Tag: commentary

Con Badges Changes

Ahmar WolfLeave a comment

You might have noticed this already, where cons have gone from a pre made badges to one made on site. To what happened at IFC and many larger cons. Have pre made card with all the important info. Then attach a label both with your status and fursona name.

Nobody really likes waiting and furries stuck in line frankly complain the most. Let me remind you the longest wait I ever heard at MFF was 7 hours. Although I have heard longer times like 12+ but could not confirm them. Frankly it’s just plain cheaper to have the badges pre made. A simple search can give you the costs.

Speaking of which did you know that an ID Badge Maker starts at $995. The last MFF they had at least 7 of these. You have to admit that is a lot of $$$.

A con can literally go broke. Like what happened at Capital City Fur Con. Now called Capital Con and believe me I wish them them the best and a really good accountant.

WE all know things are getting more and more expensive. Right now there is no price difference between a fast casual restaurant and McDonald’s It’s still going to cost you $15 for a burger and fries.

With cons getting bigger and bigger and bigger Yes I mean than 20,000+ at Anthrocon.

We honestly have to let things go. But lets not hope for what happened at Anime Midwest One Year. A paper badge, they did include a badge holder and laynard.

One day we are going to miss special times

MFF Starts Next Month

Ahmar Wolf

To be exact MFF starts on this exact day next month.

So far the schedule isn’t up, which is normal. But what do I expect, pretty much the same as every year. Meaning Opening, dance, comedy and etc.

As far as what I will get, ribbon, lanyard, badge, wrist band, tee, sponsor brunch ticket and the rest. Your guess is as good as mine. That one time at Fur Squared really opened my mind to the process they use to pick out all the extra stuff. What Sponsors and betters get. Meaning they have a set budget, they know roughly how many, what can they get in a reasonable amount of time. Also and thanks to MFF itself for this last rule. What isn’t going to have shipping issues.

Remember those knit caps?!!!

This whole Back to the Future theme, I am really excited to see what they are going to present. I half expect a BTTF DeLorean will be on display.

Believe me if you check out a closing ceremony video from last year. You can see why I expect this. That furry “Marty” had furries talking about that for months.

The one thing I can say for certain there isn’t a furry who was there last year is wishing for snow. Thanks to social media I read this wild story of how a couple of fursuiters wanted to make this one video in the nearby woods. The term nearly drowned in the snow, really surprised me. But it made sense, 1 foot of heavy snow. I am grateful they say it will be warm. But I live in the Chicago area and I know anything is possible.

I will be making videos, and due to the number of views my Vlog got… over 300? Really?!!! I will be doing a Vlog and I will include the odd stuff that happens. Apparently you like it.

So why aren’t I am making full length event videos… $$$ the cost of the software that will work with my camera

Even I was surprised of the quality my camera puts out WOW! Even watching those same videos on my phone. You can really see the difference.

Speaking of videos, I am going to try a couple of different things this year. Like no more Skybridge videos. I do have something else planned instead.

Will keep everyone updated

Why Do I Get The Dumbest Scams

Ahmar Wolf

Last week I got this email, at least in the preview if I didn’t act within 48 hours this site would be suspended. There was more than a few problems with this #1 there email would not open. I tried 3 times. #2 the site it came from could not be found in a Google search. Now the big one #3 none of this was from the sites I actually use.

I know dumb when I see it.

Flea Issue Potential Problems

Ahmar Wolf

I been hearing a lot on both sides of this Flea Issue. But I think what some are forgetting, that there are furries who fall under the autism spectrum. During my time in the fandom I have seen this addressed 2 ways #1 by caving in and #2 by violence. One I was directly involved in and NEVER call the cops, despite being punched.

Innocent victim, but there you go it happened.

I know the ones who started this, think it’s a joke.

One that could turn violent

I know several who do a great job controlling their temper. But even I know there is this SOLID line I do not dare too cross.

This “Flea” thing crosses that line. It in fact breaks it,

Fursuiting and autism helps those become more relaxed and more open to other viewpoints. I have seen remarkable changes in personality… FOR THE BETTER

I hate to see this winding up in court some how. If someone winds up with a broken jaw.

