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I Almost Tripped Over a Skunk... Twice - 151st Journal
Posted a year agoAlready in few days into July, things are already starting off strange just after that crazy June I had. I just joined the group walk challenge at work as part of our health program where we have to average at least four miles per day for thirty days. I wanted to get at least five miles. I get part of the miles at work so I do nightly walks to meet my daily goals.
So last night I walked to the local city park about two miles away and was just heading back when something dark and about the size of a cat ran right in front of me inches away. I almost tripped on the fast creature and even had to leap over it. I ended up almost falling on some construction debris near the sidewalk. It was dark with no real coverage of the streetlights there. The creature had a slim head, catlike body and a big fluffy tail. I first thought it was some sort of large squirrel or something. But anyway a resumed my walking as it was long gone.
I couldn't tell but it ran across the street. An oncoming car stopped and the driver honked the horn. The dark animal ran in front of the car to the adjacent sidewalk and then turned 90 degrees right at me. It zoomed to the right of me, coming inches away again and almost caused me to trip once more.
Someone in the car said something about a skunk and it did kinda looked like one. But I didn't really smell any of the skunk odor, just a faint hint but that could be from from all of the construction. Maybe it was too busy zig-zagging all over the place to spray, I dunno.
But anyhoot, that is my story of almost tripped on a skunk (or something like that) not once, but twice in under 30 seconds or so. Yep, July is already something. Madness.
So last night I walked to the local city park about two miles away and was just heading back when something dark and about the size of a cat ran right in front of me inches away. I almost tripped on the fast creature and even had to leap over it. I ended up almost falling on some construction debris near the sidewalk. It was dark with no real coverage of the streetlights there. The creature had a slim head, catlike body and a big fluffy tail. I first thought it was some sort of large squirrel or something. But anyway a resumed my walking as it was long gone.
I couldn't tell but it ran across the street. An oncoming car stopped and the driver honked the horn. The dark animal ran in front of the car to the adjacent sidewalk and then turned 90 degrees right at me. It zoomed to the right of me, coming inches away again and almost caused me to trip once more.
Someone in the car said something about a skunk and it did kinda looked like one. But I didn't really smell any of the skunk odor, just a faint hint but that could be from from all of the construction. Maybe it was too busy zig-zagging all over the place to spray, I dunno.
But anyhoot, that is my story of almost tripped on a skunk (or something like that) not once, but twice in under 30 seconds or so. Yep, July is already something. Madness.
The Sad, the Bad, and the Absolute Crazy Month of June - ...
Posted a year agoThis is going to be a long one with the last part so crazy that it actually made the news, so stay tune for that. June had been a bit wild to say the least, lots of up and downs with some crazy moments to finish off the month.
Earlier in the month, I heard news that a co-worked had died. He was out for a good while with brain cancer and did came back for a short bit before succumbing to the illness. I still remember the funny laugh he had. I also heard that a former worker also passed away. So sad but this is going to happen as we get older and older.
A few weeks ago, we finally had services for my mom (who passed away in April after a long illness). My brother was supposed to arrange for that since I work full time but didn't for some reason. Anyway, I got a day off from work (use it or lose it kind of deal) and called our local church but said that the priest doesn't do cremations unless the ashes are buried or interned in an mausoleum. I don't know if it is a Catholic thing or due to the priest.
But luckily the home hospice care was having a service for those that passed during the last year a week after I made the call. So I took advantage of that. It went well enough though the church was across town. The pastor did repeat himself for quite a bit. Eleven friends and family came so that was nice. Two couldn't make it though. But at least there was some Closure. My mom didn't want anyone to make a fuss about her funeral so something simple like that works well enough.
Just a few days ago another death occurred, this time our cat. He was very old (something like 18 years give or take). Cats tend to live 15 to 20 years so he lived a long time. He was getting quite thin despite having plenty of food to partake. On his last night, I gave him some can food along with the usual kibble and he ate all of the soft stuff and most of the kibble. He seemed well enough for his age and was not lethargic at all. But he passed sometime late or early morning. I took him to the vet to be cremated before I went to work. Just like my mom, I though he had a little bit longer to go but not to be.
Now the crazy part. After attending the furmeet at the Japanese Tea Garden, I was eager to attend another one. There was a pride event just north of downtown coming up and I wanted to go. But it was very hot at the tea garden and I almost got heat exhaustion, so I wasn't keen on the heat. I kept an eye on the weather but in the meantime made a more powerful fan than the standard flat fans that many fursuiters wear around their neck with a lanyard.
I used a dual-axial fan sourced from a server power supply. Normally they run at 12 volts and are stupidly loud. I tested it at 5 volts and it ran fine at a much lower speed but massively quieter (still a little loud but not as insane). That way I can use a 5V USB power bank like what I use to power the built-in fans and stuff. I had to rush getting it done for the pride event so it didn't have an outer casing covering the wires going to the USB connector (foreshadowing). In fact, I finished attaching the 3D printed flared inlet and outlet nozzles along with wiring it up the night before.
I looked at the forecast one last time and it wasn't going to hit 100°F that day (very close though) so I decided to go despite still going to be hot, hoping it'll be okay enough. So I brought my new, homemade fan along with the usual flat fan as backup.
I had the fan inside the insulated bag that also carried my water bottle, ice packs, my hat, and a few other things. I took it with me during the furry walk around the park and set it down on the ground whenever someone wanted to take a picture of the fluffy group. Did that many time but I must have forgot to pick it up or dropped it at some point. I didn't realized it was missing until we got back to the gathering point (a circle on the side of the park).
I retook my steps along with the furmeet organizer to see if we can spot the bag. It is black with a bright neon flap so should be easy to spot. We went to the front entrance and the side one to see if the event staff seen it. None of them did. I also gone to were the police had their setup in the gazebo on the other side of the park. Nothing there but at least the police was aware of it... or should have been as well shall see.
I was back at the gathering spot after making more rounds around the park. I got some street tacos and ate like half of it but not feeling well. I had to use the restroom and left my tail and head with a couple of furs that stayed around the circle area after taking the group photo. I left for the Porta Potties type temporary restroom located on this side of the park and was stopped by a police officer, telling me I had to go around to the other side to use those there. I made my what there and thankfully there wasn't line. The Porta Potties where quite clean and not the pit of hell I usually experience. They looked quite new. Kudos on the event organizers. But anyway, I left there and visited one of the rare evaporative cooling fans they set up by the wrestling ring. I cooled down just enough and headed my way back to the circle. Here is where things got crazy.
On the path back, I was stopped by a cop again, saying that way is being blocked off (expanding the cordoned off area). I was thinking it must be some sort of crime scene or a... bomb threat. Then I thought about my homemade fan thing I made. Could they "found" and thought it could be some sort of explosive device. I am an electrical engineer and I work with such things all the time. But I could see someone not knowing what it is. So I talked to the cop about it and they told me to wait to talk to someone higher up (a pattern starting here). After a couple of minutes, someone came up and I talked to him a bit about the possibility the commotion being caused by my missing bag.
I told to wait for someone else to talk to and waited under the shade of a tree. I was getting quite hot and the water I have was in the bag. A cop saw me and was able to get me a cold bottle water. That helped out a lot. Waited some more and asked about retrieving my fursuit head and tail but was told to wait a little longer. So I waited, and waited, and waited some more until someone finally even higher up came to see me. I describe the fan again and was shown a picture of what they found. Yep, it was my bag. I waited some more until I was taken to it. They moved it away from the park down the street and I was able to pick it up. Since there was no evil intent, I was able to go back to the two furs that stayed to look after my fursuit stuff. All in all I was away a good 35 minutes. Thankfully everything was still there though I had to throw away what was left of my tacos.
But there is a pride center open just outside the park and they had free snacks and drinks along with a place to cool down. We took advantage of that and started heading off there. Along the way I spotted one of the cops I was taking to. I showed the other cop he was with the "device" and he said yeah, that could be confused with something destructive.
After that, our small group of fur went inside the pride center and relaxed a bit. There were some other furs already there and some more came in after going the Juice Joint place a few blocks down the street. Our small group already decided to go there (the other group message us when they were still there). So we headed out the trek. Passed a lot of "interesting" business establishment like the bars, clubs, and even a sex shop.
Got to the Juice Joint place and we got some smoothies. There was a DJ playing right next to the place inside a corridor and had some decent stuff. We made plans to come back for the parade that start at 9PM (The meetup was 1PM to 3PM where the group photo was taken at the end of it). I went back to my car to drop off the bag that caused all that trouble and get ready with my plasma ball and flashing LED lights for use in the nighttime of the parade. The rest went off back to the park before it closes. I had to walk quite a way to my car so I didn't make it back before it close.
But I met a differed group of furs (Anubis that I made that staff for and a couple of others). So we headed back to the Joint Juice place and no other furries were there. We waited for the others to show up for a bit but no one showed up.
Luckily I got the Telegram of one of the furs in the other group earlier in the day and message them where they are. I got a reply back that they was across the street near Jimmy John. We went there and saw no one. Walked down the street for a couple of blocks. Messaged again and replied with they being close to a place called Zerbaz (which turned out to be an "adult" shop - interesting stuff in there).
But along they way, an operator of one of those 3D video station offered to take a video of Anubis. I was able to also able to get a vid took. I'll post it to my Gram of Tele account or something. Pretty cool setup.
We finally found them and got together to head back to the Juice Joint once more. I got a lemonade outside while some of the others got smoothies. Drank that and the fur I got the telegram decided to go to side and dance with the DJ playing. That was good for a few songs but the others wanted to got to a spot further down the parade path. So we headed down it and found another fur (The octopus at ACFI but out of suit). We stayed there but decided to go even further down the path before the parade starts.
An about the parade, oh boy it was an experience. It started with a few people walking pass. I was like "was that it?" at first and boy was I wrong. Another small group of paraders walked by along with some vehicles after a minute of so. This turns out to be the pattern with a group going by and then nothing for a minute to several minutes. It was so spread out. But they kept on coming. After over a hour of this, a couple of furs left. The rest of us kept on watching. And they came in small bunches. Each time we thought it was over, we can see the lights from another group. I just kept coming like that. The last set finally came around 11:30PM. That is over two and a half hours of a long, spread out trains of paraders.
Not as crazy as the "lost bag" situation earlier but still madness. I did manage to get some beads and a lighted fiber-optic stick from the parade goers. And I also "danced" a little when someone played something danceable when they came by.
All in all, I had a good time despite the "incident". I actually made the news. Oh well, I am going to make a cover for the thing to hid the wires before bringing it out again. I didn't even had the chance of testing it out even. But hopefully all the other furry meetup will be inside during our "step outside and burst into flames" season. Despite not hitting 100, it was still freaking hot. There were some good winds time to time and was partially cloudy, which helped a lot.
But anyway, I think you all (that made it to the end of this saga) can agree that was one wild, crazy month with the kicker ending. So how's that for my 150th Journal?
Earlier in the month, I heard news that a co-worked had died. He was out for a good while with brain cancer and did came back for a short bit before succumbing to the illness. I still remember the funny laugh he had. I also heard that a former worker also passed away. So sad but this is going to happen as we get older and older.
A few weeks ago, we finally had services for my mom (who passed away in April after a long illness). My brother was supposed to arrange for that since I work full time but didn't for some reason. Anyway, I got a day off from work (use it or lose it kind of deal) and called our local church but said that the priest doesn't do cremations unless the ashes are buried or interned in an mausoleum. I don't know if it is a Catholic thing or due to the priest.
But luckily the home hospice care was having a service for those that passed during the last year a week after I made the call. So I took advantage of that. It went well enough though the church was across town. The pastor did repeat himself for quite a bit. Eleven friends and family came so that was nice. Two couldn't make it though. But at least there was some Closure. My mom didn't want anyone to make a fuss about her funeral so something simple like that works well enough.
Just a few days ago another death occurred, this time our cat. He was very old (something like 18 years give or take). Cats tend to live 15 to 20 years so he lived a long time. He was getting quite thin despite having plenty of food to partake. On his last night, I gave him some can food along with the usual kibble and he ate all of the soft stuff and most of the kibble. He seemed well enough for his age and was not lethargic at all. But he passed sometime late or early morning. I took him to the vet to be cremated before I went to work. Just like my mom, I though he had a little bit longer to go but not to be.
Now the crazy part. After attending the furmeet at the Japanese Tea Garden, I was eager to attend another one. There was a pride event just north of downtown coming up and I wanted to go. But it was very hot at the tea garden and I almost got heat exhaustion, so I wasn't keen on the heat. I kept an eye on the weather but in the meantime made a more powerful fan than the standard flat fans that many fursuiters wear around their neck with a lanyard.
I used a dual-axial fan sourced from a server power supply. Normally they run at 12 volts and are stupidly loud. I tested it at 5 volts and it ran fine at a much lower speed but massively quieter (still a little loud but not as insane). That way I can use a 5V USB power bank like what I use to power the built-in fans and stuff. I had to rush getting it done for the pride event so it didn't have an outer casing covering the wires going to the USB connector (foreshadowing). In fact, I finished attaching the 3D printed flared inlet and outlet nozzles along with wiring it up the night before.
I looked at the forecast one last time and it wasn't going to hit 100°F that day (very close though) so I decided to go despite still going to be hot, hoping it'll be okay enough. So I brought my new, homemade fan along with the usual flat fan as backup.
I had the fan inside the insulated bag that also carried my water bottle, ice packs, my hat, and a few other things. I took it with me during the furry walk around the park and set it down on the ground whenever someone wanted to take a picture of the fluffy group. Did that many time but I must have forgot to pick it up or dropped it at some point. I didn't realized it was missing until we got back to the gathering point (a circle on the side of the park).
I retook my steps along with the furmeet organizer to see if we can spot the bag. It is black with a bright neon flap so should be easy to spot. We went to the front entrance and the side one to see if the event staff seen it. None of them did. I also gone to were the police had their setup in the gazebo on the other side of the park. Nothing there but at least the police was aware of it... or should have been as well shall see.
I was back at the gathering spot after making more rounds around the park. I got some street tacos and ate like half of it but not feeling well. I had to use the restroom and left my tail and head with a couple of furs that stayed around the circle area after taking the group photo. I left for the Porta Potties type temporary restroom located on this side of the park and was stopped by a police officer, telling me I had to go around to the other side to use those there. I made my what there and thankfully there wasn't line. The Porta Potties where quite clean and not the pit of hell I usually experience. They looked quite new. Kudos on the event organizers. But anyway, I left there and visited one of the rare evaporative cooling fans they set up by the wrestling ring. I cooled down just enough and headed my way back to the circle. Here is where things got crazy.
On the path back, I was stopped by a cop again, saying that way is being blocked off (expanding the cordoned off area). I was thinking it must be some sort of crime scene or a... bomb threat. Then I thought about my homemade fan thing I made. Could they "found" and thought it could be some sort of explosive device. I am an electrical engineer and I work with such things all the time. But I could see someone not knowing what it is. So I talked to the cop about it and they told me to wait to talk to someone higher up (a pattern starting here). After a couple of minutes, someone came up and I talked to him a bit about the possibility the commotion being caused by my missing bag.
I told to wait for someone else to talk to and waited under the shade of a tree. I was getting quite hot and the water I have was in the bag. A cop saw me and was able to get me a cold bottle water. That helped out a lot. Waited some more and asked about retrieving my fursuit head and tail but was told to wait a little longer. So I waited, and waited, and waited some more until someone finally even higher up came to see me. I describe the fan again and was shown a picture of what they found. Yep, it was my bag. I waited some more until I was taken to it. They moved it away from the park down the street and I was able to pick it up. Since there was no evil intent, I was able to go back to the two furs that stayed to look after my fursuit stuff. All in all I was away a good 35 minutes. Thankfully everything was still there though I had to throw away what was left of my tacos.
But there is a pride center open just outside the park and they had free snacks and drinks along with a place to cool down. We took advantage of that and started heading off there. Along the way I spotted one of the cops I was taking to. I showed the other cop he was with the "device" and he said yeah, that could be confused with something destructive.
After that, our small group of fur went inside the pride center and relaxed a bit. There were some other furs already there and some more came in after going the Juice Joint place a few blocks down the street. Our small group already decided to go there (the other group message us when they were still there). So we headed out the trek. Passed a lot of "interesting" business establishment like the bars, clubs, and even a sex shop.
Got to the Juice Joint place and we got some smoothies. There was a DJ playing right next to the place inside a corridor and had some decent stuff. We made plans to come back for the parade that start at 9PM (The meetup was 1PM to 3PM where the group photo was taken at the end of it). I went back to my car to drop off the bag that caused all that trouble and get ready with my plasma ball and flashing LED lights for use in the nighttime of the parade. The rest went off back to the park before it closes. I had to walk quite a way to my car so I didn't make it back before it close.
But I met a differed group of furs (Anubis that I made that staff for and a couple of others). So we headed back to the Joint Juice place and no other furries were there. We waited for the others to show up for a bit but no one showed up.
Luckily I got the Telegram of one of the furs in the other group earlier in the day and message them where they are. I got a reply back that they was across the street near Jimmy John. We went there and saw no one. Walked down the street for a couple of blocks. Messaged again and replied with they being close to a place called Zerbaz (which turned out to be an "adult" shop - interesting stuff in there).
But along they way, an operator of one of those 3D video station offered to take a video of Anubis. I was able to also able to get a vid took. I'll post it to my Gram of Tele account or something. Pretty cool setup.
We finally found them and got together to head back to the Juice Joint once more. I got a lemonade outside while some of the others got smoothies. Drank that and the fur I got the telegram decided to go to side and dance with the DJ playing. That was good for a few songs but the others wanted to got to a spot further down the parade path. So we headed down it and found another fur (The octopus at ACFI but out of suit). We stayed there but decided to go even further down the path before the parade starts.
An about the parade, oh boy it was an experience. It started with a few people walking pass. I was like "was that it?" at first and boy was I wrong. Another small group of paraders walked by along with some vehicles after a minute of so. This turns out to be the pattern with a group going by and then nothing for a minute to several minutes. It was so spread out. But they kept on coming. After over a hour of this, a couple of furs left. The rest of us kept on watching. And they came in small bunches. Each time we thought it was over, we can see the lights from another group. I just kept coming like that. The last set finally came around 11:30PM. That is over two and a half hours of a long, spread out trains of paraders.
Not as crazy as the "lost bag" situation earlier but still madness. I did manage to get some beads and a lighted fiber-optic stick from the parade goers. And I also "danced" a little when someone played something danceable when they came by.
All in all, I had a good time despite the "incident". I actually made the news. Oh well, I am going to make a cover for the thing to hid the wires before bringing it out again. I didn't even had the chance of testing it out even. But hopefully all the other furry meetup will be inside during our "step outside and burst into flames" season. Despite not hitting 100, it was still freaking hot. There were some good winds time to time and was partially cloudy, which helped a lot.
