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Thoughts of Joe Bear 07/14/24 - Last 16 Months / AC 2024
a year ago
General
**The last time I posted here was right after Anthro New England “TRAINS” in February, 2023. I was living the life I so expected, going to well known furry conventions located across the country in the Eastern U.S. - on back-to-back weekends in late January with Further Confusion 2023. Things were looking good to attend my first Anthro Weekend Utah in July of last year, alongside FWA and BLFC. Then, like a thief in the night, my beloved Dad “Sid Goria” unexpectedly passed away in his sleep on March 13th. My life changed in an instant overnight. Not just because of my Father passing away, but we had a disabled uncle named “Vin” that we now had to watch over as my Dad was conservator over watching him. My Dad’s death threw me into a talespin, one that I never had expected. Though I was very lucky to have a brother and sister to help, to take care of funeral, expenses, the house and caring for a disabled person was overwhelming. Losing Dad was like losing my best friend, my right hand man, someone I can get advice and support. That was all gone, as if I was released into the wild to fend for himself. The period from April 2023 right after my Dad’s funeral to October when we were able to break the conservatorship trust and move my uncle to a power of attorney situation that allowed Vin to fly to India where he would be better taken care of was the darkest period of my life. Thanks to my friends near and far to be by my side, and at cons like FWA 2023 “The Lost City” (Thanks to my Aunt Manju for flying here to LA from Toronto to help us and give me the chance to travel for FWA). Since November, things are gradually improved, but with probate coming and the house - if I’ll even move in, I’ve been hesitant on moving out of my Apartment of 19 years back to my childhood house if I ca. handle the house and pay rent to three siblings. I will be working this summer to finalize a plan of living and being fair to family. However, I did want to write a small journal of my recent Anthrocon 2024 experience. SIMPLY PUT..Anthrocon 2024 will come down as an event that I’ll NEVER FORGET. This weekend will be cherished in my collective memory for the remainder of my life. ALL Furries should plan to attend this convention at least once in their lifetime. You won’t regret it!!! It’s a very special event in a city that welcomes us like rock stars. My friend and roomie Bob ‘Anthrocoon’ wrote an amazing journal that’ll I’ll post here. We went to many of the panels, and he recorded my “Fur The Grey” Greymuzzle Panel with my partner in crime Dr. Mel White, which had the largest attendance of any Greymuzzle panel I’ve hosted since 2017. Amazing!! We had 17,639 attendees, making AC the largest furry convention once again with over $100,000 raised for GreyPaws Sanctuary for older Senior Dogs. Journal will follow after this. Thanks for your friendship and support these last few months. Things are not as dark as one year ago, but I’m trying to live like my Dad would like me to continue. I Love Ya All!!! #Anthrocon2024 ********* Following post below From Bob Nelson -
Tue 7-2--picked up roommate Joe G Bear at the airport; his first time at AC and in Pitt. As he has said it is now his favorite con. He loves the way it's run, the people in the con, the locals etc. We wound up at Marriott City Center for six nights. I treated him to Primanti Bros. for a fries-and-slaw-in-the-sammich and we went to Pirates game. Locals lost but great stadium, some home runs. After, we took a long walk around the downtown.
Wed 7-3 included a trip on the incline (or was that Tue? prob Wed) for a great view, then we visited WESA and WYEP studos on the southside. He is a fan of them and their unique music, listening online and we toured the studios and we met Rosemary the DJ. Roomie Cyan Glaciertooth from Waltham was to meet us and we said join us at an Applebees in suburban Robinson. We had about 8 of us, a great time! Thanks to Dave for helping Joe keep his fursuit in his room at the Westin. Do we dare try for AC or a similar close hotel next time? The Heinz History Museum took a long time to see. It's worth it.
Thu 7-4 had the Fursuit Friendly Cruise, really hot for the suiters but a fun look at the three rivers. Horror stories about reg lines but as a Sponsor (me) and Supersponsor (him) it took very little time. A panel on historic preservation in furry fandom and it made me late for 5 pm Opening Ceremonies. Only caught parts of Baseball Mascot and Cartoon Network panels. Furry Press Your Luck followed. Fireworks were eventually held but we were told not to go on the DLCC roof for safety reasons. Saw bits of them elsewhere.
