from “Pirates of Darkwater” (one of my all time favorites that was never finished), to things like ThunderCats, Silver Hawks… Then there was kind of what I like to consider the birth of anime here in the US with Robotech. I can’t sing Robotech’s praises highly enough. My favorite character was Max Sterling - the pilot of the blue Varitech.

For the longest time as I stated earlier I like to “dress up” or cosplay as it were for the conventions I go to. Usually anime, one doesn’t need to do any “theme” you just do whatever character from a series / movie etc. You usually chose the most iconic or recognizable outfit they always wore so that you’d get the most recognition. For EF I decided to chose two conventions. The prior year “Greenhouse” was so very hard to do any costuming for, but I did take my long leather tunic - so along with my pursuit’s first time overseas - so too was it for my renaissance gear, which was the first ever gear I started wearing while fruiting.

The two costumes I chose were from some of the most iconic and recognizable of that era.

Karate Kid: Daniel(san) - His white karate outfit + Headband

Blade Runner: Deckard Cain - Trench Coat, button up shirt, pants, tie.

I chose these two because truthfully they were simple to do. I always try to start with what I actually have available to me and then obtain what I need to complete the outfit. The Karate Kid - I took an easy route, but wish I hadn’t due to the quality I like to put into these things. I got off of Amazon a “Halloween Store” mass produced costume. Don’t get me wrong it was decent, but had I put more effort into it I know I could’ve done better. I think I will, but depends on another convention if they do the 80’s theme or possibly kung fu or martial arts in general.

Blade Runner: This was the most involved costume of the two. I already had most of the parts, like the trench coat, button up shirt, and pants. I had to obtain a replica tie, but that was it to complete the outfit. I don’t own one of the replica guns… After the HUGE success of this Blade Runner outfit I now really want to obtain a prop to be that much more accurate.

The flight over from DFW to FRA was amazing. I can’t stress how awesome it was. The flight attendant working with me took such good care…. She made my flight the best and I so wish I could remember her name. So the trip started out so awesome.

When I arrived at Frankfurt I then got on a plane from FRA to TXL. From there it took me a bit working with Tremelo via regular text to coordinate getting onto a train or two to get to the Estrelle hotel. It wasn’t that hard, but for a stupid american who doesn’t know anything it was daunting… The snep’s guidance was a breath of fresh air when everything around me was foreign and wasn’t being picked up by a friend.

Once I got my stuff into Tremmy’s room, we went out on the town of Berlin. We walked and walked and took some subway cars, and walked some more. It was awesome. We saw a ton of historical sites and I took so many pictures. I shared them with my parents saying “look where I’m at” and things like that. I didn’t mind being the typical “tourist” I was out with friends and had great company and an amazingly awesome time. You 3 made my Monday the best. Next year we will have to hit up the spy museum and that other place that we have to setup by invitation. Let’s make plans ok? :)

I truthfully can’t remember much of Tuesday it was a little bit of a blur…. I know it was still tons of fun. Maybe someone can remind me what all we did. I know I wasn’t drunk, but I just can’t seem to remember it! XD

The reason I want to go that much further with the Blade Runner outfit was of one time I was in the dealer’s den on Thursday. There were two people I met just in passing out of suit in the costume. I got both to be worn in and out of suit, and that was my first time wearing the BR one. It was loved by most everyone, but two people in particular stood out from the rest. Ahran, a lion, and funny enough another lion, by the name of Balor. I was wandering out the dealer’s den just to check things out prior to going for the “official” OFA (One Fur All) photoshoot for EF 2016. Both of the lions expressed interest in taking photos of the BR outfit. I told them both - meet me after the OFA shoot, and they could pose me as they wish for BR themed photos. We ended up down in the basement / garage of the hotel. The whole photoshoot took roughly another couple hours, so…. I was in suit quite a bit longer than I usually am…. but it didn’t exactly feel like I was in suit for all that long…. It was quite enjoyable. We had one kind of pause/break because I had an artist message me that an art commission was completed. During that break Ahran went looking for a second fursuit to do a few “scenes”.

The scenes ranged from me hiding behind a pillar warning the other suiter of danger. The coolest scene was when we were fighting one another. He wanted action and the other fursuit he acquired for the photoshoot was interestingly enough another scribble fox (OFA) suit by the name of Nuatu. The person wearing him though wasn’t the suit’s owner, but it was still cool that he obtained another fursuit of the same maker for these shots. It kind of made things “complete” as it were.

