School started back today. WHOOT. Painting, typography, graphic design fun. Lol.

But the big thing is that I recently realized that I'm bisexual. Now I am 50% more fabulous. However, nothing has changed about my preferences, I just have a better title for it. While I'm attracted to both genders, I still rather date women. EHEHEHE.

Still can't wait for the Goast suit. Eris should be getting him ready at some point this year! He's going to be a stud muffin.

ALSO, I got a new pet bearded dragon and her name is Oatmeal. She's precious and likes snoozing on me. And fat. Very fat.

Alright, that's all I have for now!

Just animated Kludges art piece he made. Christmas Goast. Baaah.

So the past few months have been interesting.

As for school, it has been going well, just super busy with seven classes this semester. I've decided to try to double major in Graphic Design and Studio Art. My dream career is to be an illustrator some day, so combining both digital and traditional degrees should help. Besides, the classes required for both are not too far apart. Oddly, Graphic Design is considered a science degree while studio art is, of course, art.

As for art, again, I'm making stuff all the time for school, I just don't find it interesting enough to post. Really, they're just exercises. Ehh.

My job has been serving me well, overall. I mean, it's exhausting to try to do full-time student stuff along with this job, but earning money for myself for the first time ever is very rewarding. Also, my brother works there (we're VERY CLOSE) and it helps having him to support.

Fursuit stuff is also going really well! Sent my downpayment and monthly payments (and still doing so) to Eris. In addition, I gave my duct tape dummy to her last month (which Pach and Luthy helped to make). I also commissioned Boiler (Eris' semi-real ref go-to) to make an updated reference of Goast. He'll be getting white gauges now, lol. I still plan to pay Pinyon to make a harness for the suit, too.

Also, I've getting to know Pach and Luthy more in the past few months. They're starting to becoming a bit more than friends, more like my extended OK family, lol. It's so sad that they're moving to OKC, but I know that Pach will do excellent out there with his beginning music career. Along with that, I been hanging out with more of my fur family, plenty of times at Mont and Zeeka's place. It's fun.

Also, the local furbowl I host has been up and down lately. This month's bowl went over great; people bowled, cute suiters, much positive socialization. The one before that didn't go as well, due to the accidental glow bowl (which I take responsibility for), not many bowling, and nearly everyone left early without notice. I just hope the next bowls go as smoothly as the most recent one.

TFF is good to go. I'll be rooming with Nickoli and Apari (best roommates ever). Just need Leasoncre to complete the quadrant like we did at AC. I'm so excited. Last year was really fun. Also, I might try to make some art pieces to put in the art show this year, just to see what would happen. Lol.

That's it for now, dweebs. If you have a twitter, we should follow each other. I'm on there everyday! [at]goast_n_stuff

I finally have my first job! I'll be working at Kohl's where my brother is a supervisor. I'm so excited! I'll have money to go to cons and pay for my upcoming fursuit and more.

School started back last Thursday. I was totally unprepared emotionally, but now I'm getting back into gear. I'm just sort of worried about having a job while trying to keep up my grades at school. However, I know I'm not alone. My friends are going through the same situation and they told me you eventually get used to it. Though it's more difficult with both college and a part-time job, it's another step towards my career.

AND THANK YOU to the ones who commented on the last journal concerning the future fursuit! I'm really stoked! I have a lot of ideas for how Goast will be portrayed. I'm aiming for him to be more of a performance/entertainment character. He'll have a certain walk, a way of talking and interacting, and an exuberant personality. I'll vow to NEVER take any part of him off unless it's a emergency or in a headless lounge. And he'll need to be cleaned after every outing. I'm seriously considering making an oath for Goast's fursuit!

I know it's going to be a while before he's reincarnated into this creation, but there are some aspects I'm taking very seriously for his arrival and use.

Baaaahh.

 ErisValgen approved of my suit and is making a quote! I'm SO EXCITED!

GOAST WILL BE REAL.

*flops everywhere*

<3 <3 <3

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't life changing.

Of course, the fandom was something very unknown to me at first. However, as time went on, it became a part of me. I knew I was weird and eccentric before, but now I feel more confident and and open about that side of me. It's also changed how I view nature, and I now have much more respect and love for all living things. Heck, I have a hard time squishing spiders anymore.

Art has become another large aspect of this fandom and how it connects me to other furries. Also, going to conventions has helped me to get out of my comfort zone and become more independent.

However, the best part about being a furry are the friends that you make. I know I have a great set of buds to count on and relate to. YOU GUYS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO ME. I'm not gonna list because I'll forget too many. XD

So yes, thank you thank you thank you.

*goat dragon hugs*

FEED ME.

