I really hope everyone that had a good view of it was able to take the time to go see it. It's just so amazing how there's a giant rock in space spinning super fast around our bigger rock and every now and then it's able to perfectly block the sun. One group even managed to take pictures of the International Space Station flying right in front of the eclipse as it was happening! My friend in Italy was even able to capture a picture of our last view of Venus this century as the sun rose on his part of the world. All of this is just so cool.

I made a video of my family's experience that has a little timelapse and pictures I took of the eclipse. I hope you guys like it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVfC_fWKMdQ

Here's the video of the ISS going past the sun and moon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lepQoU4oek4

NOT MINE! XD A friend of mine is having her birthday soon and to celebrate she's holding a raffle! Also for this month only she's discounting her commissions, so check this out while you can :D

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8319007/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8319007/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8319007/

Already a quarter of a century old; time sure does fly when you're having fun!
I've learned a lot over the past couple of years and this year is kind of special because I feel like I've finally figured some things out and I'm moving forward. Stress has been lower, productivity has been higher and in general I've been a lot happier.

I hope you're all having a good day today, I know I will be I'm planning on seeing spiderman today and I've got an awesome cake for dessert I'll have to share!

Hey guys, I wanted to let you know that my friend is going to be streaming some Skyrim over at:
www.twitch.tv/themohawklife
I'd be there too, but I'm already halfway to the campsite I'm going to be staying at for the next few days :p I hope you guys get to check it out!

I'm writing this because of what I saw on Amazon.com, but this goes for a lot of sites really. I recently needed to get a flash drive and while I was looking around, some good products had some strangely low ratings. I don't want to get something that's going to break easily so I checked them out to see what was up. Well, something I've noticed, especially among people that need to use a flash drive on a mac or their phone is that they don't understand file systems. They'll plug the flashdrive into their phone and it'll say something along the lines of, "Error can't read" and then plug it into their pc and see that it works just fine. Or they plug it into one thing, see the error and just flat out assume that it's broken.

Well they're not. What's happening is your phone and pc just use two different file systems. Windows uses NTFS, your android uses ext4, and Apple products use APFS. Now this might be pretty confusing, "what does all that mean!?" I hear you ask. Well what it means is depending on the computer you're using, you'll need to format your flash drive to use the appropriate file system, otherwise you'll just get an error. But there is a solution to make it work on multiple devices that all use different file systems; there's one other file system I failed to mention that it's called: FAT. Well sort of, that's an older version, the two we want to use are FAT32 and exFAT (it stands for extendedFAT) these two work on pretty much anything. The only real limit with FAT32 is that you can't have any files larger than 4 gigabytes on the drive (You can have multiple 4gb files, just nothing that's say, 4.1gb, 5gb, etc) the other limit is that you can't make the drive larger than 32gb, but there's ways around that. (http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/wi.....nd-32gb-limit/)

Now I'm not sure, but I think phones might be at the point to where you can use exFAT instead of FAT32 which removes those two issues, but depending on how old your phone is and whether or not all the newer phones use it, your mileage may vary, but use exFAT if you can!

Now you might be asking, "how do I format my flash drive?" Well the process is a bit different depending on the computer you use. I use Windows so I'll list how to do it that way, but if you don't use Windows however there are loads of tutorials all around the web. On Windows though it's super easy.

Before we format the drive, be sure to remove any important files off of it first, because once we do this it will permanently erase all of it's contents.

1. Go to My Computer and you'll see a list of your hard drives. (On Windows 10 this section is labled "This PC"
2. Plug in your flash drive and right click on it.
3. Select Format and a new menu will appear.
4. Ensure that the capacity is at the max setting. (If your drive is 64gb, then it'll appear to be 59gb or close to that, this is normal)
5. Click the File System menu and select the one you want (since I'm formatting mine so it will work on my phone and pc I'm selecting exFAT)
6. Leave the allocation unit size at the default number.
7. Go down to Volume Label and give it a name! (I like to call mine "Virus" so people get scared when I plug it in :p )
8. Select Quick Format and hit Start!

The process should only take a couple seconds and once it's done you've got a drive that should work on pretty much everything.

Again, the reason for all of this was to help you guys in case you've ever been confused or worried that a drive you have is broken. It seems to be a really common issue when I read reviews and it's all simply because people just don't know enough about computers.

