Ahhh, finally some good news I've been waiting for. I've been trying to find room space for Midwest FurFest this year and just found out that I have acquired a space to lay my head, so I definetly will be there this year. The only thing that could make it better is if I could find someone local who I could carpool with, but I still have time to look. Otherwise it's gonna be Greyhound for me.

In other news, my mother will be moving into the new place tomorrow, so I have about 3 months to get everything packed and transported over there. I also realized that I have an awful lot of crap to get rid of.

Wonderful artist  Vickywyman Has been evicted from her home and needs help to move her belongings out, She is a wonderful person and deserved to be treated better than she has.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6023328/ is a link to her newest journal, so if you can help, please do.

 Lindariel is new new to FA and pretty talented as well, so go welcome her aboard. In honor of her many new watchers, she's offering a free raffle, so drop by for a visit.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6006774/

Just spoke with my boss and he authorized my time off for MFF. Now all I need is to register, arrange transportation and get a room share at the main hotel. Any of my watchers out there got any extra space they'd be willing to share?

Hopefully I'll be able to find something, I really want to go, seeing as I won't be going next year.

Did something today I haven't done in a very long time. I took the time to go visit a friend and hang with him. The wonderful  catmonkshiro brought various con swag back from AC for me and I decided to swing by his place to pick it up. After some chatting, Shiro showed me his MineCraft world and i reaffirmed my idea, that it was too complex for me.  dan_raccoon joined us after work and we had a wonderful dinner of sausage and perogies. After some pleasant chatting, we watched the early TF movie "The Incredible Mr. Limpet". Both of them found it "interesting" to say the least. Sadly the night came to an end and I headed home, but I hope to maybe do this again someday.

This day was special, as I actually have very few friends I can actually hang with. I may know lots of local furs, but rarely ever interact with them beyond the odd get together here and there, so tonite was actually very special.

Today I start my vacation and will be heading out tonite on my trek to Baltimore.

I've been a member of the TSA (Transformation Mailing Archive) newsgroup for many years now, Way back in 1998, my good friend Phil Geusz, decided to invite a few friends over to his house and from there it's been history. The group has held meets across the US and even up here in Canada in 2007.

I've made 10 of them and have gotten to travel more than I ever imagined. I've met many fine people, made lots of new friends and seen lots of new things.

If anyone is interested: http://www.tsabash.org/


On a lighter note, I hade a teenager call me over at work on Monday to ask me a question. He was pointing at some salsa and said, " Which is hotter, mild or medium?" I stood there stunned, said mild and just walked away. I really fear for the future generation if they can't tell the difference.

I received the phone call I've been waiting for awhile now from my mother today: the final coroner's report on my father death.

Apparently he was riddled with cancer of the lymph nodes. We were all surprised frankly at this. Somehow we'd always figured it was a heart problem. The doctor's are still shocked that he went as fast as he did. The do believe that a lymph node ruptured and released the poison into his system and that caused the renal failure.

I feel however that he would've wanted to go this fast. He'd always had a fear of lingering and sinking into dementia and mentioned several times that he never wanted to end up that way.

Now I can only wait until my mother can move into my city. We'll be living together again and frankly I think the move will do her good. All our family and friends are here and sooner she moves here, the better.

I'm really looking forward to tonight. Presently I'm waiting at a local movie theatre for the arrival of Peter Beagle, the creator of the movie "The Last Unicorn". I'll be helping him setup/take down and assist him at his table.

It was several years ago I met him at AC and found out he would be doing a cross-country tour/promotion of his movie. I'd hope that one day he would come to Canada and I was happy to see that he was. He was looking for volunteers and I jumped at the chance.

I always loved the movie and regretted that I'd never seen it on the big screen. Well that's about to change and I couldn't be happier. My only regret is that I had dressed a little bit lighter.

And thus 48 years ago today, Fulminar began his rotation around the sun.

Big whoop. All I see is that it just brings me one closer to the big half century mark. As for plans, nothing. I'll be working all day and won't be home until the day is done.

My new arm sleeves and my improved hands arrived today from  menagerieworkshop and I couldn't have been happier. I even ended up wearing the sleeves for most of the day to see how they fit. I'm really looking forward to being able do some suiting this summer and not having to wear a long shirt.

