12:45 Thursday

I managed to get here safely. The place ride from Chicago to San Jose seemed really really long and uncomfortable. I thought about upgrading to 1st class to have comfortable seats. I thought I might not have come if I knew how boring and uncomfortable the ride would be, but I managed to get here fine. Was happy to get off the plane after 4 1/2 hours.

I waited at the airport for the shuttle to the hotel. I figured someone would have called it. I saw people getting in and crossed the street and flagged it before they left.

There was no one in my room when I got there, so I left my stuff in it and left to walk around a bit. Started meeting people I knew. Found someone trying to get in a room under the same--almost the same name as the person my room was under, but for one letter different. And we tried that name but couldn't find him on any room.

I went back to my room after a bit; sure enough, it was his room too. The one who got the room misspelled his name to me. We talked and got to know each other. Jeff had a shower while I talked with Keith. [Leaves room to see if something's happening.]

[Nothing happening till 7. I checked on the monitor.] I went out for a walk around seeing if I could find McDonald's. I went the wrong way and walked past a sushi place. Then past a plaza and eventually found it and got hamburgers and fries. Got a bit lost getting there thought. Running into signs saying I couldn't cross there and having to go back. One seemed to leave me nowhere.

I ate the fries and was full and came back. Crossed at the wrong place and had to go right back again--crossed the same street 4 times ending on the same side I started on.

On the way back I found Cat and met Orca from Vancouver--who was really concerned what I heard about him--"Just the name."

I wanted to get back to my room and find where I was sleeping. Walked past a room where they were bagging materials for registration. They asked me to stay, but I really wanted to find where I was sleeping.

Both my roomies that were there were there and we figured it out and then talked for an hour before going to sleep.

I had a hamburger for breakfast then walked around the building. Security for the E-Bay Forum wouldn't let me enter their area. I found my room and Jeff got up and I walked to McDonald's with him and had pancakes.

I was feeling really out of place and not belonging here. Maybe it was the strange surroundings that threw me. I found it kinda strange seeing people I knew around.

I felt really drawn here but then felt really like I shouldn't be here when I finally arrived.

It's starting to feel more and more like home now though as more furs are coming in and crowding the hotel. Cat made me fell a bit better saying we were taking over.

One of the E-Bay guests told me he didn't get it. I just kinda of chuckled. Couldn't think of an explanation either.

16:12

I found Bandit and followed him and Silvanist and thee other to a deli--which seemed a little more expensive than I wanted to pay--same as the one I used to go to at home. I got a chicken salad sandwich--same as I used to order. Then we walked way way up a street to a liquor store past the Wyndam. Saw a chinese restaurant on the way back--that might be useful. Registration is open now so I'll be doing that soon. Jeff is in the shower. Maybe I'll wait a bit and go with him. I have a bit of a headache, perhaps caused by the cold outside.

17:41

I've been standing in live for 50 minutes now. My legs are hurting. Ugg! Odendo is standing behind me with a big con badge. It's moving now at least. I should be done soon.

Got my badge--they put my real name first and didn't capitalize, so I told them and wen to the side and waited while they fixed it. I'm sitting with Jeff now. He doesn't know anyone.

19:50

They had food at the opening ceremonies--which I partook of after giving myself a stomach ache with a chocolate chip cookie and a bottle of Coke.

The opening ceremonies consisted seemingly of an unceremonious declaration of the con being open and an invitation to eat--which was somewhat disappointing. I figured introductions and a presentation introducing the theme and maybe some ceremony based on the theme would be nice--but I guess free food...

I might have just went to something else if I knew that's all there was, but then again, free food--and I was hungry.

There lots of stuff for me to do tomorrow though--and possibly this is where I'll find out why I was drawn here.

For the rest of tonight, though, I don't know. Maybe I could write something since I have a pen and paper. Yay for low tech word processing.

21:37

Wandered around a bit not really finding anything interesting to do. Poked Brad Hound's nose. Found Trigger Happy in the hall. He wanted me to look more cheery; I was just tired. He figured it was the time difference--which is probably right. He was getting his camera to film the dance and told me to go over, so I did. Ooh. Pretty lights. I found Fox Cub who I met at Anthrocon. He built a new staff with LED's. Pretty lights.