Here's some links to articles I referenced in case you want to know more:
https://www.howtogeek.com/73178/wha.....-my-usb-drive/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_File_System
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/.....es-android-use
http://searchexchange.techtarget.co.....location-table

Whew what a trip! I've got lots of pictures and some stories to tell :D I'll be uploading them in the next few days. I'm just currently trying to recover from all the traveling XD

The day is almost here! This Saturday, (the 14th) I'm going to be flying across the ocean to see my good friend  flameoffurious It's been about six months of planning and waiting and it's really finally happening! I'll be there for two weeks so my presence here may vary until I get back, there's going to be lots of food to try, places to see and pictures to take. I'm a little nervous, I've flown a lot in the past, but never actually by myself before, it's usually been with my dad and he's always been the one that did all the things so now it's kind of putting it all on me. But the travelling will be over before I even know it and I'll be in a beautiful country. I'm really excited, only a few days left to go, it's been a while since I've felt this excited for something.

This year has been a rough one in many ways for many people, but we're still here and we still have each other, and for that I am grateful. I hope all of you are able to have a good Christmas, even if you're not able to spend it with family (perhaps that's a good thing :p) I hope you're able to snuggle up in a warm blanket and just enjoy the day, I know I'll probably be doing that and eating lots of chocolate too ;3

As sort of a Christmas present for a friend of mine, I wanted to share an awesome artist with you all.  cybercat is a really sweet and amazing artist. She even has several tutorials on youtube you can watch if you're interested in learning how to draw, they actually helped me a lot back when I was trying to learn. I think you guys might really like her art and I hope you check out her page! (She even has a super adorable dog named Skywalker!)

I wanted to help spread the word and tell you guys about this!  Doebey is trying to sell a bunch of drawings to help raise money for her move coming up in August and she's got a lot of really cool stuff! I've gotten something from her before here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16676935/ and it's still one of my absolute favorite pieces of art, while I tried to show it in all of it's detail there it still doesn't compare to the real thing.

She does wonderful traditional work and if you're interested please go take a look at her original journal: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7692912/

These are the pictures she's trying to sell (they're also linked at the end of that journal, but I wanted to make sure you didn't miss them!) http://www.furaffinity.net/gallery/.....emons-for-sale

Also it's a really cool way to rep your favorite pokemon while you're playing Pokemon GO!

Welp, today I turn 24. This past year really has been pretty great, I've made some new friends, had some awesome opportunities to do things that weren't possible before, and there's still so much to come that I can't wait for.

I hope you're all having a wonderful day <3 :3

Heya all, man it's been a while since I've made a proper journal. I kind of wanted to bring up something that's been bothering me for a while, since the beginning of 2015, I've gained about 40 pounds and I'm pretty sure it's because I left college. Now that most of the stress I've had is gone, I've just gained weight. I'm not sure how or why, but I've been hovering between 195 and 200 for months now. I've tried exercising, but it didn't really work, there was a time I was doing 2 mile walks every day. Recently I've started dieting, still nothing, and now I'm finally getting off my butt and doing both, dieting and exercising.

I'm hoping that I can actually make some progress this time. It's hard, but the best way to break this barrier of laziness is to just start. I like video games so I'm treating it like one. This is a long, hard quest and I'm determined to beat it.

So. Here's the goal. I want to be down to 165-170 pounds before December for MFF, and for when I go to Italy in January. I'm going to update this journal once a week to help track my progress. Posting this in a public place makes me feel accountable, like it's something I have to do, so I'm hoping it helps with keeping myself going. This week is almost over, but I'm going to count it as week 0, starting now there are 34 weeks until MFF, lets see what I can accomplish. Also if this has motivated you, workout with me! Tell me how you're doing each week and if you want I could post your results up here with mine!

