What are some other worthwhile furry Web sites around these days? I know of only a few more and I only ever really visit FA and Transfur. Are there any out there that are good for meeting and keeping up with other furs? Of course any type would be of interest.

You are lucky. - This is short because I'm tired. There aren't many pics but I'll post some tomorrow.

Driving there was actually nice. It was time to myself. I got to meet  FurryLuvrForever and  DraconicArcher and walk around with them for a while. They're a great couple and I got some good pictures. They did a cute sketch in the masquerade. Saturday night I decided to try Karaoke for the first time, so I started drinking early. At the bar I met a furry mineralogist, (by training.) For karaoke I picked a song that's not sung as much as spoken so it was kind'a safe, but I could hear my voice which I hate. - I will never do that again. I also met  darktiger77. I've seen her at many cons but I was wearing my old hooves so she came up to talk to me about them. She's great at swinging glowtube things, whatever they're called, while suited. I hear that this is even harder than it looks.  twistedspectrum threw a fun party that night and lost my tail, but I got it back on Sunday.

Sunday was a bit slow for me. Few people I knew were there and catching up with them had happened the day before. ...so I didn't have much to do. (I expected to see some people who I didn't see. They were probably not there.) For a while I got my usual con blues. I don't know most of my furry friends that well because I see them so rarely. This must be common. It's not like I go to school with any or work with them, etc., I think what got me is that I've lost touch with my older friends so those I have who are furry are who I see more often, etc., Also, when someone mentioned guys were hitting on a particular lesbian I realized I'm probably supposed to hit on women. Besides not knowing how I don't like to bother people so I'd hate to end up doing that to someone. After a while though it passed, I felt better and danced a bit.

Last night I found that the hotel had thrown out my braces. They aren't cheap. Today on the way home I made one mistake looking at directions backwards and stayed on 78 an hour and a half too long. However that wasn't a bad thing really, because it was interesting.

At any rate, it was an alright convention for me overall. UPDATE - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER: 9 What am I saying "alright"? - Saturday alone was worth it and Sunday wasn't as bad as it probably sounds above. The con was good.

...tomorrow.

A few people may be waiting to hear from me. Tomorrow, after I've caught up on sleep I'll be back here.

Momentous news, I know.

Next month though, I plan (again I plan) to make my four urethane hooves. This time though I have to follow through while the chemicals are still viable. If anyone nearby can assist me with the casting of the plastic and rubber, they can cast a set of two hoof walls, (or a bunch of claws, or whatever,) since I have enough plastic. It's translucent, semi-rigid and very tough. (I consulted with a chemist and it should be great for outdoor pony play use.) I have dyes for it too. Any of the rubber left over I'll give out as well, and help cast and bond. Note me about the details.

Here's my stash: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2453699/

FYI - TWO WEEK LIMITED FA USE starting now

Among other things that will be keeping me busy are jury duty (likely) and my mom visiting. My FA presence will be minimal until the 6th of next month or so. Notes may sit a while before responses are sent, etc.,

By the way, I didn't expect any questions from my last journal, no surprise, but the offer is still there for what it's worth. Of course I'd be slow in responding for a while.

...so I'm doing this too. Feel free to ask anything. I'll open it up to anything about me or my fursona. (In some ways they're not that different.)

By the way, since I'm going to try to commission a character sheet again, I changed my mind on a small detail. I (as Jackpot) am loosing my "feathers". In my text description I mention that I have them, they match my ventral hair, and they're raised from the normal location* to directly above my fetlocks. My thinking has been that they're in a nicely slightly irritating position, and draw attention to my hooves. - Perhaps they would be almost reminiscent of cuffs of a shirt and pants, (or two pairs of pants,) that are too short.

OK, maybe I haven't decided yet. Any opinions?

Also, earlier today I thought about perhaps having hoof-pads. You know, kind'a like paw pads? Being so equipped would mean that my hoof walls don't touch the ground. Again, I don't think I should, but again if anyone has any thoughts I'm all ears.

*...on horses. It's not like I've seen them on an ass before.

I'm posting this on FA 'cause I'll be wearing my tail, at least, and anyone else doing the same would probably only be judged "cool".

...so, want an amazing party experience tonight? (No money or under 21? - ...might not be a problem if you note me before 8p.)

