Hey all! Yep, I'm home, I've actually been home since 1am this morning.

Seeing as Sunday's are my day to relax a lil and get ready for the next work week I didn't want to have to worry about a 2 hour drive being in the schedule for the day, so I left the con around 10:50pm to head home.

Anyway, what time I did have there was really fun!

~Convention Experience~

I didn't get to spend any time there on Friday due to my sister (EmeraldVixen) and a mutual friend of ours wanting to go out for dinner after I got into town. Not saying that wasn't fun because it was, but we did miss registration for the day so we decided to just spend a lil more chill time together, my sister and I anyway.

She did spend a couple hours on Saturday with me at the con though! She isn't technically a furry, despite her username being EmeraldVixen, she's more of an anime chick, but she said she had fun! So for that I am glad! I had to take her back up to Frisco, Texas around 4pm on Saturday so she could get ready for work but I came back and ended up spending another 6 hours there mingling about on my own.

I was hoping to meet a few people there, but unfortunately I never did spot anyone, well I did see AeroSocks as her character Nick with her bunch briefly, they were in line for the fursuit photoshoot I believe, and I did see Tobias Amaranth but that was it as far as somewhat familiar faces go. I did meet a bunch of new faces, unfortunately I can't remember exact badge names and such, there were so many! It was fun talking with folks though! Actually got into a few car discussions that were fun!

To those that were hoping to catch me, and I was hoping to catch you, I'm so sorry we missed each other! I kept trying to read or see if I recognized badges as folks passed by and such, but I didn't spot anyone I recognized. The few who I felt I had at least a decent idea on what they looked like I didn't have much luck there either. I have ideas on how to fix this in the future! More on that later in the journal.

I got to wander around the Artist's Alley, Dealer's Den & the Art Show and I spent a little bit of time in The Coral just chillin, and I watched a little of Tobias organizing the no reveal game of Werewolves of the Dark Arts! I wasn't ready to try and join seeing as I'd only ever seen it played once before back in 2010 I think, thought it was 2009 but when I got home I checked my Texas Furry Fiesta badge from last time and it says 2010. So it's been a little bit, but the game was still fun to watch!

I do wish I could have spent more time there for sure! I think I've also been bitten by the bug too...sooooo many ideas and things I want to do now! There's always next year and there's always other cons to see about going too as well! I'm definitely aiming to make Texas Furry Fiesta 2014 next year as well! So next I've got some ideas on some goals I want to aim for for next year and/or other cons.

~New Ideas/Goals~

First, yeah I TOTALLY want a fursuit now...that's gonna happen. I just need to start saving the money and then see about getting some quotes from some of the suit makers who's style I like. If I do have a suit made, I do want a partial, and it will be of Tala. Someday I think having one done of Nathan would be fun, but for now I'm gonna focus on Tala! Goal number one!

Second, now that I have a good idea on how Artist's Alley runs I think I'm going to look into trying to grab a spot there next year as well. I want to try and balance the work and play aspect of the con, especially if I have a fursuit someday, but I really do think taking commissions and meeting new folks that way will be rather rewarding.

Third, I think even if I have family and a house to stay at right down the road I may look at getting a hotel room next time. If only because driving back and forth up and down the tollway, while only 15 minutes each way, ate a lot of time up that I could have spent at the convention. I'm also hoping that MAYBE next year I'll have company to come with me, and if that's the case they will stay with me. That's another thing, having someone to be WITH or a group of folks to be with at the con I'm sure makes it MUCH more enjoyable than wandering at times aimlessly alone. Felt a little silly there a couple times haha. I don't know, it might cost more, but it'd give me more time to enjoy the con I think. We'll see.

Fourth, I think next time if there's folks that want to meet up at the con I may look to either get phone numbers so meetings can be arranged, OR just set a specific time and place where I'll be if anyone wants to come stop by and say "Hi!" that might make it easier to meet people.

Finally, kind of along in line with taking commissions at the con, I may look to offer theme badges or just badges period for the con to be delivered at the con as well. My badge experiment this time worked wonderfully! I did get some rather lovely compliments on her, and I think I'd love to be able to offer badges for folks who are going to the con next time too!

***

So that's about it! I did have a really fun time at Texas Furry Fiesta and I look forward to next year! Definitely have plenty of ideas and such to work on now.

I hope everyone else that was there had as much fun as I did, and even if we didn't get to meet up, we'll just aim for next year!

Coming up next will be a journal on my next plan of action regarding art and such, so keep your eyes peeled here in a little bit for that.

~Stang