she's
actual
size

This is my Anthrocon convention report as posted to AFF and ALF.

Another Anthrocon come and gone. I was less dazed this year than last, and I think that helped me enjoy the con more than I did last year. Instead of wandering around wide-eyed and stunned, I actually knew what to expect when and what to do about it. Mostly, anyway...

Thursday:
Plonq and I drove over a day early this time. Last year we didn't get there until Friday evening, and missed most of the first day. Bummer. Wanting to avoid that mistake this time, we decided to catch a hotel halfway between Akron and Philly and drive the rest of the way Friday morning.

Well, the drive went faster than we expected. Before we realized it, we were at the Hilton. The wonderful staff at the hotel extended our reservation to include an extra night, and gave us our room assignment.

After hauling the luggage upstairs, we found our room. I plugged my key card into the slot, opened the door... And saw someone's luggage sitting on the bed. The room's occupant was apparently in the bathroom using the facilities, as we could hear through the door.

Ahem!

Back down to the desk, where we were told there was a mixup. No kidding! We were assigned the proper room number and finally got our stuff packed away.

Registration was quick, easy and painless. The rest of the night was spent working off the rigors of the road. This involved eating and sleeping, things I am rather good at.

Friday:
The Super sponsor lunch was a treat I was able to indulge in this year, and we had a very confused lunch at a place called Charlie's. Some poor waiter lost everyone's order after the food was made, so the wait staff didn't know who had ordered what. Aside from a few poor souls not getting to eat until the last second, the food was delicious and the staff was very nice.

(Incidentally, there was some miscommunication with whoever made the custom menus for the "super sponsors of the Anthrocon Zoo." Hee hee hee...)

One thing I must mention is that I wasn't able to attend as many panels as I would have liked. This was more because there was too much to do, rather than any error on SueDeer's part. She picked up the Programming gauntlet rather late in the game, and I think she carried it splendidly. (She will most likely do just as well next year as she did this year! Err, you ARE doing it next year, right, SueDeer?) I also liked the fact that the rooms were separated (mostly) by track: the artist room was Dunhill A while the writers' room was Dunhill B... That helped keep things straight in my mind when I was wandering around looking for a panel.

Unfortunately, I had to skip one panel that I had really been looking forward to, due to an emergency. By the time the crisis was resolved, the panel was over and I was dead tired. Sorry, Aeto and Edie - I really wanted to attend the roundtable event. Maybe next year. *sigh*

Saturday:
Most of Saturday was spent buying stuff and trying to buy stuff. The dealer's room was crowded (and by Sunday it was starting to reek). The charity auction (which brought in over $6500 for a greyhound rescue group) ate up a good chunk of my time, but I consider it time well spent. I purchased a cute little King Moonracer beanie, and lusted after Chris Goodwin's "Mother." (His ART piece, you pervs! *grin*) That woodburning went for over $500, when Uncle Kage pinned a man to the floor with just the item and a microphone. Think the price was a little steep? I think it was worth it.

There was some really stunning art in the art show. Chris Goodwin's woodburnings were a main attraction, but I also enjoyed Gawain's pieces. Not many of them were for sale, unfortunately. My favorite was a progression of images called "Dreamwall." The rest of his art was also very interesting; he does things that are different and creative, something other than the standard "vixen under a tree" thing. Also, his pieces say something personal, which may have been the reason that they were not for sale.

The masquerade was way, way, way too crowded. I got there just after it started and I couldn't even get in the door. I couldn't even see over the heads in front of me! I know that the con is moving to a bigger venue next year; we've definitely outgrown this one. (That was another one of my peeves about the entire con; the panels were crowded into small rooms. Thank goodness AC is moving...)

Sunday:
Wrapping it up. I made some last minute purchases from the dealer's room, and checked out how my art show bids were doing. One of the pieces I wanted went to voice auction, and I despaired of ever being able to afford it. Plonq gallantly came to my rescue with his Visa card, and we got the piece. Yay! A very determined cheetah won the highest priced piece in the auction, another Chris Goodwin woodburning, for $1200. For that price he got the piece as well as a huge hug from Chris! =)

And as many have noted, Kage kissed a cockroach at the art auction. That's about all I have to say about that. (Was there tongue? Err, mandible?)

Of course, I can't forget the massive meat eating adventure. Fifty plus furs packed the Outback Steakhouse for a second year. We not only explained furry to the waitress, we built another bridge made of straws. (I have pictures if anyone wants to see.) Plonq's quite the architect... And Fuzzytoes very, VERY generously paid the tab for our ravenous table. Cap and hats off to that fur. Thanks FT! =)

Final Damage:
I spent too much.

Prints:
"Dragon Wheel" - print by S. Santara
"Hel, Loki's Daughter" - print by D. Stein

Books:
"The Rats of Acomar" - by Paul Kidd
"Usagi Yojimbo, Grey Shadows" - by Stan Sakai

Comics:
"ASB #8"

Zines:
"Yarf #59"
"Anthrolations #1"

Other:
King Moonracer beanie
"I am a Writer" button
Rest, stress, and relaxation

See everyone again next year!