Do the have a squirrel plush that sings a Phil Collins song "birthday, birthday, have a birthday, because it's June not Christmas or whatever" Or or did I just dream it??

For the record, I did not delete my journal.

it was pulled by the admins.

I was unclear if I was able to post the note I had received from the admin, so to play it safe, I went ahead and just posted what I said in return.


"I disagree. I feel that this was no longer, or ever a personal issue, but a public issue. I made no link directly to any FA user. This was a journal found outside of the site entirely. As it had already been removed before my initial journal had even been posted. Please check the time stamp. And the source material.

I also did not harass anyone. I factually corrected a major rumor that had clearly had incongruities with logic, and science. Mine was not a volatile issue, it was a debunking of a very volatile issue, presented in a logical, well thought out manner. I in no way encouraged anyone to harass another user, in fact, I did the opposite. i advocated that the user be left alone on several occasions. I also went out of my way to encouraging that the user in question be allowed to speak. As basic human rights allow people you disagree with to speak.

The journal "...I do screen cap" was specifically aimed to discourage users from harassing an unnamed user.

I would like further evaluation, as I feel I in no way I had broken the terms of service, or COC within the narrow definition you have presented me.

I respect the duty of administration, however, at this time I feel that this issue was rushed without full regard to facts.

Thank you.

P.S.

Should you not be the "Anti-harassment unit" "


That being said.
I do not plan to go quietly into that good night.

Though I do wholly believe I did not violate the COC in my initial journal, I will re-post my thoughts, and findings in anyway I can. No matter how many linguistic gymnastics I have to pull off.

If someone would be so kind as to link me the tumbler where my journal was posted, that would also be appreciated.

Thank you, and let me know how you feel about this. I am curious to hear what you think.

-Jeff

http://tinychat.com/b1481

fursuit help, and discussion. "Push to talk" mics only, please.

Shoptalk, how-to's, and Friday night mishaps.

Come on down,

http://i44.tinypic.com/303ber7.jpg

I have noticed a somewhat troubling trend over the past few years. It's not the diaper clad, shaker loving crowd. It's not the unholy holes in costume crotches. It's not fursuit drag. It's not puppy play, or bondage risqué. It's something we think we want.

I would like to make the argument that we should be careful what we wish for...

Back in 2006, I was in my early 20's, had a good job, and had never been paid to take a vacation before. FWA in Atlanta was a logical choice for me. For as much as I used to insist that I was simply a tourist, I can now admit, I knew where I wanted to be. It was my first convention, and I came close to having a nervous breakdown in the poorly maintained parking lot upon our arrival. A shitty hotel within 1 square mile of 3 Waffle Houses, and graveyard adjacent. A flight path was directly overhead, and a constant abuse of the fire detection system insured little sleep for the restless furries. It was a magical place, or if you don't buy into that crap, it was at very least enigmatic.

The theme at that very first FWA was "Mardi Gras" maybe? Or, maybe love something something. Okay, granted, themes were a tad scant in the early days. I think we were all impressed that 500ish people actually showed up. I bring up the theme because I am assuming it prompted a full figured woman to squeeze into a scandalous little number over her fursuit. A fursuit that just so happened to be adorned with 6 nipples, each individually covered by a fluorescent "post-it" note. Surrounding her was an invariable entourage of 30 something males, all in full bondage. Each, with a dire need of a gym membership, Rogaine, and some sun. However, my tacit judgments meant nothing to them, as they gallivanted through the narrow hall, howling in unison. This was all within the first 10 minutes. There I was, in the middle of a hedonistic wonderland. My false pretense, and stern facade lasted about as long as my sobriety. I hugged a fursuit for the first time. I drank far too much. I met some of my absolute best friends in the whole world. I walked in on fursuit sex. We even caught a live possum in the graveyard, and kept it in the bathtub. As much as I hate to admit it, I too was howling by the end of the weekend. I feel I should take this time out to thank Tiger Paw for his capacity for forgiveness. As I was clearly undeserving of his patience over that weekend.

It was at that moment I was indoctrinated into a lifestyle that has gone so far as to fuel my entrepreneurial ambitions, and shape the individual I am today. A lifestyle of sexual deviancy, of visual nonconformity, of assumed identity. Yet, a lifestyle that would soon find itself in an identity crisis.

Now, it is debatable to the extent I participated in these more controversial activities. What was measurable was my attitude towards the controversial activities. I was self hating, and my behavior reflected that. I fell into the "too cool" crowd of furries. Furries that wanted to have the fandom, but on their terms. Even though I just had the single most enjoyable time in my life, I was insecure with admitting that I actually liked weird outside of an ironic sense. A coping mechanism, for sure. Finding the most cynical furries in the room, and making fun of the very things I wanted to do. Funny, you voluntarily drive 24 hours to go to a place you say you don't want to be. By my second convention, we had made the furry fandom a spectator sport for ourselves.