I'd just like to start off by saying that I don't consider my self a brony, but I do appreciate what the fandom has created in response to the tv show. I've probably only seen a handful of the episodes, but I've liked what I've seen. Perhaps the greatest thing about the series is the talented writers and songwriters they have on the show. The music is catchy and I've often found myself singing the various pieces in my head.

Now on YouTube are multiple pieces done by fans that are simply amazing and very moving. the animation is of professional quality and I can't imagine how much time and effort they put into them. A couple standout ones are:

1. Snowdrop - the story of a filly who struggles to create something for the Princesses for the Spring Sunrise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do6RDSwaWek

2. Children of the Night - proposes the real reason behind Luna's eventual banishment to the moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW5n3k2VgZE

3. My Little Pony AMV Epic (7 Artists) - a fan music mash-up, it was the first pony music video I saw. frankly it was well produced and the music catchy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irQ_d78feMA

I've also been reading a lot of pony fan fiction lately and although a lot is mainly porn there are alot that are extremely well written with gripping story lines. My favorite has been the "Five Score, Divided by Four" universe. It deals with pony characters awakening on Earth after all celebrating their 25th birthdays. It can be found here: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/933.....ivided-by-four .

I was just informed, that for this month, my fursuit will be showcased in  FursuitCritique's icon. I'm actually kinda honored.

In other news, I have a hole in the ceiling above my bed and I often watch mice come out the hole and scurry across the ledge above me. Well, yesterday, I watched one come out, run across the ledge, trip, fall and hit me on the forehead. it was all in slow motion and all I could think was "I should really close my mouth.". Afterwards there was much scrambling around and he escaped.

I hope to have a full report up in a few days, but I'd like to say a few things about it so far.

1. I truly needed this. After last week, I needed something to take my mind off my lose and to remind me what fun is.

2. It's definitely more fun suiting with friends. This is pretty much the only con where I have very close friends that I can spend time with.

3. This has been the sketch con from hell. I managed to pick up over 10 sketches from multiple artists, so expect a blitz sometime in the near future.

More to come after I get home tomorrow hopefully.

I just wanted to thank everyone who gave their condolences to the passing of my father. I showed my mother everyone's comments and she was incredibly touched. the funeral was rough and I don't think anyone had a dry eye as the piper came into the chapel. Many years ago my father tried to learn the bagpipes, and having a piper was the one request he made for when he died.

I'll be leaving in just a few hours for Furnal Equinox, which hopefully will raise my spirits a bit. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Thank you to everyone for their kind wishes, but sadly my father passed way this afternoon despite the doctors best efforts.

I think I'll just lay here for awhile.

Just got home and spoke with my mother. The surgery went well and went threw his armpit and removed one of the suspicious lymph nodes and now we just have to await the biopsy results. He had been feeling very poorly that morning but was better after the surgery. Hopefully I'll be able to get up there within the next few days.

I would also like to thank my friends who contacted me. It meant a lot to me to know that you cared. Hopefully the next update will have even better news.

What started out as a great day watching Team Canada win gold at the Olympics has turned bad as I just found out that my father will be having surgery tomorrow as they think it may be cancer. The only good news is they think it may one of the easier ones to treat. We'll find out tomorrow after they perform a biopsy. Right now I'm pretty bummed out, so I think I'll watch people draw some artz for awhile.

Well just watched the last of the US/Canada hockey game and I'm happy that Canada won. I'm also glad that it was so tight as blowout games are never good and leave bad feelings all around. Now seeing as I'm off Sunday, I just have to make sure I'm up early to catch the gold medal round against Sweden. I'm guessing that its gonna be a war.

Just looked at the calendar at it's only two weeks today until I leave for for Furnal Equinox. My, but the time flies when you're looking forward to something.

Had a woman tonite walk into the store 5 minutes before closing, do a bit of shopping and then walked up to the courtesy desk and ask for 25 individually wrapped bunches of flowers. Really!!??!! I have to wonder about people sometimes. Surely she had time during the day to have placed the order and we would've had it ready for her.

Now I can understand 1, 2 or maybe even 3 bunches, but 25!! Geeze lady c'mon.