Wednesday;
As you might have read before, my trip began 3:00 AM that morning. On the way to the airport, the car breaks down, we get swarmed by mosquitoes, and I missed my flights. However, I still arrived in Pittsburgh at 3:55 PM.
After taking a cab to our hotel, I met up with  Apari to get the room. The Omni was much fancier than I originally intended. It was beautiful and the room was spacious! An hour after that, we met up with our new roommate  leasoncre, then ate at Jimmy Johns (where I got heartburn). We explored the Westin that night to socialize and get our bearings. Went to bed that night after 32 hours of no sleep.

Thursday;
Woke up and was hungry for some food. The three of us decided to grab some bagels from this joint connecting to the hotel, but alas that was a mistake. They were chewy and had a sweaty taste. I give it a 5. The fact that they were awful made the experience much more memorable.
Since the convention wasn't open yet, we pretty much hung out at the Westin again till  nickolilion came in, our last roommate. The rest of that night was pretty much a blur. We met up with the one and only  Pinyon at the hotel and explored around some more. However, Apari debut his Tips the ferret suit! And his original suit with the detachable glohawk started capturing everybody's eyes. People, furs and nonfurs, were all super impressed by it, including myself. Can not tell you how many times we had to stop for pictures!
Also, I excitedly met up with  dragonnis (Talon) that day. She's got to get the cool dealers' stuff since she ran a booth.
I hopped in line with Nick that night so he could registered. We met  chayce while waiting. Later, we went to the water and enjoyed the view and weather. ^^

*quick note:  Apari leasoncre nickolilion were the best roommates anyone could ask for!

Friday;
We proceeded to the opening ceremonies after a delicious breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts. It was amazing that the mayor of Pittsburgh declared July 5th Anthrocon Day! It was also announced that the charity this year was towards the National Aviary, enabling some cute penguins to waddle across the stage.
I went and bugged Talon behind the booth and we chatted for a while. I did this nearly everyday. Thanks to her, I got a fancy dealer ribbon.
I think it was that day that I watched the  FurItUp photo shoot. It was awesome seeing all of those amazing and well built suit, especially by the maker you dream of commissioning some day.
Floor Wars was happening that day, I believe. I had a great time seeing suiters and nonsuiters alike getting groovy. It made me want to dance.
That night I was delighted to see  coopertom at the Westin. We've chatted some on twitter back and forth and it was great to see him in "fur"son. He's a very nice and hilarious one to be around. Also, that was the first night I wore the banana suit. With that, I got a taste of what people thought of it. Folks loved it and I knew I had to wear it more.
The firework show on the river was also a sight to see. Happy bday America!

Saturday;
Woke up to get some more Dunkin' Donuts. Saturday consisted of lots of time hanging with Talon in the Dealers' Den and viewing panels. At one point Nick and I went to basic fursuit construction. Another panel was about your first Anthrocon where we soon learned you do not want to take a ride in the rave limo. However, we joined the large line to see Kage's story hour (it might have been on Friday, I can't remember). He has a whimsical and personal comedic style, the stories were excellent and entertaining.
I then remember watching the fursuit dance competition and WOW. These guys can DANCE! It was spectacular watching each act and their talents. The Furternity, as the last performance, really put the cherry on top. It was a group of six or seven skilled suiters who almost put me into tears. That's how great it was.
I also remember watching Kage and 2's charity show. Fox Amoore was playing wonderful background music the whole time and it made the performance much more potent, especially during the story about Helga.
That night was another awesome laser show dance. Yet again, I wore the banana suit and it went over well.  corgii and her crew chased me at one point! Nick and I danced all night with other furs and even played with this giant tarp, lifting it up with a group and tried to run underneath it. It was during that moment that I realized how much I love this fandom. I didn't personally know any of the others, but we all had fun like we knew each other for years.
Tonic had the best appetizer on Earth; house-made honey mustard with sweet potato fries. That sauce was probably the best, if not the best, sauce I've had of any kind.

Sunday;
The roomies and I wanted more DD after sleeping in from the long night. I think the fursuit parade was that day, and I think the con broke it's own record again. Around that time I met up with  yummers and chatted for a bit. It was great to see him in person. I also remember seeing my favorite fursuiter ever ( kironeem) as Flux! I didn't get to visit him much, but I got a hug and a picture.
Apari was going around that day handing out little LED lights for folks to put on their badges. Shiny stuff everywhere.
Closing ceremonies was sad yet rewarding. After furries threw over $2,000 on stage, the National Aviary collected over $31,000!
After the con closed, everybody went to the Westin and hung out. Yet again, I strutted in banana suit and had a great time. At one point, I got mauled by the group of angel dragons, including Telephone herself ( ino89777). Nick filmed it with Apari's camera! ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s76d91IGXF8
Folks were gathered around the piano and singing, and the feels started setting in. One song was even dedicated to me in my banana wear for a moment. ^^

Monday;
After more DD, everybody was gone and I was pretty much by myself till my 11:59 PM train. Luckily, I met  ritualnoise and we talked for a while! 26 hours of train rides later, I made it back home.


THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS TRIP AWESOME. It's hard to shove every great person I met there, but you're not forgotten. <3
Don't forget to watch Apari's con vid! ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM27GP7mE_U

Oh my goodness gracious, I finally made it to the airport. But it has already been a journey getting to this point.

Although I tried to make plans beforehand for somebody to drop me off at the airport, I wasn't able to do so until the night before the trip. My friend Tristan was gracious enough to give me a ride. We leave at 3:00 AM, eat at the Waffle House, and proceeded to Memphis. Thirty minutes outside the airport, something shifted inside the vehicle and made a loud thump. We pulled over and the car started smoking! It would turn back on, but the transmission wouldn't work. We called Tristan's mom to come and pick us up, but it would be another 45 minutes before her arrival.

While we were waiting in the hot and stuffy car, mosquitoes began eating us alive. I swear, we each received about 20-30 bites by the end of it. We stepped out only to be bitten by more.

In the end, we made it to the airport with new flights scheduled and half eaten flesh.

Ugh, I'm just so pissed again about everything!

I've seriously tried to figure this out for the longest time, but I can't find the answer. It's the fact I get ignored over and over again. I just don't get it. Observing social patterns, I'm lead to believe that I'm the reason. I'm just trying to be myself, and folks just don't want to see me anymore at times. I'll ask a question, make a relevant statement, but never see a reply. I look around me and others are doing the same, and they get replied to! Not that they shouldn't, I'm just confused by the contrast.

So, I feel like I'm an unintentionally annoying person. Someone that's hard to be around because I like keeping a conversation going or that I ask too many questions. Therefore, people don't want to mess with that. If you wanna say something, SAY IT.

But in addition, I try too hard to please people. Though they can be unresponsive, the problem really might be me overreacting. But still, I want to be respected in the way I would respect you.

Also, I'm getting really sick of hosting events in my area. There a surprising amount of stress involved coordinating those events, and all folks ever do is complain or try to correct you. I have NEVER received as much as a "thank you" for hosting. I try to appear all optimistic about things, but others shoot me down for it and it turns me sour.

Ehhhh, I'm just really upset about everything and with myself. But I find it better to at least type it out instead of holding it in.

In addition, I'm not angry at anybody. It's just frustrating like anything else, you know. ^^;

Stolen from  pinyon

1) Where you staying?
The Omni

2) What day you getting there?
Wednesday afternoon!

3) Who will you be with?
I'm rooming with  nickolilion apari leasoncre

4) Who will you hang out with during the con?
My roommates, other OK furs, another dragon buddy, possibly with the Pawthentic Creations team, and more!

5) How long are you staying?:
Wednesday to Monday

6) Are there any panels you might attend?
Not sure, but most likely!

7) Are you attending any stage or public performance?
If one appeals to me, yes.

8) Will you be suiting?
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instan.....x/23750114.jpg

9) Which suit(s) are you bringing?
;n;

10) How can I find you?
Message me beforehand if you wanna hang out!

11) How old are you?
19 years young.

12) How tall?
5'6" I'm a tiny Goast.

13) Are you taken, Are you looking for a mate?
I'm not taken at the moment. I don't look, I just go with the flow.

14) Can I talk to you?
NEVER. (teehee, jk)

15) Can I touch you?
Yeah, just be SFW. AND NO TICKLING.

16) Can I visit your room?
I mean, I suppose. Won't be anything there. XD

17) Can I buy you drinks?
I love lemonade and sweet tea, so yes.

18) Can I hug or snuggle you?
Yeah, I love hugs. As for snuggles, I'm only comfortable doing so with a girl.

19) Are you nice?
People said I am, so I guess. But I can get grumpy.

20) If I see you, how can I get your attention?
Call me Jesse or Goast. I'll go by either. ^^

21) Where will you be most of the day?
Oh gosh, probably everywhere. But I particularly enjoy the Dealers' Den and Artists' Alley.

22) What/Where will you be eating?
I wanna hit up some Pittsburgh joints while we're there.

23) Can I come with you for food/fun etc.?
Sure, why not?

24) Can I take your picture?
YUP. But I make faces all the time.

25) What's your goal for the con this year?
Have fun and stay safe!

Tomorrow should be an awesome day. The girlfriend and I are going to the Edmond furbowl! It'll be exciting seeing tons of friends and hopefully meeting new ones.

Also, Anthrocon is about to be here! I'm pumped yet nervous at the same time. Though a ton of my buds will be there and even rooming with me, it's one of the first trips that I will travel by myself, especially with such a distance from home. I'm not sure whether to make tons of plans or just play it by ear. Or maybe both.

As for my presence, you might have noticed that I've been unnoticeable lately. I guess I got burned out on art after college. I'm still online everyday though, checking messages and stuff.

I guess that's it for now. Keep it real.