Worse yet the fandom has been picked on by the far right and conservatives. Some making outright threats against the fandom. If you been on social media, you know what I am talking about.

I ask you if say you felt something on YOUR fursuit. What would you think it is?

MFF Survivor Guide

Ahmar Wolf

With MFF Opening it’s Room Lottery I felt it was time to give my readers who plan on going to MFF a few tips to actually save money.

The biggest expense is the ROOM although I won’t tell you were to stay, as a lot depends on them. BUT there are cheaper rooms with FREE parking. If all you need is a place to sleep and store your stuff why pay extra. I know these places aren’t exactly walking distance. But the savings will make your wallet happy. Even with Uber and Lyft.

The only problem you have to figured out where you will be staying has to be done early. I made my reservation in March.

Breakfast

To me there is one 1 real choice Denny’s why? Food is good, and considering the prices for the area. Cheap. Besides they love us furries, even fursuiting is allowed. Just not when the food is served. Other than that they are cool.

Snacks and drinks

Buy yours at the nearest grocery store, and store them in your room. The number of coolers I see every year gets larger. $6 for a 20 oz bottle of soda is crazy

Here is something I bet a lot of you don’t know. MFF has a Staff Lounge, where Staff and Volunteers can snatch up a cold drink or a snack for FREE. I am not going to tell you, how to sneak in. Even though I know where it is. But instead you might consider Volunteering. This could literally save you money you will spend elsewhere.

Dealer’s Den and artist alley. I know it’s hard set a budget. I know it’s hard, but if you want to have some money left.

7 Days and Counting to IFC

Ahmar Wolf

Here it is just 1 week to go, where I travel to, check in, see the Opening Ceremonies, and get Registered all on the same day. With the convention not actually starting to 7PM makes this all possible. Not to forget me leaving Furry Times HQ at 8AM doesn’t hurt either.

Like usual everything is planned out, and most of my supplies are packed up and ready to go. Including what I need for my 3DS Streetpass Meet, including a copy of Tetris!!!

IFC posting a map makes things a bit easier, and The Lounge (Sponsor Suite) is in an excellent location. So what are my own personal issues… it isn’t Greyhound… and I am sure furries will be on the same bus. No the biggest issue is the hotel. There are no maps anywhere showing locations of restaurants or let alone the front desk. I am still not quite sure of it’s exact spot, or let alone what the 1st floor lobby is going to be like. I swear this has to be the only Hyatt Regency with the same issue. Let alone what restaurants are there. I already have a clear idea what restaurants are in the neighborhood. Next to Fur Squared, I say excellent variety. I even found a alt place to have breakfast. I am an early bird and this being a local place. I am planning on hitting more than just 1

Does it sound like I will be doing Restaurant Reviews… Oh yes

Did you know that the State Capital Building is almost across the street. It sure is and I have no idea what will happen.

The biggest thing I predict Record Attendance, the old hotel had issues and I know I was only there once. That was 3 years ago, seeing the crowd move around things were close. I heard it was bad last year, so IFC had to move. I do think this new location is future proof, why there are within blocks of 2 convention centers

So what am I looking forward to… My Meet naturally and see how the con operates. They had issues 3 years ago… but at least they had the fursuit parade and I got a good story out of it. But Not this year.

Will be making more videos on my phone this year. But not everything…

Looks like we are both in for a wild ride….

The Next 6 Months….

Ahmar Wolf

I am at least for a moment I am taking a side step in my coverage of the furry fandom to make a point. It is July 5th the day after picnics and fireworks. But not for me, no it wasn’t by choice we had thunderstorms. From roughly 1pm all the way to 10pm. It rained and then some, the only thing I am grateful for it’s cooler and the humidity has dropped.

A lot has happened in the last 6 months and frankly saying all the details is worthless as you already know them. Also that an election is coming up and for the love of all things furry I hope you vote.