Well, these guys are friends of mine and they're the best party band around: http://www.myspace.com/nootdnoot They're music is, let's say, atmospheric-psychedelic-gogo*-makossa-ska-NueDuetcheWelle-electro-funk. As a group and individually they've worked with artists as diverse as Gnarls Barkley and Mastodon - (also local and great, but kind'a d***ish. - ...no offense and they'd probably admit it.)

This is an album release party. I won't go into the crazy mixed bag of people and happenings from the last one.

The same label's great Judi Chicago are opening up. They're like Atlanta's Pop Will Eat It's Self. and makes of the Voice of Saturn: http://voiceofsaturn.com/ (This reminds me I still have to buy mine.)

It's at the Earl starting at 9p. (probably DJ's at that early time) Hay, note me if you think you're going. Did I over-sell this? ...sorry for being an advertiser and being last-minute at that.

*not '60's gogo but DC's hip-hoppy funk gogo.

late journal addition:  lw_wolfin will be there.

I'm looking for suggestions re: two things that to date have been problematic. -

⦁ No one except me knows what jackpot looks like because for various reasons my character sheet commissions never happened. Can anyone suggest someone who might do a good job with my character and who is cheap? ($100 or less, please) It's time I got this done.

⦁ Also, I still really really want a fursuit. I know it's a luxury item and it shouldn't be so important, but I think it would be good for me to have one for many reasons. It's unreasonable but I really want one before FWA, I don't know if I'll be able to pay much more than 1k by then and I can't pay it all right now. Yeah I know, that's probably asking too much. Before I consider anything else, I'll find out if the person who helped me get started with my semi-failed donkey suit is willing to help me try to rescue it. He is in business making suits now so perhaps that would be a good commission. Actually I'll pay for any decent local suit-maker to help me finish it if anyone is willing. (I just don't think I can sew the bodysuit.) In case I can't get help on it though, if anyone has a recommendation for a suit-maker who does decent work and might be able to work as quickly and cheaply as stated above, please let me know. Unfortunately a donkey suit is surely too complicated for that price but I suppose a rabbit suit would be simple enough.

Let's see, a few people have asked me what I've been up to lately. Well I've been really busy with life in general. Also I've spent some time catching up on stuff I've been putting off, like making mineral micromounts and other things of interest to nobody else. After this week and the next I'll be getting back to more furry stuff like my writing, and making a small jackpot sculpture.

I could have complained some here, but luckily for you these lyrics from John Lydon are in my head and stopped me: "You're irritating - go away - its not my fault, that you're lonely. Just look around, I think you'll find that everyone has the same problems." ... "This lot are not happy heroes, just better actors."

That's all for now I guess.

I hate to bump down my AC report but I just have to post this.

Today I found out about these and called to place an order. Unfortunately they were discontinued one month ago:
HORSE AND RIDER

I must have one! ...and will pay more than the original $30, in case anyone ever sees one at a swap meet or something. I'll ask artist friends to keep an eye out too, though I do realize that the chances of my acquiring one are barely statistically significant.

In case you haven't read enough accounts of AC here's another. I've tried to make it brief. Here I'm relating only good experiences. - I also had a lot of down time which I used to reflect. This was important, I think, but what I've taken away from AC was on the whole very positive. My previous journal which was posted mid-con goes into that sad stuff a bit.

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Thursday I drove up with  Growly and  glowsheep The conversation was lively and I didn't have to drive, so it was a blast for me. Glowsheep did a great badge for me, which I'll upload. It was my only commission since I used most of my money to eat right (and drink) this time. Anyway, while traveling I learned a lot about the furry community from these two.

My roommates in the other bed were fursuiters local to my area,  Keryu and  Miharu_Okami They were a cheerful presence and they clued me in on some things about suiting at cons, of which I was unaware. The guy I shared a bed with was nice but I can't remember his name. I saw very little of him, which I hope means he was out having fun.

Generally I wandered around a lot, attended a few of the events I wanted to attend (missing some is par for the course) and some that I didn't. Among other things I learned how others deal with wanting to be other than human, about some recent advances in genetics, and even how to make balloon animals. The "hoofers" panel hosted by  AnimeAmy and  ponyponypony was nice because I got to meet more pawless furs, including someone from Australia who was literally the last fur I've known online who I'd have expected to meet in person.

