Fans from Canada?
Posted by Warfang (Warfang) on Tue, 2008-09-02 15:09
 "If life gives you lemons, blow them up :D" Location: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
|
Hello everyone. I live in Canada and plan on attending the next AC in 2009. I was just wondering if these conventions are open to everyone any ware or USA exclusive? Also, i was browsing through the site and found something about "Con Ops", I do security for the Canadian Military and I am wondering if its possible for me to help out. Thanks. |
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Technorati
Icerocket
Location: ne ohio
as far as i know everybody is welcome
furrys rule!
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Ardmore, PA
Website: [Link]
Blog: [Link]
If you look at our 2008 Registration Statistics, you will see that we had no less than 213 Canadians attend last year's Anthrocon.
--
My LiveJournal - My Website - See what I'm doing on Twitter
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
Great
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkI'll answer the other part of your question, Warfang. Con Security is currently handled by a group called the Dorsai Irregulars. They probably don't work anything at all like someone who supplies security for the military.
First of all, they're fans. Some of the individual members have been attending SF/ST/SW/Fantasy cons since the 1970's (or earlier). They are unarmed beyond a pocket-knife, which are mostly used for their corkscrews after the con.
Second, they are not armed because they don't need to be. They carry the two types of authority most required at AC. Experience and the backing of the Board of Directors. Of these, experience is the most important. They can look at a situation and decide on the spot what should be done. Does this require a quick "Hey, stop that!" or physical intervention? By their long years of attending/working cons, these kinds of decisions are second nature to them. They know when (and how much) to get involved. They even know when to call in the local police (although I don't know that they've ever had to do that at AC.)
They are there to ensure that the most people enjoy the con with the least amount of hassle. They do an excellent job.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
O ok, thanks for the info charlieg!
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkOf course, that's not to say that someone with real military-security experience couldn't be a greatly appreciated asset to the con security team.
For those times that someone needs to get involved in a physical capacity, in that grey and scary area between "going sergeant" and "bad day for a bouncer," you want someone who's got training. The only thing that strikes more fear into the hearts of troublemakers than "ex-military" is "active military" ^_^
But that's just me talking; I'm not connected in any way to AC security, or the Dorsai (aside from liking their funny hats). I'd say, get in touch with the security team (security-2009 AT anthrocon.org), and talk with them. I'd figure they would be happy to have someone with your experience on board.
--
iSKUNK!
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
MY hat is kinda funny also.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkI always thought the standard military beret kinda looked like a Smurf hat
--
iSKUNK!
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
Naw, that's just the Highlanders. They got pompoms on there heads.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: 12 scenic miles from Hell
Website: [Link]
Looks normal to me.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: 12 scenic miles from Hell
Website: [Link]
Thank you for the very kind words, Charlieg. They're much appreciated.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkThe truth is neither kind nor unkind, Sgt. Steve: it's merely the truth. Being an old f@rt myself, I've seen too much go wrong because of both too much and too little security. (I was at Disclave 1980.) The DI aim for the almost impossible-to-achieve goal of just enough.
It's amazing how close the DI get to that impossible dream. (No sarcasm or BS intended, either.)
Of course, the bit about the corkscrews was intended humorously.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
I seen a pic online of a huge room full of tables and booths, i assume you can purchase lots there, how much money should one bring 500 +\- ?
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Mystic, CT
Blog: [Link]
That's always a question that comes up, as regards a budget. The short summary is that you need to budget for five core expenses: Travel, Hotel, Convention, Food/Drink, and Stuff. (I'll give prices in US dollars.)
Travel: Obviously, the cost of air fare, trains, cabs, busses, taxis, or gasoline to get you from your home to Anthrocon and back. Also you'll need luggage to carry these things in, and toiletries of various sorts, but most people have those already. If you drive in, consider parking fees, which will run about $10 a day on average.
Hotel: The prices in recent years run about $130 per room per night for our hotels, after taxes; I can't be sure of the exact figure offhand, and it may change for next year. Obviously, a roommate will diminish this cost significantly, so quite often, people will seek roommates, up to the maximum capacity of 4 people per room.
Convention: $50 for Attending, $90 for Sponsor, $175 for Supersponsor. Pre-registering online will get you a discount on Attending.
Food/Drink: Figure a minimum of $25 a day, and more likely, towards $40 or $50 for quality food, snacks, beverages, etc.
Stuff: The big, big variable. Some people will spend less than a hundred on the Dealer's Room; others will spend over a thousand. There are badges, sketchbook comissions, prints, T-shirts, plush animals, comic books, DVDs.. many, many things to spend money on. In addition, there's an art show where one bids on original pieces; the Charity Auction where one can bid as well (or just donate to the charity)... it depends on the flexibility of your budget, and what stuff you'd like to haul home.
