Seeing as I haven't posted a journal in some time, I thought I'd let you in on what my human alter ego does on his days off. Which are plenty now that he is not working, the lump!

He went with a friend to Highline Park in NYC, which is a decommissioned elevated train track that has been converted into a park. It lies parallel to 10th Avenue and stretches from 14th to 30th Street currently. His friend told him that it would be developed further uptown at a later date, but there was more than plenty to take in and plenty of photos were snapped. Here's a link to them on his facebook account:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.234780873206883.64777.100000249175767&l=01bde0b355

So check them out and enjoy!

Hello, hello! For those who are watching me, and are in the NJ area, and would be attending FAU 2011 this year, and are interested in prosthetic makeup effects, I will be holding a panel on Sunday May 22nd from 1-3pm at the "B" Terrace. For two hours I'll be doing a demonstration on a willing victim, I mean volunteer, who would like to be transformed into a creature or animal through the magic of foam latex and adhesive and paint! YAY!

I'm posting this as I am on the lookout for someone who would really like to be a passionate participant, and wear the prosthetic for the duration of the day, after which time I'll remove it so that you are not permanently stuck as a creature (though some may be into that!). If someone is interested you can send me or  duskysam a note to ask for details. Otherwise I will be pulling a total stranger out of the audience, which I'm quite ready to do. But to have an eager model set up in advance would be a great thing. So those who have a yen for TF/LARP/roleplay, or who just want to become some goofy thing for a day, feel free to contact one of us!

Thanks,
Max Carotski

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/5478709

Hello! I attended  BuckHopper's Voice Acting Workshop last year at Furfright. It was a fun time, and I voiced the part of Ray Rodin, a shifty rat fellow who has the dirt on some behind the scenes sports action. I'm on the timeline from 3:50 to around 4:45.

Everyone did a really good job, especially the first timers who did it to have fun and gave great performances in the process. It's neat to hear the entire script brought to life, since just hearing one person at a time without sound effects, editing or context can make it tough to see how it will all turn out. Go check it out!

Hello, hello! I got back from my weeklong trip to Indiana at midnight Monday night. You'd think I'd have immediately written up all of my adventures as I pushed through the door, but I was far too tired after having driven nonstop from Eastern Ohio, and so sleep was the first thing that greeted my mind. So now that I have some spare time, a briefish recap of my trip.

Indiana, for those who don't know, is the current home state of my family, aka my mother my brother and his family. And Hilda the hildebeast, I mean my mother's dog, who is a barrel of laughs and teeth. We had good weather out there, which was great for walking around and taking photos in, even if the wintry scenery wasn't the most photogenic.

I saw a bunch of films: Battle LA (meh), The Adjustment Bureau (go see it!) and Rango (go see it go see it!!) in theatres, Less Than Zero on TV (fantastic mid80s film with Robert Downey Jr. in a drug fueled zenith), and Castle in the Sky and Kiki's Delivery Service on DVD with my brother and his kids (fun fun films, and I love knowing that my niece and nephew enjoy good entertainment!). I also saw A Love For Three Oranges, an early 80s rendition of the Prokofiev opera designed by Maurice Sendak. Despite it being mostly silly and "theatrical" (no shit), I did glean some very good points from it, and it helped to fill my fantasy reservoirs. I found that an awful lot of things on this trip helped to reenergize me and my creative desires, so that was excellent.

On Sunday I started heading back home, with a stop off in Ohio to see  Mx_Scade who was on the way back, and who I hadn't seen in person since Furfright 2010. We talked a lot about lots of subjects, took scads of photos on his family farm, which was huge and awesome, and stayed up for most of the night tittering and giggling like school children.  DuskySam was brought up quite often, as he's looking to take on a more public presence this year (that diva cat!), we were on three way discussing his future, for those who are into frisky and silly black cats with penchants for quasi-Satanic mischief (yeesh). I'm sure he'll have something to say in his journal, unless he's already out on tour in the local dive bars and basement dungeon shows (hoo hoo).