Fast forward to today. FWA 2013.
We are in a huge hotel, with no grave yard in sight. Attendance is 4 times what it was 6 years ago. I have seen Wal-Marts with less floor area than the "Dealers Den".
Gone are the days of those roaming hordes of bondage loving middle aged men, and hex-nippled vixens. Sure, they exist, but by ratio they are drowned out in a sea of youths clothed in brilliant neon "Pac-Sun" attire, listening to their dubbed step musics. Though, I would be reluctant to characterize that as a bad thing, I will say "it's different".

I had a brief chance to talk to Tiger Paw (or Evan, if you prefer). We chatted about quite a few things, but most notable in my mind was the conversation over the future of FWA, and the furry fandom. If you will allow me to paraphrase, "We will be mainstream in 2 years" said the paraphrased Tiger Paw. Was this possible? Was I hearing this right? True, we just had a very favorable report from the local paper, and things were looking up. Everyone was on their best behavior. A stark contrast to the early days of the fandom, where the Media coverage spelled out certain doom for us all.

That got me thinking. I did not mention it at the time, I think partially because it took a few days to dawn on me: "Wait, in our pursuit to be accepted, we have lost what makes us unique." Sure, a few squares are still a little wigged out by fursuits... But in our efforts to "out normal" each other, we have lost our shock factor, our edge. . I am afraid I am partially to blame.

We glorify bullies, and that serves to alienate the very crowd that started this little fandom thing. I did it. I said we need more "cool people" here. People more like me. (How narcissistic). People who only like the most socially acceptable parts of the fandom. People who dress right, and can walk around in public without looking weird.
The message of normalcy started to proliferate into the culture, and suppressed elements deemed "perverted". A growing impressionable youth culture are subjected to these limitations as if they always existed. Things like baby furs, and fursuit sex became taboo. What was once tolerated had become a liability to us all. We went out of our way to prove to the media that they were all wrong. That a sexual element was a farce. Instead of supporting each other, we threw people under the bus that admitted they were weird. With growing peer pressure, many of us seem to uniformly go along with the idea that we want to be that way, we want to be normal. We want to be furries, but not look bad. We walked away from our boring lives to come here, and the first thing we do is try to make this like our boring lives.

Only after I heard the prediction of going mainstream did I realize what that means. It means that a furry convention would be on the same level as an Anime convention.... A boring anime convention... the worst part being, we asked for this. This is what we thought we wanted. I am here to tell you that I am not looking forward to a mainstream furry fandom.

You may think I am some ornery old man, who wants to maintain "the way it used to be", That we should avoid normalcy at all costs. If you think that, you are mistaken. I also am not advocating you go banging each other in public parks. I am certainly not advocating anything illegal. My point is simply that our goal should not be to strive for acceptance. We should strive to be ourselves first. If that mentality becomes mainstream, than so be it. I say, let's not forget what made this such a unique thing. It draws in people that are adventurous enough to accept that they are weird, and celebrate it. This is the very thing that weeds out the squares that will never know how deep the rabbit hole goes. All because they are afraid to look bad, or afraid they might like it.. afraid of themselves.

So I say to you, stay crazy, furry fandom. Go out there, and have the time of your life.

And remember, keep it weird!

Edited by  Dulcinea the proactive ferret. Thanks!

https://new.livestream.com/accounts.....events/2022934

Ever wanted to know how to make fursuits?

Check out my live tutorials stream.

Just hanging out, listening to music, answering questions, and working occasionally.

Good if you wanted to ask questions about making fursuits I am all ears, and no question is stupid.

Check it out ya'll.

Gmail has not worked for 10 minutes. Pretty sure that is a horseman of the Apocalypse.

And you all laughed at me for preparing a bug out bag.

After one season of the Acclaimed "Whisker Wars" showcased on my dated IBM thinkpad, I have found a new resolve.

To kick Jack Passions ass at bearding.

I know what you are thinking. "there is no way you can out beard Jack Passion, Jeff"

However, I measured, and I have more facial coverage, with fuller hair than big red himself. After 3 weeks I am dwarfing beards around me of up to 3 months. I know I may not be great at many things, but damn it, I am good at growing a beard. and this time next year, the world will know this. As I am already planning my first trip to compete in competitive bearding.

Mark my words, I will beard better than the rest.

No, it's not all of you. This is a head base contest, not the Special Olympics, there is not trophy for participation, you didn't have to triumph over adversity, you just copy and pasted things.. Well, I guess you can have the trophy of my kindness. Or my thanks.. yes, the trophy of my thanks. So, please step up and take your figurative trophy of my thanks for entering our little contest.

