I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's Day!!! I can't believe it's 2018 already!! 2017 was an interesting year for me, from meeting so many of my friends and meeting new furries at FWA and CaliFur. The horrible car accident I had (being rear-ended by a Caltrans driver!!) on May 1st was something that shook me up, as I lost my 2015 Toyota Camry SE - but, by the Grace of God I was able to rebound quickly and get a NEW 2016 Toyota Camry XSE (More sporty, fully loaded for bear) - I was extremely blessed. I'm glad to have family and friends that are dear, and I just celebrated my 17th anniversary with my current employer. Blessed indeed... I will be at my FIRST Further Confusion (FC) on Jan 11-15, 2018 In San Jose!!! I hope to be at the host Marriott Hotel on Thursday Jan 11th only, then as friends fly in from Orange County - I will be moving to a suite at Fairfield Inn San Jose Airport from Jan 12-15th. Please PM me if you wish to hang, as it will be fun. Come and say HI to the Bear wearing glasses and his Cal Cap. Let's make it happen!!! Hugs! Joe G. Bear

After viewing comments from my friends and videos posted from Midwest Furfest (MFF) in Chicago this past weekend, it made me much more 'excited' for my FIRST Further Confusion in San Jose January 11-15, 2018. Only 35 days away now... I will post more details of where I'm staying and what I'll be actually doing when I arrive. I'm hoping to hook up with some of my Bay Area furries and visitors alike. Keep in touch and stay tuned here. #FC2018

Happy San Diego Pride!!! I'll be in my THIRD straight SD Pride Parade with 'Bears San Diego'. See ya around - ya can't miss me with this big guy with my Cal Cap. Happy Pride

**CaliFur is COMING!!!*** I know many of my furry friends are skipping CaliFur for BLFC in Reno on June 2nd..But, I'm expecting to see my more 'intimate' furries here in Los Angeles for CaliFur @ The Sheraton Fairplex in Pomona May 19th-21st, 2017. I will be having a room at the host hotel, versus going outside and fighting for parking. My Cubs Ken and Brenton will be rooming with me, and hope to see many of my furry friends from San Diego as well! It should be a good time. Don't forget to come over and say Hi to me (The Bear in the Cal cap) and get a FREE HUG!!! See ya at "CaliFur The 13th"!!! Joe G. Bear

**FWA 2017 Journal** This was my second consecutive trek to Atlanta, GA for FWA 'Furry Weekend Atlanta'. FWA 2017's theme was "GAME ON!" - a video gaming theme. I was hoping it would be as successful as last year's "Camp Furry Weekend". I must say, I had MORE FUN than I could had ever imagined!!! My partner-in-crime  Goody2Toad was with me and we both roomed together quite comfortably. I was able to check-in early Friday morning, as Toad had to work during the morning - Luckily, he got off by 1pm and we were set for a wild three days and nights. I was able to partake on snapping some great furry photography (Toad took some of the best pictures himself from his Canon Rebel EOS). I had so much fun seeing my friends from Alabama Furs and meeting new furs from all over. So many new furry faces, I can't even count right now. The parties at night were outrageous, and I had to remind Toad I hadn't been so wasted in like 10 years!!! The events and nightly panels were a blast - especially the Paw Fetish panel hosted by  TsudoDog and I learned more from that panel than from any other previous furry. The late night Dances were WILD!!! This year, we were able to enjoy late night swimming with  TonyTheBear and  SpectorFox after closing ceremonies - that was intense!!! Unlike last year, when we had only two nights at Marriott Marquis - We were able to spend three days and checked out on a Monday afternoon. I truly experienced a full furry Convention from beginning to end and beyond ...I did my first ever 'Dead Dog Dance' and I'll never furget it!! This reignited my full interest in doing a full furcon, not just going for one day or two. FWA will be my annual 'Fur-scape' from California, and during 'Spring Break' it's quite appropriate too. I hope to see my friends again next year for FWA 2018 "Space Cowboys" - JukeBox, play some Steve Miller Band for this Bear!!! Peace - Joe G. Bear. P.S. - I'll be at CaliFur May 19-21, 2017 in Pomona, CA.

