Well, its been a year or so since I posted anything, and I've finally mostly caught up with trawling my favourites for pictures to upload so... Some notes that are mainly for myself since most wouldn't be interested anyway!

Here's the current status of various things, both with writing and various art pairings:

Trilogy: Still doing the editing of the first book, but my sister finished reading of the third so I'm happy! Got some ideas for another book or two beyond that in that storyline.

Monet x Ai - Despite what is alluded to in a couple of the pieces, Monet and Ai are an exclusive couple. They're my poster babies of lesbian Pride. Anything to the contrary is non-Canon. Ai gawking at Dorian is still funny as a joke pic. There may be AU stuff tho.
Dorian x Calixa - This pairing canonically ended in Christmas last year. However there'll be art this year at least of it since they're a fun pairing. Just officially, it would all be set prior to 2021.
Calixa x Stormy - As per another recent piece, they're canonically back together as Pet and Mistress, separate to any other relationship.
Calixa x Shiya - Cali's not officially Shiya's pet, but she gets to play with her, and work at her club.
Calixa x Sam x Akeashar - Is still canon and a priority, and there'll be at least one or two big pieces before the end of the year that officially happen in 2021
Akeashar x Niut - Is back to being canon, possibly as an Official AU storyline as alluded to in some of the Ake x Niut art being 'the one thats just for her'.
Akeashar x Nila - Thats a thing, yep.
Akeashar x Sassitrixa - Ditto.

Ake really gets around, but it tends to be separate to the Ake x Cali x Sam so it could take place in another time period or an AU entirely. Sam really is the closest to me in personality since her dream situation is being in a happy monogamous relationship. IE. She hasn't paired up with anyone else since she got officially dragged into the Ake x Cali relationship.

For those that aren't aware, HKK has been hospitalised for the last 11 months after something happened to her last October. Her family is opening up a GoFundMe to help with medical bills and the like.

Details can be found in journals over at:

https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9614335/

Or you can go directly go over to the GoFundMe to read about her situation, and donate or share if you're able to.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/md47d-amanda-cox

Wow. Well, ten years and just under 400k words later, I've finished the first drafts of all three books of the Akeashar trilogy.

The story has been floating around in my head for a fair while longer than that, but if I remember correctly I first laid finger to keyboard back around 2009 / 2010 for the first scene.

Its been rather cathartic to get words out, and with various parts influenced by my life and lived experiences, as well as Akeashar's own lived experience (one particular sequence in the first book) and the last week especially has been full of tears, writing the farewell to various characters.

I can say I easily met my New Years resolution of 1k words a day, frequently getting 2k+ on days I was enthusiastic on the train, with only a couple of days being less than 1k words. The breakdown of words per book is:

Book 1 - 137,025
Book 2 - 129,299
Book 3 - 125,298

Each book could be easily expanded on, but that can come later since the next plan is a second pass of Book one before publisher or editor hunting. (Self publishing is a last resort)

But before that, I owe a couple of people a Vampire: The Dark Ages chronicle, since I'd been putting off working on that while I was doing my writing.

So I have reached the Answer to the Question of Life, the Universe and Everything... which as everyone knows is 'What is six times nine'

We had the party on the Sunday, which was fun. It was just me, my sister and nephews for most of it, but I spent the morning making Chica cupcakes, which turned out super cutely, and then we spent the afternoon having pizza and playing FNAF Clue, which everyone enjoyed. Once the nephews had to go back to their father's, the other guest turned up and we played more Clue, watched the Banana Splits movie and the first two episodes of Carnivale. All in all, it was a lot of fun.

My present for myself, besides the game of Clue and all the party stuff that we can hopefully keep using, is a lovely piece of Ake and Cali by Caribou. I really enjoy watching artists work in streams, bringing the ideas to life. That she went with my terrible idea is both hilarious, and sexy.

Played a couple of hours of Dead by Daylight, which my brother who plays it a lot got me. I won some, died some, and got called an expletive for doing something that seemed to make perfect sense to me.
Ah well. It was worth it to get to both survive, and brutally fail with Steve.

That about wraps it up for this year.

Book 3 is current up to 57,716 words. I'm both finding more and less things to write about with it. It'll prove to be bittersweet... but at least with the rate I'm going I'll be done and able to go back and do the second draft of the first book.

Well, I managed to complete my 2019 New Years Resolution which was to knuckle down and finish the first working draft of my second book. The draft has clocked in at 129,233 words (give or take) and I admittingly rushed a few scenes at the end that I'd like to flesh out in the next draft (hopefully when I have a publisher!)

I'm thinking of my 2020 New Years resolution being to get a draft down of the third book. It'll likely be shorter than the first two, since what content I have planned for it is on the smaller size compared to book one and two. Then again, I thought I was on the home stretch of book 2 and then I ended up greatly expanding on what I considered to be final quarter, if that, so that it became closer to one third the story.