The only sad note was the passing of Lolita the mouse, who I have featured here along with her big sister Lulu in my photographs. Lolita's health was rapidly decaying over the last 2 months, she was losing weight, shedding fur, moving slower and had cataracts developing. I last saw her alive on Wednesday the 16th, when I took pictures of her and Lulu eating and being mousish. Thursday the 17th I went in to check on them before heading to my brother's house, and there she lay, half buried in the wood shavings, gone to meet her maker. Dusky and I will be having a funeral for her out in the woods this weekend, if you wish to send condolences you may do so in the form of virtual sunflower seeds and strawberries, she loved those. The real ones I mean... send food sketches, I can place them near her gravesite along with prayers to ward off the hordes of hungry heedless feral cats that patrol our neighborhood like the scruffy hooligans they are!

Dusky: Hey now, Maxie, we aren't all scruffy! I go way out of my way to look good! And heedless? I am so shocked that you would say that.
Max: Yeah? Well, don't get any ideas about bringing your street friends here while I'm away on business. I don't want to come home to clean up your messes!
Dusky: Double shocked! I'd never do any such thing! (meep) I would never give you any reason to mistrust me! (breep meep) Or have my friends over to munch on your delectables! (eep meep breep)
Max: Ok, so long as we're clear on that.
Dusky: You betcha! You can count on me! (veep meep breep eep)

Well then, I guess that's it for now. Once I've gone over the massive quantity of photos I took on this trip (over 550!!!), I shall post up some in the near future. Until then, have a pleasant day!

Hello, gentle folk!  DuskySam now has his own account, so he'll not be using my journals to post his craziness on anymore. He's a cool enough cat, just doesn't always know his own boundaries!

Yes, it's me, Dusky Sam again! Max is off planet for some serious intergalactic political dealings, I'm sure, so I have the run of his journal once more!

As some may know or have guessed I'm a rather kinky sort of cat. Not to say I do awful things to people for my own good pleasure, but I have dareIsay some strange tastes. After that wonderful excursion to the Winter Solstice bondage convention I've been looking into outfitting myself with some new and unusual accessories. If I'm going to be caught at conventions I won't be caught looking conventional!

I'd like to think I'm stylish despite my lack of allowance, and so I've found more than a few items of footwear at the local Goodwill (I am such a shill!) that I shall be purchasing first thing tomorrow morning. I've sized up some nice sneakers, dress shoes, and most excitedly of all, two pairs of knee high black women's boots! YIY!!! They will look SO chic with my black metallic foil spandex suit and black leather gloves, and with some spiked wristbands and a leatherish body harness I'll be ready to go out for all sorts of occassions! Or at least some occassions, I doubt I'd be so welcome at church with this sort of getup!

Until a few weeks ago I never thought that wearing women's clothes would be a turnon, and though I'm not about to parade around like a schoolgirl I am all for looking like Eddie Izzard. He is a very classy transvestite, I must say, he has a lovely balance of style and taste. Oh to be in his shoes for an hour!

And as I will be meeting up with some out of state transvestites in the very near future it would only be proper to bridge the gap as they say. That and as a small cat I really like what 5 inch heels can do for my stance, I can tower over Max's little pet mice all the more ferociously! Mrow fftt! Those dastardly mice will cower in fear for sure!

Lulu: Yeah right.
Lolita: We'll still laugh at you, cat!
Lulu: You dress like a girl.
Lolita: More like a prostitute!
Lulu/Lolita: teeheeheeheeheeheehee!