22:31

Fox Cub let Bunny open up with his staff. Very pretty. She can spin really well; fluid motion. Unfortunately the mechanics and electronics of the staff disintegrated. I should stop drinking this Coke. Imma need to sleep eventually. Much business tomorrow.

Friday 11:17

Got up at 8 and went to McDonald's for breakfast. Got orange juice instead of apple juice like I asked for. But figured I'd just try orange juice instead. The clerk probably had trouble understanding my accent.

I came back and had a nap. Then went to the ancient anthropomorphics panel. There was some interesting stories, but they'd require more research to draw a lot more meaning from. I was hoping it would be deeper and connect everything together to form a conclusion but it was a panel discussion so you can't always control where it goes. I didn't know enough on the subject to add anything

I might look into the subject more. It would certainly add depth and background to my knowledge, but I'm more interested in the future than the past. However it is interesting to see how my own realizations have similarities with ideas from the past. It gives an impression that I'm following the same path that others followed before me. Perhaps I am rediscovering lost ancient wisdom, and in a way, re-tracing the development of that wisdom. This is certainly a part of my mission.

18:37

I got a cookie and a bottle of Snapple cause I was really hungry and went to the More Than A Look panel. Found out it was supposed to be a copy of the More Than A Fursuit panel from Midwest Furfest last year, but more broad.

The lead panelist said it was supposed to be a round table discussion. That he designed the spirituality panels to be where everyone would bring ideas instead of the panelists talking to people. I prefer the panelists to have stuff to talk about and let people join in with question and alternate opinions.

[I'm in the San Juan, people are talking to me now gathering for the mustelid panel. One, now two panelists are here now. I'll put this away for now.]

9:17

They mostly ended up talking about fursuits and people's experiences with them and phantom tail. Didn't get very deep into why people wanted to wear them but I guess that was within copying MFF.

After that I went to the McDonald's for more food. Got a McChicken and small fries and a hamburger for later.

Had nothing to do for a long time so I checked out the dealer's room. Bought an FC t-shit, then went in to look at stuff. I didn't see anything particularly interesting--not enough to buy, but I was very impressed with how much stuff there was and the variety.
I found Bushy Cat at the end in the corner and said Hi. She asked me about my face and was happy I didn't loose any teeth.

I came out of there and met Mirawais in the hall. He recognized me and I hugged him.

Then I went to the art show. They made me check my bag at the door. I looked at lots and lots of art. I recognized some the artists by style, recognized a style I liked from a t-shirt: Terri Smith, if I remember right; recognized Heather Burton and Dark Natasha from some art I have, and someone else I forget now. I got to feeling kinda inspired after looking at so much stuff. I saw Stalking Cat walk into a second room of art, but I was already fatigued from looking at too much.

I went upstairs to look at stuff there. Saw them setting up for the fursuit dance. They asked if they could help me and I said I was just nosing around.

I found the creative lounge and said hi to Babs and Furgetta.

Went to my room for a bath. The warm water felt good on my feet.

Felt tired after an had a nap, then went to the mustelid panel. Heard some interesting pieces of information there.

Then I went into my room. Kieth had lots of food. Pizza and wings and bread things. I ate my hamburger and a bread stick and a wing. I didn't really want pizza. Jeff came in and gave Kieth some money for the food.

I went to the washroom. My problem is still bothering me. Hurt a lot yesterday evening and this morning--more than I want. I hope it gets a little better.

I came upstairs to the main stage. I was kinda looking for Mira to hug him again but didn't see him anywhere. Oh well. There were lots of fursuiters dancing and people taking pictures. It was cold up there in the hall, I thought.

I'm now in the creative lounge writing in my journal. Didn't see anyone I recognized in here.

I'm feeling tired, but it's too early to sleep. 9:50. 33 minutes of writing. I think I type faster.

Ugg. Tired. Really really tired.

