Man, I've been back here since the 12th training to take charge of a platoon of around 30 upperclassmen. I know I haven't had any art up for awhile but that might change soon. I'm just a little lonely up here, that's all

Tennessee was amazing, but its great to be home! (Actually, I've been back since Sunday, don't know why I didn't go on right away...) I'm in a relationship now, so life has been a little more complicated, yet I consider myself extremely lucky to be with such a fantastic person. Sorry if I sound a little over the top religious, (TN revived my spirituality,) but I take comfort in knowing that our relationship is in God's hands, as is everything I face day to day. I get to play the "meet the parents" game Friday night, wish me luck!

Its good to be back and see you all again!

No FA for me from Saturday 'til Sunday the 15th. I'm going down to Tennessee with my church on ASP, or Appalachia Service Project to help repair homes for those who can't afford professional repair, that and do God's work.

I played golf on Tuesday. Its an "interesting" sport, to say the least. I'm OK at it, getting better. Here's some thoughts on golf:

1. We, as golfers, pay money to torture ourselves out on the course.

2. When you hit the ball just right, you can't remember how you did it.

3. We buy new, fancy clubs, but they don't make us better.

4. We hit well on the range but take a dive on the course.

BUT ITS STILL SO MUCH FUN!!!!

This song kicks so much ass, and I have nothing else to talk about, so, here's some Metallica.


Guilty as charged
But damn it, it ain't right
There's someone else controlling me
Death in the air
Strapped in the electric chair
This can't be happening to me

Who made you God to say?,
I'll take your life from you

Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the pain

Wait for the sign
To flick the switch of death
It's the beginning of the end
Sweat, chilling cold
As I watch death unfold
Consciousness my only friend

My fingers grip with fear
What am I doing here?

Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the pain


Someone help me
Oh please, God help me
They are trying to take it all away
I don't want to die

Someone help me
Oh please, God help me
They are trying to take it all away
I ain't gonna want to die

Time moving slow
The minutes seem like hours
The final curtain call I see
How true is this
Just get it over with
If this is true, just let it be

Wakened by a horrid scream
Freed from this frightening dream

Flash before my eyes
Now it's time to die
Burning in my brain
I can feel the pain

Saw the Blue Angels for the first time on Saturday. A lot of people say they're better than the Thunderbirds, and I agree. The pilots are amazing, the skill they have is unbelievable. I got stuck in traffic going there, so an F/A-18 pilot noticed us poor motorists on the overpass and flew over a couple times, how nice! Also on hand were some C-130's, Black Hawks, a Huey, random stunt planes, a P-51, and an F-15, which I thought was pretty loud. BUT, the F-22 is the loudest aircraft I have ever heard. Its HUGE too! It almost looks like something out of Batman.

I picked up a new biography on Walt Disney awhile ago and can't put it down. I got it because, like many others, I grew up on Disney movies such as Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, Pinocchio, and especially Robin Hood. (Which I found out was released in 1973, Walt died in '66.) Of course, I was way too young to appreciate what it meant in American society and for cartooning/animation in general. I'm just getting into the accusations of him being anti-semetic, a red-baiter, or a petophile (this one seems, as I read on, completely false and a malicious rumor.) Its not just about him either, there were many great animators alongside him.

So, if anyone grew up on these movies and wants to know where they came from, I highly recommend the book: "Walt Disney: the Triumph of the American Imagination," by Neal Gabler.

Its weird, you get a long bout of inspiration and great ideas, then they trickle off and vanish into thin air. I'll just try and remember what Mr. Rousseau told me junior year, artists go looking for inspiration.

Something is bound to show up. Not a big deal.

In the gloom the gathering storm abates
In the ships gimlet eyes await
The call to arms to hammer at the gates
To blow them wide throw evil to its fate

All summers long the drills to build the machine
To turn men from flesh and blood to steel
From paper soldiers to bodies on the beach
From summer sands to armageddon's reach

Overlord, your master not your god
The enemy coast dawning grey with scud
These wretched souls puking, shaking fear
To take a bullet for those who sent them here

The world's alight, the cliffs erupt in flame
No escape, remorseless shrapnel rains
Drowning men no chance for a warrior's fate
A choking death enter hell's gate

Sliding we go, only fear on our side
To the edge of the wire,
and we rush with the tide
Oh the water is red,
with the blood of the dead
But I'm still alive, pray to God I survive

How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through

How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through

The rising dead, faces bloated torn
They are relieved, the living wait their turn
Your number's up, the bullet's got your name
You still go on, to hell and back again

Valhalla waits, valkyries rise and fall
The warrior tombs, lie open for us all
A ghostly hand reaches through the veil
Blood and sand, we will prevail

Sliding we go, only fear on our side
To the edge of the wire,
and we rush with the tide
Oh the water is red,
with the blood of the dead
But I'm still alive, pray to God I survive

How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through

How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through

How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through

How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through

I just told my Mom over dinner a couple of weeks ago about the furry culture and how/why I'm a part of it. I'm so glad she understood! I keep a lot of things to myself but I like being up front with people. A few days ago I showed her around my sketchbook, and it felt good to share things I previously hid, when there was nothing to hide at all.