During the con I took about 500 pics. Most were to document suits for my own reference, but I'll go through them and post some tonight or tomorrow. I watched the fursuit parade directly instead of through a camera, which made a big difference. Hopefully it will be the last one I watch from the sidelines.

Saturday night was the TF Jam which was fun. I saw  comus for the second time in ten years, and I met  zax  Tincrash  Swatcher  drake  Hegdish and other really cool people. I watched one young artist, I forgot his name, show his work which was greatly admired by artists he's long respected. He got some insightful comments and was prodded to submit his work to more venues. He had been somewhat insecure about it, but he really lit up and I could tell it was a pivotal moment for him.

Sunday night I finally found a room party. It was at the Omni but I was there only briefly before being called by Comus to another small room event. By the time that broke up and we entered the Zoo I was having loads of fun. I was more than tipsy 'cause I'd had more than booze. Perhaps being in a more engaged state of mind is why, but the Zoo seemed more alive than it did previous nights. It was buzzing with artists, suiters, and all kinds of group activities. It was a unique experience for me. Later I ran into a dead dog dance and got to expend a lot of physical energy.

Monday, the ride back was as pleasant and fun as the ride up, though it included some rest this time. Being greeted by my dog Woodruff and going to sleep in my giant bed made for a perfect ending.

Not only did I meet a few more people than I realized at the time, but I made a list of others who I was told I should check out. I have a lot of Web exploration ahead of me. Also, for the first time I was approached by a couple of fans. It never occurred to me that I might have any of those, but I'm such a fan of so many myself, that I suppose it makes sense. At any rate that really helped reenergize me for working on furry stuff, right when I was feeling depleted. At one point I found myself hanging out with furs who are older than me. The gray in my sideburns make me look older so it was strange feeling like one of the young ones.

Are cons an emotional roller coaster for everyone? I bet they are for most people at least. AC has been really great so far. There are lots of amazing suits. This is kind of like my first few cons in that I don't know many others here, so it's mostly watching people for me.

Earlier tonight I got to socialize with someone I hadn't seen in many years and his cohorts. Also I had two people approach me and tell me that they were big fans. That was really nice, although it's strange since I've not done much furry art, writing, etc., at all.

Seeing all these happy couples though, I realized tonight that I'm no better at meeting people, or closer to finding someone special, than I was in high school. It's what I've worked hardest on while achieving the least results. I'm lucky to have awesome friends but it's still hard to keep the pain of loneliness at bay for long. Last night I got drunk at a bar thinking it would help me meet people to network, like I did years ago - all the time for the same reason. It never helped.

I have fun and I'm able to help people sometimes. Looking at things for what they are though, there's no real chance I'll ever have a real relationship. I can't take another 42 years of this.

Tomorrow, (well, later today,) there will be more fun and exciting things to do. ...and the ride back should be as fun and interesting as the ride up. It's a mixed bag.

...so, I checked AC's forum and secured 1/2 a bed within five minutes.

If anyone saw me at RCFM commissioning something from someone at the end table of Artists Alley, and knows who that artist is, please let me know. Asking this is a really long shot but it's all I have to go on. By now I should have learned to get contact information from artists I commission at cons instead of just giving them mine.

...the lead singer in this video, (Ian McCulloch,) at the time this came out, believe it or not. What's funny is that stylistically my art had moved through neo-expressionist / "new image" paintings of cows (more abstract expressionist really) and "bad painting" and I had just started using black silhouettes of "flying cows", exactly like the one suspended and pulled over the stage in the video, with words and symbols on them. For these and several other reasons, some obvious, this seemed very familiar the first time I saw it. It's a bad video but I really liked it at the time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaWs79v0ugE

If anyone still reads these feel free to note me as it would be nice to know.

By the way I started painted cows back then for no reason other than they gave me a nice big rectangle on which to place gestures. They weren't that great but they're what first got me noticed.

☆ Last night I passed 2K hits. The number is arbitrary and all it means is that I've been active on here for a while. ...but thanks everyone!

☆ Recent research has shown that happiness is contagious. ...no surprise, but the closer one is geographically, the greater the effect. It somehow makes sense to me, but is still odd, that tonight when I speak to my brother in DC, I'll be more likely to spread my cheer then when I call my friend in OR.

