A Few Questions From A New Member
Please visit our forums for the latest announcements and discussion.
 "I'm down for anything." Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
|
Hi All!! I am beside myself with joy that I have found Anthrocon. I used to play a game called Second Life in which I was a fur, back then I had no idea there was a group of furry enthusiasts in real life. I will more than likely attend Anthrocon 08, and I do have a few questions. -Are there any furry raves? I love raves, but a furry rave would be AMAZING. Thank you very much for your time!! |
My name is David, but all of my friends call me Dave. Im 16 years of age and I live in Cincinnati Ohio. I study at a military academy in missouri, so I am rarely home. At the academy I am on the Varsity Wrestling Team ^^, as well as the Football team. I enjoy photography and marksmanship in addition to the typical things a 16 year old enjoys. (I also of course have a passion for furs.) But as always, I'm down for anything. 
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Technorati
Icerocket
Blog: [Link]
Well, in order:
We have several dances each year. The format changes; we try not to do the same old thing. There's a whole separate topic here for dances and the styles people want.
That's like saying, "How difficult is it to make a painting?" It all depends on your individual talent, how dedicated you are to the work, and how much you want to spend on materials. You can make a decent half-suit (ears, hands, paws) for less than $100. Or you could commission a full suit from a professional and spend thousands of dollars.
Nearly all of them are. The unfriendly ones usually stay at home and sulk instead of going to conventions.
Our average age is around 25 or so. We do have a lot of folks under 18 who show up, and I urge you to read a special FAQ list we have made just for those folks.
The great majority of costumers do not speak, because they feel that it spoils the illusion that they are creating to have a muffled voice coming from behind a mouth that does not move. Some do speak, and some who have movable jaws can pull it off well. There are different schools of thought on what constitutes "spoiling the magic" , and debates have raged back and forth -- none of which will be entertained here (he said as a quiet caution to other posters).
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkIn case you were thinking
"attending AnthroCon=fursuiting",
I'd like to clear up a common misconception among first posts.
MOST attendees of AC do not wear fursuits.
The percentage of those who DO went up to something like 15%.
With so many TOTAL attendees, that's a lot of fursuiters,
but it means 85% or more will NOT be wearing them AT ALL.
You do not NEED a fursuit to be a furry.
Some of us are happy WITHOUT fursuits.
We don't want to spend that much on an outfit JUST for conventions,
which we'd have to pack and drag around,
and wear FUR IN SUMMER.
(There's a "Headless Lounge" for cooling down a fursuiter,
for those who WANT to wear fursuits.)
So, for your FIRST convention,
I'd strongly recommend leaving the plans for a fursuit at home.
Maybe you can get a personal BADGE made for you with your "fursona"
on it.
(The OFFICIAL AC badge can have your fursona's NAME, but is
standardized otherwise and must be displayed for access to the con.
You can additionally wear any OTHER badge with a picture of your
fursona or whatever, UNOFFICIALLY. Lots of people, before and during
the con, will take orders for badges.)
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Cincinnati, Ohio
It just seems like I would feel out of place without a suit.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkBlog: [Link]
Nonsense! Fursuits are only a very small percentage of our population, as my colleague stated already. Anthrocon is very much a come-as-you-are party.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Orlando, FL
As a fursuiter, perhaps I can give you a bit of insight. You will see fursuits walking around the convention. Not everyone will be wearing them. Indeed, the largest convergence of people wearing fursuits wil be at the fursuit parade. In 2007, we had around 350 fursuits in the parade..out of 2800+ attendees. So that meant that there were somewhere in the vicinity of 2400 people at the con NOT in fursuit at one of the largest fursuit gatherings of the weekend. So you definitely would not be out of place if you don't have one or choose not to wear one.
Anthrocon will have LOTS of things to do all weekend. Only a fraction of them involve fursuiting. So if you don't have one...don't fret. You'll still be busy making new friends and having a lot of fun!