Ooh! Spotty dogs on the dance floor. :)

Loud music. Some kind of medleys. I don't' like medleys. :P

8:50 Saturday

I'm sitting in the Coffee Garden waiting for the steak and eggs I just ordered. Waiter just brought me toast--I really just want the steak and potatoes. Buffet didn't have steak, and I don't' usually eat much so I might as well pay a couple dollars more and take stuff with me.

Food!

9:30

Took leftovers back to my room. Eating at the hotel is more expensive than McDonald's. Cost $20 instead of $5.

"Live Animals: Wildlife Companions." What's that? ...oh, a charity. I'm trying to find some things to go to. Don't' know what this "Michel Burgey: Reading" thing is.

Blah.

Last night I met someone selling glow sticks outside of the fursuit dance and talked with him for a minute. He was selling them cheap, but planned on raising the price later when people ran out on the last day, just trying not to sell them all before then. He gave me a glowing disk he didn't want.

I went up to my room and ended up watching some of the last years DVD on TV with Lionel. He talked about his suit he was making. How he wanted to see more realistic suits and stuff. We talked about trans-something and technology for changing people bodies and stuff. I'm not quite so enthusiastic--it would be cool to change myself, but not essential.

I think it would help get me more noticed and get people wanting to listen to me. I suppose that would be somewhat useful. Other than that, I can do everything I really need to. That's probably why I haven't been very serious about buying a fursuit--or making one as well. I used to really really want to change myself but eventually learned to be happy with what I am. I decided it's not so important what you look like as what you do. Being a skunk doesn't mean you need to look like one. What's important is what you learn from the experience and what you do with that knowledge.

I'm in the creative lounge right now. Someone was playing a movie at the back. The Music Man; I just went back to check.

12:51

I went to the dragon's and scalies panel. Just wanted to listen to dragon stuff. The discussion turned a lot to talking about dragons in books and media--which was less interesting. I asked right at the end after coming from the washroom if dragons could be universal because dinosaur bones were universal. The panelists thought it was a good point.

I might just stay in this room for the online protocols panel. Or maybe I should eat something first. Like the rest of my expensive breakfast.

13:21

Hmm, Don't seem to have anything to do now. Therianthropy at 7pm. That's kinda far away. I feel like having a nap. Wrar.

No one showed for the online protocols panel. I'm in the room alone.

Sunday 9:26

Yesterday I went to the feline panel. They went around the room having people introduce themselves. I said I wasn't a feline and was directed to the door--It was just a joke though. Everyone started telling different stories about cats.

After that was a dinner break. I was going to get a hamburger. Bandit suggested chicken and on my way there I decided to get chicken nuggets instead. I got 10 and a large fries so I have food left over for later.

I came back and went to the therianthropy panel. Mostly the lead panelist constrained the topic to physical shifting. He was Aeto, if I remember right. There were some stories told about people working with animals also--which I thought were off topic--Interesting, but should have been saved for the panel on the subject. The problem, I think, was that the discussion was far too controlled and constrained to one small idea of therianthropy. There were a few interesting points, but especially for a 2 hour panel, they should have opened the topic up more to allow the group to explore different aspects of the subject--especially the spiritual side since it was supposed to be a spiritual panel. I know there were people there that wanted to discuss that side of things but it was never encouraged. I'm a little more of a philosopher but I like exploring spirituality. Aeto did admit they weren't planned very well.

Hopefully the next one will be more successful. The next panel is more general.

I did meet Loxorion after it though and talked to him about spirituality and stuff and got a url to the therianthropy irc channel. Maybe that's what I was here to find. It looks promising.

After, I wandered around a bit, chatted with Grex for a while. Met Bandit and Silvey--In suit. :)

Peeked at the dance. Fox Cub apparently effected repairs to his staff.

I'm sitting in the Why Can't I Be a Pony panel right now.