I’m still waiting to see all the photos. I’m waiting with great excitement *wags his tail*. I’m just kind of blown away by how fast friends it kind of worked out with both Balor, and Ahran. Truthfully just having them love my outfit and gush over it made my convention…. Them though wanting me to do this private photo shoot was just…. I can’t describe how special it made me feel. I wanted to make those two happy and would do anything within my power costume / Blade Runner wise to see them smile with glee….

I lovingly said this phrase. “I am an action figure. Pose me however you wish. I don’t care how small a little detail you need to do, even a finger… I’m yours to move about to make the best “scene” / photo possible. Hell Ahran gushed a bit over me out of fursuit…. We even had a bit of a photoshoot later out of suit. I did it just for him. I personally think outside of suit I’m nothing all that much of anything. Aran though…… well if he wanted photos of me in my Blade Runner outfit without the fursuit…. then by George he would have them. I would do what I can to make that fancy feline happy. All that took was really kind of showing him that a lot of the things he did for others made them so ecstatic.

He told me about a prop because he is a GIANT Zootopia fan….. I mean he has a shrine kind of dedicated to Zootopia and I give him kudos to that. I do love the film, but he’s definitely in the real of the overly dedicated fan. It’s fun to see that level of someone who enjoys something to THAT degree.

Now what he did was bring a prop… Something that one would think was simple, but to do this prop justice he went to the ENTH degree. He made a JUMBO POP. A real life honest to god Jumbo Pop!!!!!!

It looked amazing. He told me he’d have it available during some “Motofurs Meet” on Friday. I told him I’d definitely be there because the prop seemed just too cool to not want to play with and get pictures with.

Unfortunately Friday would turn out to be a “LDD” (Lame Duck Day) for me. I’m making up my own acronym, but the reality of the situation still stands. The entirety of Friday I was laid up in bed…. I couldn’t go anywhere or do anything. Well I could’ve…. at one point when someone got me a wheelchair….. but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Thursday evening after a private photoshoot with a Lucky Tiger in suit - I also got out of suit to make Ahran’s little evening photoshoot out of fursuit and dressed as Blade Runner. I got there late…. We didn’t do as many shots as I think he would have liked, but he wanted me around the fire pit and that general area for a night time photo shoot. I just couldn’t say no to the awesome feline. I’ll definitely be sharing photos once he gets them to me.

That evening after the out of fursuit photo shoot I went to the dance going on. They were having a definite “80’s Dance” - All the songs were either the originals or cool remakes of classic 80’s songs that I remember from my youth. I was up till maybe 4/5 in the morning. I just couldn’t stop having fun. Even danced with the lovely Rima wolf for a bit… Unfortunately me trying to be silly ended up with me in a shit ton of pain….. I was quite stupid during a big jump up in the air. I landed wrong and rolled my ankle to the side. The pain was excruciating. I haven’t hurt myself like that in like forever….. I hope no one else self inflicts something like that upon themselves. I had to hobble back to my room. It was quite the chore not to fall over crying….. but by god I wouldn’t let others see how fucking stupid and how bad I fucked up…

Friday morning I didn’t get much sleep if at all. After the dance I had dragged myself to my room…. had a hot soaking bath to help the healing process and crawled under the covers of my bed curling up in a crying ball of pain and agony.

Later on Friday morning after not sleeping at all really…. Rima messaged me. She wanted me to join her and Leaf Fox like we had on prior days for breakfast. I decided not to beat around the bush and told her I could not because I was in pain and asked her since she was up to please grab me a couple things from the pharmacy….. a compression bandage, some cold packs, and vitamin water. I felt so fucking embarrassed I had hurt myself I didn’t want to involve anyone or anything…. I wanted to curl up that day licking my wounds in private and hope that no one would notice my “absence” until I was 100% better….