After that, it'll be back to the first book and doing the second draft and seeking publishers and going 'Heres book one, book two and three have readable drafts so ready made trilogy!'

I'm wondering what kind of fun the third one will have, since a number of characters will be having their first canon appearances in it, which will happen straight up in the prologue.

Other 2019 news, the big one being that I've bought a house with my sister, which is both exciting and trepeditious and mean I'll need to keep working until I'm 70, unless I become a hit writer or something. That and Australia is burning, coincidentally enough a week after I moved away from the area thats currently having super bad fires.

Also, PSVR is cool. I need to traumatise myself with some more FNAF VR.

I've got a fair bit of artwork to upload at the moment, that I'm totally hiding from! Most of it can be found in various artist's accounts. Along with a couple of newly adopted characters, and halloween art with some lovely supernatural ladies that deserve more attention, there is also Dorian. Dorian has already made a couple of appearances, alongside Mystique and Sam, as well as Ai, and his full design is courtesy of the wonderfully talented Caribou.

So I have a new boi. And while he isn't the new protagonist, deftly dancing along the line of antagonist and supporting character. I'd been looking for a male besides Akeashar due to the surfeit in females, and while Toru is fun, and great as a supporting member (ba-dump-tish) he's not quite in a major role at this point. I suppose when I get to his part in the writing, I'll be more comfortable including him more again.

So, Dorian is generally a replacement of Akeashar to a point in the concept of art to get with various ladies (and those guys that are up for it). I'm in the home stretch-ish of the second Akeashar novel, which is sitting at 104k words as of this morning, and once the third is written I'll have to decide what to do with him. This doesn't change the Cali / Ake / Sam relationship, although I've been a lot more focused on Sam and Cali as of late, and Dorian's had fun with each. But its generally looking at changes.

Of course, I might find that Akeashar decides that nope, he's sticking around.

As for Niah, who has also been absent in art a fair bit lately, given the role shes playing in upcoming stories, she's definitely going to be around in the future. I'm just approaching things with saving her up for those moments.

Well, with the addition of Sam, and the upcoming nuptials of Akeashar and Calixa, I think that particular thread is coming to a close.

Diandra, Niut and Cendrine will be having the last of their demon-side cast added and then their story cycle can be explored. Expect to see two new characters soon, one by my bestie Xider, and another by Jackalope.

Which leaves what is there to explore? The coffeepot group have a comic in progress, and the Kusanagi trilogy is being written (although the second book is taking way too long)

Demon Song, which is my oldest story going on 30 years, finally has a representation artwise with Luthien’s piece of Malarin. I might end up including part of the follow up in Akeashar’s second book depending on feedback on how they’re integrated.

Which leaves what I’m planning now.

Anyone that knows me personally knows I tend to move at least two steps ahead which has had negative impacts in the personal space but can be a lot of fun in the creative world.

There are at least three fresh faces, two of whom already have names.

The first to go up will be Monet Okita, the daughter of at least one obvious character. She’s a fantastic butt kicker and scarred soul.

Second ready character has a design but not yet a name. She’s a snake, or perhaps a serpent (hint hint)

Finally is a rival of Monet, and possibly the most straight up dangerous and cold of the three. Masami Shiki, who is every bit as dangerous as she thinks she is. I’m just waiting on her finalised design.

I’m thinking of tying Neverlast more into the three of their story rather than my original plans, and a way of looking at the world with a new generation born after the end of the Akeashar novels and the new status quo.

Still no male characters unless I move one I’ve been planning into their story rather than Ake, Cali and Sam’s. Oh well! Hopefully folks enjoy the new crew :) I’ll try and start posting them this weekend!

"Now an ongoing series-" GAH! Thats not how you end a mini-series, by having a three month hiatus and leaving things even more up in the air. I liked the series but it should have had an ending!

Deep breath.

So, stepping away from that. (So annoyed)

Canon update! So yes, Akeashar and Calixa are Officially Official. Its been in the cards for a while, since they reconnected. As for Sam? Well, her involvement with the two is going to get far messier. She was the one that really saved the relationship between the two since it had derailed so badly by late last year I couldn't think of a way to salvage it, before she came into the picture and swept everyone off their feet. She fits in so perfectly. I'm really looking forward to her comic debut.

So things with the tiger and various gals are going to tone down, with things mostly focussing on the three. There is going to be more Cali and Sam in the future, since we've had plenty of Ake and Sam. Also, Sam without them!

Theres an introduction to a new male character whose design has yet to be finalised, as well as additions to Niut's world, and Niah's.

Also, huge news in regards to Calixa (beyond the big day which'll be a ways away yet!) which I'll share once its more public than it is now.

I'm also back to playing way too many MMOs again.