KP
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Cincinnati, Ohio
Thanks for the information, its good to have some numbers. I think that it sounds like a fun weekend, although it seems strange that more people dont wear suits.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Mystic, CT
Blog: [Link]
Well, the best comparison that can be made is to other conventions. At Science fiction conventions, some people will wear a full Klingon outfit, complete with headridges.. some will just wear spock ears.. and the full majority will just dress in average clothes. The overall rule of thumb for furry cons is 10% suit, 10% ears-or-tail, and 80% in normal garb[*1]. The cost, time, and effort of fursuits keep them out of the reach of many.
"But how," you may ask, "Will anyone know if I'm furry if I'm not in a suit?"
Simple. You will be at Anthrocon.
--Chiaroscuro
[*1] This theoretically including our redshirted Security staff, Kage in his labcoat, me in my chef outfit, and other people who will dress distinctively if not in fursuit.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkThe "normal garb" people will, of course, include people wearing animal pictures or logos on their shirts, hats, bags, and so on, and some wearing a BUNCH of badges
with artwork on them, all of their fursona (or fursonae in a few cases.)
I was able to find and identify myself to a furre I'd never seen before, on an Amtrak train to the con, because I was wearing an animal picture, and he was wearing an "Omaha the Cat Dancer" shirt.
Plus, outfit=/= furry, either. One guy who showed up who wasn't a furry last year bought ears and a tail, and wore them all convention because "it was expected", but he really had no interest in furry, and was more a visitor. (Sometimes they accompany furries to the cons.) Finally, when people try to do "exposes" or whatever on furries, they will wear either a fursuit, or ears and tail, and those don't make THEM furry, either.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Cincinnati, Ohio
If I go is there going to be a party scene for me to hit up? Me and my bud were talking and he seems to think that there wont be much of one. And thanks very much for explaining all of this to me.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkBlog: [Link]
Depends on what you mean by "the party scene."
We have parties, naturally. But since we're in a hotel we keep our parties rather quiet. There are plenty of nightclubs and bars nearby, though.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkIf he means the dances, we have a few of those, including a rave, I think. The Dance forum has more information on that, especially as the con gets closer.
If he means "room parties", there are some of those, which are completely unofficial, done by guests, and completely voluntary and "at your own risk." Those can cover anything, and can range from "Security's at the door and says this party's over"
to a prayer meeting, with lots and lots of variety in between.
If he means he needs to get out, drink, and barhop, there are, as Uncle Kage said, lots of nightclubs and bars nearby, some within easy walking distance.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Cincinnati, Ohio
Thank you. That explanation is very usefull. Rave sounds awesome, and room partys sound good. I was just worried that there wouldnt be any place to kick it.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Philadelphia area, PA
Of course, not every fur stays away from fursuiting because of cost, time, and effort, either.
I've attended anthrocon on several occasions, any time my schedule allows, really, i've been involved in the furry/dragon community since the mid-90's, and i've never had any interest in a fursuit.
For one thing, my furry form is a winged blue dragon, largely quadupedal, approximately the size of a house cat. I could put on full body scales, and i could even bend over and try to approximate the feral body type, but that's small change. There isn't any way to create a fursuit that allows you to fly, pick things up with your tail, and be small enough to sit on someone else's shoulder so for me...i just don't see the point. Every once in a while i wear a pair of horns, but there's a certain irony to it, since my dragon form is hornless.
Also, fursuiting is a pursuit that garners a lot of attention from others, which i hate. In particular, a fursuit at a con almost guarantees that at some point someone will take a picture of you, just because the costume is interesting and it doesn't occur to them that you might not like that. I actually built a pair of costume wings from heavy wire and iridescent tulle, but i never wear them around furries because i'm afraid someone might try to photograph them before i can take them off.
Further, for most furries it seems to be about a form of clown-like mime play that just hasn't ever appealed to me.
I think the big reason why fursuiting often seems like the center of the con is that fursuiters are so high profile. Most of the pictures that come back from gathers are of the costumes, and fursuiters all too often become celebrities in the furry community, just because they're so visible. Not that i'm complaining. I have the greatest of respect for fursuiters; you just won't ever catch me joining them. I'm much happier attending interesting panels, helping with the art show, sketching dragons, hanging out with friends... *grin*
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkWell, as long as you don't think that everyone of them carries the elitist guitarist mentality.