But anyway, I think you all (that made it to the end of this saga) can agree that was one wild, crazy month with the kicker ending. So how's that for my 150th Journal?
I Been Giving It Some Thoughts. 149th Journal
Posted a year agoI was playing back the events of my mom's recent passing in my mind and came to the conclusion that it was better the end came sooner than later. She was suffering from dementia and progressively getting worse. She been bedridden for quite some time and I had to use a wheelchair whenever I needed to transport her. She started using walking canes many years ago due to her bad knee that she got a total joint replacement. Then starting to use the walkers for a few years before eventually not able to stand on her own much less walk around anymore.
I guess I was being a little selfish wanting her to stick around longer. She stopped eating by her self a month or two ago and I been feeding her by hand with sft foods like oatmeal, grits, soups, protein shakes, and the like. Sometime she didn't want to eat much so I held off on the rest of it until later. But it was getting harder as the days gone by. Even the protein shakes she drink much.
She been in and out of the hospital and I was going to take her to the emergency room in the car but decided to call he ambulance when her breathing worsened. I figured it was one of the many trips to the ER she been doing on and off for a while but it turned out to be the final time. I guess I kinda didn't want to believe this was it, just a short stay at the hospital and she'll be home again with an extra prescription or two like usual. But this wasn't going to be the case, so it hit me hard even though I knew the signs. I guess I refused to believe it would happen so soon despite I clearly should have done so. Her time was up and it was better to happen now than let her continue to suffer and decline even more. It is very hard to let go, you know. Do give you love ones a hug, might be the last chance you get.
I guess I was being a little selfish wanting her to stick around longer. She stopped eating by her self a month or two ago and I been feeding her by hand with sft foods like oatmeal, grits, soups, protein shakes, and the like. Sometime she didn't want to eat much so I held off on the rest of it until later. But it was getting harder as the days gone by. Even the protein shakes she drink much.
She been in and out of the hospital and I was going to take her to the emergency room in the car but decided to call he ambulance when her breathing worsened. I figured it was one of the many trips to the ER she been doing on and off for a while but it turned out to be the final time. I guess I kinda didn't want to believe this was it, just a short stay at the hospital and she'll be home again with an extra prescription or two like usual. But this wasn't going to be the case, so it hit me hard even though I knew the signs. I guess I refused to believe it would happen so soon despite I clearly should have done so. Her time was up and it was better to happen now than let her continue to suffer and decline even more. It is very hard to let go, you know. Do give you love ones a hug, might be the last chance you get.
Very Bad News. 148th Journal
Posted a year agoI hate to be the bearer of bad news, but something I been dreading has happened. This morning, my mother passed away. She been suffering a long term aliment and been bed ridden for quite some time. The hospital emergency room worked on chest compressions for an our before they called it.
I was hoping on posting some better news like my updates on the fur suit fans and all the furry events that I went in March (four of them). But that will have to wait a bit longer.
Right now, I am still in a bit of a shock despite knowing it was going to happen sooner or later. I was hope a few more years but she was well in her 80s and the time had come. Just wish it was a bit longer but not to be.
I was hoping on posting some better news like my updates on the fur suit fans and all the furry events that I went in March (four of them). But that will have to wait a bit longer.
Right now, I am still in a bit of a shock despite knowing it was going to happen sooner or later. I was hope a few more years but she was well in her 80s and the time had come. Just wish it was a bit longer but not to be.
I Got Featured in a YT Short. 147th Journal
Posted 2 years agoI Got Featured in a YT Short
Merry Christmas and all that. I had fun at the fursuit walk Saturday along the famous San Antonio Riverwalk even though it started to drizzle and had to rush the stops like at the Alamo before it got too hard. Ended up hanging around at Hemisfair Park for like an hour and I got featured in a YT short.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cMTkMBNtQOE
Not a bad Christmas present I must say must say. Yeah yeah, I haven't posted a journal in over a year. Its been busy and I been lazy, so sue me.
Merry Christmas and all that. I had fun at the fursuit walk Saturday along the famous San Antonio Riverwalk even though it started to drizzle and had to rush the stops like at the Alamo before it got too hard. Ended up hanging around at Hemisfair Park for like an hour and I got featured in a YT short.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cMTkMBNtQOE
Not a bad Christmas present I must say must say. Yeah yeah, I haven't posted a journal in over a year. Its been busy and I been lazy, so sue me.
The Storm Before the Calm. 146th Journal
Posted 3 years agoOh my goodness, ACFI furcon starts today and I am still not ready. I'll be going in a an hour or so. Luckily it is local so not too bad of a drive to the hotel but still.
Things been rather hectic and I am still trying to try up loose ends. As per usual, I am going into rush mode to get done before the con. I have things lining up so I should be ok unless something unexpected blindsides me.
Got to finish the mods and the repairs on my fursuit head (new fans, broken horns, and the missing fangs plus some sort of perch for my new custom plush). I also have a project for a friend that I am pretty much finished, just a some touchups.
I originally wanted to make proper paws for this con but no time for that. I'll have to wait for next TFF (If I can make it) and stick with the standard plain black gloves that I been using for a while. Gets the job done but nothing like real paws.
Anyway, I'll be gone until Monday or so. If you happen to see me there, come and say hi. Well, gotta go finish packing. *..*
Things been rather hectic and I am still trying to try up loose ends. As per usual, I am going into rush mode to get done before the con. I have things lining up so I should be ok unless something unexpected blindsides me.
Got to finish the mods and the repairs on my fursuit head (new fans, broken horns, and the missing fangs plus some sort of perch for my new custom plush). I also have a project for a friend that I am pretty much finished, just a some touchups.
I originally wanted to make proper paws for this con but no time for that. I'll have to wait for next TFF (If I can make it) and stick with the standard plain black gloves that I been using for a while. Gets the job done but nothing like real paws.
Anyway, I'll be gone until Monday or so. If you happen to see me there, come and say hi. Well, gotta go finish packing. *..*
Ugh, Updates. 145th Journal
Posted 3 years agoHeat Wave Rave
I haven't updated for a while, not that anyone cares. But yeah, been super hot here of late, hotter than the surface of the sun really. The heatwave been going on for months with almost every day going well above 100°. Just absolutely baking. We did get a little bit of rain last week but nothing for months.
Last Saturday it hit 108. Then 109 Sunday, where it the so called storm gave us literally a few drops. The only good thing was a little relief from the cloud cover. I was able to do a some yard work but not that much.
Between a Rock and Hard Place
Last week, a rock hit my windshield of my car, leaving a crescent shape crack that quickly grew to half the width of the windshield. What a bother. It is not big enough to get the windshield replaced just yet but it something I have to take care of eventually.
The rock seemed to either been kicked up but a truck or few out of the bed of it. Don't know as it happened too quick. I did saw a blur out of the corner of my eye just before the loud smack from the impact, which occurred toward the passenger side.
Water Water Nowhere, Everything did Shrink
On top of that, the freaking water went out of Friday. The main pump of the city well burned out, Leaving our small town of under 9000 dry. The backup pump was out for repair and the backup well had a previously undetected leak that completely drained it. What a mess. The city did provide some bottled water but it was still a pain to deal with. The water did slowly came back on the following day but a boil noticed was issued due to the low pressure. That ended today so there is that.
I Would Forget My Head too if It Wasn't Currently Attached
Speaking of today, I forgot to take my wallet when I went to work. I was planing on going grocery shopping after finishing work. I would say "When it rains, it pours" but it has been so dry there that such an event would be welcome indeed.
Oh well, I hate to imagine what will happen next. It is supposed to cool down a little but not going last as the heat will go on unabated till the end of time or who knows how long.
Give Me Full Power!
Our power grid is holding on but barely so far. Not sure how much more it can take. Been breaking all kinds of record on power draw of late. Solar is helping out, doing an increasing amount of the load. The wind turbines did help too but the winds have died down. I fear the dreaded rolling blackouts will start sooner or later. Madness!
Cooldown Lowdown
As for progress on my fursuit, I bought some more fans for the head. I been using a small 40mm fan for a while now. It doesn't do much but what little air it does more helps a surprising amount. I can wear the head for much longer than without the tiny fan. I accidentally unplugged it a few times and I can notice the difference quite quickly.
I gone ahead and bought more 5V DC fans to make the airflow between. I am modeling mounts so I can fit two 50mm fans, each of them to the side of the inner part of my maw instead of the smaller one directly in front. The original fan was just attached using Velcro fasteners and hot glue, the later getting so hot that it soften enough to detach from the foam a few times. So I had to wedge it back in there, hence the new design using a 3D printed mount to give it more surface area for better attachment, at least I hope it so anyway.
I should have it finished and put to use by ACFI in October. I hope much sooner as I plan on attending a local meet soonish. I also hope to make my paws by then too. That is the next step in completing my fursuit. I want to eventually make a fullsuit too.
Spreading the Disea... Joy, Yeah
I also am designing and making a fursuit accessory thing for someone else too. Not quite ready to reveal it just yet. I may slap some progress pics if I am not feeling so lazy and all that. I still have to take pics and post the con swag I got from TFF this year. Not a whole lot of stuff but at least something to post. I haven't post anything in quite a while. >..> We shall see. Think that is everything. I am sure I forgot something... as per my usual.
Lest I Forget
Oh, I almost forgot. I did got myself another 3D printer (two in fact). I already started to write about it... and promptly left it unfinished. I'll finsih it up and post it next... if I don't forget about it again. I am bad about that... um, what are we talking about again? Oh yeah, the new printer. Stay tuned for that. Should be up before the turn of the century I am sure.
I haven't updated for a while, not that anyone cares. But yeah, been super hot here of late, hotter than the surface of the sun really. The heatwave been going on for months with almost every day going well above 100°. Just absolutely baking. We did get a little bit of rain last week but nothing for months.
Last Saturday it hit 108. Then 109 Sunday, where it the so called storm gave us literally a few drops. The only good thing was a little relief from the cloud cover. I was able to do a some yard work but not that much.
Between a Rock and Hard Place
Last week, a rock hit my windshield of my car, leaving a crescent shape crack that quickly grew to half the width of the windshield. What a bother. It is not big enough to get the windshield replaced just yet but it something I have to take care of eventually.
The rock seemed to either been kicked up but a truck or few out of the bed of it. Don't know as it happened too quick. I did saw a blur out of the corner of my eye just before the loud smack from the impact, which occurred toward the passenger side.
Water Water Nowhere, Everything did Shrink
On top of that, the freaking water went out of Friday. The main pump of the city well burned out, Leaving our small town of under 9000 dry. The backup pump was out for repair and the backup well had a previously undetected leak that completely drained it. What a mess. The city did provide some bottled water but it was still a pain to deal with. The water did slowly came back on the following day but a boil noticed was issued due to the low pressure. That ended today so there is that.
I Would Forget My Head too if It Wasn't Currently Attached
Speaking of today, I forgot to take my wallet when I went to work. I was planing on going grocery shopping after finishing work. I would say "When it rains, it pours" but it has been so dry there that such an event would be welcome indeed.
Oh well, I hate to imagine what will happen next. It is supposed to cool down a little but not going last as the heat will go on unabated till the end of time or who knows how long.
Give Me Full Power!
Our power grid is holding on but barely so far. Not sure how much more it can take. Been breaking all kinds of record on power draw of late. Solar is helping out, doing an increasing amount of the load. The wind turbines did help too but the winds have died down. I fear the dreaded rolling blackouts will start sooner or later. Madness!
Cooldown Lowdown
As for progress on my fursuit, I bought some more fans for the head. I been using a small 40mm fan for a while now. It doesn't do much but what little air it does more helps a surprising amount. I can wear the head for much longer than without the tiny fan. I accidentally unplugged it a few times and I can notice the difference quite quickly.
I gone ahead and bought more 5V DC fans to make the airflow between. I am modeling mounts so I can fit two 50mm fans, each of them to the side of the inner part of my maw instead of the smaller one directly in front. The original fan was just attached using Velcro fasteners and hot glue, the later getting so hot that it soften enough to detach from the foam a few times. So I had to wedge it back in there, hence the new design using a 3D printed mount to give it more surface area for better attachment, at least I hope it so anyway.
I should have it finished and put to use by ACFI in October. I hope much sooner as I plan on attending a local meet soonish. I also hope to make my paws by then too. That is the next step in completing my fursuit. I want to eventually make a fullsuit too.
Spreading the Disea... Joy, Yeah
I also am designing and making a fursuit accessory thing for someone else too. Not quite ready to reveal it just yet. I may slap some progress pics if I am not feeling so lazy and all that. I still have to take pics and post the con swag I got from TFF this year. Not a whole lot of stuff but at least something to post. I haven't post anything in quite a while. >..> We shall see. Think that is everything. I am sure I forgot something... as per my usual.
Lest I Forget
Oh, I almost forgot. I did got myself another 3D printer (two in fact). I already started to write about it... and promptly left it unfinished. I'll finsih it up and post it next... if I don't forget about it again. I am bad about that... um, what are we talking about again? Oh yeah, the new printer. Stay tuned for that. Should be up before the turn of the century I am sure.
Back from TFF 2022! 144th Journal
Posted 3 years agoI'm back! Did anyone miss me? No? Awwwww.
Well, I be brief... as much as I can. Did I enjoy the con? Let's just say I wish it was still going on. Got there just after 1PM on Thursday and didn't leave until just after 9AM on Monday. Didn't get a roommate but that is alright. I had the whole room to myself though kinda a waste of space. The room itself was on the small side but one or two more fur could have fit, especially if they didn't have a full suit. I didn't spend much time in my room anyway, just mostly sleep, shower, and the like. I wanted to spend as much time at the con itself as much as I can. And I did most of it in my partial suit.
Overall I did enjoy the experience. I bought some swag that I'll post in due time (sometime in this century I am sure). Not too many panel I attended this year (got super busy) but I did hit the introvert one and the San Antonio furry meet-n-greet, trying to make new friends.
The raves was so-so for the part though a DJ named something like Cerberus wqas awesome, a rarity. I went so wild that one of my horns went flying off and broke another inch or so from the tip (I lost like a 1/4" from a previous con with a good DJ by thrashing about like a mad dragon). The magnets I used are super strong. I can grab the base of a horn and lift off the whole head without falling off. I can even shake it a bit while staying firmly attached so that kinda tells you how much I went wild. But that being said, I plan either reprint just that broken part and glue it on or just make a whole new set. Probably the first option and then print the entire thing again but use clear filament. The I had some blue LEDs in my current horns and it barely shows through the white PLA I used. I hope the clear ones with a thinner coat of white paint would show up much better. But we'll see.
The only really bad thing (aside from the infestation of dud-stop at the dead-dog dance) and that someone decided it was a good idea to take down the fursuit lounge (i.e. the headless lounge) early on Sunday at midnight despite having the room full of suiters trying to cool off as well as literally hundreds of suiters just outside in the main con space (though even a handful of suiter would still justify leaving it up). Plus all the furries still in the rave. They even unplugged the fans right in front of people trying to use them. Someone ask why and the guy snapped "oh you should be asleep at midnight. Not only that is rude and unprofessional, but dangerous as well as any suiter knows. He even unplugged one of the water stations. Talk about being disrespectful. They should left the fans going until at least an hour after dead-dog ends (it is an official event at the con after all so there is no excuse but even then).
And while I am on the subject, they really should be at least double the amount of fans although 3 or 4 time would be even better. There were times where I had to wait to get to a fan, no fun. One time I went in after going wild at the rave, I could get a fan and sat down at a table, using my tail as pillow (works good as I had to over stuff it to push out the wrinkles due to my poor sewing) as I laid my head down. I got a bit toasty and started to feel a headache coming on as well as a tiny bit of nausea developing, signs of an upcoming heatstroke. I recognized that in time and did found just enough of an opening to a fan to cooled down as quick as I could. But I was done for that Saturday night and went back to my room after getting my temp down (by the way, the con itself had a few hot spots like the dealer's den room) and was fine later. Didn't get that hot although taking down the fans did ticked me off and cut short the final night.
Other than that, the con itself ran fine as far as I can tell although the registation line was long, even on Thursday. I was in line for almost 2 hours even though I got there an hour early. I heard people waited 4-5 hours on the later days. Madness. There was issues with the elevators and escalators. I am glad I was in the south tower where things were a little calmer. I was on the top floor so going down wasn't too bad. One lady was trying to get on the elevator from one of the middle floors to leave on Sunday but constantly got full cars going in both direction. She was on the phone complaining she was waiting for almost an hour when our door opened (with a full car) and saw her. That really sucks I bet. I am glad I left Monday were it wasn't so crowded with people trying to leave. I hope next year I don't get a middle level floor, especially in the craziness that is of the central tower. I had friends there and got in long lines (the elevator con) a few times while trying to get to there room.
I could go on more stuff. Maybe I post more but for now I think I got most of it. Will try to go again next year for sure though. Hopefully they,ll get the fursuit lounge thing sorted out as that was a big pile of bull sh.... stuff. I mean don't take away the fans while suiters are using them. That is just wrong on so many levels. Imagine if someone had a serious heatstroke. Would put a sour note after an otherwise successful con indeed I say.
Oh another thing before I forget. They had a webcam set up that would send pictures to twitter after a few seconds of pressing a button. I did quick a few throughout the days. You can check them out with the hashtag #furconai. I was able to grab many of images I was in and plan to make a collage of them, so keep an eye out for that in the coming epoch.
Well, I be brief... as much as I can. Did I enjoy the con? Let's just say I wish it was still going on. Got there just after 1PM on Thursday and didn't leave until just after 9AM on Monday. Didn't get a roommate but that is alright. I had the whole room to myself though kinda a waste of space. The room itself was on the small side but one or two more fur could have fit, especially if they didn't have a full suit. I didn't spend much time in my room anyway, just mostly sleep, shower, and the like. I wanted to spend as much time at the con itself as much as I can. And I did most of it in my partial suit.
Overall I did enjoy the experience. I bought some swag that I'll post in due time (sometime in this century I am sure). Not too many panel I attended this year (got super busy) but I did hit the introvert one and the San Antonio furry meet-n-greet, trying to make new friends.
The raves was so-so for the part though a DJ named something like Cerberus wqas awesome, a rarity. I went so wild that one of my horns went flying off and broke another inch or so from the tip (I lost like a 1/4" from a previous con with a good DJ by thrashing about like a mad dragon). The magnets I used are super strong. I can grab the base of a horn and lift off the whole head without falling off. I can even shake it a bit while staying firmly attached so that kinda tells you how much I went wild. But that being said, I plan either reprint just that broken part and glue it on or just make a whole new set. Probably the first option and then print the entire thing again but use clear filament. The I had some blue LEDs in my current horns and it barely shows through the white PLA I used. I hope the clear ones with a thinner coat of white paint would show up much better. But we'll see.
