The Furry Raiders, RMFC, and my views on them
Posted 8 years agoI would like to preface this journal by making one thing very clear: although I am indeed the founder of Furry Fiesta, having begun work on the convention in October of 2007, I am not a policy-maker for the convention any longer, nor do I speak for the organization as a whole. I passed leadership on to others back in 2011, and at this point, the number of people doing amazing work for Furry Fiesta is so large that I couldn't hope to speak for all of them and wouldn't try. Ascribing my sentiments to Furry Fiesta as an event would be an error in judgment.
That said, here we go.
I first began work on Furry Fiesta in the back room of a La Quinta in October of 2007, as stated above. The building still stands; if you're ever in Addison, I can show it to you. (It's less than a five-minute drive from either of the hotels that have hosted Furry Fiesta in the past.) And when I began work on the event, I had several moments where I had to sit down and ask myself, "What am I trying to accomplish? This isn't just a question of HOW, but also of WHY. I sat up for several long nights, deliberating not just how to achieve the goal of having a lasting Texan furry convention, but if I was doing it for the right reasons. Eventually, I decided that I was satisfied with the answers to these questions, and I continued to soldier forth with the practical matters.
When I created Furry Fiesta, I did so with the idea of inclusion. I wanted to create a hotel convention for furries that was in the southern central part of America, so that the nearest such convention would no longer be Mephit Furmeet or Furry Weekend Atlanta - not that there is anything wrong with either of these events, but they really are in entirely different parts of the country, and I wanted something that would be local for the friends I had made and the people I know. The furry community is my family - in many ways, the only family I have ever really had - and is probably the best reason why I didn't do something very regrettable in my younger years. Giving back to that family in this way was one of the best ideas I ever had; I've often said that Furry Fiesta is my love letter to the fandom, and that has never changed.
Now, I come to hear that this group, the Furry Raiders, has emerged within our fandom. Now, don't get me wrong: "nazi-furs" are nothing new in our community, and we have thus far borne their presence with dignified silence and an attempt to reach out to them that their chosen resemblance would never permit them to reciprocate. And if I'm being completely frank, nazi-furs have been comparatively benign until this point, largely composed of people who appreciated the fashion sense of the fallen Reich without sharing any of their sensibilities. Unfortunately, times seem to have changed.
This new group appears to actually espouse the beliefs of the group they strive to resemble. Ranging from assault to hate speech, from rule-breaking to harassment, the Furry Raiders appear to rally behind not only the visual aspects of the Nazi movement, but the common beliefs associated with them. If I am in error here, I would welcome an open dialogue with the leader of the Furry Raiders to discuss any inaccuracies.
Now, in very recent times - less than 24 hours ago - Rocky Mountain Fur Con has closed its doors, citing public relations incidents pertaining to the behavior of the founder of that convention. I have spent some time reading up on the events that led up to the incident, and there are a few things I want to say about the topic.
FIRST, I would like to say that Deo is not entirely blameless. The implication that she was going to punch any Furry Raiders she met at RMFC was unwise, and entirely inappropriate. This could realistically be interpreted as a threat of violence, and definitely gave the group in question a much stronger leg to stand on when addressing the issue.
SECOND, it is my opinion that banning either party - being Deo or the Raiders themselves - was premature. While both entities had discussed violence in an inappropriate context, neither had actually performed the act. People say a lot of things on the internet - hey look, I'm doing it right now - but one of the tenets of justice we commonly use is the concept of "innocent until proven guilty", and no actual offense had been committed as of the time of this unfortunate event.
FINALLY, having witnessed the founder of a different convention offer their opinions on the topic, I wanted to offer my own. Furry Fiesta was founded on the idea that the furry community should have a place to go, a place where they don't have to fear discrimination and ridicule. Whether this would come from a world that has a very shallow (and sometimes false) understanding of the intent and meaning of the furry community, or from within the community in the form of racism and violence, no attendee of Furry Fiesta should ever fear for their safety, or have to focus on anything but having fun within obvious, responsible limits.
As the founder of Furry Fiesta, I would never turn away a Furry Raider at the door. If we persecute one another based on our beliefs, no matter how horrifying or foreign we may find them, we begin to eat away at ourselves from within.
As me, Istanbul, the person, I believe that there is no room at any convention - or indeed in the world - for a group like Furry Raiders, assuming that the records of their behavior are based in fact. As a fandom, the fact that we have remained largely non-violent and free of racial, sexual, and other prejudices is a source of pride to me. We are an example of what people could be if they only tried. The mentality and behavior reportedly evidenced by the Furry Raiders group flies in the face of that long-standing achievement, seeking to turn us against one another. Our community champions the causes of friendship and acceptance, of diversity and the celebration thereof, and any group that would strive to undermine those causes necessarily makes an enemy out of us; not of me, but of US, all of us.
I will never tell you what to believe. Hate whoever you must, though hate is a burden we place upon ourselves. But if you attack our community, whether through hate crime or intimidation or any other means whether obvious or insidious, I will condemn you without end.
REMINDER: I am not a policy-maker for Furry Fiesta, nor do I represent it or its viewpoints. These are simply the musings of one man.
That said, here we go.
I first began work on Furry Fiesta in the back room of a La Quinta in October of 2007, as stated above. The building still stands; if you're ever in Addison, I can show it to you. (It's less than a five-minute drive from either of the hotels that have hosted Furry Fiesta in the past.) And when I began work on the event, I had several moments where I had to sit down and ask myself, "What am I trying to accomplish? This isn't just a question of HOW, but also of WHY. I sat up for several long nights, deliberating not just how to achieve the goal of having a lasting Texan furry convention, but if I was doing it for the right reasons. Eventually, I decided that I was satisfied with the answers to these questions, and I continued to soldier forth with the practical matters.
When I created Furry Fiesta, I did so with the idea of inclusion. I wanted to create a hotel convention for furries that was in the southern central part of America, so that the nearest such convention would no longer be Mephit Furmeet or Furry Weekend Atlanta - not that there is anything wrong with either of these events, but they really are in entirely different parts of the country, and I wanted something that would be local for the friends I had made and the people I know. The furry community is my family - in many ways, the only family I have ever really had - and is probably the best reason why I didn't do something very regrettable in my younger years. Giving back to that family in this way was one of the best ideas I ever had; I've often said that Furry Fiesta is my love letter to the fandom, and that has never changed.
Now, I come to hear that this group, the Furry Raiders, has emerged within our fandom. Now, don't get me wrong: "nazi-furs" are nothing new in our community, and we have thus far borne their presence with dignified silence and an attempt to reach out to them that their chosen resemblance would never permit them to reciprocate. And if I'm being completely frank, nazi-furs have been comparatively benign until this point, largely composed of people who appreciated the fashion sense of the fallen Reich without sharing any of their sensibilities. Unfortunately, times seem to have changed.
This new group appears to actually espouse the beliefs of the group they strive to resemble. Ranging from assault to hate speech, from rule-breaking to harassment, the Furry Raiders appear to rally behind not only the visual aspects of the Nazi movement, but the common beliefs associated with them. If I am in error here, I would welcome an open dialogue with the leader of the Furry Raiders to discuss any inaccuracies.
Now, in very recent times - less than 24 hours ago - Rocky Mountain Fur Con has closed its doors, citing public relations incidents pertaining to the behavior of the founder of that convention. I have spent some time reading up on the events that led up to the incident, and there are a few things I want to say about the topic.
FIRST, I would like to say that Deo is not entirely blameless. The implication that she was going to punch any Furry Raiders she met at RMFC was unwise, and entirely inappropriate. This could realistically be interpreted as a threat of violence, and definitely gave the group in question a much stronger leg to stand on when addressing the issue.
SECOND, it is my opinion that banning either party - being Deo or the Raiders themselves - was premature. While both entities had discussed violence in an inappropriate context, neither had actually performed the act. People say a lot of things on the internet - hey look, I'm doing it right now - but one of the tenets of justice we commonly use is the concept of "innocent until proven guilty", and no actual offense had been committed as of the time of this unfortunate event.
FINALLY, having witnessed the founder of a different convention offer their opinions on the topic, I wanted to offer my own. Furry Fiesta was founded on the idea that the furry community should have a place to go, a place where they don't have to fear discrimination and ridicule. Whether this would come from a world that has a very shallow (and sometimes false) understanding of the intent and meaning of the furry community, or from within the community in the form of racism and violence, no attendee of Furry Fiesta should ever fear for their safety, or have to focus on anything but having fun within obvious, responsible limits.
As the founder of Furry Fiesta, I would never turn away a Furry Raider at the door. If we persecute one another based on our beliefs, no matter how horrifying or foreign we may find them, we begin to eat away at ourselves from within.
As me, Istanbul, the person, I believe that there is no room at any convention - or indeed in the world - for a group like Furry Raiders, assuming that the records of their behavior are based in fact. As a fandom, the fact that we have remained largely non-violent and free of racial, sexual, and other prejudices is a source of pride to me. We are an example of what people could be if they only tried. The mentality and behavior reportedly evidenced by the Furry Raiders group flies in the face of that long-standing achievement, seeking to turn us against one another. Our community champions the causes of friendship and acceptance, of diversity and the celebration thereof, and any group that would strive to undermine those causes necessarily makes an enemy out of us; not of me, but of US, all of us.
I will never tell you what to believe. Hate whoever you must, though hate is a burden we place upon ourselves. But if you attack our community, whether through hate crime or intimidation or any other means whether obvious or insidious, I will condemn you without end.
REMINDER: I am not a policy-maker for Furry Fiesta, nor do I represent it or its viewpoints. These are simply the musings of one man.
Donald Trump is a canary.
Posted 9 years agoDonald Trump is not the problem.
Yeah, go ahead and point and laugh, talk about how dumb I must be to believe that.
Donald Trump is not the disease.
Donald Trump is a SYMPTOM.
He is a racist. This has been established over and over again.
He is a sexist. Good lord. From the sexual molestation of women to the locker-room comments, this is 100% a thing.
He is xenophobic. Blatantly discriminatory against Muslims, immigrants, and myriad other groups.
He is a narcissist. Sues anyone who disagrees with him, wallows in self-aggrandizement, the works.
He has no experience. He has never been a part of the public service sector before.
None of this is a mystery. I'm nobody special. If I knew about all of this, pretty safe to say that everyone else did as well...or at least, everyone who has any interest in politics. Hell, he went out of his way to make it known enough times, I'd have to be pretty thick not to pick up on it (and somehow able to avoid media in all its forms).
Here's the trick. Knowing all of these things, WE ELECTED HIM AS OUR PRESIDENT. AS THE FACE OF OUR COUNTRY. WE'RE TELLING THE WORLD, "THIS IS WHO WE ARE."
And it wasn't particularly close. It's not like he squeaked ahead by five or ten electoral votes. Right now, CNN is showing him as being about 70 electoral votes ahead. He crushed her. And in doing so, he's performed a great service to this country before his presidency even begins, probably completely unintentionally.
Wait, what?
Even if Trump had lost the election - even if Clinton had defeated him and taken the White House - the fact that it would have at least been a close race reveals that this country has devastatingly huge problems. It reveals that the issues that have plagued us throughout our history are as bad as ever, maybe even worse.
The fact that a racist, sexist, xenophobic, inexperienced narcissist should do so well in our system, the fact that the messages of fear and hate and intimidation that he spread so publicly should cause him to actually claim victory instead of being metaphorically run out of town tells me that the sentiments that he preys upon - those of fear and hate, of division and anger - are in control of enough of our society that his false promises of being freed from those negative emotions are not only accepted, but are enough to secure for him the leadership of one of the most powerful countries in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have been played. Our weakness has been used against us. If it hadn't been Trump, it would've been someone else. This is like blaming the gun for the shooting death. The answer, then, is not to turn away people like Trump. The answer is to use him as a mirror. Realize that he is not showing us anything false; rather, he is showing us an uncomfortable truth about who we have chosen to be.
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." - John F. Kennedy
It's too late for this election cycle. The die has been cast, and maybe for the better. Maybe it's better that we should slog through four years of misfortune, that we should see the results of our behavior. Like stubborn children who refuse to accept responsibility, maybe it's important for us to see that choosing to be weak HURTS us in the end.
We need to become better than this.
We need to defeat the demons Fear and Hate.
We need to learn to stand up for what's right.
We need to take our lumps, understand what we did wrong, and fix it.
2020 isn't that far away.
This speech rings true.
Yeah, go ahead and point and laugh, talk about how dumb I must be to believe that.
Donald Trump is not the disease.
Donald Trump is a SYMPTOM.
He is a racist. This has been established over and over again.
He is a sexist. Good lord. From the sexual molestation of women to the locker-room comments, this is 100% a thing.
He is xenophobic. Blatantly discriminatory against Muslims, immigrants, and myriad other groups.
He is a narcissist. Sues anyone who disagrees with him, wallows in self-aggrandizement, the works.
He has no experience. He has never been a part of the public service sector before.
None of this is a mystery. I'm nobody special. If I knew about all of this, pretty safe to say that everyone else did as well...or at least, everyone who has any interest in politics. Hell, he went out of his way to make it known enough times, I'd have to be pretty thick not to pick up on it (and somehow able to avoid media in all its forms).
Here's the trick. Knowing all of these things, WE ELECTED HIM AS OUR PRESIDENT. AS THE FACE OF OUR COUNTRY. WE'RE TELLING THE WORLD, "THIS IS WHO WE ARE."
And it wasn't particularly close. It's not like he squeaked ahead by five or ten electoral votes. Right now, CNN is showing him as being about 70 electoral votes ahead. He crushed her. And in doing so, he's performed a great service to this country before his presidency even begins, probably completely unintentionally.
Wait, what?
Even if Trump had lost the election - even if Clinton had defeated him and taken the White House - the fact that it would have at least been a close race reveals that this country has devastatingly huge problems. It reveals that the issues that have plagued us throughout our history are as bad as ever, maybe even worse.
The fact that a racist, sexist, xenophobic, inexperienced narcissist should do so well in our system, the fact that the messages of fear and hate and intimidation that he spread so publicly should cause him to actually claim victory instead of being metaphorically run out of town tells me that the sentiments that he preys upon - those of fear and hate, of division and anger - are in control of enough of our society that his false promises of being freed from those negative emotions are not only accepted, but are enough to secure for him the leadership of one of the most powerful countries in the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have been played. Our weakness has been used against us. If it hadn't been Trump, it would've been someone else. This is like blaming the gun for the shooting death. The answer, then, is not to turn away people like Trump. The answer is to use him as a mirror. Realize that he is not showing us anything false; rather, he is showing us an uncomfortable truth about who we have chosen to be.
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." - John F. Kennedy
It's too late for this election cycle. The die has been cast, and maybe for the better. Maybe it's better that we should slog through four years of misfortune, that we should see the results of our behavior. Like stubborn children who refuse to accept responsibility, maybe it's important for us to see that choosing to be weak HURTS us in the end.
We need to become better than this.
We need to defeat the demons Fear and Hate.
We need to learn to stand up for what's right.
We need to take our lumps, understand what we did wrong, and fix it.
2020 isn't that far away.
This speech rings true.
Ebola, and why you should stop panicking
Posted 11 years agoThere have been more than a few local furries who have been expressing varying amounts of distress about the fact that an Ebola patient is right here in Dallas. In a best-case scenario, this is nonsensical; in a worst-case scenario, this is actually detrimental. This is true because fears of an outbreak in Dallas - or Texas - or America, really - are baseless.
Allow me to explain why.
First, let's cover the reasons why the outbreak was successful in Africa.
1) For entirely too long, nobody knew that the outbreak even was Ebola.
2) By the time anyone realized that it was Ebola, it was no longer a few isolated cases, it was a full-fledged epidemic.
3) This all happened because the hospitals in the affected area are almost always understaffed, underequipped, and underfunded.
---
With me so far? Now let's look at how things are here in America.
----
Why Ebola will never flourish in America:
1) We are aware of it. Acutely aware. That's our best weapon: We Know This Is A Thing.
2) In the extremely rare case that Ebola makes it to America - let's keep in mind, this ONE case is newsworthy enough to make it to the front page of USA Today - the patient is (and has been) swiftly isolated and treated.
3) To even be a hospital in America, you have to have staff, equipment, and money leaps and bounds beyond what you see in nations like Liberia. We are absolutely equipped to handle this.