Where I'm starting
Week 0 Weight: 195 Waist: 38.5" Exercise: Low Diet: Shaky

Week 1 Weight: 198 Waist: 39" Exercise: Moderate, Low Diet: Good (I haven't gone backwards, I tend to fluctuate between 195/200)
Week 2 Weight: 197 Waist: 39" Exercise: Moderate, last two days were great! Diet: Good!
Week 3 Weight: 195 (guys I've lost a pound! I hit a new low this week of 193 and my weight has been consistently lower overall!) Waist: 39" Exercise: Great, but my shins are hurting from the running :< Diet: Good!
Week 4 Weight: 194 Waist: 39" Exercise: Excellent! I'm playing a lot of vr games and I'm hoping that they really increase the amount of calories I burn. Diet: Good.
Week 5 Weight: 193 Consistently getting lower! Waist: 38.5" Exercise: Kinda off and on, lots of moving in VR Diet: Pretty much the same as always, decent.
Week 6 This one is very late because I just kept forgetting to post. Weight: Was 192 when I checked last week. Waist: 38.75" Exercise: Awful, several things have kept me from exercising the past few days. Diet: Meh
Week 7 Weight: 191 Waist: 38" I swear my pants are getting looser Exercise: None Diet: Meh
Week 8 Weight: 190 Waist: 38" Exercise: None Diet: Not really. Looks like I need to get back in the swing of things before I start gaining weight.
Week 9 Weight: 190 Waist: 38.5" Exercise: None and it's beginning to show. Diet: I've been eating anything I want pretty much and it's also starting to show. I really feel that I'll start seeing my weight increase if I don't get back on track soon.
Week 10 Weight: 190 Waist: 38.5" Exercise: None.
Week 11 Weight: 191 Waist: 38.5" Exercise: Still none.
Week 12 Weight: 190 Waist: 38" Exercise: Slowly getting it started again.
Week 13 Weight: 190 Waist: 38 3/4" Exercise: Stalled
Week 14 Weight: 191 Waist: 38.5" Exercise: Nada Diet: Slowly starting.
Week 15 Weight: 188 Waist: 38.5" Exercise: Still no Diet: Getting there
Week 16 Weight: 189 Waist: not sure Exercise: Nada Diet: Fine

Halfway there!
Week 17 Weight: 189 Waist: still don't know Exercise: Nope Diet: Okay

Week 18 Weight: 186 getting lower! Waist: 38 and a quarter Exercise: Nada Diet: decent!
Week 19 Weight: 186 Waist: 38 1/4 Exercise: Still no Diet: Same as last week, perhaps a little better.
Week 20 Weight: 187 Waist: Not sure Exercise: Zilch Diet: Meh
Week 21 Weight: 189 ouch Waist: Not sure Exercise: Nope Diet: Nope
Week 22
Week 23
Week 24
Week 25
Week 26
Week 27
Week 28
Week 29
Week 30
Week 31
Week 32
Week 33

Finished! I made it!
Week 34

Well almost, it will be on the 21st! My friends and I have been working really hard on our gift for them and I wanted to share it here, I hope you guys like it!

https://youtu.be/KuSkE1H11oM

It was awesome, but not as amazing as I had thought it was going to be.

First of all, I should start off by saying I was using Samsung Gear VR, it's a headset you place your phone into. The games were cool and worked really well. The 3d was perfect, by far the best 3d I've ever seen aside from real life, and by the way this 3d was just as good as real life. I never got headaches or felt sick, honestly my phone was the limiting factor and overheated eventually. Honestly, the thing keeping the Gear VR from being awesome is the screen and games.

It's still a phone so the games aren't too far off from your average phone game, but a few stand out. It's an unfinished game still where you can fly a dragon around. You guide it with the direction you look in and you can do flips, rolls, dives, and fly through rock formations. It's really fun and there were a few times where I felt my stomach drop as if I was on a roller coaster. Another game is a basic rts, you build bases and move your units around the map, but what makes it awesome is that the map is a hologram on a table in front of you, it's as if you're a commander controlling a battle that is many miles away from you. Another experience I really enjoyed was the theater. I was able to sit in my own imax and watch The Martian in 3D, it was really awesome! It really doesn't hit you until you look around, you're sitting in your chair watching a movie and when you look to your side, what do you see? More chairs and an isle leading to the top of the room. It really feels like you're there, and it all has scale, since it's in 3D you can see how big things are and it makes them feel real. You can also watch movies on the moon, in a home theater, in a dark void; and as the size of an ant in blades of grass, watching movies on a gigantic phone, there are even mushrooms growing behind it that look the size of trees.

Now for it's flaws. There is a thing called the "Screen Door Effect" and it's incredibly noticeable. To get the field of view needed to make VR on the phone to work, the lenses have to zoom in on the screen a lot. So much so that you can start to see the spaces in between the pixels. This causes several problems. The first is color, some of them look muddy because there aren't as many pixels to work with to make up the colors you see on the screen. Blurriness is another problem, while you're able to use a wheel to adjust the screen distance, I wasn't able to move it far enough away for my eyes, though my sister and I think parents could and it probably helps with the blurriness, but it's still there. Most things though were pretty darn good, i only really noticed blurriness while watching videos, the theater and games looked pretty sharp. The last thing is a problem I'm not really sure how to explain. It's like the graphics smearing sometimes. Like, if I look to my left or right, a pillar in the background of the room I'm in appears to smear across the screen. But actually I only recall it happening in that one room, so maybe it's just the environment.