It's been quite a while since I updated my journal. I've been extremely busy with work and social life to do much here lurking around on FA. However, I did reach a milestone last Wednesday (01/25/17) as I reached The BIG 50!!! I still feel quite youthful, and I hope that attitude helps me when I go to three Furry Conventions (FWA in Atlanta April 6,9 - CaliFur in Pomona/L.A. May 19,21 and 'maybe' BLFC in Reno June 5,6). I hope to see you at either furcon - it should be fun. FWA seems to be the one I'm probably going to go on an annual basis as I have made good friends in the Southeast US and wish to keep in touch. I hope 2017 will not be as bad as some are saying, with Trump and his cronies playing with Fire and all. Just Pray, because we need it. Peace. JG 'Bear'

***Howdy, Gang!!! This my Pre-Califur journal.*** I'm truly looking forward to my second straight Califur - the Con's first at The Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Convention Center in Pomona. I've heard good things regarding the resort and parking is gonna be a lot more plentiful than the former host hotel (Irvine Marriott). However, I'm not staying at the host hotel like I did for FWA in Atlanta with  Goody2Toad - I will be staying near the overflow hotel (Ontario Sheraton) so if ya want to meet - please let me know. I'll be on 'the growl' looking forward to seeing many of ya and I'll be hanging with my buds  starkid89 and  cyberbear. Keep in touch and ROCK ON!!! Joe G. Bear

***FWA 2016 In FURview*** I'm sick in my bed, writing this on my laptop on this unusually wet and rainy Saturday morning in Southern California. I started to get ill on my last day in Georgia (Mon 04-04-16) while hanging with my best buddy there  goody2toad - Toad and roomie Derek  dark_bear_108 were simply the BEST part of flying out to Atlanta. Toad was an incredible host and 'partner-in-crime' (with leather & Canon-in-paw) and I can only wish to know 10 more friends like Toad, then my life would be set. He took care of me by staying at the house, all the driving duties in his HOT Audi & VW Beetle and getting the room at host hotel Marriott Atlanta Marquis - I really do owe Toad a LOT of Tacos!!! (Thank You card & small gift card is on the way). We stocked up and headed out to FWA on Friday 04-01-16 and we stayed there through the weekend, checking out on Sunday 04-03-16. All I can say is it was a surreal experience as though it was my second-ever furry convention, it was truly my first furry convention outside of California and my first full furry con experience by staying at the hotel through the madness (waiting for packed elevators, then waiting in line for food). The highlight of FWA was meeting the many new furries from other parts of the country, especially  alabamafurs - They showed Toad and 'yours truly' what 'TRUE SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY' meant and welcomed us with open paws - names if I forget please remind me --- THANK YA  SpectorFox  fuzzycoma  TonyTheBear  CupcakeSparkle  sparrowquinn  VandalGraves (Sparrow & Vandal got engaged right in front of me!!!)  TheLilDino  HeavyMetalBear  RaikenZero  BrennanHalls  fenris5856  Bin  Garoh and  QBLion along with a fellow Cal Bear alum and furry  bjorn_grafeldr among other furries that I can't recall. Simply Put, I had a memorable time and made new friends, so THANK YA!!! With due planning along with Toad, we will SPLIT the cost of a room at the Marriott for FWA 2017 and even the costs a bit better. Also, Bring LOTS of AIRBORNE, EMERGEN-C and ZINC 50mg daily pill so this 50 year old Grizzly should be fine. See ya @ CALIFUR June 5th...and Peace Out!!! Joe G. Bear

******FWA 2016 IN FUR-VIEW IS COMING - STAY TUNED!!!******I hope many of my furry pals here are doing well as we approach Easter 2016. It's "Good Friday" today, which is a Holy Day for Catholics (Like "yours truly") as we remember our savior Jesus Christ, who died on The Cross at Calvary - which led to his resurrection three days later (Easter) and eternal salvation for all (who believe in Him). I know many here are not Catholic - Still, I hope you all have a great Easter. This Bear is looking forward to next weekend - as I'm going to my first fur-con outside of California, called 'Furry Weekend Atlanta' (FWA). I want to thank Jose Pacheco aka Toad Bear  goody2toad for inviting me (though I bought my plane ticket and early weekend pass for FWA) I have a place to stay at Marriott Marquis downtown Atlanta (FWA Host Hotel). I visited Atlanta last September (my first ever visit) with another friend 'Alex' as we drove from Charlotte, N.C. - we met my buddy Derek  darkbear108 with Toad Bear while visiting The Carter Center and though Alex won't be with me on this trip, I'm so looking forward to FWA (I might want to see The GA Aquarium as I didn't have time to visit last year) and feasting at WAFFLE HOUSE again (Yum!!!). If yer comin' to Atlanta, I'll be around - though I don't have a fur suit, you'll see me wearing my Cal cap so please don't hesitate to stop and say "Howdy". Peace - 'Joe the Bear'

