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Merry Christmas!
Posted 10 months agoTo all my friends and followers, I wish you a Merry Christmas and hope Santa brought you what you wanted.
Had a fun year and hope 2025 is even more fun!
2025 will also mark my 10th year of con going, believe it or not. MFF being the exact con that it will be ten years. And I should also hit thirty cons I've gone to as well.
Still haven't confirmed my cons for next year, but I'm surely going to try and hit the ones from last year, possibly one or two more?
Hopefully I will see some of you there!
Had a fun year and hope 2025 is even more fun!
2025 will also mark my 10th year of con going, believe it or not. MFF being the exact con that it will be ten years. And I should also hit thirty cons I've gone to as well.
Still haven't confirmed my cons for next year, but I'm surely going to try and hit the ones from last year, possibly one or two more?
Hopefully I will see some of you there!
"You read the bible, Ringo?" (Also, MFF info/Level up)
Posted 12 months agoI'll do the MFF info first and give the story that inspired that quote from Pulp Fiction for the title.
Yes! I am once again going!
Going to be staying at the Double Tree across from the convention center this year and will be there from the 4th to the 9th.
Now, I also have plans to go up there a few days before and possibly crash with an old friend and do some tourist things. One of which would be to make a trip up to the Illinois Railway Museum. Other than that? Not sure.
But other than that, I will be going out to eat a couple nights. Likely going to China Town Wednesday to get some yummy hotpot. Then Thursday will be the annual trip to Morton Grove to get the best pizza in Chicago, that of which being at Burts Place.
For the rest of the days there, I will likely get something to eat at places in the area.
It also helps I'm a Shiny Sponsor so that means I'll have a few meals I'll be able to eat at the hotel.
That's all I can think about currently for MFF info, but if something changes I will update this journal.
Oh! And if you're going, let me know! We might do something! Be sure to follow my Twitter/X link below to keep up with me when I go.
https://x.com/_BenSaintJames_
As for the level up part, that is just a fancy way to say I had a birthday on the 2nd and am now 31 years young. :B
Now...Onto the news.
Devine intervention is something I do believe in. Although not being the most religious man, I do believe in a higher power. Agnostic I've had people call me, which would be a fair assumption.
The reason this topic comes to mind today is because I got a call from an old friend, one I've had since middle school, last night asking if I would able to be tow a car for him.
This same friend I've probably towed upwards of 12-15 cars for. However this time, the car was his step sons. At the time of the call, he was on the way to pick him up and we decide to get it in the morning.
Morning comes and I get my truck and trailer hooked up. Head out, get diesel, and arrive at the meet up spot. He takes a bit longer than the "scheduled" time but eventually shows up. We hit the road and head to the car which had broken down out of town, roughly 45 minutes away.
All goes well, other than the occasional rain shower, but we eventually drive up to where the car is. Upon doing so, we see a Tennessee state trooper behind it with his lights on. At this point, I'm thinking they're just putting a derelict car sticker on the back glass. However, when we pull up along side, we see the rear drivers quarter, part of the rear driver side door, bumper, and left wheel wheel mangled!
It had been side swiped while sitting there...
Once we pull over and I back up to the front of the car, the trooper greets us and asks if the car is mine or my buddies. Apon letting the trooper know it was my friends steps sons car, he let out a sigh of relief and told us "Man, y'all just made my job a WHOLE lot easier." He then informed us that the car had been hit by a drunk driver that was actually sitting in the back of his squad car.
After getting paper work with him squared away, I start working on the car to get it loaded. Although wrecked, I was still able to get it loaded. As we were loading it, the rollback that had originally been called by the trooper shows up. Being we had the car already though, he took off shortly after.
We get the car strapped down, we bid farewell to the trooper, we hit the road back home.
The trip back to his home was lackluster for the most part. We get to his place, I unstrap the car, and he pulls it off the trailer with his SUV. He then pays me, we shake hands, and I head back home.
Not five minutes after leaving his place, the bottom practically FALLS OUT of the sky. So bad that even at the highest setting on the windshield wipers you can't see anything!
Once I got home though, it had let up to a light drizzle.
"But where does Devine intervention come into this story?" I hear you saying.
Here's how.
After mulling it over today, I can't help but think everything happened at the perfect time.
What would have happened if we went a little earlier? Would we have been loading the car about the time that drunk came by which would have caused not only damage to the car, but my trailer, truck, and possible me or my friend?
What about later? Later the wrecker company would have got it and charged who the hell knows for towing and storage fees.
Not only that, but would have been caught in the torrential downpour.
What about the drunk? What if that trooper hadn't have caught him? Would that have left my friends step son up a river being he has only liability insurance?
I'll let you be the judge on that, I suppose.
Regardless, I just wanted to share that being as it was brooding around in my mind.
Remember, praise the lord and pass the ammunition.
Love peace, chicken grease y'all.
Yes! I am once again going!
Going to be staying at the Double Tree across from the convention center this year and will be there from the 4th to the 9th.
Now, I also have plans to go up there a few days before and possibly crash with an old friend and do some tourist things. One of which would be to make a trip up to the Illinois Railway Museum. Other than that? Not sure.
But other than that, I will be going out to eat a couple nights. Likely going to China Town Wednesday to get some yummy hotpot. Then Thursday will be the annual trip to Morton Grove to get the best pizza in Chicago, that of which being at Burts Place.
For the rest of the days there, I will likely get something to eat at places in the area.
It also helps I'm a Shiny Sponsor so that means I'll have a few meals I'll be able to eat at the hotel.
That's all I can think about currently for MFF info, but if something changes I will update this journal.
Oh! And if you're going, let me know! We might do something! Be sure to follow my Twitter/X link below to keep up with me when I go.
https://x.com/_BenSaintJames_
As for the level up part, that is just a fancy way to say I had a birthday on the 2nd and am now 31 years young. :B
Now...Onto the news.
Devine intervention is something I do believe in. Although not being the most religious man, I do believe in a higher power. Agnostic I've had people call me, which would be a fair assumption.
The reason this topic comes to mind today is because I got a call from an old friend, one I've had since middle school, last night asking if I would able to be tow a car for him.
This same friend I've probably towed upwards of 12-15 cars for. However this time, the car was his step sons. At the time of the call, he was on the way to pick him up and we decide to get it in the morning.
Morning comes and I get my truck and trailer hooked up. Head out, get diesel, and arrive at the meet up spot. He takes a bit longer than the "scheduled" time but eventually shows up. We hit the road and head to the car which had broken down out of town, roughly 45 minutes away.
All goes well, other than the occasional rain shower, but we eventually drive up to where the car is. Upon doing so, we see a Tennessee state trooper behind it with his lights on. At this point, I'm thinking they're just putting a derelict car sticker on the back glass. However, when we pull up along side, we see the rear drivers quarter, part of the rear driver side door, bumper, and left wheel wheel mangled!
It had been side swiped while sitting there...
Once we pull over and I back up to the front of the car, the trooper greets us and asks if the car is mine or my buddies. Apon letting the trooper know it was my friends steps sons car, he let out a sigh of relief and told us "Man, y'all just made my job a WHOLE lot easier." He then informed us that the car had been hit by a drunk driver that was actually sitting in the back of his squad car.
After getting paper work with him squared away, I start working on the car to get it loaded. Although wrecked, I was still able to get it loaded. As we were loading it, the rollback that had originally been called by the trooper shows up. Being we had the car already though, he took off shortly after.
We get the car strapped down, we bid farewell to the trooper, we hit the road back home.
The trip back to his home was lackluster for the most part. We get to his place, I unstrap the car, and he pulls it off the trailer with his SUV. He then pays me, we shake hands, and I head back home.
Not five minutes after leaving his place, the bottom practically FALLS OUT of the sky. So bad that even at the highest setting on the windshield wipers you can't see anything!
Once I got home though, it had let up to a light drizzle.
"But where does Devine intervention come into this story?" I hear you saying.
Here's how.
After mulling it over today, I can't help but think everything happened at the perfect time.
What would have happened if we went a little earlier? Would we have been loading the car about the time that drunk came by which would have caused not only damage to the car, but my trailer, truck, and possible me or my friend?
What about later? Later the wrecker company would have got it and charged who the hell knows for towing and storage fees.
Not only that, but would have been caught in the torrential downpour.
What about the drunk? What if that trooper hadn't have caught him? Would that have left my friends step son up a river being he has only liability insurance?
I'll let you be the judge on that, I suppose.
Regardless, I just wanted to share that being as it was brooding around in my mind.
Remember, praise the lord and pass the ammunition.
Love peace, chicken grease y'all.
MFM 24
Posted a year agoI'm going!
Anyone who follow me going? Hope to see a lot of familiar faces and possible some new ones!
Anyone who follow me going? Hope to see a lot of familiar faces and possible some new ones!
Am at GFM!
Posted a year agoI knew I had forgotten to do something before I left, and it just hit me what it was.
A journal!
So yeah, I'm at GFM if anyone wants to hangout, share a drink, maybe smoke a cigar.
