Furry 101

The Convention Chairman for Mephit Furmeet, TygerCowboy is a professional event planner and fursuiter – but that hardly describes the man behind the fur! So here for your edification is the Furry 101 Interview:

Let’s start with getting a little background on you as a person. Who are you, and what is your life’s story up until you found the furry fandom? 

Christopher "Tyger" Roth.

It’s actually not that exciting. I grew up pretty much a loner. Played hockey, was active with Junior Achievement and FFA (Future Farmers of America) during and after high school. I’m not super close with my siblings due to a family split after my parents died the year after I graduated high school, so I pretty much just worked and did what volunteer work that I could.

I was working at Wright Patterson Air Force Base managing one of their travel offices and my company transferred me to Houston. I was involved with the Texas Gay Rodeo Association (I rode bronc and roped) and was also VP of the Houston chapter. Basically I just tried to keep busy and not just sit home

Fair enough – I can certainly see where you got the “Cowboy” part of your name from! So what brought you into the fandom?

I actually stumbled upon Furry when I found some stories by Swamprat and they referenced Furnation. I found Growltiger’s web page who was one of the founders of MFM. He and I chatted and he gave me some other places to learn about Furry.

I started chatting with Furs on the old Furnation chat server and then IRC. Went to AC, FC, MFF and MFM. MFM because my home con. I wanted to get involved and started helping with the hotel and travel for the con. I also helped with 2 friends get the auction for Tiger Haven. I was asked to take over as Con Director at MFM 4 and the rest is history!

Sounds like you’re the helpful type! What do you do outside of the fandom?

I’m Senior Manager for a travel agency and medical billing company for my "real job". In my off hours, working on MFM, running my catering business and also helping out the bar I work for the Bad Dog Bar here in Saint Louis. Also work with Saint Louis Effort for AIDS

In the last five years, many furry conventions have doubled in size, while MFM’s attendance has remained almost static – Why do you think this is?

Well MFM was never meant to be a con. It started out 13 years ago as a group of Furs getting together for pizza and videos. We have grown a lot. We have also had a lot of disasters happen over our weekend. We have had tornados, hurricanes, Govt seizure of our con space, high gas prices and a lot of other cons moving to just weeks of us. We have a good group that comes every year and we grow a little bit each year.

I see – seems like you’re lightly cursed there! Do you see it as a problem, and if so what do you think should be done about it?

I would rather have quality not quantity. I love the group that comes to MFM each year….it’s a a special feeling from the attendees each year. It’s like a family reunion. We will grow as we grow :)

According to our cadre of spies, last year, the “Mid-South and Tennessee Anthropomorphic Arts Association” which runs MFM was working to achieve 501(c)(3) non-profit status. Where are you now with that effort?

We decided to put it on hold because of the limitations it would put on us under Tennessee laws.

Archon once lost its tax-exempt status (RTF file) over IRS regulations that require 501(c)(3) organizations be operated exclusively for exempt (charitable, educational, etc.) purposes. Wouldn’t 501(c)(7) social/recreational club status be a better fit for an event featuring gaming, dances, karaoke, and other non-educational activities?

Probably, that’s one of the things we are now looking at.

OK, moving on from the courtroom inquisition – In your nine years of chairing the con, what’s been your most memorable experience?

The year Hurricane Katrina hit the week of MFM. The attendees came together and helped entertain the evacuees and did what they could to make things easier. MFM bought many meals for those that were there that couldn’t afford food because all their money was going to just keep a roof over their heads till they would get home.

Nice to know there’s people out there who’ll lend a paw! Do you have any other heart-warming or funny stories that you have experienced while attending/working at/researching fur cons?

I have used "Welcome Home" to start opening ceremonies each year. There is nothing more amazing to me at the number that come up to me telling me that MFM is home for them, it’s the con/meet they can go to and just be able to really spend times with friends. It’s become a running theme including being made into the song "Call of the Wild" by Sub Level 03. The hotel staff fights to work our weekend each year because they really do like having us there

By all ccounts, MFM at the Holiday Inn Select was a damn nice hotel, but there has been discussion about how well the bottom floors worked for con space – Especially in terms of the lobby (it was a bit cramped). Any plans for reorganize con space to better suit the area given?

Well we currently have 36,000 sq ft of public space. That’s the largest in Memphis without going to one of the "elevator hotels" We have been working on a new game plan for utilizing space and it really seems to be working out well. We are always looking at other options and other venues to make sure we have the best value for out attendees out there

I hear that it’s practically a tradition for someone to accidentally set of a fire alarm every year – Do you think that sort of thing can be prevented?

