Hello Furry friends!!!

IT'S SUMMMMMEEEEEERRRRR BRRRREEEEAAAAKKK!!!!DFKSDJN

I've missed you all so much <3

With classes over and summer starting, I can finally get back into my furry life a bit. And alongside that, there's quite a few anime's and shows to catch up on (I've finally made it to Season 5 of MLP!!), friends to hang out with, a few soundtracks of movies and shows I'd like to learn the words to, and it'll be a good time to freshen up my fingers on my keyboard piling dust. :3

And then there's LVL UP EXPO tomorrow! You'd best believe I'm going to be attending both days ;3 and I might wear some recycled cosplays and give them some much needed love. ^,..,^

On my career note, I have a few upcoming auditions recommended by professors and people in the field. :3 Being on set of some movies has been a phenomenal and blessed experience, and I've been able to learn so much about the art from some of the most extremely talented people in the field! Each day I'm giving some time to accents, delivery, and laying back during studies to eat a bowl of cereal and relax. As the saying goes: A singer will take voice lessons; a dancer will keep up with their coach daily; and an actor drinks coffee. IIt's funny that through all of the exposure, I've learned that most actors are very lazy. I actually think it's taking a huuuuge toll on me to get all of this laziness out :x HELP ME! I CAN'T COMPLETE ALL THIS LAZINESS ON MY OWN! 3: I might need some assistance. ;3

Anywho, the Dance in the Desert Festival is coming up, I might audition for that if ballet workshop proves promising....AND *LE GASPS* A VOICE ACTING AUDITION! -squeeeeee!- My number one downfall is my soft spoken voice. There's been a lot of practice going into projecting my voice and making not only my own, but personalities/characters I'm learning to create, stand out and come to life; a voice acting audition will be the perfect opportunity to put it to the test!!

And finally, I think I'd like to top off this journal with some deeper thoughts....

I'd like to secretly--between you Fluffs and me--thank the world. I've become sooooo blessed in this last year. I've learned some of the most valuable lessons I've ever come across in my life, and I've been surrounded by not only amazing friends, but amazing people that I've crossed paths with in the journey. The Lord is looking out for me, and I know that with the direction I've taken, things will only get better.

Some final, in the moment mind spills~*deeeeep breathe* Thank you wonderful world (and Lord <3) for letting me be happy, and in the lessons you've given me, be able to find happiness in myself, strength and courage to do what is good for the world, and the humility to be able to fight vanity which was my greatest vice. If I'm now proud, it's not in that I'm better than anyone in any way, but rather that I know my worth, and it's as great as I choose to make it from its intangible perception. I'm ready to mold the world into whatever I see it as, and in my eyes, I've learned that it's a beautiful place if you're brave enough to jump into every great opportunity the world provides for you. I want to become strong for the world, and myself, so that there's one more crusader fighting to spread good in the world, and uphold light in a balance of both good and evil that takes with what is given. I could never do this without the support of the friends and family around me, and so I say again, thank you world and Lord, for giving me the strength I hope to share back with others.

Alright ladies and gentfurs ;3 I'm out! Keep those beautiful faces <3 and don't forget to floss after every meal o3o both your future self and your dentist will thank you.

For as long as I can remember, people have always come to me for advice. A lot of my friends and others close to me have told me that they feel as though I'm one of the few people they can turn to for help on problems.

~I've never been able to understand this. I thought I did at one time, but now I'm not so sure. I'm guessing that people must think I can be trusted with their insecurities or private troubles they want help on, or maybe it's that they think I may have all of the answers. I've always felt that any secrets you tell me are not mine to tell, so you won't ever hear me telling your secrets or troubles you come to me with.

But I don't have all of the answers if you're looking for them. I look over my life, the friends I've had, and the troubles I've been through, and I honestly just toss my hands up in the air and shrug while saying, "Where the hell am I? :|" And then I just scratch my head, looking around at my problems and life choices, hair a bit knappy because I forgot to brush it, and seeing a photomosaic puzzle with 1,000 pieces.

I'm always asking myself, "Do I come off as a confident, knowledgeable person? Someone that knows how to deal with life."

I'd like to be that type of person, but I can't say that's who I am, at least not 100% of the time.