Would like to meet some new peeps!
A journal!
So yeah, I'm at GFM if anyone wants to hangout, share a drink, maybe smoke a cigar.
Would like to meet some new peeps!
2023 MFF in review.
Posted 2 years agoIt was fun!
Only two things cast a shadow on my parade the whole weekend. One of which being that my Twitter was suspended, as *right hook* per *left hook* my *jab* last *kick* journal *leg sweep.*
I tried appealing the suspension but have yet to hear anything back. And being as I don't think it normally takes more than a week for an account to be reviewed I just went ahead and made a new one, along side a Blue Sky account that my buddy
chompa gave to me a code to use while we were eating at Burts Place Wednesday night.
I'll link those below.
Blue Sky ---> https://bsky.app/profile/bensaintjames.bsky.social
New Twitter --> https://twitter.com/_BenSaintJames_
Second thing that was rather somber was the fact that no longer was the happy times at Hofbrauhaus to be had. Which sucks so much being as I had many new friends I would have loved to take there!
I wish I could win the lottery or just like...come into a massive sum of money so I could buy that place and put Hofbrauhaus back in there...
Alas...I forged on.
But yes, many new friends were made, hung out with a few old ones, and talked to a few artists and dealers.
Got a new Gideon sketch I need to scan and upload at some point...probably when I get all my stuff together for an art dump.
Looking forward to next year, as long as the Gateway Dirt Nationals doesn't switch up to taking part the first weekend of December like they have in years past. This year was kind of a perfect storm as in they switched to the dates 14th-16th this December.
Wish I could have met more people! But not having a Twitter kind of hindered keeping up with things...
Regardless! I will do my best to be at GFM next year, then MFM, and MFF.
Hope to see you there!
Only two things cast a shadow on my parade the whole weekend. One of which being that my Twitter was suspended, as *right hook* per *left hook* my *jab* last *kick* journal *leg sweep.*
I tried appealing the suspension but have yet to hear anything back. And being as I don't think it normally takes more than a week for an account to be reviewed I just went ahead and made a new one, along side a Blue Sky account that my buddy
chompa gave to me a code to use while we were eating at Burts Place Wednesday night.I'll link those below.
Blue Sky ---> https://bsky.app/profile/bensaintjames.bsky.social
New Twitter --> https://twitter.com/_BenSaintJames_
Second thing that was rather somber was the fact that no longer was the happy times at Hofbrauhaus to be had. Which sucks so much being as I had many new friends I would have loved to take there!
I wish I could win the lottery or just like...come into a massive sum of money so I could buy that place and put Hofbrauhaus back in there...
Alas...I forged on.
But yes, many new friends were made, hung out with a few old ones, and talked to a few artists and dealers.
Got a new Gideon sketch I need to scan and upload at some point...probably when I get all my stuff together for an art dump.
Looking forward to next year, as long as the Gateway Dirt Nationals doesn't switch up to taking part the first weekend of December like they have in years past. This year was kind of a perfect storm as in they switched to the dates 14th-16th this December.
Wish I could have met more people! But not having a Twitter kind of hindered keeping up with things...
Regardless! I will do my best to be at GFM next year, then MFM, and MFF.
Hope to see you there!
Mid MFF update. (Twitter account suspended)
Posted 2 years agoSo...at the start of the biggest fur con of the year my fucking Twitter got suspended for some reason. All it told me was "we determined your account broke the X rules."
And it's not like I wasn't posting what I do all the time. Memes mostly and my normal Monday posts. Hell, I hadn't even posted lewd stuff in months!!
I appealed this ruling when I found out about it on Wednesday but have yet to hear back from them.
Soooo....I made a Blue Sky! I'll link that below, but if you had me followed on Twitter then please go follow me on there.
Also, spread the word on Twitter if you could. I would but...ya'know, being suspended means you can't post.
Appreciate it!
Blue Sky ---> https://bsky.app/profile/bensaintjames.bsky.social
And it's not like I wasn't posting what I do all the time. Memes mostly and my normal Monday posts. Hell, I hadn't even posted lewd stuff in months!!
I appealed this ruling when I found out about it on Wednesday but have yet to hear back from them.
Soooo....I made a Blue Sky! I'll link that below, but if you had me followed on Twitter then please go follow me on there.
Also, spread the word on Twitter if you could. I would but...ya'know, being suspended means you can't post.
Appreciate it!
Blue Sky ---> https://bsky.app/profile/bensaintjames.bsky.social
"This weekend only, the Hoss's trumpet return to MFF."
Posted 2 years ago"Now ladies and gentlemen, it is a distinct pleasure of the management to present to you the evenings star attraction. Here he is! Back after his exclusive three year year tour of Colorado Springs, Bristol, and a number of other places of interest of the sub continent. Won't you welcome from the west side of Tennessee, the big Hoss of furry fandom infamy. Ben Saint James!!"
That's right!
I will be attending MFF this year after taking a multi year leave of absence!
I wasn't really planning on going this year but had a friend interested in going and decided I'd go too.
Sorry for the last minute heads up, but I've been struggling to keep up with stuff in my personal life, much less FA. x.x
But yes, I will be there baring any unforeseen incidences.
I'll be leaving out early Tuesday and staying till Monday.
Hope to see all you out there!
That's right!
I will be attending MFF this year after taking a multi year leave of absence!
I wasn't really planning on going this year but had a friend interested in going and decided I'd go too.
Sorry for the last minute heads up, but I've been struggling to keep up with stuff in my personal life, much less FA. x.x
But yes, I will be there baring any unforeseen incidences.
I'll be leaving out early Tuesday and staying till Monday.
Hope to see all you out there!
MFM soon!
Posted 2 years agoHoly shit, I didn't know it's been a year since I did a journal. XD
To say I've been busy is an understatement.
I've got a bit of art backlogged and plan to upload at some point, but I just need to find a time to get it all together to do so. x.x
But yes, MFM is in a couple weeks and I will be there!
Remember to bring your tuxedo t-shirts for Dinner with the Dons Saturday and also remember to save your appetite for hibachi on Sunday night!
Hope to see you all there!
To say I've been busy is an understatement.
I've got a bit of art backlogged and plan to upload at some point, but I just need to find a time to get it all together to do so. x.x
But yes, MFM is in a couple weeks and I will be there!
Remember to bring your tuxedo t-shirts for Dinner with the Dons Saturday and also remember to save your appetite for hibachi on Sunday night!
Hope to see you all there!
MFM after action report.
Posted 3 years agoDoing this somewhat in a hurry. Packing because I am actually going to middle TN for an ACTUAL vacation this time with some friends from home rather than a con.
For the most part all things went well.
Got there Wednesday and made a day of wondering around Memphis, primarily the Pyramid. I will say they've done a smashing job on catching up with inventory. Last time I was in there was during the gun and ammo shortage and much like everyone else they had nothing. Although a lot of the stuff they had in there was generic stuff, kind of like an upscaled Walmart gun counter. Most unique thing I saw there was a new Sweet Sixteen Browning. I also ate at the Wahlburgers in there and...it was okay. For all the hype it could have been better.
Thursday was a little more eventful.
yoruzutto and her husband Levi got there and we took a somewhat eventful ride into Memphis and ate Gus's World Famous Chicken just down the road from the Pyramid. Much like any other time I've eaten Gus's it was outstanding. I highly recommend visiting if you are near one. yoruzutto even went to say it ruined chicken anywhere else for her because they have nothing like that up where they live. XD
After we got back to the hotel we got in line for early registration. Once that was wrapped up there wasn't much else to do
Friday mainly consisted of me taking place in the poker tournament. It started late seeing as the person that normally does it wasn't there this year, but the one who was running it managed. Only issue was the poker tournament ran into opening ceremonies. We had to have an intermission so we could go down and take that in. After that, me and a couple other poker players went back up only to find that some players weren't there. Apparently there was a miscommunication because half thought we were supposed to come right back and the other half thought it was an hour later when it was gonna be picked back up. Eventually everyone was wrangled up and we continued. In the end, I came out on top with two pairs of 7's and 4's being the winning hand. First time in four or five tries I had one and I was oh so happy about it.
I was so happy I had
rabbi-tom do me up a piece where Ben was dressed as Doc Holliday from Tombstone at the con.
You can find that here ---> https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48899669/
Saturday was mostly made up of wondering around, taking in a couple panels and getting ready for the Dinner with the Dons that night. Only issue was this year they had scheduled the fursuit parade/menagerie/trunk or treat scheduled for right after the dealers den closed rather than at like...2PM like its been for many years. Needless to say I saw no suiters in the parade. Although, the Dinner with the Dons is s must each year. I feel like its bad luck not to go at this point. But because of the scheduling conflict there wasn't too many that showed. The usual suspects came though, consisting of me, rabbi-tom. 
walt46. 
marmelmm, 
eocostello and some others, in which I don't know their FA.
After getting back from dinner, we skedaddled off to play Cards Against Humanity. Finally got a chance to hand out with
Corrilia once more and have some laughs with her. In fact, the biggest laugh at the table was near the end of the night when she read out my white card for her black card. Fuck I wish I took a picture of it because it was great.
