Thoughts on CMFM '03
May. 21st, 2003 10:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lionkingcmslWell, enough time has elapsed and my thoughts have come together (very dangerous, that) to make a complete report on CMFM '03.
Very simply, it went well and everyone had fun. :=3
Well, first off I wish I had control of the weather. A bit too damp, chilly and windy for everyone's liking. If the sun had peeked out from the overcast, it would've been a lot better. :=/
CMFM '03 had the largest turnout ever. There were 37 of us at the 4-H train station, but two of our group, the Gneech and Mrs. Gneech, Laurie, had to leave for a prior commitment. TG, I wish I had the RDC there, as I would've introduced you in grand style. :=/
Anyways, my group of furs arrived at around 8:50a and we found a lot of the furs had already shown up. I was told the night before that some furs would probably not show up, due to car problems. :=/
At around 9:10a we started to head to the zoo. While walking down the driveway to the station we intercepted some late arrivals and told them where we were headed.
A small problem occurred as we came to the gate for the bicycle path that heads to the zoo. It was locked in the closed position. If memory serves me correctly, I do believe we had the same problem last year also. :=/
That problem was easily fixed as there is a path that goes around said gate. :=3
We arrived at the main entrance to the zoo, and the lion had to do a muzzle palm. The zoo opens at 10:00a and it is now around 9:30a. Eeep! I had forgotten that small detail.
Now what to do with about 30 furs and a half hour wait? One fur noticed that the gift shop was open. Warmth! Toys! Plushies! Everyone headed to the store and piled in. :=3
The staff was more than happy to see us. They also asked about the group and whether or not we went around visiting all the zoos in the northeast. I explained, in broad terms, as to what the CMFM and the furs were all about. They said it was a neat idea. They also remembered us coming in during July in the previous years.
While waiting, the Gneech and Laurie made contact with us, by phone, and wondered where we were. It seems they had actually had been waiting at the zoo since about 9:10a. :=0
Also a few other furs,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
snow_kitty and Maximus, showed up. I'm glad you came.
After getting a bit to eat at the snack bar we "invaded" the zoo.
With the weather being on the chilly side, all the animals seemed to be active. Especially active was the tiger. He normally lies in the shade not doing much other than sleeping. On Saturday, he was very active. Even to the point of trying to "mark" a small boy. ;=3
A couple of times as I walked by he hunkered down and pretended he was going to pounce, playfully, on me. He followed me around the perimeter of his enclosure. I don't know if it was my keys, which hang of my belt, or my lion's tail that he was interested in. I kept talking to him like he was my cat Maggie, who does the same thing. Of course when I walked behind some people gathered at the fence, and he went by, there was a smattering of oooh's and ahh's. There were also the comments about the tails furs were wearing also. We had pre-warned the gift shop that they may be flooded with requests for tails, that they don't sell. ;=3
Anyway, 11:30a came up quick and Smrgol and I had to leave to get the Budd Car. I couldn't have it in the morning, due to equipment moves that happened the previous day. :=/
I get to the office, and found out that before I could use the car oil had to be added to one engine. This lion started pacing in his mind. I'm already late for a 12:30p departure at the zoo, and I was going to be later. After adding the oil, getting the necessary paperwork and a fellow CMSL employee we were headed to the zoo at 12:35p.
I must mention a couple of things here. A Budd car weighs "only" 60 tons. That is light by railroad standards. The railroad had not been used since Easter, other than for equipment moves, and it had rained the past couple of days prior to CMFM. This adds up to "rusty rail" conditions. Add in the fact with the soft ground and wind blowing, you have trees down. Rusty rails means that "light" equipment may not set off the grade crossing warning devices properly. You have to approach all grade crossings prepared to stop. This slows down your overall speed noticeably.
We made to the zoo without incident and was welcomed by the larger group as a few more had appeared during my absence. Especially note worthy in the new comers were AnthroCon's own Uncle Kage. :=3
He looked very dapper in his hat, tie and very formal overcoat.
After I got off the train and yelled the traditional "All Aboard" (I just had to :=3 ), I went over and thanked the Gneech's for their attendance. AC isn't that long off, so I'll see them there. :=3
After everyone got on, I went in to the PA booth and may my welcoming comments. A couple of notes here, if I'm in a rush I get tongue-tied. Add in the fact that I do my announcements ad-libbed, you can see how I can mess up and start babbling incoherently. ;=3
I handed the mic over to my assistant, and all around sounding board and great friend, Smrgol the Kirin. Smrgol is a great friend and he helps me out more than he knows.