I'm constantly looking at myself, and despite what other people may see or think, I see a clumsy, random, inconsistent, oblivious, indecisive, confused, and unconventional wolf, and as much as this may flip the entire atmpsphere of where I'm going with all of this, I gotta love who I see. It's different, it's strange, IT'S CLEAN! (Repo! thought :P) it's interesting, and it leads to awesome adventures when I'm daring enough to do what I want. Granted, I have to find out how to not be awkward -and I'm doing my best to work on that >3>-. AAAANNND I've been a sloth-like bum for several years, hesitating to do anything I've wanted. But I've been slowly working out of that. Ultimately, I'm still far from perfect, while if anything, I'm getting farther away from it--especially after learning to embrace my quirks.

I'm a dork! \o3o/ I marf and love cheesy puns. I love to play games I'm not good at. And try to be good at things I'm confused about and stare at with a blank face and mind. I know that people see me as a babbling awkward dork as I try to work with something I'm interested in and know nothing about, but I could care less for my own personal reasons; like how I'm getting farther than the other person who's standing back because they're scared of how they'll look like in front of others. And all I have to go on is my heart, which I've learned to tune down so that I'm not someone to become overly sensitive.

All of this emphasizes how I'm an imperfect person. I'll start from scratch if I have to, 100 times if needed! Each time gets better, and I've seen that from life. I only know as much as I've seen or been through myself or with others.

Sometimes you wish you had all the answers. You wish you knew the strategy that's needed, or how to organize everything you say or do precisely to work out for the best. It gets hard when you're scared of making the wrong choice, especially when you feel that the world is unforgiving with the mistakes you might make.

I feel the same way, and from one important thing I've learned to take from all of this, it's good to listen to those who are going through the same thing and telling you their best answer, because their empathy has a an experience just as good as anyone else's 'sure-fire' answers.

When people ask me for answers, there's no guarantee that what I'm telling them is right. It's only what I can figure out from listening to the one place I trust most, my heart.

And if you do come to me for advice, know that if anything, the answers come from a special place.

In the meantime, I'm just a dork wolf trying to find his own place in the world. Anyone that wants to join along, welcome! /.3./ I'm not sure where we're going, but that's half the magic of the journey. ;3

Oooohhhh heart, how I've neglected you lately. I'll be listening to you more carefully again soon. <3 You just wait.

Anywho, time to end this mutli-subject rant. Ciao!

I was shown this short film made by  Panda_Man_P.F.I. and found it to be an amazing piece. ^^ Panda Man has done a phenomenal job with the project. ^^

http://www.viewster.com/movie/1262-17707-000

It's a good watch for those who enjoy short movies (15 minutes long). ^^ The mysteries keep you curious, and anyone who has watched projects like these will be amazed as how well this film was made.

This is for a movie festival. If you enjoy it, be sure to like and share to help them win! >3<

Just as it's said above. ^////^ You can check out  kiathewolf27's gallery and see her work. It has it's own uniqueness that attracts you towards it. :3

You can check out the raffle in the link below. Simply follow the instructions to enter for a chance to win. The raffle ends at the end of this month, so be sure to join quickly.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5467003/

Be sure to give a great thanks to the artist, and good luck to all who join. ^^

Just one artist will be posted on the journal this time. ^_^

 meershroom is having a pretty special raffle. For every 12 participants, one will be chosen! The raffle will continue for as long as Mushroom (Meershroom) wishes to hold it, so if you see this journal late you may still have time to join. o3o

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5422029/ Simply follow the instructions within the link to enter for your chance to win.

Be sure to give a great thanks to Mushroom, and good luck to all participants.

A group of raffles from very generous artists, provided from the kindness of their hearts and appreciated by all who enter. Feel free to join in on a chance to win. I'm sure each artist will appreciate knowing that their art is admired by those who participate.

