Month: December 2014

MFF 2014 What a Fur Con!!!

Ahmar Wolf

As the Police continue to investigate, and I will report once any official announcement is made. My job right now is to tell you of my thoughts and feelings. After I felt I kinda blew it last year being so nervous, I wanted to go in to MFF with a brave face…and a bit of a nervous stomach, to tell you the truth. I really was jittery as the days grew closer, and even more nervous when rumors sprang up about a crooked artist by the name of Darius Koopa was there. Thankfully that turned out not to be true, I was afraid that my friend whom I met down there was gonna get himself kicked out. As I previously mentioned, it seems if you have any problems you call upon the staff, and not take things in your own paws. While I was afraid I was going to have an attack of nerves once again.

Everything turned out and was so great, wait to you see the new fursona I had made. I paid $50 for it and it’s great. It will make it’s debut here this Saturday.

To be honest the only real problems I had was an iffy cellphone signal issue, and the reason that was an issue was because I had planned on meeting someone else down there as well. The other problem was the schedule. As is figuring what I could see, without missing the want I wanted to see the most.

Now for something I really can report and it’s Official. Duke the Dancing Dog, who currently holds the record for the most viewed furry video on You Tube at over 248,000 views with his video ‘Good Time’. Is making a brand new music video, which was shot on the last day of MFF. I for one can’t wait to see it, and you have my promise once Duke posts that video you will see it here.

Tomorrow is what made me the proudest to be a furry.

Why this is the most memarable MFF of all time

Ahmar Wolf

Besides from the Hazmat Emergency everyone knows about….that is.

It sure was for me and I left for home well before that. It was simply incredible, the number of fursuiters were way up. I don’t know the official total yet. But it seemed to me 1 out of 3 wear wearing one. The number of kids were way up too, last year I maybe saw 3 or 4. But this year, a good 40+ would be a good estimate. Not to mention that the crowd was larger, but very friendly I got a hug during the fursuit parade.

Speaking of the parade. HUGE!!! It ran nearly an hour. Compare to the 27 minute long parade last year.

The change up for Floor Wars, only improved it. Allowing the winners to pick a member of the loosing team to join their. Only made for the most incredible dancing I ever seen.

Speaking of Incredible, once again I really give it too both the staff and volunteers for doing a great job.

Although I wasn’t there on Sunday, they saw to the needs of everyone after that Hazmat emergency of very early Sunday Morning. You all deserve medals!!!

I should also give a medal to myself. Okay I admit it I was a bit nervous before I left for the con, but once I arrived. I felt at home. I forgot my problems and really enjoyed myself.

The Variety show was GREAT!!!

In fact the only problem I had was that the cell phone signal kept on dropping off….and the only reason that was a problem as I planned on meeting someone. Also no one planned on their cellphone battery going dead.

More Tomorrow…

MFF 2014 What Happened Official News

Ahmar Wolf

At around 12:45 AM on Sunday, December 7, the Hyatt Regency O’Hare received a complaint of a chemical odor on the ninth floor. Following a 9-1-1 call, first responders determined that a container with a chlorine-containing chemical was broken there. At 1:10 AM the entire hotel was evacuated, first across Bryn Mawr Ave. in front of the Hyatt as per Rosemont Fire Department’s standard procedures, then when it became apparent that the wait would take longer the Stephens Convention Center was opened to provide warmth and shelter to our guests. A full HazMat response was called in at that time.
In the course of investigating the scene, the Rosemont Police Department determined that this was a criminal act and began investigating it as such. This delayed allowing our guests back into the hotel. Midwest FurFest is deeply thankful for the cooperation and patience shown during this time, and please know that everyone was working to get you back into the hotel as quickly as possible. At 4:21 AM the all-clear was given and we worked with the Hyatt staff to return all of our guests to the hotel in the quickest and safest manner possible.
Rosemont Public Safety has reported that nineteen people who complained of nausea and dizziness were transported to local hospitals. Because they were transported after the hotel (including Hyatt staff) was evacuated, we do not have any identification of these individuals. We have been informed by the Hyatt Regency O’Hare that some of those individuals have been released as of this morning.
As we wake up today we want to continue to provide the best possible convention that we can, despite the trying circumstances. The convention will be running on a full normal programming schedule today. We ask you to continue to be patient, and remember that the volunteers who make Midwest FurFest happen intend to give 110% to make sure that the fun, friendship, and good times of Midwest FurFest 2014 overshadow last night’s unfortunate incident.
To dispel rumors: Because this was an unforeseen possibly criminal act, Midwest FurFest will not be offering refunds, nor will the Hyatt Regency O’Hare be comping any rooms. Any further questions should be referred to info@furfest.org.

MFF 2014 First Thoughts

Ahmar Wolf

WOW!!!! If MFF goes down in the history books yesterday was really something to be hold. First of all the crowd was WAY UP!!! The number of fursuiters in parade OMG!!! The parade itself nearly lasted an hour, and as far as I know. No fursuit parade this entire year lasted more than 40 minutes.

Oh yeah I also forgot MFF hit the local news last night…

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A chemical leak at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont caused an evacuation early Sunday, right in the midst of the Midwest FurFest Convention.

Rosemont Public Safety upgraded the leak to third alarm at the hotel, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave. in Rosemont, an Elk Grove Village firefighter said. Rosemont declined to comment.

One ambulance from Elk Grove Village was sent to the scene at about 2:20 a.m., said.

It was not immediately known how many people were transported to hospitals.

The chemical leak happened during the 2014 Midwest FurFest Convention, which was taking place at the hotel from Friday to Sunday, according to the group’s website.

Attendees dress up like furry animals for the event, centered around art, literature and performance based on anthropomorphic animals, according to the convention’s website.

Multiple witnesses said the leak was reported on either the 9th or 10th floor of the hotel. One woman said chlorine could be smelled on both floors.

Lucis Hilliard, who was attending the convention, said the evacuation was “very orderly. “

Several people could be seen in animal costumes waiting outside of the hotel. Ambulances from area suburbs were on scene helping transport people.

The number of injuries was not immediately known.

Isn’t that something?!!! This one will go down in the record books, but we will have to wait for the official numbers before we see by how much.

My 2nd Fur Con

Ahmar Wolf

As of right now I am some 2 hours away leaving for my 2nd fur con. Ironically it’s the same as the first Midwest Furfest and I hope like I did last year to have fun…which is the whole point of going. Unlike last year, I know a lot more furries, and some of them actually plan to be in the fursuit parade which will be held starting at 1:30 PM.

Now for a bit of irony, a good friend got ripped by a crooked artist named Darius Koopa 2 years ago, and he heard from another furry that this Darius Koopa is down there selling supposedly his art at the con. I say that because recently I heard a rumor that he was stealing some other artist work as his own. But to top everything off it seems this crook has a warrant out for his arrest in Indiana. A fact confirmed by the Rosemont Police Dept. To top things off my friend plans to confront DK and demand his money back or he is calling the cops. To complicate things even more, I already contacted the staff at MFF on this matter last year and they advise to tell my friend work through the staff and let them call the police if they deem necessary. Also my friend being a bit short tempered, things could get interesting. Will let you all know what happened.

And all I though the biggest thing I would be reporting on is news of Furvilla which is making some sort of debut at the con.

If you want to say Hi, I will be wearing this badge.

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It was done by a local artist Kelley McAdams

More tomorrow…