With that eloquent introduction out of the way....

Drumroll please..

The winner is

 -ShadowWolf-

Way to copy, and paste things!

He is actually quite sick today, so I am glad we could help him feel a little better.

If you wanted to know how we drew a number for the winner, go here. http://www.random.org/

For those of you who where too cynical to enter on April 1st. Make sure to ask  -ShadowWolf- about the value of being cynical sometime.

Oh, and most importantly!
We do have this new style of head base for sale. So feel free to inquire about buying a base if you are anything like me, and are a chronic unlucky person.

Next contest will be whenever the hell we feel like it!

Yay!

Oh, one last thing, we cut the contest short because we had a threshold amount of 400 entries. We got close enough, and drew the number early because the drawing would have had the same random probability. Who likes to wait anyway.

Thanks again for all of your entries. Next contest may be a little more creative.

-Matt, and Jeff at TCF

April fools jokes today are going to be what they always are, predictable, amateur, boring, sub-par, and lame. I think the issue is, furries are just to damn kind hearted to really let loose, and do something mean spirited enough to show up on the radar. So, while you wade through a sea of not so great attempts at humor today, we at the Critter Factory feel for you.

For a little relief in your suffering, we are holding another head blank contest. Yes, it is the real, no, it is not a prank. Just honest an honest to goodness head blank contest.

The blank looks like this. http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10267988/
/

What are the rules?

-Take the following message and copy it.

 media is having a contest today. If you want to win a free head base visit his page at http://www.furaffinity.net/user/media/ and sighn up today.


-Copy the URL of the journal you posted and paste it below.

-Wait for the winner to be announced.

Oh, you have to be watching me to win.. That's just a petty rule I have.

Hopefully this little contest will get you through this April fools day.

Winner will be announced tomorrow around 3PM est..ish.

Good luck!

And it went a little something like this.

https://youtu.be/qtcMWgkkwHw

I am sure many of you have been waiting to see this journal.

 Shikakaka Is the winner of the head blank.

We used a very scientific method of coming to a winner (something along the lines of asking people in the house their favorite number, and adding them to get the results.)

This contest worked so well at spreading the word, that we will be having another head giveaway after FWA. So, you will have another opportunity to win a head in the coming weeks.

If you are chronically unlucky (like myself) We do sell the kits that have been won today. Please feel free to inquire.

Thanks again, this was a cool idea. And we are really looking forward to doing this again soon!

-GRATS!

-Jeff

Want a head blank from us, but simply don't have the cash for one right this second?

Here is a simple contest for you.

The simple rules for entry.

Simply take this link, http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10081025/

Paste it onto a journal, to the spread the word. If you favorite the submission we will count your name twice.
One entry per person. So, no multiple account under one person.

Then simply post your journal's URL into the comments of this journal.
Wednesday we will draw a name, and announce the winner.

You do have to post a journal to enter.
Keep in mind that this is my contest, so I reserve the right to make the rules.

Good luck!

P.S.
I can deliver the head blank to the winner at FWA. If not, we will ship the head for free to the winner.

Not a bad idea to +watch me if you hope to win, as if you are not watching me, I most likely will not choose you.

Last chance to bid on a fursuit head kit for sale.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9988742/

bidding ends in 45 minutes.

Prepared?

Surviving the first 72 hours of an emergency is key to long term survival.
This is something you will see repeated again, and again. Hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, wildfires.. basically anything in Simcity 2000 you would come back from a bathroom break, and would make you wish you would have paused.

In our warm, technological blankets, we often take society for granted. We don't think about it not being there, because then, to realize that, you would then have to admit at any given moment, it could all be taken away.

I have seem many people say this, but none quite get the point across like James Burke. If you have the time, I would HIGHLY recommend you in the very least watch this.

https://youtu.be/WgOp-nz3lHg

It's true.. most of us take the world around us for granted.

So, you have to ask yourself, what is your plan if something should happen?

This is not to scare you, or anything like that. This is an invitation to a party, of sorts.

If you live in the central Florida area, and you are interested in survival, and you like to also meet, and greet local furs, then this is for you.

So, sometime this weekend, we are having our first (hopefully of many) "Bug out" BBQ!

How it works is, you will note me your phone number (obviously you should be In the Greater Orlando area) I will text you the address of the rendezvous point. It will be up to you to drop what you are doing, and get to that point ASAP.

Keep in mind that in an emergency GPS, and cell phone service may be problematic, or nonexistent. Using a good old fashioned local map. Or even printed directions to the address is part of the challenge.

