Topic Split: Fur Lover's Gathering??

[trebor]

Note: Topic split off from original thread.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10249&start=10

 

Worker 11811

 

OFF,

 

You arguably have the best of the Northeastern climate (cool to cold and damp) and the Western topography (mountains). Having lived in central state Washington (Ellensburg) I know exactly what you're talking about. I got over to the western side of Washington rather frequently.

 

We should have a conference for the denizens of the Fur Den in Washington some winter. Or maybe here in the Rockies, say Park City, or, Aspen or Vail, or Sun Valley? I would be willing to help organize it.

 

What say you FrBrGr?

 

Trebor

[FrBrGr]

What say you FrBrGr?

 

Well, I have never been against getting together with fellow fur freaks, and I have had the opportunity of doing that on a few occasions. Only once was it not a pleasurable experience. There are some really nice people in this community - online and in RT! There have been several attempts at having a mini fur freaks convention over the fifteen years I have been involved in this community, but none have seemed to pan out, and for several reasons. The most notable one has been most fur freaks find it difficult to come face-to-face with one other fur freak, much less a group of them. Then there have been the logistical problems. Spousal objections for those of us with better halves have also been prominent. I personally would be very open to getting together with anyone in this community, either individually or in a small group. "The Duchess" would be more receptive to meeting another couple who are in a similar situation to our own. I can't see her consenting to go to a preselected meeting place for a number of us.

 

I love your enthusiasm about this, trebor, but I'm not confident that any attempt in actually doing it would be successful.

[trebor]

Well, it was just a thought.

[Worker 11811]

Trebor;

 

It is a good thought.

 

I am in favor of having a get-together but I also share FrBrGr's concerns.

 

Logistics would be a big question to answer. Where will the gathering be? How do people get there? Where will they stay? How much will it cost? Who will do the organizing? What will happen if it falls through?

 

The big question Fr touched on is that not everybody is guaranteed to get along in real life. Some people will hit it off. Others will decide that they can't stand each other.

Some will be outgoing. Others will be timid. Still, others will be indifferent.

 

Should a fur gathering ever become a reality, I think the first and foremost rule should be an escape clause: "Anybody has the right to leave at any time, for any reason whatsoever. Others can not question or take offense if a person chooses to leave."

 

It is very difficult to meet people in real life who you only know over the internet. I have done it a couple of times and I have been lucky. Everybody I have met turned out to be nice people. However, you've always got to be mindful! Not everybody who appears nice over the internet is really nice IRL. It's just a fact of life.

 

With that in mind, rule #2 would have to be that people meet in "neutral territory", preferably in a public place. Hopefully, not alone.

 

Gatherings of several people are preferable to one-on-one meetings. Small groups of 3 or 4 people are preferable to large groups.

 

If this kind of thing was actually to go forward, I would like to see small groups of people who live in the same region get together first. Then, if those regional groups got along well, they could form larger coalitions who meet at a few central locations. Finally, if the coalitions got along, they could all meet at one location to have that one big, "Fur Convention".

 

It will not be easy! The individual "inertia" levels will be high. It will take a lot of work. So, as much as I would LIKE to have a "Fur Convention", I have to remain practical about it.

 

But, on the flip-side! I would be interested in attending if it ever came about.

[trebor]

Worker,

 

I live in Utah which has at least 5 ski resorts and has an international airport 30 min from the Park City ski resort. I don't know if there would be enough people in this are but if anyone is interested, I would be willing to help set it up.

 

Should we start a new thread and throw it out to the rest of the group?

 

Trebor

[Worker 11811]

Trebor,

 

If you picture the triangle formed when you connect the dots between Cleveland, Buffalo and Pittsburgh, that would be my stomping ground.

 

Seven Springs resort and Niagara Falls are near enough to me to drive within one day.

 

There might be some other interesting places where the "Northeast Coalition" could gather. Ideas are always considered.

 

The resorts of Utah are nice and I'd love to go to any of them but it would take a team of Clydesdales to get my wife within 10 miles of a ski slope. Several years ago, she had an abrupt meeting with a fence post at the bottom of the bunny slope and ended getting hauled off by the Ski Patrol. I doubt I'll ever get her on a pair of skis again.

 

My idea for the "Ultimate Destination" would have to be Las Vegas.

[FurLoverinFL]

These things never seem to come together... I remember talk of fur get togethers going back to (the original) NTC days...

 

FLinFL

[cbernard92]

Where my midwest peeps at??? haha!

[Guest]

On several occations I've met with Shelley and Kevin in anything but neutral territory.

 

We first met at Ungar Furs in Portland and we've had a great time every time we've met

 

We spent time talking with Horst of course then lunch and some good conversations.

 

Furs were discussed of course but also just getting to know each other.

 

Probably not the last visit

 

 

OFF

[shelley and kevin]

Shelley and I had a great time with you OFF when you came down to Portland. A couple of great lunches and some great conversation too. We are looking forward to having you come down our way again.

As for a formal fur meting with a bunch of different people Shelley and I would be up for anything as long as it'sa fairly reasonable distance.

[Joe]

We should meet anonymously at a fur clearance sale in some hotel ballroom. We'll all have a guaranteed subject-in-common surrounding us. Plus, we'll be able to try on furs and talk about them later.

 

The fewer other expectations, the better. Yes, it will be a great deal of driving (and gas may be $5-$5.50 per gallon by fur season...and then there's the election in November...).

 

They have them all over the east, and I'm sure in the other metropolitan areas of America as well. Do they do them in Canada?

 

ciao!