But still that rain falls, it seems every major point in the US…. Got rain

It did not stop for fireworks…. It did not stop for picnics… It just rained

That was when I thought about

Will the sun ever shine again _ Bonnie Raitt

One of my favs, even after all these years that song still makes me cry.

It describes both my mood and feelings.

Lets hope in November the sun will shine again

Extreme Men’s Swinwear

Ahmar Wolf

I want to apologize to my readers over an opinion I once had of WTF?!!! is going on with Men’s Swimwear. Okay I know Women’s have gone that way too. I still think $35 for a literal piece of string is crazy. But that crazy as swung towards the Men. It is way too easy to find that piece of string. One outfit at least admitted it was unisex. Believe me when your dealing with string. What else can it be?!!!

Yes it is the style these days, a very popular one at my local public beach.

I wonder will it ever get to this extreme

Getting to Fur Cons When You Don’t Drive

Ahmar Wolf

Some might be surprised that I don’t drive. The simplest reason is $$$ too expensive, and parking were I live is impossible. So as you can imagine I rely heavily on public transport. Namely Amtrak and Greyhound. I love the train, but taking it to some locations like Indianapolis not very convenient. For example the train heading back to Chicago stops there around 5am

Some times it is a dream come true like Milwaukee, others and I won’t say which ones have since my 1st trip has cause me to see if there is another route.

It’s not easy.

So my upcoming trip to Indy Fur Con which frankly I am getting excited for. I am stuck with Greyhound. Not that the service between 2 cities are horrible. Last time the bus was clean, the driver was excellent and the other passengers behaved. So what went wrong? I am over 6 feet tall, about average. But when I sit in a seat on a Greyhound bus frankly there is almost no space between my knee and the rear of the seat in front of me. Yes that is quite true.

And no it’s not comfortable…

And there I sit for roughly 3 1/2 hours

So any change I hear makes me hopeful. Like the proposal to bring train service to both Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Which would mean to me I could get the see both The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and AnthrOhio. As well as more trains to Indianapolis.

Fingers crossed

Which Furry Convention Will Break 20,000 attendees?

Ahmar Wolf

Our Contenders

Anthrocon 18,357
Furry Weekend Atlanta 17,736
Midwest FurFest 16,925

Those are real numbers folks, fur cons are getting the same attendance as Anime cons got a few years ago. It is also a very strong possibility that it will happen… we just don’t know when.

All the cons listed encourage furries to come. In my opinion some better than others.

I am not going to second guess what they are doing is wrong. But reporting on conventions as I do you notice this.

Lets take Anthrocon

Who makes it a city wide event. I know some who went to Anthrocon got side tracked by all that was going on and missed the con itself. You think I am making this up ask your friends. They have river cruses, which sell out fast.

Then there Furry Weekend Atlanta, and the use of multiple hotels, no wonder they are a fast rising convention. They are doing everything to get furries to come. I know some who hate that. But what can you do? Besides more than 1 posted it never felt crowded.

Then there is Midwest FurFest, my home con. It takes me roughly an hour to get to MFF from my apt. I also hear the complaints, not only the Sky Bridge of Doom we all heard about but the crowds. I kid you not if you have to go from the hotel to the convention center it’s faster to take the outside route than take the Sky Bridge. It’s hard to admit your fav con is stagnating. They have not done a single outside activity since Zootopia came out in 2016. Where they made a profit which went to charity. The board then said they do another. But here it is 10 years later and nothing. Meanwhile even the convention center is getting packed. There is evidence everywhere from YouTube to Tik Tok. It’s getting harder and harder to move around. Thankfully most of the panels I saw last year was held at the convention center. I honestly don’t know what we would have done if we had to go back and forth.

Frankly it is really getting bad, mornings and early afternoons are the best times. The Evenings are horrible. Also for a 2nd year in a row it’s better to hit the Dealer’s Den the next day.

The reality of it evenings it gets packed. You know they have security monitoring the traffic in the Sky Bridge.

MFF is going to have to do something, but I don’t see them improving things. I know some who have stopped going, even a friend is considering it.

So who will break 20,000? Even money it won’t be MFF