Well the whole hoping no one would notice plan was thrown out the minute I had mentioned to Rima about being hurt and in pain. *chuckles* MAAAAAAYYYYYBEEEEE if I had downplayed how hurt I actually was, but that would’ve involved lying and I couldn’t ever lie to her…. So….. while I was waiting without having any breakfast for Rima to be a delivery maiden…. I got a knock on the door and my roomie Sairys opened it up…. I didn’t get out of bed and then my eyes like went so wide eyed when 5 people showed up instead of just maybe Rima and Leaf. I had to do a double take….. My eyes went wide, my mouth literally dropped to the floor and I was blushing so heavily it isn’t funny. Rima and Leaf were that concerned about me (I love them both to death) they decided to just skip the pharmacy run and get con medical for me….. I am totally unworthy of the love / care they showed me…. I don’t know any way I can repay them….. I just….. I was literally in tears of joy how concerned they were for me.

However though…… I was absolutely embarrassed because the night prior when I flopped into bed I was completely STARK naked…. I mean I usually wear underwear or shorts of sleep pants or SOMETHING. I had 3 unfamiliar people there looking at me and was so glad I was lying under the blanket. I shooed them all out and painfully put on some biker shorts I brought with me. Then allowed them all back into my room.

They looked me over, examined my ankle, and thank god they didn’t think I needed to go to the hospital. I just don’t think I could have dealt with being maimed and lame and stuck in a foreign country and dealing with the hospital system of Germany. I don’t care if Berlin has some wonderful hospital / emergency care facilities…. I was so stupid and hurt myself I didn’t want to go anywhere….. I was feeling so so so so annoyed at myself for having allowed it to happen. I know there’s only so much one can control, and accidents happen. This being one of my more painful accidents, and it was self inflicted…. I had no one to blame really but myself…. For being overly happy and bouncy and stupid to have tried something dumb and I paid the price….

Thankfully the price wasn’t too high. All it cost me was one day of my convention I was out of it. ALL day…. I was stir crazy truthfully. I couldn’t go anywhere or do anything. I felt so, insignificant and didn’t want to bother really any of my friends…. I did though want people’s company while I was stuck in my room. I was on telegram and trying to speak to anyone / everyone there or not at the con. I used the time to catch up on emails I hadn’t. Truthfully I had done most things I could feasibly do while being lame and was so so so so bored out of my skull. I felt sorry for myself and felt I was disappointing others since I couldn’t be out enjoying the con with them… I especially felt bad for Ahran, because I mentioned I would be at that Motofurs thing to play with his “Jumbo Pop” (prop…. you all can get your minds out of the gutter thank you very much! XD)

So yea, Friday was not much really. All I can say is that besides some drama that I had still been kinda dealing with from Wednesday and trying to work past…. I was dealing with something else at one point…. Since I was a lame @$$ and stuck in bed I decided to tackle another bit of drama that had creeped up during the con. It wasn’t pretty exactly. At one point my friend Yarwick came up to my room and due to a few things and others being out and away….. I decided to take it upon myself to obtain some clear plastic sleeves for sheets of paper for the two commissions I had obtained the day previously.

My friends Bardolph, Soul and Chibi had obtained for me a Wheelchair and I out of stupid dignity and pride didn’t really want to use it and be seen out in public in it…. I was feeling embarrassed enough as it is for my stupidity in self inflicting this injury upon myself. That was the main reason I was staying inside the room being a lame @$$. In hind sight I should have maybe tried going outside to be around others. I think it would have greatly helped my mood and not had me wallowing in any self depreciating thoughts and other things that were floating around in my head while I was alone with no one to keep me out of the dark recesses of my psyche. I don’t recommend dwelling there…. in your own heads…. Never fun, and it’s too tempting. Oh so tempting because it can be warm and inviting…. To go there, take a tiny sip, then a gulp, then more…. then slip in and never come out. I mean it can be like a poison…. Watch it. I mean it’s there as a warning, so do use it for what it’s supposed to be there for us all….. Though I’m not gonna go all psycho babble on you. I’m not a psychologist or anything or doctor in any way shape or form…. I do have a little “experience” like we all do on that kind of thing and just giving my two cents as it were. So take it for what it’s worth….. Maybe even 5cents like Lucy perhaps? :) *chuckles* Beware though the football can be pulled out from you at any time and you gotta watch it and land on your feet…. XD I didn’t in this case So yea I was a lame anthro / taur for the entire day…. I hope not to have that experience again being laid up in bed for any amount of time during a convention. I know how it is to catch a bug / con crud though…. This was different and unpleasant. It’s gonna take time to heal.