Simply follow the instructions within each link below to enter their raffle:

 mlice is giving out prizes to three lucky winners! Her art is great, and the opportunities to win is just as excellent. Her raffle ends soon (December 25th, at 8 PM France's time), so be sure to join before it's too late.
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/12194316/

 driftingdragon is giving one lucky individual an art piece if they win. The more people that join, the more winners the artist will add to the raffle. Their raffle ends a minute before midnight on December 31st, giving you the rest of the year to enter. :P
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5337022/

 lilkittenalice is another artist that will be choosing three winners for their raffle, and even created a form to make joining easy and to your convenience. The raffle will continue until January 8th, so you have plenty of time to come in and join.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5337236/

 teil will also be giving out prizes to three winners! Their raffle will end when they reach 70,000 pageviews, which seems to be coming in fast. Be sure to join in quickly if you don't want to miss the chance.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5326127/

 nanny is giving out--as you may have guessed--prizes to three winners. The requirements are simple, so entering this raffle should be swift and simple. This raffle will be ending around a week from now, so come join if you're interested.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5347419/

 darthaislin is still hosting their raffle, and is giving a first and second prize. Both prizes are great, and if you wish to join then they are holding the raffle open until they have 400 watchers; so you have some time left.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5322485/

Be sure to give a great thanks to those hosting the raffle, and good luck to all who enter.

For those don't know, spamming policies have made advertising raffles harder for artists. To work around this, all raffles are put in one journal as to not feed trafficking and "spamming", while encouraging viewers to enter each raffle from such convenience being provided. ^^ Enjoy!

It's that time. :3 Plenty of aspiring artists are feeling the spirit of giving this Christmas season. Enter for a chance to win if you wish to participate in their raffles. I'm sure they'll be happy to know that you want art from them.

Simply follow the directions within the links below if you wish to join:

 DreamingDaemus is hosting his weekly raffle. However this week he's celebrating finally reaching 1,000 watchers! He has multiple prizes that are so generous they go beyond what anyone could ever expect.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5321774/

 Demiure has a Christmas raffle going on. The artist is giving away several digital paintings! The raffle will continue until they wish to close it.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5317009/

 DarthAislin is giving a first and second prize. Both prizes are great, and if you wish to join then they are holding the raffle open until they have 400 watchers; so you have some time left.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5322485/

 Rarakie is working on a Cogna Orgy project, where several people may be chosen to be additions in this art piece. There's a Secret Santa twist to this also, so check that out also if you're in the spirit of giving.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12223105/

 Mission is giving away free headshots. All you have to do is post a reference to your character, and she might draw yours as well. She's doing multiple in bulks, so your chances of getting one may be high.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5324267/

Be sure to give many thanks to each of these artists, and good luck to all who enter.

Since these people are generous enough to give free work to those less fortunate, I thought I'd spread the word of their raffles out of common courtesy.

You have  ThatCreepyGuyNextDoor who is giving away a paw-shaped pillow and other runner-up prizes. Feel free to enter if you're looking for a helping paw to keep your head comfy at night.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5297268/

If you enjoy amazing art,  DreamingDaemus is hosting his weekly raffle. The prize is different each week, so make sure to join in on the fun at each weekly opportunity!
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5303330/

Finally, if you're looking for a fun Christmas-themed artpiece for the holidays,  Felinar is hosting a raffle for a free Christmas themed drawing. Feel free to join in on the holiday cheer!
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12188883/

Simply follow the directions within the link to each raffle to enter for a chance to win.

Be sure to give a great thanks to each host, and good luck to all who enter!

I'd like to place my concerns regarding the new updates for the site. Personally, I feel that the new policy is unfair, and acted hastily while having too broad of a scope of regulations that should be refined and more lenient and exceptional. If you aren't sure of what I'm talking about, the link can be found below:
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5279697/ <--"Announcement: Spamming, Fur Affinity and You"

The update addresses its concerns towards the amount of spamming that has been occurring, and what is being done to resolve the issue. Now, to define spam in this case is to place where the line is drawn from promoting one's work, to now overwhelming the community with content and links that are 'unnecessary,' 'unwanted,' and 'inappropriate' for the site and its served purpose. It is reasonable for the founder(s) of FA to be upset with how the site has taken a toll from much of the ads promoting raffles--I think that many of us can agree that the trafficking and blown up ads in our journal mail were somewhat of a nuisance.

With that said, the ads came with a reward, while the new updates have recoiled with a price. The ads helped to provide opportunity to many of the artists who were just starting out, or who were struggling to get their name out there, thanks to the overwhelming competition that is flowing through a fandom driven solely by those that are governed by a supreme creative yearning. The ads sparked an ambitious trade and social contract between artists and fans alike of the same fandom; an even agreement that helped both sides in a fair and equal way. The artists would supply free art to those who could not afford artwork, which would in effect give hope and joy to those less fortunate and wanting to bring their fursona to life. In return, the participants and new watchers would supply a new collection of fans, freshly introduced and ambitious about the artist's artwork who may then become promising customers.

