August Newsletter
Added 2024-08-05 20:00:08 +0000 UTCJuly was a long month! I started it on the east coast, visiting family in Virginia, then heading to Anthrocon in Pittsburgh. Frankly, that con was too big for me. I do best with one-on-one interactions, and there was very little time for that at AC. I saw a lot of FOMO expressed from people who couldn’t make it, but I also saw a lot of FOMO even among attendees, as people rushed around trying to make it to every event that looked like a good time. I’d prefer an event that looks a bit boring on the surface, so you can spend your time making something out of nothing.
On the flip side, I know plenty of people who had a great time there, leaving with their belief in themselves and in others reinvigorated. It reminded me that belief is a key tenet of the furry fandom. Belief that we offer others - believing and affirming that they are who they feel like inside - is a radical gift, the most important thing we can give them, and it is impossible to give it without also giving it to oneself. It’s a two-way gift, always. Looking at it through that lens, it helped me understand more why cons have left me somewhat blank. The hectic and up-close nature of cons don’t give me the reflective space I need to really absorb anything properly. I feel like I can offer belief to others better from afar.
Maybe this is an appropriate sentiment to adopt as I move from the last of my live performances (a fun show at the Vera Project with the members of Floral Tatoo as my backing band - a mix will be shared on here soon!) to entering the final phase of album work. It’s a strange job, burrowing every day into seclusion in order to continue building what will ultimately be a very public work, crafting something with very little idea how it will be received. I’m grateful to the band and to John for passing through so long a process with me. It’s crazy to have the finish line in sight after four years. But that awaits in the fall; meanwhile, it’s still hot as hell here in Seattle, and there will be plenty of sweat to get eked out before the summit is reached. Wish us luck.
Comments
I’m going to my first furry con at the end of the month in Virginia! Fursonacon isn’t as big as anthrocon so I hope it won’t be too bad. I think I would feel the same as you
Enoch
2024-08-10 18:11:21 +0000 UTCI haven't been to a ton of conventions but I've honestly enjoyed the slightly smaller ones more. I went to a brand new con in May this year and with around 1000 people total it was really nice getting to chat with more people and make those little connections. I really gotta hang out in the furry community more often, seems like there's a lot of fun people around!
MaeveDX
2024-08-10 04:41:00 +0000 UTCThanks for coming to Anthrocon! I’m from Pittsburgh so it’s cool that such a big event involving a community I’m in takes place where I live. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend this year but there’s always next year. On the other hand, I can’t wait for the new album!!
carrotdog
2024-08-07 12:24:35 +0000 UTCThank you for always taking elements of your own life and experience and deriving a very succinct and potent way to help others (and hopefully yourself) lead a better and deeper life on some level. Excited to hear that in musical form soon!
Max T
2024-08-07 02:48:32 +0000 UTCTake your time Will! I can already smell the album being amazing.
S SAL
2024-08-06 23:39:53 +0000 UTCgood luck Will!! your poetic honesty is always so inspiring. can’t wait to see what you and the band make next!!
Sid Tiller
2024-08-06 03:22:30 +0000 UTCi believe in you!
Juan David Hernández Agudelo
2024-08-06 00:00:10 +0000 UTCMy friend was at Anthrocon! Shoutout Pittsburgh Pennsylvania!
Milosh Hasak
2024-08-05 20:08:21 +0000 UTC"but I also saw a lot of FOMO even among attendees, as people rushed around trying to make it to every event that looked like a good time" ANW was kind of like this for us between juggling people and needing to come home to feed the cat and getting in and out of suit. we only ended up going to like maybe three panels for the whole weekend so i definitely feel where you're coming from lol
FourthStrongest
2024-08-05 20:07:59 +0000 UTCgood luck with the final album push (eee exciting!!). similarly, i'm in the very final stages of my masters thesis so i feel you! i hope the tunnel vision-y nature of it all is kind to you all and you can feel proud of your work :]
hana
2024-08-05 20:07:05 +0000 UTCGood luck! <3
Sky
2024-08-05 20:05:18 +0000 UTC
