I had intended to write a summary of the events at Midwest Furfest 2016, but I've had some nagging thoughts about people who might not understand why I'd be interested in the furry fandom. I feel like writing something explanatory might have to be my first order of business.

So why would I want to be a furry, or go to a furry convention?
First and foremost: I got into furry fandom because of the art that furries make. There's something undeniably cute about a lot of it-- and it brought me a good deal of joy to get to see Paco Panda sit across the table from me in the con suite and draw this: https://twitter.com/panda_paco/status/805258994688196608

But also, I like to be involved in the art, when I can. I want to use my own character, and put him in funny cartoon scenarios, like shooting someone with a raygun to turn them into a corgi, only for it to backfire and transform him too: https://twitter.com/Mandog202/status/748482004543385600

I like to make connections through art-- that last piece being the result of Randalwuff, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever depicted on the left, noticing that I was getting a commission from Ed the Border Collie and extending an invitation to get some artwork together.

That message led to a chain of events responsible for most of the friendships I have today.

I want to meet those friends. I want to give a root beer to TC Foxtaur, and sample the Tim Tams and Pineapple Lumps he brought from New Zealand.

I want to do a double take when I see someone's badge and realize who I'm looking at, and hear their reaction when they realize who I am.

I want to watch Soatok stuff squeakers in a pair of gloves and use them to play patty cake with a guy who has squeakers in the paws of his costume. (Forgot his name, but if anyone can help me find him I'd appreciate it!)

I want to stick one of those squeakers in my hat, to have a funny sound effect when I facepalm.

I want to give someone greetings from a mutual friend who couldn't make it to the con.

I want to listen to Zaethro apply philosophy to his interest in dressing up as a painted dog.

I want to deliver root beer to Ed and Betsy the beaver while they're in the artist alley, swarmed by customers.

I want to get laughed at for misidentifying a well known fursuiter (Sorry!)

I want to see Soatok get excited that MaryMouse has "Certified" badges for his species-- Dholes-- available.

I want to track down Ed and make him draw in my sketchbook when he hasn't touched a pencil in years. I want to hear his frustrated shouts, and see him try to resize the image with two fingers or hit undo. I want him to destroy my eraser. https://twitter.com/Mandog202/status/805306765290205192

I want to stick around afterward to hear Ed and Betsy's comedic banter

I want to sit down and listen to a guy dressed as a cartoon animal play the accordion. https://twitter.com/volkoseba/status/805648852674084864

I just want to enjoy my time with some of the most genuinely good-natured, intelligent and funny people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I want to take what they've given me back to everyday life, and give people a good laugh every now and then. Somehow I fail to see anything wrong with that.