Lucked out today.. thank you Autotrader!


2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
17,228 Miles
One local owner, and a Carfax check turned up nothing serious. CLEAN.

4.7 V-8, 4X2 drive, all power front seats, AM/FM/CD with Ipod jack, and the tightest, quickest steering I've ever had on a SUV. It's almost like they stuck a 300-Charger suspension underneath.

Tyler Ford wanted $15,997.00 for it, after about 30 minutes of wheeling and dealing and feigning disinterest with my dad pulling the strings, we whittled it down for $15163.05. I checking online I probably would have payed $2000-3000 more for the same low mileage Jeep had I bought it in the Dallas or Shreveport areas.

And if you're wondering about my old 2001 Jeep GC, it has a new fan motor, thermostat and anti-freeze (with a $467 bill, ugh) and it's been keeping its cool around 190 degrees and working fine. I've been driving it daily and checking the anti-freeze when it's cool, and haven't found any oil in it yet. I'll be retiring it as a work truck at my parents house in Lawton OK.

This is the third GC I've owned, after a 1995 and the 2001. My parents and I have put 170,000 miles on the 95, and 117,000 on the 01. Will the 2006 hold up that well too? (maybe.. then again I felt the same way when I bought the 2001 in 2005.)

I wish it had the chrome grill, but I found this online that might give it some needed bling.

Jaggers Pawtucket has put together a "Furry Cons Reviewed" over on FA. I've been thinking about doing the same for a couple months now, but giving a general overview of what I like about each con and what I don't like. I hope I don't create too much controversy with this.. but here goes. I

Anthrocon 2009 - A-
The biggest furry con in the world and it keeps growing. AC's a one of a kind experience that no other con anywhere else has. But the schedule has become so jam-packed to the point that you're always going to miss something you wanted to see. And everything is spread out between the Westin Hotel and the Convention Center.

If you come here next year bring some conformable shoes because you're going to do a lot of walking through long halls, waiting on slow elevators, climbing stairs or broken escalators. Downtown Pittsburgh is awesome and the nearby restaurants and clubs love furries. Bring plenty of money for tips and the HUGE dealers room. I just wish most of Anthrocon (especially all the panels) could be moved into the convention center, just to save wear and tear on everyone's feet and also on the escalators and elevators.

Furry Fiesta 2009 - A
A great first-time con that hit the bullseye and did almost everything right (dances were OK, but not my style), had great panels, fursuit games and threw some new ideas in. The hotel is super-conformable (Shiner Bock on tap!) and is in a great location. TFF has a lot of potential to grow into a big con quickly, but I hope not too fast!

Megaplex 2008 - A
MP has been through many ups and downs over the years, but last year's con was a major improvement especially with the dealers den. And now that it's moved back to Orlando (nearby Kissimmee) and held during the summer I think this year's MP is gonna be a blast!  If you don't like watching the Funday Pawpet Show don't go - the same (awesome) people run it. It's a very friendly fursuiters convention.

Furry Weekend Atlanta 2009 - B+
I love this con, but FWA is growing so fast that it really needs a larger staff, especially to take care of big events like the fursuit parade, which dissolved into chaos because there was no crowd control. I really liked the Hilton, though downtown Atlanta isn't the safest place (damn panhandlers) for walking around. And it still needs some more panels and events in the ballroom.

Mephit Fur Meet 2008 - C+
Tyger Cowboy runs a very consistent and smooth convention to the point where if you've been to one MFM they start blurring together in your memories. I've gone here for 3 years and nothing at MFM really changes much. It's pretty much the same con schedule-wise year after year. The Holiday Inn Airport is large and I love the courtyard area for games, but it's sadly deteriorating and planned renovations have been slow because of the bad economy. And it's nearby a not-too-safe neighborhood. Don't leave anything of value in sight inside your vehicle overnight. If MFM was in a newer and safer hotel, I'd give it a B.

MFM's still a fun and highly recommended convention with well ran events, friendly attendees, relaxed atmosphere and a large dealers den.  But I really think it's become kind of stagnant and needs a shake-up somehow (especially with the Dances.. hardcore BOOMBOOMBOOM shouldn't be played on Sunday night) and if they don't improve the Holiday Inn soon, a move to somewhere else in the future.

Rocket City Fur Meet 2009 - C+
There were times that this year's RCFM was a ton of fun, other times I was really bored sitting in my room watching TV with nothing to do outside.  Except for a few, most of the panels didn't appeal to me (a lot of Second Life stuff). The DJ's and dances were hit and miss again. I loved the rooms in the Estate Suites and its situated in a nice part of Huntsville, but there isn't much in the way of food in short walking distance. If RCFM wants to get rid of its "Relax-A-Con" rep there's gotta be more to do. 

Comments Welcome!
WBTX

I had a fantastic time at AC '09 this year. It might have been one of the best cons I've ever attended.
Thanks to all the fursuiters and furs that posed, acted silly and just had fun in front of my camera.