So, another year bites the dust and a new one begins. With it, new challenges, new stories and reviewing content over the last year to find what is and isn't working for me.

With the rather large (and occasionally growing) cast, I'm still trying to get new art of various sub characters as well as the main group. On that side, this year has featured new artwork of Tempe, Mirage, Bailong and Xualong by Luthe and Caribou, with the Mirage piece catching some special attention. Also Malarin's first appearance in artwork by Luthe despite having had her as a major character since highschool, which puts her as my oldest surviving character. I've also got an idea of where I can work Tempe into my canon.

One thing that unfortunately isn't working as well is having separate 'alternate' versions of Ake, with one for Niut and one for Cali. I'm finding that the Niut side is being underserviced, both the character, and what she means to me, deserves a lot more. A lot of Niut's traits have come across in characters like Cali so in ways it feels like there is doubling up there. So, I'll spend more time thinking on what to do with Niut, Cendrine and Diandra. I do still have ideas of stories for the three demon gals, even if I'm stuck on the art.

Neverlast is another character that is stuck somewhat. Keeping her separated from the rest of the cast, with whats planned for the Russia arc seems best, but how to bring it into the rest is the rub. I think a large part of the problem with it all is that the writing is still so far behind the characters and scenarios I'm working on now. There are some artists that I definitely want to get art of her and Hel with, its just a case of not having the availability work out. And I'm definitely wanting to get some dark artwork of Svetlana.

The final issue, and the most serious for me in regards to my primary characters, is Stormy. Stormy and Cali's relationship, while hugely fun in concept, when put into practice as a canon event ended up being a real danger of derailing Akeashar and Cali's relationship. Which I'm sure Niut would have no issue with. But as with all intense and passionate relationships, I think its best to have Stormy and Cali step back until I can figure out a way for it to work out for everyone involved.

On a positive note, I've got a new character to introduce, Sam. Not Samantha, just Sam. She's Cali's high school sweetheart, and plays a key role in the background at the time of Ake and Cali's breakup when they were first together. Personality-wise she's an amalgam of characters in fiction and people I know and while theres a particular person she takes inspiration from, she's not intended to be that person. I think she's a more natural fit for being with Cali and Ake, and she brings a nice bit of fire to the characters. Having a character that would stand toe to toe with Ake and the other more physical characters and is grounded is refreshing. There'll be art of her going up later on today! (Fingers crossed)

Sam also fits into a slice of canon that had tentatively involved someone else's character, so that neatly closes off that line. I'm really not having luck getting commissioned comics of any sort done, to the point I've actually had to ask for refunds. I keep hoping tho.

I think I'll definitely need one or two more male characters, for adult art if nothing else. The more serious that Cali and Ake get in the writing concept, the more reluctant I actually am to have either play around (with the exceptions of other members of their intimate group) so... not sure what to do there, since it'd be nice to have a male beside Ake, Souji and Toru.

Writing-wise, I wrote a small skit with the Coffeepot group for Christmas done, although only three people have gotten to read it. It was a fun exercise in getting them out of my head and onto the page, and how they interact and bounce off each other, as well as introducing Sam to the setting. Unfortunately, I ran out of time before writing the most important bits. If I do an expanded version, I'll include the scenes that got trimmed down. But it was good since part of it was how each character perceives Cali and each other. I still want to get a 4-Koma of them going, since I think they'd be wonderful for it.

After hitting all kinds of blockages over the last two years, I'm now at the both the halfway point of the second Akeashar novel, and the trilogy as a whole. In doing so I've committed characters to page who hadn't been before, some of my characters have met their fates, and I've written what I consider one of the most significant scenes in the character's story. As with the first book, I've gone with having a completely original cast, rather than who may have been involved in artwork and RP. I'm a bit lean with how many more scenes will make up the rest of the book, but it'll be fun getting to stretch the guro muscles once more.

Life otherwise is just life. Hoping to get things sorted and settled, been working on some personal things until the weather took a turn for the Stupidly Hot which killed my enthusiasm. Hopefully it cools down enough before the end of my christmas / summer vacation so I can focus on getting back to it.

There will be a special announcement at one point about something when I'm able to make it. I'm hoping it turns out well!

Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year.

Well, it seems that the Coffeepot group is insistent on growing, with the recent addition of Abigail as owner and primary Barrista of the shop. With Cali's secondary theme of BDSM bae, there is another addition I'll be uploading with the Dominatrix Stormy. She'll be in for some more sexy fun shenanigans with subby Cali, and the switch Akeashar. A bit of back and forth conflict and domming.

Work on the second Akeashar-centric novel has really picked up pace the last couple of weeks. I'm up to 29.8k words (with no variants this time around!) This entire section is dedicated to the characters of Yuki and Souji, focusing on what is happening back in Japan while he's kicking around in the US after the events of the first novel. Hopefully there'll be some tugging at the heartstrings! I got a 'Thats really sad!' as feedback for the next to last scene, so I'm curious as to how the end of it goes down.