1. Was to heal as quickly as possible. I took a few hot bath soaks and all to try to help sooth things.
2. Being in my room meant I wasn’t in the public eye…. Not that I’m any kind of famous figure or anything or a “popular” - except having a suit from a maker that a TON of people like. I just don’t exactly have stalkers, or none that I’m aware of really. Guess if I do they are quiet stalkers. At least I like to think I’m well liked by others, and that they want me around. Though I will admit sometimes I very much feel like I’m unwanted and stuff…. I over think things…. I try not to make up or “will” problems into existence…. When I feel something is “off” I do though, try to get to the bottom of what it is…. I am a problem solver by profession. I like to fix things. If I can’t fix it great… I usually have to probe around to get to the bottom of things. I usually try to find out who to contact or go to the source of what is the “problem”…. find out what can possibly fix the issue.

That being said truthfully I lost a day out of my vacation. It wasn’t uneventful. I at times had people come see me to keep me company and help me not be bored. I can’t thank each and everyone of you enough. Being bored though, gave me a lot of time to think on some things and I reached out to a couple of potential long standing problems or “issues” even if they were only something “slight” to see if maybe…. JUST maybe a little nudge could get the ball rolling and have things get better or maybe even fixed. Some problems take longer than others to resolve. This much I’ve definitely noticed.

Ok…. Saturday truthfully the last day of the convention.

I was so sad that this day had come. I had totally been on “Cloud 9” for pretty much all of this vacation. When I got up - I took a step and my foot and leg didn’t make me keel over in complete agony like Friday when I was bedridden. I was almost literally crying tears of joy. It looked like the maker(s) above were looking out over me and I didn’t have any broken bones (that I know of and I will be going to the doctor once I’m home to check). The first thing that came to mind was Ahran - and getting into fursuit and having a JUMBO POP to celebrate that I could actually walk some, granted WITH pain…. but it was tolerable…. unlike Friday where I couldn’t at all. I literally if I tried to put any weight on it…. I was treated to searing pain. On a pain scale Friday was like 13 on a scale of 1-10. The pain I felt Saturday…. maybe a 3/4, or maybe a 2/3 out of 10 tops. I can deal with that kind of pain. I personally think when I was angry Friday at one point I hobbled on that leg aggravating it a bit, but I had to prove to myself and someone else that I could do it without the wheelchair. I didn’t want to use it…. I hated the damn thing. I really did. I saw it as a sign of weakness and that I could and was better than it.

I eventually got over that though. When I felt I could fursuit and walk a bit, or hobble with some pain… SOME pain was better than SEARING AGONY. I can deal with some pain. I have decent pain tolerance I think. So… with some help. I got into fursuit and dressed up in my Karate Kid outfit. I got in touch with Ahran and wanted pics with the jumbo pop. Yarwick had come to my room to help me….

I can’t thank him enough for doing that. I will never forget him or how much he cared to go out of his way to get me around and to take me to Ahran to make good on what I couldn’t Friday at the Moto meet. Ahran went out of his way just for me Saturday besides his staff duty to the Guests of Honor…. He spent time JUST for me…. JUST to give me time with his JUMBO POP prop….. I was almost in tears of joy…. that he went out of his way JUST FOR ME. I only met him the Thursday prior, and yea we “bonded over blade runner”, and I hope to continue to keep in touch with him. He is an awesome individual. He said I was his first learning experience photographing fursuits directly. He’s done weddings and things of that nature. I may have helped him into a new world of photography within the fandom. I’ll gladly assist him as a model in this and see where things go.

Yarwick was wheeling me around in fursuit in the wheelchair to get to him for this Jumbo Pop excursion. We took pics in front of the Van downstairs in the lobby area. I was just so ecstatic. I made sure to try NOT to overdo things like prior when I walked angrily, and hobbled around the dealer den area. I wonder if that prolonged the healing process. I do not know, but I was only in some pain that was tolerable…. I was just so elated I could walk again, even with a bit of a limp from the pain.

Ahran made the little quip about the Karate Kid that I didn’t even think of that I was so dedicated to my cause in cosplaying and delving deep into the character of Daniel LaRuso - that I injured myself to get a feel for the character!

If that was the case somewhere in the back of my head….. I want to tell that part of my brain to never do this again. I don’t want to go through that kind of physical pain ever again. I mean I’ve had cuts, bruises, scrapes…. stitches were the worst….. I’ve never though EVER had a broken bone. At least not yet. I will find out once I’m home and have it checked by my local doctor. I’ll keep things posted there.