---
TL;DR: The conditions that causes Ebola to become an issue in Africa simply do not exist in America. Unless you actively visit Africa, you have about the same chance of contracting Ebola as you do of winning the lottery while being hit by lightning.
Also, in case anyone didn't know, Ebola can only be spread by either eating infected food or coming into contact with the bodily fluids of a person who is infected. It is not airborne, it is not passed through the skin. As long as the food you eat is safe, you could stand in the same room as someone who is infected and give them a great big hug without concern.
So, yeah. Calm down.
Allow me to explain why.
First, let's cover the reasons why the outbreak was successful in Africa.
1) For entirely too long, nobody knew that the outbreak even was Ebola.
2) By the time anyone realized that it was Ebola, it was no longer a few isolated cases, it was a full-fledged epidemic.
3) This all happened because the hospitals in the affected area are almost always understaffed, underequipped, and underfunded.
---
With me so far? Now let's look at how things are here in America.
----
Why Ebola will never flourish in America:
1) We are aware of it. Acutely aware. That's our best weapon: We Know This Is A Thing.
2) In the extremely rare case that Ebola makes it to America - let's keep in mind, this ONE case is newsworthy enough to make it to the front page of USA Today - the patient is (and has been) swiftly isolated and treated.
3) To even be a hospital in America, you have to have staff, equipment, and money leaps and bounds beyond what you see in nations like Liberia. We are absolutely equipped to handle this.
---
TL;DR: The conditions that causes Ebola to become an issue in Africa simply do not exist in America. Unless you actively visit Africa, you have about the same chance of contracting Ebola as you do of winning the lottery while being hit by lightning.
Also, in case anyone didn't know, Ebola can only be spread by either eating infected food or coming into contact with the bodily fluids of a person who is infected. It is not airborne, it is not passed through the skin. As long as the food you eat is safe, you could stand in the same room as someone who is infected and give them a great big hug without concern.
So, yeah. Calm down.
Seeking a roommate - deadline 10/1/14
Posted 11 years agoMy current living situation is going to evaporate at the beginning of October due to forces beyond my control, leaving me without a place to stay. I could conceivably get a place by myself, but it makes a lot more sense to live with a roommate.
I'm currently living in Denton and have a full-time job (and would be happy to stay in Denton), but I would also be interested in moving further south to Lewisville / Carrollton / Addison / etc. I'm mostly looking to stay in the D/FW metroplex, that's pretty much my only requirement location-wise.
EMPLOYMENT
Like I said above, I have a full-time job working as a night auditor in a hotel. Moving away would require that I get a new job, but given my experience in the field (10 years), that should basically take about as long as it takes for a position to open up anywhere in the area to which I move.
SCHEDULE
My current schedule has me working from 11p - 7a and sleeping until the early afternoon. For most people, this means that I'm at work while you're asleep and I'm asleep while you're at work, which tends to work out pretty well.
PETS
I have none. I ask that you take care of whatever animals you own - no dogs (phobia) and not in excess of two. Bonus points if they can and do live in your room.
SUBSTANCES
I don't smoke, drink, or do any drugs. As long as you don't do any illegal drugs and can smoke outside, we're cool.
QUALIFICATIONS
I am responsible, consider it a matter of personal pride to pay bills on time, and have a full-time job. I make sure not to leave a mess in public places, I'm quiet and discreet, and I'm respectful of the property of others. Essentially, I'm an adult and I act like it.
DEADLINE
I have to move out by the beginning of October, but I can (and will probably have to) find a new place to live before that date. I would prefer one month's notice so that I can gather my resources and plan, but could move on as little notice as two weeks.
If you're looking for a roommate or know someone who is, please pass this information along.
I'm currently living in Denton and have a full-time job (and would be happy to stay in Denton), but I would also be interested in moving further south to Lewisville / Carrollton / Addison / etc. I'm mostly looking to stay in the D/FW metroplex, that's pretty much my only requirement location-wise.
EMPLOYMENT
Like I said above, I have a full-time job working as a night auditor in a hotel. Moving away would require that I get a new job, but given my experience in the field (10 years), that should basically take about as long as it takes for a position to open up anywhere in the area to which I move.
SCHEDULE
My current schedule has me working from 11p - 7a and sleeping until the early afternoon. For most people, this means that I'm at work while you're asleep and I'm asleep while you're at work, which tends to work out pretty well.
PETS
I have none. I ask that you take care of whatever animals you own - no dogs (phobia) and not in excess of two. Bonus points if they can and do live in your room.
SUBSTANCES
I don't smoke, drink, or do any drugs. As long as you don't do any illegal drugs and can smoke outside, we're cool.
QUALIFICATIONS
I am responsible, consider it a matter of personal pride to pay bills on time, and have a full-time job. I make sure not to leave a mess in public places, I'm quiet and discreet, and I'm respectful of the property of others. Essentially, I'm an adult and I act like it.
DEADLINE
I have to move out by the beginning of October, but I can (and will probably have to) find a new place to live before that date. I would prefer one month's notice so that I can gather my resources and plan, but could move on as little notice as two weeks.
If you're looking for a roommate or know someone who is, please pass this information along.
Handicapped - an open letter
Posted 12 years agoI don't post journals very much. I've been described as a very private person in a lot of ways. To be honest, I had to think about it for a little while before I decided to write this one, but I finally decided that it simply needed to be done. This isn't a PSA. This is a journal I'm posting for me, to get the poison out of the wound. If you don't want to read my whinging, you should probably just stop here and go read something a little nicer. It's all downhill from here.
Reading it again, it looks a little melodramatic in places, but this is how I really feel. This is one of the hardest things I've ever written, but I have to get this out.
Not a lot of people know this, but I have a spinal problem. The vertebrae near the base of my spine are too close together. It's not completely debilitating - I can still walk - but there are a lot of things I can't do for more than a few seconds without feeling like someone is driving a knife into my back.
Running. Riding a bike. Most exercises. Carrying heavy objects. Standing upright in one place without moving around.
Most people think that a bad back is something you get when you get older. Maybe you've exercised too much, or done it poorly. Maybe you have an old injury that never healed properly, or maybe you didn't get enough calcium. There are lots of ways to get a bad back, especially when the years start adding up like they are for me.
I was born this way.
If you're in a wheelchair or walk with crutches, people can see your handicap. They know you have a legitimate problem, and they'll make way for you. Some of them won't be very gracious about it, but they'll do it, because not doing it carries enough of a social stigma that most people aren't willing to bear it. If they won't make accommodations because it's the right thing to do, they'll do it because they don't want to seem like a total scumbag.
It's...hard to describe the way people treat you when you're handicapped, but not visibly so. Building things up, tearing them down, moving them around...I try to apologize and explain. I want to help. I really, truly do. But people just LOOK at you, and they don't have to say a word. Their facial expressions say it all.
"You could do this if you really tried."
"You're using it as an excuse."
"You're just lazy."
"Faker."
Maybe you think I don't hear the things people say behind my back, but word has a way of getting around. And you know what? It hurts. It hurts a lot. The pain in my back is dwarfed by the pain of knowing that even people I consider my friends look at me as if I'm just faffing off, putting my feet up and kicking back and enjoying the easy life because I can use my back problems as an excuse. Never mind the way I grimace when I stand up, never mind the way I drop down into a chair for some blessed relief.
I've been told that if I exercised more, I'd lose weight, and the back problem wouldn't be so bad.
True, but if I was able to do 90% of the exercises people recommend, it wouldn't be a problem in the first place.
Exercise won't fix my spine. (Neither will surgery. I've checked.)
And then I'm chatting with some people I kinda know online. Mostly pretty nice folks.
The topic turns to sex, as it so often does. Big surprise, sex is one of the things that drives us as a species.
I take a chance. I admit that I don't really have a sex life. (I'm used to getting teased mercilessly about that.)
I even admit that there are things I just can't do in the bedroom because of my handicap.
I try not to even mention my handicap in general, lest people think I'm trying to fish for sympathy (something I've been accused of many times in the past), but I know these people fairly well and I think it'll be okay. It's a fairly adult discussion.
I even admit that I've had potential partners turn me away because of my condition. I'm not naming names.
And you say, "That's Darwinism for you."
I shouldn't be surprised. You've been lashing out at people for the last while.
I shouldn't take it personally. You don't even really know me that well.
I've been dealing with this for decades. Who the hell are you? What do you know about me?
But it doesn't matter.
That's Darwinism for you.
You're alone because you deserve to be.
Because you're defective.
so I left. Because I had to.
I can only assume you're in a lot of pain, yourself. I can only guess at what makes you so unhappy that your response to someone opening up to you is to take out a knife and start hollowing them out like a pumpkin. I try to use my pain to understand the pain of others and help them. But I know not everyone is like that, and I understand that a wounded animal can lash out sometimes. I hope you can someday find the peace in your heart to realize what you did, and then forgive yourself. Right now, I don't think you even care.
May you never know what it is to be in pain from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep.
May you never know the scorn of your peers, your co-workers, potential partners, for being how you are.
May you never know what it is to hide things like this away, for fear people will say things just like what you said.
No one should have to live this way.
Not even you.
I can't believe I'm going to post this. People are going to look at it and think I'm a drama whore, or that I've finally gone off the deep end. It's honestly pretty embarrassing. For those of you who have your opinions of me lowered by what you've just read, I apologize. This wasn't for you. This was for me. I don't want your pity, or your anger at this person, or anything like that. I'm already getting what I want by excising this thing. If it maybe makes one or two of you understand me just a little better, that would be nice too.
Reading it again, it looks a little melodramatic in places, but this is how I really feel. This is one of the hardest things I've ever written, but I have to get this out.
Not a lot of people know this, but I have a spinal problem. The vertebrae near the base of my spine are too close together. It's not completely debilitating - I can still walk - but there are a lot of things I can't do for more than a few seconds without feeling like someone is driving a knife into my back.
Running. Riding a bike. Most exercises. Carrying heavy objects. Standing upright in one place without moving around.
Most people think that a bad back is something you get when you get older. Maybe you've exercised too much, or done it poorly. Maybe you have an old injury that never healed properly, or maybe you didn't get enough calcium. There are lots of ways to get a bad back, especially when the years start adding up like they are for me.
I was born this way.
If you're in a wheelchair or walk with crutches, people can see your handicap. They know you have a legitimate problem, and they'll make way for you. Some of them won't be very gracious about it, but they'll do it, because not doing it carries enough of a social stigma that most people aren't willing to bear it. If they won't make accommodations because it's the right thing to do, they'll do it because they don't want to seem like a total scumbag.
It's...hard to describe the way people treat you when you're handicapped, but not visibly so. Building things up, tearing them down, moving them around...I try to apologize and explain. I want to help. I really, truly do. But people just LOOK at you, and they don't have to say a word. Their facial expressions say it all.
"You could do this if you really tried."
"You're using it as an excuse."
"You're just lazy."
"Faker."
Maybe you think I don't hear the things people say behind my back, but word has a way of getting around. And you know what? It hurts. It hurts a lot. The pain in my back is dwarfed by the pain of knowing that even people I consider my friends look at me as if I'm just faffing off, putting my feet up and kicking back and enjoying the easy life because I can use my back problems as an excuse. Never mind the way I grimace when I stand up, never mind the way I drop down into a chair for some blessed relief.
I've been told that if I exercised more, I'd lose weight, and the back problem wouldn't be so bad.
True, but if I was able to do 90% of the exercises people recommend, it wouldn't be a problem in the first place.
Exercise won't fix my spine. (Neither will surgery. I've checked.)
And then I'm chatting with some people I kinda know online. Mostly pretty nice folks.
The topic turns to sex, as it so often does. Big surprise, sex is one of the things that drives us as a species.
I take a chance. I admit that I don't really have a sex life. (I'm used to getting teased mercilessly about that.)
I even admit that there are things I just can't do in the bedroom because of my handicap.
I try not to even mention my handicap in general, lest people think I'm trying to fish for sympathy (something I've been accused of many times in the past), but I know these people fairly well and I think it'll be okay. It's a fairly adult discussion.
I even admit that I've had potential partners turn me away because of my condition. I'm not naming names.
And you say, "That's Darwinism for you."
I shouldn't be surprised. You've been lashing out at people for the last while.
I shouldn't take it personally. You don't even really know me that well.
I've been dealing with this for decades. Who the hell are you? What do you know about me?
But it doesn't matter.
That's Darwinism for you.
You're alone because you deserve to be.
Because you're defective.
so I left. Because I had to.
I can only assume you're in a lot of pain, yourself. I can only guess at what makes you so unhappy that your response to someone opening up to you is to take out a knife and start hollowing them out like a pumpkin. I try to use my pain to understand the pain of others and help them. But I know not everyone is like that, and I understand that a wounded animal can lash out sometimes. I hope you can someday find the peace in your heart to realize what you did, and then forgive yourself. Right now, I don't think you even care.
May you never know what it is to be in pain from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep.
May you never know the scorn of your peers, your co-workers, potential partners, for being how you are.
May you never know what it is to hide things like this away, for fear people will say things just like what you said.
No one should have to live this way.
Not even you.
I can't believe I'm going to post this. People are going to look at it and think I'm a drama whore, or that I've finally gone off the deep end. It's honestly pretty embarrassing. For those of you who have your opinions of me lowered by what you've just read, I apologize. This wasn't for you. This was for me. I don't want your pity, or your anger at this person, or anything like that. I'm already getting what I want by excising this thing. If it maybe makes one or two of you understand me just a little better, that would be nice too.
Istanbul's AC Meme Info Page of Great Justice for Reading!
Posted 12 years agoWhere are you staying?
The Marriott
What day are you getting there?
Thursday
Who will you be rooming with?
Neybulot and another fur whose name I can't remember.
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
No plans so far! I'm generally happy to chill with people, though. Anybody want to do dinner?
What is the best way to find you?
Well, I'm doing a couple of panels, so you can find me there...or you can just find me wandering around.
Are there any panels you might be attending?
I'm doing the Pokefurs and TF panel, and I'm likely to attend the Werewolf games.
What do you look like?
HE LOOKA LIKE-A MAN
Will you be suiting?
Nope!
Do you do free art?
No, as a service to others. I can't art.
Do you do trades?
Do you do badges/commissions?
Do you have an artist table?
Do you have prints/CDs?
Will you have art in the Art Show? General or Adult sections?
N/A, see above!
What is your gender?
I'm a dude, dude.
How tall are you?
About six feet, give or take.
Are you mated/in a relationship?
Sadly, no.
Can I talk to you?
Please do! I'm a friendly sort.
Can I touch you?
Ask first.
Can I visit your room?
Depends on the circumstances.
Can I buy you drinks?
Non-alcoholic, sure!
Can I give you stuff?
Probably!
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Ask first.
Are you nice?
Sure! I try to be, anyway. If I offend you, tell me!
How long are you going?
Arriving Thursday, leaving Monday.
Will you be going to parties?
I'd like to! Unfortunately, I'm bad at learning about room parties and the like. I pretty much have to be told directly about them.
Will you be performing?
Does running panels count?
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
"Hi, Isty!"
Can I look in your sketchbook?
Can I draw in your sketchbook?
I have a bad tendency to forget my sketchbook. -.-
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Can I come with YOU for food/fun/etc.?
Can I take your picture?
Yes, but you won't like it. I am not photogenic.
What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
Have fun with people!
The Marriott
What day are you getting there?
Thursday
Who will you be rooming with?
Neybulot and another fur whose name I can't remember.
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
No plans so far! I'm generally happy to chill with people, though. Anybody want to do dinner?
What is the best way to find you?
Well, I'm doing a couple of panels, so you can find me there...or you can just find me wandering around.
Are there any panels you might be attending?
I'm doing the Pokefurs and TF panel, and I'm likely to attend the Werewolf games.
What do you look like?
HE LOOKA LIKE-A MAN
Will you be suiting?
Nope!
Do you do free art?
No, as a service to others. I can't art.
Do you do trades?
Do you do badges/commissions?
Do you have an artist table?
Do you have prints/CDs?
Will you have art in the Art Show? General or Adult sections?
N/A, see above!
What is your gender?
I'm a dude, dude.
How tall are you?
About six feet, give or take.
Are you mated/in a relationship?
Sadly, no.
Can I talk to you?
Please do! I'm a friendly sort.
Can I touch you?
Ask first.
Can I visit your room?
Depends on the circumstances.
Can I buy you drinks?
Non-alcoholic, sure!
Can I give you stuff?
Probably!
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Ask first.
Are you nice?
