I'm writing this in PIT, waiting for my flight to board, and in an attempt to stave off an impending case of PCD I'm going to give a quick recap of the last week's highlights, which will probably be the closest thing ya'll will get to a con report.

A girl with McD's just sat down across from me and it smells fantastic. Wish me luck.

I volunteered for the Dorsai this year, which is different from actually being a the Dorsai, as anyone who has volunteered with the Dorsai will tell you. But it was fun. I got to rove around the con answering questions, bringing people water and generally being a Mom at Large. It was an interesting way of experiencing the convention from outside the traditional orbit, because even though I was walking around in a bright red vest with reflective stripes, I also tried my best to physically melt into the background so I wouldn't get in people's way.

I also got to wrangle the pre-reg line for attendees on Thursday morning. ProTip: either get in line for pre-reg pickup two hours before opening, or wait until two hours after opening. We had maybe two dozen people show up between 10 and 11, and then hundreds in the hour approaching noon. The line turned into an improvised game of human snake, and I nearly lost. But I heard from attendees later that they enjoyed my antics in trying to keep the line out of chaos, so at least there is that.

I find that a lot of the people-handling skills I developed in raft guiding carry over into line wrangling, except that in line wrangling it's very hard for people to drown, which made it a lot less stressful to me.

I was not involved in the kerfuffle in the wee hours of Wednesday morning when a ghoster got wasted, threw racial slurs at our Allegheny Sherrif's Deputy, tried to claw his eyes out, and was subsequently maced, along with another volunteer and a hotel employee, and am glad of it.

I did get to see an older gentleman with a cane and glow sticks tearing it up at the Thursday night dance, and it was lovely.

In the dealer's room I keenly missed the presence of my best minion, Suus, who could not make the trip this year for a number of reasons. I was save from complete insanity on Sunday by Shujin Tribble, who brought with him his Bluetooth speaker and DJ'd my table. It made doing the live brush pens a lot more fun, and tear down significantly less miserable.

I had an endcap table this year, which did not seem to drastically increase my business, but it was an excellent, accessible spot and I enjoyed the extra space to move around. I also got to be at the head of the column which included Moth Monarch, Ursula Vernon and Dark Natasha, so that was cool. We were across the aisle from Heather Brutton, Sandy Schreiber and Diana Stein, so it was fun to get to visit with them.

A few people who remembered me from my 2 Sense-sketching days came by, which was both touching and surprising, considering how far apart 2 and I have grown. And to allow the elephant to vacate the room: I have entirely no opinion on the drama surrounding his absence from AC this year. It is my perception that the man is going through some personal difficulties which he is projecting onto the world, and in doing so is unfortunately causing harm to those who need him to be at his best. Whatever happens I wish him well, and hope that he gets to a better place, and perhaps a better understanding of the impact (both good and bad) he has upon the fandom. That I did not miss him is not a mark of animosity, but the distance that has grown between us over the last two years.

I did miss my partners, Kit and Shira, who were unable to attend because they are fiscally responsible people who take care of things like rent and personal well-being. I also missed Kittiara and Kifu and Gaji and Q, and Nambroth, and I as good as missed Puzzled Jay, who was there but our patches never crossed.

I almost missed Ino, but as we were leaving lunch earlier today I saw her driving out of town. I ran out through the (unmoving) traffic and hugged her, and she gave me a pink rose. I am taking it home and chronicling the trip on Twitter.

Many more I saw all too briefly: Floppybelly and Matt Ebel and Torch and Stormy and the rest ofthe Dutchie crew; and Whitefang, who is going by a new name now which I have sadly forgotten.

On the other hand I got better acquainted with several staff members whom I had only known by name before. I got to room with my bestie and bestie-in-law, Moth Monarch and her husband Shiro, plus the effervescent Origami Gryphon, and to see my honorary-big-sis Witchiebunny. I folded a lot of flapping cranes and gave out a lot of AAAAAAAA ribbons, which by the end of the con were as good as my calling cards.

The big hurdle this year was the Musical Sketch Charity Show, which was part Iron Artist part charity auction, which I put on with Shujin Tribble on Friday night. Despite only filling half the room and with the hiccups one would expect of the first ever performance, we managed to raised almost $400 for AnthroCon's Charity, for which our generous and game audience deserves all the credit. Barring unforeseen disasters, we will be back at it next year. Possibly with more artists.

I also gave a reading of the Professor Odd story "The Rats of Alnitak", which was well received by the few, dedicated fans who fought their way through the post-parade crowd on Saturday afternoon. I would like to thank them very much. Thanks to your positive feedback, the head of the writing track has told me a reading next year is mine for the asking.

I also want to thank my SuperShuttle driver, Willy, who took me from and two the airport—something that has never happened before!

Too many other friends to have a hope of remembering here. Everyone in the Secret Room, all the lovely people who saw me at my table, and especially those of you who bought books and/or commissions. You keep me going, you really do. Looking forward I am going to throw myself upon new writing and illustrating projects, but not before I fulfill the take-home orders placed at the con.

I would also like to thank the man who, sight-unseen, bought the entire current series of Professor Odd plus the first Driving Arcana book. COURAGE.

I would like to say thank you again to all the folks who gave me gifts. You all made me feel so loved and supported, I am going to start ugly crying in the airport just thinking about it. I hope you're happy.

Finally, I'd like to thank the city of Pittsburgh, which is as much a part of the AnthroCon experience as the dances and the panels and the cavernous dealer's hall and the late nights and parties and phenomenal fursuit parade. Aside from the size (many cons are bigger) and the excellent staff and dedicated volunteers (which are required for any successful convention), AnthroCon has something that no other convention has: the support of an entire city.

Some describe AnthroCon as a small furry city which springs up in the center of Pittsburgh for a week in July, but I think it's more symbiotic than that. For that week, if only a little bit, we are also Pittsburgh.

And it's my hope that we'll continue to do our city proud.

I'm boarding in half an hour, and though my feet hurt and I miss my cats and would like to eat a home cooked meal, I can't wait to come back next year.