The only really bad thing (aside from the infestation of dud-stop at the dead-dog dance) and that someone decided it was a good idea to take down the fursuit lounge (i.e. the headless lounge) early on Sunday at midnight despite having the room full of suiters trying to cool off as well as literally hundreds of suiters just outside in the main con space (though even a handful of suiter would still justify leaving it up). Plus all the furries still in the rave. They even unplugged the fans right in front of people trying to use them. Someone ask why and the guy snapped "oh you should be asleep at midnight. Not only that is rude and unprofessional, but dangerous as well as any suiter knows. He even unplugged one of the water stations. Talk about being disrespectful. They should left the fans going until at least an hour after dead-dog ends (it is an official event at the con after all so there is no excuse but even then).
And while I am on the subject, they really should be at least double the amount of fans although 3 or 4 time would be even better. There were times where I had to wait to get to a fan, no fun. One time I went in after going wild at the rave, I could get a fan and sat down at a table, using my tail as pillow (works good as I had to over stuff it to push out the wrinkles due to my poor sewing) as I laid my head down. I got a bit toasty and started to feel a headache coming on as well as a tiny bit of nausea developing, signs of an upcoming heatstroke. I recognized that in time and did found just enough of an opening to a fan to cooled down as quick as I could. But I was done for that Saturday night and went back to my room after getting my temp down (by the way, the con itself had a few hot spots like the dealer's den room) and was fine later. Didn't get that hot although taking down the fans did ticked me off and cut short the final night.
Other than that, the con itself ran fine as far as I can tell although the registation line was long, even on Thursday. I was in line for almost 2 hours even though I got there an hour early. I heard people waited 4-5 hours on the later days. Madness. There was issues with the elevators and escalators. I am glad I was in the south tower where things were a little calmer. I was on the top floor so going down wasn't too bad. One lady was trying to get on the elevator from one of the middle floors to leave on Sunday but constantly got full cars going in both direction. She was on the phone complaining she was waiting for almost an hour when our door opened (with a full car) and saw her. That really sucks I bet. I am glad I left Monday were it wasn't so crowded with people trying to leave. I hope next year I don't get a middle level floor, especially in the craziness that is of the central tower. I had friends there and got in long lines (the elevator con) a few times while trying to get to there room.
I could go on more stuff. Maybe I post more but for now I think I got most of it. Will try to go again next year for sure though. Hopefully they,ll get the fursuit lounge thing sorted out as that was a big pile of bull sh.... stuff. I mean don't take away the fans while suiters are using them. That is just wrong on so many levels. Imagine if someone had a serious heatstroke. Would put a sour note after an otherwise successful con indeed I say.
Oh another thing before I forget. They had a webcam set up that would send pictures to twitter after a few seconds of pressing a button. I did quick a few throughout the days. You can check them out with the hashtag #furconai. I was able to grab many of images I was in and plan to make a collage of them, so keep an eye out for that in the coming epoch.
Going to TFF! 143rd Journal
Posted 3 years agoYeah, I'm heading off in the morning. I'll be traveling from San Antonio to Dallas for the con and plan to leave on Monday. I been to the 2019 one and had a good enough time. I missed the 2020 and 2022 TFFs, both due to BS reasons of one thing or another. So I wasn't going to miss this year come hell or high water.
Looks like I'll have the room to all by myself again like at StratoFur as I could not find a roommate. While nice having the whole room, it seems to be a waste of space, especially when I am going to spend mist of the time at the con itself. Oh well, hopefully that won't be a trend in the future. Two or three roomies are fine though I heard like 8 people stuffed into a single room before. That is a bit too much. 😳
Looks like I'll have the room to all by myself again like at StratoFur as I could not find a roommate. While nice having the whole room, it seems to be a waste of space, especially when I am going to spend mist of the time at the con itself. Oh well, hopefully that won't be a trend in the future. Two or three roomies are fine though I heard like 8 people stuffed into a single room before. That is a bit too much. 😳
I Got Boosted 142nd Journal
Posted 4 years agoI finally got juiced on the boost along with my mom. We both had double shots of Pfizer. I read that the Moderna booster is slightly better for the new Omicron variant making the round but all they had was another Pfizer one at the day we went. Oh well, better than leaving one exposed.
We went to the same drive-through shot place that my mom had her first two shots as no appointments are necessary. The lines where a lot shorter this time around but still an hour wait as the setup was different, only two lines instead of the four before. Plus they didn't give out the forms to fill until after the first station. Last two times, they had volunteers passing out the forms much earlier (though they could have better if they gave it sooner back in the massive waiting parking lot - so much time to fill them out then, but I digress).
And somehow the line I was in as going much slower than the other one. I counter like 15 cars creeping past us in that line, moving up in bigger chunks (a 15 car per hour difference so to speak). I think they had extra help in that line or something. They should have periodically move back and forth periodically between the lines to make it fairer.
At least it wasn't too hot like the other times we went despite being in the morning back then. And no one was smoking too.
<rant mode on> Some inconsiderate asshole was puffing away close by and I had to roll up all the windows, denying us the gentle breezes that day. Keep your toxic cloud (and diseases) away from me thank you very much.
Hopefully no more shots but the way things are going with the Typhoid Marys keep drawing it out, it might come to that (if they don't die out first). Either way is fine with me, this needs to spot. It's been nearly two years and they keep extending it further and further. <rant mode off>
Anyway, I am going to make an update to the "Relax - I got the Vax" badge I made (See my gallery for a photo of it). I plan to design and 3D print an extension to the bottom with the phase "Juiced with the boost!" or maybe "Juiced on the Boost" (I like the first one a little better) on it, Attaching it with something to the holes I put along the bottom of the original badge. Maybe I'll use small metal links, leather straps, or some sort of cordage (Paracord would be cool). If any of you have any ideas on what to use, let me know. I'll probably try out a few different things to see what looks the best.
BTW, the upper part of my arm feels a bit sore, similar to my second, which was a little worse than the first that came on quicker but it away went away quicker too. I didn't get much sleep that night mostly due to that soreness, so I was a bit tired the next day. Or it could have been to the effects of the shot. Probably a combination of both. But I am feeling better the next day with none of the head and body aches that some people experienced. Hopefully that will hold.
Everyone have a very merry and furry Christmas... and a happy nude dear. I am feeling slight more festive this year. Don't know why but I take that I can when I can get it.
We went to the same drive-through shot place that my mom had her first two shots as no appointments are necessary. The lines where a lot shorter this time around but still an hour wait as the setup was different, only two lines instead of the four before. Plus they didn't give out the forms to fill until after the first station. Last two times, they had volunteers passing out the forms much earlier (though they could have better if they gave it sooner back in the massive waiting parking lot - so much time to fill them out then, but I digress).
And somehow the line I was in as going much slower than the other one. I counter like 15 cars creeping past us in that line, moving up in bigger chunks (a 15 car per hour difference so to speak). I think they had extra help in that line or something. They should have periodically move back and forth periodically between the lines to make it fairer.
At least it wasn't too hot like the other times we went despite being in the morning back then. And no one was smoking too.
<rant mode on> Some inconsiderate asshole was puffing away close by and I had to roll up all the windows, denying us the gentle breezes that day. Keep your toxic cloud (and diseases) away from me thank you very much.
Hopefully no more shots but the way things are going with the Typhoid Marys keep drawing it out, it might come to that (if they don't die out first). Either way is fine with me, this needs to spot. It's been nearly two years and they keep extending it further and further. <rant mode off>
Anyway, I am going to make an update to the "Relax - I got the Vax" badge I made (See my gallery for a photo of it). I plan to design and 3D print an extension to the bottom with the phase "Juiced with the boost!" or maybe "Juiced on the Boost" (I like the first one a little better) on it, Attaching it with something to the holes I put along the bottom of the original badge. Maybe I'll use small metal links, leather straps, or some sort of cordage (Paracord would be cool). If any of you have any ideas on what to use, let me know. I'll probably try out a few different things to see what looks the best.
BTW, the upper part of my arm feels a bit sore, similar to my second, which was a little worse than the first that came on quicker but it away went away quicker too. I didn't get much sleep that night mostly due to that soreness, so I was a bit tired the next day. Or it could have been to the effects of the shot. Probably a combination of both. But I am feeling better the next day with none of the head and body aches that some people experienced. Hopefully that will hold.
Everyone have a very merry and furry Christmas... and a happy nude dear. I am feeling slight more festive this year. Don't know why but I take that I can when I can get it.
Forced into an Upgrade 141st Journal
Posted 4 years agoI gots me a new phone. It arrived Saturday. Well, I had to upgrade as my old ancient one as it will not work with with my carrier anymore soonish as they are going to drop that capability in a few months (as with many other carriers as they all want to move to the so-called kinda 5G stuff in the US). The old phone worked well enough for what I use it for. I is a big slow but since I am an antisocial dragon, I done use it much anyway. I have various computers and laptops at home and work, I don't really need much beyond basic phone functions and playing simple games when I am on the road.
But getting a better camera would be nice, so I was keeping the idea of upgrading in the back of my head. But never pulled the trigger until now. I did a bunch of searching for something that is not insanely priced, which are slim pickings. I was looking for something in the $200US to $300US range (spoiler, I went a bit over). I definitely not going into the ridiculously overpriced $1000+ flagship models.
Aside from the better camera and video, other features I searched were a decently good screen, expandable memory and if I can get it, a proper audio jack and replaceable battery (the later pretty much extinct these days). I also want to stick with Android for reasons. Oh, it absolutely had to be unlocked. There is no way I am going to be tied down to the mercy of a single carrier.
Just about anything on the current market would blow my old model out of the water, a Samsung Galaxy Prevail (something like that IIRC). But if I had to upgrade, I wanted something far enough ahead that I won't need to do it again for a good while, while not being stupid expensive. Basically the best bang for the buck type of thing. So I attacked the mid-ranged phone, trying to find a good price-to-performance ratio.
I first looked at the Samsung A32. Seems good enough. The camera specs way higher than my old one. It has a 48MP rear camera compared to something like like 8MP on the old, 12MP on the front instead of 5MP (or was it 2MP, I forgets), 4K 30fps video versus whatever crap my old one put out, maybe 720p if that. Memory wise, it has 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage with expansion of 512GB. The old has 8GB internal with 32GB max expansion. The RAM I don't know but probably something like 1GB. The A32 has a much much better display and speed of course. So it looked like a winner. But the cheapest unlocked price was somewhat over $300US, especially including sales tax and whatnot (a little cheaper if I am locked with a carrier but no way I am going to do that).
But I still wanted to look around a bit more for anything better. Other Samsung models like the A42 and A52 that are getting good reviews too with a little better specs in each bump in the model. The prices I been seeing on them are a bit close with the A52 on sale, so if I am going to pick among those two, the A52 would be it.
So comparing the A32 with the A52, the later has four time the screen resolution, double the framerate, 6GB of RAM, a 64MP camera sensor, can go a full TB with the micro SD and has a slightly faster processor. And it is about a hundred bucks more than the A32. I felt it was worth it as that was nice jump in performance per price ratio. Anything above that model has a much bigger diminishing return, huge increases in price that doesn't seem to justify the better specs, at least in my eyes. Besides, the prices was getting way out of paw.
I ended up selecting the A52 despite being a bit over my original price bracket. For less than 20% more in price, I get 4x the display, 2x
refresh rate, 2x expandable memory limit, 50% more memory, 33% more camera pixels, and a slightly better processor (that diminishing returns thing starting to kick in), all the while keeping the audio jack and all that.
This phone better last me a long long time, several centuries at least. I am not going to swap phones every year like some people. Unless it is something that transcends space and time, I am sticking with what I got for the long haul.
At least I now can take better pictures and videos. I bought one of those 1080p action cams a while ago and took a few vids here and there, but hopefully with this new phone, I can do it more often. I plan to record the fursuits parades that I am in in the future if I can manage it. I might post it on YouTube. I have an account but I haven't put anything up on it as of yet. Maybe I can start with stuff like the parades and the like. I bought a steady cam stick thing awhile back that should make a nice addition to the phone. Should make the vid as stable or even better than those super expensive phones. Then just about the only thing I'll be missing out on is the small speed bump and slightly better camera, which I can live with.
I can also run newer apps as a lot of them stopped support for KitKat 4.4 long ago. I don't plan on running the latest ultra demanding action and FPS games as I have a computer for that if I even have a desire to do so (lack of freetime putting a dent here). But still would be nice to have more options open to me. As for steaming movies and stuff, I'll do it over WiFi if that. We shall see... we shall see.
But getting a better camera would be nice, so I was keeping the idea of upgrading in the back of my head. But never pulled the trigger until now. I did a bunch of searching for something that is not insanely priced, which are slim pickings. I was looking for something in the $200US to $300US range (spoiler, I went a bit over). I definitely not going into the ridiculously overpriced $1000+ flagship models.
Aside from the better camera and video, other features I searched were a decently good screen, expandable memory and if I can get it, a proper audio jack and replaceable battery (the later pretty much extinct these days). I also want to stick with Android for reasons. Oh, it absolutely had to be unlocked. There is no way I am going to be tied down to the mercy of a single carrier.
Just about anything on the current market would blow my old model out of the water, a Samsung Galaxy Prevail (something like that IIRC). But if I had to upgrade, I wanted something far enough ahead that I won't need to do it again for a good while, while not being stupid expensive. Basically the best bang for the buck type of thing. So I attacked the mid-ranged phone, trying to find a good price-to-performance ratio.
I first looked at the Samsung A32. Seems good enough. The camera specs way higher than my old one. It has a 48MP rear camera compared to something like like 8MP on the old, 12MP on the front instead of 5MP (or was it 2MP, I forgets), 4K 30fps video versus whatever crap my old one put out, maybe 720p if that. Memory wise, it has 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage with expansion of 512GB. The old has 8GB internal with 32GB max expansion. The RAM I don't know but probably something like 1GB. The A32 has a much much better display and speed of course. So it looked like a winner. But the cheapest unlocked price was somewhat over $300US, especially including sales tax and whatnot (a little cheaper if I am locked with a carrier but no way I am going to do that).
But I still wanted to look around a bit more for anything better. Other Samsung models like the A42 and A52 that are getting good reviews too with a little better specs in each bump in the model. The prices I been seeing on them are a bit close with the A52 on sale, so if I am going to pick among those two, the A52 would be it.
So comparing the A32 with the A52, the later has four time the screen resolution, double the framerate, 6GB of RAM, a 64MP camera sensor, can go a full TB with the micro SD and has a slightly faster processor. And it is about a hundred bucks more than the A32. I felt it was worth it as that was nice jump in performance per price ratio. Anything above that model has a much bigger diminishing return, huge increases in price that doesn't seem to justify the better specs, at least in my eyes. Besides, the prices was getting way out of paw.
I ended up selecting the A52 despite being a bit over my original price bracket. For less than 20% more in price, I get 4x the display, 2x
refresh rate, 2x expandable memory limit, 50% more memory, 33% more camera pixels, and a slightly better processor (that diminishing returns thing starting to kick in), all the while keeping the audio jack and all that.
This phone better last me a long long time, several centuries at least. I am not going to swap phones every year like some people. Unless it is something that transcends space and time, I am sticking with what I got for the long haul.
At least I now can take better pictures and videos. I bought one of those 1080p action cams a while ago and took a few vids here and there, but hopefully with this new phone, I can do it more often. I plan to record the fursuits parades that I am in in the future if I can manage it. I might post it on YouTube. I have an account but I haven't put anything up on it as of yet. Maybe I can start with stuff like the parades and the like. I bought a steady cam stick thing awhile back that should make a nice addition to the phone. Should make the vid as stable or even better than those super expensive phones. Then just about the only thing I'll be missing out on is the small speed bump and slightly better camera, which I can live with.
I can also run newer apps as a lot of them stopped support for KitKat 4.4 long ago. I don't plan on running the latest ultra demanding action and FPS games as I have a computer for that if I even have a desire to do so (lack of freetime putting a dent here). But still would be nice to have more options open to me. As for steaming movies and stuff, I'll do it over WiFi if that. We shall see... we shall see.
1st Local Furmeet + TFF 2022 Reg 140th Journal
Posted 4 years agoWell well well, I finally went to the local furmeet in San Antonio at a bowling alley. I did attend one in Houston a few months back but took the plunge here. The bowling place was across town but nothing like the 3 hour drive I did previously.
There were around 40 furs or so attending after the long hiatus due to that something-something that is still going around. So mask was required except when lunch was served, which were cheese and pepperoni pizzas and some chicken wings. I ended up devouring two slices of the pizza and four drumsticks.
I didn't bowl (I literally been decades since I did that last), so I just hung around some. I did chatted with some people although it tended to be mostly people I met before at the cons. One person was from Austin, a couple from San Antonio itself, and a new person was from San Marcos.I was hoping to meet more new SA furs but it is a start.
I did got into a few photos here and there ( Group photo https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FExQE7o.....name=4096x4096 to the right - hehe, this time Knoxx was behind me) and at least one YouTube video ( https://youtu.be/rT6CoBBzhlM I showed up on the left at the 15 sec mark).
Speaking of attending, I gone ahead and pre-regged for the sponsor level for TFF 2022. I also reserved a room in the main hotel for Thursday to Monday. The only thing left was a single king-size bed. Right now I am the only one in the room. A bit of a waste and I would like to find a roommate or two. If anyone is interested, I'm an old timer (been in the fandom for decades). I don't smoke, do drugs (aside from the prescriptions), and I almost never drink. Just a crazy dragon.
I couldn't find any roomies before StratosFur and had the whole room to myself. While nice, I would like to utilize that space better, especially going to TFF as that is a much bigger con and rooms at the main hotel will become more and more sparse. Plus if I could offset some of the cost, it would be nice too if I can manage that. I don't want like eight people to a room like I heard at ACFI. That is a bit too crazy. I think three tops (or maybe four but that'll be right enough) though with just a single king size, someone would need to sleep on the couch (if there is one) or bring something like an air mattress. I'll talk about it some more as the date of the con nears.
There were around 40 furs or so attending after the long hiatus due to that something-something that is still going around. So mask was required except when lunch was served, which were cheese and pepperoni pizzas and some chicken wings. I ended up devouring two slices of the pizza and four drumsticks.
I didn't bowl (I literally been decades since I did that last), so I just hung around some. I did chatted with some people although it tended to be mostly people I met before at the cons. One person was from Austin, a couple from San Antonio itself, and a new person was from San Marcos.I was hoping to meet more new SA furs but it is a start.
I did got into a few photos here and there ( Group photo https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FExQE7o.....name=4096x4096 to the right - hehe, this time Knoxx was behind me) and at least one YouTube video ( https://youtu.be/rT6CoBBzhlM I showed up on the left at the 15 sec mark).