Please feel free to use these photos in your LiveJournal, FA, or any blog, but PLEASE credit me and any other photographer you "borrow" photos from too - it's just good old fashioned courtesy! (And if there's any photo you DON'T want online, e-mail me at wildbilltx @ g mail . com and I'll remove it.).

Photos: http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g170/jangleradio/Anthrocon%2013%202009%20Pittsburgh/
Videos: http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g170/jangleradio/Anthrocon%2013%202009%20Pittsburgh/VIDEOS/
I only have a few videos now  - I'll be uploading more soon, including the fursuit parade!

And if you're brave enough check out my con reports: http://wildbilltx.livejournal.com/tag/anthrocon (comments welcome!)

Thanks again fur a great time!!
WBTX
(Crossposted to anthrocon)

I'm waiting here at terminal 82 at the Pittsburgh airport, for my flight in 2 hours. Been using the free time to use the free Wi-Fi (why cant Memphis and Atlanta have it for free?) and sort through a huge 3.4 Gig bunch of photos and videos from AC.

I'll finish my AC con report when I get home. But for now enjoy this video of some fursuiters getting N'sync'd up right before closing ceremonies!

I'll be posting more of my AC 13 videos here..
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g170/jangleradio/Anthrocon%2013%202009%20Pittsburgh/VIDEOS/

I think every regular con-goer has felt the same way: "This con is going way too fast!!" And you wish it would last another day or two so you can have more fun and take it all in. AC 2009 is going the same way for me as it did last year. A bunch of events going on in a short time, and spread out all over the place.

Today I left the room about 10:30 AM when room service kicked me out. I gave the maid two bucks (always leave them a tip - I want to come back to the Marriott next year!) and didnt come back till around 12:15 AM. I made it over to Fernandos for a sub, then went to the convention center to check out the art gallery and to do a little more looking and shopping for awhile. Then at 2 PM the massive fursuit parade exploded out of the ballroom with 640 fursuiters marching all around the con center, setting another AC and Furry convention record. To put it in some kind of perspective, thats about 25 less than the total attendance of MFM last year.

Then after about an hour with a 30 min delay because they were still setting up the stage was the Poink and Ezra show (with Rummage & Hugh). Seeing the FPS gang in front of a audience is always a lotta fun. Having that live feedback always seems to pull out the best jokes and put downs in all of them. (and Yappy - Please don't cancel the show!!!)

Then a run over to the Steel City Grill (for the first time for me this year.. it was always too full for lunch) for their HUGE cheeseburger and fries.. then another walk back (groan) to the con center for the masquerade.

This years masquerade was a big improvement over last years, and one of the best I've ever seen at any convention. JR and KP were excellent MC's. There were less bum skits and performers this year who didnt have their act together, and the many that took time to prepare and practice did a great job. And it lasted around 90 minutes, maybe a little longer. Great Show!

Then after another short (yawn) break came JR and 2's standup. This was the second time I've seen JR do standup, and his jokes and timing killed. The last time I saw him was at Megaplex 7 and that (march 2008) seems like ages ago. He's gotten much better since.

2 as always did too.. with new material too. But I noticed he was using a clip-on mic this time. No problems with it, but his voice sounded weaker and (AM radio) midrangy through it. I think he should go back to using a regular mic, his voice needs a strong mic for that shreaking voice!

The Fursuit dances in the hotel - despite some good music by DJ's Antimon and Yappy - have been disapointing with a very low turnout. They really need some kind of disco lighting in there, even cheap stuff. Just something to give it a little more atmosphere than just low lights. Then lastly I checked out PA pets show. And then exhausted, called it a night and dragged my butt back over to the Marriott..

AC's GOH Joe Harris finally made it into town, and his panel about the creation of Underdog has been moved to 10AM tomorrow morning.. so I'm going to hit the bed early.. later (Crash!)!

And a big birthday spanking to yappyfox  who hit the big 4-0 today - Welcome to the land of the Graymuzzles!

Whew! What a day here at AC, I'm really exhausted from all the walking around downtown, the convention center and hotel, but I had a heck of a day.

I got up around 9am, and later went to the hotel restaurant and checked out the breakfast buffet. It's your usual breakfast fare with free omelets for $12.99 (AC Staff.. try to get us a discount for us next year) but it filled me up enough to check out the opening ceremonies, and then a loooonng walk through the HUGE dealer's den-artists alley where I picked up a couple of Anthrocon t-shirts, DVD's by Uncle Kage and 2_Gryphon,and lastly a Fursuiters 2009 calendar from Softawolf press. Moving the whole thing over to hall B was a huge improvement over last years dealer's den in smaller (but still damn big) Hall C.. where everyone was crammed going through narrow aisles between the tables without much room to move (or breathe).

I had enough time to get back to the Westin to check out the last part of Kage's and KP's "So This is Your First Anthrocon" just out of curiosity which was a hoot, and then Kage did a panel on "Presenting Furry Fandom To The Public". Nothing new I've heard before, but a LOT of furs needed to hear what he said. I saw some video cameras so I hope someone will put the whole panel on YouTube or archive it somewhere. I just wonder if Kage ever read my post about explaining the fandom to strangers from a few months ago for ideas.. I should have asked him but he's a very busy guy, especially around this time of year..