Sunday was the usual of cons. People trying to make the most of it. At closing ceremonies though it was told to us that the con hit a ten year high of 588 attendees and $10,600 raised for the charity. After closing ceremonies, we grouped up and headed over to Osaka for the annual intake of Japanese hibachi. Only problem was all the available hibachi table were taken up. We had to settle for sitting at the normal table and ordering off the menu. Food was still good though, just neat to watch it cooked in front of you. I almost made a mistake though. I hadn't eaten much of anything all day and started in on a couple shots of sake and a couple beers. Wasn't long before I felt its effect catching up to me. The food came out just in time though and I quickly woofed it down. After getting back to the hotel I spent most of the night eating some of the Icee pops, talking to folks I knew or had met over the weekend, and trying to start up a Cards Against Humanity game. Alas, I could not get one going.
Side note. Remember that FFA had under half that for a first year con and raised like...8k from what I remember. Not trying to put MFM down, just throwing that out there for people that were naysaying FFA for "not having a large attendance." MFM is a 20+ year fur con and its average attendance is anywhere between 400-500 people.
Anyway, back the regularly scheduled journal.
I was able to get out Monday just at checkout time. I was going to meet up with yoruzutto and her husband in Memphis at BB Kings restaurant on Beale street but there was some communication errors so I ended up eating alone. Although they had a live band there playing and they played my request for some Blues Brothers tracks so I was happy.
Shortly after I left there I was home.
Now tomorrow after work I will drive down to Alabama to spend the night with a friend and then shoot up to Middle TN to enjoy a weekend of cooking, games, and catching the scenery of the Smokey Mountains with friends I grew up with.
I'll be out of town till Monday so if I'm scarce not only on here but on Twitter, that is why.
Love all your faces.
For the most part all things went well.
Got there Wednesday and made a day of wondering around Memphis, primarily the Pyramid. I will say they've done a smashing job on catching up with inventory. Last time I was in there was during the gun and ammo shortage and much like everyone else they had nothing. Although a lot of the stuff they had in there was generic stuff, kind of like an upscaled Walmart gun counter. Most unique thing I saw there was a new Sweet Sixteen Browning. I also ate at the Wahlburgers in there and...it was okay. For all the hype it could have been better.
Thursday was a little more eventful.
yoruzutto and her husband Levi got there and we took a somewhat eventful ride into Memphis and ate Gus's World Famous Chicken just down the road from the Pyramid. Much like any other time I've eaten Gus's it was outstanding. I highly recommend visiting if you are near one. yoruzutto even went to say it ruined chicken anywhere else for her because they have nothing like that up where they live. XDAfter we got back to the hotel we got in line for early registration. Once that was wrapped up there wasn't much else to do
Friday mainly consisted of me taking place in the poker tournament. It started late seeing as the person that normally does it wasn't there this year, but the one who was running it managed. Only issue was the poker tournament ran into opening ceremonies. We had to have an intermission so we could go down and take that in. After that, me and a couple other poker players went back up only to find that some players weren't there. Apparently there was a miscommunication because half thought we were supposed to come right back and the other half thought it was an hour later when it was gonna be picked back up. Eventually everyone was wrangled up and we continued. In the end, I came out on top with two pairs of 7's and 4's being the winning hand. First time in four or five tries I had one and I was oh so happy about it.
I was so happy I had
rabbi-tom do me up a piece where Ben was dressed as Doc Holliday from Tombstone at the con. You can find that here ---> https://www.furaffinity.net/view/48899669/
Saturday was mostly made up of wondering around, taking in a couple panels and getting ready for the Dinner with the Dons that night. Only issue was this year they had scheduled the fursuit parade/menagerie/trunk or treat scheduled for right after the dealers den closed rather than at like...2PM like its been for many years. Needless to say I saw no suiters in the parade. Although, the Dinner with the Dons is s must each year. I feel like its bad luck not to go at this point. But because of the scheduling conflict there wasn't too many that showed. The usual suspects came though, consisting of me,
rabbi-tom. 
walt46. 
marmelmm, 
eocostello and some others, in which I don't know their FA. After getting back from dinner, we skedaddled off to play Cards Against Humanity. Finally got a chance to hand out with
Corrilia once more and have some laughs with her. In fact, the biggest laugh at the table was near the end of the night when she read out my white card for her black card. Fuck I wish I took a picture of it because it was great.Sunday was the usual of cons. People trying to make the most of it. At closing ceremonies though it was told to us that the con hit a ten year high of 588 attendees and $10,600 raised for the charity. After closing ceremonies, we grouped up and headed over to Osaka for the annual intake of Japanese hibachi. Only problem was all the available hibachi table were taken up. We had to settle for sitting at the normal table and ordering off the menu. Food was still good though, just neat to watch it cooked in front of you. I almost made a mistake though. I hadn't eaten much of anything all day and started in on a couple shots of sake and a couple beers. Wasn't long before I felt its effect catching up to me. The food came out just in time though and I quickly woofed it down. After getting back to the hotel I spent most of the night eating some of the Icee pops, talking to folks I knew or had met over the weekend, and trying to start up a Cards Against Humanity game. Alas, I could not get one going.
Side note. Remember that FFA had under half that for a first year con and raised like...8k from what I remember. Not trying to put MFM down, just throwing that out there for people that were naysaying FFA for "not having a large attendance." MFM is a 20+ year fur con and its average attendance is anywhere between 400-500 people.
Anyway, back the regularly scheduled journal.
I was able to get out Monday just at checkout time. I was going to meet up with
yoruzutto and her husband in Memphis at BB Kings restaurant on Beale street but there was some communication errors so I ended up eating alone. Although they had a live band there playing and they played my request for some Blues Brothers tracks so I was happy. Shortly after I left there I was home.
Now tomorrow after work I will drive down to Alabama to spend the night with a friend and then shoot up to Middle TN to enjoy a weekend of cooking, games, and catching the scenery of the Smokey Mountains with friends I grew up with.
I'll be out of town till Monday so if I'm scarce not only on here but on Twitter, that is why.
Love all your faces.
Content that isn't art.
Posted 3 years agoI know I had made mention of posting pics of firearms I own in the past, but I was also thinking of maybe posting pics from trips I've taken, not only from vacations but some from cons as well.
I'm not much of a picture taker (unless it something significant) so I won't have a ton, but some I would like to share.
Example, I have pics from when I went to see UP 4014 when it was in St Louis last year. I also went to the St Louis Museum of Transportation the same day. And with saying that you train nerds know what that means, right? Yep, saw two Big Boy's in one day. Along with some other miscellaneous engines and cool stuff.
Another would be the photos I took at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum when I went to IFC one year.
Or perhaps photos I took at Dragonman's museum in Colorado.
Most recently my trip to GFM where I went to the Arch.
I post some of the best pics on my Twitter so those following me there have already seen then, but for a folder to put the majority of them I think I would like to start putting them here.
Now I know the gunner furs out there are probably wondering (all three of you that follow me) where the firearm pictures are. Well, I haven't gotten to that point in posting them yet. I do on occasion post some of my recent purchases on Twitter but if I'm gonna post them on here I want to do it in a more formal format. As in individual pictures and stories about them if there are stories. Although I wouldn't be opposed to posting pictures with multiple firearms but eh.
We'll see as time goes on.
Other than that, how's everybody doing and how've you been enjoying the more recent art posts?
I'm not much of a picture taker (unless it something significant) so I won't have a ton, but some I would like to share.
Example, I have pics from when I went to see UP 4014 when it was in St Louis last year. I also went to the St Louis Museum of Transportation the same day. And with saying that you train nerds know what that means, right? Yep, saw two Big Boy's in one day. Along with some other miscellaneous engines and cool stuff.
Another would be the photos I took at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum when I went to IFC one year.
Or perhaps photos I took at Dragonman's museum in Colorado.
Most recently my trip to GFM where I went to the Arch.
I post some of the best pics on my Twitter so those following me there have already seen then, but for a folder to put the majority of them I think I would like to start putting them here.
Now I know the gunner furs out there are probably wondering (all three of you that follow me) where the firearm pictures are. Well, I haven't gotten to that point in posting them yet. I do on occasion post some of my recent purchases on Twitter but if I'm gonna post them on here I want to do it in a more formal format. As in individual pictures and stories about them if there are stories. Although I wouldn't be opposed to posting pictures with multiple firearms but eh.
We'll see as time goes on.
Other than that, how's everybody doing and how've you been enjoying the more recent art posts?
Going to GFM this weekend.
Posted 3 years agoShould have posted this sooner, but oh well.
I plan on getting there Wednesday night and staying till Sunday night, so if you are also going I might just see you there.
Packing at the moment and hope to have everything ready to go by tomorrow night.
I plan on getting there Wednesday night and staying till Sunday night, so if you are also going I might just see you there.
Packing at the moment and hope to have everything ready to go by tomorrow night.
Working laptop, who dis?