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I'll teach you rodents a lesson in manners! NO ONE CALLS ME A PROSTITUTE!
(door opens and Max steps inside with suitcases)

Sam: Max! Back so soon?
Max: Hello everyone, I'm home! Have you all been behaving?
Lulu: Sam wants to dress like a girl and scare us.
Lolita: And he's using your journal on FA again to tell people this!
Max: OOOOOOOOOOOOOH! SAMUEL CATNIPNIK! What have I told you about that?!?
Sam: Erm....
Max: Why do this, huh? Why test my kindness and generosity time and time again?
Sam: I like to do it...
Max: Oh, so you like being a jackanapes, do you?!
Lolita: You're a jackanapes!
Max: I want you to apologize to all the folks in FA-land and let them know that it's not a right or good thing to hijack other furry journals and post loopy garbage on them.
Lulu: Then go shave your head.
Sam: NO! I don't have to do this! I don't have to listen to you and your uppity micelings! I am my own cat, and it's a cat's duty to abuse rodents and lagomorphs alike! I can do as I wish!
Max: Fine. Then take it elsewhere. From now on you cannot use my account. That is final.
Sam: I shant listen to you, bunny! I will do as I please!
Max: Then please yourself somewhere else. I am through with your antics. There's the door.
Sam: But it's past midnight! You can't kick me out now, it's so cold out!
Max: Just go. I must be tough on you, or you will never be a responsible fellow.
Sam: Like you are I'm sure!
Max: Look, I go to work everyday so that I can keep a roof over my head and food on my table. I took you in because I thought by example I could instill that in you as well. I was wrong. You are a nogoodnik, Catnipnik.
Lulu: nogoodcatnik
Lolita: catpunkdipshit
Sam: Hey don't you two start!
Max: Ladies, no need to rub it in. I think Sam knows this is for the best. Though it may hurt at first, he'll need to learn how to fend for himself on FA. Time to cut the cord.
Sam: Mrow... I suppose you're right. But I have no pictures, no artwork, no anything to show who or what I am. I'll just be a paintbrush icon!
Max: And I wasn't when I first got started? It's ok, I'm sure you'll get all that sorted out in no time! And I'll help you out as much as I can, just don't abuse me.
Sam: I like abuse.
Max: I don't. Now go to bed, we'll get this ball rolling tomorrow, what do you say?
Sam: Well, alright. And to all the FA folks, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been hijacking Max's journals, it was wrong of me. But fun nonetheless!
Lulu: derfhead
Lolita: saltlick
Sam: MRRRwor! hisssss
Max: Enough! Time for all of us to get some sleep.
Sam: So I can stay in tonight?
Max: You may. I'm not so heartless, just don't take all the blankets like you HEY!

(Sam runs off with the blankets, cackling)

Max: YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Hello everyone! This is Dusky Sam, the little black cat that loves to hijack my good friend  MaxCarotski 's site, tee hee! This journal is about the Winter Solstice, and we're not talking about that magical day of the year. Read on, kittens.

A couple of days ago  Scurrow expressed an interest to attend a BDSM/bondage convention being held in Piscataway. I told him I'd check it out after work this past Saturday and let him know how much it would be to enter and whether it was worth it or not.

So I get there around 5:45pm, ask how much. "$25 after 6pm for the Vendors and Dungeon access." Sounds good. I call  Scurrow and he agrees to swing on over. While I wait I run out to pick up some food, and found a great deal at Shop Rite with their in-house Chinese Wok eatery (buy one get one free!). Armed with hot food I head back, sit down and eat. He arrives, eats a little, and then we go inside for him to register.

We walk around the empty hotel corridors talking, drinking water. I will say now that WATER was a key ingredient to this convention, as there were pitchers of it everywhere and we both seemed to be struck by a constant need to drink the stuff. It didn't get old!

Finally we step into the dungeon, where the action is finally warming up after the players' dinner breaks. And...

Now I have looked into bondage on a strictly academic basis in the past, so having seen many photos of scenes being played out I knew somewhat how things would play out. That said, being in the same room not more than a few feet away from a wide variety of pain/pleasure activities is quite eye opening, as well as nose and ear opening!