As it stands, I'm treating it as a story in four Acts,. The first book, and act, introduces the setting and a fair number of the main characters. The second act, which I'm currently working with, introduces a lot of the conflict, while the third act is the darkest hour when everything falls down. The fourth act, being the conclusion, whether its triumphant or tragic. Theres definite Third Act aspects going on, but it really is just going into the major themes and conflicts.

I had been trying to write Akeashar's portion first, but for some reason even tho I've known and planned through it for years, its not playing fair with how its coming along. Ah well. Hopefully getting to write a ghost story turns out to be fun, before everything goes to Hell~!

Well, its been a few months since my last journal update, and I think I've managed to get caught up with most of my art uploads!

Things have been both busy, and not busy. Work has been very worklike, and not terribly interesting.

I've been kinda bouncing between various games, some of which have taken a blunt spoon to my heart, and some good ones too. I've cut down on F2P games, and just poking around at Azur Lane (JP server). Trying to get back into writing, but the impetus is hard to get to. I've got the scenes, the words, the characters all in my head, but getting them out and into writing is proving a frustrating challenge.

Cali's really almost my default sona now, although the story is still long before she gets involved. There are still plenty of other characters to have their moment in the sun. Of course, with this being her particular holiday and month, there'll be some more art of her, but I'm hoping to focus on some of the other characters like Daindra, Temperance and Solus. :)

Not much else to say. If 420 is your holiday, smoke responsibly and don't be a Muppet.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/23344014/

Really!

Well, its the start of a new year, and its a fresh start as well.

Its odd spending New Years without anyone to romantically wish a Happy New Year to. First time in almost 20 years.

So instead, Happy New Years FA! (And it is 2018 here in Oz, so there!)

Its been a year thats travelled pretty quickly. Disturbingly so towards the end.

The new cast of characters are wonderful, and its been fun getting artwork, and coming up with ideas for them all. Theres outstanding art to be done, and some newer ones to get done in the future which will be fun to share!

Cali's really evolved and gained depth as a person. I guess seven years will do that to someone. She's not entirely based off one person, being a form of amalgam. Despite that, she's spoken up and claimed her place as my primary which amuses me no end.

I guess my biggest regret of 2017 was not getting more writing done. I did get to do some artwork which was a fun difference, but I'll mainly leave that up to the professionals. ^~

I've taken care of some issues, faced the past, and found that the way that I'd been feeling about it had been justified. Still, as much as talking helps with some issues, they're sometimes not the only way of taking care of the issues, so I've got a bit of medicated help with that too. It doesn't help all the time, and I still feel down, or helpless at times, but its a step forward.

My resolution for next year? Mmmm. Don't really have one. Just to keep on, as they say, and 'Be Excellent to One Another'

So, doing my good deed for the first time in a few years and doing a 24 hour game-a-thon on November 4th to support children's hospital services out in Nova Scotia. (Theres a few reasons its Canada side beside a certain cutie coming from there)

If anyone is interested in joining in the sponsorship shenanighans, heres the link to my page! Of course, even a few dollars is a help towards helping out a good cause. :)

https://tinyurl.com/y7shkzrz

( I'm totally going to be a zombie by the end of it, since I've been getting 9+ hours sleep while on holidays. q.q )

Its the spookiest of days, for a little while yet! This year has been a bit more subdued, while theres been some spooky art commissioned and some posted, no scary stories this time around. I did watch Happy Death Day and Split and loved both of them! James McAvoy sooooo creepy! And soooo good at inhabiting other personalities.

On a positive note, I got a special prize for a Secret World Legends NPC Look-a-like costume, having Niah dressed up as Ami. :D

This years spooky game is The Evil Within. I swear I'll finish it this year! Just in time for the final RE7 DLCs to come out!

Lots of chocolate and sweets of course o/~

Hope everyone has a great night, and a safe night, and enjoy whatever pursuits you choose.

My friend,  xider has a cutey Halloween YCH with some slots going. Its cheap for the lovely artwork she does, and definitely worth having a look see of!

Check it out here - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/25075930/

I'll be doing updates towards the end of October, lots and lots of art to go up and share, from continuation of romantic trysts, to gooey goodness and a new gal, cosplay and sexiness. Its the season for ghosts and goblins and lots of treats o/~

150 years? Whats that all aboot, eh?

All the !! :D

Well, today is the day, according to my notes on Tapestries at least. 10th June. Akeashar and Niah are finally legal in most jurisdictions. Party time!

Today, 21 years ago (Australian time) while discovering that thing called the internet that was reserved primarily for university students, I stumbled upon furry art archives. Mainly of foxes. Lots and lots of foxes. Exploring around, I found a place called FurryMUCK, and deciding that it'd be fun to do internet roleplay besides with former high school mates, I came up with a character.