Frankly I hate people like that who come in just before close, have a list a mile long and get angry when they can't get service from the meat/deli/bakery, because the staff left 20 minutes ago.

Pardon the rant, we now return to our regularly scheduled show.

Had my dentist appointment today. I was concerned out him pulling the one molar, but he just looked at it and rebuilt it by hand. Then he went own to fix the other chip, fill in a small cavity and then I was off to cleaning. All without the benefit of needles and freezing. I'm really hoping that my friend  catmonkshiro's appointment goes just a smoothly as mine did.

Right now we're in the early stages of another blizzard, that's supposed to ast tonite and tomorrow. I'd stay home, but I have the TorFur dinner tomorrow and frankly, I'd have to be in traction not to go.

In other news FE is less than a month away and I just got notification that my new hands and sleeves for my fursuit are done and I should have them in time for the con.im looking forward tho having hand hooves that actually are comfortable to wear and east to put on/take off.

Stolen from  sammypanther

Where are you staying?
At the con hotel

What day are you getting there?
Thursday afternoon

Who will you be rooming with?

I will be rooming with  matthiasrat,  salvestro and  wolffriend

Who will you be traveling with?
I will be riding with :icon matthiasrat: and  wolffriend from and to my house

Who will you hang out with during the convention?
With my friends and anybody else I might meet.

Are there any panels you might be attending?
Perhaps, but I'm waiting for the schedule to come out.

Are you attending any stage or public performances?
Will definitely be in the parade

Will you be suiting?
Yes

Which suit(s) will you be bringing?
Fulminar the Cape Buffalo

How can I find you?
look for the buffalo or wandering the dealers den

Do you draw?
Sadly no

How old are you?
I am 47

How tall are you?
6' 1"

Are you taken? Are you looking for a mate?
No and not presently

Can I talk to you?
Certainly

Can I touch you?
Ask first please if I don't know you

Can I visit your room?
doubtful

Can I buy you drinks?
YES

Can I give you stuff?
sure, if you want

Are you nice?
I'd like to think so

How long are you going?
I'll be there from Thursday night and leaving Monday morning

If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Just come up and say hi

Where will you be most of the time during the days?
At the con hotel, most likely wandering the Dealer's Den

What/where will you be eating?
Not sure

Can I come with you for food/fun etc?
Yes, but ask first as I may be dining with others

Can I look in your sketchbook?
Sure

Can I draw in your sketchbook?
Feel free

Can I take your picture?
yes

What’s your goal for the con this year?
To do some suiting, hang with friends and just enjoy myself

I awoke this morning to see that the Canadian $ fell below $0.90 for the first time in years. Now that has always been a magic number for me. Anything below it and I start to lose huge on the exchange. Many years ago, when I went to my first con, I was paying just below $0.80 to the US dollar and I lost huge in exchange.

Now I still plan on doing two US events his year, the TSA Bash in June and hopefully MFF in December. If however our dollar continues to freefall, sadly MFF will come off the table and I'll be aiming at only one US con a year. I can fondly remember the one year I went to MFF, when our dollar was above the US dollar.

Now if I can find creative ways to save money by saving on travel/accommodations, then my odds will be much higher of travelling again to more cons. But for now, I'll have to take a long hard look at my finances in order to plan future trips.

Well I got my dentist appointment for the 4th and then half the tooth fell out. It's bigger than I thought, but luckily still no pain. It will now join the collection of the other teeth in my wallet. Yes, I have a collection of my broken teeth in my wallet. it could be worse, I could collect teeth from other people.

In other news, Furnal Equinox is creeping up on us and I am looking forward to it. It'll be nice to do some more suiting. I'm looking forward to seeing my friends all again.

I figured that things were going to well. I've got FE coming up and I've been saving my nickels and dimes. I even figured that I'd have a bit left over from this pay check as well, until about 15 minutes ago. I just discovered that I've cracked a filling on a back molar nearly all the way through and I expect it to break/pop out within a day or so. Thankfully I've had a root canal there, so pain shouldn't be a problem and luckily my dental just reset. I just hate the timing.

I'm just hoping that I can get an appointment quickly.