You will need to bring your current "Bug Out Bag", as we will be offering a community audit of it's contents. Unless you are a current CWP holder, firearms are not allowed, and you will be asked to leave. Though feel free to snap a picture in it's absence. We want all of our guests to feel comfortable. So, after the safety course this week, we may set up a separate range day to let people "opt out" if they wish.


I cannot give a specific time or location for this party, as the purpose of it is to insure you are prepared at the last second.
I can tell you that it will be held sometime Saturday Afternoon, and that it will be in North Eastern part of Greater Orlando.

If you do not have a bug out bag, that's perfectly fine. We are here to help, and will be happy to offer advice, and maybe even some extra supplies to get you started.

I will also be teaching a basic firearms safety course. So, even if you are scared of guns, we will be offering a safe way to acclimate yourself, and offer you basic safety lessons that can be helpful even if you never plan to use a firearm. Including the ways to check if the gun is loaded, and ways to safely remove ammunition. I will not be using any live ammunition, and the firing pin will be removed for the class.


The real fun will start after the basic stuff, we will start a fire, and have a camp-out style party.

If you are interested, feel free to note me with your info, and I will get back to you with any additional information you might need.

If turnout is good, we will continue this. I hope to start having "Survival Sundays" for anyone who is interested.

The plasticity of a genome relating to the exponential advancement in biological adaptability.

Working on an intellectual curiosity.

Anyone have any sources to help me in my study?

Feel free to not look at the rant I just posted on my alternate account  the_Ranting_Sifaka

It's trite, political garbage, that is not related to fursuits in anyway.

Be sure to not look at it here.

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4322839/

Also, be sure to not watch  the_ranting_sifaka

Hey artists.

I need a few commissions coming up here. and turnaround is important.

-A MLP artist for a pony idea I have.

-A Disney stylized Meerkat.. really toony here.

-An angry icon for Mitsonga, for the new  The_Ranting_Sifaka account.

If you know anyone open that is good at any of these three things, or you are open yourself, point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

I have had several people ask me to post my rant journals more often. I have gotten more notes, and emails in the last few weeks just saying hello, or asking me to speak out more often. Some people liked what I had to say..

And.. some people un-watched me.

Fair enough. My fault for bringing the rants to a place for art.

So, to avoid stepping of the toes of my wonderful watchers I started a writing account to post my various essays, and rants.

 the_ranting_sifaka is my new account for anyone interested in my style of left leaning libertarian nonsense, conspiracy theory, and just observations that will most likely be politically incorrect.

So, if you want to see what I really think about the world, you can. Or, if you wish to simply look at the suits, and other art I create simply stay tuned right here.

I figured with this system, you click on my other account at your own risk.

Once again. If you like suits, and really don't care to hear my opinion on the matter, you are in the right place. And for the love of God, please don't watch  the_ranting_sifaka

I tried to warn you.

-Lemur

I am not a fan of this current trend of mine. Posting controversial, or political content. That being said, I can only allow so much restraint in the face of such abhorrent acts perpetrated by the executive branch of The United States government.

Now, the president, and I have not seen eye to eye on his apparent ability to at best, gloss over and bend the law, and at worst, blatantly, and knowingly using his executive powers to not just break, but to shatter the standing laws of our nation.

Specifically in this journal, I am talking about drone strikes.

Recently, a leaked government document, allegedly a white page form the Judicial committee, pointed to extrajudicial use of lethal force against US citizens.

The provisions of this alleged document outline a criteria for the use of lethal force against US citizens, via the executive branch. The problem with the outlined provisions is their inherent vagueness. http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/s.....hite_Paper.pdf

No justification should ever be used to nullify the 5th amendment. Regardless of association, or the despicable nature of the crime. It is what gives our nation integrity above dictatorial rule.
At first glance, you may tell yourself "well, that dose not sound so bad" or "Well, they are only killing terrorists".
But read further, and you will start to see a chilling usurpation of due process, and the loss of our inherent rights of anything promised in our bill of rights. Replaced with a subjective, ill-defined criteria for what a "terrorist" is, and leaving the president with the ability to selectively apply that definition. With that, you have the ability to use lethal force, in the boarders of any non-consenting sovereignty.
This is in many ways furthering the tyrannical policy laid out in section 1021 in the NDAA by now including the use of lethal force by presidential decree. http://www.lawfareblog.com/wp-conte.....ee-Section.pdf \

From what I can see, the president has already used this power for covertly conducted drone strikes all around the middle east. The drones launching from a secret military base in Saudi Arabia, and take out people on hit lists. Though, we are often not allowed to see the subjects targeted for termination. Many may argue this is for national security, but I fail to see how a list released after the operation is over affects that national security. This is our leader, and chief ordering the death us US citizens. Operating a "black ops" program, seemingly in front of our faces.