In a side argument, it can be said that a majority of watchers only like to attain an approximate amount of artwork from one artist. This is because furries are creative in nature, and don't like to remain stagnant for too long within one artistic style. They obtain multiple works from one artist, and eventually journey onto new artists to continue their collection of various portrayals of their fursona. This variety brings much more personality to their fursona, as it accumulates different stories, behaviors, and perceptions of the character, and in effect supplying life to the partner in their mind that they've created. How this is involved in the argument is that every artist needs a new supply of customers, if the case occurs where customers they have have been around for a period of time, and overtime these customers have become static--human nature shows that overtime we move on from "most" things that astound us (keep in mind the word 'most,' as it doesn't mean 'everything'). Sadly, the flow of incoming watchers is too slow for many artists who have made being an artist their occupation and one of their sources of stable living, without the viral affect from pimping raffles. The factor of pimping an artist's raffle gave them an enormous advantage towards their objectives in a reasonable amount of time, that ultimately kept them stable in the occupation.

In this understanding however, people have made an investment into the site. FA has become a home for many people who still have dreams they hold onto. That stir of creative aspiration is alive more than ever, and it's because people have been given an opportunity to live their dream. Artists have been able to do what they love, without life forcing them to give up their dreams to take on "realistic occupations in the eyes of normal society." Even if this process from the raffles doesn't help all artists, it at least helps many that didn't stand a chance before--enough, in my opinion.

Additionally, I bring this up because for a while the little people were being cut out of the equation. In a career that has so much competition, it's a matter of survival of the fittest. It can't be stressed enough how much creativity flows in this fandom, and from that it's only expected that you will find a larger amount of people who wish to be artists as their career, in comparison to regular society. There are many ways that you can go about getting your name out there and attracting customers, but as this "pimp my raffle" trick has brought a wave of new artists to the site, to take it away will greatly undermine or eliminate some of them. Equal opportunity is greatly needed for many of the greatest dreamers that are so deeply crippled at the start of their careers, and while the ads from those who promote their raffles aren't the ultimate contribution and tool for artists, they are one of the greatest starter kits that create a chance for artists beginning in the career. In an irate notion, do not cut out the little people.

Regarding this further in a narrower aspect, this is not to say that people posting ads for journals is the ultimate factor in the survival of an artist's career. It has however, become one of the many legs that keep many artists up. With this new pimping phenomenon has also come a new current of artists in training, and experienced artists that now see a realm of possibility in pursuing their dream career. They've now integrated themselves into the site and cemented their livelihood in a way to what it has become for them, a means to the pursuit of happiness, for which, we all are endeavorous of. Taking away even one of the legs that keeps them in this career will make it subsequently more difficult, and in many cases impossible, to remain in this occupation. This career may not supply them all the money that they need to survive, but it surely helps them enough, while letting them have a form of escape from the outside world that pushes us all to follow the stigmatic status quo--that we all find deadens the soul--in order to make ends meet.

The watcher's participation proved their interest in the artist's work. If they didn't like the work that the artist provided, they wouldn't join the raffle. The raffles proved to be a statistic for people's interests in work that was not yet in the light of popularity, but rather certainly attractive, nevertheless. As sad as this is to admit though, people are driven by selfishness as much as any fundamental element of the mind, and without the requirement for advertising the raffles, too many people will take advantage of free art without supplying an equal trade in return to the artists. Many artists that I'm watching have in this single day either been taken advantage of, or have decided to say goodbye to their pursuits. People are entering the raffles and simply grabbing the chance at free art, without helping out the artist by promoting them in any way. The artists who make a living off of their artwork can't afford to simply give out free art, unless it attracts new customers and not just their watchers who don't make purchases and only want their free art they're giving.

It is from all of this that I do not believe advertising the art raffles to be spam. The free money raffles and technological devices are spam, most definitely. They have nothing to do with furries or the artwork that fuels the upbringing of interests within the fandom. They simply promote a negative form of competition to be renowned and find a high ranking of views and watchers within the site--even if the host isn't intending to do so. Artists however, are bringing participation and a generous form of trade within the site, that still relates to the fandom and helps the less fortunate to integrate their fursona(s) into the fandom as they are slowly brought to life. In this, the wall of spamming isn't necessarily reached, as much as an overwhelming influence to participate in the system that helps both uprising artists and less fortunate fans.