Speaking of attending, I gone ahead and pre-regged for the sponsor level for TFF 2022. I also reserved a room in the main hotel for Thursday to Monday. The only thing left was a single king-size bed. Right now I am the only one in the room. A bit of a waste and I would like to find a roommate or two. If anyone is interested, I'm an old timer (been in the fandom for decades). I don't smoke, do drugs (aside from the prescriptions), and I almost never drink. Just a crazy dragon.
I couldn't find any roomies before StratosFur and had the whole room to myself. While nice, I would like to utilize that space better, especially going to TFF as that is a much bigger con and rooms at the main hotel will become more and more sparse. Plus if I could offset some of the cost, it would be nice too if I can manage that. I don't want like eight people to a room like I heard at ACFI. That is a bit too crazy. I think three tops (or maybe four but that'll be right enough) though with just a single king size, someone would need to sleep on the couch (if there is one) or bring something like an air mattress. I'll talk about it some more as the date of the con nears.
It Happened Again... Again! 138th Journal
Posted 4 years agoWow, it happened a third time. First incident was a few months ago when a speeding car started to spin out as it blew by me and hit the concrete center divider, missing me literally by mere inches. The second occurred just over a month ago where another car spun out quite away behind me for no apparent reason. It was close enough for me to hear the tires screeching and seeing the spin action in my rear-view mirror.
Then it happened again. I was at an intersection under an overpass when the car to the left and just in front of me decided to do a left turn on an unprotected green (no green arrow, just the solid light) with a oncoming car still traveling toward us with the right-of-way. Well, the car next to me was kinda lackadaisical going about it and jumping in front of the other car. I could see it coming a mile away but could do nothing as I watched the other car hit their brakes but it was a tad too late as it clipped the rear bumper of the turning car, sending a sliver of the black trim molding flying.
The thing was that there was plent of distance behind that oncoming car and the turning one could have just waited like 3 seconds before trying to thread that needle. Even if gunned it, it would have been damn close. The oncoming car probably could have braked it earlier or try to changed lanes but the it was entirely the turning car's fault for jumping in like that.
That particular intersection been problematic anyway. Someone turned into me several years ago and I clipped the front of their car. I couldn't changed lane as I would hit the back and skidded into the other cars waiting (like they should) to take thier turn on making their turn. I couldn't keep going straight as I would have t-boned the other car and that is also as bad as a head-on crash. So I had a split second to turned right, trying to minimized the impact, which did work as it just sheared off the other car's bumper and grill. It didn't even set off our air-bags (the other options would surely had with much severe injuries for sure).
Of course it was their fault and all that but people like to take chances there. Don't make that turn unless there is plenty of space. Threading the needle is taking too much of a chance. Another bad spot is the exit ramp just beyond that intersection. The highway ramp is coming down from the bridge at the intersection, making it a bit hard to see cars making that exit. One has to keep their head on a swivel, constantly looking for stopped cars ahead and those that might be about to exit from behind from the elevated ramp. So many times people fail to yield to exiting traffic, causing many close calls. Often times I have to hit my horn so that people pay attention.
Oh well, I could tell other stories like that time one of those raised trucks started to change lanes and almost sideswipe me (We were almost dead even side-by-side). Luckily I hit my brakes hard enough so that he didn't hit my front fender but it was close. Damn idiot probably didn't bother looking at his side mirrors (probably aimed too high anyway) before making that ill advised lane change. He didn't even had the turn signal on, you know the type. They think they own the roar but eventually end up upside-down in a ditch somewhere. Yeah, one of those.
Anyhoot, the last few months had been weird as far as my driving experiences. So many close calls and people doing the crash routine around me. It is like people forgot how to drive (well, if they knew how to in the first place but I digress). Damn humans. The dumb ones are not killing themselves fast enough. *..*
Then it happened again. I was at an intersection under an overpass when the car to the left and just in front of me decided to do a left turn on an unprotected green (no green arrow, just the solid light) with a oncoming car still traveling toward us with the right-of-way. Well, the car next to me was kinda lackadaisical going about it and jumping in front of the other car. I could see it coming a mile away but could do nothing as I watched the other car hit their brakes but it was a tad too late as it clipped the rear bumper of the turning car, sending a sliver of the black trim molding flying.
The thing was that there was plent of distance behind that oncoming car and the turning one could have just waited like 3 seconds before trying to thread that needle. Even if gunned it, it would have been damn close. The oncoming car probably could have braked it earlier or try to changed lanes but the it was entirely the turning car's fault for jumping in like that.
That particular intersection been problematic anyway. Someone turned into me several years ago and I clipped the front of their car. I couldn't changed lane as I would hit the back and skidded into the other cars waiting (like they should) to take thier turn on making their turn. I couldn't keep going straight as I would have t-boned the other car and that is also as bad as a head-on crash. So I had a split second to turned right, trying to minimized the impact, which did work as it just sheared off the other car's bumper and grill. It didn't even set off our air-bags (the other options would surely had with much severe injuries for sure).
Of course it was their fault and all that but people like to take chances there. Don't make that turn unless there is plenty of space. Threading the needle is taking too much of a chance. Another bad spot is the exit ramp just beyond that intersection. The highway ramp is coming down from the bridge at the intersection, making it a bit hard to see cars making that exit. One has to keep their head on a swivel, constantly looking for stopped cars ahead and those that might be about to exit from behind from the elevated ramp. So many times people fail to yield to exiting traffic, causing many close calls. Often times I have to hit my horn so that people pay attention.
Oh well, I could tell other stories like that time one of those raised trucks started to change lanes and almost sideswipe me (We were almost dead even side-by-side). Luckily I hit my brakes hard enough so that he didn't hit my front fender but it was close. Damn idiot probably didn't bother looking at his side mirrors (probably aimed too high anyway) before making that ill advised lane change. He didn't even had the turn signal on, you know the type. They think they own the roar but eventually end up upside-down in a ditch somewhere. Yeah, one of those.
Anyhoot, the last few months had been weird as far as my driving experiences. So many close calls and people doing the crash routine around me. It is like people forgot how to drive (well, if they knew how to in the first place but I digress). Damn humans. The dumb ones are not killing themselves fast enough. *..*
You turn me around like a record baby. 138th Journal
Posted 4 years agoWell well well, It happened again, had another close call a couple of days ago. But this time someone spun out behind me. Back in August (See my 131st journal), a person drove in front of me at a very high rate of speed and skidded, hitting the barrier divider but missed me entirely.
I was driving home and there was a slowdown up ahead. I applied the brake like normal and heard a loud tire screeching noise behind me . I looked at my rear-view mirror to see a car doing a 180° spin with the tires smoking like mad.. The person behind must have not been paying attention and slammed his brakes hard enough as to lock them up. Which was weird as that car was not all that close to me. Anyhoot, Another oddity I think is that the car was new enough to have anti-lock brakes but somehow still had them all fully locked up.
Unlike that first spin out, this one didn't hit anyone nor anybody. But it did backed up traffic as the driver backup up to turn back to the right direction. I didn't see if anyone came crashing into the mess as I was already in the process to exit to a different highway that ran parallel for that sort section.
Still don't know why the spin out as the car wasn't tailgating all that much. Must have been on the phone as that is all too common among these parts. I have seen many cars swerving all over the place like a drunken idiot, often crossing the median while the driver was texting on the phone. I bet the driver was scared shitless and stopped text-n-driving... for the rest of the day. Probably start right up again. They never learn. This is way too common. Had quite a few people almost drifting into me on the highway. Damn humans, just drive and text later for crying out loud.
Oh well, changing the subject. Last weekend before ACFI 2021. Hopefully there be plenty of parking at the hotel. Parking downtown is a pain especially near the Riverwalk. It is a new location for the con this year so I have no idea how it compares to the previous ones. The one in 2019 had a nice (and large) parking garage next to it so that is very convenient. I didn't see much of a parking area judging by Google map arial photos. I'll have to look at it some more.
I was driving home and there was a slowdown up ahead. I applied the brake like normal and heard a loud tire screeching noise behind me . I looked at my rear-view mirror to see a car doing a 180° spin with the tires smoking like mad.. The person behind must have not been paying attention and slammed his brakes hard enough as to lock them up. Which was weird as that car was not all that close to me. Anyhoot, Another oddity I think is that the car was new enough to have anti-lock brakes but somehow still had them all fully locked up.
Unlike that first spin out, this one didn't hit anyone nor anybody. But it did backed up traffic as the driver backup up to turn back to the right direction. I didn't see if anyone came crashing into the mess as I was already in the process to exit to a different highway that ran parallel for that sort section.
Still don't know why the spin out as the car wasn't tailgating all that much. Must have been on the phone as that is all too common among these parts. I have seen many cars swerving all over the place like a drunken idiot, often crossing the median while the driver was texting on the phone. I bet the driver was scared shitless and stopped text-n-driving... for the rest of the day. Probably start right up again. They never learn. This is way too common. Had quite a few people almost drifting into me on the highway. Damn humans, just drive and text later for crying out loud.
Oh well, changing the subject. Last weekend before ACFI 2021. Hopefully there be plenty of parking at the hotel. Parking downtown is a pain especially near the Riverwalk. It is a new location for the con this year so I have no idea how it compares to the previous ones. The one in 2019 had a nice (and large) parking garage next to it so that is very convenient. I didn't see much of a parking area judging by Google map arial photos. I'll have to look at it some more.
I found Moar Pics! 137th Journal
Posted 4 years agoWell well well, it appears that I had stumbled upon more pics of my dragon fursuit from StratosFur 2021 on the webbies.
This one https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/57003 I have my extra long tongue out and wrapped over my muzzle for some reason. This photo also shows the painted shading and texturing of my horns in greater detail.
A side view of my newly made tail shows up here https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56778 quite nicely as well as my magical power orb (made from a modified plasma globe). I tend to bring the orb out later in the afternoon as it is not bright enough to really show up in the brighter light. Here it is showing up not too bad.
One of my big feet can also be seen in this shot. One of these days I'll remake them but for now, it gets me places so to speak. Also the details of my horns shows up quite well here too.
The glowing orb from a different angle https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56776 along with a good view of the mess of badges I wore. I have more badges but pared them down a bit. I plan on wearing them in rotation for future cons.
Now I have my goggles on as well as having the power orb in my maw in here https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56941 but I had my conbadge flipped. Oh well, it happens. Not sure why I was holding my chin. Maybe I was making an adjustment or something. I forgets.
As you can see, I had my "normal" size tongue installed in my maw. I also wore the badge I commissioned at the con although it barely poked from behind my paw in the pic.
From the dances, I found these https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56671 and https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56665 although the photos are a bit dark. In the first pic, my horns and orb are barely visible on the right side. The second shot has a silhouette my quite recognizable tail.
I like to take the opportunity to thank Breakie for capturing my elusive likeness during the con and posting it on the web. I don't really have chances of taking pics of myself. Plus my camera sucks, so I have to rely on others of get shots.
If you happen to see more pics of my suit or even videos (like that Sherbert one I popped in at least twice, nice), please let me know. I would love to see them. I still can't find the group photo I were in nor the shots from the costume contest (where I took 2nd place). There was also a shot on the stairs that I happened to randomly walk by and got "pulled" into. I wonder how they turned out. Finding those at least would be awesome.
This one https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/57003 I have my extra long tongue out and wrapped over my muzzle for some reason. This photo also shows the painted shading and texturing of my horns in greater detail.
A side view of my newly made tail shows up here https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56778 quite nicely as well as my magical power orb (made from a modified plasma globe). I tend to bring the orb out later in the afternoon as it is not bright enough to really show up in the brighter light. Here it is showing up not too bad.
One of my big feet can also be seen in this shot. One of these days I'll remake them but for now, it gets me places so to speak. Also the details of my horns shows up quite well here too.
The glowing orb from a different angle https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56776 along with a good view of the mess of badges I wore. I have more badges but pared them down a bit. I plan on wearing them in rotation for future cons.
Now I have my goggles on as well as having the power orb in my maw in here https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56941 but I had my conbadge flipped. Oh well, it happens. Not sure why I was holding my chin. Maybe I was making an adjustment or something. I forgets.
As you can see, I had my "normal" size tongue installed in my maw. I also wore the badge I commissioned at the con although it barely poked from behind my paw in the pic.
From the dances, I found these https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56671 and https://www.furtrack.com/index/even.....sfur2021/56665 although the photos are a bit dark. In the first pic, my horns and orb are barely visible on the right side. The second shot has a silhouette my quite recognizable tail.
I like to take the opportunity to thank Breakie for capturing my elusive likeness during the con and posting it on the web. I don't really have chances of taking pics of myself. Plus my camera sucks, so I have to rely on others of get shots.
If you happen to see more pics of my suit or even videos (like that Sherbert one I popped in at least twice, nice), please let me know. I would love to see them. I still can't find the group photo I were in nor the shots from the costume contest (where I took 2nd place). There was also a shot on the stairs that I happened to randomly walk by and got "pulled" into. I wonder how they turned out. Finding those at least would be awesome.
Attending ACFI Plus Loose Ends, 136th Journal
Posted 4 years agoThe End of the Beginning and beginning of the continuation.
ACFI 2021 is fast approaching and I am writing a preview of it. But before that, I have a few parting words on my previous furcon. Despite my best efforts, I still forgot happenings (as per my usual) that happened to happen at my goings at StratosFur 2021 and hopefully I'll finally cover it all. I am such a forgetful dragon creature thing, ugh. Nothing major but here are some (somewhat) interesting tidbits.
Since it was StratosFur first year and had attendance limited, I didn't think there would be a lot to do on Sunday. So I just got the hotel room from Friday to Sunday morning. As it turned out that there were enough things going on that that it would have been a pain to check out by 11am and still be able to suit. But luckily a friend at the con had his room until Monday. He had to leave on Sunday to drive another friend to the airport so another I shared that room with an another friend of his that planned to stay until that Monday. I only needed it as I plan to leave later that night.
I really only needed to room to have my dragon suit and gear to make it easy to suit up for events like the costume contest (see my previous journals to see how I did). I packed everything else up and stored it away in the car and gone ahead and check out of my room as got the keycard for the "new" room.
That worked out well, at lot less worry about attended the few remaining events of the last official day of the con. I made one final visit to the dealer's den after closing ceremony and made my last donation to the charity. I don't remember mentioning it, but I finally found someone selling balaclavas that I was looking as spares. They had a bungle special of buying three for a good price. I got two black ones and a white one as I was told that lighter color is cooler. I am going to give it a try to see if that is indeed true. But I probably stick to black ones anyway as the dark color would be harder to see through my maw.
I did stay until around 11pm and started that long drive to home. I arrived back around 2:30am or so, being oh so tired. I took the liberty of scheduling taking Monday off work so I could recover. I wanted at least one decently good night sleep before heading back to the mundane drudgery of going back to the workplace. I also bought two of the two-packs of the rapid test kits (four test total minus the one I already used) just in case. Luckily, it came out negative when I took a test a couple of days after StratosFur.
Anyhoot, that should be everything on StratosFur (probably not though). Now on to ACFI. It is coming up fast in a couple of weeks and I am looking so much forward to it. I already got my double hokey pokey poke poke so I am good to go. I also have some of the rapid test left that I am packing for the trip for more assurance. I plan to go starting on Thursday and stay until Monday morning this time. Not much office on Thursday aside from some early registrations. But it is a good time to catch up with some friends and hopefully making new ones before the bulk of the con starts.
I looked over the schedule posted on AFCI's website. The dances looks at lot more promising as it seems to feature more Trance than that sleepy Dubstep (I didn't mined it too much at first but more I heard it, the more I hate it type thing). Hopefully it'll be a lot more fast pace without the energy sapping stops during those so-called drops. I need something with energy and speed, not that constant stopping. It is ok to take breaks now and then, just not constantly. But I digress.
They'll have more darker themed dancing too as it is getting closer to that Halloween spooky time. It looks interesting as there will be trance, goth, and darker styles of music later in the night. If it is what I think it is, this dragon is going to go wild, wild I say! Dragon is going to slay the floor with his chaotic gyrations and whatnot. Horns might go flying again.
Sadly I didn't seem any dragon related panels. What a shame as the meetup that occurred in 2019 was much fun. maybe there will be some impromptu ones.
A fursuit parade is planned on Saturday, so is good. Didn't get one at StratosFur. Right after the parade is the suiters social and then public meet-n-greet. I expect lots of suiters and be pure chaos... the good kind of chaos.
Mummy furs are back, being in October and all that. That was fun in previous years. The event is basically getting a bunch of fursuiters in a room, have volunteers wrapping the up with rolls of toilet paper, and then have them roar the convention space all spooky like. I didn't have a fursuit back then but I did help do some of the wrapping and then watching the suiters walk out like mummies and have fun scaring people. I want to be in the part of actually stalking unsuspecting people this time around. Last year would have been perfect as it was to be held on Halloween day. But alas the thing happen to happen and here we are. Hopefully this year will go without a hitch.
I also plan to take full advantage of the on site photo booth. Hopefully my photos will be out of sight and I can cite them on my FA gallery. It'll be available on multiple days so I can use various props and poses.
Oh, there is also going to be an official real wedding with the attendees invited for the ceremonies. That is going to be interesting. The hotel for ACFI first year had a wedding but it was unrelated to the con. I heard some furry suiters were invited and spiced it up. But this time it is furries themselves making the vow and tying the knot so to speak.
So there is my preview. I might have more to say later as I probably forgot stuff to go over. I have a bad habit of doing tha... what was I talking about again? Oh yeah, the upcoming con. The attendance was something like 1400 back in 2019, 1000 in 2018, and 700 the first year in 2017. Last year was a wash of course but this year I feel it'll come back with a vengeance. I suspect well over 2000. But we'll see if it jumps that high. I heard the main ballroom is bigger than the one in 2019. Might need every inch of it. At least the furries will have the run of the place as no other event is scheduled at the same time like in previous years. So things should be a lot more open and carefree.
Oh, did anyone actually read through this mess? I have no idea if anyone made it this far. Oh BTW, I made a couple of new avatars from pics from StratosFur though probably no one noticed.
ACFI 2021 is fast approaching and I am writing a preview of it. But before that, I have a few parting words on my previous furcon. Despite my best efforts, I still forgot happenings (as per my usual) that happened to happen at my goings at StratosFur 2021 and hopefully I'll finally cover it all. I am such a forgetful dragon creature thing, ugh. Nothing major but here are some (somewhat) interesting tidbits.
Since it was StratosFur first year and had attendance limited, I didn't think there would be a lot to do on Sunday. So I just got the hotel room from Friday to Sunday morning. As it turned out that there were enough things going on that that it would have been a pain to check out by 11am and still be able to suit. But luckily a friend at the con had his room until Monday. He had to leave on Sunday to drive another friend to the airport so another I shared that room with an another friend of his that planned to stay until that Monday. I only needed it as I plan to leave later that night.