As for the drones themselves. yeah, they are great for getting our troops out of there. But it seams to me under the current ruling in those white pages, any male of military age killed in a drone strike is counted as a military combatant. Until proven posthumously otherwise. Again, any male of military age killed is counted as a combatant unless proven otherwise. Huh? So the United States has created "Magic hellfire missiles" that have the ability to turn any male over 18 killed in a strike instantly into a terrorist. Technology is amazing... with these "magic" laws for judging the intent of anyone struck down buy a drone strike, we really have no clue who we are killing.

Oh, and civilian casualties, am I the only one who see the blatant hypocritical policy of killing children via drone without flinching. Yet, parading around survivors of school shootings? Say what you will about our internal policies, but this madness kills too many civilians.

And as the CIA can't seem to ever learn. If you kill civilians in a region, you will deal with blow-back. Amazing how they can coin a term, but are utterly unable to understand the mechanics. The blow-back from overthrowing the various democratic nations in the Middle east in the 60s is the very same blow-back that is causing Islamic extremism. Thanks CIA.

Who watches the Watchmen...

Even the most die hard Obama supporter must see these actions for what they are. They contradict his initial stated stance on the NDAA, GITMO, and furthers the implementation of it's most toxic, and incendiary provisions to that of something in an Orwellian dystopia.


Am I being hyperbolic?

I don't think so.

At what point are we allowed to say, regardless of our political leanings, "this crosses the line"?

This is not a right left issue. This something that offers too much power to the executive branch, and spits in the face of even the most modest system of checks and balances. This overreach of the executive branch should be cause for alarm. As this sitting president through misused executive power writes his own laws to follow. The 5th amendment is not written in such a way that you are given the right to fair trial... unless we really don't feel like it.

I do wish to point out that these are the exact examples of injustice that you and I would be rightfully nailed to the wall for. The near cheerleader like approach to people for their respective candidates it nothing short of nauseating. We childishly gloat that our candidate beat the other guy, and will allow ourselves to be stripped of our rights all in the vies that we somehow "won" because our talking head made it into office. What have we won? Are these not the very same critical views we had for Bush?

It's time to wake up, and smell the coffee.

Both sides of our bi-partisan political system have waved enticing offers of change, and prosperity Yet, we continually fall short, and the candidates simply resort to business as usual.

This new attack on our 5th amendment should galvanize a resolve to vote out the incumbent political circus, and usher in a plea for adequate representation of our existing law. We no longer should let our votes go toward the further erosion of our bill of rights, be it on the left side, or the right. We no longer should allow our emotions to be turned against our neighbors with different beliefs in trivial social issues, or be manipulated by the fear of "throwing a vote away". I refuse to listen to the bumbling, clumsy political rhetoric form moderate candidates posing as revolutionaries.

At what point are we allowed to say "enough is enough" and get Skynet taken offline? At what point are we angry enough to overcome our fear?

I once had a friend chastise me for calling anger a meaningless emotion. She nearly slapped me and said. "don't ever underestimate anger, it is one of the most powerful tools for change we have if it's used constructively"

I leave you with one of my favorite moments in movie history.

This is the "Mad. as hell" speech from the 1976 classic "Network"

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WINDtlPXmmE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 zoomba pulled his rant on dance competitions, and I though he had a valid point. Seeing that he pulled his rant, I will post a similar rant, with no intention of pulling it. And you know, I have really been behind on my manic "crazy artist" journals lately. I really should not be so neglectful about venting my random deluge of what should have remained nothing more than internal monologue.

"Democracy is two wolves, and a sheep voting on whats for dinner."
-Bastardized quote from a 1991 news article, and totally not Benjamin Franklin.

You know what, fuck democracy. Just because the most eligible to vote individuals agree, does not make it right.
We see all around us evidence that democracy has time and time again failed you and I. From bad Presidents, to the "bum, bum" song topping the charts. From hiring Carson Daily, to picking the new Mountain Dew. With the Superbowl on Sunday you can even vote for what computer generated beer bottle donning a helmet wins the "Bud bowl". Whopty fucking do....

With such enthusiastic extol to a brilliant system delivering the "illusion of fairness", you have to wonder why I am suck a "stick in mud" about this?

One bastardized, corporate tailored, word... "Playlisting."
A word so stupid, that huffing gasoline is the sensible alternative to it's effect.

In 1982, this spit in the face, this insult to an entire industry trail blazed the path to musical, and eventual entertainment corporate tyranny, This system was introduced to eliminate the DJ, and systematically changed the chemistry of the whole music industry. The idea was simple. Call people that for all we know don't even have a radio, then play 30 second clips of song. From that point the person, whoever he or she is, gets to take part in this great social experiment we call democracy.