13:04

The discussion was ok. A little off topic, but ok. Lots of talk about factions within the community. I think I was being too harsh with my criticism earlier. I came here with far greater expectation than normal. Probably remembering how much I got out of my first MFF. You can never really get as much out of something the second time. At some point you learn everything. Like last year at my second MFF I was starting to see myself becoming more of a teacher than a student. I've certainly managed to get to see some different ideas here that are inspiring a lot of my own ideas. For one thing, I'm staring to think about more things I could do by running my own panel. Found some new ideas to look at. I think maybe when you go somewhere expecting the world, you're always going to be disappointed. I should probably go find some food.

14:16

On the way to McDonald's--ugg, I'm finally starting to get sick of McDonald's--I was thinking, Maybe the fact that I'm not having any life changing epiphanies is also a lesson. Maybe it could mean that I already have all the knowledge I need and should stop trying to find more and start just using that knowledge to help others instead. This in itself would be an important lesson to learn. Something that I can use. Maybe I should be doing more writing and less research. I keep thinking I don't know enough, but maybe I do, at least enough to do what I need.

I'm sitting in the fursuit panel.

17:12

Listened to people ask questions about fursuits for a while. Saw Mirawais outside the door. Was feeling kinda restless and bored so went out and walked around a bit. It's nice outside today.

I walked by the room where the fursuiters were gathering for the fursuit parade, saw BradHound in there so I had to go in and say hi. Hadda say hi to Yappy too who was there being all fuzzy. It was hot in that room. The air conditioning wasn't working. Trigger Happy was there too so I had to say hi to him. We talked a bit and he invited me to the desert social. I said I might go because I thought there was something else at the same time I wanted to do. I got kinda stuck in the room surrounded by fursuiters. I found my way out the main door and around to the main entrance in time to see the queen arrive. She seemed to have a scary unammused look on her face all the time. I got to see all the fursuiters arrive and gather for pictures. I say Mirawais there again.

After that I kinda stuffed in the door working my way past hordes of people and fursuits. Met Grex and kinda failed to get through everyone until the hall was cleared. I got myself an apple @ $1.08. :s

I'm in my room right now writing. There's still a pair of pants hanging on my balcony. I pointed it out to a random person when I was walking on the roof earlier.

2:30

Last night I went to wolf spirituality. They were talking mostly about wolf rescue, re-introduction, working with wolves. Some people related dreams about wolves that helped them spiritually. That was interesting.

Then for Animal Voices Aeto talked about working with big cats. Told lots of interesting stories.

This morning, I had some cold leftovers for breakfast. Tried skipping lunch and felt really weak for a while until I finally ate. Crackers and apple juice are apparently not a good lunch.

I got everything packed and went down to find Cat and put my stuff in his room. I'll sleep with him tonight.

Before having lunch I sat in there for a while. I had my FC shirt on and noticed there were runes on it, so I spent 30 minutes deciphering it:

IF THOUGH CANST ACTUALLY READ THIS THOUGH VERILY ART A GEEK

WHAT HAS IT GOTS IN IT POCKETSES

After I felt better, I went to the location of the canceled, fur, lifestyler, were panel and spent a few minutes telling people it was canceled. I offered to talk to people about stuff but they weren't interested upon finding the bad news. I talked with one for a while about the furry cruise and she showed me pictures: Wolfcat.

15:27

Everyone's all leaving and it's all sad and stuff. :(

21:45

I'm sitting outside the dead dog party right now. Less fursuiters dancing right now. Some are in front of the fan. There was a blue fox in there that was really good with glowsticks. Mirawais has a really nice tail.

I met Lora today earlier--she likes to tease me. She was with Wolfcat.

I ate dinner alone today, but sat near Tux. He had fish. I had a hamburger. I just started getting really hungry and weak and had to eat.

I saw Lora later at the dead dog. She wanted me to dance with Wolfcat but I was too nervous. She seems to like skunks. Said she wanted one as a pet.

Ooh... This music is kinda entrancing.

Later, I took her to my room to show here mine. She showed me hers later in the hall. Was all fuzzy.

I'm starting to feel hot.

The party smells like sweat. :)

I see Mira shaking his tail.

Cat was sleeping when I went to get this book. He should get up and not sleep already but I dun wanna wake a sleeping tiger.