I loved wolves, they were my thing. However, i felt like something a bit different, and having had a love for kitties, and a huge crush on Vincent from CBS' Beauty & the Beast, I decided for some reason to create a white tigress. Looking for a name, and not wanting to use my usual feline go to of Lisha (a name I've loved since the Quest for Glory days) I went for another kitty sounding name that was definite not Lisha. Since I had a race in my story called the Khrinar (which were totally not Katta) a 'K' sound found its way into the name. And thinking of names like other Khrinar, I ended up with Akeashar.

And thus, one of the most mis-pronounced names in Furry fandom was born. (For the records, its pronounced Aki-Sha. Silent R is a total killer)

From being active on FurryMUCK, Tapestries and FurToonia, and a few relationships, and visits to the US later, once I started dating in 2002 I somewhat dropped out of the fandom, letting Akeashar mostly fall by the wayside after I stopped playing FFXI in 2005, at least until 2009 when I started helping out in TFF. The whole drama llaming of the fandom was a bit much, and when I came back it was to see things had changed a fair bit, some ways better, some ways stranger. Akeashar was also back as a character, parking my WoW-sona, Iathaine.

Fast forward a few more years, and after divorce I simultaneous went into exile from my US friends, however I was more active at least in the online commissioning art scene, working with writing and commissioning. 2017 hits, and with more life changes, I'm back in the social bubble, picking up the pieces. Akeashar has gone over a lot of changes over the years, from just a gal, to a ninja, to a dragon tiger, to splitting between two siblings and being the heirs to a yokai dynasty, and engaging in slice of life.

Now, the stories that began 21 years ago are finally being written down, I'm back being sociable and attending conventions, Akeashar is happy with his Nimba lady (at which point Niut lays her claim), while the serpent queen Niah is still finding her new place. The cast has expanded exponentially, but everyone has a place and a story that I hope to tell. Good times are here.

I'm at a place and time where I'm just able to be me, doing things for myself and being honest and true to myself, not beholden to other people. The art is what I wish to get, and the stories that I want to tell. What you see is who I am.

So, settle back for hopefully another 21 years. As the song goes, the futures so bright, I gotta wear shades. And remember, as the wisest of men said...

Be excellent to each other.

I've seen a few other people do this one, so why not? :) (Although I got it from Leefuu )

- Name: Timmothy
- Single or taken: Takenish
- Gender: Male
- Birthday: Feb 3rd
- Sign: Aquarius
- Hair color: Dark brown with a lot of white nowdays
- Eye color: Brown
- Height: 5'9"ish
- Are you straight/bisexual/gay?: Bisexual

____________________________________________________________________________
S P E C I F I C S
____________________________________________________________________________

- What kind of shampoo do you use?: Organic Care
- What are you listening to right now?: The sound of traffic outside
- Who is the last person that called you?: My younger sister
- How many buddies are online right now?: Three
____________________________________________________________________________
F A V O U R I T E S
____________________________________________________________________________

- Animal: Cats
- Colour: Pink/Black
- Drink: Orange Juice
- Element: Adamantium!
- Food: Mac N Cheese
- Game: Shin Megami Tensei 3
- Movie: Dragon Knight (Ok, its an OVA)
- Song: Fuck You by Cee Lo Green
- Subjects in school: Art and Drama
- T.V.: Twin Peaks
____________________________________________________________________________
H A V E | Y O U | E V E R
____________________________________________________________________________

- Given anyone a bath?: Yes
- Smoked?: Yep
- Bungee jumped?: Nope
- Made yourself throw up?: Far too often
- Skinny dipped?: Nope
- Ever been in love?: Yes
- Made yourself cry to get out of trouble?: Nope. I save my crying because I am in trouble!
- Pictured your crush naked?: Yep
- Actually seen your crush naked?: Nope
- Cried when someone died?: Yes
- Lied: Yes
- Fallen for your best friend?: Yes
- Used someone?: Yes
- Done something you regret?: Story of my life
____________________________________________________________________________
C U R R E N T
____________________________________________________________________________

- Clothes: PJ top, sweat pants and my dressing gown. (I totally rock the Arthur Dent look)
- Desktop picture: Niah picture by WhiteMantis
- Mood: Neutral
- Pets: None currently, used to have a cat name Aki who was my baby girl.
____________________________________________________________________________
L A S T | P E R S O N
____________________________________________________________________________

- You touched: Probably mum
- Hugged: Mum
- You kissed: My ex-wife
- You IMed: Xider

___________________________________________________________________________
A R E | Y O U
___________________________________________________________________________