The trouble is, the DJ didn't care if you liked the song or not. We Trusted the DJ to know the music well enough to take a chance. Several of your favorite artists of the 60's and 70's would have never stood a chance in today's modern system of crowd sourcing. Imagine Jimi Hendrix making it in such a system..

When we removed the ability to take a chance, and placated to the crowds, we never even knew what we lost. Who knows what amazing things never had a chance? Something that could have been your favorite.

So, you can see I have a few issues.

Now before I keep going with this outburst, let me ask you a question.

Did you come to vote? or did you come to see the competition?

I happen to have a funny thought in my brain. I have a sneaking suspicion if that you intended to go to the dance competition you would not turn around the moment you found that you would not be voting.
Listen, FWA was a full house 2 years in a row. This, might I remind you was without crowd voting..

If we add something like this now, are we creating a false expectation?
And spare me the "but it's fun" argument.
Successfully wearing a beard of bees in fun. Publicly demoralizing the unpopular dancers, while hoisting the the popular ones to an unreal level is anything but fun for us dancers.

I ask you, Are you not entertained? Are you not content with 20+ fur clad entertainers nervously hyperventilating, on the verge of vomiting, dancing for all for our shared enjoyment? Have we not crowd participation already?

Obvious disadvantages are also prevalent when "playing to the crowd". Dancing prowess is tossed by the wayside when picking the popular song, and pandering to wayward youth. This creating a pop culture feedback loop of regurgitated bleeps and bloops, recycled, resampled, re-mixed, and remaining in our cyclical music lexicon for a generation.

Remove the incentive to be adventurous, and showcase the idea of uniformity in playback, and all the crowd involvement in the world will not stop the stagnation of this color in motion. A constant gray stain on the dance-floor.



Good judging, is the difference between legitimacy, or glorified talent shows.
We have to trust our judges. They, like the DJs before "play-listing". A judge who sees something that others may have missed, may bring a attention to other forms of dancing, other types of music, and other faces to the top. Anything less than a panel of respected judges, who know the types of dance going on, and it becomes a glorified talent show.

Want a viewers choice award.. fine, knock yourself out. But to take away the chance of a truly remarkable dancer, all to satisfy a need to vote, that is anything but needed.. It's where we all should draw the line.


Recognition is not something you see enough. We dancers know this all to well. We are a supportive, and fun loving bunch who know that anybody brave enough to step out in front of a crowd, and give it your all is worthy of our respect, and admiration. When can we have a dancers choice award? The reason we can't have one is because we would have a 20 way tie. All of us back there being unable to truly chose who deserves any more respect, or praise than the other. The true reward for your efforts is the pat on the back, and the loving praise you get regardless of how bad you did. The human contact, and tribe of peers creates an energy indescribable by any of the 171,476 English words in current use. It is for this reason that I submit this journal. It is a feeble attempt to insure that our ability to sustain the very reason we dance for you is held the highest integrity. Dancing is often synonyms with respect. I think keeping it in the capable judges hands represents just that.

Also, where do you find astronaut ice cream these days? I am in the mood for that stuff.

1. A selection of television programs you do not care for.
-Anything web derived. tosh.0 and stuff like that. Reality shows from Pawn shop whatever, or anything where I hear forced lines about how hard it is to get a motorcycle made in time.

2. A selection of musical artists you do not care for.
-Nu anything. Almost everything on the radio. From Rap, to dance, to pop, to country.. Nothing that has played freely in the last 25 years on the radio is really worth my time. I have nostalgia for radio music from the 80s and 90s. But if I listened to it today I would most likely dislike it.

3. A selection of celebrities you couldn't care less about.
The list of people I cared for would be shorter.. So, I will leave it at that.

4. A hobby you “don’t get”.
Urine collection. It's not as if you can't just make more. Why store it? All joking aside. I "get" almost every hobby, at least all the ones I have come across. I simply just don't enjoy the majority of them.

5. A habit you find disgusting.
Not washing your hands before you eat. Not washing your hands after you go to the bathroom.

6. Something in school you really liked doing that everyone else bitched over.
Public masturbation...

7. Your favorite household chore.
Filling the dishwasher.. but God forbid I ever empty it.

8. Popular video games that make you go “meh”.
Anything on modern platforms. I am simply not a gamer passed the ps2 era. And even then it is not something I do more than a few times during a year.

9. PC or MAC?
PC for just having a computer for everyday. MAC for specialized things, like music, graphic, or video production.

10. A sport you don’t like, for whatever reason.
Tennis, and soccer. not that I dislike them, but they are the only sports I have simply been 100% unable to play.

11. A sport you really like, for whatever reason.
Uh, bowling.. I think is a sport.

12. Television programs you love but have gotten shit for liking.
I don't recall the last time I have had this happen to me. I really don't know. Well, I guess my sister was bored to tears by watching Congressional hearings on CSPAN. so, that. congressional hearings on CSPAN

13. Musical artists you love but have gotten shit for liking.
No clue.. After Middle school I really was more of the one to make fun of others for the music they liked, rather than the victim of such criticism.