Sure! I try to be, anyway. If I offend you, tell me!
How long are you going?
Arriving Thursday, leaving Monday.
Will you be going to parties?
I'd like to! Unfortunately, I'm bad at learning about room parties and the like. I pretty much have to be told directly about them.
Will you be performing?
Does running panels count?
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
"Hi, Isty!"
Can I look in your sketchbook?
Can I draw in your sketchbook?
I have a bad tendency to forget my sketchbook. -.-
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Can I come with YOU for food/fun/etc.?
Can I take your picture?
Yes, but you won't like it. I am not photogenic.
What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
Have fun with people!
How To Handle The Media
Posted 12 years agoSo, this is just a little something I've had floating around in the back of my mind for a while now, and I'm finally putting pen to paper (metaphorically speaking) so that I can get all of these thoughts in one place.
Why should we listen to you?
I've been the media liaison for Furry Fiesta since the convention was first formed. I've dealt with everything from television stations to newspapers to student groups, from friendly people who were willing to work with me to spoiled brats who wanted their story now now now and couldn't wait ten minutes, and I think I've done a fairly decent job of portraying us - and helping others to portray us - thus far. I also do a panel called Furry Common Sense at both Furry Fiesta and Oklacon, wherein I cover many of the topics I'm going to mention here.
First, I'm going to cover a variety of different places you might be approached by the media about the furry fandom, and how to handle each one.
---
I am at...a convention!
Is a member of staff with the reporter?
NO - Encourage the reporter to come with you while you find a member of staff. Do they follow?
......YES - Awesome, hand them off to the staffer and keep the matter quiet; nothing panics furries quite like "ZOMG THE MEDIA IS HERE", and for all you know, the staffer will politely show the reporter the door.
......NO - Try to memorize the physical appearance of the reporter, and immediately find a staffer and relate the experience to them. Again, keep quiet and let them handle it.
YES - Pause for a moment and consider your options. The odds are very good that you're about to represent the entirety of the furry fandom. Are you confident enough in your public speaking ability that you're sure you won't accidentally put your foot in your mouth?
......YES - Conduct the interview, on the condition that it is done in a closed area - no lobby interviews, please - and that at least one member of staff is present at all times. Remember that you have accepted a big responsibility; don't lie, but choose your words carefully. A slow interview is fine.
......NO - Politely decline. Remember, the media is not your enemy! They aren't necessarily out to get you; in fact, given that they're accompanied by a staffer, they're probably okay. You needn't go into detail, just say "I'd rather not, thanks" and move on.
---
...a furmeet!
In general, this is a no-win situation. It's rare that any reporter worth his salt will follow around furries in an attempt to get coverage, and the coverage they're looking to get will seldom be flattering. If you're being filmed, harassed, or otherwise made uncomfortable by a reporter - or really, by anyone - while you're in a restaurant, bowling alley, or other place of business, STOP!
Yeah, you heard me. Before you take any action, check your privilege. Are you, or is anyone in your group, acting in such a way that warrants stares? Are you making the people around you uncomfortable with what you're doing? If so, the problem might not be the people around you. Furmeets are awesome, but if they're in a public place, you have a responsibility to act like a civilized person within the paradigm of the area. (Running around in a park - fine. Running around in a restaurant - not fine.)
That said, are you and your group well-behaved and just plain getting picked on? If so, talk to the manager and - in as polite and neutral a tone as you can muster - inform them that your group is being bothered by someone, and ask them to do something about it. Be aware that this will seldom see the manager asking the person to leave right away; they will usually ask the person to stop what they're doing. If it then continues, make mention of it again and the person will often (not always) be asked to leave. If the manager does nothing, you should probably seek a different venue for your furmeet.
Fortunately, this is a very rare occurrence. Don't be too paranoid about this, just be aware of what to do if it happens.
---
...my computer, checking my e-mail!
Congratulations! You have just entered Media Contact - Easy Mode.
First of all, if you're not interested? Don't reply. Delete the e-mail and pretend it never happened. Simple as that. The interested party will usually move on without so much as a second word.
If you ARE interested, the first thing you should do is go ahead and do some research on the reporter's past work, credentials, and anything else you can find out. You have the internet at your fingertips, and you should use it! If this seems like too much work or you can't find any information, you should probably seriously consider passing up this opportunity.
Furthermore, make sure to save all correspondence sent both to you and BY you; CC yourself on anything you send. Why not BCC, you ask? Because you're likely to spark the reporter's interest if they see that you're sending copies to yourself. If they ask why you're doing that, just casually reply that you're keeping records.
If they're legitimate, they won't mind. If they're a creep, you just scared them off. See how that works?
Let's assume they pass the creep test. Next, they're going to want some way to get in touch with you. Be cautious with how much personal information you give out, and remember that once they have it, they have it forever. I generally won't give more than my phone number - no Twitter account, no secondary e-mail, no address - at first; in-person meetings can and should be done in a quiet setting where you're unlikely to bother anyone. A coffee shop can work well for this. (Just make sure to buy something!)
What are some warning signs to watch out for in an interview?
Sometimes, someone with the media can present a perfectly respectable, decent front - remember, these people make their livelihoods doing this, this is how they pay their bills - and turn out to be a scumbag in disguise, with the fact only becoming obvious once they start talking. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for during a discussion with a reporter. Also, keep in mind that none of these are a sign to immediately jump ship...just keep an eye out. If they continue, it may be time to stop.
NEGATIVITY - This one is a bit tricky, and can sometimes be brought up by the interviewee, not the interviewer. Remember that the furry fandom is an amazing community filled with artists, writers, musicians, actors, philanthropists, costumers, and even the media themselves! We give more than a hundred thousand dollars to charity each year (rough estimate, but close enough), our costumers work with sick children and the handicapped to bring smiles to their faces, and we've done everything from rescuing faltering businesses to supporting our own in times of crisis. There are a lot of good things about our fandom. So why focus on the bad things?
INACCURACY - Tell the reporter what we are, not what we aren't. If they refuse to be guided away from topics like sex, past drama, or factual inaccuracies that you've corrected, it's entirely permissible to end the interview. A good reporter will be paying attention to the things you say, will correct any mistakes in their statements, and will generally be happy to learn from you. If the journalist seems to already have preconceived notions that they refuse to relinquish, that is not a good reporter. A bad reporter will write a bad story, and guess whose name will be on it? That said, be patient and remember that in many cases, this is their first exposure to furries. Three strikes is generally a good rule.
INSISTENCE - You are helping the reporter by doing an interview, never forget that. If you don't feel comfortable talking about conventions, say so. If you don't feel comfortable discussing adult matters, say so. If you don't feel comfortable talking about anything, say so. If the reporter is worth anything at all, they'll respect your wishes and move on. There's also a chance that they won't be able to get what they need from you, in which case, that's life! You weren't what they were looking for. By contrast, if they keep coming back to a topic you're not comfortable discussing, or if they keep harping on an issue over and over again after you feel like the conversation on that topic has run its course, they may be trying to get something specific from you...and it will usually be something that you don't want to give. If the reporter will not respect your wishes, they aren't respecting you, and they won't respect us.
So basically, the media is a bunch of scumbags I should avoid?
NO. That is a sentiment that I see all too often among furries, and it's every bit as destructive to the fandom as a whole as the guy who can't stop running at the mouth. The media is not inherently bad! I have, in fact, done some very successful interviews with student groups and bloggers and even a newspaper (Dallas Morning News is a very reputable paper, and for good reason). Just like any other tool, the media is as good or as bad as we make it.
I compare it most closely to a large cat like a tiger or lion.
If you just let it run rampant and do whatever it wants with no limitations, you're going to wind up getting mauled or even eaten outright. Casual disregard is not a workable option.
If you keep it away at all costs regardless of circumstance, you'll be safe, but your experiences in life won't be enriched by their presence. It's not a bad fate, but can't we do better than that?
If you set limits, decide what you will and won't tolerate, ensure that you're properly educated before handling them, and use a healthy amount of common sense when interacting, you'll find that the presence of the media in our fandom can be rewarding and even helpful.
Help! The reporter wants to talk to me about...
Hang on. If you really don't want to talk about it, say so. See what I said about insistence up there? Anyway, assuming that you are interested in discussing it, here are a few talking points on:
---
...fursuiting!
If you don't know much about it, say so. If you don't own one, say so.
On average, about 15% of furries attending a convention wear a full suit.
Considering how many furries don't attend conventions, and the fact that fursuits are largely intended for interaction, the percentage of furries OVERALL who have a fursuit is almost certainly much lower.
A decent suit can cost thousands of dollars and is a lot of work to keep up, repair, and look after.
People in fursuit generally won't be able to communicate very well with the head on. (Yes, I have had people ask if they can interview suiters while said suiters are in costume.)
No, you don't know anyone who does THAT in a fursuit. *cough* Nor does it sound very plausible or desirable.
---
...conventions!
What happens at a convention? Lots of things! Games and get-togethers and performances and parades and informative panels and too many things to remember all of them at once.
A fairly small percentage of furries attend conventions. Some want to but can't, some don't want to, but those that attend tend to keep attending.
Does sex happen at conventions? Sure! Star Trek conventions, anime conventions, sales conventions, industry conventions...what? Furry conventions? Sure, probably, you guess.
Going to conventions is a great way to meet other people who share an interest with you, get things that might not readily be available at home - comics, art, various stuff - and enjoy a fun vacation.
Did you know that most furry conventions have a charity for which they raise funds, often (but not always) in order to help animals in need?
No, you don't need a costume to attend a furry convention. In fact, most people that attend don't wear one!
The largest furry convention, Anthrocon, has more than five thousand attendees on an annual basis.
---
...stuff I don't know anything about!
Tell them that you don't know anything about that stuff. Simple. If they change the topic, cool. If not, see 'signs to watch out for' above.
Thanks for reading all of this, if you did. Hopefully, this will give you some useful tips on how to handle the media wherever they may find you.
Also, remember this useful fact:
THE MORE EAGER SOMEONE IS TO TALK TO THE MEDIA, THE LESS LIKELY THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES DOING IT.
Why should we listen to you?
I've been the media liaison for Furry Fiesta since the convention was first formed. I've dealt with everything from television stations to newspapers to student groups, from friendly people who were willing to work with me to spoiled brats who wanted their story now now now and couldn't wait ten minutes, and I think I've done a fairly decent job of portraying us - and helping others to portray us - thus far. I also do a panel called Furry Common Sense at both Furry Fiesta and Oklacon, wherein I cover many of the topics I'm going to mention here.
First, I'm going to cover a variety of different places you might be approached by the media about the furry fandom, and how to handle each one.
---
I am at...a convention!
Is a member of staff with the reporter?
NO - Encourage the reporter to come with you while you find a member of staff. Do they follow?
......YES - Awesome, hand them off to the staffer and keep the matter quiet; nothing panics furries quite like "ZOMG THE MEDIA IS HERE", and for all you know, the staffer will politely show the reporter the door.
......NO - Try to memorize the physical appearance of the reporter, and immediately find a staffer and relate the experience to them. Again, keep quiet and let them handle it.
YES - Pause for a moment and consider your options. The odds are very good that you're about to represent the entirety of the furry fandom. Are you confident enough in your public speaking ability that you're sure you won't accidentally put your foot in your mouth?
......YES - Conduct the interview, on the condition that it is done in a closed area - no lobby interviews, please - and that at least one member of staff is present at all times. Remember that you have accepted a big responsibility; don't lie, but choose your words carefully. A slow interview is fine.
......NO - Politely decline. Remember, the media is not your enemy! They aren't necessarily out to get you; in fact, given that they're accompanied by a staffer, they're probably okay. You needn't go into detail, just say "I'd rather not, thanks" and move on.
---
...a furmeet!
In general, this is a no-win situation. It's rare that any reporter worth his salt will follow around furries in an attempt to get coverage, and the coverage they're looking to get will seldom be flattering. If you're being filmed, harassed, or otherwise made uncomfortable by a reporter - or really, by anyone - while you're in a restaurant, bowling alley, or other place of business, STOP!
Yeah, you heard me. Before you take any action, check your privilege. Are you, or is anyone in your group, acting in such a way that warrants stares? Are you making the people around you uncomfortable with what you're doing? If so, the problem might not be the people around you. Furmeets are awesome, but if they're in a public place, you have a responsibility to act like a civilized person within the paradigm of the area. (Running around in a park - fine. Running around in a restaurant - not fine.)
That said, are you and your group well-behaved and just plain getting picked on? If so, talk to the manager and - in as polite and neutral a tone as you can muster - inform them that your group is being bothered by someone, and ask them to do something about it. Be aware that this will seldom see the manager asking the person to leave right away; they will usually ask the person to stop what they're doing. If it then continues, make mention of it again and the person will often (not always) be asked to leave. If the manager does nothing, you should probably seek a different venue for your furmeet.
Fortunately, this is a very rare occurrence. Don't be too paranoid about this, just be aware of what to do if it happens.
---
...my computer, checking my e-mail!
Congratulations! You have just entered Media Contact - Easy Mode.
First of all, if you're not interested? Don't reply. Delete the e-mail and pretend it never happened. Simple as that. The interested party will usually move on without so much as a second word.
If you ARE interested, the first thing you should do is go ahead and do some research on the reporter's past work, credentials, and anything else you can find out. You have the internet at your fingertips, and you should use it! If this seems like too much work or you can't find any information, you should probably seriously consider passing up this opportunity.
Furthermore, make sure to save all correspondence sent both to you and BY you; CC yourself on anything you send. Why not BCC, you ask? Because you're likely to spark the reporter's interest if they see that you're sending copies to yourself. If they ask why you're doing that, just casually reply that you're keeping records.
If they're legitimate, they won't mind. If they're a creep, you just scared them off. See how that works?
Let's assume they pass the creep test. Next, they're going to want some way to get in touch with you. Be cautious with how much personal information you give out, and remember that once they have it, they have it forever. I generally won't give more than my phone number - no Twitter account, no secondary e-mail, no address - at first; in-person meetings can and should be done in a quiet setting where you're unlikely to bother anyone. A coffee shop can work well for this. (Just make sure to buy something!)
What are some warning signs to watch out for in an interview?
Sometimes, someone with the media can present a perfectly respectable, decent front - remember, these people make their livelihoods doing this, this is how they pay their bills - and turn out to be a scumbag in disguise, with the fact only becoming obvious once they start talking. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for during a discussion with a reporter. Also, keep in mind that none of these are a sign to immediately jump ship...just keep an eye out. If they continue, it may be time to stop.
NEGATIVITY - This one is a bit tricky, and can sometimes be brought up by the interviewee, not the interviewer. Remember that the furry fandom is an amazing community filled with artists, writers, musicians, actors, philanthropists, costumers, and even the media themselves! We give more than a hundred thousand dollars to charity each year (rough estimate, but close enough), our costumers work with sick children and the handicapped to bring smiles to their faces, and we've done everything from rescuing faltering businesses to supporting our own in times of crisis. There are a lot of good things about our fandom. So why focus on the bad things?
INACCURACY - Tell the reporter what we are, not what we aren't. If they refuse to be guided away from topics like sex, past drama, or factual inaccuracies that you've corrected, it's entirely permissible to end the interview. A good reporter will be paying attention to the things you say, will correct any mistakes in their statements, and will generally be happy to learn from you. If the journalist seems to already have preconceived notions that they refuse to relinquish, that is not a good reporter. A bad reporter will write a bad story, and guess whose name will be on it? That said, be patient and remember that in many cases, this is their first exposure to furries. Three strikes is generally a good rule.
INSISTENCE - You are helping the reporter by doing an interview, never forget that. If you don't feel comfortable talking about conventions, say so. If you don't feel comfortable discussing adult matters, say so. If you don't feel comfortable talking about anything, say so. If the reporter is worth anything at all, they'll respect your wishes and move on. There's also a chance that they won't be able to get what they need from you, in which case, that's life! You weren't what they were looking for. By contrast, if they keep coming back to a topic you're not comfortable discussing, or if they keep harping on an issue over and over again after you feel like the conversation on that topic has run its course, they may be trying to get something specific from you...and it will usually be something that you don't want to give. If the reporter will not respect your wishes, they aren't respecting you, and they won't respect us.
So basically, the media is a bunch of scumbags I should avoid?
NO. That is a sentiment that I see all too often among furries, and it's every bit as destructive to the fandom as a whole as the guy who can't stop running at the mouth. The media is not inherently bad! I have, in fact, done some very successful interviews with student groups and bloggers and even a newspaper (Dallas Morning News is a very reputable paper, and for good reason). Just like any other tool, the media is as good or as bad as we make it.
