(THREAD)

At @anthronw,

1) I made it through a full set by @DJ_Recca for the first time ever. (I made it through the full sets of every DJ at the convention!) I am supposed to be a snooty classical musician. Emphasis on the snooty. Or, maybe on the snoot. *snoots*

2) I was a vendor for the first time! For me, it was a much-needed break, and the proceeds from selling plush (and towels!) in the Dealer's Den helps me do more as I set up events next year. My thanks to the dealers around me, who helped me out & get my bearings! ^_^

3) We learned that balloons help those who are deaf (or nearly deaf) enjoy the wubwubs during the dances. My heart melted at learning this towards the end of the weekend; perhaps the best 'unintended consequence' I've ever been a part of. :)

4) This weekend was the first time I performed my father's favorite piece of violin music since he died... on the 16th anniversary of my deployment to Iraq.

5) Bouncy Castles! When I put on events near home, we rent out a place that has a handful of bouncy castles. At AnthroNW though, we had several bouncy castles running for a few hours per day!

6) I learned that my friends & volunteers are able to tell when my anxiety is getting the better of me. Many thanks to @Phenod for getting me enveloped in fursuit hugs & hosting me for a bit after the night was done.

7) I extended my time at ANW beyond what I should have, because I was ineffective at fighting depression that set in after I lost my job a couple of weeks ago.

8) When confronting certain subjects (or even if the thought of them came up), I cried a lot this year. Both of my parents passed away in 2019, and when mom died, I grieved a lot. But when my father died, I had a lot of trouble grieving him, due to... complicated reasons.

That said, I think at AnthroNW I wound up grieving him in my own way at the most inopportune times. His timing will always be terrible, and after a lifetime of knowing him, you'd think I'd have gotten used to that. :P

AnthroNW is the sort of event that sticks with you. Every year (whether I make or I miss it), it is a transformative experience for me. Right now I can do one convention per year, and I am glad that convention is AnthroNW.