I talked to Mira. He said there was someone else that really liked his suit but was afraid to fan boy him. I offered to fan boy him and play with his tail, but he didn't want me too.

I think I hear a duck having and orgasm, hehe. They're playing some unusual stuff.

*yawn*

I see Bandit dancing--the other Bandit went home--I'll see him tomorrow.

There's that blue fox going outside. Is really nice out there today. I was just sitting out there earlier enjoying it for a few minutes.

I see Brad Hound. I was sitting beside him outside.

I see Odendo--he was behind me in the registration line.

Hehe--they're dancing in a train.

I see Trigger.

Some how today's events are all kinda fuzzy as to the order and stuff.

Hehe--fuzzy bunny. He have a cute tail.

Hmm, lot of fursuiters dancing now. So much fur--*drool*

I think I'm getting over my post con depression--maybe.

I'm not looking forward to the long plane ride home. Almost would rather stay here just to avoid the trip. I suppose I'll have lots of time to think about the con and write about it.

Ooh! Pretty lights. Someone has a laser. A green and red one.

*sigh*

I'm starting to feel tired again. Still too early to sleep thought. Blah.

I see Kelsey--I think I remember his name. *puzzles*

Ugg. Tired. I wonder what time it is... Bandit would probably yell at me for sitting here writing instead of having fun.

*goes to the foyer to check the time*

10:22

*goes upstairs to see if something's there*

Coffee Garden is practically empty only one table. Tony Ringtail is staying 'till Wednesday. He says there will be other furs here. I suppose I could have stayed another day if I thought I could find a room, but I didn't and it's too late now.

I'm starting to feel hungry again. *smells food*.

*climbs stairs*

Creative lounge is being torn down. There's some furs in the hall thought.

Maybe I should get that food...

*walks outside*

Ooh. Dark. Is getting colder out here.

I'm feeling kinda weak.

Ooh. Cold. *shiver*

Some people sitting by the pool thought. I hope the door downstairs is open.

Big fuzzy fursuit hanging in a window.

Exercise room.

Door was open.

Smells like sweat in the hallway even.

*gets food, leaves book.*

Someone is still sleeping in here. *bes quiet*

11:44 Tuesday

Cat snores funny. Buzz... Buzz...

I got McDonald's for breakfast--much better to spend $3 for breakfast there than spending $15 at the hotel and only eating half.

I came back and ate and got myself packed. Hugged Cat. Got him some money before he left too.

It was around 10:40 and I had nothing to do, so I too my stuff to the front to look for a shuttle. Cat and Tess were still there waiting. I rode with them to the airport.

When I went thought security I was told to put the skunk in the tray--Hehe. :)

When I got to the gate I met another fur there, Autumnfox. Talked with him a bit while waiting and decided to get a seat next to him for the flight. He was in 20A and 20B was available.

I'm on the plane right now. They were just playing Brothers Grim and had to reset it because there were problems with the audio.

I just got one of the $5 snack packs--the one with the fruit cup. :) Kinda hungry and want to stave off fainting. Autumn agreed that fainting would be bad.

I got some extra con books for Bungee and Neouka who couldn't come.

Got to talk to Cat a bit before leaving the hotel. He told me why Confurence died, and why when the original organizers, who are friends of his couldn't use the name when the started it again.

16:00 PM Central.

Move is over. Autumn woke up for the end of it. I'm feeling kinda fuzzy too. Hour left to go.

17:15

Touchdown!

Got some McDonald's at the airport. I wanted to show Autumn the plane that said "Bucky O'Hare" that I told him about, but there wasn't enough time as I thought. We parted on the way back from McDonald's

I wasn't quite as hungry as I thought and didn't finish my hamburger or child size coke. I feel a little pathetic being unable to eat a happy meal.

Autumn said he'd look me up on LiveJournal when he got back. It was nice having a travel companion for the long flight. I wasn't so bored. We got a chance to talk about lots of stuff.

The flight attendant noticed my skunk when I got off the plane.

*yawns*

The radio on this plane isn't doing anything. Just hear beeping like it's a digital signal.