Actually we have maybe one a year and the last couple it has had nothing to do with our attendees. Something that Furs need to realize is that we are guests in the hotel. If we are not good guests then we won’t be welcomed back. That just because we have 80% of the rooms doesn’t mean we don’t have to use common courtesy and decency around attendees and non-attendees alike

With Dragon*Con in Atlanta (a massive 40k plus person convention) adding a Furry Track and being promoted/backed by FWA, do you think this will pull members away from MFM and draw them to the larger event?

Honestly I think the majority of our attendees like having the smaller scale of things. You don’t have to walk blocks to go to things.

MFM raises more per capita for its chosen charity (Tiger Haven) than any other major U.S. convention. How did you manage that? And have you got enough stamps to get a free tiger yet?

We have actually helped build 9 compounds now. We are Tiger Havens largest single group contributor. They make more at MFM than in the course of the entire Tennessee State Fair. Honestly I think a lot of it is that the staff of Tiger Haven are involved in the convention the entire weekend…they are part of the MFM family. Plus they show what MFM does for them

So… no free tiger then? Shame..  But talking of the convention, what is the theme of 2009’s convention? And if it’s not too late, is it possible to change it to "Your Friend, The Gall Bladder?"

A weekend long murder mystery after all this is MFM 13

We will look at it for 2010

I am Jack’s sense of mild disappointment. Since I’m making film quotes, I’d like to ask you about your appearance in Anna in Wonderland (WMV) has been seen by some as a shedding a poor light on the furry fandom while others claim that there is no such thing as bad press coverage. How where you approached to be on the show?

Well I was explained about what it was. Our group was among 5 that were featured. We, I felt did a good job and we did have a lot of fun with it. Ironically I was messaged last night by someone that had seen the video and it made a great impact on them because they were a new Fur and saw us portraying ourselves as we are. In the end, they portrayed us as a group of geeks and nerds, it’s that what most of the fandom is? Just look at the number of broken individuals out there

Looking back on this do you believe it was a good experience for yourself? How about for the fandom?

I think so.

Even though there are those that didn’t like it, I have been messaged multiple times by those that just found furry and saw the video and felt it was very moving for them in a good way. It showed them to not be afraid

Have you got any regrets, or any tips for others when dealing with the media? I’d personally say that no matter what you say and do, the Media will re-edit the event to reflect their own spin, rather than what you intended.

I did what I did. No regrets just lessons learned. Always figure they will go for the sexual aspect.

Even if it’s not there they will make it up. If a con doesn’t let them in, they will find a way in there and it’s best controlled by con staff than left to run amuck

Seems like good advice – always let the con staff handle the media.

Oh look, a change of topic! What’s your favorite plushie, and why? Also while we’re talking of fluffy things, how did the creation of your characters that you play online and in fursuit come about?

It’s a Steiff Husky and also 2 tigers that were given to me by some very good friends.

Well Tyger is from working with big cats at a rescue sanctuary that use to be here and also when I lived in Texas I really was a rodeo cowboy. It just evolved from there. My werewolf was just something that has been there all along that he now has his place under the Full Moon

Who doesn’t love a tiger? Hobbes the tiger loved Tuna, but  what’s your favorite food -  and conversely, what’s your least favourite?

SUSHI!!!!

Brussels Sprouts

Bonus round!

Boxers or briefs? And are you 6’, 5’,3’ or 6’5?

Briefs so no body parts are smushed in the course of the day

6′5"

Congratulations, you win this handsome and collectible next question:

You are a well known fursuiter in the fandom – How many suits do you have? Did you make them yourself ?

I currently have 4 suits with 3 in progress :) I design my suits and have them made.

I couldn’t’ make a fursuit head that looked decent to save my soul! I know what I want and have the professionals do it. www.fursuit.org has always been one of the best places for info

Continuing with the theme of fursuits, what are the dos and don’t of fursuiting? What should you not do in suit? Where shouldn’t you wear your suit?

Always know your surroundings and have a handler if at all possible.

Be very careful to not overheat and know you limits. Your body is under the same stresses as an athlete and you can go down hard just like them if you don’t take care of yourself.

In this new day of post 9/11 security you need to make sure that you have permission where ever you are suiting so you don’t end up suiting in jail

Finally, would you like to reccomend any links for our readers at all?

Ride or like motorcycles?
Join the Bad Dog Riders – Fun & Friends & No Drama
http://www.myspace.com/baddogriders
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/baddogriders

The Bad Dog Saloon – "Just A Friendly Place to be"
The NEW Bad Dog Coming SOON!!!
http://www.myspace.com/baddogbar
http://www.baddogstl.com/

Tyger’s Den on the Web
http://picasaweb.google.com/mideonwerewolf

Mephit Fur Meet
http://www.mephitfurmeet.net