I compare it most closely to a large cat like a tiger or lion.
If you just let it run rampant and do whatever it wants with no limitations, you're going to wind up getting mauled or even eaten outright. Casual disregard is not a workable option.
If you keep it away at all costs regardless of circumstance, you'll be safe, but your experiences in life won't be enriched by their presence. It's not a bad fate, but can't we do better than that?
If you set limits, decide what you will and won't tolerate, ensure that you're properly educated before handling them, and use a healthy amount of common sense when interacting, you'll find that the presence of the media in our fandom can be rewarding and even helpful.
Help! The reporter wants to talk to me about...
Hang on. If you really don't want to talk about it, say so. See what I said about insistence up there? Anyway, assuming that you are interested in discussing it, here are a few talking points on:
---
...fursuiting!
If you don't know much about it, say so. If you don't own one, say so.
On average, about 15% of furries attending a convention wear a full suit.
Considering how many furries don't attend conventions, and the fact that fursuits are largely intended for interaction, the percentage of furries OVERALL who have a fursuit is almost certainly much lower.
A decent suit can cost thousands of dollars and is a lot of work to keep up, repair, and look after.
People in fursuit generally won't be able to communicate very well with the head on. (Yes, I have had people ask if they can interview suiters while said suiters are in costume.)
No, you don't know anyone who does THAT in a fursuit. *cough* Nor does it sound very plausible or desirable.
---
...conventions!
What happens at a convention? Lots of things! Games and get-togethers and performances and parades and informative panels and too many things to remember all of them at once.
A fairly small percentage of furries attend conventions. Some want to but can't, some don't want to, but those that attend tend to keep attending.
Does sex happen at conventions? Sure! Star Trek conventions, anime conventions, sales conventions, industry conventions...what? Furry conventions? Sure, probably, you guess.
Going to conventions is a great way to meet other people who share an interest with you, get things that might not readily be available at home - comics, art, various stuff - and enjoy a fun vacation.
Did you know that most furry conventions have a charity for which they raise funds, often (but not always) in order to help animals in need?
No, you don't need a costume to attend a furry convention. In fact, most people that attend don't wear one!
The largest furry convention, Anthrocon, has more than five thousand attendees on an annual basis.
---
...stuff I don't know anything about!
Tell them that you don't know anything about that stuff. Simple. If they change the topic, cool. If not, see 'signs to watch out for' above.
Thanks for reading all of this, if you did. Hopefully, this will give you some useful tips on how to handle the media wherever they may find you.
Also, remember this useful fact:
THE MORE EAGER SOMEONE IS TO TALK TO THE MEDIA, THE LESS LIKELY THEY SHOULD BE THE ONES DOING IT.
Fur Con Wrap-Up
Posted 12 years agoYeah, it's like that.
============
Three days of furry coolness,
A weekend holiday!
We ventured very far from home,
Time off from work to play.
But the con chair's mind has given out
And the con suite's food's got mold...
(And even though I love these folks
The funk is getting old!)
The time has come to leave the con,
And upload all our pics!
Even though we'd like it to go on
And see more fursuit tricks!
How can I help the con tear down?
What do all the staffers do?
Where can I go to volunteer now?
I have nothing to do!
---
CHORUS:
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
---
Helping out and hauling stuff
Out to the moving truck!
I know these folks have had it rough
But I'm here, they're in luck!
We move the gear and ask where it will go,
When the sun comes up, there'll be no sign left of the show!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
---
All the critters, small and great
We dance and play and chat.
The rabbit doesn't fear the wolf
The mouse chills with the cat!
We help them out with their goodbyes
After three great nights.
You're welcome back next year, you guys.
Now go and catch your flights!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
---
No easy task to make this con!
Raise cash for charity
Scheduling panels, food and games
(And hope for clarity!)
Art show, con suite, gaming room, video room too!
We must work so very hard
But we do it all for you!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
---
Now that I know what they all do
I have to lend a hand.
And give them all the help I can
For all that they have planned.
How will I help them with teardown?
I've got to make a choice!
I guess I'll use my talent
My keyboard and my voice
My keyboard and my voice!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
'Cause we've gotta be out by teeeeeen!
============
Three days of furry coolness,
A weekend holiday!
We ventured very far from home,
Time off from work to play.
But the con chair's mind has given out
And the con suite's food's got mold...
(And even though I love these folks
The funk is getting old!)
The time has come to leave the con,
And upload all our pics!
Even though we'd like it to go on
And see more fursuit tricks!
How can I help the con tear down?
What do all the staffers do?
Where can I go to volunteer now?
I have nothing to do!
---
CHORUS:
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
---
Helping out and hauling stuff
Out to the moving truck!
I know these folks have had it rough
But I'm here, they're in luck!
We move the gear and ask where it will go,
When the sun comes up, there'll be no sign left of the show!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
---
All the critters, small and great
We dance and play and chat.
The rabbit doesn't fear the wolf
The mouse chills with the cat!
We help them out with their goodbyes
After three great nights.
You're welcome back next year, you guys.
Now go and catch your flights!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
---
No easy task to make this con!
Raise cash for charity
Scheduling panels, food and games
(And hope for clarity!)
Art show, con suite, gaming room, video room too!
We must work so very hard
But we do it all for you!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
---
Now that I know what they all do
I have to lend a hand.
And give them all the help I can
For all that they have planned.
How will I help them with teardown?
I've got to make a choice!
I guess I'll use my talent
My keyboard and my voice
My keyboard and my voice!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap-up!
Let's lock up the Dealer's Den.
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
Fur-con wrap-up, fur-con wrap up!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten!
'Cause we've gotta be out by ten.
'Cause we've gotta be out by teeeeeen!
Pokefurs! Start your engines!
Posted 13 years agohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?featur.....;v=4bIrWryFc7A
Fennekin Rule 34 in 3...2...oh, wait, it's already up.
Fennekin Rule 34 in 3...2...oh, wait, it's already up.
Furry Common Sense
Posted 13 years agoSo, it turns out that someone recorded my Furry Common Sense panel at Oklacon this year! There are times when you can't really hear what I'm saying, but the majority of it came out okay, and it got uploaded to YouTube! Here, have a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIoYijQTze4
In related news, I need to stop fidgeting and moving around so much while I give panels, it makes me look like I'm about to run off at any moment. Lapinity notwithstanding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIoYijQTze4
In related news, I need to stop fidgeting and moving around so much while I give panels, it makes me look like I'm about to run off at any moment. Lapinity notwithstanding.
Oklacon 2012! You should go.
Posted 13 years agoSo, in a couple of short weeks, I'll be going to Oklacon 2012. If you've never attended, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Yeah, it's a convention, but it's the most chill, calm, friendly convention you've ever attended. Even the grumpy naysayers are obviously having a good time. The schedule is super-flexible and not utterly packed like so many others' are, and if you register as a supersponsor, they treat you like a freakin' king. (Or queen. Whatever.)
"But Istanbul," I hear you complain, "I hate camping!" Guess what! ME TOO. I'm an enormous pansy when it comes to outdoorsy stuff, and I gladly acknowledge that. They have cabins you can rent, they have a lodge with rooms you can reserve, they have A-Frames (not recommended for those who like sleep) that are basically big group rooms, there are motels in town with rooms you can rent...and, yes, you can even pitch a tent (lol) and camp on the grounds if you want to, for a pretty modest fee. Something like ten bucks a night, if I remember correctly.
Did I mention they feed you? Because they feed you. Okay, yeah, it's only one meal a day. So you should probably bring stuff from the store in town (seriously, something like a five-minute drive away). Wanna cook something over the campfire? You can totally do that. Wanna use the grill? You can totally do that. Wanna dine in the Lodge restaurant, which has some pretty slick food? Help out in the kitchen? Get something from the local Sonic? You can do all of that stuff.
Oh, and you can do other things, too. Hike, visit the horses - seriously, they have horses just kinda wandering around - and see the sights, play in Predator vs. Prey, go to their concerts, check out some of the super-informal panels they do, do some of the craftsy stuff they have, attend their amazing charity auction from which I totally need to steal some schtick for my own, or just kinda chill the *ahem* out. Don't worry, nobody's gonna call your phone. (They can't. No reception. :3)
Also, the air is super-clean out there. Compared to what you get out there, you can floss with Dallas air. Also also, did you know there are these things in the sky called 'stars'? No, seriously! There's a whole ton of them, and you can totally see them. Bring a telescope, it's awesome! It's weird, everything out there is dirtier, but it's...CLEAN dirt. It's the way it's supposed to be, without all the pollution and crap clogging up your lungs and making you die.
BTW, Fuzzy Logic is doing a live show there on Friday night, this year. I'll also be giving my Furry Common Sense panel for, like, the third year in a row!
So, yeah! C'mon, it's awesome. I first attended in 2008 and was instantly hooked, and I thought I'd hate this sort of thing as a doughy white city boy. Sleeping arrangements are probably down to the local motel rooms and a few camping spots at this point, but the motel is pretty nice. And hey, if you're one of those people that likes to camp in a tent, you'll be RIGHT THERE next to all the fun. Get up -> step out of tent -> you're in the conspace.
Go to oklacon.com and check it out, at the very least. Every year is pretty amazing, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I can has Oklacon nao pls?
"But Istanbul," I hear you complain, "I hate camping!" Guess what! ME TOO. I'm an enormous pansy when it comes to outdoorsy stuff, and I gladly acknowledge that. They have cabins you can rent, they have a lodge with rooms you can reserve, they have A-Frames (not recommended for those who like sleep) that are basically big group rooms, there are motels in town with rooms you can rent...and, yes, you can even pitch a tent (lol) and camp on the grounds if you want to, for a pretty modest fee. Something like ten bucks a night, if I remember correctly.
Did I mention they feed you? Because they feed you. Okay, yeah, it's only one meal a day. So you should probably bring stuff from the store in town (seriously, something like a five-minute drive away). Wanna cook something over the campfire? You can totally do that. Wanna use the grill? You can totally do that. Wanna dine in the Lodge restaurant, which has some pretty slick food? Help out in the kitchen? Get something from the local Sonic? You can do all of that stuff.
Oh, and you can do other things, too. Hike, visit the horses - seriously, they have horses just kinda wandering around - and see the sights, play in Predator vs. Prey, go to their concerts, check out some of the super-informal panels they do, do some of the craftsy stuff they have, attend their amazing charity auction from which I totally need to steal some schtick for my own, or just kinda chill the *ahem* out. Don't worry, nobody's gonna call your phone. (They can't. No reception. :3)
Also, the air is super-clean out there. Compared to what you get out there, you can floss with Dallas air. Also also, did you know there are these things in the sky called 'stars'? No, seriously! There's a whole ton of them, and you can totally see them. Bring a telescope, it's awesome! It's weird, everything out there is dirtier, but it's...CLEAN dirt. It's the way it's supposed to be, without all the pollution and crap clogging up your lungs and making you die.
BTW, Fuzzy Logic is doing a live show there on Friday night, this year. I'll also be giving my Furry Common Sense panel for, like, the third year in a row!
So, yeah! C'mon, it's awesome. I first attended in 2008 and was instantly hooked, and I thought I'd hate this sort of thing as a doughy white city boy. Sleeping arrangements are probably down to the local motel rooms and a few camping spots at this point, but the motel is pretty nice. And hey, if you're one of those people that likes to camp in a tent, you'll be RIGHT THERE next to all the fun. Get up -> step out of tent -> you're in the conspace.
Go to oklacon.com and check it out, at the very least. Every year is pretty amazing, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
I can has Oklacon nao pls?
Pokemon Meme
Posted 13 years agoUse this pkmn generator http://www.wyncorporation.com/pokemon/index.php
(leave everything as it is hit "Generate" then hit back and repeat for each number. Thus giving you a random pokemon)
1. This Pokémon is your best friend.
#341 Corphish - Cool, I guess we can go swimming together?
2. This Pokémon is your boss that you need to impress for a promotion.
#425 Drifloon - The thing kidnaps children. All I have to do is be evil. I can do that.
3. This Pokémon is your partner for your science project.
#518 Musharna - Cool, I'll just let it convince the teacher we did an amazing job!
4. This Pokémon is looking for every way possible to murder you.
#478 Froslass - Somehow, I can see her in a Pokemon / Kill Bill crossover.
5. This Pokémon is your mother-in-law.
#147 Dratini - Cool, if she ever gets too nasty, I can tie her in a knot.
6. This Pokémon is your boyfriend/girlfriend.
#120 Staryu - HOW DOES THAT EVEN WORK
7. This Pokémon is your ex.
#413 Wormadam - I guess the Staryu is an upgrade. -.-
8. This Pokémon stalks you every waking moment.
#174 Igglybuff - It wants my soul, doesn't it? I just know it does.
9. This Pokémon likes to snuggle with you.
#605 Elgyem - Um...yay? Do I at least YES I ENJOY IT VERY MUCH enjoy it?
10. This Pokémon ate all your cheesecake.
#27 Sandshrew - Bastard. I'mma get the hose.
11. This Pokémon is what you felt in your bed last night.
#337 Lunatone - WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME
12. This Pokémon banged your mom.
#646 Kyurem - Holy shit, mom. O.O
13. This Pokémon will do anything to try and get in your pants.
#167 Spinarak - FML spiders nooooooo fuck you and die.
14. This Pokémon died by your own hands.
#168 Ariados - Okay, so we have this weird Greek tragedy thing going on, then...
15. This Pokémon is your loyal companion for life
#39 Jigglypuff - Hey. Jigglypuff. That Igglybuff? KILL.
16. This Pokémon reads you bed time stories.
#85 Dodrio - ...in stereo, apparently.
17. This Pokémon is your loving pet.
#2 Ivysaur - That's pretty cool, I guess.
18. This Pokémon is your creepy dentist.
#340 Whiscash - Okay, yes. That is pretty creepy.
19. This Pokémon is what you dream about every day.
#450 Hippowdon - Reminds me of some friends of mine.
20. This Pokémon is what you found in your basement when you moved into your new house.
#264 Linoone - And it's been finding stuff for me ever since.
21. This pokemon represents you.
#492 Shaymin (Sky) - Hell yeah. Kick ass!
(leave everything as it is hit "Generate" then hit back and repeat for each number. Thus giving you a random pokemon)
1. This Pokémon is your best friend.
#341 Corphish - Cool, I guess we can go swimming together?
2. This Pokémon is your boss that you need to impress for a promotion.
#425 Drifloon - The thing kidnaps children. All I have to do is be evil. I can do that.
3. This Pokémon is your partner for your science project.
#518 Musharna - Cool, I'll just let it convince the teacher we did an amazing job!
4. This Pokémon is looking for every way possible to murder you.
#478 Froslass - Somehow, I can see her in a Pokemon / Kill Bill crossover.
5. This Pokémon is your mother-in-law.
#147 Dratini - Cool, if she ever gets too nasty, I can tie her in a knot.
6. This Pokémon is your boyfriend/girlfriend.
#120 Staryu - HOW DOES THAT EVEN WORK
7. This Pokémon is your ex.
#413 Wormadam - I guess the Staryu is an upgrade. -.-
8. This Pokémon stalks you every waking moment.
#174 Igglybuff - It wants my soul, doesn't it? I just know it does.
9. This Pokémon likes to snuggle with you.
#605 Elgyem - Um...yay? Do I at least YES I ENJOY IT VERY MUCH enjoy it?
10. This Pokémon ate all your cheesecake.
#27 Sandshrew - Bastard. I'mma get the hose.
11. This Pokémon is what you felt in your bed last night.
#337 Lunatone - WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME
12. This Pokémon banged your mom.
#646 Kyurem - Holy shit, mom. O.O
13. This Pokémon will do anything to try and get in your pants.
#167 Spinarak - FML spiders nooooooo fuck you and die.
14. This Pokémon died by your own hands.
#168 Ariados - Okay, so we have this weird Greek tragedy thing going on, then...
15. This Pokémon is your loyal companion for life
#39 Jigglypuff - Hey. Jigglypuff. That Igglybuff? KILL.
16. This Pokémon reads you bed time stories.
#85 Dodrio - ...in stereo, apparently.
17. This Pokémon is your loving pet.
#2 Ivysaur - That's pretty cool, I guess.