- Understanding?: Yes
- Open-minded?: More than I used to be
- Arrogant?: I try not to be
- Insecure?: Insecurity is my middle name!
- Random?: Given the random songs I hum at work... like the oompa loompa song. Yup! (Confuses my friends)
- Hungry?: Not currently
- Smart?: Nope
- Moody?: When I'm alone
- Organized?: Hell no
- Shy?: When first talking to folks, yep, I get over it
- Difficult?: Depends on the subject
- Bored easily?: Varies. Bored when at work, and playing multiplayer, can grind single player for hours
- Entertained easily?: Depends
- Obsessed?: Maybe?
- Lazy?: Fits in with bored easily, low self esteem
- Angry?: Nope, I'm pretty chill. Except with certain video games.
- Happy?: Sometimes. When I talk to my friends, or do stuff with characters
- Hyper?: Rarely. When I Flame On I can be that kinda
- Trusting?: Too much so. Unless you lie to me, in which case theres no trust.

___________________________________________________________________________
R A N D O M
___________________________________________________________________________

- In the morning: I wake up way too early or way too late.
- Love is: Something I've had and lost far too much.
- I dream about: Life, and variants of what life could have been like.
- What do you notice first in the sex you're into: Eyes and hair.
___________________________________________________________________________
W H O
___________________________________________________________________________

- Makes you laugh the most: Friends!
- Makes you smile: Friends
- Gives you a funny feeling when you see him/her: A few people!

___________________________________________________________________________

D O | Y O U | E V E R
___________________________________________________________________________

- Sit on the internet all night waiting for that someone special to IM you?: Yes >_>
- Wish you were a member of the opposite sex?: Not for a long time.
- Wish you were younger?: Yep, especially if I could turn back time... If I could find a way... o/~
- Cry because someone said something to you?: A lot

___________________________________________________________________________
N U M B E R
___________________________________________________________________________

- Of times I have had my heart broken?: A lot
- Of Cd's: Numerous binders
- Of houses lived in: One house, a couple of apartments
- Of scars on my body: Two
- Of bones I've broken: My big toe
- Of car accident you've had: None

Stores

Two artists that I know now have stores!

The first store is an artist I've been a fan of for a long time, and that I really look up to -  kittentits. If you're looking for t-shirts, pillows, hoodies and beach towels with some wicked pictures (I'd love to see them on a Skateboard!) then this will do you! She's planning on putting more up over time, so def one to keep an eye on going forward.

https://8thhaze.threadless.com/

She also has ongoing Artistic Inspiration commissions going on: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8115636/

The second store belongs to another amazing artist with a style all their own,  clue. Her store is filled with little charms, stickers and a t-shirt. Featuring the prettiest of puppies, her store requires a certain amount of preorders for the items to go through. So go for it! I've gotten the burg/butt charm and it is definitely worth it!

http://cluewoof.tictail.com/

I've now finished the first draft of the first novel in the series. I'm pretty happy with how it has come out so far, and the feedback from my reader has been good. I'll be doing a second pass and draft with my reader once she's read the ending of the novel, but with a lot of the content I want to add, it'll require some pretty heavy research.

I'll probably have a lot more fun with the second novel since the main characters will mostly be adults by that point.

The draft weighs in at 134.6k words, although if you count some minor scenes I cut and alternative sequences, it knocks it up to 139.6k words. Theres also some content I wrote that fits in between scenes, but who is counting that!

As much as I struggled with some of the content about 2/3 of the way through, it really was the last 20k words or so that were the hardest. It was a very emotional sequence to write, and even after getting it down, it took me weeks to sit down and write what happened afterwards, just because of the personal impact it all has. I'm not sure if that sequence will make it into print, but I can blame Mercedes Lackey, Melanie Rawn, Anne McCaffrey and Anne Rice for me even getting it down in the first place.

After the grimness of the ending, it'll be nice to do something more light hearted for the start of the second book, and I'm not sure if it will ever get as dark as it did during the ending of the first book.

But thats that. I feel like I've really accomplished something, even with hitting 8k+ words this weekend to get it finished, after my reader told me I needed to finish it this weekend so she could read the rest of the story. :P

So... second pass and draft, then to get some more professionalish editors to read it and find a publisher!

One step at a time. ^^b

Well, I've survived my first Aussie Furry convention and came back home. If I had to describe the experience I'd probably go 'The Same, but Different'. There were lots of things that I'd come to expect from the furry conventions that I'd experienced in the US, back in '01 and '09-11, as well as the various media conventions I've attended over my entire life.

You had panels, a Dealers Den, the Headless Lounge (Which was labelled the Fursuiters Lounge, but everyone just called it the Headless Lounge anyway).

Then there were the differences. They were small, but niggling. No Artist Alley (although a couple of artists decided to set a mini one up for themselves in the main area), there was a 'chillout' area but no consuite (I'd have starved if I was in the same financial boat as I was in '01), and no dedicated AV or Gaming areas.