I really only needed to room to have my dragon suit and gear to make it easy to suit up for events like the costume contest (see my previous journals to see how I did). I packed everything else up and stored it away in the car and gone ahead and check out of my room as got the keycard for the "new" room.
That worked out well, at lot less worry about attended the few remaining events of the last official day of the con. I made one final visit to the dealer's den after closing ceremony and made my last donation to the charity. I don't remember mentioning it, but I finally found someone selling balaclavas that I was looking as spares. They had a bungle special of buying three for a good price. I got two black ones and a white one as I was told that lighter color is cooler. I am going to give it a try to see if that is indeed true. But I probably stick to black ones anyway as the dark color would be harder to see through my maw.
I did stay until around 11pm and started that long drive to home. I arrived back around 2:30am or so, being oh so tired. I took the liberty of scheduling taking Monday off work so I could recover. I wanted at least one decently good night sleep before heading back to the mundane drudgery of going back to the workplace. I also bought two of the two-packs of the rapid test kits (four test total minus the one I already used) just in case. Luckily, it came out negative when I took a test a couple of days after StratosFur.
Anyhoot, that should be everything on StratosFur (probably not though). Now on to ACFI. It is coming up fast in a couple of weeks and I am looking so much forward to it. I already got my double hokey pokey poke poke so I am good to go. I also have some of the rapid test left that I am packing for the trip for more assurance. I plan to go starting on Thursday and stay until Monday morning this time. Not much office on Thursday aside from some early registrations. But it is a good time to catch up with some friends and hopefully making new ones before the bulk of the con starts.
I looked over the schedule posted on AFCI's website. The dances looks at lot more promising as it seems to feature more Trance than that sleepy Dubstep (I didn't mined it too much at first but more I heard it, the more I hate it type thing). Hopefully it'll be a lot more fast pace without the energy sapping stops during those so-called drops. I need something with energy and speed, not that constant stopping. It is ok to take breaks now and then, just not constantly. But I digress.
They'll have more darker themed dancing too as it is getting closer to that Halloween spooky time. It looks interesting as there will be trance, goth, and darker styles of music later in the night. If it is what I think it is, this dragon is going to go wild, wild I say! Dragon is going to slay the floor with his chaotic gyrations and whatnot. Horns might go flying again.
Sadly I didn't seem any dragon related panels. What a shame as the meetup that occurred in 2019 was much fun. maybe there will be some impromptu ones.
A fursuit parade is planned on Saturday, so is good. Didn't get one at StratosFur. Right after the parade is the suiters social and then public meet-n-greet. I expect lots of suiters and be pure chaos... the good kind of chaos.
Mummy furs are back, being in October and all that. That was fun in previous years. The event is basically getting a bunch of fursuiters in a room, have volunteers wrapping the up with rolls of toilet paper, and then have them roar the convention space all spooky like. I didn't have a fursuit back then but I did help do some of the wrapping and then watching the suiters walk out like mummies and have fun scaring people. I want to be in the part of actually stalking unsuspecting people this time around. Last year would have been perfect as it was to be held on Halloween day. But alas the thing happen to happen and here we are. Hopefully this year will go without a hitch.
I also plan to take full advantage of the on site photo booth. Hopefully my photos will be out of sight and I can cite them on my FA gallery. It'll be available on multiple days so I can use various props and poses.
Oh, there is also going to be an official real wedding with the attendees invited for the ceremonies. That is going to be interesting. The hotel for ACFI first year had a wedding but it was unrelated to the con. I heard some furry suiters were invited and spiced it up. But this time it is furries themselves making the vow and tying the knot so to speak.
So there is my preview. I might have more to say later as I probably forgot stuff to go over. I have a bad habit of doing tha... what was I talking about again? Oh yeah, the upcoming con. The attendance was something like 1400 back in 2019, 1000 in 2018, and 700 the first year in 2017. Last year was a wash of course but this year I feel it'll come back with a vengeance. I suspect well over 2000. But we'll see if it jumps that high. I heard the main ballroom is bigger than the one in 2019. Might need every inch of it. At least the furries will have the run of the place as no other event is scheduled at the same time like in previous years. So things should be a lot more open and carefree.
Oh, did anyone actually read through this mess? I have no idea if anyone made it this far. Oh BTW, I made a couple of new avatars from pics from StratosFur though probably no one noticed.
StratosFur Final Thoughts & Stuff, 135th Journal
Posted 4 years agoFirst year cons tend have their share of issues and this one is no exception. But overall went quite smoothly. I didn't notice any major deficiencies. Things were limited due to the effects of the pandemic still going in force for stupid reasons, but I digress. They handed it as best as they could under the circumstances. The TeXaS heat and humidity is something a bit beyond their control but was mostly manageable. I visited the headless lounge plenty of times and the water stations were stocked with icy refreshness most of the time. Only once I had lukewarm water but I found another water vessel nearby that was nice and cold.
I am sure next year wil be even better especially once the restrictions gets relaxed. Bigger and better and all that. I am very Satisfied with the con overall. Had a good experience and is great kickoff to the con season for me. I did not experience much of the usual Post Con Depression (PCD) afterwards. I think it was I waited so long to attend one plus I do have ACFI coming up not long after StratosFur that the depression didn't have time to brew before the excitement of getting ready for the next one. After ACFI though, it probably going to hit hard. Oh well, better to attend a con and have to go home after it ends than never to attend one in the first place.
I did miss a few things that happened during the con in my previous blog journals so I am going to take the time to go over them. There was so many things that I forgot to mention.
I think it was on Saturday afternoon that I locked my door card in the room. I placed it on a table and forgot to grab it when i suited up again to roar the convention space. I realized it just as the door closed. So I had to head down to the lobby and go to the front desk while wearing my suit so there is that. When I was up there, I noticed they had these special door RFID cards that had the StratosFur design on it. When I checked in on Friday, all I got first was just the regular hotel card, nothing special. Maybe they didn't have them up there yet or the person who checked me in forgot. Anyhoot, I got that extra one and once I got back to my room, put it in my wallet instead on my front pants pocket just in case I forgot one or the other. I plan on getting at least two cards in future cons so I can have them in different spots on me to lessen the change of not having at least one card my person at all times when I leave the room.
On another note on those special cards, I noticed some people were dropping them off in the bin at the checkout counter on the last day instead of taking them home. I am sure the hotel are not going to reuse them as they have date and name of the con along with the logo. So I grabbed a couple of extras before I left. The weird thing is people leaving them behind. Oh well, they are cool souvenirs anyway.
I also chatted with the attendant at the desk about what the hotel thinks about all the furries running around doing what furries do. He stated that there was an anime con the week prior that numbered 4000 attendees. That is a lot of people crammed into the hotel. I was curious so I checked out that con's webpage to see how they laid out the place.
The dealer room was much bigger of course, taking not only the same space at StratosFur but also the adjacent main room as well, opening up the walls between them. The anime con also too over the conference room up on the lobby area as well as the lower rooms. The cost of that con was only $20 for all three days but I suspect most people came in just for a day. I don't think all 4000 people would fit all at once. I also suspect most also went for the dealer room to pick up on their anime goodies and all that. Not sure how the cosplayer scene is in Houston that but I am sure there were some at least.
As for furries, I feel furries need a lot more space due to the higher number of suiters. Based on the hotel size, I feel maybe around 2000 at most at the same time would fit but would be very tight. ACFI 2019 number at something like 1400 and that very felt crowded at times, especially the fursuit parade.
Speak of parades, StratosFur didn't have one. But looking at the layout of the place, I think it'll be hard press to ever have one. The main con space is on the lower floor with more conference room around the perimeter of the lobby. The two floors does not have an escalator between then, just a few elevators and a flight of stairs. So the suiters would have to stick to one of the floors. I think The lower floor's path would be too short if they used it methinks. The lobby might work if the gathering room is large enough. The path could go outside the a det of doors. There is a ramp running beside the steps so that could be used. This would give a longer path but the August TeXaS heat would be brutial indeed. Leaving it inside would be shorted but they could crisscross over the walkway spanning the open space below. But I feel they'll hit the space limit quick. Maybe a year or two before needing to switch to a bigger place eventually.
One Other thing of note is the long (and boring) drive from San Antonio to Houston and back again. Not as bad as going all the way up to Dallas for TFF though. Was it worth it? I would say so. I plan on going again next year and see how things grow. I figure they'll double in size next year once we get out of this haze we're been in for so long.
I think I covered everything (finally). Hopefully I didn't forget anything else. My next journal will probably be about the upcoming ACFI 2021 coming up quick in a few weeks. I'm going with four days worth of fun. Looking forward with so many things there. I'll tell you more about it next time so there.
I am sure next year wil be even better especially once the restrictions gets relaxed. Bigger and better and all that. I am very Satisfied with the con overall. Had a good experience and is great kickoff to the con season for me. I did not experience much of the usual Post Con Depression (PCD) afterwards. I think it was I waited so long to attend one plus I do have ACFI coming up not long after StratosFur that the depression didn't have time to brew before the excitement of getting ready for the next one. After ACFI though, it probably going to hit hard. Oh well, better to attend a con and have to go home after it ends than never to attend one in the first place.
I did miss a few things that happened during the con in my previous blog journals so I am going to take the time to go over them. There was so many things that I forgot to mention.
I think it was on Saturday afternoon that I locked my door card in the room. I placed it on a table and forgot to grab it when i suited up again to roar the convention space. I realized it just as the door closed. So I had to head down to the lobby and go to the front desk while wearing my suit so there is that. When I was up there, I noticed they had these special door RFID cards that had the StratosFur design on it. When I checked in on Friday, all I got first was just the regular hotel card, nothing special. Maybe they didn't have them up there yet or the person who checked me in forgot. Anyhoot, I got that extra one and once I got back to my room, put it in my wallet instead on my front pants pocket just in case I forgot one or the other. I plan on getting at least two cards in future cons so I can have them in different spots on me to lessen the change of not having at least one card my person at all times when I leave the room.
On another note on those special cards, I noticed some people were dropping them off in the bin at the checkout counter on the last day instead of taking them home. I am sure the hotel are not going to reuse them as they have date and name of the con along with the logo. So I grabbed a couple of extras before I left. The weird thing is people leaving them behind. Oh well, they are cool souvenirs anyway.
I also chatted with the attendant at the desk about what the hotel thinks about all the furries running around doing what furries do. He stated that there was an anime con the week prior that numbered 4000 attendees. That is a lot of people crammed into the hotel. I was curious so I checked out that con's webpage to see how they laid out the place.
The dealer room was much bigger of course, taking not only the same space at StratosFur but also the adjacent main room as well, opening up the walls between them. The anime con also too over the conference room up on the lobby area as well as the lower rooms. The cost of that con was only $20 for all three days but I suspect most people came in just for a day. I don't think all 4000 people would fit all at once. I also suspect most also went for the dealer room to pick up on their anime goodies and all that. Not sure how the cosplayer scene is in Houston that but I am sure there were some at least.
As for furries, I feel furries need a lot more space due to the higher number of suiters. Based on the hotel size, I feel maybe around 2000 at most at the same time would fit but would be very tight. ACFI 2019 number at something like 1400 and that very felt crowded at times, especially the fursuit parade.
Speak of parades, StratosFur didn't have one. But looking at the layout of the place, I think it'll be hard press to ever have one. The main con space is on the lower floor with more conference room around the perimeter of the lobby. The two floors does not have an escalator between then, just a few elevators and a flight of stairs. So the suiters would have to stick to one of the floors. I think The lower floor's path would be too short if they used it methinks. The lobby might work if the gathering room is large enough. The path could go outside the a det of doors. There is a ramp running beside the steps so that could be used. This would give a longer path but the August TeXaS heat would be brutial indeed. Leaving it inside would be shorted but they could crisscross over the walkway spanning the open space below. But I feel they'll hit the space limit quick. Maybe a year or two before needing to switch to a bigger place eventually.
One Other thing of note is the long (and boring) drive from San Antonio to Houston and back again. Not as bad as going all the way up to Dallas for TFF though. Was it worth it? I would say so. I plan on going again next year and see how things grow. I figure they'll double in size next year once we get out of this haze we're been in for so long.
I think I covered everything (finally). Hopefully I didn't forget anything else. My next journal will probably be about the upcoming ACFI 2021 coming up quick in a few weeks. I'm going with four days worth of fun. Looking forward with so many things there. I'll tell you more about it next time so there.
3rd & Final Day of Contime! 134th Journal
Posted 4 years agoSince StratosFur 2021 was a first year con, I figured Sunday would be slower than the usual affair at most cons as everything are shutting down and thus quite a downer. But it was actually surprisingly busy on the last day.
It started well enough. I woke and did my morning routine. The I padded over to the windows of my hotel room that look out over the lobby area. I took a peek and I saw something interesting. There were other guests not attending the con at the hotel for the weekends too and a group of them was walking back from enjoying themselves at the pool judging by the their attire along with the inflatable pool toys. It appeared to be a dad with his two young kids (maybe 5 or 6 years old as far as I can tell). The two younguns spotted a small group of fursuiters as the family was walking into the lobby area and started to jump up and down with excitement while pointed at the furries. The father tried to keep them from straying too far from him as they kept running toward the suiters.
Another small group of furries emerge from the hotel's restaurant area and walked past the kids. I didn't think the suiters saw the kids as they walked by but it would have been cool if they did and got some pics and stuff. But still, I think the experience sure make their day. Must be like going to Disneyland for them. I wonder what the dad thought though.
After seeing all of that, it was time to suit up and roam the lower level before getting some breakfast. I decided to debut my cyberpunkish goggles that I 3D printed last year ago. I originally planned to show it off at ACFI 2020 but that was canceled of course. But I do want to wear it at this year's ACFI (coming up in a month of so 0..0 ).
So I wandered around a bit, getting some good compliments on my goggles. By the way, I recently got back the pics from the con's photo studio room where individual fursuiters can do various poses and such. I'll show those later. But here is a YouTube video of me as I happen to walk by. It starts at https://youtu.be/X2_vy-8Wrqo?t=10 with me showing up in the mirror and then walking by at around the 55 sec mark. I was heading to the headless lounge. I didn't realize they were filming but then again, there were in from of the doors and I was quite crispy with those goggles blocking some of my airflow. I also had just picked up the sponsor swag and was wearing the bag on my back.
There was no fursuit parade but instead they had a group fursuit pics. To keep the size manageable, they split up in groups of around 20 or so and had us go out in turn to the open area to get our shots. I haven't seen any of them posted yet though but I'll be on the lookout.
So I roamed around some wore, visiting the dealer's den and plop another $20 to the charity donation jar on the way out. I also got a few stickers and a pin as well. Then it was off to get ready for the costume contest.
The contest warrants a journal post by itself but I am too lazy to do that so here goes. I didn't think I'll win anything but decided to bring out my old viking garb that I made for Halloween many many years ago just to bring it out again . I did wore it in the fursuit parade back at my first TFF but been in storage for a few years.
At first only three of us entrants showed up. As there was three prize level, we were all assured to win a top spot. But more people slowly arrived, giving us a total of eight contestants. All eight of us wore fursuits although that itself was not a requirement to enter. But that how it turned out. A few more minutes of waited for anyone else to show up, it was time to go up in front of the stage and do a little skit of something about us.
No one wanted to go first of course so it took some proding for someone to volunteer to be the first. That person did well as the judges gave high scores. A few more contestants and it was my turn. Oh boy I was not ready but I did my viking routine (that I came up moment before), trying to get to audience to go on a raid. I, of course, forgot all the stuff I planned just before. But I think I did enough to get some good scores. I took over first place at the moment.
It didn't last as I was overtaken... by like one point. I still manage to hold on to second place. The winner suggested a group photo before everyone disbursed. Got that done before heading off in our separate ways.
I visited the headless lounge before going back to the photo studio to get individual pics on my viking getup. Did a few posed before heading out for some more roaming. I was back in the headless lounge where I was tracked down by one of the staff. Turned out that there were cash prizes for the top three winners of that costume contest. Since I was second, I was awarded $20 dollars to spend in the Dealer's Den. Hmmm, $20, I sense a pattern here. I am sure you know where this is going. I told the person just to drop it in the donation jar like I been doing and told them it was from Monty.
I did missed the Tech Furs panel as it was scheduled on top of the costume contest. Oh well, I later heard it wasn't all that good but still I would like to at least checked it out. The VR panels was also stacked on to pf the contest. I know the people who ran them so it would have been nice to attend those too. Hopefully in the fallowing years, the panels are spread out better. But still, fairly bust for a Sunday.
Then it was time to head up to my room to take off the viking gear before going back down for closing ceremony. After the usual stuff, they announced the total donations for the charity. It came out to something like $520 for the attendees. The con itself doubled that to $1040. However, someone suggested someone suit go around with something like a hat and garner more cash before the con was over. I made one last dash to Dealer's Den.
I finally spotted someone selling Balaclavas and they had a special of buying three of them. I don't remember exact price but was a good enough of a deal that I got three spares. Always can use spares as I have a bad habit of misplacing my original and have to search all over for it. I got two of my usual black ones plus a white one as someone told me it was cooler. I'll probably stick to black though as I don't want to white to show up when I open my maw too wide.
I also got a face mask too. I was a basic one with a sharp teeth design. Not too furry related so I can (and did) wear it to work. It was only $5 bucks too. I also garnered some last minute stickers and a flat plastic dragon cutout that fits in a stand. And I made a last pass at the donation table.
I plopped another $20 into the jar, making my total a cool $80 (including the prize money) in donations. I told them it was me who gave them my prize winning. The person I told to do the donation didn't give my name. Oh well, at least they know now. I decided to also pick up a t-shirt of the charity as well even though I could have gotten one or a hat each time I visited before.
One of the reasons I wanted to donate so much is that I was pent up from not donating at cons for so long. Plus it was a first year con and I wanted to ante up the pot so to speak. I would have added more to get a cool $100 but the Dealer's Den was winding down and lots of the vendors was already packed up and gone.
The only official event left as the Dead Dog Social. No dancing though there was a Karaoke set up. I ventured in there a few times and it was bad, quite bad. But that is how those things usually goes. I roamed around the open area some. I ended up talking to a few furs that was still about.
In one of the conversations, One fur and I ended up discussing the charity. He stated he also donated $80. That means between us, we donated almost 35% of the amount from attendees and around 18% of the total. That is just crazy. We both wanted the charity to get going on the right foot. Hopefully next year there would be a bigger push.
Anyway, a very enjoyable con indeed. My fist in a long long time, like a good year and a half. We took the precautions and wore masks in public. I am well vaxxed myself as well. I did took a virus test just in case a couple of days later after I got home. It came up negative so no worries there.
ACFI is coming up next in a month so I am so wanting to go too. Vaxxing and/or a recent test is needed to attend so it should be fine. Hopefully none of them numbskulls with fake cards will try to show up. Some people are just pure evil. Oh well, here is it going off without a hitch. Cheers.