18. This Pokémon is your creepy dentist.
#340 Whiscash - Okay, yes. That is pretty creepy.
19. This Pokémon is what you dream about every day.
#450 Hippowdon - Reminds me of some friends of mine.
20. This Pokémon is what you found in your basement when you moved into your new house.
#264 Linoone - And it's been finding stuff for me ever since.
21. This pokemon represents you.
#492 Shaymin (Sky) - Hell yeah. Kick ass!
New Year's Resolutions - August Update
Posted 13 years agoSO! With that said, here are my resolutions for 2012.
1) I will attempt to start a career. Not a job, a career: a place that will allow me to better support myself, while offering long-term opportunities for advancement.
2) I will attempt to find a mate. I've pushed this one to the side for far too long. I want - and deserve - someone special with whom I can share my life.
3) I will replace the furniture in my room. I know I can do a lot better than this, and I should. My nightstand and dresser are okay, but my computer desk is kind of crap and my bookshelf is just plain awful, and my bed is more than 20 years old.
4) I will attend four furry conventions in 2012: Furry Fiesta, Anthrocon, Oklacon, and one more. I would like the extra to be either Mephit Furmeet or Midwest Furfest.
5) I will continue to attempt to find an exercise program, one that I can do year-round. No more 'it's freezing cold' or 'it's blazingly hot' for me.
Well, there they are. Let's see how I do!
The above was posted right around the turn of the year...five goals for me to accomplish by the end of the year. Well, July is basically gone, so I'm calling it August for all intents and purposes. Let's see how I'm doing.
1) I will attempt to start a career. Not a job, a career: a place that will allow me to better support myself, while offering long-term opportunities for advancement.
FAIL: Currently stuck at the same place, though I am making steps toward obtaining the job I want to get.
-
2) I will attempt to find a mate. I've pushed this one to the side for far too long. I want - and deserve - someone special with whom I can share my life.
SUPER-FAIL: I have told someone who is very important to me how I feel about them, and that I'm interested in them in a romantic context. It wasn't mutual.
-
3) I will replace the furniture in my room. I know I can do a lot better than this, and I should. My nightstand and dresser are okay, but my computer desk is kind of crap and my bookshelf is just plain awful, and my bed is more than 20 years old.
FAIL: None of my furniture has changed.
-
4) I will attend four furry conventions in 2012: Furry Fiesta, Anthrocon, Oklacon, and one more. I would like the extra to be either Mephit Furmeet or Midwest Furfest.
UNKNOWN: So far, so good. Furry Fiesta and Anthrocon are behind me. Oklacon is still in front of me. It's going to be pretty hard to make it four, though; might just stay at three.
-
5) I will continue to attempt to find an exercise program, one that I can do year-round. No more 'it's freezing cold' or 'it's blazingly hot' for me.
SUCCESS: I have been walking for about two miles a day almost every day for the past two and a half months. My old pants will no longer fit me.
So, there we have it. Two fails, one super-fail, one so-far-so-good, and one success. Not so great so far, but there are still four months left in the year!
1) I will attempt to start a career. Not a job, a career: a place that will allow me to better support myself, while offering long-term opportunities for advancement.
2) I will attempt to find a mate. I've pushed this one to the side for far too long. I want - and deserve - someone special with whom I can share my life.
3) I will replace the furniture in my room. I know I can do a lot better than this, and I should. My nightstand and dresser are okay, but my computer desk is kind of crap and my bookshelf is just plain awful, and my bed is more than 20 years old.
4) I will attend four furry conventions in 2012: Furry Fiesta, Anthrocon, Oklacon, and one more. I would like the extra to be either Mephit Furmeet or Midwest Furfest.
5) I will continue to attempt to find an exercise program, one that I can do year-round. No more 'it's freezing cold' or 'it's blazingly hot' for me.
Well, there they are. Let's see how I do!
The above was posted right around the turn of the year...five goals for me to accomplish by the end of the year. Well, July is basically gone, so I'm calling it August for all intents and purposes. Let's see how I'm doing.
1) I will attempt to start a career. Not a job, a career: a place that will allow me to better support myself, while offering long-term opportunities for advancement.
FAIL: Currently stuck at the same place, though I am making steps toward obtaining the job I want to get.
-
2) I will attempt to find a mate. I've pushed this one to the side for far too long. I want - and deserve - someone special with whom I can share my life.
SUPER-FAIL: I have told someone who is very important to me how I feel about them, and that I'm interested in them in a romantic context. It wasn't mutual.
-
3) I will replace the furniture in my room. I know I can do a lot better than this, and I should. My nightstand and dresser are okay, but my computer desk is kind of crap and my bookshelf is just plain awful, and my bed is more than 20 years old.
FAIL: None of my furniture has changed.
-
4) I will attend four furry conventions in 2012: Furry Fiesta, Anthrocon, Oklacon, and one more. I would like the extra to be either Mephit Furmeet or Midwest Furfest.
UNKNOWN: So far, so good. Furry Fiesta and Anthrocon are behind me. Oklacon is still in front of me. It's going to be pretty hard to make it four, though; might just stay at three.
-
5) I will continue to attempt to find an exercise program, one that I can do year-round. No more 'it's freezing cold' or 'it's blazingly hot' for me.
SUCCESS: I have been walking for about two miles a day almost every day for the past two and a half months. My old pants will no longer fit me.
So, there we have it. Two fails, one super-fail, one so-far-so-good, and one success. Not so great so far, but there are still four months left in the year!
How To Make Me Think You're An Asshole
Posted 13 years agoOkay, it's time for me to speak up. There are an awful lot of people in this fandom who irritate the fuck out of me because of some of the hypocritical bullshit they pull, and it's time for me to speak out. Yes, this journal is NSFW for language. And yes, it's a rant. If you don't like either of those things, now's the time to back away, I won't think ill of you for it.
Ready?
Why won't religious people respect my atheism? I hate Christians!
What the hell? Now, I'll agree that people need to be respectful of each others' religion. Me? I happen not to be religious. I've given it an honest attempt, and the faith just isn't there. That said, where do you get off harassing, belittling, or otherwise devaluing people who are Christian, Wiccan, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, or <insert religion here>? Atheism is a religious choice: the choice not to practice a religion or believe in a deity. ALL religious choices that are not demonstrably hurting people deserve the same simple, quiet dignity, and that includes those of other people.
How dare you say that being gay is a choice? I was born this way! Straight people are just in denial, LOL!
Pot, kettle. Yes, I would agree that your sexuality is something you are born with. Evidence has been brought up to indicate that sexual preference is genetic, and though I accept the fact that sexual activity is a choice, I also believe that sexuality is a critical facet of one's person and that the notion that it's okay to BE gay but not to DO anything about it is pedantic and a matter of splitting hairs. How is it, then, that many ardent supports of gay rights in this fandom refuse to offer heterosexuals the same dignity they desire? IF PEOPLE CAN BE BORN GAY, THEN THEY CAN ALSO BE BORN STRAIGHT. Yes, an argument could be made that no one is completely heterosexual...but that same argument applies to the opposite side of the coin too. (And yes, this applies to "there are no straight furries in the fandom LOL". If that's the case, many of my friends don't exist.)
All furries really want is acceptance in the mainstream, to not be looked at as freaks. Now let's go put on our fursuits and freak the MUNDANES!
Appalling. 'Mundane' is a word with a number of connotations, none of them good. 'Mundane' is a word often used to imply that someone is dull, bland, and boring. Funny, I can think of another word with a lot of connotations: 'freak'. Everyone is mundane to someone else. To a Star Trek fan, non-Trekkies are mundanes. To a brony, non-bronies are mundanes. Wherever there's a fandom, there are people who aren't part of that fandom. And yes, that means that YOU - yes, YOU, reader - are a mundane. Specifically seeking to shock, discomfort, or otherwise cause unease to people who don't share your interests isn't just contradictory to the goal of gaining tolerance for ourselves, it's just plain fucking rude. It's like dropping trou in church.
I guess what I'm getting at here is that if you want to RECEIVE courtesy, you have to GIVE courtesy. If you want to GAIN tolerance, you must SHOW tolerance. And if you want any chance of the moral high ground, you kinda have to stop acting like an asshole.
Ready?
Why won't religious people respect my atheism? I hate Christians!
What the hell? Now, I'll agree that people need to be respectful of each others' religion. Me? I happen not to be religious. I've given it an honest attempt, and the faith just isn't there. That said, where do you get off harassing, belittling, or otherwise devaluing people who are Christian, Wiccan, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, or <insert religion here>? Atheism is a religious choice: the choice not to practice a religion or believe in a deity. ALL religious choices that are not demonstrably hurting people deserve the same simple, quiet dignity, and that includes those of other people.
How dare you say that being gay is a choice? I was born this way! Straight people are just in denial, LOL!
Pot, kettle. Yes, I would agree that your sexuality is something you are born with. Evidence has been brought up to indicate that sexual preference is genetic, and though I accept the fact that sexual activity is a choice, I also believe that sexuality is a critical facet of one's person and that the notion that it's okay to BE gay but not to DO anything about it is pedantic and a matter of splitting hairs. How is it, then, that many ardent supports of gay rights in this fandom refuse to offer heterosexuals the same dignity they desire? IF PEOPLE CAN BE BORN GAY, THEN THEY CAN ALSO BE BORN STRAIGHT. Yes, an argument could be made that no one is completely heterosexual...but that same argument applies to the opposite side of the coin too. (And yes, this applies to "there are no straight furries in the fandom LOL". If that's the case, many of my friends don't exist.)
All furries really want is acceptance in the mainstream, to not be looked at as freaks. Now let's go put on our fursuits and freak the MUNDANES!
Appalling. 'Mundane' is a word with a number of connotations, none of them good. 'Mundane' is a word often used to imply that someone is dull, bland, and boring. Funny, I can think of another word with a lot of connotations: 'freak'. Everyone is mundane to someone else. To a Star Trek fan, non-Trekkies are mundanes. To a brony, non-bronies are mundanes. Wherever there's a fandom, there are people who aren't part of that fandom. And yes, that means that YOU - yes, YOU, reader - are a mundane. Specifically seeking to shock, discomfort, or otherwise cause unease to people who don't share your interests isn't just contradictory to the goal of gaining tolerance for ourselves, it's just plain fucking rude. It's like dropping trou in church.
I guess what I'm getting at here is that if you want to RECEIVE courtesy, you have to GIVE courtesy. If you want to GAIN tolerance, you must SHOW tolerance. And if you want any chance of the moral high ground, you kinda have to stop acting like an asshole.
Panel Improvements for Anthrocon 2012:
Posted 13 years agoPOKEFURS
LIKED MOST:
Discussion about 5th gen mechanics
Open discussion
Personal stories
Discussion
Interaction
Discussion
Friendly
Informative
BW2 info
LIKED LEAST:
Interruptions
Nuzlocke mentioned at all
Discussion of minutia
WANT TO SEE:
Battles
Groupings by interest?
Battling, breeding, trading
Game interaction
Activities/Games
More free socializing, meet & greet
Follow through (?)
Freebies
CONCLUSIONS:
Overall, attendees enjoyed the discussion periods, as well as discussion of mechanics and what preview information I could offer. Complaints were few and far between, but next year, a lot of people want to see more game interaction, including battles. Unfortunately, the people who want free stuff are kinda out of luck (bringing enough for everyone would be prohibitive), but I can manage most of the rest of it.
TRANSFURMATIONS
----
LIKED MOST:
Hearing about new artists
Discussions of community access and people
Non-standard lycanthropes
Introductions
Introductions
Cultural discussion
Lots of information
Open questions/discussions/debate
Diverse viewpoints, moderation
Openness
Resource discussion
Mythos and folklore
Interactvity
Humor
Open mic discussions
Talking about concepts
Source list
Group discussion
LIKED LEAST:
Hard to improvise discussion
Too short
Started late
Intros took too long
Not enough examples in media/history
Wanted more sources
Lack of direction
Intros took too long
Intros took too long
Intros took too long
Too short
Not enough personal discussion
People talking over one another
WANT TO SEE:
Hypnosis talk?
Mental & Monster TFs
Printed TF sources
More interaction
How to write/draw
Discussing the state of the TF fandom
Focus
More discussion of triggers
TF in modern media
More discussion of the reason it's liked
More time
More structure
TF examples
More time
CONCLUSIONS:
The outline for the panel went AWOL three minutes before it started, and it shows. People liked hearing about resources, the places where TF fits into our world culture, and the ability to discuss via open mic. As I noticed during the panel, the intros went way too long, and need to be shortened to 'name, species, a sentence or two' if we do them at all. I also need to get a list of sources on something printed that can be passed out, and I need to specify for next year that the panel shouldn't run up against another of mine. There's a desire to make the panel longer as well, but I think that starting on time should help with that. I'll have to experiment with it in coming years. Finally, that outline really REALLY helps, and I need to have it in a place where it simply cannot go missing.
So, if you used my panel submission form (available on my submissions), what did you learn?
LIKED MOST:
Discussion about 5th gen mechanics
Open discussion
Personal stories
Discussion
Interaction
Discussion
Friendly
Informative
BW2 info
LIKED LEAST:
Interruptions
Nuzlocke mentioned at all
Discussion of minutia
WANT TO SEE:
Battles
Groupings by interest?
Battling, breeding, trading
Game interaction
Activities/Games
More free socializing, meet & greet
Follow through (?)
Freebies
CONCLUSIONS:
Overall, attendees enjoyed the discussion periods, as well as discussion of mechanics and what preview information I could offer. Complaints were few and far between, but next year, a lot of people want to see more game interaction, including battles. Unfortunately, the people who want free stuff are kinda out of luck (bringing enough for everyone would be prohibitive), but I can manage most of the rest of it.
TRANSFURMATIONS
----
LIKED MOST:
Hearing about new artists
Discussions of community access and people
Non-standard lycanthropes
Introductions
Introductions
Cultural discussion
Lots of information
Open questions/discussions/debate
Diverse viewpoints, moderation
Openness
Resource discussion
Mythos and folklore
Interactvity
Humor
Open mic discussions
Talking about concepts
Source list
Group discussion
LIKED LEAST:
Hard to improvise discussion
Too short
Started late
Intros took too long
Not enough examples in media/history
Wanted more sources
Lack of direction
Intros took too long
Intros took too long
Intros took too long
Too short
Not enough personal discussion
People talking over one another
WANT TO SEE:
Hypnosis talk?
Mental & Monster TFs
Printed TF sources
More interaction
How to write/draw
Discussing the state of the TF fandom
Focus
More discussion of triggers
TF in modern media
More discussion of the reason it's liked
More time
More structure
TF examples
More time
CONCLUSIONS:
The outline for the panel went AWOL three minutes before it started, and it shows. People liked hearing about resources, the places where TF fits into our world culture, and the ability to discuss via open mic. As I noticed during the panel, the intros went way too long, and need to be shortened to 'name, species, a sentence or two' if we do them at all. I also need to get a list of sources on something printed that can be passed out, and I need to specify for next year that the panel shouldn't run up against another of mine. There's a desire to make the panel longer as well, but I think that starting on time should help with that. I'll have to experiment with it in coming years. Finally, that outline really REALLY helps, and I need to have it in a place where it simply cannot go missing.
So, if you used my panel submission form (available on my submissions), what did you learn?
Obligatory Anthrocon 2012 Report
Posted 13 years agoActually, it's not so obligatory because I've never done one before, but here it is.
First of all, fuck American Airlines. If the voucher they gave me is transferable, I'm going to sell it and use the money to book passage on Southwest next year. Their luggage fees added $50 to my airfare, making their fee directly inferior to others', whereas Southwest apparently does not charge for the first or second checked bag (which would have been more than enough for me). Also, everything - and I do mean EVERYTHING - they did wound up being late, in both directions. If the voucher isn't transferable, I'll use American one more time (to use up the voucher), then never again.
--- THURSDAY ---
So, I get to the Westin about half an hour late, severely pressed for time; I need to get checked in to my room, get back downstairs, meet
FizzOtter in the lobby, pick up my glow badge, then get something to eat so that I can attend the MLP party. Well, the good news is that I found FizzOtter, and he gave me my glow badge (which is awesome). The bad news is that the guy running the MLP party A) wasn't in the lobby when he said he would be, B) didn't post the room party's number on the board like he said he would, and C) when he finally posted the room number on the Anthrocon forum, he posted the wrong one. I didn't get the right number until I openly called him out on it, which was hours into the party; I think I might've been there for 15-30 minutes before it shut down.