There were racks and trussing structures to which willing participants were tied and bound. Others engages in walk around displays. To list all that was being performed could take time, but in brief summary we saw:
whips
electric stimulation
needles and ribbons (for a medical play scene)
fireplay
rope (so much rope!)
metal rakes (the better to SLOWLY stimulate the skin, my dear)
feet (one woman had some very versatile footwork going on!)
paddles
riding crops
handcuffs
pup play
pony play

Masters and slaves alike were adorned in some nifty gear. If nothing else it was worth seeing the assortment of leather and latex clothing, uniforms, accessories and footwear. Goodness, how I so want some high heeled boots, all shiny and black and beautiful to wear, aaah! That and black latex pants, yiy! This kitty would feel very good...

Meow, I digress. Seeing almost exclusively hetero pairings was a surprise, I expected a more even balance of that and same sex partnerings, but no matter. I liked that everyone knew their roles, and no one abused them. The handlers were expert, the subjects willing and eager. No assholes or maniacs to be seen, and this is right and good.

It's a matter of trust and dedication with this way of life, and to think how it could go wrong would be horrifying. So it was a true relief to see all having a good time, expressing themselves in ways alien to many. We both found it to be a true learning experience, and upon awakening this morning, after being exposed to hours of voyeuristic viewing, I am no worse for wear.

Perhaps in this new year you may see me walking around, being led on a leash like a good kitty, or leading a willing man/dog around. Such fun to be had in the parades!

Max: EEEEEIII Gads!!! Cat, you need to make yourself a new account, you kinky kinkster!
Dusky: I will in time, Mr. Rabbit. In the meanwhile, try this collar on, I think you'll look good in it.
Max: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH (runs away)

So long for now, my children, and see you around!

I'm inside, listening to the winds whip around the fallen snow from last night.
May go out to pick up some eggs so I can make banana bread.
Goodwill stores are closed in the NY/Northern NJ area, so day off!
Will watch films later, then do some zentai and mask photos for gearfetish...
Post said photos as a belated Christmas present to those who like the gear.
Thinking an alternative character other than poor Max should be posting such weirdness.
He's actually a very fine rabbit with good breeding, and he doesn't get caught up in kink.
A black leather/rubber cat would be more suitable for my darker shenanigans.
And much more fun!!!
Mrow. Hiss!

Max: Look here, cat, I told you I'd let you stay so long as you followed the rules.
Cat: Rules? Who needs those wretched things? (licks paw)
Max: I do! They keep order and the balance of nature in check!
Cat: And I'm one for order and balance? So boring, rabbit boy.
Max: Then starting next year you can find another place to stay!
Cat: Sounds keen to me, I need room to stretch out in.
Max: And take your dirty magazines with you!
Cat: You need them more than I do...
Max: Ooh!

Hello again. So I've been at the Goodwill for three weeks now.
From the bottom of my heart, if you are looking to donate before the end of the new year, I encourage you to do so. But for the love of God, sort out the USEFUL items from the TRASH before you drop on by. It might be convenient to give us everything, but trash is trash, you know better. Also, you might have some sentimental value attached to certain things, but sentiment doesn't translate into money value, and will likely wind up being discarded.

Here's a noncomprehensive list of things you should just throw out before stopping by.

-No large furniture or major appliances. That also includes large games like foozball tables. Try Salvation Army, they might take them. Or explore the wonderful world of found item sculpture (invest in carpentry and welding tools, you artists!) And don't dump them on the side and run away after being told to take them home, you fucks! (This happened today (12-5-10).)
-Used/dirty/scratched tupperware, trash. Try glass/porcelain instead.
-Filthy, chipped, personalized glassware/dishware, trash. No, we don't want your coffee mugs with your family/co-workers/kids pictures etched into them. Same with local corporate/business ad glasses. Coca-Cola is cool, Baylor-Maylor-Taylor CPA Accounting firm isn't. Trash.
-Most baby toys, or toys in general, trash.
-Baby clothes. We take them, but they annoy me. And they go to Salvage.
-We don't take baby furniture, strollers, carriages, anything your dirty babies have had intimate contact with. Burn them. (Not your babies... well...)
-Baby and kid stuff in general. I mean, for goodness sake stop making kids, that would just be wonderful for the world in general. They generate so much shit. Wear rubbers, take birth control pills, engage in deviant (i.e. fun) sexual practices that don't conclude with accidental conception and unwanted progeny.
-Board games and puzzles with pieces missing, trash. I mean, get real.
-Used underwear and socks, trash. We do take virtually all clothes, but your old Fruit of the Looms, do you really think someone else wants to wear that stuff?