Posted 4 years agoThat's right! I got my laptop back and it is working. And many thanks to the friend who got it running for me. I know they'll be reading this so just know I got you.
But yes, now that my computer is working again I will try and upload my backlog of art I've gotten. Just want yalls opinion real quick.
One of the art packs I got has variations of each piece, and there are quite a few because it's a ref sheet. I'd happily upload each and every last one but I don't want to come off as spam, but if you all are ok with it then I will happily do so.
It'll more than likely be next week i get around to it though because I am going to Colorado this week to have fun at Dragonman's shooting machine guns.
Which brings up another point.
How would you all feel about me uploading gun photos? I've been doing it on Twitter, but I would like to share them with all my peeps on here too. Let me know what you all think about that.
Annnnnnd scene.
But yes, now that my computer is working again I will try and upload my backlog of art I've gotten. Just want yalls opinion real quick.
One of the art packs I got has variations of each piece, and there are quite a few because it's a ref sheet. I'd happily upload each and every last one but I don't want to come off as spam, but if you all are ok with it then I will happily do so.
It'll more than likely be next week i get around to it though because I am going to Colorado this week to have fun at Dragonman's shooting machine guns.
Which brings up another point.
How would you all feel about me uploading gun photos? I've been doing it on Twitter, but I would like to share them with all my peeps on here too. Let me know what you all think about that.
Annnnnnd scene.
Will be at MFM.
Posted 4 years agoSorry for the short journal, but not having a PC sucks with trying to keep everyone updated on here. BUT! I should be getting my laptop back soon, so my backlog of art should be uploaded in the coming months.
Also, for anyone else going, be prepared for "Dinner with the Dons" on Saturday.
Here's a link to Jim's journal about it so read that because I hate typing on the phone.
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal...../#cid:58519161
Hope to see you there!
Also, for anyone else going, be prepared for "Dinner with the Dons" on Saturday.
Here's a link to Jim's journal about it so read that because I hate typing on the phone.
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal...../#cid:58519161
Hope to see you there!
Reason for being scarce
Posted 4 years agoSorry I haven't uploaded anything in a while guys. My laptop went out a while back and I haven't gotten it fixed nor gotten another one yet. Using my phone at this moment to write and post this.
Trust me though! I will get another and be back to my occasional art whoring.
Trust me though! I will get another and be back to my occasional art whoring.
Ideas for 2021.
Posted 5 years agoSo, with 2020 done and dusted, lets try and look forward to a better year.
I've already got some stuff on the burners for content coming up, some art mainly that I have in the can but just haven't posted yet. Also, more t come so stay tuned.
A big thing I've been doing (especially the last couple days) is writing. What you ask? Fanfiction of course! Which feels odd seeing as I haven't actually sat down to write since senior year of high school. The closest I've come to that is RP sessions, and those who have RP'd with me know how long winded I can get for a post. The subject of this fanfiction is the universe of Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss, the shows by Vivziepop on YouTube. If you have not seen them, then please go watch the episodes.
Why this universe though? Because believe it or not there is a lot of lore and backstory to things. Kind of like Destiny. But in watching all these lore videos and getting sucked up into the world these characters reside in, I couldn't help but come up with where Ben could fall into that world. And boy, do I have a neat idea. I've got three rough chapters done already, those of which I'm gonna go over a few more times and perhaps ask a few to proof read for me before I post it. That is...IF I post it. Let me know if you all would read such a mess.
Other than art and stories of a fantasy world, I've also been kicking around the idea of posting bits here and there of my ever growing firearm collection. 2020 may not have been a year for going to cons, but in saving that money I spent it on guns. Tell me if you'd like to see that!
Speaking of cons, I did not attend a single fucking one in 2020. Wonderful, ain't it? But, I would like to try and attend one this year, that is if the new commander in chief actually does what he said he'd do in the debates and find a solution for covid. I've made some loose plans to try and make MFM and MFF if they have it this year, so here's to hoping.
I don't really have much else planned or thought out, or at least enough to tell you all about. All I can ask is you all stick around and be entertained by my lack of money management. XD
BONUS!
Here's the pilot for Hazbin Hotel if you haven't seen it yet. If you got time, check Helluva Boss while you're at it. I encourage you too! Vivzie is one of us and needs the support!
I've already got some stuff on the burners for content coming up, some art mainly that I have in the can but just haven't posted yet. Also, more t come so stay tuned.
A big thing I've been doing (especially the last couple days) is writing. What you ask? Fanfiction of course! Which feels odd seeing as I haven't actually sat down to write since senior year of high school. The closest I've come to that is RP sessions, and those who have RP'd with me know how long winded I can get for a post. The subject of this fanfiction is the universe of Hazbin Hotel/Helluva Boss, the shows by Vivziepop on YouTube. If you have not seen them, then please go watch the episodes.
Why this universe though? Because believe it or not there is a lot of lore and backstory to things. Kind of like Destiny. But in watching all these lore videos and getting sucked up into the world these characters reside in, I couldn't help but come up with where Ben could fall into that world. And boy, do I have a neat idea. I've got three rough chapters done already, those of which I'm gonna go over a few more times and perhaps ask a few to proof read for me before I post it. That is...IF I post it. Let me know if you all would read such a mess.
Other than art and stories of a fantasy world, I've also been kicking around the idea of posting bits here and there of my ever growing firearm collection. 2020 may not have been a year for going to cons, but in saving that money I spent it on guns. Tell me if you'd like to see that!
Speaking of cons, I did not attend a single fucking one in 2020. Wonderful, ain't it? But, I would like to try and attend one this year, that is if the new commander in chief actually does what he said he'd do in the debates and find a solution for covid. I've made some loose plans to try and make MFM and MFF if they have it this year, so here's to hoping.
I don't really have much else planned or thought out, or at least enough to tell you all about. All I can ask is you all stick around and be entertained by my lack of money management. XD
BONUS!
Here's the pilot for Hazbin Hotel if you haven't seen it yet. If you got time, check Helluva Boss while you're at it. I encourage you too! Vivzie is one of us and needs the support!
2020 can suck a fat-
Posted 5 years ago-Dingus...
*sigh*
I was really hoping 2020 would be a good year, much like the rest of you all. BUT!...But...This little thing called Covid 19 AKA Corona Virus AKA The Rona AKA fuck 2020 into oblivion took over.
Heard of it? Hope you have.
Every single con I had planned for this year was canceled. GFM, MFM, and the big one...MFF.
I was really hoping I could go to a con this year, but no, 2020 had other plans.
I guess the only good thing to come out of 2020 and no cons is I was able to save some money...or rather use it to spend on other things. Made a few purchases this year so far, a couple new firearms and some ammo, that is before the shortage came. Bought that shit just in time.
I would say I've spent some on commissions but being in my new position at work it's been hard to catch artists open for work. Although I have caught a couple so far this year. I recently a slot with a great artist I love, so hopefully that'll come about in the next couple months.
Speaking of art, I have a question. I have a Gideon sketch I got at MFF last year I've wanted to post, but my scanner sucks at reading pencil sketches. Anyone know a way to make the scan much more clear? Thanks in advance.
Other plans in which I have replaced my cons with is a possible trip to Dragonman's for his yearly machine gun shoot September 19th-20th with some friends of mine. Only thing I'm waiting on to confirm the trip is an event some guys at work are suppose to go to. If that event is canceled because of The Rona then I can go.
Rona has fucked over everything else this year, please god let that be one more thing. But knowing my luck it'll continue as usual...
Fuck...
Also, I'm looking at acquiring something I've wanted for a while now. Gonna be one of the largest steps in my life I've taken so far, so wish me the best.
I hope everyone else's year is going better than mine.
*sigh*
I was really hoping 2020 would be a good year, much like the rest of you all. BUT!...But...This little thing called Covid 19 AKA Corona Virus AKA The Rona AKA fuck 2020 into oblivion took over.
Heard of it? Hope you have.
Every single con I had planned for this year was canceled. GFM, MFM, and the big one...MFF.
I was really hoping I could go to a con this year, but no, 2020 had other plans.
I guess the only good thing to come out of 2020 and no cons is I was able to save some money...or rather use it to spend on other things. Made a few purchases this year so far, a couple new firearms and some ammo, that is before the shortage came. Bought that shit just in time.
I would say I've spent some on commissions but being in my new position at work it's been hard to catch artists open for work. Although I have caught a couple so far this year. I recently a slot with a great artist I love, so hopefully that'll come about in the next couple months.
Speaking of art, I have a question. I have a Gideon sketch I got at MFF last year I've wanted to post, but my scanner sucks at reading pencil sketches. Anyone know a way to make the scan much more clear? Thanks in advance.
Other plans in which I have replaced my cons with is a possible trip to Dragonman's for his yearly machine gun shoot September 19th-20th with some friends of mine. Only thing I'm waiting on to confirm the trip is an event some guys at work are suppose to go to. If that event is canceled because of The Rona then I can go.
Rona has fucked over everything else this year, please god let that be one more thing. But knowing my luck it'll continue as usual...
Fuck...