Fri 7-5--with his body set to Pacific time, it wasn't easy for Joe but he made his 10 am Fur The Grey panel with Mama Mel White. Well, she looks familiar. This longtime fandom member worked for years with Dorsai Irregulars security! Missed out on various panels--and believe it or not was so busy with stuff that I was unable to see Dealer's Den or Artist Alley other than buying my Charity Comedy Show ticket. After a quick commisary lunch (actually eaten AFTER the panel) it was Highwing and me hosting Zootopia: The Fan Discussion, an AC tradition since 2016.
A reminder you can hear con audio at http://www.anthrocoon.com
5:30 was time for Ony The Runaway Circus Bear, a wonderful musical featuring Rhubarb, Bennie, Sue, Cosmik and others. Got a very close seat for it,
and recorded. Wheel of Furtune would have been nice but I couldn't miss Uncle Kage's story hour. Did anyone notice that at UKSH and at the comedy benefit, Mr Conway was not imbibing a potent potable? I doubt he's gone sober but maybe backing off a bit. I go back to the days when you could buy a DVD with UKSH even if you already were there for it.
Furry History: A Conversation followed with Tofte, Bash and Chipper.
Horror stories would have been fun but it was getting late.
Sat 7-6 meant my Classic Cartoons panel, fun and a good crowd. Got Joe ready for the fursuit parade and block party which had a bear meetup at 4:30 in front of the Courtyard. We saw part of Anthrocon tonight which featured Cyan and Randy Ringtail, among others.
Well, Joe has been so excited to tell how well that whole day went with him in suit. I only wear a tail.
Sun 7-7--In the late morning I helped Joe raise money for the charity, Grey Paws (senior dogs). He couldn't really put paper money into the tub what with his big paws so I was there and we both yelled out requests for dough carnival-barker style. Make their tails wag! Oh, and the charity for the first time raised more than $100,000! It was up to 91k during closing ceremonies then Alkali, maybe Boozy and others made a last minute push.
1 pm was the Iggy's Pyramid game show. After another quick commisary meal, I went to the Kage-Boozy-Alkali comedy charity benefit. Then we had closing ceremonies--over 17,000 attended! Once again we are the biggest furry convention in the world! In 2023 I shouted out "The Biggest! And STILL the best!" at closing ceremonies. MFF and FWA went on to surpass us. But now...I yelled out the same thing and it was perhaps the greatest and proudest moment of my life.
Some con friends went to the taco place, while I chose Bill's Bar, then Joe went to the dead dog dance. I was kinda dog tired myself but we got Joe's stuff out and back to our own room.
For the next morning we headed out to the Flight 93 Memorial, a long drive but special for Joe given the brave souls who gave up their lives in the plane that crashed in Somerset County. "We have to do something."
That night we went back to Pitt as Joe bought souvenirs and several of us went for a great German meal at Hofbrauhaus. The next morning after little sleep I took Joe out to the airport so he could fly back.
Tue 7-9---On to Ohio and my 2 radio friends. We met in a Panera, then a Chinese buffet, and talked. The next morning a farewell breakfast and I began to head back. I first went to Pitt on Wed to retrieve 2 recording devices I left, plus get Joe's flagpole. That's OK. A little more time in that nice city.
Getting to Wilkes Barre was long winded with some heavy rain near State College.
Finally on Thu the 11th, I headed the final 330 miles back home.
What a week. Thanks to all including roomies Joe and Rich (Cyan), Dave ("Good mornin'" he says, no matter what time of day), and others.
Tue 7-2--picked up roommate Joe G Bear at the airport; his first time at AC and in Pitt. As he has said it is now his favorite con. He loves the way it's run, the people in the con, the locals etc. We wound up at Marriott City Center for six nights. I treated him to Primanti Bros. for a fries-and-slaw-in-the-sammich and we went to Pirates game. Locals lost but great stadium, some home runs. After, we took a long walk around the downtown.
Wed 7-3 included a trip on the incline (or was that Tue? prob Wed) for a great view, then we visited WESA and WYEP studos on the southside. He is a fan of them and their unique music, listening online and we toured the studios and we met Rosemary the DJ. Roomie Cyan Glaciertooth from Waltham was to meet us and we said join us at an Applebees in suburban Robinson. We had about 8 of us, a great time! Thanks to Dave for helping Joe keep his fursuit in his room at the Westin. Do we dare try for AC or a similar close hotel next time? The Heinz History Museum took a long time to see. It's worth it.