We even went outside to the “Beer Garden” area outside the Estrell in the daylight around some of the area we had the main OFA photoshoot. I took to the stairs a bit and was able to get around with some difficulty and pain but I just have to say in my head I was crying tears of joy that I could at least get around…. albeit in some discomfort…. I just was back to being happy again after that entire day of being lame, stuck in bed, feeling sorry for myself…..

Eventually I had to get out of suit. I stayed around as long as Ahran was able to, and he even stayed up and around for me a tiny bit later than he originally intended to take care of his staff duties.

The rest of the day was a little bit of a blur…. I was so happy I could move about. I was at one point while I was trying to get out of suit stopped by staff and one of the main heads even offered a motorized scooter. I likely should have taken him up on it then, but after the Jumbo Pop stuff…. I wanted to get out of suit…. I was still dealing with some things with friends. I hope the stuff there that was going on drama wise no one ever has to experience again. I never meant to make any kind of scene. I did want to make it known my feelings when I am experiencing pain emotionally or physically. I think I need to learn when to tone it back. I sometimes though need a grounding rod…. I can be emotional. I care about people…. Sometimes too much. I think I need to learn not to care AS much sometimes…. That may sound bitter, but it’s true…. I think I stretch myself too thin and then things tear at me all over and it’s hard to heal from that, or at least when you’re hurt from all over in so many places…. it can be one of those times where you’re hurting all over and snap at those trying to help soothe, even though they’re trying to help you heal if it hurts even slightly you may bite and not be meaning to cause pain to others. I truthfully am really sorry everyone. Please forgive this stupid and sometimes overly emotional wolf - hybrid…. well thing or just your average joe. I’m no one special. Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I just want to be there for those I care for, and be loved / cared for in return. It’s not about constant contact. It’s not about equal reciprocation. Everyone’s different I know this. I’m definitely not the normal type of person. I sometimes question what kind of person I am. I do daily. I wonder if I’m doing things right or if I did something wrong. If I do, do something wrong I hope that someone will tell me. So that I can re-evaluate myself. So that I can FIX it. I’m not broken. I may do something wrong inadvertently because I don’t know. There’s tons I do not know. I got lots to learn about how to deal with others, and just myself. I have to worry about myself first before I can truly understand another person. Everyone of us is so complex… So many facets that make up who we are.

Hell I am an identical twin. We may be alike in many ways, but boy and how are we different. It was more the same when we lived together, but that changed when we moved out on our own and started living our own lives. I sometimes am so jealous of his life. I know he has been of my job situation and lifestyle. I have to work my @$$ off….. He has the love of his life he lives his life for… I….. well…. I don’t have that. I may not, and probably never will. I don’t know. It could happen. If I let it. That’s all on me.

I suffered a big setback in the realm of the heart, and I don’t know if or when or really if I really WANT to recover from it. I kind of waffle from time to time wondering if I should let myself be open. Do I really WISH to let someone that close…. to know the real inner me that I keep just to myself away from all prying eyes and that no one else can see. I think sometimes some people have seen through the chinks in my armor to that treasure I keep well hidden. It’s not that I can’t care for people closer than just a friendship level. I for the most part only LET it stop there. I keep things at arms length. It’s a mechanism I’ve refined and sharpened and is a well oiled machine. The upkeep is exhausting though and I think that’s why some people here and there see the inner me sometimes. I’d like to hope they like what they see. Maybe so, maybe not…. Either way that’s just how I live my life. Things are always subject to change as life is so chaotic and no one can predict anything exactly.

Ok enough on this silly philosophical and self introspection. Back to the “good stuff” right? =^.^=

The really only “down” / depressed time which I was kinda saddened and crushed by was when I was physically injured. I can’t deny though that some emotional drama happened… It seems quite the common thing among the “fandom”. I really don’t want to go into it suffice to say…. One person said something that just set me off badly. It reminded me back when in middle / high school - back during a not so fun time of my life. I felt insulted and walked away from any potential altercation. I then proceeded to try to sort out my own reaction to the situation. I think truthfully I did overreact, but the other party had no idea what they did would have set me off so bad. Unfortunately life is as it is…. I was really really hurt by this and then asked around a few people to see if I was in the “wrong” for acting or reacting like I did. Truthfully 100% of the people I asked - said the person was rude as “fuck” and I should just ignore him. I truthfully did just that. I actively ignored and avoided the person. I did make a couple twitter posts to explain the situation, but not as fully detailed as this.

