Tag: MFF

As I stated previously I had no internet at my hotel. Too few IP addresses a tech friend put it. Plus as it turned out I had issues with the main laptop I use. One reason to bring a tablet next time.

Here is what I missed

Believe me I know that Sponsors Pin is a little hard to see but it is on that lanyard.

It started out so differently than I was use to which is mainly waiting for Reg to open then rush over to the Opening Ceremony. It’s strange when you got time

and room to move…

Besides heading to a few panels there is the usual Dealer’s Den and Artist Alley which was fantastic

A friend got in on Fursuit Price is Right

But I would say the proudest moment for both of us was when my friend was on the winning team of The Fursuit Games. A self proclaimed out of shape geek. Believe me they are still smiling.

I think one of the hardest moments for me was Live Like Roo. This year’s charity who helps people when their pet has cancer. My dog died 3 years ago from a combo of old age and cancer. I was conflicted between giving them what I could afford and actually give. The dogs they had were sweet and they do amazing work. If I knew of them back then I know things would have been different.

It’s hard to loose a loved one to cancer, and I do consider pets part of the family. On top of this my own brother died of cancer 10 years ago. So as you see the subject is hard for me. Really I was a mess at the closing ceremony on Sunday.

One more thing my friend as an experiment brought a 25 year old camera that recorded images on a floppy. He managed to give away a few but despite the image quality they turned out pretty good.

He also made a copy of the photo on floppy to anyone who was in a photo with him. Did managed to give away a few. I advised him to make some sort of public announcement for next year.

More tomorrow

Believe me folks I am happy to be home, my laptop fully functioning, my friend/ roommate is home and I hope getting the sleep that they deserve. MFF 2023 for me was a wild ride.

Lets Start off where I stayed.

Motel 6, and before anyone says anything I got a room there cheap, and it was also small. Only slighly larger than my RL bedroom.

But it was good, clean and more or less quiet. I say that because it also lay under a flight path.

On top of that a Limited Number of IPs. For your non tech types, since the hotel was SOLD OUT. There was not even places for everyone to use this Public Wifi. I will be leaving my laptop at home next time and bring my tablet. I had no wifi period.

But mine you this is Thurday Nov 30 coverage. So what did we do? Reg of course

All Sponsors and Shiny Sponsors as far as the eye can see.

Later according to MFF they process over 9000 Registrations on Thursday.

The Line to Get The Badge was around 50 mins, add about an hour to get The Swag

Namely this

What you don’t see and that includes a Sponsor Ribbon

As well as the coupon for the Tee which was redeemed and that’s still packed

You might notice a little card? That is suppose to be a Plush for Sponsors plus 1 extra item for Shiny Sponsors. The only thing my source told me that it is somewhere in the US. They said later during Closing that Sponsors are going to get an email later about that.

Meanwhile and this is a Furry Times exclusive 1 Gopher Item is also missing A Gopher-branded MFF ushanka (11 hours) They too will be contacted by email.

More tomorrow need to unpack.

As I sit here and type this, both my suitcase and backpack are nearby. And in a couple of hours from now I will be heading to the hotel where a friend and I will be staying at for MFF. It isn’t exactly close but it’s a 7 minute Uber ride on top of a more than 90 minute ride on the CTA and I am there. Frankly since this is my 1st time being able to report on the early hours of the convention. I have been told you see more fursuiters and whatever happens I will be reporting on this.

Frankly I hadn’t been this nervous/ excited since my very 1st MFF which as in fact 10 years ago. I wish I could say everything was great but. With my brother dying a few month’s earlier and no one to take care of my dog. I was a mess, and I really mean it. I felt horrible, and then felt I would feel this way for life.

But as we all know time heals all wounds and I did get better. But a finical setback, and the US govt being a pain in my arse behind me. I did go to IFC this past year and I had a great time. But as I said MFF 2023 is different. Or as the Brits say, “Adopt, adapt and improve”. All while changing Health Insurance companies, what a pain this is.

Amazing what I can get myself into not am I reporting on MFF for myself, but GFTV, All Fur Radio and I will be reporting how many StreetPass hits for a group on X and or Twitter.

YEP

All the while having fun with a friend and fingers crossed volunteering. Which if I figure right might be more on Sunday.