Also, I'm looking at acquiring something I've wanted for a while now. Gonna be one of the largest steps in my life I've taken so far, so wish me the best.
I hope everyone else's year is going better than mine.
2020 going forward.
Posted 6 years agoHow's it going everyone? Hope you all are doing well.
Thought I'd give you all some updates on where I've been and what I've been up to.
Now for where I've been, I've been home geographically, but busy. Don't know if I've mentioned it in a journal, but I've mentioned it a few times on Twitter about getting a new position at work, one I've been working towards for a little while now and have attempted to obtain a couple times. Up until recently I've been working more in the warehouse/packaging department of my current job, but have been trying to become a salesman. Think Darryl from The Office getting promoted. I think on my third try I made a high enough score on the test (which was primarily automotive/suspension oriented) to get my foot in the door. Seeing as I've been around cars and even went to school for it, it only seems like a natural progression I get the position, but times before I have a feeling had a bit of favoritism to do with it. Not saying I didn't pull some strings myself, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm about a month in now and things seem to be going well, having to learn a lot of ins and outs of the business I didn't know about nor were part of the process seeing as I hadn't been trained in them, like working with the system our company uses to keep inventory, process orders, so on and so forth, which has been one of the major hurtles.
That's been one big thing taking up my time, but also life in general. Between trying to hangout with friends/family to keep a healthy relationship with them, I also still have obligations with the local organization I volunteer for and with, and with recent happenings of more senior members deciding to resign because of health reasons, I've heard talk of other members lobbying for me to take on one of the positions which means even more responsibilities being shoveled onto me. Not much of a leader myself, but as long as someone can give me guidance on what is needed to be done then I'm more than willing to do it, I'm just not sure if that's the way things are or will go. Only time will tell. It's not even really a spot I'd want or volunteer for, but as a member who's been there since he was fifteen years old (am 26 now, so been there over ten years) I feel as though my time to become someone of importance was inevitable.
As for future plans in the fandom, I plan on staying in it, though I'm really considering slowing down on art, as I've already done for the most part as you all might have noticed, in which I do apologize for. Am I gonna stop all together? No, I do plan on still getting art, just...in a more picky manner. This is mainly due to finances and trying to get my money right, seeing as I want to elevate my living situation, in which this new position at work will help tremendously, but, not without proper budgeting. I'm also wanting to get into more automotive projects, like the Ford Ranger I've had sitting in my backyard for...a couple years now? But I'm wanting to put a 2011 or up Mustang GT drive train in and hoon around, preferably autocross, I'd LOVE to be able to do that. Plus, coming from a family that's had a history of racing and a love for cars, it kind of sucks not having one of my own to tinker with or drive. I'd also like to do it as a somewhat project with my father, who I've gotten a lot of my car knowledge of love for motorsports from.
As for cons? I do plan on still attending, but scaling back a tad bit. I've more or less already decided to cut IFC from my roster of regular cons, mainly for personal reasons as to what happened the most previous one. Another reason being it's usually been the weekend before MFM and...doing two cons back to back is a giant pain in the ass. Not to say I didn't like going to them, but it's a mad rush to do one, then get ready for one the next weekend. Maybe at some point I'll go again, but not in the near future. As far as cons I plan on going to, I have requests...and I stress the word request for certain reasons in which I will soon explain, for the days off for GFM, MFM, and MFF. Now why I say request is because the new department I'm apart has some fucky rule about vacation time, one being about not having more than two people in the department being off at the same time, the more senior getting priority than people who aren't. Now I've been at the company for roughly four and a half years so I have a small bit of seniority, but there are guys over there knocking on twelve and thirteen years, so who knows what will happen. The only real dates I have planned I'm worried about is the ones for MFM, mainly because it falls on a holiday weekend.
Now I can't think of anything else at the moment to write that might adhere to this post as far as updating, other than what has already been stated. So to wrap it up I'd like to wish everyone a very happy new, hope you all survived it alright and woke up with little to no hangover. I think this officially marks my tenth real serious year in the fandom so...here's to ten more?
Wait...does that make me a grey muzzle now? :D
Thought I'd give you all some updates on where I've been and what I've been up to.
Now for where I've been, I've been home geographically, but busy. Don't know if I've mentioned it in a journal, but I've mentioned it a few times on Twitter about getting a new position at work, one I've been working towards for a little while now and have attempted to obtain a couple times. Up until recently I've been working more in the warehouse/packaging department of my current job, but have been trying to become a salesman. Think Darryl from The Office getting promoted. I think on my third try I made a high enough score on the test (which was primarily automotive/suspension oriented) to get my foot in the door. Seeing as I've been around cars and even went to school for it, it only seems like a natural progression I get the position, but times before I have a feeling had a bit of favoritism to do with it. Not saying I didn't pull some strings myself, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm about a month in now and things seem to be going well, having to learn a lot of ins and outs of the business I didn't know about nor were part of the process seeing as I hadn't been trained in them, like working with the system our company uses to keep inventory, process orders, so on and so forth, which has been one of the major hurtles.
That's been one big thing taking up my time, but also life in general. Between trying to hangout with friends/family to keep a healthy relationship with them, I also still have obligations with the local organization I volunteer for and with, and with recent happenings of more senior members deciding to resign because of health reasons, I've heard talk of other members lobbying for me to take on one of the positions which means even more responsibilities being shoveled onto me. Not much of a leader myself, but as long as someone can give me guidance on what is needed to be done then I'm more than willing to do it, I'm just not sure if that's the way things are or will go. Only time will tell. It's not even really a spot I'd want or volunteer for, but as a member who's been there since he was fifteen years old (am 26 now, so been there over ten years) I feel as though my time to become someone of importance was inevitable.
As for future plans in the fandom, I plan on staying in it, though I'm really considering slowing down on art, as I've already done for the most part as you all might have noticed, in which I do apologize for. Am I gonna stop all together? No, I do plan on still getting art, just...in a more picky manner. This is mainly due to finances and trying to get my money right, seeing as I want to elevate my living situation, in which this new position at work will help tremendously, but, not without proper budgeting. I'm also wanting to get into more automotive projects, like the Ford Ranger I've had sitting in my backyard for...a couple years now? But I'm wanting to put a 2011 or up Mustang GT drive train in and hoon around, preferably autocross, I'd LOVE to be able to do that. Plus, coming from a family that's had a history of racing and a love for cars, it kind of sucks not having one of my own to tinker with or drive. I'd also like to do it as a somewhat project with my father, who I've gotten a lot of my car knowledge of love for motorsports from.
As for cons? I do plan on still attending, but scaling back a tad bit. I've more or less already decided to cut IFC from my roster of regular cons, mainly for personal reasons as to what happened the most previous one. Another reason being it's usually been the weekend before MFM and...doing two cons back to back is a giant pain in the ass. Not to say I didn't like going to them, but it's a mad rush to do one, then get ready for one the next weekend. Maybe at some point I'll go again, but not in the near future. As far as cons I plan on going to, I have requests...and I stress the word request for certain reasons in which I will soon explain, for the days off for GFM, MFM, and MFF. Now why I say request is because the new department I'm apart has some fucky rule about vacation time, one being about not having more than two people in the department being off at the same time, the more senior getting priority than people who aren't. Now I've been at the company for roughly four and a half years so I have a small bit of seniority, but there are guys over there knocking on twelve and thirteen years, so who knows what will happen. The only real dates I have planned I'm worried about is the ones for MFM, mainly because it falls on a holiday weekend.
Now I can't think of anything else at the moment to write that might adhere to this post as far as updating, other than what has already been stated. So to wrap it up I'd like to wish everyone a very happy new, hope you all survived it alright and woke up with little to no hangover. I think this officially marks my tenth real serious year in the fandom so...here's to ten more?
Wait...does that make me a grey muzzle now? :D
I am at MFF.
Posted 6 years agoWell, in Chicago. MFF doesn't start for a couple more days.
But yeah! Who all is gonna be here? I meant to make a journal earlier but I was busy with work, life, and getting ready to head up here. I only remembered on the drive up that I didn't make a journal so here I am now typing it up in the hotel room.
I'll be around till Monday, so plenty of time to run into one another if you're here.
I'm looking at going to Burt's Place Thursday night and Hofbrau either Friday or Saturday. Depending on what panels I am wanting to attend those days. Other then that I may do some tourist things heading up to Thursday, not sure yet.
So! If you want to follow my time here or get in touch with me easier then I would recommend heading over to my Twitter to do so. I do a lot more up to date updates (or meme making) over there.
Link to it here. ---> https://twitter.com/Ben_Saint_James
But yeah! Who all is gonna be here? I meant to make a journal earlier but I was busy with work, life, and getting ready to head up here. I only remembered on the drive up that I didn't make a journal so here I am now typing it up in the hotel room.
I'll be around till Monday, so plenty of time to run into one another if you're here.
I'm looking at going to Burt's Place Thursday night and Hofbrau either Friday or Saturday. Depending on what panels I am wanting to attend those days. Other then that I may do some tourist things heading up to Thursday, not sure yet.