It started well enough. I woke and did my morning routine. The I padded over to the windows of my hotel room that look out over the lobby area. I took a peek and I saw something interesting. There were other guests not attending the con at the hotel for the weekends too and a group of them was walking back from enjoying themselves at the pool judging by the their attire along with the inflatable pool toys. It appeared to be a dad with his two young kids (maybe 5 or 6 years old as far as I can tell). The two younguns spotted a small group of fursuiters as the family was walking into the lobby area and started to jump up and down with excitement while pointed at the furries. The father tried to keep them from straying too far from him as they kept running toward the suiters.
Another small group of furries emerge from the hotel's restaurant area and walked past the kids. I didn't think the suiters saw the kids as they walked by but it would have been cool if they did and got some pics and stuff. But still, I think the experience sure make their day. Must be like going to Disneyland for them. I wonder what the dad thought though.
After seeing all of that, it was time to suit up and roam the lower level before getting some breakfast. I decided to debut my cyberpunkish goggles that I 3D printed last year ago. I originally planned to show it off at ACFI 2020 but that was canceled of course. But I do want to wear it at this year's ACFI (coming up in a month of so 0..0 ).
So I wandered around a bit, getting some good compliments on my goggles. By the way, I recently got back the pics from the con's photo studio room where individual fursuiters can do various poses and such. I'll show those later. But here is a YouTube video of me as I happen to walk by. It starts at https://youtu.be/X2_vy-8Wrqo?t=10 with me showing up in the mirror and then walking by at around the 55 sec mark. I was heading to the headless lounge. I didn't realize they were filming but then again, there were in from of the doors and I was quite crispy with those goggles blocking some of my airflow. I also had just picked up the sponsor swag and was wearing the bag on my back.
There was no fursuit parade but instead they had a group fursuit pics. To keep the size manageable, they split up in groups of around 20 or so and had us go out in turn to the open area to get our shots. I haven't seen any of them posted yet though but I'll be on the lookout.
So I roamed around some wore, visiting the dealer's den and plop another $20 to the charity donation jar on the way out. I also got a few stickers and a pin as well. Then it was off to get ready for the costume contest.
The contest warrants a journal post by itself but I am too lazy to do that so here goes. I didn't think I'll win anything but decided to bring out my old viking garb that I made for Halloween many many years ago just to bring it out again . I did wore it in the fursuit parade back at my first TFF but been in storage for a few years.
At first only three of us entrants showed up. As there was three prize level, we were all assured to win a top spot. But more people slowly arrived, giving us a total of eight contestants. All eight of us wore fursuits although that itself was not a requirement to enter. But that how it turned out. A few more minutes of waited for anyone else to show up, it was time to go up in front of the stage and do a little skit of something about us.
No one wanted to go first of course so it took some proding for someone to volunteer to be the first. That person did well as the judges gave high scores. A few more contestants and it was my turn. Oh boy I was not ready but I did my viking routine (that I came up moment before), trying to get to audience to go on a raid. I, of course, forgot all the stuff I planned just before. But I think I did enough to get some good scores. I took over first place at the moment.
It didn't last as I was overtaken... by like one point. I still manage to hold on to second place. The winner suggested a group photo before everyone disbursed. Got that done before heading off in our separate ways.
I visited the headless lounge before going back to the photo studio to get individual pics on my viking getup. Did a few posed before heading out for some more roaming. I was back in the headless lounge where I was tracked down by one of the staff. Turned out that there were cash prizes for the top three winners of that costume contest. Since I was second, I was awarded $20 dollars to spend in the Dealer's Den. Hmmm, $20, I sense a pattern here. I am sure you know where this is going. I told the person just to drop it in the donation jar like I been doing and told them it was from Monty.
I did missed the Tech Furs panel as it was scheduled on top of the costume contest. Oh well, I later heard it wasn't all that good but still I would like to at least checked it out. The VR panels was also stacked on to pf the contest. I know the people who ran them so it would have been nice to attend those too. Hopefully in the fallowing years, the panels are spread out better. But still, fairly bust for a Sunday.
Then it was time to head up to my room to take off the viking gear before going back down for closing ceremony. After the usual stuff, they announced the total donations for the charity. It came out to something like $520 for the attendees. The con itself doubled that to $1040. However, someone suggested someone suit go around with something like a hat and garner more cash before the con was over. I made one last dash to Dealer's Den.
I finally spotted someone selling Balaclavas and they had a special of buying three of them. I don't remember exact price but was a good enough of a deal that I got three spares. Always can use spares as I have a bad habit of misplacing my original and have to search all over for it. I got two of my usual black ones plus a white one as someone told me it was cooler. I'll probably stick to black though as I don't want to white to show up when I open my maw too wide.
I also got a face mask too. I was a basic one with a sharp teeth design. Not too furry related so I can (and did) wear it to work. It was only $5 bucks too. I also garnered some last minute stickers and a flat plastic dragon cutout that fits in a stand. And I made a last pass at the donation table.
I plopped another $20 into the jar, making my total a cool $80 (including the prize money) in donations. I told them it was me who gave them my prize winning. The person I told to do the donation didn't give my name. Oh well, at least they know now. I decided to also pick up a t-shirt of the charity as well even though I could have gotten one or a hat each time I visited before.
One of the reasons I wanted to donate so much is that I was pent up from not donating at cons for so long. Plus it was a first year con and I wanted to ante up the pot so to speak. I would have added more to get a cool $100 but the Dealer's Den was winding down and lots of the vendors was already packed up and gone.
The only official event left as the Dead Dog Social. No dancing though there was a Karaoke set up. I ventured in there a few times and it was bad, quite bad. But that is how those things usually goes. I roamed around the open area some. I ended up talking to a few furs that was still about.
In one of the conversations, One fur and I ended up discussing the charity. He stated he also donated $80. That means between us, we donated almost 35% of the amount from attendees and around 18% of the total. That is just crazy. We both wanted the charity to get going on the right foot. Hopefully next year there would be a bigger push.
Anyway, a very enjoyable con indeed. My fist in a long long time, like a good year and a half. We took the precautions and wore masks in public. I am well vaxxed myself as well. I did took a virus test just in case a couple of days later after I got home. It came up negative so no worries there.
ACFI is coming up next in a month so I am so wanting to go too. Vaxxing and/or a recent test is needed to attend so it should be fine. Hopefully none of them numbskulls with fake cards will try to show up. Some people are just pure evil. Oh well, here is it going off without a hitch. Cheers.
2nd Day in Space! 133rd Journal
Posted 4 years agoBefore I start on the events that transpire on the 2nd day of orbiting the StratosFur, I would like to take this moment of time and mention a few things that I missed talking about in the previous journal con blog thing.
It was hot, hot, and hot. Even when I got there on Friday, I was already starting to sweat as I step in the hotel... and that was even before getting into suit. Houston has high humidity like San Antonio if not a little bit higher. Thankfully I had a partial and a fan in my fursuit head abet quite tiny. But it did help a some and every little bit is good.
Now on to the Saturday, the main day of the con. I woke up fairly early (I am usually a late sleeper but I wanted to get the most out of the con) and got ready for the day. I took a peak out my room's window to see anything going on in the lobby and the open con space below. The window faces inward of the hotel and I can see a good portion of the space from the air.
I didn't see much activity below, just a few people sitting around some tables. I suited up and head down there around 8AMish to mingle a bit before meeting with a couple of friends for breakfast. It looked like I was the first suiter but a few started to trickle into the main area. I even got a couple of compliments on my suit, particularly on my new tail. I was happy the way I can wag it due to how I constructed it with the 3D printed base. It made it quite flexible even though I packed it with the stuffing and ended up weighing a lot more than I expected. So I deemed than a success. Some people likes my printed horns too.
The con had a watering area set up near a corner and I visited that as I was getting rather parched (water good). There was no long straws so I had to dehead myself. The headless lounge was down the hallway but it wasn't open yet.
By the way, mandatory mask rules were in effect so it was suggested to lift up one's mask to take a sip before putting it back down. Of course we can take it off for eating but had to wear it pretty much everywhere else. And as far as I can tell, everyone was compliant. Seems like the average fur is smarter than the average normie but I digress.
After breakfast with the friends at the hotel's restaurant, I went back to con space below to do some more mingling. Got a few more compliments and stuff plus some photos and selfies here and there. I do believe I got pics taken of me throughout the con than all the other ones in total.
The opening ceremony came and went with the usual announcements and such. They didn't go into much detail on the charity, leaving that for the Q-n-A afterwards. I wished they did a little more in the opening as not everyone will stay for it. Oh well, I ended up donating a lot by the time the con was over.
So I am at the sponsor level and one of the perks is early access to the dealer's den. I got in line that started forming... and it was was delayed. I guess they was still setting up. I went mingling some more in the meantime before getting back to the sponsor line that started to form again. The regular attendees' line was much much longer, stretching all the way back to the registration room. I paid good money (as opposed to back) and I am going to take advantage of it especially there wasn't much other perks aside some extra merchandise in the sponsor bag, which I had to pick earlier that day as it wasn't yet available on Friday.
The dealer's room was on the smallish size but then again, it was a first year con with an attendance limit. I basically wanted three things, a con themed fursona badge, some fursuit spray as I couldn't fine mine at home, and a spare balaclava. I also looked around for some dragon related stuff as per my usual.
I found the booth with some sprays. Most of them were fruity scents, not my kind of thing. The one I left at home has a leathery woody smell. I did spy a single bottle called "Dragon's Blood" that piqued my interest. It has these small red dots of essential oils in the mixture and is a lot less fruity than the other scents and I snatched that up. It was the only one too so I it was a good thing I used that early access card or someone else could have bought it before me.
The bottle is quite small but it is very concentrated. The seller stated it is travel size for easy carry. A few spritz and it pretty much takes over. I plan on diluting it with some alcohol as it very strong indeed. Hopefully I'll find the other spray so i can choose between the two.
On to the badge, I wanted one that can be completed at the con. Found an artist and got it going with a space theme that matched the con. A pic of the completed badge can be found at https://www.furaffinity.net/view/43466013/ with more description on how it can to be.
I also was looking for a spare balaclava but didn't see any at my first go around in the den (I did find some later though). So I checked the charity table before I left. I dropped the first of several $20US bills into the donation jar, adding one during each of my returned trips (more on that later). It was a first year con and I wanted to give the charity a good start. Besides, I was quite pent up from not donating at con for so long.
But anyhoot, it was back and forth between the con space, my room, and the headless lounge. I also paid several visits to the fursuit photography room to get pics takes in various poses. I haven't got the pics back so I can't tell you how they turned out but I have high hopes for them. I didn't take pics at the con so they are my best hope for some good shots of me especially with the new gear I debuted at the con.
I manage to attend a panel called something like "How to and not to make a fursuit" but the speaker never showed up. Luckily two staff members took over after like 20 minutes after it was supposed to start. They had some fursuit making experience themselves so they whipped up something on the fly. They did quite a good job but I got a cellphone call toward the end by the friends I mentioned earlier to go for some late lunch/dinner at the hotel. I didn't want anything too heavy as I plan to do a lot more suiting so I elected for some salad with chicken. Nothing to fancy and it hit the spot good enough.
I wish I could attend more panels. There wasn't many as expected but the con had a bad tendency to stack what little they had on top of each other. Would be better to spread them out throughout the day. I heard next year would be better. There was no dragon meet-n-greet or anything dragon related stuff except maybe the Vore Q&A. I went to that just to have something to do aside from Saturday Dance.
Speaking of the dance, it started of really slow with this atmospheric. Some of the that stuff could be cool but it was way too much of it. I guess if I was high or something but I don't do drug nor drink so I was pretty much bored. I tried to get into it but just too slow. I notice a few people would come in but didn't stick around for long. Less than a handful of people most of the time. That is why I wander over to the vore panel. It was, ummm, not as I expected. Kinda weird how that went. But I went back to the dance, hoping it would be better (spoiler - barely better if I could call it that).
The DJ played mostly mid-paces stuff. They picked up speed many times but every time the "drop" happens, they go back to the same mid-paced beats. There was no payoff. At least Friday had a few (though scarce) moments where they actually went fast and I went wild for those brief slices of time. Even though there was only a pawfull of them, they were awesome. Saturday had none of that... no a single moment of letting loose. It came close a few times but never when over the top.
Oh, I was using my plasma globe at the dance as well as during my roaming during the evening. I have an older globe that is somewhat dim so I used it when it got darker. Got some good compliments on it too. Used my long tongue (they are detachable) a few times as well.
Everything had to shut down by midnight so a few last opportunity to go suiting before retiring to my room. The dance never got going for me and I was a little bit bummed but still a good day overall. Usually Sunday is quite dead but there is a costume contest that I wanted to participate. I did have high hopes for it but I wanted to bring out my old viking costume I made many centuries ago. We shall see what happens next time I write.
It was hot, hot, and hot. Even when I got there on Friday, I was already starting to sweat as I step in the hotel... and that was even before getting into suit. Houston has high humidity like San Antonio if not a little bit higher. Thankfully I had a partial and a fan in my fursuit head abet quite tiny. But it did help a some and every little bit is good.
Now on to the Saturday, the main day of the con. I woke up fairly early (I am usually a late sleeper but I wanted to get the most out of the con) and got ready for the day. I took a peak out my room's window to see anything going on in the lobby and the open con space below. The window faces inward of the hotel and I can see a good portion of the space from the air.
I didn't see much activity below, just a few people sitting around some tables. I suited up and head down there around 8AMish to mingle a bit before meeting with a couple of friends for breakfast. It looked like I was the first suiter but a few started to trickle into the main area. I even got a couple of compliments on my suit, particularly on my new tail. I was happy the way I can wag it due to how I constructed it with the 3D printed base. It made it quite flexible even though I packed it with the stuffing and ended up weighing a lot more than I expected. So I deemed than a success. Some people likes my printed horns too.
The con had a watering area set up near a corner and I visited that as I was getting rather parched (water good). There was no long straws so I had to dehead myself. The headless lounge was down the hallway but it wasn't open yet.
By the way, mandatory mask rules were in effect so it was suggested to lift up one's mask to take a sip before putting it back down. Of course we can take it off for eating but had to wear it pretty much everywhere else. And as far as I can tell, everyone was compliant. Seems like the average fur is smarter than the average normie but I digress.
After breakfast with the friends at the hotel's restaurant, I went back to con space below to do some more mingling. Got a few more compliments and stuff plus some photos and selfies here and there. I do believe I got pics taken of me throughout the con than all the other ones in total.
The opening ceremony came and went with the usual announcements and such. They didn't go into much detail on the charity, leaving that for the Q-n-A afterwards. I wished they did a little more in the opening as not everyone will stay for it. Oh well, I ended up donating a lot by the time the con was over.
So I am at the sponsor level and one of the perks is early access to the dealer's den. I got in line that started forming... and it was was delayed. I guess they was still setting up. I went mingling some more in the meantime before getting back to the sponsor line that started to form again. The regular attendees' line was much much longer, stretching all the way back to the registration room. I paid good money (as opposed to back) and I am going to take advantage of it especially there wasn't much other perks aside some extra merchandise in the sponsor bag, which I had to pick earlier that day as it wasn't yet available on Friday.
The dealer's room was on the smallish size but then again, it was a first year con with an attendance limit. I basically wanted three things, a con themed fursona badge, some fursuit spray as I couldn't fine mine at home, and a spare balaclava. I also looked around for some dragon related stuff as per my usual.
I found the booth with some sprays. Most of them were fruity scents, not my kind of thing. The one I left at home has a leathery woody smell. I did spy a single bottle called "Dragon's Blood" that piqued my interest. It has these small red dots of essential oils in the mixture and is a lot less fruity than the other scents and I snatched that up. It was the only one too so I it was a good thing I used that early access card or someone else could have bought it before me.
The bottle is quite small but it is very concentrated. The seller stated it is travel size for easy carry. A few spritz and it pretty much takes over. I plan on diluting it with some alcohol as it very strong indeed. Hopefully I'll find the other spray so i can choose between the two.
On to the badge, I wanted one that can be completed at the con. Found an artist and got it going with a space theme that matched the con. A pic of the completed badge can be found at https://www.furaffinity.net/view/43466013/ with more description on how it can to be.
I also was looking for a spare balaclava but didn't see any at my first go around in the den (I did find some later though). So I checked the charity table before I left. I dropped the first of several $20US bills into the donation jar, adding one during each of my returned trips (more on that later). It was a first year con and I wanted to give the charity a good start. Besides, I was quite pent up from not donating at con for so long.
But anyhoot, it was back and forth between the con space, my room, and the headless lounge. I also paid several visits to the fursuit photography room to get pics takes in various poses. I haven't got the pics back so I can't tell you how they turned out but I have high hopes for them. I didn't take pics at the con so they are my best hope for some good shots of me especially with the new gear I debuted at the con.
I manage to attend a panel called something like "How to and not to make a fursuit" but the speaker never showed up. Luckily two staff members took over after like 20 minutes after it was supposed to start. They had some fursuit making experience themselves so they whipped up something on the fly. They did quite a good job but I got a cellphone call toward the end by the friends I mentioned earlier to go for some late lunch/dinner at the hotel. I didn't want anything too heavy as I plan to do a lot more suiting so I elected for some salad with chicken. Nothing to fancy and it hit the spot good enough.
I wish I could attend more panels. There wasn't many as expected but the con had a bad tendency to stack what little they had on top of each other. Would be better to spread them out throughout the day. I heard next year would be better. There was no dragon meet-n-greet or anything dragon related stuff except maybe the Vore Q&A. I went to that just to have something to do aside from Saturday Dance.
Speaking of the dance, it started of really slow with this atmospheric. Some of the that stuff could be cool but it was way too much of it. I guess if I was high or something but I don't do drug nor drink so I was pretty much bored. I tried to get into it but just too slow. I notice a few people would come in but didn't stick around for long. Less than a handful of people most of the time. That is why I wander over to the vore panel. It was, ummm, not as I expected. Kinda weird how that went. But I went back to the dance, hoping it would be better (spoiler - barely better if I could call it that).
The DJ played mostly mid-paces stuff. They picked up speed many times but every time the "drop" happens, they go back to the same mid-paced beats. There was no payoff. At least Friday had a few (though scarce) moments where they actually went fast and I went wild for those brief slices of time. Even though there was only a pawfull of them, they were awesome. Saturday had none of that... no a single moment of letting loose. It came close a few times but never when over the top.
Oh, I was using my plasma globe at the dance as well as during my roaming during the evening. I have an older globe that is somewhat dim so I used it when it got darker. Got some good compliments on it too. Used my long tongue (they are detachable) a few times as well.