Also, hey, guess what? Motel 6 gives out deodorant. The hotel where I now work gives deodorant. The Westin? nope.jpg. They also insisted that there were no stairs that went to the sleeping floors whatsoever, and that the elevator was the only possible way up. I don't know why, but they were kiiiiinda dicks towards me.
Also, the Super-Shuttle guy gave off a serious creeper vibe and drove like his head was on fire. I normally tip no matter what, but when I'm white-knuckling it all the way to the hotel? No.
Also also, I wanted to give a shout-out to Duneari, to whom I spoke in the airport both on the way from and on the way to Dallas, who was kind enough to give me some pretty cool dice. I'm gonna use them next time I play D&D!
--- FRIDAY ---
Friday went better, but there were still some issues. I started off by attending the Looney Labs demo, getting in some Fluxx and Aquarius and meeting what is quite possibly the single most socially awkward fur I've ever seen. Great games, but I was really glad when this guy wearing a Meowth hat left, because he was making everyone uncomfortable. (Same guy went on to embarrass himself at one of my panels and at Furry Improv.)
My panels went fairly well, except for one major snag: while Pokefurs went off without a hitch, the outline for Transfurmations went missing somewhere between my room and the panel itself. I ad-libbed the entire thing with the help of
comus and
catmonkshiro, which is part of why the introductions were so long. And, yes! The feedback forms were a RESOUNDING success. I got lots of useful feedback, and what I can read of it tells me that most of my feelings about what I can do better are matched by the people who actually attend. The timing of the panels was atrocious, though; the first was up against the dealer's den opening, and the second was *immediately* after the first, with no break between. I need to mention that for next year. Afterward, I went to snap some pictures of the fursuit parade with my new camera...which promptly died on me.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to attend Bucktown's concert (which sucked, because I really wanted to go), but I did get to spend a little time walking the dealer's den and picking up a few comics, a couple of shirts, and a pretty slick Werewolf deck before attending the Nintendo 3DS Furs panel. It was there that I gave a small army of very powerful pokemon to someone who had asked for only one in advance, and discovered that - while I don't own Mario Kart 7 - my fundamental skills carry me well. Not to first place, but within the top three!
I got to attend the Iron Author Rules panel, which sparked my interest; I wrote an atrocity in about fifteen minutes and sent it in, only to be informed later on by Ashe that my writing wasn't even in the same ballpark as some others'. Oh well. Turns out I can't write as badly as some others, but I can write fairly well, as my song (yes, that's a song) made it into the Anthrocon conbook for the second year in a row!
After that, I went to play some Lupus in Tabula...or maybe 'play' is the wrong word. See, I sat in for someone who had to leave in the first round, but I'd already seen who the werewolves were, so I obviously couldn't play. (Fortunately, said person had already died.) So that consisted of me spending two hours watching other people play. When the next game finally started? I was the first one killed. I didn't relish the idea of spending four hours playing half of one round of Werewolf, so I apologetically excused myself (which didn't seem to thrill Rigel one bit) and wandered off.
In the end, I wandered into the Furry Improv panel, which was AMAZING. I absolutely adored the entire thing from start to finish, whether or not I was participating; next year, I need to make this a priority. Alphabet game, and I get the X? Pffft. Handled like a boss, thanks to Xevious! Anyway, that lasted pretty late, so then I toddled off to bed.
--- SATURDAY ---
Saturday was sort of weird for me. The entire first half of the day really had nothing on the schedule for me except for that day's Looney Labs demo, which I gladly attended. That was also the day I learned how to play Chrononauts, which is surprisingly fun and one of the games I now need to make a note to pick up when I have a bit of spending cash again! I have clear memories of getting lunch, ambling about the art show for a while, and doing several other things while waiting for mid-afternoon to arrive, but don't ask me what other things I was doing; it's all kind of vague and noncommittal. I know I spent some of that time writing up my Iron Author entry, so there's that, at least.
At about 4:00p, I wandered into the Matthew Ebel concert. He'd been present at Furry Fiesta in a previous year, but con chair duties had kept me from attending the concert, and I wanted to see what I had missed.
HOLY DAMN.
For anyone who hasn't actually attended a Matthew Ebel concert, this man is damn amazing. I tweeted later that Jonathan Coulton should learn from Matthew Ebel, and I meant it. Whether we're talking about strength in lyrics, musical prowess, or sheer showmanship, that was one of the best concerts I've ever attended. I hear there's going to be video of it somewhere; GO FIND THAT VIDEO.
Now, after that, it had been my goal to go set up for the TF Art Jam...except that I smelled like a gym sock and I knew it. I wound up on the Line Ride to go up to my room, get cleaned up, do a bit of grooming, and come back down. Worse yet, I'd discovered that the shoes I'd bought a few weeks before AC simply had not been sufficiently broken in, and they'd given me a nasty limp; I took Aleve for it, but it still took some time for the stuff to kick in.
After an hour or two, I went to go attend the Werewolf game that was going to be run by the guy who MC'd the Furry Improv panel, except that it was nowhere to be found. Sad me! So, I hung around the TF Art Jam for a while longer, got to see all four issues of the Xfrmations comic as published by Flinters (which I then purchased from his Dealer's Den table the following day), then went to make a quick stop by the party given for the Furnando's supporters. It was fun and all, but I didn't stay for too long, as I wanted to attend the Can You Read It? panel. Unfortunately, the answer was no; the line was simply too colossal for me to hang around and wait.
Midnight rolled around, and I decided to go play Are You A Werewolf in the Somerset. At least...that's where it was on the printed schedule, and on sched.org. Unfortunately, they put it in the Fayette room elsewhere in the *same schedule*, which meant that there were many of us who simply didn't have anywhere to go. Eventually, I stepped in and gave people a nudge to go to the convention center's gaming room. This lasted for an hour or two until the convention center closed down, after which we returned to the now-vacant Somerset for more games. I played and played until about 3:30a, after which I finally went to my room and slept.
--- SUNDAY ---
It's weird, Sunday is often the day I have the least fun at a convention...but I think I might have had the *most* fun on Sunday at this one. After getting not nearly enough sleep, I made my way over to the Looney Labs demo with the GIANT pyramids - an idea which looks near on paper but doesn't really work out - I made my way over to the art show to unsuccessfully defend my bids. On the upside, I did ensure that one of
silverclaw1 got more than $50 for one of her items, so that was a success! I wound up spending less money than I expected, but I only won two (admittedly quite nice) adult pieces.
After this, I wound up going to a presentation for The Incredible Hare, a fascinating study in cartoon-turned-novel by one
comus. I got to see a lot of the process he'd done on the character over the years, and I even got to take home the first chapter of his story; how cool is that? From there, I made my way back to the art show to pick up what I'd won - by the way, kudos to ShiroTora and the others, the art show closings were fast and smooth this year - before heading back to my room to do some preliminary packing. My roommate had to leave on Sunday this year, meaning I had my room all to myself on Sunday. Woot!
Strangely enough, apart from the Looney Labs demo, nothing I did on Sunday was anything I'd planned to do, but it was all a lot of fun regardless. I spent some time sitting down to play games with people, including a guy named "Ian" who - upon seeing that he couldn't rules lawyer his way into winning a game of Fluxx (yes, rules lawyering Fluxx, I kid you not) picked up his cards and left. Classy, dude, really classy.
The highlight of my Sunday was when I met a new group of friends. Guys, I don't know if you can see this or even have FA accounts, but it was awesome meeting and hanging out with you. Charm, Veyen, and Kronos are the names that stand out in my mind, but I know there were more. We played 7 Wonders and Dominion, we searched for and found a way to get food, and we even got to see each other in the airport on the way out on Monday. Total bros, every last one.
Oh, and I ran into the Dorsai at 1:00a on Sunday night. I didn't even know they worked that late. Great dedication, you lot!
--- MONDAY ---
I went home. Oh, and American screwed up my flight again. Huge shock!
Some of the notes from the convention:
CON:
- Friday was packed with events. Saturday evening was packed with events. The first half of Saturday was *dead*. Don't know why that is, just luck, I guess. I thought it was me, then I realized that everyone else was saying the same thing...
ROOM:
- Apparently, you had to have your key shoved into a little slot by the door for the A/C and lights to work. The first was a problem, as the sun turned the room into an oven while you were out. Solution? Tear up a piece of paper and shove something vaguely card-shaped into the slot! Bingo!
- My roommate was at his first furry convention, and forgot an entire drawer full of clothing when he left. Whoops! Fortunately, I had packed an extra bag, so I snagged it. I'll be sending it back to him as soon as I can price shipping.
- The floor my room is on is irrelevant; I will pretty much always opt for the Line Ride over the stairs...that is, unless I can get into the Courtyard Mariott the next year, which apparently has virtually no elevator lines and is very close by.
- I need more roommates. I mean, I NEED more roommates. One roomie is just way too big of a strain on my budget. I need to have three or four, preferably four. (I still need a bed to myself, though. My back will not tolerate the alternative.)
- There is such a thing as pillows that are too soft. They were uncomfortably fluffy, and made for fairly bad sleep.
FOOD:
- Lesvos makes really good gyros, even if they mispronounce them. It's "year-o", folks, not "jy-ro". Their hoagies are equally scrumptious...but good LORD, it's hot in there! Definitely a 'to-go only' sort of place.
- Nobody sells two-liter sodas a casual stroll from the hotel. Blargh.
- Kwik-E Mart was a godsend. Their drinks and snacks were inexpensive, their selection was good, and the guy in charge was pretty friendly. Major thumbs-up there.
- Fernando's was a sight for sore eyes. I'm so glad he's going to be allowed to come back next year! I'm sure other people have reported all about this by now, so I'll save you the repetition.
OTHER:
- I got a note to see someone about getting Furry Fiesta flyers to put out...well after it had been done. Sorry, internet access was not conducive to receiving Twitter messages quickly!
- Man, lots of Dallas furs attend Anthrocon! Good stuff.
- Turns out I actually do have some skills at Brawl. I hardly ever came in first, but I was almost never first out. Also, any time someone plays Don't Stop Believin' on Rock Band, I am compelled to sing along (along with everyone else in earshot).
- Oh my god all the sweat forever. Next time, I need to bring a motorized fan and a handkerchief.
- I think I should look into the bus next year. Apparently, it's pretty simple stuff, and I'd save about $40.
- I should definitely bring my laptop next year! With my phone tethering, it's the best internet option available at the convention, and there were several times when I longed for such a thing.
- FURRIES! SLOW TRAFFIC, KEEP RIGHT. IF YOU ARE NOT FOCUSED ON YOUR DESTINATION, YOU ARE SLOW TRAFFIC. I have a spinal problem and am out of shape, and I was still walking about twice the speed of everyone else. I know the convention is intended for fun, and I don't begrudge you that, but at least keep out of the way and watch where you're going!
Overall, Anthrocon was a lot of fun, and I learned a LOT. As much fun as I had, I think I'm going to have even more fun next year if I remember to harken back to the lessons I've learned this year.
P.S.: I got back 10 of my Pokefurs feedback forms and 17 of my Transfurmations feedback forms. Lots of useful info for next year!
First of all, fuck American Airlines. If the voucher they gave me is transferable, I'm going to sell it and use the money to book passage on Southwest next year. Their luggage fees added $50 to my airfare, making their fee directly inferior to others', whereas Southwest apparently does not charge for the first or second checked bag (which would have been more than enough for me). Also, everything - and I do mean EVERYTHING - they did wound up being late, in both directions. If the voucher isn't transferable, I'll use American one more time (to use up the voucher), then never again.
--- THURSDAY ---
So, I get to the Westin about half an hour late, severely pressed for time; I need to get checked in to my room, get back downstairs, meet

Also, hey, guess what? Motel 6 gives out deodorant. The hotel where I now work gives deodorant. The Westin? nope.jpg. They also insisted that there were no stairs that went to the sleeping floors whatsoever, and that the elevator was the only possible way up. I don't know why, but they were kiiiiinda dicks towards me.
Also, the Super-Shuttle guy gave off a serious creeper vibe and drove like his head was on fire. I normally tip no matter what, but when I'm white-knuckling it all the way to the hotel? No.
Also also, I wanted to give a shout-out to Duneari, to whom I spoke in the airport both on the way from and on the way to Dallas, who was kind enough to give me some pretty cool dice. I'm gonna use them next time I play D&D!
--- FRIDAY ---
Friday went better, but there were still some issues. I started off by attending the Looney Labs demo, getting in some Fluxx and Aquarius and meeting what is quite possibly the single most socially awkward fur I've ever seen. Great games, but I was really glad when this guy wearing a Meowth hat left, because he was making everyone uncomfortable. (Same guy went on to embarrass himself at one of my panels and at Furry Improv.)
My panels went fairly well, except for one major snag: while Pokefurs went off without a hitch, the outline for Transfurmations went missing somewhere between my room and the panel itself. I ad-libbed the entire thing with the help of


Unfortunately, I didn't get to attend Bucktown's concert (which sucked, because I really wanted to go), but I did get to spend a little time walking the dealer's den and picking up a few comics, a couple of shirts, and a pretty slick Werewolf deck before attending the Nintendo 3DS Furs panel. It was there that I gave a small army of very powerful pokemon to someone who had asked for only one in advance, and discovered that - while I don't own Mario Kart 7 - my fundamental skills carry me well. Not to first place, but within the top three!
I got to attend the Iron Author Rules panel, which sparked my interest; I wrote an atrocity in about fifteen minutes and sent it in, only to be informed later on by Ashe that my writing wasn't even in the same ballpark as some others'. Oh well. Turns out I can't write as badly as some others, but I can write fairly well, as my song (yes, that's a song) made it into the Anthrocon conbook for the second year in a row!
After that, I went to play some Lupus in Tabula...or maybe 'play' is the wrong word. See, I sat in for someone who had to leave in the first round, but I'd already seen who the werewolves were, so I obviously couldn't play. (Fortunately, said person had already died.) So that consisted of me spending two hours watching other people play. When the next game finally started? I was the first one killed. I didn't relish the idea of spending four hours playing half of one round of Werewolf, so I apologetically excused myself (which didn't seem to thrill Rigel one bit) and wandered off.
In the end, I wandered into the Furry Improv panel, which was AMAZING. I absolutely adored the entire thing from start to finish, whether or not I was participating; next year, I need to make this a priority. Alphabet game, and I get the X? Pffft. Handled like a boss, thanks to Xevious! Anyway, that lasted pretty late, so then I toddled off to bed.
--- SATURDAY ---
Saturday was sort of weird for me. The entire first half of the day really had nothing on the schedule for me except for that day's Looney Labs demo, which I gladly attended. That was also the day I learned how to play Chrononauts, which is surprisingly fun and one of the games I now need to make a note to pick up when I have a bit of spending cash again! I have clear memories of getting lunch, ambling about the art show for a while, and doing several other things while waiting for mid-afternoon to arrive, but don't ask me what other things I was doing; it's all kind of vague and noncommittal. I know I spent some of that time writing up my Iron Author entry, so there's that, at least.
At about 4:00p, I wandered into the Matthew Ebel concert. He'd been present at Furry Fiesta in a previous year, but con chair duties had kept me from attending the concert, and I wanted to see what I had missed.
HOLY DAMN.
For anyone who hasn't actually attended a Matthew Ebel concert, this man is damn amazing. I tweeted later that Jonathan Coulton should learn from Matthew Ebel, and I meant it. Whether we're talking about strength in lyrics, musical prowess, or sheer showmanship, that was one of the best concerts I've ever attended. I hear there's going to be video of it somewhere; GO FIND THAT VIDEO.
Now, after that, it had been my goal to go set up for the TF Art Jam...except that I smelled like a gym sock and I knew it. I wound up on the Line Ride to go up to my room, get cleaned up, do a bit of grooming, and come back down. Worse yet, I'd discovered that the shoes I'd bought a few weeks before AC simply had not been sufficiently broken in, and they'd given me a nasty limp; I took Aleve for it, but it still took some time for the stuff to kick in.
After an hour or two, I went to go attend the Werewolf game that was going to be run by the guy who MC'd the Furry Improv panel, except that it was nowhere to be found. Sad me! So, I hung around the TF Art Jam for a while longer, got to see all four issues of the Xfrmations comic as published by Flinters (which I then purchased from his Dealer's Den table the following day), then went to make a quick stop by the party given for the Furnando's supporters. It was fun and all, but I didn't stay for too long, as I wanted to attend the Can You Read It? panel. Unfortunately, the answer was no; the line was simply too colossal for me to hang around and wait.
