Hoofer's time at Ac09!

I might be late in posting this, but I only just realized I could explain to those about how my FIRST con experience actually was.
My travel arrangements: A friend, a mother, me.
From: Wisconsin To: DUH.
Travel time: 9 hours
Travel type: car
Hotel attended: Airport hotel
Total cost for entire trip: $400 approximately (Gas/food/hotel/spending money/emergency money, etc)
The first day I arrived both me and a friend tried desperately to figure out the way in. Because being complete newbs, things like this happen. Around the convention center I saw TONS of fursuiters and people wearing badges, and before we ever tried getting in the people of Pittsburgh were asking ME what the heck was going on! It was already exciting to be a part of, even though I never got in exactly the right way. There was a parking garage which we got lost in, until we figured out we could follow some people and ended up going into the Westin hotel. Being the smart one, I pre-registered, my friend did not. But the first thing we had to do was check in. We got lost there as well and split up. I met a raccoon (whose name I still do not know) who did not speak, but was friendly, giggly, and led me to the registration line where I grouped up with my friend again, and laughed at him because he did not pre-register. For those of you thinking about attending, ALWAYS pre-register. The reason I laughed is because there was a snaking line that even a CERTAIN MONGOOSE could not deal with. But the joke was entirely on me, because as soon as I got to the pre-registration line to get my badge, I realized to my horror, I DID NOT BRING PHOTO ID. *GASP!* So I had to do one of those embarrassing calls..."Hey Mom...Whatcha up to? Good good! Um..soo...I need help" And she came inside the convention center as well, and was quite impressed herself, but she wanted to hang around Pittsburgh instead. After registration, I was at a loss. I had already ordered a badge and a tail that I needed to pick up, so I waited around for people I recognized. Which did not happen. I saw the dealer's room being set up however, that was a jaw-dropping moment to see how much goes into Anthrocon. But regardless, I still got bored, and started exploring the premises. The building itself was beautiful, but I was at a loss as to what to do. I headed back down to the registration line, and found my friend, STILL THERE haha! But he had 3 or so friends there. This friend had also never attended Anthrocon, but he did attend MFF. Which explains the other friends. We struck up several insane conversations before deciding, HEY! Let’s get a drink from the vending machine! I put in a dollar, got my drink fine, my friend put his in, and just his luck, this BRAND NEW VENDING MACHINE ….EPIC FAILS. The cap popped up, struck itself on the doorway, and got stuck, which also prevented ANY other sodas from exiting. It was hilarious. Furries trying to do something so simple and failing so much. It was a memorable moment though. I located three important places afterwards that I would be heading to. One was the zoo, another was the Tiger den, and the third, Ohhh yes…the THIRD….was the area where my panel, the one I was meant to host, was located. Why do I say it like that? You might find out ^ ^. As furs from around the nation and even…from around the world trickled in, I met with several, I collected my horse tail (Made of yaki hair) and soon found the dealer’s den was open. The one place where I spent most of my time. I chatted with dealers, I bought perhaps several hundred pieces of horse art, and I saw Kage doing the chairman walk like no other. I think I might make it known, I WAS a minor, 17 years old (still am in fact) But the entire area was so well under control I saw no obscene images that might harm a passing child. Choreographed beautifully.
Now, because I spent most of my time in the dealer’s den there are a few other notable things that happened throughout that would be nice to mention. One would be, ALWAYS attend games/panels/etc. On your first convention visit. One of the first games I played was chess. WITH HUMANS. I was the white knight (White horse piece!) Mostly because I’m the Hoofer here. I saw a video of myself recently, I was the one wearing this silver sunglasses and a NIN T-shirt. I realize I look like…a douche! I wore them to be identified by the others who I was trying to meet with, and they grew on me. But I won’t be doing that again. Also, our chess team, the white team, won against the black. Yes, racism. I know. We rewrite history don’t we? THEY ARE CHESS PIECES. But anyhow, I met several new people doing just that, and it was a blast.
A second event, furry twister. Heck. Yes. I played that for several hours and eventually met someone who played a solid game of about thirty minutes, matching each other move for move until we both decided “Let’s call it a tie!” And that is exactly what happened. I met Snippet and her friend there who were hosting furry twister. I also met…a horse? With a rubber head? O.o I was confused. But it could have been worse. Could have been a real head.
After twister, the dances. They passed time like a blur, LOTS of dancing, LOTS of insanity, lots of body heat…I sweated like…someone who sweats. I remember little or none of that besides dancing until I could not breath.
I also decided, for my first convention, I would host I panel. Specifically? The hoofer’s panel. Yes, I am coming back to this! That one I located before? I got LOST. I traveled to the zoo and other places, before realizing I had to go up. I was late. > < but thankfully there was another person there who held things down until I got there. Everyone met EVERYONE. Though my plans were a bit ruined because of my own faults. I ended up winging it, we ended up talking about horses, and other hoofed animals. The conversations got interesting when I ended up talking about my own experiences around people with animals, the bad ones that is. Interesting in a good way. Also, I was a bit disappointed that there were shy people. The shy people sat WAY in the back, where I could not speak with them and they did not really wish to speak, but the ones in the front were very wonderful to talk to. One even gave me a coke! ^ ^ I LOVE my coke. The panel was over quickly though.
Speaking of drinks and food, Furnandos? HOLY POO. Some great subs, soups, food in general, efficient military like service, and given to you with a grin. That is my kind of place right there. I went only once into the actual restaurant, and while we were leaving, we picked up two subs to go! I would like to thank Furnandos for their efforts and their politeness to the furry fandom. They win first place in city entertainment for furs from me. There was also a Chinese restaurant, which had some paw prints trailing into it for some reason…and I went there with a Chinese dragon whom was dearly loved! All of their employees got pictures. Finally there was an Indian restaurant, which had no clue about the fandom. It had great food and curries! Just not so wonderful rice, and I don’t know if it is because I am not used to it or what, but it still tasted quite good with what they has available.
Now, on that day before the last, the most fun thing happened to me yet at the convention. Something I will remember forever. I went into the zoo…and I found a table CLUSTERED with Hoofers. I was brought there by a donkey, who I talk to on a regular basis now, and I met two artists who I find to be top of their class at drawing equines. One offered to draw something in my sketchbook. I did not have one, and I felt rather bad. But I won’t EVER bring one to a convention for this reason. I picked up a sharpie, and handed it to her, and said that she could draw on my right arm. She did just that…and then…and then we got insane…my entire arm got covered when we joked about have sharpie sleeve tattoos. So it happened on both arms. Also my neck, chest, back, shoulders…I was COVERED in horse. I’m not sure if it was allowed to have my shirt off to be drawn upon or not, but still everything worked out, and I wore some half-permanent sharpie tattoos for quite a few days. It was hysterically fun and unique.
I am so thankful that during the entire course of events, I brought along two different cameras to take pictures. Go figure during the fursuit parade that both would be out of power. Regardless I still snapped quite a few, even with my cell phone when it came to it. This is another reminder to all new con-goers. Always bring a camera; always have it fully charged, with perhaps a spare or at least a spare change of batteries. There are a LOT of things you’re going to want photos of.
During the fursuit games which I watched, the worst part was knowing. Knowing that I actually had to leave early to get back to caring for my horses. I had such a wonderful time attending besides my own few slip ups, which will be avoided in future conventions, I met literally HUNDEREDS of new people, fursuiters and unfortunately did not speak with Mr. Kage in person. But I came home with a lot of art, memories, pictures, and a sincere will to do such events again, as often as possible.