We headed south with the problems I noted before. Just north of Cold Spring, our final stop, due to me not being able to pass over the Canal Bridge (more on that in a bit), I stopped short of a tree fouling the tracks. I sent the conductor, Dave (of the CMSL), to see if he could move it. I saw he was not going to do so, so I went to help him. To make a long story short, we ended up breaking the branches off of a *green*, as in fully leafed out, tree to get us by. I think there were some amazed muzzles on the train. ;=3
I had to go past Cold Spring and come back, so as to shut of the crossing bell. As I pulled by, the school bus, chartered from "Lion Tours" and labeled for "Lion Student Transportation", pulled in to the station parking lot. Leave it to the lion to get a "furry" school bus. :=3
After we had pulled in to the station and everyone got off, it was a quick matter of shutting down the train, as we would not be back until about 7:15p.
A note about our not being able to use our bridge in to Cape May City, the State requires that an inspection be done before the season starts. Understandable, as it is their bridge. Well, due to scheduling conflicts, the inspection wasn't able to get done till yesterday, Tuesday, 5/20/03. :=/
I found this out on Wednesday (5/14/03) afternoon. This lion leapt into action and chartered the aforementioned bus and the needed permit to actually use the Transportation Center in Cape May City. The latter was a minor miracle as it normally requires a 10-day notice to get one and I got one in less than 3 days. :=0
I will not expect that to happen in the future, so I’ll get a permit, just in case, 3 weeks in advance. Better to be safe than sorry.
We arrived in Cape May without incident and invaded the staid Victorian city. ;=3
As noted above, except for the weather, everyone had a great time. I ended up showingseso around the city a bit. She is a very interesting, and nice woman. She is also a very, very talented artist. ;=3
One thing I will make note of, is if there is a gathering of furs and they are toy stores around, you can find the former in the latter. Asmooncat has noted, the population of plushies and furry puppets declined in Cape may City after we left.
At 5:00p we all descended on the Ugly Mug Bar. Fortunately this lion had enough foresight to reserve almost an entire room (7 chairs, 2 tables left) for the CMFM. :=3
Kudos go to the Ugly Mug's staff. Not only did they seat us early, they did their best to feed 35 hungry furs. ;=3
I feel sorry for the other people who were dining in the room with us. Not that we were rude or anything, just loud. Uncle Kage got in to a story telling mood and did so with some "loud" sections. The staff told me later they enjoyed it. They will love to see us come back. ;=3
One thing I will make note of here, Smrgol, on the trip down, had asked for donation to offset my chartering the bus. I normally don't charge anything for the train, as I get it for a minimal charge from the railroad. I had expected to eat the cost of the bus also, but he thought otherwise.
Well, as we were getting up to leave from dinner Uncle Kage bellowed out, "All of you come back in here and sit down!" (I was told by the hostess, on Monday, that the staff stiffened to attention at that command. :=3 ).
I turned around to see what the problem was and was muzzle to muzzle with a large wolf. It seems Uncle Kage was no longer the "cockroach", but now Rouge the 90' tall wolf, in personality. Let me tell you, you do whatever he asks, or says. :=0
He then grabs my arm and says, in full bellow, "You! You come here!" He leads me, who now has the frightened "deer in the headlights" eyes and wondering, "What did I do?", to the center of the dining room.
Uncle Kage, or should I say, "Rouge", then spins me around and says, something to the effect, "This man has shown us a great time. He has also, out of his own pocket, paid for a bus when the state didn't do their inspection on time. Now that you have you wallets out, make sure you give this man some money to pay him back." He then thrusts a large wad of bills into my hand and then releases me. I thanked him and bolted for the door. ;=3
I'm not easily frightened, but being furhandled by a 90' tall wolf, even in personality, is a humbling experience. :=0
To wrap this up, a lot of furs gave me enough money to cover all my expenses, to which I offer a heartfelt thank you and you're welcome.
The trip back was fully uneventful and I was more than slightly embarrassed when the entire train broke out in 3 cheers for me. Again thank you and you're welcome.
A couple of notes are in order for upcoming CMFM's
quentincoyote had asked about this being a pre-AnthroCon event and a two day affair.
CMFM was held before AC in '01 and '02. There was a very light turnout. It was told to me it was because of not enough money, on fur's part, because of the two events being too close together and too much to do on following weekends.
I think CMFM will stay on the weekend before Memorial Day from now on. I think it's a great way to usher in summer.
As for it becoming a two-day event, which may happen in the future to become "official". Until then, there are plenty of hotels/motels in the area, and there is always Wildwood if you like amusement piers and rides. If you do stay for the weekend, I suggest you stay on one of the mainland hotels/motels, as they are cheaper.