After coming to terms with the situation I felt I could easily let it go, and I have currently. I wanted though to give him the opportunity to rectify and make things “right by me” as it were. I can be prideful at times, and this was one of those times. I was actively avoiding him and hated seeing a few of my friends spending time around the person. *shrugs* It wasn’t such a big deal, but with how I felt I did not want to be even near the source of what had caused me to react like that…. I didn’t want to potentially have a bad reaction again to him. It looks like this caused some tension between me and some of my actual friends…. I never meant for this really. I’m truthfully sorry for that. I hope that it hasn’t damaged anything with some that are real close to me like a certain little fox. *sighs* I feel really really bad. I also reacted a little poorly mostly due to my pride in this situation. I’m not always right. I’m not perfect…. Sometimes I need to be told I’m a “bad dog” and then be told what I can do to fix it. I will try to, depending on what it is and if I am able to…. So please bear with me…. I am sometimes inept…. I’m nowhere near 100% in the whole social graces thing. I never like to offend anyone directly or by accident, or even indirectly.

That being said this trip in it’s entirety was just…. Well I can’t find the exact word… It was just totally amazing. I will try to go again even after a tiny what I think I had was a little panic attack the last day. I was trying to avail myself of an offer from a staff member for a motorized scooter instead of the wheelchair I was using. No one really helped me at all. People were closing down shop that Sunday. I was feeling all alone, and no one could help me…. All I wanted was a little bit of help to get something that had been offered me. I wish I had said something direct after it was offered, but I was in a rush to get out of suit….. Chalk that up to experience. Next time - take it, when it’s freely offered or you won’t have access to it later, or it’ll be tricky to be given access to it since those who offered were unavailable to be contacted.

Either way after that fiasco I missed a group OFA photoshoot for Sunday. The original plan was for the roof, but some weather and rain messed that up. Plan B was for a conference room up in the penthouse area I was up there maybe once this time to hang out with a huskybutt. I wish we’d hung out more, but EF he’s always busy. Anyone who is staff is so so busy. I’m staff at TFF so I know how that goes. I just happened to chose a role that is not so hectic and don’t plan on changing any time soon.

Unfortunately plan B also got shot down. Which really sucked. Security was supposed to have been able to Sunday to give us priority. Guess no one got the memo. It happens…. Just unfortunately for me with plan C that was the most chaotic and that one led to some misconceptions and big misunderstandings all around. It was a horrible situation that left well me…. with a bad taste in my mouth. It almost made me want to just leave the con for a bit and also not ever come back…… I just couldn’t understand what was so hard and why it was so difficult to get a moto scooter to give me some better mobility than the stupid wheelchair. I mean the stupid wheelchair had deflated tires, but I was making due…. Had been since I started using it. To tell you the truth I would’ve liked to have TRIED using the moto scooter thing just for fun, but hey I was a lame duck and that was more of a reason to actually use the item right? Though everyone around me seemed to speak german german german and I couldn’t understand a word of it… Except would say Uncle Kage’s mother, and that there was one more but no one had the key….. I just shouldn’t have even tried getting the moto scooter…. It caused so many problems it seems to everyone else and caused me no end of heart ache afterwards…. No one has even apologized to me for how this grievously affected me, my mood, and quite frankly…. My overall health.

I was at con ops. I couldn’t get in touch with who offered the transportation / mobility assistance vehicle to me. I kept reaching out and it was like no one would help. I went to security as well. That’s where Yarwick went and they couldn’t help him get to either the roof or conference room. I wasn’t sure exactly how long I was in con ops. I mean I even had someone help take me there from up around my floor. He was real helpful. Quiran I think was his name. He even took my sketchbook to some artist and I gave a donation of the last of my US dollars. He is some kind of vet person I think. He was so nice….. So security wise HE gets 5stars in my books. The rest of security who likes to pass the problem to someone else can suck it. I hope they get their @$$3$ in gear and get their proverbial head out of their posterior. You help your con goers…. You don’t leave them confused, alone, and just overwhelmed. Same goes for Con Ops…. It doesn’t matter if you’re closing up shop on Sunday…. The run of the mill con attendee and quite frankly - me - your stereotypical dumb American needed some help in this foreign land of confusion. When I hear german all I hear is — Person A - “german german german ok german german german”, and that’s about it…. I can pick out some clear words sometimes…. I would be scared to go to the city alone…. I was so glad I was with others Monday like Rizzo, Tremelo, and Kokanee.