That was a bit disappointing, partially because I'd been espousing the joys of the Alley to a friend prior to the convention. But I suppose if you're not used to other conventions, you wouldn't notice what was 'missing'. I can't even say its because it was a small con, because it actually seemed to have really good attendance (Although I kept seeing the same dozen or so people all the time! No complaints since most of them were cool) and I'd been to smaller ones which had the lot.

About the only other issue was really scheduling, with the con's 'Day' starting really late (almost noon!) and then winding up really early unless you counted the dance parties (which I don't) and the evening outings. Combined with at least two panels (sometimes three!) all happening to be at the same time, I felt really stretched thin at times, and then thumb twiddling for hours at other times. Hence my going to bed by 8pm most nights.

Thats not to say I didn't have a good time, because I had a great time (traumatic friday night notwithstanding). I just wanted to get the negatives out of the way besides the positives. I guess in my old age getting to bed early was more appealing to me then going dancing (especially since I missed the 'How to Dance' panel due to all my panels coinciding XD)

The panels I attended were good, and it was great getting to see Kyell Gold again. Something serendipitous in him being a guest to the first TFF I went to, and then at my first FurDu!

Met new people, Torvald, Annika and Nikita being the standouts. I got to find out what was happening in Texas since I left from Torvald... from the sounds of it everything was pretty much the same! Funnily enough it struck me after the con that he reminds me a lot of Panther! Except more textile crafty rather than techy crafty.

And of course, got to meet and hang out with Labrynth. My favourite part of the con. :D Was fun just getting to chatter, get coffee and lunch, art jam and wander. Good to get the 'yep! We're friends' vibe when spending time with someone in person that you've gotten to know online. :) Her costume was a perfect kemonomimi Talutah.

Got to see some great fursuits. Lots of Dutch Angel Dragons! (Something new to me since they really happened after I left Texas) Some suits were really awesome, some really cute ones, and I got to see the cutest kitty suit with her chickens! And then there was the inflatable dolphin fursuit! It was really impressive on the Saturday after helping to kinda herd the fursuiters to the beach seeing exactly how many there were (as did the residents and tourists at Surfer's Paradise!) There were lots of happy little kids in the hotel as well as the surrounding area. I felt so sorry for the one little girl that saw the fursuit in the elevator and was so excited and wanted to hop in the elevator except no room, and just the pure heart breaking disappointment was all :(

... now I want a fursuit of Ake, Souji, Calixa or Niah. XD

The beach was great! First time I'd been to one in like 10+ years, and although there were only four of us went, it was a blast, as well as hanging out in the pool afterwards to de-salt and chlorinate. :D Luckily there was beautiful weather for it and the fursuit march and just saved the terrible rain and storms for flying home again. XD

I'll be uploading the art I got at the con over the next few days. There'll be ones done later on that were take homes from a couple of different artists at the con, that I'm really really looking forward to seeing how they turn out. It was great getting to meet and talk with artists outside my usual circles. (First Furry con without any of the Pirates!)

I actually did a lot of art (for me) which makes me happy. :D I'll probably tweak it a bit when I upload it, but it was silly fun. :D I'm proud of bits and pieces of it, especially the Bubble Tea piece!

Hope that everyone else's weekends were good!

I'm the person 15 years older than the average XD

Once I get through this ungodly long same day registration, mission #1 is get a badge!

Watchers that is!

… okay. Doesn’t quite have the same feel as over 9,000. But y’know. At the rate I’m getting there, I’ll hit 9,000 in… uh… 99 years?

Its taken a while, but thank you to all the Watchers, old and new, young and not so young, here for the cute and here for the… well… other stuff!

Heres to more art, more writing, more fun~! o/~ Thanks for coming along for the ride. :)

I'm off to FurDu on Friday, so hopefully I'll get to meet some of the local (Meaning Aussie!) furrs. :)

And its a little over a month until the Big Event~!

… I’m not doing a raffle for the Watchers this time around, just thanking folks. I don’t know if anyone would want me to turn them into a Puppet, which is kind of where my mind is stuck at the moment. :D

That and wanting to 4-Koma Webcomic. So many ideas! So little artistic talent! XD (And I know Labrynth will poke me for saying that, but its all in fun! I'll do my best!)

Hope that everyone else is having a great weekend! I had an amazing week! Even if it involved crashing out after midnight and then getting woken up at 2:30am on 4/21 by one of the house cats and not being able to sleep for 22 hours after. @_@;

So... thank you to the Watchers, Old and New! Its heartening to have so many new Watchers, and for the existing to stick around. Also, I'm glad when people enjoy the art enough to Fave it. So thank you for all the Faves! I try to include links to the artist's posts, just so that its easy for people to tell the artists themselves how much they like the art.