The Gear VR, I've heard, is comparable to the Oculus DK2. It's not the best thing ever, but it really gives you an idea of what VR is. My family was deeply impressed by what they saw, and I keep telling them to just wait, because later this year we'll be trying out the first consumer Oculus Rift. And from my understanding, it blows the DK2 and Gear VR out of the water. The screen Door Effect I mentioned is totally gone, higher resolution, and is capable of anything developers can create rather than being limited to a phone. There were moments where I was sitting in my chair and I would look down at my legs, and my mind instantly thought the legs in-game were mine. It's such a weird feeling, but it's incredibly immersing. I can't wait for the Rift to release, I really believe VR is going to be the best thing ever.

I'm incredibly excited, I've been refreshing the order page over and over, hoping I can make it get here quicker XD

First thing I want to say is I've never tried it before. I've heard many stories, almost all of them blow people away, and everyone says it's something you have to try to believe. I've sort of bought into the hype. Still it's hard for me to understand, I keep thinking about how cool it will be, but is it really that good? That's why I'm making this journal, I want to get my pre-vr thoughts out before I experience it so I can look back at this and see just how amazing (or awful) this experience is. I want to find out if this lives up to the hype, I keep reminding myself of the saying, "If it sounds too good to be true..." but honestly, this time I think it's true. I feel like I might be hyping myself up for a gigantic let down, but there are so many people out their, literally almost everyone, that says it's unbelievable.

I've been hearing stories about how it goes beyond immersion, you feel something called "presence" it lasts for only a moment, but in that moment your mind doesn't know what's real, what it sees feels so real you lose track of reality. Yeah I thought it sounded stupid too, and it might not happen to me right away, (the thing I'm getting in the mail is good, but it's not a Oculus Rift or an HTC Vive) but the thing is, that feeling is real.

I really don't know what to expect, well, I expect it to be cool, this will be fun regardless, but will it be more than something I won't care about in a week? I don't know. I want this to be what everyone says it is. I'll make another journal sometime soon, probably tomorrow, and I'll give my thoughts on it.

In case anyone is wondering I'm getting a Samsung Gear VR in the mail tomorrow. I've heard very good things about it, for what it is, it's comparable to the Oculus DK2 which is supposed to already be outstanding. Hopefully when I return I'll be returning with a jaw that needs to be scraped off the floor.

I hope you all have
A Merry little Christmas
That is filled with joy.

*The crowd boos because
Haiku's are lame and overused,
They throw tomatos* XD

Okay fine, I'll stop.
I won't write anymore haiku's
Ever again, I promise.

Last fall was the last time I took a class at my local college. I was going for a Computer Science degree, but the stress, all the time wasted on classes I had no interest in, and all the busywork I had to complete really burned me out. Then last fall I switched to a certificate in computer software and I was so bored because I already knew 90% of what I was being taught. After that I stopped going.

Earlier this year I tried to figure out what I needed to do to go back to school without making me burn out like I had before. I thought maybe I should start slow and ramp up from there. I planned to go back and retake the pre-calculus class I dropped out of the year before last and nothing else. But as time went on I avoided it in my mind. January felt so far away, I didn't have to worry about it yet. Now it's not even a month away. The stress started to build and the mere thought of driving back to school filled me with dread. I knew if I went back I would hate it just as much as I did before. Even going to that side of town filled me with anxiety because it caused me to think about it.

I've always wanted to learn a different way. It really bothered me that the only way to be successful was to go to college, spend tons of money, and be miserable for four years (I know people like college, it just doesn't work for me) The class setting just feels so dull and depressing, I wanted out. I had some great teachers there that really made learning fun, but the overall experience really left a bad taste in my mouth. I considered other ways of learning, but nothing ever really fit how I wanted to do it.

A couple days ago I decided that I wouldn't go back to school. Instead, I'm going to teach myself. I found a site where another person tried this as well. He put a list of 33 classes together from MIT and recreated what an actual student there would take for a Computer Science degree. But instead of taking 4 years to complete the course, he was able to do it in 1. This is how I want to learn too, it seems so perfect. I'll be able to learn absolutely everything, but on my own time and totally for free. Well except for the books, it's about $2,000 for all of them, but after that, there's nothing else I have to pay for. The only catch is that I won't get a degree for this.

No degree is a really huge downside, but I feel like the risk is low. For only $2,000 dollars and (hopefully) just a year of my time I will learn everything I need to know. Once the year is over I'll be able to really start creating, and I'm hoping the things I make will really help me land a job in the field I'm working towards. If not, I can still go to college, but I'm hoping if I do, I'll be able to breeze through it and taking tests that will let me skip most of the classes.