So! If you want to follow my time here or get in touch with me easier then I would recommend heading over to my Twitter to do so. I do a lot more up to date updates (or meme making) over there.
Link to it here. ---> https://twitter.com/Ben_Saint_James
Another rotation around the sun achieved. Also, MFF?
Posted 6 years agoThat's right, ya boy is a year older!
Well...yesterday that is. I was just too busy yesterday that I didn't make it over here to make a journal or anything. Was volunteering at a cancer benefit on my birthday.
But yeah, I am now the ripe old age of 26, feel 48 or older on the inside, both physically and mentally. God, I can't imagine how I'll feel if and when I get to be 48. @.@
Anyway, yeah, I have plans to head to MFF this year to enjoy another big fur con with many fuzz butts booping around. Almost has a scare which if you follow me on Twitter you know about. But I recently got a new position at work and it deals more with the retail aspect of the place I've worked for (sales basically) and from Black Friday the end of tax time has always been our busiest time, even when I was in the warehouse I knew this. But an email was sent out by our sale manager saying that any vacation time requests between December 3rd and the 25th would be denied due to us being the busiest. Well, I had already had my vacation time in for MFF starting the 3rd. So I went to ask him if I was in the clear, thankfully seeing as I had mine put in before the email I was safe and WOULD retain my vacation time.
So yeah, dodged that bullet.
Who all is going to MFF this year? Sound off!
Well...yesterday that is. I was just too busy yesterday that I didn't make it over here to make a journal or anything. Was volunteering at a cancer benefit on my birthday.
But yeah, I am now the ripe old age of 26, feel 48 or older on the inside, both physically and mentally. God, I can't imagine how I'll feel if and when I get to be 48. @.@
Anyway, yeah, I have plans to head to MFF this year to enjoy another big fur con with many fuzz butts booping around. Almost has a scare which if you follow me on Twitter you know about. But I recently got a new position at work and it deals more with the retail aspect of the place I've worked for (sales basically) and from Black Friday the end of tax time has always been our busiest time, even when I was in the warehouse I knew this. But an email was sent out by our sale manager saying that any vacation time requests between December 3rd and the 25th would be denied due to us being the busiest. Well, I had already had my vacation time in for MFF starting the 3rd. So I went to ask him if I was in the clear, thankfully seeing as I had mine put in before the email I was safe and WOULD retain my vacation time.
So yeah, dodged that bullet.
Who all is going to MFF this year? Sound off!
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. (update/cons soon)
Posted 6 years agoWhat's up guys. Been well? I hope you all have.
I've been...okay. Managing some could say.
Sorry if I've been scarce over the last...well, start of the year more or less. Let's just say I've been...not in a dark place, but more far away place mentally since my buddy Lupine passed. Still coming to grips with that. But if that wasn't enough, someone else that I had done business with on here more than once passed away not too long after, that being
locosaltinc
That, on top of personal things, had me not really be in a real talkative mood, especially with making journals. I meant to make one confirming GFM/after action report from it, but I couldn't bring myself to do it mentally, and somewhat physically. Mainly because I have been busy as fuck.
Busy mainly because I of course been working Monday-Friday with select Saturdays and staying over some regular work days to try and get a little OT. But I've also been getting my ass back in the gym, mainly Monday-Thursday after work for roughly an hour and a half to two hours when I go. After all that, once I get home and shower, I might have an hour or two to play games, then it's lights out till the next morning. And usually Saturday nights I'm working Security at a local wrestling show. So my only free time is Friday night, Saturday morning, and Sunday. Although I gt busy at those times too, like this morning. Went out and moved a car for a friend of mine.
Also, ya'll been liking some of the new art? Finally got my hands on a fucking Naylor piece. Sad part is though, I think I'm gonna slow down on getting commissions now, because I'd really like to start saving for my own home, and art takes a big chunk out of funds that could go to a home. I'd still like to go to cons though, so we'll see how that goes.
But that does bring me to a question about funds. Years I've been opposed to things like Patreon and things that people to to raise money for their art, but, I want to ask you all if I did make one, would you think any less of me or would you be okay with it? I hate asking for a handout but if you all want to see more of the Hoss then it might be a must going forwards.
Con stuff now
IFC and MFM are more or less green to launch. Rooms booked, registered, and vacation time has been set.
If you're going then awesome, wouldn't mind bumping into a couple fans.
And if you're going to MFM then let me invite you to a little thing on Saturday called "Dinner with the Dons" that happens at a local Italian place and has been a tradition for older furs for a number of years now, this year going to be my third.
I'll put a link here describing more of what it is by Rabbi-Tom himself, the one who originally invited me a few years back.
Link here --> http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9238525/
Other than that, hope to hear from you guys and gals either in text form or at the cons coming up. And remember, keep your stick on the ice.
I've been...okay. Managing some could say.
Sorry if I've been scarce over the last...well, start of the year more or less. Let's just say I've been...not in a dark place, but more far away place mentally since my buddy Lupine passed. Still coming to grips with that. But if that wasn't enough, someone else that I had done business with on here more than once passed away not too long after, that being
locosaltinc That, on top of personal things, had me not really be in a real talkative mood, especially with making journals. I meant to make one confirming GFM/after action report from it, but I couldn't bring myself to do it mentally, and somewhat physically. Mainly because I have been busy as fuck.
Busy mainly because I of course been working Monday-Friday with select Saturdays and staying over some regular work days to try and get a little OT. But I've also been getting my ass back in the gym, mainly Monday-Thursday after work for roughly an hour and a half to two hours when I go. After all that, once I get home and shower, I might have an hour or two to play games, then it's lights out till the next morning. And usually Saturday nights I'm working Security at a local wrestling show. So my only free time is Friday night, Saturday morning, and Sunday. Although I gt busy at those times too, like this morning. Went out and moved a car for a friend of mine.
Also, ya'll been liking some of the new art? Finally got my hands on a fucking Naylor piece. Sad part is though, I think I'm gonna slow down on getting commissions now, because I'd really like to start saving for my own home, and art takes a big chunk out of funds that could go to a home. I'd still like to go to cons though, so we'll see how that goes.
But that does bring me to a question about funds. Years I've been opposed to things like Patreon and things that people to to raise money for their art, but, I want to ask you all if I did make one, would you think any less of me or would you be okay with it? I hate asking for a handout but if you all want to see more of the Hoss then it might be a must going forwards.
Con stuff now
IFC and MFM are more or less green to launch. Rooms booked, registered, and vacation time has been set.
If you're going then awesome, wouldn't mind bumping into a couple fans.
And if you're going to MFM then let me invite you to a little thing on Saturday called "Dinner with the Dons" that happens at a local Italian place and has been a tradition for older furs for a number of years now, this year going to be my third.
I'll put a link here describing more of what it is by Rabbi-Tom himself, the one who originally invited me a few years back.
Link here --> http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9238525/
Other than that, hope to hear from you guys and gals either in text form or at the cons coming up. And remember, keep your stick on the ice.
I lost a great friend in the fandom.
Posted 7 years agoNow, as everyone knows I attend cons, and at these cons I meet great people. These great people that I make strong bonds with become some of my closest people, both in and out of the fandom.
One of those people was Lupine Werewolf, a man I met at MFF 2016 at the bar. I forget how we started talking, I think it may of been he commented on my lanyard, that of which if none of you have seen is quite extensive, having multiple badges on it. I think at that time I had probably...twelve? Regardless, he said it reminded him of someone in the military that had rows of ribbons and medals. Now, being a kid that was in JROTC in high school with quite the collection of ribbons on my uniform, it made me feel good for someone to say that.
Throughout that night, and the rest of the weekend, me and him sat and talked extensively. Me drinking on my Miller lights and him on his Jack Daniels and Heineken. Now what we talked about ranged from con going, cars, technology, the universe, everything. Not to mention that MFF 2016 was his first con.
You see, Lupine lived in Pennsylvania, and it was only after that most recent at the time AC that he had really found out about the fandom. So he did some research and found MFF, that of which he made plans for and went to. That's where I happen to find him that night of his first fur con.
Funny thing was, as a first timer he already had a partial suit. If you hadn't met Lupine, he was...well, a werewolf of course. It consisted of a head and paws, but his own little touch that stood out, much like my lanyard, was his chain. Now, when I say chain I don't mean a gold chain you'd pick up at a jewelry store, I'm talking about a steel chain you'd use to strap down things if you didn't want them to move. And not just a couple links, his chain was easily five feet long and connected to a large dog collar.
Sad thing is, he got a new suit which had light up eyes that I never got to see him wear, or to my knowledge never saw him wear.
MFF 2017 was more in the same, but this time he brought his girlfriend, the lady he would go on to marry. We hung out and had a ball, even adding to the ranks of our bar fun at MFF with the addition of Mr. Mark, or as some of you might know as the man from MFF 2015's charity Save a Vet that poured his life story out on stage at closing events. Not only him, but my buddy Salem, all of which we had fun hanging out and enjoying the con.