Again, to all those that came to CMFM, it is you that make it happen, and to those that couldn't make it this year, I hope to see you next year! :=3
Very simply, it went well and everyone had fun. :=3
Well, first off I wish I had control of the weather. A bit too damp, chilly and windy for everyone's liking. If the sun had peeked out from the overcast, it would've been a lot better. :=/
CMFM '03 had the largest turnout ever. There were 37 of us at the 4-H train station, but two of our group, the Gneech and Mrs. Gneech, Laurie, had to leave for a prior commitment. TG, I wish I had the RDC there, as I would've introduced you in grand style. :=/
Anyways, my group of furs arrived at around 8:50a and we found a lot of the furs had already shown up. I was told the night before that some furs would probably not show up, due to car problems. :=/
At around 9:10a we started to head to the zoo. While walking down the driveway to the station we intercepted some late arrivals and told them where we were headed.
A small problem occurred as we came to the gate for the bicycle path that heads to the zoo. It was locked in the closed position. If memory serves me correctly, I do believe we had the same problem last year also. :=/
That problem was easily fixed as there is a path that goes around said gate. :=3
We arrived at the main entrance to the zoo, and the lion had to do a muzzle palm. The zoo opens at 10:00a and it is now around 9:30a. Eeep! I had forgotten that small detail.
Now what to do with about 30 furs and a half hour wait? One fur noticed that the gift shop was open. Warmth! Toys! Plushies! Everyone headed to the store and piled in. :=3
The staff was more than happy to see us. They also asked about the group and whether or not we went around visiting all the zoos in the northeast. I explained, in broad terms, as to what the CMFM and the furs were all about. They said it was a neat idea. They also remembered us coming in during July in the previous years.
While waiting, the Gneech and Laurie made contact with us, by phone, and wondered where we were. It seems they had actually had been waiting at the zoo since about 9:10a. :=0
Also a few other furs,
snow_kitty and Maximus, showed up. I'm glad you came.After getting a bit to eat at the snack bar we "invaded" the zoo.
With the weather being on the chilly side, all the animals seemed to be active. Especially active was the tiger. He normally lies in the shade not doing much other than sleeping. On Saturday, he was very active. Even to the point of trying to "mark" a small boy. ;=3
A couple of times as I walked by he hunkered down and pretended he was going to pounce, playfully, on me. He followed me around the perimeter of his enclosure. I don't know if it was my keys, which hang of my belt, or my lion's tail that he was interested in. I kept talking to him like he was my cat Maggie, who does the same thing. Of course when I walked behind some people gathered at the fence, and he went by, there was a smattering of oooh's and ahh's. There were also the comments about the tails furs were wearing also. We had pre-warned the gift shop that they may be flooded with requests for tails, that they don't sell. ;=3
Anyway, 11:30a came up quick and Smrgol and I had to leave to get the Budd Car. I couldn't have it in the morning, due to equipment moves that happened the previous day. :=/
I get to the office, and found out that before I could use the car oil had to be added to one engine. This lion started pacing in his mind. I'm already late for a 12:30p departure at the zoo, and I was going to be later. After adding the oil, getting the necessary paperwork and a fellow CMSL employee we were headed to the zoo at 12:35p.
I must mention a couple of things here. A Budd car weighs "only" 60 tons. That is light by railroad standards. The railroad had not been used since Easter, other than for equipment moves, and it had rained the past couple of days prior to CMFM. This adds up to "rusty rail" conditions. Add in the fact with the soft ground and wind blowing, you have trees down. Rusty rails means that "light" equipment may not set off the grade crossing warning devices properly. You have to approach all grade crossings prepared to stop. This slows down your overall speed noticeably.
We made to the zoo without incident and was welcomed by the larger group as a few more had appeared during my absence. Especially note worthy in the new comers were AnthroCon's own Uncle Kage. :=3
He looked very dapper in his hat, tie and very formal overcoat.
After I got off the train and yelled the traditional "All Aboard" (I just had to :=3 ), I went over and thanked the Gneech's for their attendance. AC isn't that long off, so I'll see them there. :=3
After everyone got on, I went in to the PA booth and may my welcoming comments. A couple of notes here, if I'm in a rush I get tongue-tied. Add in the fact that I do my announcements ad-libbed, you can see how I can mess up and start babbling incoherently. ;=3
I handed the mic over to my assistant, and all around sounding board and great friend, Smrgol the Kirin. Smrgol is a great friend and he helps me out more than he knows.
