VI Furs: Lets plan something. :3

[Drake Wingfire]

I agree that a hotel isn't entirely necessary, and I also completely with Niah on this issue, there tends to be a lot of talk of it and saying things will happen, in that matter we are more than covered in the ideas and good intentions department, we just need real execution of said things, the furs in Vancouver have monthly dinner and game meets a peoples places, and it seems to work great for them.

Well the reason there is so much talk, but no one is making any real plans is because when we were hosting the meets in hotels(or elsewhere) there was maybe 5-6 people who constantly paid for the room, out of the 15+ people that usually showed up.

We need to find something more independent to do as a group. (Movies, bowling, billiards, running around naked and so on) That way people who don't have money cant just be a burden on everyone else( And if you think this isn't fair feel free to offer up your own money to cover them....*shrug* )

Don't get me wrong, I know where you are coming from, and I have stated that same opinion myself on other forums and mailing lists. And despite being one of the people who doesn't have all the excess money to have Starbucks, cigarettes and 3 different consoles I still seem to be one of the very few who actually does give some money cause I hate being a mooch.

I was around for meets where like only one or two people footed the whole thing and I hated seeing people just completely snub the hosts entirely. heck one meet I went to I was the only one to contribute money and time to help the host with getting supplies and covering some food costs. I've been in this fandom almost 9 years now so I have sadly seen it all, broken ride promises, broken money promises, people who only show to grab some chips, pop and what ever else then dash... and I have been on the receiving end of such snubs. So thanks but no thanks, I've gotten burned a few times being the nice honorable guy. 

[Drewdle]

Perhaps I can shed some light on the whole "talk, no action" issue.

Last year when Torwin was running the fur meets, things got really big really fast, and with that a successively smaller percentage of the people attending started helping with the associated costs. In February (the first meet I went to), Zeph and I both chipped in a significant value because Torwin was over a hundred dollars short on the bill for the Ramada. A few months afterward, he left for Vancouver, and I sort of took charge at running the place.

Costs were a constant issue. I wanted to see the meets turn into something more than just a computer/sleep festival, with activities and even hot food, but to do this, we would have had to enact a cover charge, and this was argued about for a long while. On one hand, charging to get in would alienate some furs who were short on cash, but on the other, why should furs with some money have to subsidize those without, with little appreciation? The meets were a lot of fun, but they were not sustainable in their current form. I had so much difficulty with the June meet that I just couldn't act as host anymore. I spent maybe 2 hours at the meet in total in 24 hours; the rest was spent giving rides, organizing walks, etc. I spent $50 on gas and got $5 in gas money. I had to pay for a ferry home for someone who will go unnamed as he has learned from that mistake and apologized, but it was an added cost as well. So I didn't call any more meets for the summer. If anyone else wanted to organize something, they totally could have.

When fall arrived, I thought I'd look into starting things up, but nobody I talked to locally really wanted to see a change in the format. It was either "well why can't we bring our desktops and computer all evening?" or "it's not fair to ask for a cover charge", or "I liked the old meets". Some of these I can understand, but for the most part, it was readily apparent to me that whoever took charge of this three-ring-circus was going to be just as vexed as I was (and as Torwin was). Also, we ran into an issue with the Ramada. Apparently at our last meet they found a substance on the carpet (thermal paste is what it looked like) that they claimed had been very expensive to clean and would no longer rent to us. I think this was a scam; they just didn't want us back after all the trouble that was caused, but they wouldn't say it because they can't legally. I even offered to pay their carpet cleaning bill, but no dice. No other hotel in town was willing to rent a conference room overnight to us, and activity halls wanted three times what the Ramada was charging us ($170). At that point, given the reluctance of people to chip in or pay cover, the jig was quite literally up.

Speaking of trouble, when someone's name is on the bill, then it also becomes a liability issue. Despite significant communication that there was no tolerance for substances at the meet, people abused that rule anyway. There was most certainly drinking, and there was smoking (not the legal kind) going on as well, and while I could care less what you do on your own time, at an all-ages in-public meet this behaviour is completely inexcusable.

We've had a few successful meets (going up to Mt Arrowsmith, or the Island FurBQ) but these were all organized far in advance, had activities, had hot food, and required a cover charge, much like what I was pressing for with the fur meets. I know this post isn't going to assauge the feelings of those who want the meets back, but the fact of the matter is that unless the format changes, it's not really doable. I'd be willing to HELP organize (not fully organize) a meet in Nanaimo if the grievances I've aired were taken care of. As someone who spent a good deal of his own money on the meets, I don't think I'm overstepping my bounds in asking.

That being said, if the old meets are missed that badly, there's nothing stopping you from trying to duplicate them. I just don't think most of the old guard around here (some of the PA furs, Drake, myself, Torwin, etc) will want much to do with it.