It’s a tie between what I want to do and have to do. It’s my friend 1st time fursuiting at the Fursuit Games. Normally I would see the Furry Variety Show, but that I am sad to say will have to wait to the video winds up on YouTube.

If you want to see something different I would recommend Fursuit Charades. I saw it last year and it was fantastic pure fun!!!

That’s about it for now Tomorrow the real posts start. Look for @Dr_Timefox for updates as well as @ahmarwolf.bsky.social Things are going to be insane.

I know if your coming in for a Friday opening this might scare you. But actual events are taking place tomorrow.

Although it isn’t much stuff is happening tomorrow, and I will be reporting on it starting Friday

The day’s just starting. Ollie and his dad race down a snowy hill, now transformed into an icy roller coaster by the magic of winter. Their laughter warms the crisp air as they are reminded: it’s only three days until FurFest.

Across Chicagoland, a heavy blizzard shows no signs of letting up. Wags Weatherwise shares the news everyone was waiting for: “Bundle up in your warmest mittens and coats – looks like we’re in for some Snow Days! Only Four Days until FurFest!

Congrats to the winners of the drink suggestion contest!

The Hyatt bar staff has chosen

A Tipsy Reindeer from @AGoatNamedEros and is modifying a Raccsberry Tonic from @Jonoracc into a non-alcoholic drink. $1 from each drink ordered will be donated to our charity!

Okay so at the time of this post it’s in 13 days, and I am already getting stuff together. That’s me I plan way ahead. Like going over that schedule https://mff2023.sched.com/ which I do the moment it is posted. So no Alkali, not a con killer. The schedule is varied this year. Covers a wide range of interests, furry history and that Greymuzzle meets are a must for me. Concerts, dances, 2 fursuit games, variety show you name it. During all of this I hope to volunteer for 2 hours. I really want that PIN!!! speaking of which there is a PIN meet and trading is encouraged.

I am going with a friend this year, but the more I look at the schedule I think we both will be doing out own things.

2 cameras plus my phone. I hope to record more videos this year. No mention of sticker boards, and there are those empty poles. If I encourage anyone I can get into trouble. But we have to see.

Never been at this one hotel where I am staying. Unsure what exactly I am going to get. There is a restaurant nearby so breakfast won’t be so much as an issue.

Getting back to the con I have to give it to whomever is in charge of the schedule. They did a really nice job…. frankly better than some previous years.

I am going to Volunteer at MFF as I have done for the last 2. It’s fun and very rewarding as you get little perks for helping out. Like the White Lanyard volunteers wear. Gives them access to the Staff Lounge what’s there? I’ll report on that later.

Speaking of perks

This year our reward tiers are:

• A badge lanyard exclusive to gophers (start of your first shift)
• A winter-themed enamel pin (2 hours)
• A winter-themed bandana, big enough for most fursuiters (5 hours)
• The Iron Gopher enamel pin, a callback to our traditional reward for your excellence in helping the convention (8 hours)
• A Gopher-branded MFF ushanka (11 hours)
• Free Attendee-level badge for MFF 2024 (12 hours)

You might be asking what the fuck is a ushanka?

and they normally retail for around $30, getting an MFF one? Priceless

https://mff2023.sched.com/

So the schedule is up what’s the highlights..

Greymuzzle Meet, 1st time is a few years I like to add. This is a great place to hear fantastic stories of the early days of the fandom. Even if your under 30 you might want to attend

Friday December 1, 2023 12:30pm – 1:30pm CST
Hyatt – Rosemont C/D

I won’t mention the dances because a lot of people attend them

Historic Preservation in the Furry Fandom

I am a big fan of furry history and believe me. It is far better and frankly more exciting than actual history and it also can be strange. I will be at this one.

Friday December 1, 2023 2:00pm – 3:00pm CST
Convention Center – 1st Floor – 2-4

Fursuit Games

Laugh filled and pure fun

There are 2 incarnations of the fursuit games this year

Friday December 1, 2023 7:00pm – 8:30pm CST
Convention Center – 1st Floor – 1 & 14

Also Saturday at Noon same location

Frankly I haven’t quite figured out all that even I want to see.

If your a regular to MFF you might have noticed I didn’t mention Alkali and Whose Lion. Both aren’t happening this year, I hope to find out why during MFF.