I'm sure there are some fursuiters who just dress up because it's a fun thing to do, such as me, and not for the popularity. ^^ However, you won't have to worry about me walking around thinking I'm better than anyone that isn't a fursuiter. I'll gladly talk to anyone who's willing, suiting or non. I've noticed that apparently some fursuiters do have that mentality and will only talk to people they feel are special enough to talk to them. Those kind of fursuiters I can see as being "celebrities" but in a bad way.
I mean, when you put on a suit, you should expect a certain level attention but shouldn't let it get to your head.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Philadelphia area, PA
Not at all. I think the vast majority just enjoy either the opportunity to look and feel more like their furry selves or the excuse to bring their silly clown-selves out to play, and the celebrity happens quite by accident. They're not responsible for what other furs like to take pictures of. I imagine that they also just find that it's difficult to keep up with furs outside of the fursuiter circle, for the same reason that staff may find it hard to keep up with folks who aren't staff or volunteers in their section--it takes up a lot of your time and energy, and leaves you spending a lot of time in places like the headless lounge that are full of fursuiters. Everyone has their respective circles of friends. *smiles*
'Sides, i've never been one to just walk up and introduce myself to someone randomly anyway, and i don't often remember furs' badge names independent of their faces, so i really wouldn't notice if fursuiters were elitists one way or another. And anything that focuses public attention in easily predictable ways has gotta be a good thing for me--it's easier to avoid that way. *wrygrin*
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkWell, when you find me in the suit, dun be afraid to give this ol' Rooskie a hug.
And, Dave, are you planning on making it to the Con? Since you said you are 16, you are aware that you will need parental consent, right? And, someone over the age of 18 for the hotel room.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Cincinnati, Ohio
I'll be sure to remember that its ok.
I dont know just yet if im going to the con, i am going somewhere with my best friend after i get out of this hellish military academy-(Road trip before a summer of nothing but partying), we are both looking to kick it.
He is not quite a furry, and i told him that the party would probably be good enough to make it worth going, but he thinks that there wont be enough chicks there.
Its easy for me to get parental consent, thats no problem. I live about a thousand miles away from home most of the year, so my parents know im responsible enough to take care of myself. (I'm sure it also helps that they know I have been taught some hand to hand combat at school.)
I dont know what I would do about the hotel room. I have friends over 18 though, i suppose its legal for them to rent the room via the internet and let me stay in it. (I will have to do some research on the legality of this before I go through with it)
--I would also like to offer my sincere apologies to the administration for my previous comment about fake IDs. I did not realize the akward legal position I put you admins in when I posted it. And, thanks for not calling the po-po on me. --
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkBlog: [Link]
Quote: Dave W
"I dont know what I would do about the hotel room. I have friends over 18 though, i suppose its legal for them to rent the room via the internet and let me stay in it. (I will have to do some research on the legality of this before I go through with it)"
The person who reserves the room must over 18, must show up at the hotel in person, and must furnish ID in order to claim the room.
I don’t know what you plan to do at the con and I am making no accusations here. However your statement of wanting to “Road trip before a summer of nothing but partying”, and looking at your choice of avatar, has set off a warning flag in my mind. Just so everyone reading this is aware, I would point out that any illegal acts such as the use of unlawful drugs or alcohol (drinking under the age of 21) which takes place at the con, will result in a report to the local authorities.
As from the “Standards of Conduct”
“Substance Abuse
The sale or other distribution of any illegal or controlled substances is not welcome at Anthrocon. Any individual found to be distributing such substances will be removed and reported directly to the local authorities. Bottled alcoholic beverages may legally be given as gifts (but not sold by unlicensed individuals in Pennsylvania). Anthrocon asks that such beverages be consumed in the privacy of a hotel room and not taken into any convention function or function space. Please note an important caveat involving minors: Anyone knowingly or unknowingly providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 will be guilty of a felony and will be turned over to the authorities. It is the sole responsibility of persons serving alcohol in room parties to ensure that every person in attendance is over the age of 21, even if that person is not drinking alcohol. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is extremely serious about this law and we ask our members to respect it.”