Happy New Year!!! It's been a while since I've been on FA - as I've been very busy with work and a small issue I had with the wonderful folks at the Internal Revenue Service (The issue was resolved in November). I wished I had been here more often, but now as things have improved, I hope to be here more often. I hope all of ya are well, and enjoying the art being made by  DJ-Rodney and  lukasartair. I hope to post more journals later on. I've been down for almost a week since the unexpected death of one of my musical 'heroes' David Bowie. He showed us how to live our lives the way we want and to not conform - to be yourself. For that - we were so blessed to have a man like David Bowie. The last six months have thought me something quite clear - ya can't avoid death and the IRS - so, enjoy yer life fully. Peace - 'Joe the Bear' Goria. Song of the moment - David Bowie "Moonage Daydream" from "Ziggy Stardust" - also on "The Guardians of The Galaxy" soundtrack

I Reached 500 Watches. TO ALL - THANK YA!!! In less than a year since joining FA, I've reached this milestone with not much effort. I must say, it's a honor to those who faved this middle-aged Cal Grizz Bear and the many new furry friends I've met in person since last September. Late last month, I finally had my chance to meet THE ONE, THE ONLY, LEGEND of The San Joaquin Valley  DJ-Rodney by way of  lukasArtair - we met at The Black Bear Diner near Rodney's new home in Modesto - and I was very grateful to meet such a fine young man with amazing artistic talent (along with Rodge 'Rai Bear'). It was a special meal and we also met Rodney's roommate  sqeaksgrayness as well. My friend John 'Polar Bear' and 'Yours Truly' had a great time. I must say, Rodney is one of the 'chillest' guys I've ever met. Also, I went to my first furry convention 'Califur' - I had a grrrrreat time. I want to shout out  Goody2toad and  blackwolf89 - Peace. Joe G. Bear.

Howdy!!! It's been a while since I posted a journal. I've been very busy with work and now we're going full throttle into U-Verse VOIP technology - so my training has been expectionally exhausting, but rewarding. I look at it as 'job security'. In my eight months since joining FA, I have almost 500 watchers!!! Man, this bear is so grateful to each person who cares, once again - 'thank ya'. The main reason for "this" journal - I'm going to my FIRST Furry Convention in 'The OC' (near my AT&T office) - I'm looking forward to "CALIFUR" at The Irvine Marriott and will be with  vvolfaith and Brenton - also,  cyberbear will be there for added fun! I'll come with an open mind, and I'll be there starting Saturday afternoon and all of Sunday. Please PM me if ya want to meet on premise. Thanks for reading and have a good June Pride month. JG "Bear". p.s. - I'll be at L.A. Pride on June 12-14 and Bearracuda at The Dragonfly Friday night 06/12/15. if yer comin' let me know. JG

It's January 24th, 2015 - my last day being 47 years old. Tomorrow, January 25th will be my 48th Birthday (or Bearthday as some of my friends like to call it). The weather here in SoCal is just amazing, 73* degrees and sunny here in Redondo Beach. I do like to count myself 'lucky' in so many ways, living here and having loving family and friends that care for me. I'm also fortunate to know many of ya here on FA, including several artists and furry folk I've met over the last few months. I'm hoping to go to my first 'Furry Convention' in June with 'Califur' as several of my local Furry friends are going. I hope to see ya there. Overall, I've been working a lot and try to mix social time in. I'm going to a pre-bearthday celebration with a friend in North Hollywood tonight sponsored by GROWLR and I'm hoping to check out BEAR DEN PARTY, as the founder of GROWLR will be there!! Speaking of shout outs - new art of Joe Bear is being worked on as we speak and will spotlight soon... Thanks to  mrfurry and  lay0wn as well to my pal  lukas_artair - Yer The BEST!!! All of Ya! Bear Hugs and Peace Out!!! Joe G Bear (Song of the Moment... Tierra - TOGETHER)