Little did I know that MFF 2017 would be the last time I'd see him alive. 2018's MFF he had to sit out, seeing as he had gotten a new job and had no vacation at the time. His wife and another friend of there's, Icy, joined me, Salem, and Erika the Zebra for much of the festivities of the con. Panels, visiting, eating out, and having a blast, the whole time wishing Lupine could be there. Even throughout the con we'd touch base with him, tell him what he was missing and what we'd be doing next year.
News broke to me on Twitter though through a friend of both of us that he sadly had passed away a couple nights ago. To what, I'm not at liberty to say, for that's something private. Though I did call his wife to ask if the news was true, and hurtfully it was.
To say I shed a tear would be an understatement. I wept...short of breaking out into a bawling mess. But this reminded me of the few times I've cried in roughly the last fourteen years.
You see, in 2004 I lost my mother, and that...that was the single worse loss in my life...and I cried enough when I heard of her death to last a life time. To say it hardened me is accurate, not many things emotionally have scarred me like that. The only other time I've wept opening was the death of the Director for a local volunteer organization I'm affiliated with. It was grave side when they did his final call over the radio I could not hold it in any longer and ended up weeping uncontrollably.
Lupine was like a brother to me, and someone I cared for more than some family of mine. I was really hoping to go visit him and hangout at his new place in Arkansas, that of which was right across the river from me more or less. Though it seems that'll never happen now.
In a world, and more importantly a fandom that has so many introverts and shy folks, he was defiantly an outcast, but in a good way. Lupine never met a stranger and would talk anyone that'd listen to him. I liked to refer to him as a reincarnated Chris Farley. Big and loud and could make anyone laugh. Sad it seems his life was ended so early much like Chris Farley's.
I hope someday to see him again, my friend Lupine. For as good of friends we were, we hung out not nearly enough...talked a lot on the phone, but just never seemed to sync up with places we were going to be.
I'll make sure to drink some Jack and Heineken for ya at the next con big guy, although it won't be the same without you there.
He didn't have an FA to my knowledge, but here's a link to his Twitter.
https://twitter.com/RaymondRatayski?lang=en
One of those people was Lupine Werewolf, a man I met at MFF 2016 at the bar. I forget how we started talking, I think it may of been he commented on my lanyard, that of which if none of you have seen is quite extensive, having multiple badges on it. I think at that time I had probably...twelve? Regardless, he said it reminded him of someone in the military that had rows of ribbons and medals. Now, being a kid that was in JROTC in high school with quite the collection of ribbons on my uniform, it made me feel good for someone to say that.
Throughout that night, and the rest of the weekend, me and him sat and talked extensively. Me drinking on my Miller lights and him on his Jack Daniels and Heineken. Now what we talked about ranged from con going, cars, technology, the universe, everything. Not to mention that MFF 2016 was his first con.
You see, Lupine lived in Pennsylvania, and it was only after that most recent at the time AC that he had really found out about the fandom. So he did some research and found MFF, that of which he made plans for and went to. That's where I happen to find him that night of his first fur con.
Funny thing was, as a first timer he already had a partial suit. If you hadn't met Lupine, he was...well, a werewolf of course. It consisted of a head and paws, but his own little touch that stood out, much like my lanyard, was his chain. Now, when I say chain I don't mean a gold chain you'd pick up at a jewelry store, I'm talking about a steel chain you'd use to strap down things if you didn't want them to move. And not just a couple links, his chain was easily five feet long and connected to a large dog collar.
Sad thing is, he got a new suit which had light up eyes that I never got to see him wear, or to my knowledge never saw him wear.
MFF 2017 was more in the same, but this time he brought his girlfriend, the lady he would go on to marry. We hung out and had a ball, even adding to the ranks of our bar fun at MFF with the addition of Mr. Mark, or as some of you might know as the man from MFF 2015's charity Save a Vet that poured his life story out on stage at closing events. Not only him, but my buddy Salem, all of which we had fun hanging out and enjoying the con.
Little did I know that MFF 2017 would be the last time I'd see him alive. 2018's MFF he had to sit out, seeing as he had gotten a new job and had no vacation at the time. His wife and another friend of there's, Icy, joined me, Salem, and Erika the Zebra for much of the festivities of the con. Panels, visiting, eating out, and having a blast, the whole time wishing Lupine could be there. Even throughout the con we'd touch base with him, tell him what he was missing and what we'd be doing next year.
News broke to me on Twitter though through a friend of both of us that he sadly had passed away a couple nights ago. To what, I'm not at liberty to say, for that's something private. Though I did call his wife to ask if the news was true, and hurtfully it was.
To say I shed a tear would be an understatement. I wept...short of breaking out into a bawling mess. But this reminded me of the few times I've cried in roughly the last fourteen years.
You see, in 2004 I lost my mother, and that...that was the single worse loss in my life...and I cried enough when I heard of her death to last a life time. To say it hardened me is accurate, not many things emotionally have scarred me like that. The only other time I've wept opening was the death of the Director for a local volunteer organization I'm affiliated with. It was grave side when they did his final call over the radio I could not hold it in any longer and ended up weeping uncontrollably.
Lupine was like a brother to me, and someone I cared for more than some family of mine. I was really hoping to go visit him and hangout at his new place in Arkansas, that of which was right across the river from me more or less. Though it seems that'll never happen now.
In a world, and more importantly a fandom that has so many introverts and shy folks, he was defiantly an outcast, but in a good way. Lupine never met a stranger and would talk anyone that'd listen to him. I liked to refer to him as a reincarnated Chris Farley. Big and loud and could make anyone laugh. Sad it seems his life was ended so early much like Chris Farley's.
I hope someday to see him again, my friend Lupine. For as good of friends we were, we hung out not nearly enough...talked a lot on the phone, but just never seemed to sync up with places we were going to be.
I'll make sure to drink some Jack and Heineken for ya at the next con big guy, although it won't be the same without you there.
Rest in peaceRaymond "Lupine Werewolf" Ratayski12/19/1975 - 01/09/2019He didn't have an FA to my knowledge, but here's a link to his Twitter.
https://twitter.com/RaymondRatayski?lang=en
Finished with MFF, ready for GFM.
Posted 7 years agoMan! Finally getting around to putting together a small summary of MFF.
Let's see...Tuesday, I worked, went home, did what little bit of last minute packing I needed to get done then tried to get as much rest as possible. Got up, left the house around 8 ish. Drove an hour to my friend Salem's place and picked him up, then we hit the road for Chicago. Drove through the night, mainly stopping for gas, bathroom breaks, and change drivers at one point. Rolled into Chicago around 4:30 AM and hit the hotel (after fighting traffic, yes, that early in the morning) around 5:30 ish. Asked if our request to turn my king room reservation into a double queen had gone through but it hadn't. So we checked out luggage and went to Denny's for breakfast. Ate, then came back around 6:30. We had planned to just rest in the lobby till they let us in the room (which was suppose to be like noon) but the guy at the desk called me over and told me he had found a double queen for me to stay in and we could go ahead and move on into it. Did that, laid down for a while and got some rest as we waited on
erikathezebra to get to the hotel from their train ride. They got there, we went over to the main hotel and wondered around a bit to see what was going on and decided to go to Crown Plaza where they had a Caddyshack themed restaurant. Ate there, went back to the room, crashed for the night.
That was Wednesday.
Thursday roles around and we get up fairly early, went to Park Tavern and got breakfast, also met up with some friends from previous cons there. After which we went back to the room and got our things together to head over and get in reg line early which...boy, good thing we did. That is after going to the hotel and finding out it was in the convention center, but none the less we went. I think reg opened 4:30 on Thursday and we got there like...2? So needless to say seeing that we were pre registered shiny sponsors we were the first ones in and out of there. Thank god. Later that night after a bit of roaming, me and my group went to Burts Place and enjoyed a great pepperoni and sausage pizza, delicious! And was more or less the night ender other than random roaming.
Friday was when the con started up and went into full swing. Ate breakfast at our hotel (which was Embassy Suites) and headed over to attend certain panels. That night we hit the shiny sponsor reception.
Saturday, we had the sponsors brunch followed later that night with Hofbrauhaus which is fantastic to take in, especially later when the band is in full swing. Everyone in my group loved it!
Sunday was one of those as usual somber days because you know the con is coming to an end, but closing ceremonies pepped us up with our record number of just shy 10,700 attendees and 92k being donated to the charity. Shortly after we go together with rabbi-tom 's group and ended the weekend at Patillos where I had Italian sausage and beef followed by a chocolate eclair shake which was oh so delicious.~
Then...Monday. Woke up, ate breakfast, did our final packing and hit the lobby with it all.Wished Erika off before me and Salem pilled into my Envoy and headed south. Roughly eight hours later I was back home and getting ready for work in the morning.
With that said, I have also made plans for GFM. Registered and made hotel reservations, so I can't wait!
Remember folks, PCD doesn't set in if you have future cons planned! :D
That's how I fend it off at least.