[Drake Wingfire]

I would love events of any sort really, I just wish we had some more honorable people who could be trusted to do more than dine and dash really. I can completely agree with ya Drew, It does seem that we need some sorta larger events, maybe something every 2-3 months requiring a pre-reg of sorts? I really wished I knew about the island FurBQ cause I would have been all over that! (I love Tofino ^.=.^)


In the sad end I think a lot of people would want a better system (I doubt any host loves footing everything unless they got a money spending fetish lol) But I think the whole stigma around it (and may other events all over the place) people tend to cry foul and say the host is being a money hungry jerk of some sort/ being exclusive for not letting them have a free ride on their paycheck pretty much. -.=.- I have seen this happen with even the very early incarnations of the BC FurBQ and its a huge headache, but after seeing A friend organize a little shuttle van to the FurBQ and coming $400 short because of "good intentions" and promises its obvious that pre-reg is the only way to go as much as a dick as I sound saying it. (Sadly that fur friend never wanted to do rides again after getting screwed over that bad, and I don't really blame him)

I agree that the events need a reliable structure to base themselves on or they are doomed to either not exist, or be stuck to dwarfed house partys.

[AlanTabby]

Wow, I can't believe all this. Feel horrible for ya guys about the bills and hotels.

Wish I lived nearr everyone, but since I live in Victoria and don't drive. cant see these meets unless there is another Vic fur.

IF anyone wants to come down to Victoria, I have a large apartment for an overnight fur meet or something. Just make sure to confirm the date/time with me as I can't do random show-ups due to work.  Think Blue mentioned he was thinking of coming down?  Spring is just around the corner and there are some nice parks around here.

[Tonk]

As far as money goes I think it is 100% fair to charge everyone to get in. I don't want to sound like a d1ck here yes some people are broke. But if you can pay for food and manage to get there I think you can scrape 10-20$ together knowing about the meet in advance. I understand there are a few people that really can't afford to spend 20 to come to a meet, but the majority who don't pay could if they tried. Even if somebody can't afford it maybe they should be doing something more helpful to there financial situation on the weekend.

On a more constructive note, if there are meets and thing in Vancouver there is nothing stopping us island folks from carpooling and going over as a group (would be way cheaper if everyone chips in). It would be a great way to meet some new people as well.

just my 0.02

[blue-vulpine]

I like Tonks idea. :3  (BTW Tonk, your picture has just made my day! :3)

But it would be nice to get the VIFurs back online as well.

Methinks a trip down to Vic would also be sweet. Lots of stuff to do. We could go to the Royal BC Museum, check out Beacon Hill Park, Hit up Johnny Zee's for a little DDR and Laser Tag, grab some dinner at one of Victoria's classy restaurants, and top it off with a movie. And fursuiting and general furry mayhem in between would also be a must. :3

And for furs of age and interested, there are tons of Raves on the island in the warmer months. Theres talk of a really sweet 3 day long one out in Tofino in the summer, we should check it out! : D

Plenty of stuff to do on the island, all you have to do is look. :3

[Pixel]

Hit up Johnny Zee's for a little DDR and Laser Tag

I'm sorry, T.J, but.. Both of those places are gone. ;_;

[Nexus]

I like Tonks idea. :3  (BTW Tonk, your picture has just made my day! :3)

Courtesy of me!

[Drewdle]

I totally like the day trip idea. I'll bring my tail and such.

[Niah Foxx]

Is anyone doing anything this weekend? i dont care about the hows whats whys and such, ...aparenty i work too much and my boss is telling me i have to take the holidays off.. And i don't want to sit home for the next four days doing squat.

[Pixel]

So the apartment underneath me is now vacant, soooo..

Pixel's Game Night! (April 23rd-24th)

Come one, come some! Bring a console or a laptop and join us for an all-night gaming marathon! A clean apartment this time (gasp), and a 1 minute walk (I am -not- kidding) to Tim Hortons Rock City location and the 24 hour porno store! (For those who wanted cheap laughs at rubber fists). Any takers?

-Pix

EDIT - Hit me up on AIM/MSN if you wanna know more. They're both in my profile.

[blue-vulpine]

As much as I hate to miss out on rubber fists and X-Box, I might still be in Fort Mac. :/

I'll know more when the date gets near, and we'll see what happens. :3

-TJ

[Tonk]

So the apartment underneath me is now vacant, soooo..

Pixel's Game Night! (April 23rd-24th)

Come one, come some! Bring a console or a laptop and join us for an all-night gaming marathon! A clean apartment this time (gasp), and a 1 minute walk (I am -not- kidding) to Tim Hortons Rock City location and the 24 hour porno store! (For those who wanted cheap laughs at rubber fists). Any takers?

-Pix

EDIT - Hit me up on AIM/MSN if you wanna know more. They're both in my profile.

Were are you living at now? I also never see you on msn anymore =/

[Pixel]

That's odd, tonk, because I'm -always- on MSN. o_o Try sending me an offline message, sometimes pidgin is finicky about my status.