Anthrocon in an organization who’s staff and volunteers want everyone to have fun, however first and foremost it is a law abiding organization which prides itself on providing a safe environment for its attendees. Part of providing a safe environment means that it takes the responsibility to report any unlawful activity taking place within its doors. Translation: if you are caught doing something you shouldn't, you WILL be reported.
If you want to have a good time, feel free to join the con. If you intend to do anything unlawful in order to have fun, I would ask that you please do so someplace else.
I would strongly recommend that every new member read the “Frequently asked questions” ( http://www.anthrocon.org/faq )and “Standards of Conduct” ( http://www.anthrocon.org/rules-conduct )pages. They can answer many of your questions and give you an idea of just what type of con you can expect to attend.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Cincinnati, Ohio
I was not aware of the illegality of the hotel situation, that part of your comment was welcome.
However, As a matter of fact, I am aware of the laws against substance abuse in most of the united states. I do see how you could have gotten the wrong impression though, I should have worded my intentions more clearly.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Mystic, CT
Blog: [Link]
First, I'd read https://www.anthrocon.org/faq/minors about this very subject. In addition to the parental consent, you'll need a filled and notarized form to be admitted.
Second, https://www.anthrocon.org/node/977 explains more about the hotel situation and age. The practical upshot is that someone over the age of 18 will be needed for the room, and present.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkWebsite: [Link]
If you're looking to meet girls/women, you should probably look elsewhere - I don't remember whether the con statistics include gender, but I'd bet the male/female ratio is horribly skewed, maybe 10:1, so the odds of finding unattached straight girls in your age range are probably quite low
Ron
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkBlog: [Link]
Actually, while we don't collect that information ourselves, other sources estimated that about 30% of the attendees were female.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Cincinnati, Ohio
I'm not to terribly worried about it, but for my friend brian thats a big deal-breaker. He likes to party with chicas.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Philadelphia area, PA
*chuckles* Well, it's not like we won't be there at all, or even that we won't be findable; we're just grossly outnumbered. *wrygrin*
I haven't ever found it to matter much either way, in my experience, unless you're a girl trying to find a room-share with other girls. Then it matters a little. The rest of the time it's prettymuch a non-issue for me, to the point that i have to stop and think before i notice how few other girls are around.
Then again, dating has never been high on my agenda, and i'm practically allergic to partying (by the classic frat house meaning of the word), so maybe it's just me. :shrugs and smiles:
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkSeriously, tho, I think it would be best to change that user image of yours. This is a furry fandom, better to see some furry avatars then some drug icon. It will give us some bad assumptions about you.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Cincinnati, Ohio
Yeah I'm all over it. It didn't seem like that big of a deal.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: NJ
I see the word 'po-po' in one post. I've seen that used in another forum for school cops by a certain someone who was quite foolish enough to wear a ninja mask in school. Is that some new sort of slang that I missed?
It seems quite silly, as most slang does.
PS: Do not do anything at the convention to get Kage angry at you. You WILL regret it! His mother was a bad-ass biker chick who ate bullets like popcorn! His dad was a soldier so tough, Chuck Norris modelled himself after him! Kage is the fushion of all that AND CHEMISTRY! Nothing is lefty in the wake of his wrath...
Beware, Billy, BEWARE!! D:
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]
"po-po" isn't really new, I remember using/hearing it when I was one of those street-racer kids who thinks a Honda Prelude is an amazingly fast uber-sportscar (in other words, nearly a decade ago
)
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: PA
I use all kinds of nick-names for those lovable peacekeepers...
5-0, pigs, bacon, fuzz, boys in blue, blue, red, bulls, cops, fuzz, heat, jonnnies, the law, po-po, brass... depending on mood, context, and company.
- Login or register to post comments
permalink