--Chiaroscuro
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
Sounds good, When i go to Pittsburgh it will be for like 1 week, that's like 1000$ CAD for hotel, i already checked flights (price subject to change) but it comes out to about 650$ CAD for a flight there and back. i figured 400$ CAD for meals (giving me a large margin) about 500$ CAD for Dealers room and 200$ left over for emergencies. place on top of all that the price to attend the Con (i plan to be a super sponsor) so 175$ USD like you said.
Soooo... I'm Looking at about 3000$ CAD. Wow I better start saving, lol
I am right to assume that there are shower and laundry facilities in the hotel or nearby?
Thanks Chiaroscuro for the heads up.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkYou can save a bundle on car insurance hotel costs if you share a room with others. It's quite common for folks to split a two-bed room four ways (or more, with folks sleeping on the floor, if finances are tight) to bring down that number.
Once the hotels open up for reservations, the forums here are quite active with people looking for others to room with. Unless you're really keen on having a room to yourself, I'd trade off sleeping with roomies for getting more swag
--
iSKUNK!
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
Sure that sounds great, if no one minds sharing a room with a Army grunt, lol
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Mystic, CT
Blog: [Link]
Extending it out to a week will mean higher costs, indeed.. most people usually stay at Anthrocon 3-5 nights, but it's not bad to get to the city earlier or later and have some tourist visits. Pittsburgh has quite a bit to offer besides Anthrocon. As iSkunk mentioned, a roommate or two will help cut down on the cost- and folks are very often looking for roommates, so it shouldn't be too hard for you to halve hotel costs.
All the Anthrocon hotels have showers in the rooms, indeed; the Westin's are particularly spacious. Even most lower-end hotels have full showers/tubs. There are in-Hotel laundry services, which do cost; I don't know if there are nearby laundromats though.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
Great!
Now I've got to get to work on a suit, lol
Maybe just a head,paws and tail and my Military uniform will do
God almighty, i still got like 10 months and i am going nuts with anticipation already, lmao.
I just need to get to know people before i go to better the experience, My MSN is if anyone wants to yack.
Got to go now, off to collage tomorrow need some sleep. Catch ya later.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkFYI, fursuits are not a necessity. If you want to wear one, fine, but only about 15% of attendees do.
Also, based on posts before AC 2008, it may be a violation of military protocol to wear your military uniform under these circumstances. The people who posted on the issue were US military and their rules may not apply to the Canadian military. For your sake, check your military rules before wearing your uniform. A fursuit is fine, but it's probably not worth ending up in the stockade over.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
Sorry, When is said uniform i meant my knockoff one i put together of the net. It looks just like my real one, in fact you need a infrared camera to tell the difference but its not legit Canadian uniform, i use it for paint ball and hunting all the time.
As long as i don't wear my rank or the Canadian Flag ore on the shoulder or my beret with my cap badge its fine.
Thanks for the concern though.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkBut but... how will people know you're Canadian?? You can only say "eh" and make Bob and Doug McKenzie references so many times, y'know!
--
iSKUNK!
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Yamrouth, Nova Scotia
Eh? CADPAT is quite recognizable as Canadian enough
Best camouflage out there, the US and Germany i believe took it from us.
I can were this knock off as long as i don't were any rank, insignia, epaulet, or badges.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkOkay, so the milfurs will know you're a Canuck. But us civvies are gonna have a hard time finding a maple leaf in there... ^_^
--
iSKUNK!
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: Mystic, CT
Blog: [Link]
Well, while suits are fun, only about 15% of people at the convention have a suit, and outside of the parade only 3-4% are wearing theirs at any given moment. So don't think it's a requirement.
What you're describing is a 'partial' suit- head, paws, and tail designed to be worn with regular clothing. Quite a lot of those are about.
- Login or register to post comments
permalinkLocation: 12 scenic miles from Hell
Website: [Link]
If you're interested in working with us at Anthrocon, there's a small barrier. We never make Anthrocon a first duty unless someone we trust issues a pretty glowing recommendation. Given your job and residence, it's probably not likely that we already have mutual friends. There are two good mechanisms for getting over this hump.
One is to volunteer to work something less frenetic than Anthrocon with us. That lets us and you get a feel for each other, and increases the likelihood that we can integrate you smoothly into our Anthrocon crew. Drop a note to security-2009 (at) anthrocon.org, and we can get into direct touch.
Given that you're in the Canadian military and out of Nova Scotia, you may not have a lot of extra vacation time lying for a trip to the States. That might make working something else with us first a bit of a difficulty. You might instead try being a general co-ops volunteer for 2009. Since we work out of con-ops, it'd be a fine opportunity for us to get to see each other at work.
If you'd like to learn more about us, our web site is www.di.org.
- Login or register to post comments
permalink