We headed south with the problems I noted before. Just north of Cold Spring, our final stop, due to me not being able to pass over the Canal Bridge (more on that in a bit), I stopped short of a tree fouling the tracks. I sent the conductor, Dave (of the CMSL), to see if he could move it. I saw he was not going to do so, so I went to help him. To make a long story short, we ended up breaking the branches off of a *green*, as in fully leafed out, tree to get us by. I think there were some amazed muzzles on the train. ;=3
I had to go past Cold Spring and come back, so as to shut of the crossing bell. As I pulled by, the school bus, chartered from "Lion Tours" and labeled for "Lion Student Transportation", pulled in to the station parking lot. Leave it to the lion to get a "furry" school bus. :=3
After we had pulled in to the station and everyone got off, it was a quick matter of shutting down the train, as we would not be back until about 7:15p.
A note about our not being able to use our bridge in to Cape May City, the State requires that an inspection be done before the season starts. Understandable, as it is their bridge. Well, due to scheduling conflicts, the inspection wasn't able to get done till yesterday, Tuesday, 5/20/03. :=/
I found this out on Wednesday (5/14/03) afternoon. This lion leapt into action and chartered the aforementioned bus and the needed permit to actually use the Transportation Center in Cape May City. The latter was a minor miracle as it normally requires a 10-day notice to get one and I got one in less than 3 days. :=0
I will not expect that to happen in the future, so I’ll get a permit, just in case, 3 weeks in advance. Better to be safe than sorry.
We arrived in Cape May without incident and invaded the staid Victorian city. ;=3
As noted above, except for the weather, everyone had a great time. I ended up showing
seso around the city a bit. She is a very interesting, and nice woman. She is also a very, very talented artist. ;=3One thing I will make note of, is if there is a gathering of furs and they are toy stores around, you can find the former in the latter. As
mooncat has noted, the population of plushies and furry puppets declined in Cape may City after we left.At 5:00p we all descended on the Ugly Mug Bar. Fortunately this lion had enough foresight to reserve almost an entire room (7 chairs, 2 tables left) for the CMFM. :=3
Kudos go to the Ugly Mug's staff. Not only did they seat us early, they did their best to feed 35 hungry furs. ;=3
I feel sorry for the other people who were dining in the room with us. Not that we were rude or anything, just loud. Uncle Kage got in to a story telling mood and did so with some "loud" sections. The staff told me later they enjoyed it. They will love to see us come back. ;=3
One thing I will make note of here, Smrgol, on the trip down, had asked for donation to offset my chartering the bus. I normally don't charge anything for the train, as I get it for a minimal charge from the railroad. I had expected to eat the cost of the bus also, but he thought otherwise.
Well, as we were getting up to leave from dinner Uncle Kage bellowed out, "All of you come back in here and sit down!" (I was told by the hostess, on Monday, that the staff stiffened to attention at that command. :=3 ).
I turned around to see what the problem was and was muzzle to muzzle with a large wolf. It seems Uncle Kage was no longer the "cockroach", but now Rouge the 90' tall wolf, in personality. Let me tell you, you do whatever he asks, or says. :=0
He then grabs my arm and says, in full bellow, "You! You come here!" He leads me, who now has the frightened "deer in the headlights" eyes and wondering, "What did I do?", to the center of the dining room.
Uncle Kage, or should I say, "Rouge", then spins me around and says, something to the effect, "This man has shown us a great time. He has also, out of his own pocket, paid for a bus when the state didn't do their inspection on time. Now that you have you wallets out, make sure you give this man some money to pay him back." He then thrusts a large wad of bills into my hand and then releases me. I thanked him and bolted for the door. ;=3
I'm not easily frightened, but being furhandled by a 90' tall wolf, even in personality, is a humbling experience. :=0
To wrap this up, a lot of furs gave me enough money to cover all my expenses, to which I offer a heartfelt thank you and you're welcome.
The trip back was fully uneventful and I was more than slightly embarrassed when the entire train broke out in 3 cheers for me. Again thank you and you're welcome.
A couple of notes are in order for upcoming CMFM's
quentincoyote had asked about this being a pre-AnthroCon event and a two day affair.CMFM was held before AC in '01 and '02. There was a very light turnout. It was told to me it was because of not enough money, on fur's part, because of the two events being too close together and too much to do on following weekends.
I think CMFM will stay on the weekend before Memorial Day from now on. I think it's a great way to usher in summer.
As for it becoming a two-day event, which may happen in the future to become "official". Until then, there are plenty of hotels/motels in the area, and there is always Wildwood if you like amusement piers and rides. If you do stay for the weekend, I suggest you stay on one of the mainland hotels/motels, as they are cheaper.
Again, to all those that came to CMFM, it is you that make it happen, and to those that couldn't make it this year, I hope to see you next year! :=3