I think finding you all here and putting my art out there added to it. It feels better now, not having to worry.

It seems like every year this holiday rolls around, so many of us take for granted why we get off from work or school. I'm guilty of it. Its gotta be the patriotism in me doing the talking. I'm just calling on people to remember the sacrifices the men and women of the armed forces have made, past and present. Even the smallest thing shows that one cares. Light a few candles, fly the colors, say a prayer, call up a loved one who's a vet and say thank you.

I guess going to Norwich and looking back on my family has opened my eyes. My friends who have served in Iraq, my grandfather as a naval aviator, my uncle who lost his arm in Vietnam, and my 2 great cousins who were killed over the English Channel and France while piloting a P-51 and an A-20. All made sacrifices too great for words. I'm just curious, do any of you have relatives/loved ones who have served?

Quite the scare today. Coming home from work, beautiful day, Metallica's "One" on the radio. I'm at a red light on a main road waiting to turn right behind 2 cars. The light goes green, then BANG!!! I'm hit from behind, the dude must have gunned his engine! It was hard hit too, sent me forward and knocked my hat off! My head would have nailed the steering wheel if it weren't for the seat belt. I turned into a gas station, and I was PISSED, which doesn't usually happen. I get out, no damage. Thank God my car is built like a tank. Anything less and we would have been swapping insurance. I looked at the guy, told him he was lucky, and took off.

Just shows that life throws all kinda crazy crap at us but we have to roll with it. Just be careful driving in the Boston area. People are nuts here.

YEAH!!!! Finally, Summer has arrived! This means a lot more artwork to be coming.

I hope you all have a great summer vacation!

I've had "Master of Puppets" stuck in my head for days now, and I don't mind at all.

Thursday night Echo Taps was conducted at 2200 hours. All 1100 Cadets out on the parade ground, total silence. Taps was played and a 21 gun salute was fired for Captain Anthony Palermo and Sergeant Adam Kennedy of the Army, both Norwich alumni killed recently in Iraq. Captain Palermo was killed by an IED, and Sergeant Kennedy by an explosion. Echo taps is the most emotionally powerful thing we do here. I don't have to explain the sacrifices they made and how much it means to the United States of America. We went back to our room quiet. A few minutes later, lying in our racks, my buddy and I couldn't help but shed a few tears.

Into the Abyss I'll fall - the eye of Horus
Into the eyes of the night - watching me go
Green is the cat's eye that glows -
In this Temple
Enter the risen Osiris - risen again.

Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave
I don't wanna die, I'm a God,
Why can't I live on?
When the Life Giver dies,
All around is laid waste,
And in my last hour,
I'm a Slave to the Power of Death.

When I was living this lie - Fear was my Game
People would worship and fall -
Drop to their knees.
So bring me the blood and
Red wine for the one to succeed me,
For he is a man and a God -
And He will die too.

Now I am cold but a ghost lives in my veins,
Silent the terror that reigned -
Marbled in stone
A Shell of a man God preserved -
From thousand ages,
But open the gates of my hell -
I'll strike from the grave

Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave
I don't wanna die, I'm a God,
Why can't I live on?
When the Life Giver dies,
All around is laid waste,
And in my last hour,
I'm a Slave to the Power of Death.
Slave to the Power of Death...
Slave to the Power of Death

(Best album, best Maiden solo, in my humble opinion!)

So, I was thinking, how did you all come upon your own style when making furry art? We all have distinct styles, rarely have I seen similar ones.

Personally, I learn from looking at the human expressions and anatomy, getting ideas from other artists, (in no way or form do I copy people) or sitting down and thinking of what can be done better.

So, what do y'all have to say?

Ugh, that FTX was a killer. I'm so incoherent right now, is it morning or evening? Anyway, here's the story: Woke up at 0520 Friday in the barracks, did morning land navigation for 4 hours, classes on patrol bases, and more land nav in the evening until about 11 at night, went to bed at midnight, did 45 minute guard shift, got up at 0430 with about 2 and a half hours sleep. Got M16 with blanks the day before. I HATE THE FRIGGIN' RADIO. 60 POUNDS OF TORTURE. I had to cram it in my ruck, so a lot of stuff was exposed to the cold and wetness. Had 4 2 and a half to 3 hour missions, an ambush, route recon, raid, and area recon. Pretty fun, arty simulators, M14 snipers in the trees, and us with the M16's. Got done with the missions, then cleaned rifles for about 3 hours. The M16 sucks to clean, so many details. Went to bed at 11, had half hour guard shift, and 3 hours of sleep. Okay, here's the kick in the teeth, woke up at 0500, dead tired, achy, wet, cold, etc. for a 7 mile ruck march up and down very steep hills in the snow and then rain. One of our instructors, an SF Master SGT, led it, man does he have some wheels! Got done with that, wiped down the rifles, and went back to the barracks for food, sleep, and a shower.

I know it kinda sounds like I'm bitching a little bit here, but I'm not. It was hard, cold and wet, but we made it through as a team. Looking out for the man to your right and left is what its all about, there's no room for individuality. Its all about teamwork. Looking back on it, it was worth it.