In general, if it's really fucked, or could go to your local dumpsite or recycling plant, then take them to those places. They are designed to accept your ancient televisions (anything prior to 2002 we don't accept on account of no built-in digital tuners), your computers and computer accessories (which we do recycle and salvage, by the way), your bulky useless things that are too large to use as doorstops and too small to build edifices out of.

I am sounding like a complete curmudgeon, and eventually I'll get there. But if people took the time to think through the simple concept of DONATIONS vs. TRASH, and didn't mind making critical decisions instead of letting us highly underpaid and overworked peons make the decisions for them, it would make the job more fulfilling and rewarding (ergh).

Good intentions don't always equal thoughtfulness. Be thoughtful, and enjoy your holidays.

AND WEAR YOUR RUBBERS!

Hello again. Lately I've been trying to figure where I'll be headed in life. A foolish pursuit I'm sure. Having been out of work since September, you would think I would be leaping at every job opportunity that became available. Well...

I've started part time at a nearby Goodwill store, and now have even more respect for those who work at donation centers, it's pretty heavy work for very little pay, and I haven't even done a weekend yet. Saturday and Sunday promise to be hellish, but these are the major dropoff days for most donors. And holidays are upon us, so the volume will be quite high. Can't wait...

Now until I was let go I was a lab tech for the last 13 years or so, and not uncomfortable doing the corporate routine. I used that money to fund films and other art projects, so it's not as if I've been unfulfilled artistically. I just never got nearly as much done as I wished. Ah well, I've never been good with "time management", God do I hate that phrase. So you would think that I now have all this free time, I would get up off my duff and commit to the life of a starving artist, or at least a subsistence artist. Hmm...

That hasn't quite kicked in yet. Why, you may ask (or not)? Some internal blockage? Money troubles? Time management? A bit of all three? They have some bearing, but in the end I will say that I've never been in a position to fend for myself, as a hustler, as a go-getter, as an individual. That will have to change, and like all changes that occur I have my own fears and trepidations about "that". But I will see those through, and will overcome, and will grow.

In the very short time I've become active in the furry community I have seen a lot of true individuals, creatures of all shapes and colors who haven't let life stop them from their pursuit of their own dreams, the fulfillment of their identities. With all of these examples to follow, I need not fear that this is unattainable. On the contrary, if we are all to survive the hard times we live in, and the harder times that are yet to come, we must look within ourselves for our strength. And when we do not see that strength, we only have to look to each other and gain our strength from within this strange and fantastic community.

In strangeness we find comfort, in fantasy we find freedom.
Humbly,
Max C

Hello all! I'm so very happy that people enjoyed my spaz dance Masquerade performance at Furfright 2010. I would be delighted to see photos and videos just so I know what the heck it all looked like! If anyone has leads (or photos or videos) feel free to send them or links my way, they will be posted here on this site as that my spazness will be immoratalized until 2012, when the world ends. OH MY! Did I just say that? JINX!!!
(I run for the hills and hole up with other rabbity rabbitish brethren. Until the food runs out.)

Hello all. I just got back today from my first ever FurFright, and I had a very good time. Checked out lots of panels, bought lots of swag, saw Jaws and Rocky Horror, met new friends, and even got to do a spaz dance at the Masquerade! (Hope that last part wasn't too painful for the viewers.) I enjoyed the feeling of taking on a new persona and was frankly more at ease as a rabbit than as a person, which makes a strange sort of sense. I would have dressed up on Sunday, but it took so long to get out of makeup that I just decided to take it easy on the last day. Thanks to everyone who got a kick out of Max and came up to take photos or ask questions, he (and I) appreciates it very much. Hope everyone else who attended had a great time as well!