Midnight rolled around, and I decided to go play Are You A Werewolf in the Somerset. At least...that's where it was on the printed schedule, and on sched.org. Unfortunately, they put it in the Fayette room elsewhere in the *same schedule*, which meant that there were many of us who simply didn't have anywhere to go. Eventually, I stepped in and gave people a nudge to go to the convention center's gaming room. This lasted for an hour or two until the convention center closed down, after which we returned to the now-vacant Somerset for more games. I played and played until about 3:30a, after which I finally went to my room and slept.
--- SUNDAY ---
It's weird, Sunday is often the day I have the least fun at a convention...but I think I might have had the *most* fun on Sunday at this one. After getting not nearly enough sleep, I made my way over to the Looney Labs demo with the GIANT pyramids - an idea which looks near on paper but doesn't really work out - I made my way over to the art show to unsuccessfully defend my bids. On the upside, I did ensure that one of

After this, I wound up going to a presentation for The Incredible Hare, a fascinating study in cartoon-turned-novel by one

Strangely enough, apart from the Looney Labs demo, nothing I did on Sunday was anything I'd planned to do, but it was all a lot of fun regardless. I spent some time sitting down to play games with people, including a guy named "Ian" who - upon seeing that he couldn't rules lawyer his way into winning a game of Fluxx (yes, rules lawyering Fluxx, I kid you not) picked up his cards and left. Classy, dude, really classy.
The highlight of my Sunday was when I met a new group of friends. Guys, I don't know if you can see this or even have FA accounts, but it was awesome meeting and hanging out with you. Charm, Veyen, and Kronos are the names that stand out in my mind, but I know there were more. We played 7 Wonders and Dominion, we searched for and found a way to get food, and we even got to see each other in the airport on the way out on Monday. Total bros, every last one.
Oh, and I ran into the Dorsai at 1:00a on Sunday night. I didn't even know they worked that late. Great dedication, you lot!
--- MONDAY ---
I went home. Oh, and American screwed up my flight again. Huge shock!
Some of the notes from the convention:
CON:
- Friday was packed with events. Saturday evening was packed with events. The first half of Saturday was *dead*. Don't know why that is, just luck, I guess. I thought it was me, then I realized that everyone else was saying the same thing...
ROOM:
- Apparently, you had to have your key shoved into a little slot by the door for the A/C and lights to work. The first was a problem, as the sun turned the room into an oven while you were out. Solution? Tear up a piece of paper and shove something vaguely card-shaped into the slot! Bingo!
- My roommate was at his first furry convention, and forgot an entire drawer full of clothing when he left. Whoops! Fortunately, I had packed an extra bag, so I snagged it. I'll be sending it back to him as soon as I can price shipping.
- The floor my room is on is irrelevant; I will pretty much always opt for the Line Ride over the stairs...that is, unless I can get into the Courtyard Mariott the next year, which apparently has virtually no elevator lines and is very close by.
- I need more roommates. I mean, I NEED more roommates. One roomie is just way too big of a strain on my budget. I need to have three or four, preferably four. (I still need a bed to myself, though. My back will not tolerate the alternative.)
- There is such a thing as pillows that are too soft. They were uncomfortably fluffy, and made for fairly bad sleep.
FOOD:
- Lesvos makes really good gyros, even if they mispronounce them. It's "year-o", folks, not "jy-ro". Their hoagies are equally scrumptious...but good LORD, it's hot in there! Definitely a 'to-go only' sort of place.
- Nobody sells two-liter sodas a casual stroll from the hotel. Blargh.
- Kwik-E Mart was a godsend. Their drinks and snacks were inexpensive, their selection was good, and the guy in charge was pretty friendly. Major thumbs-up there.
- Fernando's was a sight for sore eyes. I'm so glad he's going to be allowed to come back next year! I'm sure other people have reported all about this by now, so I'll save you the repetition.
OTHER:
- I got a note to see someone about getting Furry Fiesta flyers to put out...well after it had been done. Sorry, internet access was not conducive to receiving Twitter messages quickly!
- Man, lots of Dallas furs attend Anthrocon! Good stuff.
- Turns out I actually do have some skills at Brawl. I hardly ever came in first, but I was almost never first out. Also, any time someone plays Don't Stop Believin' on Rock Band, I am compelled to sing along (along with everyone else in earshot).
- Oh my god all the sweat forever. Next time, I need to bring a motorized fan and a handkerchief.
- I think I should look into the bus next year. Apparently, it's pretty simple stuff, and I'd save about $40.
- I should definitely bring my laptop next year! With my phone tethering, it's the best internet option available at the convention, and there were several times when I longed for such a thing.
- FURRIES! SLOW TRAFFIC, KEEP RIGHT. IF YOU ARE NOT FOCUSED ON YOUR DESTINATION, YOU ARE SLOW TRAFFIC. I have a spinal problem and am out of shape, and I was still walking about twice the speed of everyone else. I know the convention is intended for fun, and I don't begrudge you that, but at least keep out of the way and watch where you're going!
Overall, Anthrocon was a lot of fun, and I learned a LOT. As much fun as I had, I think I'm going to have even more fun next year if I remember to harken back to the lessons I've learned this year.
P.S.: I got back 10 of my Pokefurs feedback forms and 17 of my Transfurmations feedback forms. Lots of useful info for next year!
So You Hate Ponies, Huh?
Posted 13 years agohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfm18iCBih8
If you still hate ponies after this, I don't know what to tell you.
[DISCLAIMER: I am not a brony. I just think the show is cool.]
If you still hate ponies after this, I don't know what to tell you.
[DISCLAIMER: I am not a brony. I just think the show is cool.]
Fuzzy Logic Episode 46 - Moist Throb
Posted 13 years agoThis week's episode is pretty massive, fair warning! We run a little over an hour and a half this week, with the last 30+ minutes taken up by a single topic! Before that, though, we start of with horrible mental images, one cast member's experiences with the National Geographic Taboo special, space shuttles and concerts, cell phone etiquette as it relates to the restoom, a plea to allow the professionals who work for you to do their jobs in peace, and Kyo's word of the week (which is apparently one letter long)!
Once the e-mails get rolling...well. Istanbul says the goal is seven, but only four get read. First, we discuss Abion's string of atrocious luck; if you know this man, wish him your best, he's got a rough deal! We hear from Kodyax about the topic and what kind of porn he likes, we hear from another listener about his out-of-control mother and try to offer what advice we can...and then, IT HAPPENS. A three-page colossal e-mail about gay marriage that gets Istanbul pontificating, Halfwit anecdoting, Smokey emphasizing, and Kyo raging! This is the longest the podcast has ever hovered on one topic, and boy, is it a doozy. Brace yourself!
Next week's topic is all about relationships. What your relationships have been like in the past, how to repair a damaged relationship or get over a broken one, how to find a relationship with someone special, what you look for, and all manner of other aspects of the idea. Send in any stories or concerns you have on this topic or others, we're here to help!
Twitter: fuzzylogiccast
Website: http://www.fuzzylogicpodcast.com
E-mail: fuzzy.logic.podcast[at]gmail.com
iTunes: Fuzzy Logic Podcast
Once the e-mails get rolling...well. Istanbul says the goal is seven, but only four get read. First, we discuss Abion's string of atrocious luck; if you know this man, wish him your best, he's got a rough deal! We hear from Kodyax about the topic and what kind of porn he likes, we hear from another listener about his out-of-control mother and try to offer what advice we can...and then, IT HAPPENS. A three-page colossal e-mail about gay marriage that gets Istanbul pontificating, Halfwit anecdoting, Smokey emphasizing, and Kyo raging! This is the longest the podcast has ever hovered on one topic, and boy, is it a doozy. Brace yourself!
Next week's topic is all about relationships. What your relationships have been like in the past, how to repair a damaged relationship or get over a broken one, how to find a relationship with someone special, what you look for, and all manner of other aspects of the idea. Send in any stories or concerns you have on this topic or others, we're here to help!
Twitter: fuzzylogiccast
Website: http://www.fuzzylogicpodcast.com
E-mail: fuzzy.logic.podcast[at]gmail.com
iTunes: Fuzzy Logic Podcast
Anthrocon 2012 Meme
Posted 13 years agoWhere will you be?
All over the place! I'll be running a few panels (Transfurmations, Pokefurs) and will be at the TF Art Jam. Aside from that...dunno, no schedule yet!
Where are you staying?
Westin! It's the right thing to do.
Who will you be with?
I will most often be by myself, though I will have one roommate at the convention.
How old are you?
Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway
Can I talk to you?
Sure thing! I love talking, it's one of my better skills.
Can I buy you a drink?
As long as it's non-alcoholic, sure!
Are you taken? Are you looking for a 'mate'?
Am I taken? No. Am I looking for a 'mate'? Yes. Do I expect to find one at Anthrocon? HIGHLY unlikely.
Can I touch you?
If you ask first and I say yes.
Can I touch your friends?
You should probably ask them. Is this a serious question?
Can I hug you?
If you ask first and I say yes.
How tall are you?
About 6' even, give or take.
Are you nice? Or do you think so (no personal references needed)?
I try to be! I don't always succeed, but I try to be personable.
Are you friendly?
I think so! I can and will chat up most anyone, though if I have to run and do something, I will excuse myself.
How long are you going?
I'll probably be arriving Thursday evening, and leaving Monday around noon.
Can I talk about/do drugs in front of you?
Can I drop a Cleveland Steamer on your chest? (Don't google that.) In other words, NO.
Can I invite you out for food/fun/etc?
Absolutely! I can't promise I'll accept, but I probably will if I'm able.
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Sure, unless there's a specific reason I don't want to go with anyone (and I'll tell you as nicely as I can if there is).
Can I give you stuff?
It's not the herpesyphillAIDS, is it? Seriously, though, most likely! I like gifts.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
"Hey, Isty!" unless you're too far away, at which point you should approach and try again.
All over the place! I'll be running a few panels (Transfurmations, Pokefurs) and will be at the TF Art Jam. Aside from that...dunno, no schedule yet!
Where are you staying?
Westin! It's the right thing to do.
Who will you be with?
I will most often be by myself, though I will have one roommate at the convention.
How old are you?
Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway
Can I talk to you?
Sure thing! I love talking, it's one of my better skills.
Can I buy you a drink?
As long as it's non-alcoholic, sure!
Are you taken? Are you looking for a 'mate'?
Am I taken? No. Am I looking for a 'mate'? Yes. Do I expect to find one at Anthrocon? HIGHLY unlikely.
Can I touch you?
If you ask first and I say yes.
Can I touch your friends?
You should probably ask them. Is this a serious question?
Can I hug you?
If you ask first and I say yes.
How tall are you?
About 6' even, give or take.
Are you nice? Or do you think so (no personal references needed)?
I try to be! I don't always succeed, but I try to be personable.
Are you friendly?
I think so! I can and will chat up most anyone, though if I have to run and do something, I will excuse myself.
How long are you going?
I'll probably be arriving Thursday evening, and leaving Monday around noon.
Can I talk about/do drugs in front of you?
Can I drop a Cleveland Steamer on your chest? (Don't google that.) In other words, NO.
Can I invite you out for food/fun/etc?
Absolutely! I can't promise I'll accept, but I probably will if I'm able.
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
Sure, unless there's a specific reason I don't want to go with anyone (and I'll tell you as nicely as I can if there is).
Can I give you stuff?
It's not the herpesyphillAIDS, is it? Seriously, though, most likely! I like gifts.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
"Hey, Isty!" unless you're too far away, at which point you should approach and try again.
Who Am I?
Posted 13 years agoSwiped wholesale from
brown_wolf
Just a little personality test. Turns out that I test positive: I do indeed have a personality!
Assertive
You behave in a confident and forceful manner, take charge of the situation, raise your hand in class, stand up for what you think is right, and lead others. Among those who have a high score on the "assertive" trait, many have jobs in which they are valued for their organizational skills as well as their talent for supervising others.
You are not interested in fading into the woodwork, leaving everything to fate, taking more time than necessary to accomplish a task, or avoiding confrontation.
Understanding
You are willing to take the time to find out what's going on with other people, especially if they're in distress. You're a good listener, you don't criticize, and you offer unbiased, respectful, honest advice when it's requested. With a high score on the "understanding" trait, it is likely that you are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
You don't feel the need to impose your standards on others or say things that, even though true, cause pain.
Conscientious
You feel it's important to work according to a plan and finish every task, to do things correctly and thoroughly.
You are not the kind of person who abandons a project before finishing it, or slacks off when you've lost interest.
Innovative
You come up with a lot of ideas; if one doesn't work out, there's always another waiting in the wings. You often have interesting solutions to difficult problems. You're practically a one-person brainstorming session.
You are less interested changing the world than in dealing with things as they are. Unlike those who spend all their time trying to solve problems, you prefer to zero in on things that work and stick with them.
Intellectual
You are thoughtful, rational, and comfortable in the world of ideas. People find you interesting to talk to. You're the living embodiment of the saying "You learn something new every day." In general, those with a high score on the "intellectual" trait are employed in such fields as teaching and research, and are enthusiastic about reading, foreign films, and classical music.
You do not avoid abstract conversation, experimenting with new ideas, or studying new things. It bores you to stick to the straight and narrow of what you already know.
Accessible
You're comfortable expressing yourself in words and actions, with no self-censorship. You believe that if someone doesn't like what they see it's not your problem, but theirs. A high score on the "accessible" trait suggests that you have a lot of friends, socialize often, and enjoy rap/hip-hop music.
You don't see the need to keep your thoughts to yourself, or to have a zone of privacy that encompasses only yourself and a small circle of friends and relatives.
Warm
You have a genuine interest in other people. You're a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you're usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort. Scoring high on the "warm" trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
You don't always say exactly what you're thinking; you don't like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.
Empathetic
You are in touch with your own feelings, which helps put you in touch with the feelings of others.
You don't buy the logic that your happiness comes ahead of everyone else's because unless you're happy you're incapable of making anyone else happy.
Organized
You like to think a task through before you embark on it. If it's the slightest bit complicated, you make a list (even if it's only in your mind) and methodically work your way through it. When you have a goal in mind, you're not satisfied until you reach it.
You are not one of those people who ignore the details, and you don't understand how anyone can get anything accomplished without thoughtful planning ahead of time.
Calm
You rarely become irritated, generally accept people as they are, take things as they come, and feel relaxed in most situations.
You do not let a minor annoyance escalate to a confrontation. You don't regularly snap at those around you or fly off the handle with little provocation.

Just a little personality test. Turns out that I test positive: I do indeed have a personality!
Assertive
You behave in a confident and forceful manner, take charge of the situation, raise your hand in class, stand up for what you think is right, and lead others. Among those who have a high score on the "assertive" trait, many have jobs in which they are valued for their organizational skills as well as their talent for supervising others.
You are not interested in fading into the woodwork, leaving everything to fate, taking more time than necessary to accomplish a task, or avoiding confrontation.
Understanding
You are willing to take the time to find out what's going on with other people, especially if they're in distress. You're a good listener, you don't criticize, and you offer unbiased, respectful, honest advice when it's requested. With a high score on the "understanding" trait, it is likely that you are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
You don't feel the need to impose your standards on others or say things that, even though true, cause pain.
Conscientious
You feel it's important to work according to a plan and finish every task, to do things correctly and thoroughly.
You are not the kind of person who abandons a project before finishing it, or slacks off when you've lost interest.
Innovative
You come up with a lot of ideas; if one doesn't work out, there's always another waiting in the wings. You often have interesting solutions to difficult problems. You're practically a one-person brainstorming session.
You are less interested changing the world than in dealing with things as they are. Unlike those who spend all their time trying to solve problems, you prefer to zero in on things that work and stick with them.
Intellectual
You are thoughtful, rational, and comfortable in the world of ideas. People find you interesting to talk to. You're the living embodiment of the saying "You learn something new every day." In general, those with a high score on the "intellectual" trait are employed in such fields as teaching and research, and are enthusiastic about reading, foreign films, and classical music.
You do not avoid abstract conversation, experimenting with new ideas, or studying new things. It bores you to stick to the straight and narrow of what you already know.
Accessible
You're comfortable expressing yourself in words and actions, with no self-censorship. You believe that if someone doesn't like what they see it's not your problem, but theirs. A high score on the "accessible" trait suggests that you have a lot of friends, socialize often, and enjoy rap/hip-hop music.