14. A hobby you have/find interesting that other people bother you over/make fun of.
Mug collecting.

15. A habit you have that other people bug you over.
Picking my nose sometimes. It's almost involuntary at this point. I hardly aware I am doing it until after the fact. Then I gross meself out. I am my own worst critic.

16. Something in school you hating doing and it felt like everyone else loved.
Dating. Listening to Creed. watching Fast and the Furious.

17. The household chore that makes you want to shoot your own face off.
Unloading the dishwasher. Cleaning the sink.

18. A selection of video games that you enjoy that perhaps you really shouldn't.
minesweeper.

19. A celebrity crush that maybe even you don’t understand.
I don't know.. Liza Minnelli... 80's Liza Minnelli.

20. Free rant on whatever grinds your gears at the moment.

I have gripes about some things when it comes to what I would do.

For me, I don't like YCH art. It can't be my character by simply coloring in the inked lines. It's a glorified coloring book auction. My character is not set by color and marking alone. If it is not inked, and it;s a pose, or something like that where you have to draw the character ,at least to some extent, on model.. cool. But a finished, inked piece of art.. come on, that is not going to fly with me.
far be it for me to deny anyone the ability to enjoy the art, or to make money off of it. Some of the people who do this are my friends, so I am not pulling any punches. It's not really the artists fault. As long as there is a willing buyer, than who is really to blame?

Realistically it sells, and people are happy. but to me, it's not something I would pay for.

Is it a gripe, yes.. Do I really care how people spend their money.. no.

So, I wrote to my Senator the other day.

I sometimes write to local politicians if something irks me just right.

I wrote to Senator Bill Nelson, with a letter not dissimilar to the rant I posted a few days ago here.

I know that the Senator is a very busy man, and I actually really like Bill Nelson most of the time. If you follow Florida politics you might know Nelson as the Mission payload specialist on a Columbia space shuttle mission.

So, what really got my goat about Bill, was what he "wrote" back to me.

Bill said,

"Thank you for contacting me about policy proposals that seek to reduce gun violence in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown.

I am a hunter and have always owned guns, and I support the Second Amendment.

But assault weapons such as AK 47s are intended for killing, not hunting.

Solutions for reducing gun violence must address many areas, from protecting law enforcement and keeping weapons out of the hands of criminals, to school safety, access to mental health services, and confronting a culture that sometimes glorifies violence.

I support reinstating the assault weapons ban and restoring the 10-round limit for ammunition magazines. And, I support universal background checks so that we can know if person buying a weapon has a criminal record.

I appreciate hearing your views on this very important issue, and I will keep them in mind. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,
Bill Nelson"

Now, okay.. His response was very insulting, as the first letter I wrote was pointing out the logical, and factual issues specifically with this style of response. I asked specifically why the left keeps using this false argument of what weapons are for, and not for hunting. He sent a pre-made letter, and blew me off.

Was I surprised? Well, no, I was not. That did not change my annoyance, though.

I actually just posted this someplace else, but thought it was good enough to say again.

I think if we really want to ban something, it should be cheap handguns. You can't hunt with them very well. They are easy to hide. They are used in almost every violent gun crime. Yet, we let them stay. So, why are we fed the same line of logic for rifles statistically less likely to kill me than a faulty wired can-opener? I don't mind having an actual conversation about what weapons are really needed. But I don't like being given a straw man argument, that insults my intellect as a reason to ban specific weapons. I require a little more than the rhetorical question about how many shots it takes to kill a dear. If you are talking about infringing on a civil liberty, we have to have to have a very serious talk. Until the left stops thumbing their nose at the right with this childish posturing. We all deserve better than this. In the last journal many of you for gun control made a far better point than my own senator could.

And, no, I don't want to ban handguns, but if somebody made that point, it would at least be a lot harder to argue against.

I even sometimes feel like this argument is intentionally moronic. As even if you are for banning rifles, we still are left with the #1 reason for gun crime, hand guns. I am not for banning hand guns, but if you are going to make an argument to take away the most deadly firearm off the streets, than damn it, aim to ban the most used weapon on the street. That is why the "gun nuts" are getting so upset. We are talking about infringing on law abiding citizens rights, citing the most elementary, dumb downed reasoning. "Big guns hurt people, so, we take da big guns *mouth breathe*"' Who wants juice! Maybe I am just cynical...

Then we get some half-witted pundit to make equally as moronic, and inflammatory points as to why we should keep guns. Those people do not represent me. I have my own point of view, I don't need one crammed into my brain.