Thu 7-4 had the Fursuit Friendly Cruise, really hot for the suiters but a fun look at the three rivers. Horror stories about reg lines but as a Sponsor (me) and Supersponsor (him) it took very little time. A panel on historic preservation in furry fandom and it made me late for 5 pm Opening Ceremonies. Only caught parts of Baseball Mascot and Cartoon Network panels. Furry Press Your Luck followed. Fireworks were eventually held but we were told not to go on the DLCC roof for safety reasons. Saw bits of them elsewhere.
Fri 7-5--with his body set to Pacific time, it wasn't easy for Joe but he made his 10 am Fur The Grey panel with Mama Mel White. Well, she looks familiar. This longtime fandom member worked for years with Dorsai Irregulars security! Missed out on various panels--and believe it or not was so busy with stuff that I was unable to see Dealer's Den or Artist Alley other than buying my Charity Comedy Show ticket. After a quick commisary lunch (actually eaten AFTER the panel) it was Highwing and me hosting Zootopia: The Fan Discussion, an AC tradition since 2016.
A reminder you can hear con audio at http://www.anthrocoon.com
5:30 was time for Ony The Runaway Circus Bear, a wonderful musical featuring Rhubarb, Bennie, Sue, Cosmik and others. Got a very close seat for it,
and recorded. Wheel of Furtune would have been nice but I couldn't miss Uncle Kage's story hour. Did anyone notice that at UKSH and at the comedy benefit, Mr Conway was not imbibing a potent potable? I doubt he's gone sober but maybe backing off a bit. I go back to the days when you could buy a DVD with UKSH even if you already were there for it.
Furry History: A Conversation followed with Tofte, Bash and Chipper.
Horror stories would have been fun but it was getting late.
Sat 7-6 meant my Classic Cartoons panel, fun and a good crowd. Got Joe ready for the fursuit parade and block party which had a bear meetup at 4:30 in front of the Courtyard. We saw part of Anthrocon tonight which featured Cyan and Randy Ringtail, among others.
Well, Joe has been so excited to tell how well that whole day went with him in suit. I only wear a tail.
Sun 7-7--In the late morning I helped Joe raise money for the charity, Grey Paws (senior dogs). He couldn't really put paper money into the tub what with his big paws so I was there and we both yelled out requests for dough carnival-barker style. Make their tails wag! Oh, and the charity for the first time raised more than $100,000! It was up to 91k during closing ceremonies then Alkali, maybe Boozy and others made a last minute push.
1 pm was the Iggy's Pyramid game show. After another quick commisary meal, I went to the Kage-Boozy-Alkali comedy charity benefit. Then we had closing ceremonies--over 17,000 attended! Once again we are the biggest furry convention in the world! In 2023 I shouted out "The Biggest! And STILL the best!" at closing ceremonies. MFF and FWA went on to surpass us. But now...I yelled out the same thing and it was perhaps the greatest and proudest moment of my life.
Some con friends went to the taco place, while I chose Bill's Bar, then Joe went to the dead dog dance. I was kinda dog tired myself but we got Joe's stuff out and back to our own room.
For the next morning we headed out to the Flight 93 Memorial, a long drive but special for Joe given the brave souls who gave up their lives in the plane that crashed in Somerset County. "We have to do something."
That night we went back to Pitt as Joe bought souvenirs and several of us went for a great German meal at Hofbrauhaus. The next morning after little sleep I took Joe out to the airport so he could fly back.
Tue 7-9---On to Ohio and my 2 radio friends. We met in a Panera, then a Chinese buffet, and talked. The next morning a farewell breakfast and I began to head back. I first went to Pitt on Wed to retrieve 2 recording devices I left, plus get Joe's flagpole. That's OK. A little more time in that nice city.
Getting to Wilkes Barre was long winded with some heavy rain near State College.
Finally on Thu the 11th, I headed the final 330 miles back home.
What a week. Thanks to all including roomies Joe and Rich (Cyan), Dave ("Good mornin'" he says, no matter what time of day), and others.
we have flooding there last Wednesday
Also glad to hear you're still enjoying yourself by going to cons and all.