Everything had to shut down by midnight so a few last opportunity to go suiting before retiring to my room. The dance never got going for me and I was a little bit bummed but still a good day overall. Usually Sunday is quite dead but there is a costume contest that I wanted to participate. I did have high hopes for it but I wanted to bring out my old viking costume I made many centuries ago. We shall see what happens next time I write.
Back from Spaacccce! 1st Day. 132nd Journal
Posted 4 years agoWell, I'm back! Thought you got rid of me? Ha ha, no. I have returned!
Anyhoot, I arrived back to my lair safely enough after attending StratosFur furcon last weekend. It was their first year and had to limit the attendance due to the "thing" but it went well all in all. Wished they had more panels and not stacked the few they had on top of each other. Hopefully it'll improve as they start to grow and gain experience. These things take time to iron out.
Speaking of missing events, there was no fursuit parade this year. Too bad as I love to go to those. There was fursuit group photos but it was broken up into separate groups. I did get a bunch of individual photos taken in the photo room. I hope to get them send shortly. I did a few different poses while wearing different accessories throughout the weekend. The allow anyone to come back for multiple photo sessions so I took advantage of that, going back like four times with different iterations of myself.
But let's go back to the beginning. I arrived in Houston at around 2 pm on Friday after a 3 hour or so drive. I checked in and grabbed my gear to my room. I had the whole thing to myself as I didn't find a roommate. It was a 400 sq. ft. room so I had tons of space. I threw some of the luggage at the gap in the front and spread my suit parts and other stuff on the spare bed. Then it was off to get something to bite. Not a huge number of restaurants nearby excepts a few fast food joints. I picked Popeye's Chicken as the best of the lot and got some nuggies with some Cajun fries. No drink as I brought my own cold brew tea bags.
The ice maker on my floor wasn't working so I had to use plain tap water. I did notice the water taste a lot different than in San Antonio. In SA, the water comes from a natural aquifer that is filtered through limestone. It is pretty pure but has a lot of calcium in it. I heard people out of town complained it has a slight chlorine flavor but I think it comes through easier due to it being filtered so much.
Houston, on the other paw, taste a lot different. It is kinda earthy with like a woody eage to it like it had been in a wooken vessile for a long long time. I don't know if it is due to the hotel's plumbing or that is how it is in the Houston area. I think it is the later as I notice a similar smell when I pass by a river or other body of water there. Oh well, it wasn't super bad or anything, just a bit different. Thankfully the tea masks pretty much all of it.
After downing the chicken, I suited up and went down to roam the open con floor area. I finally wore my newly made dragon tail. It is quite heavy as I had to stuff the living daylights out of it to get out the wrinkles (I am sure my sewing (lack of) skill didn't help). The solid 3D printed base did help a lot, holding the tail tighter to my body than if I just used a fabric pad. Plus I didn't want my tail to look like a teardrop shaped wet noodle dangling off my back. I did manage to be quite successful in that endeavor (more on that later).
The hotel has this open space below the lobby with a few walk bridges spanning over it. The hotel itself is a triangle shape with the room along two sides and the triangle "base" full of glass panes. There are also some skylights too. But anyway, I was the only suiter downstairs along of a few other furs. Some suiters started to filter in but the activity was kinda light. Then again, the con didn't officially started although there were some events later in the evening.
I walked around as much as I could then ate some dinner with some fuzzy friends at the hotel's restaurant. I didn't want anything heavy so a chicken (starting a trend here it would seem) salad for me. I missed the soft opening but was able to roam the floor as my dragon self a few time, going back to my room here and there.
Then it was time for the Friday night rave. I help my wolf friend get in suit. He normally goes in full but when partial this time with wearing a tux, being a dapper wolf. I suited up as well and we went to the dance. The music was okish. There was thankfully little of that dubstep (heh, my dictionary wants to correct it to dumpster, it knows something) stop-n-no-go buzzing crap. But too much slow and mid-pace parts. There did had some parts that got me going. At one point, one of my horns when flying. Luckily the place wasn't crowded. But those parts were good, just way too little of it. I hoped the dance of Friday was going to be better (spoiler alert, it was worse). I went to the headless lounge to recover. Toward the end, it got so hot suddenly in there that I had to go and cool down. Maybe on of the blower style fans went down. I came back but everything was too sluggish for me to go wild (I need the energy from the fast pounding beats to get me going). The dance was ending anyway.
A note of the headless lounge, the room had a good amount of space with ice water stations. One of those fursuit head trees was blowing away at one side. I only used it once though. The box fan, however, I used lots. Sitting in front of one feels so nice. I did add a small fan in my head and while it made a difference than having none before, it was nothing compared to the box fans.
I was still a bit restless after doing my so called dance gyrations. I hooked up my laptop to the TV in the room but the "free" internet in the hotel as just awful, beyond useless. I didn;t want to watch TV as I find most shows boring especially compared to a properly working internet. So I munched on some leftovers and went to bed. So that closes Friday night. I'll post more con stuff in the upcoming days or so.
Anyhoot, I arrived back to my lair safely enough after attending StratosFur furcon last weekend. It was their first year and had to limit the attendance due to the "thing" but it went well all in all. Wished they had more panels and not stacked the few they had on top of each other. Hopefully it'll improve as they start to grow and gain experience. These things take time to iron out.
Speaking of missing events, there was no fursuit parade this year. Too bad as I love to go to those. There was fursuit group photos but it was broken up into separate groups. I did get a bunch of individual photos taken in the photo room. I hope to get them send shortly. I did a few different poses while wearing different accessories throughout the weekend. The allow anyone to come back for multiple photo sessions so I took advantage of that, going back like four times with different iterations of myself.
But let's go back to the beginning. I arrived in Houston at around 2 pm on Friday after a 3 hour or so drive. I checked in and grabbed my gear to my room. I had the whole thing to myself as I didn't find a roommate. It was a 400 sq. ft. room so I had tons of space. I threw some of the luggage at the gap in the front and spread my suit parts and other stuff on the spare bed. Then it was off to get something to bite. Not a huge number of restaurants nearby excepts a few fast food joints. I picked Popeye's Chicken as the best of the lot and got some nuggies with some Cajun fries. No drink as I brought my own cold brew tea bags.
The ice maker on my floor wasn't working so I had to use plain tap water. I did notice the water taste a lot different than in San Antonio. In SA, the water comes from a natural aquifer that is filtered through limestone. It is pretty pure but has a lot of calcium in it. I heard people out of town complained it has a slight chlorine flavor but I think it comes through easier due to it being filtered so much.
Houston, on the other paw, taste a lot different. It is kinda earthy with like a woody eage to it like it had been in a wooken vessile for a long long time. I don't know if it is due to the hotel's plumbing or that is how it is in the Houston area. I think it is the later as I notice a similar smell when I pass by a river or other body of water there. Oh well, it wasn't super bad or anything, just a bit different. Thankfully the tea masks pretty much all of it.
After downing the chicken, I suited up and went down to roam the open con floor area. I finally wore my newly made dragon tail. It is quite heavy as I had to stuff the living daylights out of it to get out the wrinkles (I am sure my sewing (lack of) skill didn't help). The solid 3D printed base did help a lot, holding the tail tighter to my body than if I just used a fabric pad. Plus I didn't want my tail to look like a teardrop shaped wet noodle dangling off my back. I did manage to be quite successful in that endeavor (more on that later).
The hotel has this open space below the lobby with a few walk bridges spanning over it. The hotel itself is a triangle shape with the room along two sides and the triangle "base" full of glass panes. There are also some skylights too. But anyway, I was the only suiter downstairs along of a few other furs. Some suiters started to filter in but the activity was kinda light. Then again, the con didn't officially started although there were some events later in the evening.
I walked around as much as I could then ate some dinner with some fuzzy friends at the hotel's restaurant. I didn't want anything heavy so a chicken (starting a trend here it would seem) salad for me. I missed the soft opening but was able to roam the floor as my dragon self a few time, going back to my room here and there.
Then it was time for the Friday night rave. I help my wolf friend get in suit. He normally goes in full but when partial this time with wearing a tux, being a dapper wolf. I suited up as well and we went to the dance. The music was okish. There was thankfully little of that dubstep (heh, my dictionary wants to correct it to dumpster, it knows something) stop-n-no-go buzzing crap. But too much slow and mid-pace parts. There did had some parts that got me going. At one point, one of my horns when flying. Luckily the place wasn't crowded. But those parts were good, just way too little of it. I hoped the dance of Friday was going to be better (spoiler alert, it was worse). I went to the headless lounge to recover. Toward the end, it got so hot suddenly in there that I had to go and cool down. Maybe on of the blower style fans went down. I came back but everything was too sluggish for me to go wild (I need the energy from the fast pounding beats to get me going). The dance was ending anyway.
A note of the headless lounge, the room had a good amount of space with ice water stations. One of those fursuit head trees was blowing away at one side. I only used it once though. The box fan, however, I used lots. Sitting in front of one feels so nice. I did add a small fan in my head and while it made a difference than having none before, it was nothing compared to the box fans.
I was still a bit restless after doing my so called dance gyrations. I hooked up my laptop to the TV in the room but the "free" internet in the hotel as just awful, beyond useless. I didn;t want to watch TV as I find most shows boring especially compared to a properly working internet. So I munched on some leftovers and went to bed. So that closes Friday night. I'll post more con stuff in the upcoming days or so.
Tail 1.0, Impending Con-Time, and a Close Call. 131st Jou...
Posted 4 years agoTail 1.0
I officially deem my tail 1.0 tale done. The tail itself at least. I did finishing touches like installing the new belt "loop" covers so I can adjust it better as well as adding those Velcro type (hook & loop) type fasteners to secure the outer fabric covering to the 3D printed base.
A noteworthy note, I am not exactly an expert at sewing so the tail in not perfectly straight, especially the little cockeyed at the tip. But is close enough that it looks ok if one doesn't stare at the tail too closely (Unless you are one of those tail starers or something. In that case, stop looking at my tail you prev).
Anyhoot, it is quite presentable at this point. Despite the slight irregularities, it wears nicely as far as I can tell from my test fits. The only concern is that the tip kinda drags a little. I hope my foot-paws would give my booty that little extra height that it won't touch the ground. Butt it'll be close... very close. So I need to make some sort of protector to keep the tip clean. I got a couple of ideas butt if I if it comes to it, I can just tie a clear plastic bag around it until I make something a bit more proper.
Impeding Con-Time
The reason I am running out of time is that my first con of the year (and in a over a year and half) is the upcoming debut of StratosFur in Houston, less than a week away. I got my double vax tax so I am all set as far as that goes. Plus there is a mask rule and all that. No hugs for me... not that I usually get any anyway. I guess no one wants to hug a scary dragon. But that is ok as I am usually antisocial anyway. But still nice to be among my people as it were.
I am still in the process of packing. I have most of the stuff I need already ready. Mainly the grooming essentials I pack last. I hope I don't forget anything... like I usually do. *..*
By the way, if you happen to be at the con and see me somehow, come over and say high or something. None of those human diseases if you please though. While us dragon are pretty immune, it can still spread around. It'll be sad a furcon was a super-spreader event. Most large cities like Houston and San Antonio have vax rates in the 70s, so shouldn't be too bad. Just hope the sick and card fakers types don't ruin the party. Temp checks would be good to have. We are starting to do that at work as well as making mask mandatory in production again starting this week.
Close Call
Well, I had a close call driving to home from work today. A car spun out right in from of me and hit the guardrail. I hit the brakes hard and stopped just in time. We were like a couple of feet from each other at one point. I pulled over with him in front of me, facing toward me due to the spin, and butted up against said guardrail. He was hauling pretty good (+80 MPH? I dunno as it was a blur) and tried to pass a light blue car in the other lane to get in front of me. That blue car took the exit that was close by and was gone.
The driver's girlfriend stated that she felt a tap from the blue car so maybe that is why it took that exit. Maybe the car slowed right before the contact. I dunno as I was slightly in front of both before the crashed driver flew just in front of me sideways. Good thing my brakes (and tires) are good cause it was freaking close.
The spun car had some damage on the corner of the front bumper and and rear quarter panel. The tire appeared bent as well. The air bags didn't deploy so the guardrail hit wasn't bad enough to set them off. The driver was able to walk around and I ask the female passenger if she was ok and she stated she was. I gone ahead and called the police. They took a good several minutes but they and a fire truck arrived.
I explained what happened to the cop and since there was no contact between the other car and me, He thanked me for stopping and said I was free to go. But whoever was in that blue car should have stopped. I dunno if that person was already exiting and didn't notice. The later of which I find hard to believe. Or made contact, saw the exit right there, and took it to escape. Since the other car was speeding, he probably would have been ok legally anyway if he stopped. Could be no insurance, no license, have a warrant, or any number of things. Seems to be common inn these parts, but I digress.
By the way, this was on the lower section of a split level elevated interstate. The exits are kinda spread out down there as most of it are walled in and have a concrete guardrail in the center. The scene of the spin out was just north of downtown and traffic was fairly light except where us three cars just happen to be at the same time. All three of us traveling at different speeds. The spun guy was the fastest by far. I was next fastest while being in the inside lane and the blue car on the outside lane going quite slow. So it was sorta a convergence point of sort there of three different vectors.
But anyhoot, a close call indeed. The crashed driver is quite young and was in a Toyota type thing. He stated he hit his brakes, it locked up so he pulled the parking brake lever. He said he braked like that before. That got me thinking that probably most likely it didn't help in the spin process at all. Make he was trying to do a 360° move to recover once the spin started. But that guardrail said "Nope, no today" I guess. The medians are quite tiny particularly at the point of the spin out. It was a foot or two too small to fully pull over in fact. Not a lot of room to do acrobatic gyrations to avoid hitting anything. I think he might have make it if he didn't brake at all. Maybe it was a tap from the blue car, causing some sort of "pit maneuver". Again, most of the action was behind me so I can't really say.
So I had quite an interesting week so far. While I look forward to the con at the weekend, I don't want to that brand of "exciting" if you know what I mean. One close call is enough to last me centuries, that is for sure.
There you have it. A tale of a tail, a tale of go, and a tale of woe.
I officially deem my tail 1.0 tale done. The tail itself at least. I did finishing touches like installing the new belt "loop" covers so I can adjust it better as well as adding those Velcro type (hook & loop) type fasteners to secure the outer fabric covering to the 3D printed base.
A noteworthy note, I am not exactly an expert at sewing so the tail in not perfectly straight, especially the little cockeyed at the tip. But is close enough that it looks ok if one doesn't stare at the tail too closely (Unless you are one of those tail starers or something. In that case, stop looking at my tail you prev).
Anyhoot, it is quite presentable at this point. Despite the slight irregularities, it wears nicely as far as I can tell from my test fits. The only concern is that the tip kinda drags a little. I hope my foot-paws would give my booty that little extra height that it won't touch the ground. Butt it'll be close... very close. So I need to make some sort of protector to keep the tip clean. I got a couple of ideas butt if I if it comes to it, I can just tie a clear plastic bag around it until I make something a bit more proper.
Impeding Con-Time
The reason I am running out of time is that my first con of the year (and in a over a year and half) is the upcoming debut of StratosFur in Houston, less than a week away. I got my double vax tax so I am all set as far as that goes. Plus there is a mask rule and all that. No hugs for me... not that I usually get any anyway. I guess no one wants to hug a scary dragon. But that is ok as I am usually antisocial anyway. But still nice to be among my people as it were.
I am still in the process of packing. I have most of the stuff I need already ready. Mainly the grooming essentials I pack last. I hope I don't forget anything... like I usually do. *..*
By the way, if you happen to be at the con and see me somehow, come over and say high or something. None of those human diseases if you please though. While us dragon are pretty immune, it can still spread around. It'll be sad a furcon was a super-spreader event. Most large cities like Houston and San Antonio have vax rates in the 70s, so shouldn't be too bad. Just hope the sick and card fakers types don't ruin the party. Temp checks would be good to have. We are starting to do that at work as well as making mask mandatory in production again starting this week.
Close Call
Well, I had a close call driving to home from work today. A car spun out right in from of me and hit the guardrail. I hit the brakes hard and stopped just in time. We were like a couple of feet from each other at one point. I pulled over with him in front of me, facing toward me due to the spin, and butted up against said guardrail. He was hauling pretty good (+80 MPH? I dunno as it was a blur) and tried to pass a light blue car in the other lane to get in front of me. That blue car took the exit that was close by and was gone.
The driver's girlfriend stated that she felt a tap from the blue car so maybe that is why it took that exit. Maybe the car slowed right before the contact. I dunno as I was slightly in front of both before the crashed driver flew just in front of me sideways. Good thing my brakes (and tires) are good cause it was freaking close.
The spun car had some damage on the corner of the front bumper and and rear quarter panel. The tire appeared bent as well. The air bags didn't deploy so the guardrail hit wasn't bad enough to set them off. The driver was able to walk around and I ask the female passenger if she was ok and she stated she was. I gone ahead and called the police. They took a good several minutes but they and a fire truck arrived.
I explained what happened to the cop and since there was no contact between the other car and me, He thanked me for stopping and said I was free to go. But whoever was in that blue car should have stopped. I dunno if that person was already exiting and didn't notice. The later of which I find hard to believe. Or made contact, saw the exit right there, and took it to escape. Since the other car was speeding, he probably would have been ok legally anyway if he stopped. Could be no insurance, no license, have a warrant, or any number of things. Seems to be common inn these parts, but I digress.
By the way, this was on the lower section of a split level elevated interstate. The exits are kinda spread out down there as most of it are walled in and have a concrete guardrail in the center. The scene of the spin out was just north of downtown and traffic was fairly light except where us three cars just happen to be at the same time. All three of us traveling at different speeds. The spun guy was the fastest by far. I was next fastest while being in the inside lane and the blue car on the outside lane going quite slow. So it was sorta a convergence point of sort there of three different vectors.
But anyhoot, a close call indeed. The crashed driver is quite young and was in a Toyota type thing. He stated he hit his brakes, it locked up so he pulled the parking brake lever. He said he braked like that before. That got me thinking that probably most likely it didn't help in the spin process at all. Make he was trying to do a 360° move to recover once the spin started. But that guardrail said "Nope, no today" I guess. The medians are quite tiny particularly at the point of the spin out. It was a foot or two too small to fully pull over in fact. Not a lot of room to do acrobatic gyrations to avoid hitting anything. I think he might have make it if he didn't brake at all. Maybe it was a tap from the blue car, causing some sort of "pit maneuver". Again, most of the action was behind me so I can't really say.
So I had quite an interesting week so far. While I look forward to the con at the weekend, I don't want to that brand of "exciting" if you know what I mean. One close call is enough to last me centuries, that is for sure.
There you have it. A tale of a tail, a tale of go, and a tale of woe.
