Hiya:

I just got back from Anthrocon in Pittsburgh, it was my first ever con. That's strange because Anthrocon has been in Pittsburgh for almost 10 years and I live just 40 miles away, near North Huntingdon, PA. But, anyway, my friend BFL has been asking me to go for at least four years and to be honest, I never wanted to go. I didn't want to go this year either but, again I was asked and I said "sure". Why? Curiosity.

When I got my AC tickets, hotel reservation, etc, I was excited, nervous, and ... reluctant. I didn't know what to expect; I thought it was a convention for the fursuiters to go and hang out and the artists sat in their rooms with thumbs in their ass all day. I've had "NO" interest in fursuiters, or the thought of it. I'm an artist, and creator of worlds (ha HA!), but I shrugged at the thought of fursuiting.

BFL had a whole list of things he wanted to do at the con. Highlighted, and checked religiously. Me? I had no idea what the con offered, and really didn't care I just wanted to get the weekend over with. We attended many of the writing panels offered, two of the three art-related panels, an MLP panel (which was surprisingly really good!), and some other odds and ends,... like a "rock" concert (more like pop, but it was still ok), the dealer's den/artist alley, a "coming out" panel for furries, a panel on porn and the furry fandom, and the coveted fursuit dance competition (REALLY good!).

All in all, I did enjoyed myself, no lie. The furries I met were all polite, fun, and accepting. If there was an asshole amongst the furries, I never met him/her. The panels could use some more diversity, especially in the visual arts. If I could change anything about Anthrocon, it would be:

1. Needs Signage. We got lost / had to ask for direction numerous times due to a lack of signs. Am I unreasonable for asking for signage in the main lobby for the registration desk?

2. Maps. Somewhere. Getting directions was cumbersome "Go out here, make a right, go down a flight of stairs, go up the next floor, head to the right.... " seriously, this place is hard to navigate and it's big. Maps with a "you are here" sticker would be nice.

3. Needs more places to buy booze!! I need a beer in my hand to socialize. I have social anxiety and a beer really brings out the real me. This is more of a personal rift, but I'm sure I'm not the only one asking where the booze are. Next time I'll probably just bring my own, but I guess the hotel won't make any money off me that way, just sayin'

4. More art-related panels. There were only three, one was so niche that I didn't even bother. It would be nice for some sort of artist hangout, or social party or something. A slot of time for artists to ask questions, share ideas, introduce themselves, share tips etc. The speaker said at one of the panels that you can check you tube for this kind of stuff, and that's true, but it would still be cool to do in a more open, social setting.

Overall though I won't lie, I had a good time. Will I go back? Maybe next year. After that who knows. This convention did get me thinking about the possibility of selling my art, and even creating a fursona / fursuiting. How far that will go remains to be seen, but I did enjoy the plethora of fursuiters crawling about the Anthrocon grounds, and their antics. I can see why the parade was so popular with the public!

Hope this little write up was informative. If you've thought about attending Anthrocon but still on the fence, I'd do it at least once.

Thanks for reading!