I hope y'all's weekends were great. Have an awesome week everyone!

Yeah, 7 inches of snow is apparently enough to stop the Army from driving us down to Ft. Devens. So, we'll be in the snow in VT instead of pouring rain in MA. Still here, still very busy.

Ah geez, its the mad dash to summer. So much stuff to be done. Yes, this means very few submissions until mid May. Thats okay, its great seeing everyone else's stuff. I'll be with a 60 something pound ruck, LBE with ammo, rifle, k-pot, all the goodies at Ft. Devens MA Thursday evening to Sunday morning. Should be a blast. Hope you guys are all doing well. Later!

Sweet! 4 weeks left until we all hit 89 South for Summer vacation! It certainly doesn't feel like Spring here at all, 8 inches of snow, and freezing temps. Easter was a bit odd when the white stuff was outside. Plenty of new stuff to work on, and things will really pick up with Summer. I won't be on Thursday to Saturday, Army stuff. I hope everyone had great Easter, and has an awesome week!

YES!!!! Finally, there's a definite answer. I'm off to Ft. Benning in hot, humid Georgia, from May 25th to June 15th. 1 week on the ground, 1 on the towers, and then 5 jumps out of C-130's! Can't wait to go, it'll be quite a ride.

Geez, what's going on? I get this e-mail from Ft. Knox directing me to report to Airborne on May 25th. Then my buddy has me choose an Air Assault slot that opened up, one of the two that came up, with one Airborne one. But the date for the new slot doesn't match May 25th! Maybe someone dropped out of the original list and I moved up from the alternate list. Ugh, who knows. But, that e-mail sounded pretty official. So, I'm probably off to Ft. Benning in less than 2 months. I wonder if I'll be the first Airborne fur... ^-^

Getting crazy on the waltzers but its life that choose
Sing about the sixblade sing about the switchback and a torture tattoo
And I been riding on a ghost train where the cars they scream and slam
And I dont know Ill be tonight but Id always tell you where I am

In a screaming ring of faces I seen her standing in the light
She had a ticket for the race just like me she was a victim of the night
I put my hand upon the lever said let it rock and let it roll
I had the one arm bandit fever there was an arrow through my heart and my soul

And the big wheel keep on turning neon burning up above
And Im just high on the wold
Come on and take a low with ma girl
On the tunnel of love

Its just the danger when youre riding at your own risk
She said you are the perfect stranger she said baby lets keep it like this
Its just a cakewalk twisting baby step right up and say
Hey mister give me two give me two cos two can play

And the big wheel on turning neon burning up above
And Im just high on the world
Come on and take the low ride with me girl
On the tunnel or love

Well its been money for muscle another whirligig
Money for muscle another girl I dig
Another hustle just to make it big
And rockaway rockaway

And girl it looks so pretty to me just like it always did
Like the spanish city to me when we where kids
Oh girl it looks so pretty to me just like it always did
Like the spanish city to me when we where kids

She took off a silver locket she said remember me by this
She put her hand in my pocket I got a keepsake and a kiss
And in the roar of dust and diesel I stood and watched her walk away
I could have caught up with her easy enough but something must have made me stay

And the big wheel keep on turning neon up above
And Im high on the world
Come on and take a low ride with me girl
On the tunnel of love

And now Im searching through these carousels and the carnival arcades
Searching everywhere from steeplechase to palisades
In any shooting gallery where promises are made
To rockaway rockaway from cullercoats and whitley bat out to rockaway

And girl it looks so pretty to me just like it always did
Like the spanish city to me when we where kids
Girl it looks so pretty to me just like it always did
Like the spanish city to me when we where kids

-Dire Straits
This song's lyrics and imagery are just awesome.

I was thinking, I'm a fur, but I've never met any others outside of the internet. Is this odd? Never been to a gathering or convention either, It would be nice to meet other furs face-to-face. Maybe its because of where I go to school, or that I only put the fact out that I'm a fur for a short time. Oh well, something is bound to happen.

Sunday night at church these words were passed out. Thought I'd share it with everyone:

"All military personnel are anti-war, just as all firefighters are anti-fire and police are anti-crime. Thank God for them!

The right thing to do is stop the violence and protect the innocent. Even if it takes violence, the right thing to do is to stop the violence and protect the innocent.

Being in the military is just being a good samaritan."

-BGen Richardson, USAF Deputy Chief of Chaplains

(I'm in NO WAY trying to put my religious/ethical views on anyone. I think this passage is awesome is all.)

YES!!!! The snow is close to being completely gone! Now all we have to worry about is the mud. Soon we'll all be on our way home for the Summer. Speaking of that,

I talked to my old drill yesterday, he went to Ft. Benning a couple years ago, and said I'll probably move off the alternate list and get an Airborne assignment. Heh, the Army will probably call me and say "Hey, you wanna go to jump school in a week?" Next Summer is 5 weeks of training out in Ft. Lewis. This could very well be my "last real Summer." Oh well.

Anyway, I hope you all are well. New art is coming, albeit slowly but surely. Have a great week!