It's not surprising that it can cause people to loose friends, but studies now show that loneliness spreads like happiness, up to three degrees of separation. A tendency develops to perceive rejection when none exists. ...and people start alienating others when trying to engage them, though their social skills don't suffer.

☆ On my way back from RCFM I pulled over onto some new road construction in Polk county GA to make sure I didn't pass an exit. In the clay I noticed some chalcedony that I thought looked interesting, so I took a bunch of it. What I found are chunks of light and dark blue agate and some that's white with dark blue ovals. The largest is the size of a small pumpkin and most are grapefruit-sized. They formed with some sort of white rind that's about an inch thick. I'll be slicing into them on Friday and if anyone's interested I'll put up some pics.

The same spot yielded some small clear to milky quartz crystals and hematite "kidney ore".

Though I have nothing to show yet, I'm too excited about two small projects I started today not to share the ideas.

First of all I completed a detailed outline of a story that starts out with a TF. It's been in my head in pieces for years so it should write it's self quickly. While I'm working on it I'll get my character description fixed and re-posted.

Also, this week I came to a happy agreement with someone I commissioned for my character sheet about a year ago. I've communicated with someone else about doing it now. While I'm waiting to save the money for it I will make a little sculpture of my fursona to help the new artist. (I've always wanted to do this anyway.) It will be bigger than a mango but smaller than a pumpkin.

The figure will be made of FIMO, but since I'm going to paint it instead of mixing the colors before sculpting, it shouldn't take too long. I've set strict limits of how much time I'll be spending on these projects so that I can still work on my suit stuff without neglecting the rest of my life.

Oh, and the chicken thing... It's a funny chicken happy video. The song originally came out 15 years ago but I didn't know there was a video for it until today. Enjoy please:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COMWwwv_MTk (The song that plays after it is my favorite of theirs. Too bad there's no video for the Frank Chickens' "Doggies Are Nice". - Another couple of Japanese girls singing about a pet-or-meat decision.)

I have lots of high quality oil paint for sale. Note me if you're interested.

RCFM was great!

I met some fun new people on Saturday night and it was good to get to know some others better than I did before on Sunday night. Also, I learned a lot more about fursuit construction.

Although I missed some stuff since I was out of it from drinking at night, (but no hangover - yeay,) it didn't put a damper on things. ...although I would loved to have seen EdwardSebastian and Gothyyys' performances. They didn't even know they were going to get on stage though. Crimson Mist with guests The Drumming Raccoon and Jinx Tiger was awesome!

In the middle of the con I did have a few hours of being emotionally retarded, being confused and freaking out. However it seems that nobody noticed which is a great relief.

Thanks to everyone.

...not much of a journal here...

Lately I've been really really busy, but soon I'll have time to be on FA a lot more. There are a lot of comments I've been wanting to make, etc.,

That's all.

~ a fond childhood memory of a quasi-furry (I'm 42.) from when pop music* was dangerous ~
~ not one of her furry-ish songs, but my favorite ~
No, that's not the 2, the Ranting Griffin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnIJOO__jVo

Something more FA appropriate? Here's the above's heroine, and mine, Nina Hagen!
...sorry it's a fake video -> just the song with pics, but she's so photogenic! All The doggy voices are actually her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik9qunsZZtY

...last one, her "Auf'm bahnhof zoo" ("At the Bahnhof Zoo - In The Ladies' Bathroom")
~ just a chance, cathartic, lesbian encounter ~
How can you not love: "What's that in her hair? Rice Crispies!?"
...not the best live version -> It's toned down and her operatic climax is replaced with random lyrics from her new at the time , 1982?, songs, but I love the lion roar at the end.

- Note that the song starts 46 seconds in. -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=218VZjod8xk&feature=related
Yes, I love anthems.

No wonder she was kicked out of East Berlin, eh?

*...meaning anything in the form of a song. Of course a lot was crap too.

- nothing big - just a quick FYI -

I'm able to go to AC.

For what it's worth cleaning is going well. Today I'll go to the dog park with Woodruff. He is happy now that I'm rested, feel sane and not so wrapped up in myself these days.

earth shattering news of high import - eh?

Normally my house is spotless. However after three months of letting it go while working on suit stuff (working in every room) it's a wreck. (see the pic "hallway" in scraps) It's the biggest mess I've had by far. Before I do anything else I need to clean. I'll be listening to the Fall which always helps me work, but it's still hard to get into the project.