When I went to security they passed me back on to con ops. No one was there… everyone was packing up shop. It very much felt like no one really wanted to help or gave two shits about the lame hybrid who just wanted a moto scooter…. I just wish I hand’t even tried to obtain it. It would have saved me stress and hassle and wouldn’t have rattled me to the core as I was left all alone for so long with no one there helping me or checking up on the physically hurt hybrid. I reached out to some friends asking them to just come and give me some company because I was so alone as no one was around. I unfortunately was snappy because of how I was feeling just brushed aside every which way. I’m truly sorry doggies. Please forgive this miu.

Anyone know of anyone who does good ones and has good prices? I'm looking to update my icon here. One I commissioned a while back was a lil too large file size wise. I just feel in need of an update. :)

I'm just curious who all is going? I'm gonna be there and plan on having tons of fun. :)

Rainfurrest was pretty fun this year!

I am so glad I made it. There were a lot of good friends and I met new ones, got to see old and enjoy the company of many awesome people.

One thing of note -- I got mentioned in the conbook as I was a SLIP member! I wasn't expecting that actually. I just liked some of the perks that were advertised.

I didn't get to go out on the town till Sunday though as was doing a lot of things at the con. It was nice being able to get into a few events early, and enjoyed dinner with the musical GoH -  foxamoore

After dinner the concert was awesome by the way.

I had fun at a couple room parties, and just overall had an amazing time. I can't wait to see some of these people again. It was cool that many local friends were there at the con too which was cool too.

If you haven't been I'd recommend it.

Hey everyone!

Just curious who all is going to RF? If needs be would love to pass contact info and things of that nature.

I hope to see people there and am currently off today and tomorrow, doing errands and things of that nature and going to be getting prepped for the convention. I'm doing things like getting some dry cleaning done, a haircut most likely, and things of that nature. I also need to run to the post office.

The con was an absolute blast! I enjoyed myself immensely. Got to see a lot of good friends, and had a rather chill convention for the most part. Didn't really attend any panels. Will see how things shape up for years to come... Now on to RainFurrest!

Just curious who all I'll be seeing @ MFM This year?

I was recently at a fursuit bowling event and had a blast. I hope to do so again. Next I'll be seen is at MFM 2013 coming up this Labor Day weekend! :) See you fuzzies there!

Then after that I'll be seen at MFF 2013 as well.

Hey guys!

I'm going to Rainfurrest and needing a room in the main hotel as I fursuit and such. Some original plans of mine fell through so I am looking and needing help. i already have plane tickets and registered. I just need a room. I'm good for the money and all. So if you could please pass the word around ok?

EDIT: Hey I got my room sorted... and quickly at that! This was so unexpected I am like overjoyed!

Let's start with what not to do...

DON'T:
Rub my nose bridge / facial markings - They are Airbrushed and do not want them to rub off.
Rub/scritch my bodysuit too hard. Same thing applies from about the facial markings. Most of the black spots are airbrushed and want to keep the suit as new as possible.
Roughhouse / tackle / in general don't be rough with me, fursuits are expensive.
Yank on my tail... That's kind of a no brainer.
Grind/grope on me in public... That's very frowned upon.

DO:
Take pictures of me. (Just be sure to notify me prior to for best photo ops) And please share them! ^_^
Hug me.
Pet me gently.
Talk to me.
Include me in silliness and general tomfoolery!
Invite me to parties! I love being social!

If anyone wants to draw Ianto in any sort of gift art, or gift of music or any type of gift type art in general it is most appreciated.

Please note me first before it is any kind of sexual encounter. I usually am not fond of or comfortable with that sort of thing. Now tasteful nudity is something different.

All over my page you can find art of him and of his fursuit. His reference pic done by  dook -- http://www.furaffinity.net/view/5396056 Do note that the colors changed to white for the underside instead of "light dusty" so I'd say go off the fursuit pictures. Most likely though I'd rather something PG - PG 13 rated if you know what I mean.