I gotta say this first...I'm getting old!!! I can't believe that in about a month from now, this big bear will turn 48!!! GRRRRRRRR!!! BTW - AARP has YOU on their database, as long as you have a Social Security number, they 'gotcha' cha-cha (Thanks Homeland Security!!!) and will automatically pay you 'a visit' on yer 50th bearthday!!! TWO MORE YEARS!!! Nooooo. Be warned!!! Many of ya guys are still under 30, so yer chill. I've been feelin' a bit reflective the last couple days, adding to that I was saddened to hear the passing just yesterday of a great blues-rock musician Joe Cocker that I grew up listening to and seeing in concert. Still, I'm having the time of my life right now and this big guy is not gonna slow down (despite dealing with job responsibilities, but it could be worse). I'm meeting great folks left and right, so to my new friends 'Thank Ya'. I'm grateful to close out 2014 as a 'milestone' year, with my delayed 'coming out' gay and also meeting new bears from San Diego, L.A. and Fresno/Modesto to The SF Bay and Sac-town. It's been a great year, and hoping that 2015 will be very productive. MERRY CHRISTMAS and I will be celebrating NEW YEARS EVE AT BEAR-RACUDA in HOLLYWOOD - The Dragonfly Nightclub. If yer going, I would love to give ya my signature Joe Bear 'Hug'. Be on the Hunt, as I will likely be near. To All - God Bless Ya and Peace Out!!! Shout Outs -  lukas_artair  tairupanda Rock Song of the Moment - Joe Cocker 'With a Little Help from My Friends' (1968) Joe G. Bear

Today, It was 'Black Friday' for retailers and for the hordes of consumers clamoring to buy, buy, buy stuff after they themselves got 'stuffed' on Turkey and Pumpkin Pie the day before. Gotta Love 'Thanksgiving' - Only In America, my friends...'Only In America'. Still, Instead of joining the masses to congregate into a crowded shopping mall, this 'Brown Grizzly Bear' did the opposite...I made sure this day wasn't gonna be 'Black Friday' - Instead, I made it 'Rai Bear Friday'!!! I was finally able to meet a very special artist...and truly pleased he came out to visit me by taking BART from The San Francisco East Bay to meet me and my friend 'John' in nearby Dublin, CA  lukasartair We had been chatting fer some time, and Rodge did a fantastic job with 'Generations' that we agreed to meet on this day - and I was very, very thankful we did. Rodge is a very handsome young bear, educated and full of life. He was somewhat shy, and rightfully so (Things got more talkative later in the evening). We had dinner with a friend of mine who used to work for Disney in Burbank (now retired and living in the Sacramento Delta). We had a great dinner at (of all places) Black Bear Diner in Pleasanton, CA. We discussed the upcoming commission art with my bear, and we jotted down ideas (He had his sketch book drawing bear stuff and boy, this guy is FAST!!!) My friend John was impressed by his personality and his artwork. After dinner, we decided last minute to head out on Hwy. 24 to Berkeley!!! We walked around Durant and Telegraph Ave, checked out some shops and Rasputin Records (I bought another LP) and we ended our swing in Berkeley at 'Top Dog' (Hot Link and RC cola fer dessert) - We got Rodge to BART Berkeley station for his ride back home. Just as we left Berkeley on Hwy. 80 going north to Sacramento, The Rain Started Falling!!! A perfect way to end our time together. I hope we will see each other again in the future. A kind kid with a full life ahead of him. I see nothing but good things for him and I'm proud to be his friend, despite the age differential. Shout Outs -  Dark_Bear_108  VVolfaith and  DJ-Rodney 'Old School R&B' Song On My YouTube Page - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell "You're All I Need To Get By" Peace Out - Joe G. Bear

Howdy! This report will be very short. I just wanted to growl a hearty "Thank You, 200 Times!!!" I reached 200 watches earlier this morning - Thanks  YoGiBear -- I'm quite grateful for all the likes from other artists and friends. It truly means a lot to me - a fat, lazy middle-aged Grizzly Bear from the "310". Hugs... JG "Bear"