Well, things are winding down for the moment artwise after this week's themed commission artwork. There are a few more pieces to be completed and uploaded, but besides long standing projects, its about time for a change of theme!

By now, I've uploaded most of my retro artwork, but I've still got some to go. Its not as popular as the new art (most of it is from the days when people only worked in traditional media) but getting it up helps ensure that people can still see artwork from artists that are no longer in the community or may never have been posted. (Or easily accessible)

The next big thing coming up is FurDu, on the 5th through 8th of May, which happens to coincide with Ake and Calixa's anniversary. Besides outstanding and planned commissions, I'll see about cycling different themes and groups of characters to get art of them and ensure everyone gets some time. Certain months will get specifically themed art! Halloween'll definitely be fun this year!

In regards to themes, I'll work on cleaning up the gallery folders next week to try and make it less cluttered and more compartmentalized. So if theres certain types of art, they'll be easier to find! Partly needing to break things up because trying to sort the 'every character' folder is driving me up the wall! Why is it so hard to re-order them?!

In regards to content, I'm planning to dial back on the random person sex YCH, and go for more for specific character pairings. So less RNG, and more planning, whether its just my own, or working with other FA folks. But, along with rotating characters and themes, I'll bring back more Slice of Life, some more non-adult kinky art, some action, gore and violence, hopefully some sci fi / fantasy, and supernatural. Also hopefully more cute art! But never fear, for those that are fans primarily of the adult art, there'll still be plenty of pouncing!

Take care!

Typical FA Disclaimer: This post and the art on this account are not for the advertisement or encouragement of recreational drug use. Like totes! You gotta believe me. Man I wish you were there... its all a matter of opinion!

Well, given the date, it's high time for a certain aspect of Calixa's personality to roll out the green carpet, light it up, get the fire blazing and christen the first set of DAW pics. Featuring a certain white tigress (or does it?!), Tassa and then Calixa herself!

For those that hadn't guessed, DAW stands for Drug Advisory Warning. I've decided that I'll handle the art with a thumbnail with a watermark, stick DAW on the end and put it in a folder rated that. It will remain in the main gallery rather than the scraps so that the scraps can continue to be used as a quick place to look for refs.

So if you're offended by the category, please avoid looking in that folder of art, or at those with those thumbnails in the main gallery. You have been warned.

Now that the green hazy elephant in the room has been dealt with, on to Calixa.

Calixa, or Cali for short, as folks who have checked her out know, is a Nimba which is a closed species belonging to the awesomely talented Feralise. They're a hybrid of lynx and Kirin, and are for relationships like a pet, or a mate. She's currently Akeashar's girlfriend.

Separately from the species description, Calixa is a hedonist, loving partying and good times. She and Ake met at a BDSM club, and originally were in a pet/master relationship before they decided to start dating seriously. Also...

Calixa also loves smoking weed. This is a trait that came about due to a wonderful artist I got to know at the time. There was a planned pic set at the time that got placed on hold due to my personal situation then. Now that things are back on track, that aspect of her and Ake's relationship is back and the planned set will be released, bigger and better, and best of all, canon. Her love of the green isn't being treated as a joke, an anvil or propaganda. It's part of (but not the whole of) who she is, and how she loves sharing it with friends and loved ones. She's still the sexy, beautiful, smart, mischevious and fun loving girl she always was, just now everyone else gets to see her private side too.

Due to Cali's attempts to get everyone to smoke with her since her boyfriend is so cool with it, there will be art of various individuals, couples and groups smoking, as part of the Calixa's Weapons of Choice project. Actual postings after this, her long belated first 420 celebration, will happen when the artwork is done rather than waiting for special occasions.

As for Cali and Ake? They're currently in an open relationship and head over heels in love. Whether the pause in their relationship is canon or not, they're stronger together now than they had been in the past.

Niah has given her approval to the couple although she possibly may have been stoned and caught up in frisky Calixa at the time. Any further relationship upgrade between Ake and Cali is waiting for a specific artist's availability. Niut, Neverlast and Eluria are sure to try and get their time before then. (And likely after knowing them!)

Similar to the character information lists I've posted earliar, I've also got an internal list where characters are split into three groups. 420 (those that are happy smoking solo), 420 friendly (those that will smoke but only if others do too) and 420 unfriendly (those that don't smoke at all). Not all of them may be purely recreational, as there's at least one that might for chronic pain. That information is available at specific request for art reasons!

But, enough about that. I'm home, in a good mood and its time to start posting. Hope everyone has a great day today, whether you blaze it or don't. Stay safe and chill! (Of course, the day is pretty much completely over here in Oz :P )

UPDATE:

It's come to my attention that if you're looking at a picture in my gallery you'll see the custom thumbnails with the DAW, but if you're just looking at the profile or the gallery itself you don't see the custom ones. #blameFA