Let's see...Tuesday, I worked, went home, did what little bit of last minute packing I needed to get done then tried to get as much rest as possible. Got up, left the house around 8 ish. Drove an hour to my friend Salem's place and picked him up, then we hit the road for Chicago. Drove through the night, mainly stopping for gas, bathroom breaks, and change drivers at one point. Rolled into Chicago around 4:30 AM and hit the hotel (after fighting traffic, yes, that early in the morning) around 5:30 ish. Asked if our request to turn my king room reservation into a double queen had gone through but it hadn't. So we checked out luggage and went to Denny's for breakfast. Ate, then came back around 6:30. We had planned to just rest in the lobby till they let us in the room (which was suppose to be like noon) but the guy at the desk called me over and told me he had found a double queen for me to stay in and we could go ahead and move on into it. Did that, laid down for a while and got some rest as we waited on
erikathezebra to get to the hotel from their train ride. They got there, we went over to the main hotel and wondered around a bit to see what was going on and decided to go to Crown Plaza where they had a Caddyshack themed restaurant. Ate there, went back to the room, crashed for the night. That was Wednesday.
Thursday roles around and we get up fairly early, went to Park Tavern and got breakfast, also met up with some friends from previous cons there. After which we went back to the room and got our things together to head over and get in reg line early which...boy, good thing we did. That is after going to the hotel and finding out it was in the convention center, but none the less we went. I think reg opened 4:30 on Thursday and we got there like...2? So needless to say seeing that we were pre registered shiny sponsors we were the first ones in and out of there. Thank god. Later that night after a bit of roaming, me and my group went to Burts Place and enjoyed a great pepperoni and sausage pizza, delicious! And was more or less the night ender other than random roaming.
Friday was when the con started up and went into full swing. Ate breakfast at our hotel (which was Embassy Suites) and headed over to attend certain panels. That night we hit the shiny sponsor reception.
Saturday, we had the sponsors brunch followed later that night with Hofbrauhaus which is fantastic to take in, especially later when the band is in full swing. Everyone in my group loved it!
Sunday was one of those as usual somber days because you know the con is coming to an end, but closing ceremonies pepped us up with our record number of just shy 10,700 attendees and 92k being donated to the charity. Shortly after we go together with
rabbi-tom 's group and ended the weekend at Patillos where I had Italian sausage and beef followed by a chocolate eclair shake which was oh so delicious.~Then...Monday. Woke up, ate breakfast, did our final packing and hit the lobby with it all.Wished Erika off before me and Salem pilled into my Envoy and headed south. Roughly eight hours later I was back home and getting ready for work in the morning.
With that said, I have also made plans for GFM. Registered and made hotel reservations, so I can't wait!
Remember folks, PCD doesn't set in if you have future cons planned! :D
That's how I fend it off at least.
MFF 2018 meme.
Posted 7 years agoAnd here we have it! The MFF meme finally!
Where are you staying?
Embassy Suites
Mode of transportation:
Driving
Transportation buddies:
Salem Horseradish
Arrival and Departure:
Hopefully get there early Wednesday, leaving Monday sometime.
Who will you be rooming with?
erikathezebra Salem Horseradish
What level are you Registering as?
Shiny Sponsor.
About Me:
What's your preferred name?
Call me Ben, or Hoss. Either work.
How tall are you?
About 6'0.
What is your gender?
Male
How old are you?
25
Personality Type?
I like to think I'm a happy go lucky person, but I do have a bit of OCD that takes over from time to time.
Friends:
Are you nice?
Yarp.
Are you taken?
Narp.
Are you cliquey?
Not exactly, I mean, I like to hang with a crowd I know, but I can meet new people too.
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
My roomies and a few others I've gotten to know over the years of con going.
What suits will you have?
Nah, but two things I will be wearing the whole time will be a camo like bucket hat with lootcrate pines all over it and a black backpack that has a Vault Boy on it...and more pins.
Can I take a picture of you?
Maybe, you'll have to ask first.
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Sure, I'm down for a hug. But like pictures, alert me first, I don't want to get tackled all of a sudden.
Do you have an artist table?
Narp.
Do you do trades?
Can't.
Do you do free art?
I don't art!
Do you do commissions?
No!...But maybe one day in the future.
Will you be selling anything?
My soul?
Will you be buying any art?
More then likely.
Do you like parties?
Sure, I'm down for a party.
Can I buy you drinks?
I'd rather you give me the money for a drink.
Can I dance with you?
Uhh...I can't dance. (white boy problems)
Where will you be?
I will be partaking in panels, like Whose Lion and anything ran by the same bunch. Other than that I'll be at the bar off and on.
How can I find you?
Hit me up on Twitter or Telegram.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Just say hey.
Can I talk to you?
Fuck yeah, what I'm there to do is meet people.
Can I hang out with you?
Sure, hang with me all you want.
Rules of engagement (physical contact):
Would prefer it to be female.
Can I visit your room?
Gotta ask.
What/where will you be eating?
Me and a few others will be going to Burts Place Thursday. Then throughout the weekend maybe hit up Giordanos and Haufbrau House.
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
If you're buying...lol, nah, it's ok to come with.
Are you doing anything outside of the con?
I'd really like to go to 1060 West Addison.
Will you be at any panels?
Yes.
Will you be performing?
Haha...heh....no.
What’s your goal(s) for the con this year?
Get away from the real world for a minute.
Where are you staying?
Embassy Suites
Mode of transportation:
Driving
Transportation buddies:
Salem Horseradish
Arrival and Departure:
Hopefully get there early Wednesday, leaving Monday sometime.
Who will you be rooming with?
erikathezebra Salem HorseradishWhat level are you Registering as?
Shiny Sponsor.
About Me:
What's your preferred name?
Call me Ben, or Hoss. Either work.
How tall are you?
About 6'0.
What is your gender?
Male
How old are you?
25
Personality Type?
I like to think I'm a happy go lucky person, but I do have a bit of OCD that takes over from time to time.
Friends:
Are you nice?
Yarp.
Are you taken?
Narp.
Are you cliquey?
Not exactly, I mean, I like to hang with a crowd I know, but I can meet new people too.
Who will you hang out with during the convention?
My roomies and a few others I've gotten to know over the years of con going.
What suits will you have?
Nah, but two things I will be wearing the whole time will be a camo like bucket hat with lootcrate pines all over it and a black backpack that has a Vault Boy on it...and more pins.
Can I take a picture of you?
Maybe, you'll have to ask first.
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Sure, I'm down for a hug. But like pictures, alert me first, I don't want to get tackled all of a sudden.
Do you have an artist table?
Narp.
Do you do trades?
Can't.
Do you do free art?
I don't art!
Do you do commissions?
No!...But maybe one day in the future.
Will you be selling anything?
My soul?
Will you be buying any art?
More then likely.
Do you like parties?
Sure, I'm down for a party.
Can I buy you drinks?
I'd rather you give me the money for a drink.
Can I dance with you?
Uhh...I can't dance. (white boy problems)
Where will you be?
I will be partaking in panels, like Whose Lion and anything ran by the same bunch. Other than that I'll be at the bar off and on.
How can I find you?
Hit me up on Twitter or Telegram.
If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Just say hey.
Can I talk to you?
Fuck yeah, what I'm there to do is meet people.
Can I hang out with you?
Sure, hang with me all you want.
Rules of engagement (physical contact):
Would prefer it to be female.
Can I visit your room?
Gotta ask.
What/where will you be eating?
Me and a few others will be going to Burts Place Thursday. Then throughout the weekend maybe hit up Giordanos and Haufbrau House.
Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
If you're buying...lol, nah, it's ok to come with.
Are you doing anything outside of the con?
I'd really like to go to 1060 West Addison.
Will you be at any panels?
Yes.
Will you be performing?
Haha...heh....no.
What’s your goal(s) for the con this year?
Get away from the real world for a minute.
RT Extra Life Stream.
Posted 7 years agoHope everyone else is watching the Rooster Teeth Extra Life stream! Donate to the kids if you are! Remember, many cons revolve around charities, and this one is just as important!
Birthday! And thank you Blizzard!
Posted 7 years agoYeah, so it's my birthday today! I am now a quarter century old, and lord don't I feel like it. x.x
And as an awesome birthday present, Blizzard released a McCree short (finally!) for everyone to enjoy...especially me, being the McCree main I am.
Other than that, Bohemian Rhapsody came out today as well, which I'd love to go see but don;t think I'll be able to squeeze it in, maybe sometime over the weekend though.
Also, I will soon be posting up my MFF meme, got a few more things to finalize with other parties but should have it posted by the 6th.
Anyway, have a great day you all! I'm gonna go enjoy some steak.~
And as an awesome birthday present, Blizzard released a McCree short (finally!) for everyone to enjoy...especially me, being the McCree main I am.
Other than that, Bohemian Rhapsody came out today as well, which I'd love to go see but don;t think I'll be able to squeeze it in, maybe sometime over the weekend though.
Also, I will soon be posting up my MFF meme, got a few more things to finalize with other parties but should have it posted by the 6th.
Anyway, have a great day you all! I'm gonna go enjoy some steak.~