He is a free spirit... Speed of a cheetah, endurance of a wolf. In my opinion -- A perfect natural predator. I didn't want to give him a huge background story to cloud up things about this character. I just wanted him to be fairly simple.

So if you really wish to do gift art, please feel free.

Oh and thanks in advance!

So… um… Hello?

*waves a paw*

This is my fursuit Ianto's gallery. I actually came up with the character MANY years ago... I'd say around 2002 possibly? Maybe closer to 2003 or so. He had a different name, hairstyle, and other things back from the beginning... I've bounced the idea of him around for a long time (quite literally 'running' through my head as it were...) as he was a combination of two of my favorite animals.

When I was a lot younger... I'd say before my teens if you would have asked me what my favorite animal was it would have been the cheetah. Later on I guess due to other influences like Werewolf the Apocalypse and other things the wolf then became my favorite and that is where Khyle stemmed from. Heck HE was almost a werewolf when I entered the furry fandom so many years ago. I changed a number of things around, but he isn't who I'm talking about. I'm talking about <Moi>, the cheetah/wolf here. Unfortunately when the head for this suit was posted my original account  khyle was outed... I was truthfully hoping to be anonymous a little longer, but a few good friends at the recent convention Furry Fiesta 2011, figured it out even when I was trying to be quiet and not really let on who was inside the suit. It was rather interesting how they figured it out actually, because I was trying not to talk or be recognizable. The anonymity was nice while it lasted though.

So here I am. I've not had this character as long as my first one. I enjoy both. This character though doesn't have much of a background story so I am kinda winging things as I go. I combined in my opinion some of the best aspects of my two favorite species. I wasn't taking into account "magic" or anything… I just figured take the speed of a cheetah, the fastest land mammal, and the endurance of a wolf and you would have kind of a 'perfect' predator. Heck even minus a bit of the cheetah's top speed and all… But you catch my drift right? Mainly I wanted to combine the best aspects of both of my favorite animal species. I didn't know of the king cheetah till I started creating this character and it just fit so perfectly. If I had when I was younger... perhaps the wolf wouldn't have been my favorite animal? I don't know… Interesting enough when I think about it. There are so many wolves in the fandom, but I didn't know it when I came into the fandom.

I am going to show his starting origins from an original piece of art done by  bravo, all the way up to his final design by  dook and then becoming a fursuit, made by the very talented  scribblefox/ onefurall.

This account is my fursuit account for this character. I came up with the name Ianto Gwynt because I didn't want a 'generic' furry name. Nothing against some names I've seen. His place holder name was Swift Fang. I figured it fit due to the cheetah and wolf influences. I just didn't want that generic <adjective>/<noun> : <species>/<aspect> kind of name. I mean my other character's name is a normal name, but with a little flare to it that makes it 'neat' in my opinion.

So the name Ianto I found out about and really liked it, though I was looking through Google translate for names in other languages like "speed", "wind", and other forms and aspects like that to find a fitting name… I settled on the name Ianto as it just to me sounded awesome, and truthfully because RL I've dressed up as Jack Harkness from the BBC series Torchwood that was where I first heard the name. I asked around to a few local friends and just kept on coming back to it and then settling on it.

The name has a couple translations. It is Welsh in origin and I settled on it partially as I found his last name Gwynt and the two names in my opinion fit seamlessly because Ianto is also Welsh.

Ianto = Gift of God
Gwynt = Wind

So... technically you could call it a bit of a stretch but... Gift of Wind? When you combine the two? I do like the thought of that myself actually. :) So I'll stick with that... Gift of Wind... I like the ring it has.

So I did get a name that in another language meant wind, and I thought it just sounded awesome. I mean I could have called the character Gwynt, but that kind of felt odd to me. So I gave him a full and complete name. Both names are Welsh in origin so just in my opinion when you say his whole name kind of flows like the wind as it were... Silly I know but still... It's my character right? I can think of it how I want. *chuckles*

So there you have it some of my character's background, and the reason behind the name. From here though the sky's the limit! I'm making it up as I go and living life to the fullest. I hope you all enjoy the pictures of the fursuit and other art I commission and post here about this character.

Thank you for watching this account. If I don't watch back don't worry I really am very busy and can't really keep track of two FA accounts all that great. I already watch a lot of artists with my other account and busy with favorit'ng submissions to do that with this one. Also... it has been the account I have used for YEARS.

Enjoy life, but never speed through it too fast ok?