Then later it was the highlight of Friday for me.. the FURTOPIA.ORG (with the best furry message board in the entire universe) meetup to go to Big Mama's House of Soul. I read a post last year on the AC LJ that raved about the food here and I had to try it this year.

It's a down home home cookin' "Soul Food" joint where the meat is smoked outside on a big metal grill and you eat on sidewalk picnic tables. I almost thought we weren't gonna eat because they were taking care of a big catering job and needed to cook more food..but man, the wait was worth it! I wanted a chopped beef sandwich but the only thing they had at the time was BBQ Chicken.. that sounded good anyway and I was really hungry, so I gave it a shot.

Where I'm from (East Texas) everyone loves super-sweet honey/brown sugary BBQ Sauce. Big Mama's sauce was sweet but had right the right enough "bite" and spices. The chicken was OMG delicious and when they ran out of the sides that we wanted they brought out a BIG plate of Corn on the Cob and a huge pan of hot Mac & Cheese for everyone! NOM! Big Mama and her children run this business and they treated us almost like family. It was a surprise and a very welcome change from the "who gives a damn" service I get most everywhere else.

Big Mama had been working there since 7 AM and she told me "you people from the con really cleaned us out today" but she appreciated us for coming. I told her word gets around our fandom fast and I would let other furs at the con know to check her place out. I'll be back next year.

Then with my belly full.. I went back to the con center to check out Kage's story hour. I hope to make it to Kage's and 2's Charity performance on Sunday. Then I spent several hours checking both dances at the con center and also a small fursuiters dance inside the hotel.. and then called it a night. zzzzzzz

Oh yeah.. 3400 registered attendees this year - a new AC and furry convention record!! Who knows how many will be in the Fursuit parade tomorrow?!

Today I got up around 10:30am (i needed the zzz's) and made it over to see the Pirates play the Mets at 12:45pm. It's about a 3/4 Mile hike from the Marriott Courtyard down Penn avenue and then a right on 6th and over the Roberto Clemente bridge.

Despite two rain delays which held up the game for about an hour, I had a great time. It's an gorgeous ballpark with a excellent view of the city skyline. I heard it was ranked the #1 ballpark in the USA recently. In fact I like it a lot better than the (not-so-atmospheric) stadiums the Rangers and Astros play in. It's worth checking out even if you're not a Pirates or National League fan..

In the end, the  Mets overcame a late rally from the Bucs and won in overtime 9-8. But I had to chance to meet a famous celebrity at the ballgame! Thanks to the lady who took this pic.. It's blurry but I'll cherish it.

Then after a quick supper I finally went over to the convention center and picked up my sponsor badge, program, con books, etc..  and ran back to the Marriott to dump them off.. and then went back and smoozed around as usual before the dance. Even though it was the first night, it felt more like Saturday night with all the furs running around the zoo and dance.

Great fursuit dance (forgot the DJ) who spun a lot of fun stuff (One misstep though ..don't play NKOTB's "Step by Step" ever again - it hasn't aged well) and then BBF did a fine set of Euro trance and dance. The lighting is much better this year too, but it seemed the PA system this year was a little underpowered trying to fill the huge ballroom with sound.  Some of the audio sounded too compressed and was overloading the speakers badly. Then after more running around and taking pictures I decided to call it a night and rest my tired feet. Whew,

Anthrocon this year has started off great.. I hope it keeps going this way throughout the weekend.. More to come..
WBTX

I arrived bleary eyed in Pittsburgh around 12 noon, and arrived via supershuttle at the Mariott Courtyard Hotel.I luckily got my room key around 1:15pm and crashed for a few hours....zzzzz before I took on the Iron City.

BTW if you are flying into town tomorrow I urge you to get your supershuttle passes tonight online. I found out the hard way you wont be able to use the AC discount code that Kage and Giza mentioned on the AC blog at the desk or kiosk. It only works online at at the supershuttle website.

I like my hotel room, compared to the Westin, its very quiet (for now), nice large rooms with high ceilings and I have a nice view of the convention center's (astroturf) lawn.  Too bad there's no walkway from this hotel right into the con center. My only other disapointment with my room is that it has no fridge, microwave or room safe.  Well at least the internet here is free...

I thought about going to the Pirates-Cubs game, but it was sprinkling at 5pm so I just blew that game off. I plan to see the Pirates-Mets game that starts at 12:45 pm at PNC Park tomorrow.

I spent the rest of the evening hanging around the Westin, chatting with a bunch of furs and already taking a lot of pictures. I went over to "Furnandos" and got some supper too. It wasn't a bad sandwich, but I really want to check out Big Mama's House Of SOUL BBQ with the Furtopia group Friday. And I also plan to check out a nearby comics/CD/record store (that I already forgot the name of..) on Penn avenue while I'm here. Later!