Well, I've been here for a year now. Heck, I think I even registered late at night too. And for a while I wasn't even sure I wanted to sign up. What finally prompted me was when a series of pics was interupted because one or two had been marked adult, and not being a member I couldn't view that stuff, so I decided "what the heck" and registered, thinking to see all of what FA had to offer.

I've done a hell of a lot more here than I ever thought I would here, or at least started doing it a lot sooner than I'd anticipated. I thought I'd just be a watcher for a lot longer, likely at least a year, but after a while I got inspired to write some short ficitons, starting largely from the world creation of  mochamephooki. Once I read about Mocha's Gelementals and the world they occupied, inspiration struck, and I had to write something. I asked Mocha if I could use his stuff, and he said sure, so I did, and have just kept going. Those characters are still going strong too, and I anticipate will continue to do so, though I may give the three some privacy for a time. They really have developed a life of their own, and it's easy to see the progression of my skill and writing maturity as you read them in order. There've been other sources of inspiration as well, and I found interests I had that I hadn't even known others possessed, such as Vore. Heck, I'd been into it since before I even knew it had a name, just now there's actually an outlet to see it in many different forms, instead of just seeing what pen-and-paper rpg creatures had "swallow whole" or "engulf" abilities. I still even just find it mildly fascinating all the sub-genre fetishes there are, with all the different permutations of them. Even just looking and inflation or vore, there are elements of those two "fetishes" that some people like and some don't, like the distinction of soft and hard vore, and the issue of popping with inflatable characters. It's gotten heated, with some less then mature individuals (AKA trolls) spoiling the mood, but it's an unavoidable part of humanity.

Despite the problems the site has had in the year I've been here (and there have been a few, including the most infamous for me not too long ago, the Admin Account Compromise), and all the "drama" that happens every now and then, I am glad to have become a part of this community. I never thought I'd be a furry, but that was before I really understood what a furry was. It is not, as I had once believed, synonymous with fur suiters. That's just one pocket of the community (and, given the right suit and right circumstances, I may do, as highly unlikely as that is). Heck, I'm not even sure if I truly am a furry. Maybe a "fuzzie" or a "hairy", har har. Then again, maybe I'm even more a true furry than I realize, but it's hard to know when "furry" is a terminolgy that is hard to pin down into a finite definition without creating inappropriate exclusions. Eh, not a topic or debate I really feel like getting into.

I've battled some trolls, met some cool people, have paid for art (from Mocha no less, and worth every penny), and have even done a lit/art trade with which we're mutually satisfied (even if I am still waiting for his part, but he's busy with paying commissions, so I'll just wait my turn). I've commented and critiqued, and to my surprise been genuinly thanked for said critiques, something I don't normally get. Not to sound like I'm tooting my own horn, but it really lifts the spirits when someone comments that they really appreciate a critique and thank you for your thoughts and your time. Such thank-yous do not go unnoticed and are not only appreciated, but to an extent really make my day. I've made levels of personal connections with a few of you, some stemming from the various comments I've left on your works, exchanging notes and talking art and other matters. I've found art, comics, and writing that are just great, diamonds in the rough that I so easily could have missed. And to think, this all started when a furry friend of mine (one who for the longest time I had no idea, but then again most furries aren't the stupid stereotype) noticed my affinity and draw towards werewolves and gnolls, and pointed me to this site. And I am so glad he did.

Anyway, to all of my watchers, to those I watch, and just the plain curious, I'd kinda like to thank you for making my time here so memorable and so worth it. This is just an increadible collection of artists, writers, and even musical composers (having found  foxamoore through an artist I watch, who composes absolutely beautiful and amazing music), and I'm glad to be a part of it.