You don't see the need to keep your thoughts to yourself, or to have a zone of privacy that encompasses only yourself and a small circle of friends and relatives.
Warm
You have a genuine interest in other people. You're a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you're usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort. Scoring high on the "warm" trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
You don't always say exactly what you're thinking; you don't like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.
Empathetic
You are in touch with your own feelings, which helps put you in touch with the feelings of others.
You don't buy the logic that your happiness comes ahead of everyone else's because unless you're happy you're incapable of making anyone else happy.
Organized
You like to think a task through before you embark on it. If it's the slightest bit complicated, you make a list (even if it's only in your mind) and methodically work your way through it. When you have a goal in mind, you're not satisfied until you reach it.
You are not one of those people who ignore the details, and you don't understand how anyone can get anything accomplished without thoughtful planning ahead of time.
Calm
You rarely become irritated, generally accept people as they are, take things as they come, and feel relaxed in most situations.
You do not let a minor annoyance escalate to a confrontation. You don't regularly snap at those around you or fly off the handle with little provocation.
How To Deal With Convention Roommates
Posted 13 years agoMy recommendations:
1) Get the names of each person staying with you added to the hotel room name list. Pretty much every hotel can do this, and it'll make keeping track of things a lot easier.
2) If your credit card is going to be the one on the room, GET PAYMENT BEFOREHAND. Paypal is easy enough to use, their fee will be pretty small, and...trust me, I've been burned by this one before. You never know when you're going to get the person who's going to say 'I feel like staying somewhere else after the first night, I'm just not going to pay you' and you're left holding the bag. I have a standing rule: Until you have paid me your share of the room, you aren't actually locked into the spot, and someone else can step in and pay and take it. Also, no refunds if it's less than a month before the convention.
3) Make it very clear *before* the convention what the rules are. Do you have a smoking room? How do you feel about drinking? Adult activity? When do the people in your room usually go to sleep? Does anyone have medical needs? Needs involving a service animal? If so, what are the rules in dealing with said animal? Is there a fursuiter staying with you? The more you know in advance, the better prepared you are, and it's never unfair to ask questions.
4) Get contact information for your roommates. Not just an e-mail address, either; get a real name - the one printed on their driver's license - along with their home address and telephone number. If something should happen where you need to get a hold of that person, e-mail (which you should also get) may not be enough for your needs.
5) Make yourself a list of the things you're bringing. I mean a literal, physical list that is written (or printed) and that you bring with you. Make sure you know when each roommate is planning to leave. After each one does, check to make sure that everything on the list that you expect to be there, is there. If not...well, remember the contact info we got in 4? Yeah.
Do I make this sound like a big to-do? It's actually a *lot* easier than it sounds, and infinitely less time-consuming and costly than winding up getting blindsided at the last second. Do yourself a favor and learn from my mistakes. And if you have a prospective roommate who balks at any of the above...that's probably not a person you should be rooming with.
1) Get the names of each person staying with you added to the hotel room name list. Pretty much every hotel can do this, and it'll make keeping track of things a lot easier.
2) If your credit card is going to be the one on the room, GET PAYMENT BEFOREHAND. Paypal is easy enough to use, their fee will be pretty small, and...trust me, I've been burned by this one before. You never know when you're going to get the person who's going to say 'I feel like staying somewhere else after the first night, I'm just not going to pay you' and you're left holding the bag. I have a standing rule: Until you have paid me your share of the room, you aren't actually locked into the spot, and someone else can step in and pay and take it. Also, no refunds if it's less than a month before the convention.
3) Make it very clear *before* the convention what the rules are. Do you have a smoking room? How do you feel about drinking? Adult activity? When do the people in your room usually go to sleep? Does anyone have medical needs? Needs involving a service animal? If so, what are the rules in dealing with said animal? Is there a fursuiter staying with you? The more you know in advance, the better prepared you are, and it's never unfair to ask questions.
4) Get contact information for your roommates. Not just an e-mail address, either; get a real name - the one printed on their driver's license - along with their home address and telephone number. If something should happen where you need to get a hold of that person, e-mail (which you should also get) may not be enough for your needs.
5) Make yourself a list of the things you're bringing. I mean a literal, physical list that is written (or printed) and that you bring with you. Make sure you know when each roommate is planning to leave. After each one does, check to make sure that everything on the list that you expect to be there, is there. If not...well, remember the contact info we got in 4? Yeah.
Do I make this sound like a big to-do? It's actually a *lot* easier than it sounds, and infinitely less time-consuming and costly than winding up getting blindsided at the last second. Do yourself a favor and learn from my mistakes. And if you have a prospective roommate who balks at any of the above...that's probably not a person you should be rooming with.
BATTLE ROUND 3
Posted 13 years agoEnemy: Cold (?)
KNOWN ENEMY POWERS:
Vertigo (Fever): Reduces Dexterity score
Muscle Soreness (Fever): Reduces Strength score
Fatigue (Fever): Reduces Constitution score
Overheat (Fever): Reduces Intelligence & Wisdom score
Cough: Causes HP damage
Headache: Reduces Intelligence & causes HP damage
ENEMY ALLIES: Work, special
ALLIES:
Controller: Chicken Noodle Soup
Defender: Centrum
Striker: Sunny D
Leader: Advil
Special: Must defeat opponent in six rounds or less!
ROUND 3 START
Cold could not maintain Vertigo, Muscle Soreness, Fatigue, or Overheat! All stats returned to normal!
Cold used Cough! Minor HP damage inflicted!
Cold used Headache! Minor HP damage inflicted! Intelligence down!
Chicken Noodle Soup swapped out for Sleep!
Sleep used Recuperate! Heavy damage to Cold!
Centrum used Daily Dose!! Ally offense up!
Advil used Reduce Fever!
Cold was defeated!
Learned Antibodies! Resistance to con crud maxed!
Okay, I'll stop doing this now. Being sick is a lot more fun when you can play it out Final Fantasy style, though.
KNOWN ENEMY POWERS:
Vertigo (Fever): Reduces Dexterity score
Muscle Soreness (Fever): Reduces Strength score
Fatigue (Fever): Reduces Constitution score
Overheat (Fever): Reduces Intelligence & Wisdom score
Cough: Causes HP damage
Headache: Reduces Intelligence & causes HP damage
ENEMY ALLIES: Work, special
ALLIES:
Controller: Chicken Noodle Soup
Defender: Centrum
Striker: Sunny D
Leader: Advil
Special: Must defeat opponent in six rounds or less!
ROUND 3 START
Cold could not maintain Vertigo, Muscle Soreness, Fatigue, or Overheat! All stats returned to normal!
Cold used Cough! Minor HP damage inflicted!
Cold used Headache! Minor HP damage inflicted! Intelligence down!
Chicken Noodle Soup swapped out for Sleep!
Sleep used Recuperate! Heavy damage to Cold!
Centrum used Daily Dose!! Ally offense up!
Advil used Reduce Fever!
Cold was defeated!
Learned Antibodies! Resistance to con crud maxed!
Okay, I'll stop doing this now. Being sick is a lot more fun when you can play it out Final Fantasy style, though.
BATTLE ROUND 2
Posted 13 years agoENEMY: Cold (?)
KNOWN ENEMY POWERS:
Vertigo (Fever): Reduces Dexterity score
Muscle Soreness (Fever): Reduces Strength score
Fatigue (Fever): Reduces Constitution score
Overheat (Fever): Reduces Intelligence & Wisdom score
Cough: Causes HP damage
ENEMY ALLIES: Work, special
ALLIES:
Controller: Sleep
Defender: Centrum
Striker: Sunny D
Leader: NyQuil
Special: Must defeat opponent in six rounds or less!
ROUND 2 START
Cold maintained Vertigo, Muscle Soreness, Fatigue! Dexterity, Strength, and Constitution down!
Cold used Overheat! Intelligence and Wisdom down!
Cold used Cough! Minor HP damage inflicted!
Sleep used Hard Crash! Constitution up!
Sleep swapped out for Chicken Noodle Soup!
NyQuil swapped out for Advil!
COMBO ATTACK! Advil, Centrum, Sunny D, and Chicken Noodle Soup used Aegis of Health! All stats returned to normal, critical damage to Cold!
Work used Responsibility! Sleep may not be swapped back in for the remainder of the round!
KNOWN ENEMY POWERS:
Vertigo (Fever): Reduces Dexterity score
Muscle Soreness (Fever): Reduces Strength score
Fatigue (Fever): Reduces Constitution score
Overheat (Fever): Reduces Intelligence & Wisdom score
Cough: Causes HP damage
ENEMY ALLIES: Work, special
ALLIES:
Controller: Sleep
Defender: Centrum
Striker: Sunny D
Leader: NyQuil
Special: Must defeat opponent in six rounds or less!
ROUND 2 START
Cold maintained Vertigo, Muscle Soreness, Fatigue! Dexterity, Strength, and Constitution down!
Cold used Overheat! Intelligence and Wisdom down!
Cold used Cough! Minor HP damage inflicted!
Sleep used Hard Crash! Constitution up!
Sleep swapped out for Chicken Noodle Soup!
NyQuil swapped out for Advil!
COMBO ATTACK! Advil, Centrum, Sunny D, and Chicken Noodle Soup used Aegis of Health! All stats returned to normal, critical damage to Cold!
Work used Responsibility! Sleep may not be swapped back in for the remainder of the round!
BATTLE START!
Posted 13 years agoENEMY: Cold (?)
KNOWN ENEMY POWERS:
Vertigo (Fever): Reduces Dexterity score
Muscle Soreness (Fever): Reduces Strength score
Fatigue (Fever): Reduces Constitution score
ENEMY ALLIES: Work, special
ALLIES:
Controller: Sleep
Defender: Centrum
Striker: Sunny D
Leader: NyQuil
Special: Must defeat opponent in six rounds or less!
ROUND 1 START
Cold used Vertigo! Dexterity down!
Cold used Muscle Soreness! Strength down!
Cold used Fatigue! Constitution down!
Sleep used Nap! Enemy defense down!
Centrum used Daily Dose! Ally offense up!
KNOWN ENEMY POWERS:
Vertigo (Fever): Reduces Dexterity score
Muscle Soreness (Fever): Reduces Strength score
Fatigue (Fever): Reduces Constitution score
ENEMY ALLIES: Work, special
ALLIES:
Controller: Sleep
Defender: Centrum
Striker: Sunny D
Leader: NyQuil
Special: Must defeat opponent in six rounds or less!
ROUND 1 START
Cold used Vertigo! Dexterity down!
Cold used Muscle Soreness! Strength down!
Cold used Fatigue! Constitution down!
Sleep used Nap! Enemy defense down!
Centrum used Daily Dose! Ally offense up!
Furry Fiesta 2012 Meme
Posted 14 years agoARRANGEMENTS:
Q: Where are you staying?
A: At home, I'll be driving to and from the convention each day.
Q: When will you be arriving and leaving?
A: I'll be arriving on Thursday afternoon, probably leaving stupidly late each night and coming back the following morning, to finally depart for good either stupidly late on Sunday night or early on Monday.
Q: Who will you be rooming with?
A: Nobody, given my sleeping arrangements.
Q: Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
A: Who can say? Attending various things. I'll also be helping with the Thursday night social, running the Furry Common Sense panel and the Charity Auction, and will be taking part in Fuzzy Logic LIVE!.
Q: What/where will you be eating?
A: Not sure yet, but I sincerely hope to eat in the hotel restaurant at least once! I also hope to have dinner with friends.
Q: Will you be having a room party?
A: No, mostly because I don't have a hotel room...but if *you* will, it might be fun to stop by!
Q: Will you be drinking and/or getting drunk?
A: Nope. Not my style, man.
PERSONAL STUFF:
Q: What is your gender?
A: I'm a dude, dude.
Q: How tall are you?
A: A hair short of six feet.
Q: If I approach you, will you chat with me?
A: Hah, just try and stop me! I can run at the mouth about all sorts of things.
Q: If I see you, how should I get your attention?
A: 'Hey Isty!' usually gets my attention.
Q: How many furry conventions have you attended?
A: Uhhhhhm. A lot. A whole lot. Enough that I don't actually know how many.
Q: Do you own a fursuit?
A: Nah. Good ones are really expensive, and I overheat too quickly as it is.
PERMISSIONS:
Q: Can I hug or snuggle with you?
A: Ahhh, that's two questions. I'm generally open to hugs, unless you surprise me with it. Snuggling probably requires us to get better acquainted, don't you think?
Q: How can I find you?
A: Oh, I'll be futzing around, not that hard to find. I always wear beige slacks and black shoes, if that helps. T-shirt varies, but will probably always be one of the Furry Fiesta shirts.
Q: Can I buy you drinks?
A: Non-alcoholic, sure!
Q: Can I look in your sketchbook?
A: I suppose? If I have it with me, and you ask first.
Q: Can I draw in your sketchbook?
A: Proooobably. See above.
Q: Can I take your picture?
A: Just warn me first, and be warned: I do NOT photograph well.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Q: Do you do do free art, trades, commissions, badges?
A: Nope, nope, nope, and nope! The only things I can draw are flies and attention.
Q: Do you have a table in the Artist Alley / Dealer's Den or a panel in the Art Show? If so, what are you selling?
A: Nnnnnope. Not an artist. Well, not in any way that can produce sellable product, anyway. (Podcasting is an art! Right?)
Q: Do you plan to volunteer?
A: Heh, no, I'm staff. But you should!
Q: What's your goal for the con this year?
A: Enjoy my time, help out with the convention, run some successful panels, buy fun arts. Nothing unachievable!
Q: Where are you staying?
A: At home, I'll be driving to and from the convention each day.
Q: When will you be arriving and leaving?
A: I'll be arriving on Thursday afternoon, probably leaving stupidly late each night and coming back the following morning, to finally depart for good either stupidly late on Sunday night or early on Monday.
Q: Who will you be rooming with?
A: Nobody, given my sleeping arrangements.
Q: Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
A: Who can say? Attending various things. I'll also be helping with the Thursday night social, running the Furry Common Sense panel and the Charity Auction, and will be taking part in Fuzzy Logic LIVE!.
Q: What/where will you be eating?
A: Not sure yet, but I sincerely hope to eat in the hotel restaurant at least once! I also hope to have dinner with friends.
Q: Will you be having a room party?
A: No, mostly because I don't have a hotel room...but if *you* will, it might be fun to stop by!
Q: Will you be drinking and/or getting drunk?
A: Nope. Not my style, man.
PERSONAL STUFF:
Q: What is your gender?
A: I'm a dude, dude.
Q: How tall are you?
A: A hair short of six feet.
Q: If I approach you, will you chat with me?
A: Hah, just try and stop me! I can run at the mouth about all sorts of things.
Q: If I see you, how should I get your attention?
A: 'Hey Isty!' usually gets my attention.
Q: How many furry conventions have you attended?
A: Uhhhhhm. A lot. A whole lot. Enough that I don't actually know how many.
Q: Do you own a fursuit?
A: Nah. Good ones are really expensive, and I overheat too quickly as it is.
PERMISSIONS:
Q: Can I hug or snuggle with you?
A: Ahhh, that's two questions. I'm generally open to hugs, unless you surprise me with it. Snuggling probably requires us to get better acquainted, don't you think?
Q: How can I find you?
A: Oh, I'll be futzing around, not that hard to find. I always wear beige slacks and black shoes, if that helps. T-shirt varies, but will probably always be one of the Furry Fiesta shirts.
Q: Can I buy you drinks?
A: Non-alcoholic, sure!
Q: Can I look in your sketchbook?
A: I suppose? If I have it with me, and you ask first.
Q: Can I draw in your sketchbook?
A: Proooobably. See above.
Q: Can I take your picture?
A: Just warn me first, and be warned: I do NOT photograph well.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Q: Do you do do free art, trades, commissions, badges?
A: Nope, nope, nope, and nope! The only things I can draw are flies and attention.
Q: Do you have a table in the Artist Alley / Dealer's Den or a panel in the Art Show? If so, what are you selling?
A: Nnnnnope. Not an artist. Well, not in any way that can produce sellable product, anyway. (Podcasting is an art! Right?)
Q: Do you plan to volunteer?
A: Heh, no, I'm staff. But you should!
Q: What's your goal for the con this year?
A: Enjoy my time, help out with the convention, run some successful panels, buy fun arts. Nothing unachievable!