"The Berlin Wall Fell 25 Years Ago" - It was a day I would never forget. Just 3 weeks after the San Francisco Bay Area suffered horrible damage in The Loma Preita Earthquake - We were witness to something I thought would never come. For those Bears who are over 40 years old, we remember the fear of The Soviet Bear and WWIII starting somewhere in eastern Europe, The Unpredictibilty of Pres. Reagan and Maggie Thatcher and The Soviet Leaders Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko - Only after 1985 with Gorbachev did things start to improve. This 22 year old Bear was in San Francisco on Nov. 10th 1989 - in a hotel room on Lombard with family as we were on a weekend trip - SF was just reeling from the quake and saw the damage in the marina district, Yet the news coming from Berlin kept me transfixed. I remembered ABC-TV anchor Peter Jennings face so lit up like a Christmas Tree as the wall was coming down on live TV - It was a moment I'll never forget ...late on that night celebrating my brother's birthday on the Cable Cars as people were coming out for the first true weekend since the quake, I felt the positivity of the moment and hope that our world was moving toward a peaceful future. I knew that same vibe was being felt across the Bay Area, California and the world. We were witnessing history - yet, 25 years later the recent events in Ukraine and Russia do concern me - still, Putin can't turn back progress. We will respond. BTW - I want to "Shout Out" to  lukas_artair  megawaffle  sheppymilo  dark_bear108  radjinwolf  cyberbear  k-9 and my idol  dj-rodney YOU GUYS ROCK!!! Peace Out! JG 'Bear'

I really didn't want to do my third journal until this weekend, when I do my monthly travel on the Amtrak "San Joaquin" Train to Sacramento or San Francisco East Bay Area ("Hella" as I like to call the Oakland/Berkeley area). I'm wishing to write this small journal to get something off my furry chest. This is not drama, just reflection and closure. I was able to meet another FA Furry fer lunch last Sunday  sheppymilo in the Inland Empire (Riverside) and we had a good time at a restaurant called BJ's (yeah, BJ's)... Though Sheppymilo was not the first FA Furry I've met, and I don't know if I'll ever meet him again...I enjoyed his company. But, as I was chatting with him - I received another chapter of the fandom that some have mentioned to me while hangin' out with FA pals in San Diego - they have told me sometimes people will not be as straightforward or be way too cautious opening up to people, especially new members. Everyone is different, and I'm cool with folks being cautious. BTW - Sheppymilo is an incredible young man, determined to succeed and in many ways, I see Chris a lot like myself over twenty years ago - as I love to travel and we love meeting new people and the sex, oh the sex 😘 But, I want to say this, as I truly care for the folks I've met here, "Big Joe" wants to make sure no one is afraid to open up and talk (I don't bite, mostly) - but be straightforward with me. It's a big thing as I believe the truth can set ya free. I have nothin' to hide - I've opened up truthfully as gay (Finally), and I feel good (like James Brown)!!! Do the same! That is all. Hugs! Joe G. Bear

This last month has been almost surreal. The many friends I've made here on FA have made this Ursine very, very happy. I just want to say a hearty "Thank Ya". However, I do have to give the biggest 'bear hug' to the guy that really got me interested in furry art ... DJ-Rodney. His work on my Bear was strikingly beautiful artwork, he got my facial features, the eyes (oh yeah), my bear belly and even a few wrinkles With the grrrreat background of "Happy Trees everywhere" like Yosemite - so much I'm gonna get it printed, matted and framed in my living room/hallway. He's someone I truly hope to work with again in the future and eventually meet in person someday as I drive frequently across the San Joaquin Valley. To add, I'm also taking Rodney's philosophy regarding future journals...To keep it short, to the point and be drama-free. It's the right thing to do. I've made good friends to the south in the city I was born in, San Diego. On FA there is a very special older bear named Bart (Cyberbear) who is also friends with my fellow brown bear Kaz Sasamine (fullmetalfurryman) - he has an incredible collection of furry art and I was just in awe over the many books of furry/erotic artwork and his association with "San Diego Bears" made it that much sweeter. He's a guy who was formerly straight (has two incredible sons who support his dad's decision to become gay) and with my coming out on Oct. 11, 2014 has reinforced my belief that a new life has started fer this middle-aged grizzly bear. I appreciate their friendship and yer support through this transition. My favorite quote is "The Best Is Yet To Come". With folks like DJ-Rodney Medina, Kaz Sasamine and Bart "Cyberbear" - I truly believe it is. Peace Out!!! Joe G. Bear