Divide and concur.

Chances are, if you don't agree with me you may become emotionally charged, and I have no doubt you will make your disgust with my point of view well known. Granted, this is not everyone, just the passionate ones. I may upset you with these little journals, and you may even dislike me for my point of view.

That is my next point. The two party system in this country has done a wonderful job dividing us by party lines. Gay rights? Democrat. Gun rights? Republican. Global warming? Democrat. Immigration? "Go back home!" Republican. "Let em' stay" Democrat

What better way to keep the current system in play. Pick deeply emotional social issues, that we tear each other apart over, then you always are so scared that your issue will be opposed that you defensively pick the party that claims it shares your view.

To me, this is defensive voting. We never get to advance because we often are voting against as idea, not for one. Big issues get ignored, and we fight each other, rather than write our representatives.

At the same time, we are getting fed a steady diet of propaganda via the news outlets. We are led around by the nose, being told our opinions. With pundits condescending to any opposition, and calling you an idiot if you happen to not agree. Once again, I don't need to be told how to feel, Just give me the damn facts.

So, it's bad. Do I blame the president, no.. we put him there. I do blame myself for getting sucked up into it. I apologize if I fell for the circus act, and did not think a whole issue though. I feel like we are on a sinking ship, and we are all arguing on the color of the life preservers.


Maybe I am just cynical..

So, it's almost 7AM here in sunny Florida, and I am wide awake.

Recently I had gained a little weight. Doing those streams I noticed I was a little rounder than I have been in the past. Because of my recent web induced self awareness I am now in the process of loosing weight.

I have been on a fixed calorie diet, and basically won't eat anything that is processed, or packed with carbs. So, no pasta, rice, bread.. I try not to mention it, as we all know "that guy" who seems to be more busy explaining that he is a vegetarian than actually doing anything to help.. anything really.. but whatever. vegetarian.. you get it.

That basically leaves me with leafs. Over the past week I have been strictly produce. I have yet to get over that hump where I stop craving everything that makes life worth while. On top of that.. man, I am hungry. And when I am hungry, I can't sleep.

So, it's almost 7AM here in sunny Florida, and I am hungry as hell.

First world problems? well, yeah..

Still, once I get back down to 160-155.. total pizza binge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3scQ0wq5zLE

something funny that will be at Sundance.

I have already typed up a few similar journals on this subject, and deleted them all. I really do not like to be overtly political on my FA. It's not fair to you that you should have to hear my opinions on matters outside of fursuits. I feel like I am here to show you the art i work on, make a few jokes, and just have a good time. That's the reason I am here.
And the last thing I want to do is tell you how to think.

So, submitted for your approval is a controversial gripe about a hot button issue.

Okay. So, no matter how you stand on gun control, I just have one topic I really want to clear up.

No, I am no crazed "gun nut". I am just sick, and tired of the willing obfuscation by the media of our rights.

The second amendment has nothing to do with hunting, and sporting. They are not even mentioned in the bill of rights. Most media outlets that have crammed their way onto my google homepage, and on my phone have really kept repeating the same straw man argument again, and again, and again. After I had been called a crazy person by the talking heads on the screen one too many times I just needed to say that you do not need a 30 round clip to take down a deer. That's true, but it also stacks the deck by presupposing that James Madison was concerned about your right to shoot clay. Why would they want to preserve a sport that didn't exist yet? Or, why would they give people permission to hunt in the 1800th century? PETA was not really very active 200 years ago. James Madison was just in a war that ousted the oppressive rule of a king. I am sorry, but the bill of rights is pretty clear on the ability for citizens to have the same firepower as the standing armies around the globe. Had the standing army of King George been armed with AR 15s, well, I am sure they would have been happy to add that in the second amendment for you.

Here are a few sentiments at the time the document was written.

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive."
-Noah Webste

"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American...[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."
-Tenche Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788.

"And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the Press, or the rights of Conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; …"
Samuel Adams
quoted in the Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, August 20, 1789, "Propositions submitted to the Convention of this State"

"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
Thomas Jefferson

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Ben Franklin

These are the very men who gave us our country. For better or worse, this is what they believed,

So, if you are for gun control. I can respect that. The only thing I can really say is, if you want to push to remove the second amendment , then do just that. Call a spade a spade. Don't tell me if we ban weapons that are already lesser than our standing military's weapons, that the second amendment is being upheld. Granted I don't think you should be able to have an atomic weapon. But I don't think that our government, or any government should ether. That's another story.

In closing, I respect your thoughts on the issue. You do not have to agree with the founding fathers. The first amendment is there specifically so you can disagree with me. If you look I really am just perturbed over the idea that preserving my right to shoot ducks is somehow more important than defending our rights to liberty as a people.