Hey all, I apologize I’ve been very bad at sending out updates and 2018 was pretty hectic. My knee locked up again in January though muscle relaxers helped that time. That same month I started working with a Physical Trainer at the Y after being denied PT and getting inspired by some posts Doug Jones put up on twitter and instagram after his shoulder injury. The workout went very well for me and I stayed at it for a long while till a mix of billing issues and inflammation put me out of the gym a while. I also learned about that time from my neurologist at Duke that I suffered nerve damage in my leg.
Throughout the year I had a lot of triumphs like winning 30 Days of Dinosaurs, finally participating in Inktober, beat last year’s nanowrimo wordcount, was able to buy my mom a special present thanks to ko-fi commissioners and just having draw a month straight three times this year. The botox treatments still seem to be working though I had 3 months where migraines knocked me off my feet; still I managed to draw something those months so I kept to my New Years Resolution.
I also officially started skateboarding. I’m taking it very slow but, I can balance and push pretty well now. Stopping on the other hand… there’s still some work that I’ve got to do. I’m happy and very excited about every attempt or thought about it.
Mattie’s been doing well this year. We took a lot of nice walks at Salem Lake with  BlasterBlurby and Babe. She also did really well at the gym. I just love every day I experience with my golden girl, she’s always making us laugh and she helps make doctors appointments so much less stressful. One of the appointments she was hiding under the chair like a cartoon character hiding from a shot with her butt, just sticking out and another time she was peaking through the chairs over at us watching the procedure and making us all smile. I think she’s enjoying the Duke visits more now that its just the three of us instead of riding with the grandparents where grandma tries to be a panic factory.
The year ended up having a lot of setbacks, we had to cancel most of our Myrtle Beach trips and we didn’t go to any conventions however we did devote a lot of our efforts toward saving for our new home we’ll hopefully be moved into by this time next year. We did manage one meet however and it was great. It was a good group and not many had been to a fur meet before so those of us that had been did our best to make them all feel welcome.

Now that that’s a fair summary of 2018 here’s some exciting changes that have happened this year.
I now have a business name and am in the process of designing a new logo that will go on my new website and business cards. This has been a long time coming and I’m excited to be starting a new level of professionalism in my career path. My knee once again has gotten anniversary syndrome and locked this month, heating pads, epsom salt baths and medication have been my friends. My mom ordered me a nice heating pad/knee brace that’s working wonders in these cooler temps. My pain management doctor also after finding my knee situation rather odd he referred me to their neuroorthopedic specialist I visited this past week. We went over 300 miles this week to Duke and back. Day one was Botox, day 2 was eye center where my doctor told me my vision is for the most part stable and recommended I get some shades that wrap around more to fight off the glare. He also approved me for theatrical contacts so when I start pursuing FX makeups I get to play around with those. The eye center looked so different than the last time I was there and the machinery’d gotten heck of a upgrade. Some of them felt as if I were inside a sci-fi movie. XD
Day 3 was with the orthopedic and he agree’d it was nerve damage and knew exactly what was going on. My knee apparently locks up cause its trying to keep my foot from dragging and thus everything gets aggravated. He gave me my options and I will be going back Monday providing the weather doesn’t get in the way to get an orthotic, then Wednesday I go and get a taste of what Frankenstein’s monster experienced with a EMG test, physical therapy and an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist are also going to be worked in somewhere along the way. Its going to be a busy year and probably a expensive one but, its worth it to finally know what’s going on with my leg and be put on the right track to recover from it. I am back on the walker for a very long while now however so that’ll be fun.
Convention wise the only convention I’m definite of this year is Mad Monster Party in Charlotte next month. I’ve always wanted to go to a horror con and I just could not let this one pass me by. My favorite creature actor Doug Jones is going to be there as well as many cast members from the Halloween franchise among other horror and sci-fi stars it’ll be cool to see around. I’m planning to give to get my mom’s present signed by as many of them as I can including Adrienne Barbaeu. She is one in particular I want to meet and tell thank you for making Halloween(2018) very special for me. I hope to have a little gift made up for her by then as well. I’m so excited to meet her and Doug. I am hoping to have my werewolf Quasi all built and in presentable shape by then unfortunately it is not looking good for my deadline. The nerve issues and migraines have really thrown a wrench into my productivity. I have all the supplies but, I don’t have a DTD yet, I have the build mapped out and have done little things on it throughout the year but, I’m so far behind you’d think I just started. I’m going to try hard but, man I could use help, a miracle or something. I’m staying positive though and I’ll try to work around Duke to get him done. Once I get to the sewing portion I might even pack a needle and thread and work on him there.
I’m distantly hoping to try for FWA this year but, unless commissions go better than they ever have I don’t know if we’ll be able to budget the room since we don’t have any roommate this year but, anything can happen.
My big focus this year however is going to be on art, my health and getting into my new home. We are beyond ready for a new environment where I can succeed rather than the toxic environment I currently reside in.
New Years Resolutions:
-Same as last two years. Strive to complete artwork each month, preferably more but, 3 pieces a month is still a pretty solid point.
-Fix Takeshi’s bodysuit. One of the few resolutions I didn’t succeed at last year. I know what’s wrong now but, fixing it is something I’m still trying to figure out and will probably need some help or a DTD to work the kinks out of. The fur is so stretchy!
-Figure out a logo and design new business cards, become more successful in general
-Improve my ankle/knee, and overall health.
-Get more comfortable on my skateboard. I don’t care if I don’t learn any tricks for a while, just being able to ride around’d be a great start.
-Learn new techniques, for digital art, mixed media, costuming and more. I plan to take a course with the Dick Smith program this year when the time is right.
-Work toward moving out
-Get a DXRacer
-Get an iPad Pro so I can work on the go
-Work toward starting a Youtube channel and Twitch channel.
-Get Takeshi’s special photoshoot done
-Improve my photography
-Fursuit more and learn how to improve my performance

Thank you everyone that’s been around this year and in previous years. I’m so thankful for the friends I have and those that have supported and encouraged me to keep pushing my art to the next level and keep trying new things. Thank you. I appreciate every, like/favorite and comment. Hope you all are having a wonderful year so far. What are some of your plans?