As I'm writing my first journal here on FurAffinity, this old bear is eating expensive take-out pizza and drinking cheap 7-11 wine. So, if I end up offending anyone, I meant no harm. I kinda explained myself on the profile page, so I won't rehash any news that ya can get on the front page. I'm very grateful to be a part of this community of extremely talented artists, though I myself cannot draw anything worth shit but a hang bear, a phat one at that. What I like to do is write and shoot photography - though I have expensive Canon Rebel and many interchangeable zoom lenses, I'm a novice one at best (my friends and family do compliment me, though). Ever since I was a cub, I always thought of myself as a bear. That might sound weird (taking another zip of wine) but I always felt it - as I was a chubby kid and adult through high school and college. I did play sports in high school (only baseball - mom would not allow me to play football, though my dad was chill with it). In college and university, I focused on academics and associated students govt. At university, I joined a fraternity and had fun (I was straight at the time - but I was always more attracted to the young men surrounding me - but I was too shy and in the late 80's and early '90's with gay bashing and the AIDS scare, I was in fear and in essence denying my true identity - though if we ever met, I'm very straight acting). For those who are under 30 years old and publicly came out - I admire each and everyone of ya. I'm a Bi-Bear now and I feel relieved - it's great to see younger folks being more accepting - So, thank ya. I graduated with my BA from Long Beach State in '94 and did graduate studies at Long Beach (but never finished) as I started working for "Pacific Bell" in 2000 and though our name has changed, I've been blessed to work for a company that embraces diversity and tolerance. My favorite cartoon character has and will always be "Baloo" - from Disney's "The Jungle Book" released in 1967 (the year I was born) and Disney's "TaleSpin" TV show in the early '90's. I watched "TaleSpin" from it's first airing in 1990. I had a TaleSpin fan site for 11 years called "SoCalSpinner.com" until last month when I decided to go into the future and "Be My Own Bear". There are many tribute sites and "The Disney Afternoon" on Facebook - so, Baloo and company won't be forgotten. Before I shut down the site, I was searching for a comic when I stumbled across a "furry comic" from Japan. The name of the comic was "Love Mechanic" from artist Kumagaya Shin. The story of an younger guy named Ena Mashima fantasizing for the sexual desires of an middle-aged "Bear" in my age group (Tom Kumatora) just took this big bear to another dimension. The name of the comic changed to "Love Maintenance" - Shin has four comics released with a fifth in the works. I see myself a lot like Tom, a middle aged bear who's gotten the short end of the stick (no pun - taking another sip of wine) but finally found 'LOVE' with Ena the Hyena. The second reason and why I've signed up on FA - three months ago while I was on my Growlr Bear dating page, a guy sent me a toony pic of two bears in a suggestive hug, the taller darker brown grizzly behind a more golden colored grizzly bear wearing a beret cap - with the taller bear's arms in front touching the chest of the surprised looking golden bear. It said on top "Thanks For The Add" and had some guys initials to the right of the hind paw. It looked like JJ-Rodney. Over a period of 30 days I tried to find this JJ Rodney - until I came across e621 for grizzly images and found out his name was DJ-Rodney. It all came together - I found him on Deviant Art and link to this site. I've said this to him, I'll say it here. He has a true gift that only God can provide. Someone can make millions swinging a bat in Major League Baseball, someone that can catch a football to win The Super Bowl in The NFL - and an artist who can draw pure magic like DJ-Rodney Medina. I think he will have great success in the future. In 2019 I can imagine him driving a Cadillac Escalade with the gangsta whitewalls, and TV antennas in the back (the soul oldie "Be Thankful For What You've Got" by William De Vaughn). I believe that people who work hard like Rodney deserve to be rewarded as they should. He's very humble and a very nice guy. As I was joining FA - there are so many fantastic artists just like Rodney - I see folks like Kuma, MegaWaffle, Teaselbone, Soba Bear, etc. doing great things. From the adult stuff to the clean "general audience" artwork, these artists deserve all the accolades as they represent a very special community that we all come to visit on a daily basis. I'm very glad to be a small part of this community of talented artists. Keep in touch. Hugs!!! Joe G Bear