I understand that this is a free site. But it's gotten people's careers involved, and more than just these people thinking about their dream and moving on, they began to have a taste of it. This taste is now becoming a tease to them as the rate of incoming new watchers will be too slow for them to partake in the artistic field, and for others it will at least inflict enough on their life to where they will face struggles much more frequently. I'm not even expecting artists to get famous from using this tactic, just known enough to have a healthy amount of consumers for their work to keep them in the business. The honest artists who were contributing to the community shouldn't have to suffer from this, and I think that if people were to be given free art in exchange for some trafficking and more art raffle promotions in their journal mail, the exchange would sound good enough to consider.

 druid.paw is hosting a raffle. For those who with to join, simply follow the instructions within the link below to enter for a chance to win.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5270779/

Be sure to give a great thanks to the host/artist, and good luck to all who join.

 Khaifer is giving out free art in their raffle. For those who wish to join, simply follow the instructions within the link below to enter for a chance to win.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12104146/

Be sure to give a great thanks, and good luck to all who participate. ^^

 PurplePardus is hosting a raffle. For those who are interested, feel free to follow the instructions within the link below.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5235977/

Be sure to give the host/artist a great thanks, and good luck to all who join.

 Fox_Fury is hosting an art raffle. If you wish to sign up, simply follow the instructions within the link below.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12108622/

Be sure to give a great thanks to the host, and good luck to all who join. ^^

 Pinkushika is hosting an art raffle for the holiday spirits. ^^ Simply follow the instructions within the link below to enter for a chance to win.

http://www.furaffinity.net/full/12110863/

Be sure to give a big thanks, and good luck to all who enter.

 Jasonafex and  Kabier are hosting a raffle. Further details can be found within the link below. Simply follow the directions directed by the host to enter for a chance to win.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5271950/

Be sure to give a great thanks, and good luck to all who join.

 hippiewolf is giving away fifty free drawings. He chooses as he pleases from those who sign up, so there's plenty of opportunity no matter how late you join. Simply follow the instructions within the link below to enter for a chance to win.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5267673/

Be sure to give him a great thanks, and good luck to all who participate.

You heard right!  KrisPup is hosting a raffle in which the prize will be $1,111 in commissions by any artist you want. Simply follow the instructions within the link below to enter for a chance to win.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5259913/

Be sure to give a fantastic thanks to  KrisPup, and good luck to all who join.

 Jazzpaintball is hosting a raffle, where your fursona gets to be a practice art for him.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5218625/

Follow the instructions within the link to be qualified. Make sure to also give the artist a big thanks, and good luck to all who join.

 Drayl is hosting a raffle with their character. Be sure to enter for a chance to win, and possibly watch them if you enjoy their character. Simply follow the instructions within the link below to enter.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5196381/

Don't forget to thank the host, and good luck to all who join.

 JosePaw is hosting a raffle. ^^ Her work is amazing and her generosity is equal in amount. To join, simply follow the instructions within the link below.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5194463/

Be sure to thank the artist, an good luck to all who enter. :3

 JosePaw is hosting a raffle. ^^ Her work is amazing and her generosity is equal in amount. To join, simply follow the instructions within the link below.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5194463/

Be sure to thank the artist, an good luck to all who enter. :3

 HipsterWanther is hosting a art raffle. Follow the instructions within the link below to enter.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5194570/

Be sure to thank the artist, and good luck to all who enter. :3

 airaly is hosting a raffle. ^^ Follow the instructions within the link below to enter.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11917477/

Be sure to thank the artist, and good luck to all who join.

 sansunari is giving away free art. ^^ They're doing whatever work they please, so make sure to do what you can to make your fursona convincing to draw. ;3

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11916868/

Be sure to give the artist a great thanks also. I'm sure they'll be appreciative. ^^

 Chioro is hosting a very interesting raffle. If you don't mind the yiffy side of the fandom, then this may be for you.

Hop in and see the details, and post a raffle if you're interested. You 'must' post a raffle if you wish to enter.

The link below has everything else you may wish to know. ^^

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11909786/

And be sure to give a great thanks to the artist. I'm sure they'll appreciate it, and it's much deserved. Good luck to all who join.