My goal right now is to be done in a year. I know that might not happen, and I'll be perfectly happy if it takes me two instead, but I want to do it in a year. There are 33 classes, and I want to try and complete a class once per week. I'll be pulling 60 hour work weeks to do this. Ideally, if I don't fail a class, (which I will, several times) I could do this in only 33 weeks. The part that gets me excited is being able to tell my friends what I've completed each week. I'll literally be able to say that I completed Single Variable Calculus in only a week. XD

Also I am learning, I'm going to be completing these classes extremely quickly, but I wont just be memorizing things. Each class builds upon the last so I will have to learn and retain the information from each class. Because I wont be getting a degree, I know that I will need proof that I completed each class, I'm hoping the work I do will be enough, but I will also be documenting my progress as I go. I'll be making some journals here and on my own, personal website, along with a video documentary showing my progress through the weeks.

I know this will be extremely difficult, but I've dealt with difficult things before, wishing they would end. The one thing that helps me keep going is knowing that soon it will be over, and I believe that if I decide not to do this, that this time next year I'll be in a worse position than I was a year ago. This is something that I should definitely do, I should give it my best shot, if I fail, I fail, but I'll at least be able to say I tried my best.

I know it's getting a bit late to say it, but happy thanksgiving!

What all did you eat today? I'm super curious~

So apparently I need to update this so here's an update! Yay!

I suppose we can make today AMA Wednesday, so ask me stuff!

Tomorrow I prepare for my trip to the Smokey Mountains and experience NATURE! I'm leaving on Wednesday morning, but I will also be offline Tuesday. There is no internet or cell service up there (which I'm very thankful for, it's nice to disconnect for a while) so I will be totally gone until I get home late on Saturday night.

This is a trip I go on every year with my dad and a few of his friends (this year one of mine is coming too :D) and we just spend several days up in the wilderness surrounded by lovely trees, babbling brooks, chirping birds, and cool mountain air. It usually rains quite a bit which makes things interested, but if we're lucky it wont. Normally we stay in a tent, but this year we've got a little camper to sleep in which will massively help with cleanup at the end of the trip, but I'm hoping it still feels like camping and not cheaty. We'll see!

*Keys exploding as the fly off into the walls*

So these past few days have been ridiculous...

For work I had to build 2 computers, I was given the specs I had to abide by and built them as cheaply as I could (while still getting things I knew would hold up). The key thing here is that I installed them with Windows 7 64bit and Microsoft Office 365 (because they're only being used for 3 months and it's only $99 for 5 copies)

A month later they were finally shipped out across the country for a job, and a couple days later I get a call... I'm told that they prefer Windows 8. I could not understand why they needed this, but needless to say I was annoyed because the spec sheet called for Win 7. Thankfully she was able to install it herself, but without my knowledge she installed it on the other desktop too, so that'll need a proper key in the future as well... So that was a $140 purchase (likely going to be $280) that could have been avoided if they had just told me to do that in the first place.

Then I got a second call. They decided that instead of two desktops they want one of them to be a laptop... Thankfully we had an extra and I was able to send it with Windows 10 and Office 365 all ready to go.

Now a third call. Apparently Office 365 wont cut it and they need Office 2013. Specifically the version that includes Access (365 had access too) I was told they only needed it for one pc so regrettably I told the boss and I was cleared to spend the $350 it cost for Office 2013.

At this point my boss is pretty ticked, not at me, but them, they know I followed the instructions to the letter and we're both extremely irritated with them.

Oh look they called a fourth time. Now they want another copy of MS Office and after I buy it (and after I told the boss what they wanted again) they tell me the issue might be that it's 64bit and their program requires 32bit. SO OFFICE 365 MAY HAVE WORKED FINE THE ENTIRE TIME and we could have just purchased a new OS to fix the issue. (also companies need to keep their software up to date, I can't be buying a 32bit OS just so their stupid proprietary programs work)

I'm expecting to have to buy another copy of Office for the third pc they have and three 32bit operating systems before this is all said and done...

 Ligax is taking commissions again and I really recommend giving her page a look! She made this for me early last year and it's one of my favorite works I've ever gotten. http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12464657/
She's seriously awesome!

You are incredible people and work extremely hard every single day. Your children have hopes and dreams that would have never been possible without you. You inspire them and push them in the right direction when they're feeling down; you're their light, someone they can turn to no matter what. You are amazing!

Holy crap why didn't I try to use these all those years ago when I played my psp like every day! This thing is the perfect retro videogame machine and it takes just a couple minutes to get it up and running. sfnsafjnqifnqiunf brb gotta go play more Gun Nac

If my next journal is coming from the hospital it will be because I'm trying out Arbys meat mountain and it gave me a heart attack. http://goo.gl/4LHyYI
I'll update you guys soon.

Could we pass around some hugs? I need hugs.