Meeting of Furries, 130th Journal
Posted 4 years agoWell, as I already mentioned, I gone ahead and went to my first furry meetup last Saturday, which happened to be in Houston and a good drive from SA. I know some furry friends there and one of them invited me over to a furbowl. It was their first in over a year and they were expecting like 70 people or so. Seems to be close to that number. The main room for the meetup was in a corner section and got fairly packed for a bit there. But it thinned out as the night went on. I was told it was going to end around 10 but it shut down around 9 instead. But still talked to a few people.
A couple of them was from San Antonio like me and some locals. Got to wear my updated fursuit. Got a few comments about my madness... design and even some pictures taken of me including selfies here and there.
The place was kinda warmish but I put that fan in my head at the last minute and I am sure that helped a lot. It was only a 40mm 5V fan but better than nothing. I can feel it running. I was worried that the noise would be annoying (a lot of a high pitch whine from the blades ) but the noise of the crowd pretty much drowned it out. Still I want to put a bigger and quiet one in there. Perhaps a 50mm or even a 60mm one but that would be a tight fit. The 40mm tucked itself nicely just in front and below my nose as I happened to have a pocket of space there. The bigger one might hit my face but I have to see. I used Velcro type fastener to hold the fan in place so changing it would not be a problem.
Oh, I also wore my rather large footpaws. I was afraid I would have trouble walking in them as I haven't used them for a good year and a half and I had some trouble tripping over them when I had them on them for the first time. But I found them easy to wear this time around. I guess my feet remembered not to trip over themselves. The only problem I had was hitting the chair legs a few times but not much aside from that, not even stepping on other people's feet.
I figure it'll be a warmup for StratosFur, Houston's first furcon coming up in August. Hopefully I get more of my suit finished like my tail (already started on it) and my handpaws by then. After that would be ACFI in October. I am pre-regged for both so that is a go unless something happens... again.
Then next year I want to hit TFF. There is a new con in Austin that was to be held back in January but was canceled. No idea if they are going to hold it next year but I have to see on that. I might try for that one if it goes through. If that one actually happens, then that would make it four furcons in TeXaS per year, crazy since I remember when there was none for a long long long time except that failed one in Austin.
I do intend to start attending local furmeets once that goes live again, probably later this year, hopefully before ACFI to serve as a warmup for that. ACFI had to change hotels as the previous one got bought out and is being renovated. The new one looks a little smaller as far a I can tell from the photos on Google. Probably going to be quite packed. They con site states we are going to be the only major event there so we basically have the whole hotel to ourselves. And it is a little closer to downtown proper than the other two previously. I can imagine furs spilling out onto the Riverwalk, especially if the weather in October is cool enough. Lots of suiters rambling about would be a sight to see indeed.
So a totally new TeXaS con and one in a new location this year. Going to be interesting in their own way for sure.
A couple of them was from San Antonio like me and some locals. Got to wear my updated fursuit. Got a few comments about my madness... design and even some pictures taken of me including selfies here and there.
The place was kinda warmish but I put that fan in my head at the last minute and I am sure that helped a lot. It was only a 40mm 5V fan but better than nothing. I can feel it running. I was worried that the noise would be annoying (a lot of a high pitch whine from the blades ) but the noise of the crowd pretty much drowned it out. Still I want to put a bigger and quiet one in there. Perhaps a 50mm or even a 60mm one but that would be a tight fit. The 40mm tucked itself nicely just in front and below my nose as I happened to have a pocket of space there. The bigger one might hit my face but I have to see. I used Velcro type fastener to hold the fan in place so changing it would not be a problem.
Oh, I also wore my rather large footpaws. I was afraid I would have trouble walking in them as I haven't used them for a good year and a half and I had some trouble tripping over them when I had them on them for the first time. But I found them easy to wear this time around. I guess my feet remembered not to trip over themselves. The only problem I had was hitting the chair legs a few times but not much aside from that, not even stepping on other people's feet.
I figure it'll be a warmup for StratosFur, Houston's first furcon coming up in August. Hopefully I get more of my suit finished like my tail (already started on it) and my handpaws by then. After that would be ACFI in October. I am pre-regged for both so that is a go unless something happens... again.
Then next year I want to hit TFF. There is a new con in Austin that was to be held back in January but was canceled. No idea if they are going to hold it next year but I have to see on that. I might try for that one if it goes through. If that one actually happens, then that would make it four furcons in TeXaS per year, crazy since I remember when there was none for a long long long time except that failed one in Austin.
I do intend to start attending local furmeets once that goes live again, probably later this year, hopefully before ACFI to serve as a warmup for that. ACFI had to change hotels as the previous one got bought out and is being renovated. The new one looks a little smaller as far a I can tell from the photos on Google. Probably going to be quite packed. They con site states we are going to be the only major event there so we basically have the whole hotel to ourselves. And it is a little closer to downtown proper than the other two previously. I can imagine furs spilling out onto the Riverwalk, especially if the weather in October is cool enough. Lots of suiters rambling about would be a sight to see indeed.
So a totally new TeXaS con and one in a new location this year. Going to be interesting in their own way for sure.
When It Rains, It Drips? + Con Going. 129th Journal
Posted 4 years agoDrip, Drip, Drip, Let It Rip!
Well, if that AC trouble I had a few weeks ago is not enough, now both of my bathroom sink and tub faucets were leaking. It wasn't a big leak but a drip every few minutes.
It was a fairly easy fix as I done it many years ago. I just went to a local big box store and got the replacement parts. The sink used a hollow stainless steel ball arraignment while the tub took a cartradge system. The later gave me a little trouble pulling out as the old o-rings have a bad habit of sticking inside the tube. But some spray of WD-40 to loosen it up along with slow prying got it out eventually. The new one works much smoother with a lot less effort. I was so used to the old one that I almost yanked it out the first few times I used it.
Houston, we have a dragon!
Yep, I registered for StratosFur, the new furcon in Houston, TeXaS coming up in mid August. They are having limited slots so if you want to go, better register fast. I heard regs could be closed by tomorrow as it was filling up that quick.
I didn't find a roommate but I managed to get a hotel room by myself for the con but just barely. I wanted to arrive on Friday and stay until Sunday but the Friday night to Sunday morning date was sold out. I snagged just the Saturday night one though. I don't think there will be any "official" events on Friday but would have been nice to hang out check out the lay of the place before the official festivities start. Also be ready on Friday morning without worrying about checking in on the main day of the con and all that. But I might manage staying on Friday if certain events occurs. I'll wait and see. At least I got a room on the big day.
Depends on the events they have lined up, I don't plan staying in the room all that much anyway. Just to get into suit, shower, and sleep is pretty much all I need. I want to experience the full con and not sit in the room watching TV and all that. So hopefully there be enough to do with good panels, raves (please, no more dudstep. that got boring real quick) and general fur suiting. It is a first year con so it remains to be seen how it goes.
Damn, it is so nice to be able to go to cons again. The last time I went to one was in late 2019 for me, been so dry for so long... way too long. Not only I plan to hit various cons (plus the possibility of going to a new one that was supposed to be held in Austin), I also wanted to start attending local fur meets in 2020. Of course that idea was totally out of the picture. But late 2021 and beyond looks so promising especially since i got my double shot of Pfizer hokey pokey okay dokey.
If that new Austin con ever gets off the ground there was an old one long time ago but that lasted only one year), that would bring a grand total of four furcons in TeXaS that I know about, all driving distances. I remember a times where there was none. Those years sucked. Now there is an (potential) explosion of cons. I wished it happened decades ago but oh well, glad it finally starting to blossom.
Maybe one day I'll hit some of those out of state ones but that is something I'll have to consider for the future once I get to the regional places. Dragon gotta branch out and spread my wings so to speak. Hopefully I'll finish my full fursuit by then too. Slow process but I am getting there I swear.
Well, if that AC trouble I had a few weeks ago is not enough, now both of my bathroom sink and tub faucets were leaking. It wasn't a big leak but a drip every few minutes.
It was a fairly easy fix as I done it many years ago. I just went to a local big box store and got the replacement parts. The sink used a hollow stainless steel ball arraignment while the tub took a cartradge system. The later gave me a little trouble pulling out as the old o-rings have a bad habit of sticking inside the tube. But some spray of WD-40 to loosen it up along with slow prying got it out eventually. The new one works much smoother with a lot less effort. I was so used to the old one that I almost yanked it out the first few times I used it.
Houston, we have a dragon!
Yep, I registered for StratosFur, the new furcon in Houston, TeXaS coming up in mid August. They are having limited slots so if you want to go, better register fast. I heard regs could be closed by tomorrow as it was filling up that quick.
I didn't find a roommate but I managed to get a hotel room by myself for the con but just barely. I wanted to arrive on Friday and stay until Sunday but the Friday night to Sunday morning date was sold out. I snagged just the Saturday night one though. I don't think there will be any "official" events on Friday but would have been nice to hang out check out the lay of the place before the official festivities start. Also be ready on Friday morning without worrying about checking in on the main day of the con and all that. But I might manage staying on Friday if certain events occurs. I'll wait and see. At least I got a room on the big day.
Depends on the events they have lined up, I don't plan staying in the room all that much anyway. Just to get into suit, shower, and sleep is pretty much all I need. I want to experience the full con and not sit in the room watching TV and all that. So hopefully there be enough to do with good panels, raves (please, no more dudstep. that got boring real quick) and general fur suiting. It is a first year con so it remains to be seen how it goes.
Damn, it is so nice to be able to go to cons again. The last time I went to one was in late 2019 for me, been so dry for so long... way too long. Not only I plan to hit various cons (plus the possibility of going to a new one that was supposed to be held in Austin), I also wanted to start attending local fur meets in 2020. Of course that idea was totally out of the picture. But late 2021 and beyond looks so promising especially since i got my double shot of Pfizer hokey pokey okay dokey.
If that new Austin con ever gets off the ground there was an old one long time ago but that lasted only one year), that would bring a grand total of four furcons in TeXaS that I know about, all driving distances. I remember a times where there was none. Those years sucked. Now there is an (potential) explosion of cons. I wished it happened decades ago but oh well, glad it finally starting to blossom.
Maybe one day I'll hit some of those out of state ones but that is something I'll have to consider for the future once I get to the regional places. Dragon gotta branch out and spread my wings so to speak. Hopefully I'll finish my full fursuit by then too. Slow process but I am getting there I swear.
When It Rains, It Pours. 128th Journal
Posted 4 years agoUgh, I am having some AC problems. The blower fan went out last Sunday, making a humming sound and not spinning. Usually that means the cap on it went out. A simple fix normally but I did smell some smoke before I was able to cut the power, so I want to replace it instead of taking a chance on it. But getting a new motor would take some time as I work during the week. But I did have the old motor that I repurposed as a fan to use when I worked on my car during those hot TeXaS summers. I used that as a temporary replacement until I get a better one.
I haven't used it for a long time so I had to search for it. It turns out to be in the back of the shed. Dug it out and used it in the AC unit. It was the same size though it a little bit f a pain of installing it. So I had the AC back... so I thought. The fan blower came on but the compressor outside did not. The contactor (a type of relay) would pulse on for a split second and clicked right off immediately. This would cycle every couple of seconds. I was able to manually push the tab on the contactor and it powered up. So it was either a bad contactor or the delay module. I bypassed the later to test it and the AC started cooling again. I decided to buy a new delay module and contactor since they are relatively inexpensive so I might as replaced the old things too.
While waiting for the parts, I noticed the fan stopping again, this time without the hum. It would then restart and then cut off a short time later. I noticed it was getting way too hot. I guess the old thing didn't like being enclosed inside the unit. When I used it as a fan, it had plenty of air around it so not to overheat. Oh well, it was supposed to be temporary anyway, just not that temporary.
Luckily the weather was cooler during the week as some rainstorms (hence the title) came through the area, coming down quite hard on some days. So I didn't need the AC during that time, giving me time to fix it. My brother has a newer motor that I was able to finally install after some doing. It seems to work... so far.
The new delay module arrived as well. I replaced the old one that I bypassed earlier. The old contactor is working but I will replace that too next weekend.
TL;DR My AC went out and I got it going again after replacing the fan blower and delay module. The rains during the week reduced temperature enough as to not it while it was broken.
I haven't used it for a long time so I had to search for it. It turns out to be in the back of the shed. Dug it out and used it in the AC unit. It was the same size though it a little bit f a pain of installing it. So I had the AC back... so I thought. The fan blower came on but the compressor outside did not. The contactor (a type of relay) would pulse on for a split second and clicked right off immediately. This would cycle every couple of seconds. I was able to manually push the tab on the contactor and it powered up. So it was either a bad contactor or the delay module. I bypassed the later to test it and the AC started cooling again. I decided to buy a new delay module and contactor since they are relatively inexpensive so I might as replaced the old things too.
While waiting for the parts, I noticed the fan stopping again, this time without the hum. It would then restart and then cut off a short time later. I noticed it was getting way too hot. I guess the old thing didn't like being enclosed inside the unit. When I used it as a fan, it had plenty of air around it so not to overheat. Oh well, it was supposed to be temporary anyway, just not that temporary.
Luckily the weather was cooler during the week as some rainstorms (hence the title) came through the area, coming down quite hard on some days. So I didn't need the AC during that time, giving me time to fix it. My brother has a newer motor that I was able to finally install after some doing. It seems to work... so far.
The new delay module arrived as well. I replaced the old one that I bypassed earlier. The old contactor is working but I will replace that too next weekend.
TL;DR My AC went out and I got it going again after replacing the fan blower and delay module. The rains during the week reduced temperature enough as to not it while it was broken.
Furrrrrrs in Spaaaaaaaaace! 127th Journal
Posted 4 years agoIn case you haven't heard, there is a new furcon coming to Houston TeXaS during August 14-15. It is called StratosFur as an homage to Houston being known for the NASA Johnson Space Center and all that. The city is also known for the oil & gas industry but OilyFus doesn't have as nice of a ring to it. Houston is also a major port but I don't think PortyFurs would cut it. So StratosFurs it is.
I do want to go but I don't want to get a whole room for myself as it would be a waste of spaaaaaaaaaaace (no pun intended, maybe). Prereg is open until June 30, so there is a little time to tra... gather some roommates. If I can find some, I might still go but I have to see what shakes up in the coming weeks.
Some background on me. I am a greymuzzle (been a dragon since at least the 90s where I was RPing on BBSes using my dialup modem. Yeah, I'm quite ancient). I also don't smoke at all, don't do drugs (aside from vitamins and prescriptions), and rarely drink. I have a partial fursuit that I made and still adding to it. So I plan to do as much suiting as I can. I been to four furcons (three ACFIs and a TFF).
Oh by the way, I finally got my second shot last Thursday of the Pfizer vaccine. So I am vaxxed to the max. The shot itself was barely noticeable like the first. My arm got sore a little quicker later in the day that the first shot and peaking slightly higher, but it seems to not to last as long. I did got a small amount of body ache that night that was more annoying than anything, making it harder to sleep with weird dreams when I did. But it went away by the middle of the next day, leaving a dull soreness in the spot of the shot. Totally gone now.
So none of that chills, fever, or feeling like I am going to die like a couple of my co-workers got here. It seems the younger ones are more affected by the side-effects as their bodies have stronger immune responses is my guess. But anyway, I finally got that out of the way as that was a big worry lifted off my shoulders. I took some doing to get the appointments but ate least in the States, getting it much easier in most places. The supply is loosening up so much that some vax sites now offer no-appointment shots.
The new goal here is to hit 70% of the population with at least one shot. looks like we'll reach it although the daily rates have been slowly dropping. Hopefully enough of us gets vaccinated so the anti-crowd can go fend for themselves while in hurting the rest of us.
Anyway, back to the furcon. If anyone is interesting in rooming up, let me know. We'll see if something can be worked out. It will be a first-year con so I don't know how it will turn out. I went to ACFI first year and it was a smash, getting like 730 attendees that year and growing at a good rate after that (except for 2020 for obvious reasons). I have a feeling StrotsFur will have a good amount due to people itching to go back to the con-season (I know I am). I Just hope they are ready and things would running relatively smoothly. I know there will probably be some hiccups here and there. Should be okay if they can get some experienced people in place.
There is another new furcon that was scheduled last year in Austin. It might get it's start next year. If both cons gets going, that'll make it four furcons that I know about in TeXaS. I remember a time where there was none so that is a lot of progress in the last few years. The future does look bright, just hope it is not an incoming doomsday asteroid.
P.S. I reside in San Antonio if that info is helpful in some what. I forgot to mention that.
I do want to go but I don't want to get a whole room for myself as it would be a waste of spaaaaaaaaaaace (no pun intended, maybe). Prereg is open until June 30, so there is a little time to tra... gather some roommates. If I can find some, I might still go but I have to see what shakes up in the coming weeks.
Some background on me. I am a greymuzzle (been a dragon since at least the 90s where I was RPing on BBSes using my dialup modem. Yeah, I'm quite ancient). I also don't smoke at all, don't do drugs (aside from vitamins and prescriptions), and rarely drink. I have a partial fursuit that I made and still adding to it. So I plan to do as much suiting as I can. I been to four furcons (three ACFIs and a TFF).
Oh by the way, I finally got my second shot last Thursday of the Pfizer vaccine. So I am vaxxed to the max. The shot itself was barely noticeable like the first. My arm got sore a little quicker later in the day that the first shot and peaking slightly higher, but it seems to not to last as long. I did got a small amount of body ache that night that was more annoying than anything, making it harder to sleep with weird dreams when I did. But it went away by the middle of the next day, leaving a dull soreness in the spot of the shot. Totally gone now.
So none of that chills, fever, or feeling like I am going to die like a couple of my co-workers got here. It seems the younger ones are more affected by the side-effects as their bodies have stronger immune responses is my guess. But anyway, I finally got that out of the way as that was a big worry lifted off my shoulders. I took some doing to get the appointments but ate least in the States, getting it much easier in most places. The supply is loosening up so much that some vax sites now offer no-appointment shots.
The new goal here is to hit 70% of the population with at least one shot. looks like we'll reach it although the daily rates have been slowly dropping. Hopefully enough of us gets vaccinated so the anti-crowd can go fend for themselves while in hurting the rest of us.
Anyway, back to the furcon. If anyone is interesting in rooming up, let me know. We'll see if something can be worked out. It will be a first-year con so I don't know how it will turn out. I went to ACFI first year and it was a smash, getting like 730 attendees that year and growing at a good rate after that (except for 2020 for obvious reasons). I have a feeling StrotsFur will have a good amount due to people itching to go back to the con-season (I know I am). I Just hope they are ready and things would running relatively smoothly. I know there will probably be some hiccups here and there. Should be okay if they can get some experienced people in place.
There is another new furcon that was scheduled last year in Austin. It might get it's start next year. If both cons gets going, that'll make it four furcons that I know about in TeXaS. I remember a time where there was none so that is a lot of progress in the last few years. The future does look bright, just hope it is not an incoming doomsday asteroid.
P.S. I reside in San Antonio if that info is helpful in some what. I forgot to mention that.