Does anyone have any helpful tips?

Unrelated: What is a dead dog dance? I've heard people use this term after cons but I don't know what it means.

Also: My dog Woodruff was upset with the plushie that FWA gave as the god level gift. I took a pic as he growled at it but the image isn't worth posting.

OK,

For what it's worth here's how the con went: When I was alert enough to leave my room I had a very good time. (My body made me catch up on some rest so I was in my room much of the time.)  kabukihomewood stayed with me since I had an extra bed and we had some great conversations even though I was somewhat foggy. Also  petorawolf threw a great early party Saturday night. Next I'm off to get some sleep uninterrupted by my phone alarm going off all the time telling me to get with the program. I've never been this exhausted before so sleep will be so nice.

my best deal - $10 for an amazing 15 min upper-back massage.
my worst deal - $63 dollars for parking since I lost my vouchers.

I'll finally post more suit construction pics in a few days after I catch up with stuff I've been putting off.

Fursuit bowling and dinner was great.

Before this vent starts I'll let you know that I am goiung to FWA and I'm lining up my suit stuff on my bed to take a look at what is there. Only a tail is done but I can fur the hind hooves at the con. I'm leaving what I wrote an hour ago to show how bad my state of mind was. Right now it's just exhaustion.

For three months I've worked so many eight hour, twelve hour days. Perhaps just one more day without sleep and I would have had a partial. For many hours I payed bills, did laundry, even cleaned a bathroom for two friends that were supposed to help me with my work but didn't. Perhaps that time could have helped. The last time I tried really hard for a suit was MFM 2000. I almost had a partial. Someone who didn't like me being furry threw that away.

I just wanted to show some furs that I have some creative ability, perhaps get a hug or two, and for someone to notice me. I really wanted to show something to a few artists who I've gotten to know over the last year of waiting for the commissions they're doing for me. They happen to be coming to FWA.

I went into a bit of debt with all the last minute materials, delivery instead of cooking to save time, etc., It would have been worth it too. I bought all this stuff to give away and today I allowed myself to ruin some important stuff in the interest of getting a partial done.

OK, enough complaining. I may still drive down the street to FWA and at least check into my room. I need to sleep sometime and I trashed my house over a few months of frantic suit-making. It would be nice to be somewhere clean.

Please don't think I'm lazy since I can't ever seem to finish fursuit things. I tried very very hard to get stuff done. I think all of the things that are almost done are awesome. Maybe I'll post some pics after I take a week or two to be quiet. It's hard for me to think about having to wait a year for the next FWA. I was really hoping someone would maybe see a pic of my suit somewhere and that person be someone who might take an interest in me. I can't think of any other way to try for that.

Not understanding this stuff too well, my mom suggested I rent a suit. Well, now I really wish I had just for the experience of wearing something.

I don't want people to think of me as a drag or bring anyone down but I can't help being depressed right now. I'm afraid of showing up at FWA like this. I'm shy and I want to exist in the furry community. I want people to think of me as a nice person and a fun person. With much effort I've met more furs in the last year. ...but I want to be someone who means something for other furs, and suit stuff seems to be a way I could get to know people better.

OK, sorry for the dump.

Everyone will have to wait until after FWA for construction pics. I've just got too much work to do. My friend who is supposed to be helping has caused big delays. For one thing he screwed up the ears completely so I have to start them again from scratch.

At any rate, either everything will be done at once and I'll have a nice suit to wear at the con. ...or everything will be extremely close to being done but I'll have nothing to wear.

Today I've been working exclusively on my head. Here are a few details that might be interesting about the it since I have no pics:

I've placed a tiny whistle in it so if I quickly inhale through my nose there's a high pitch, and there's a resonator in the muzzle. These features will help me bray better. Also I've come up with a good solution for the corners of the mouth and when I open it the stretch action should work basically in the same way as it does with real donkeys.

FWA meme tomorrow

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes for my birthday!

Almost everything with the suit has become more complicated than expected. However, the results are also better better than expected. Right now I'm trying to catch up after being sick as a dog for several days.

It looks like, as usual, I'll complete big groups of things together, at certain points. The first group will be: the arm placement device, withers including cooling bag (camel-back) and rump (which will complete the "muscle-suit".) When this is all done I'll finally be able to post some more meaningful pics. There are many more elements in various states of progress.