IFC was fun, was much more chill and perhaps a bit slower than I recall. Got to be a wolf thing so can't complain really.

Next con is BLFC so will see you there if you're going!

Posted this in response to a journal of someone I watch; but I thought it was worth sharing in general. Some tidbits of food for thought when you use social media.
I challenge all of you to follow someone who you normally wouldn't follow, be it on twitter, facebook, or anywhere else.
To be aware of what social media is built to do, and to reflect on how you use social media, what your perceptions of the world are, and why you have such perceptions.
Find someone who has a different perspective than you do, and get to know that person and have an honest dialogue with them about how both your perspectives differ and why.

The problem with social media is it's built to only show what people -want- to see because we have built it to learn what people like and only show them more of that, or what fits their personal worldview or lens; so it reinforces all of the bad and usually enhances none of the good. Like any computer algorithm or robot also, if you only feed it shit, then you'll only get shit. The internet and more so the social media dumpster fire has made it possible for people to only live in their safe-space bubble, and not naturally challenge their own personal views or be exposed to other views, causing a reinforcing bias of bullshit we start to believe. It is designed and built to isolate us into our bubbles of comfort, enhance and reinforce our own viewpoints and keep us from others who have differing viewpoints; so we should expect this to happen. While the increased isolation and information bubbles may make us feel comfortable, they also fail to help us challenge the way each of us uniquely sees the world, and more importantly how others see the world. We shouldn't treat others the way WE want to be treated; we should treat others the way THEY want to be treated. It has caused us to have less compassion/empathy and resultingly less exposure to other viewpoints people have and the motives and reasons behind them. I think if we all challenge ourselves to see other people's views that make us uncomfortable, it will allow us to explore and really deep dive into the way we all see the world and why, and have more respect for others which will finally help us all to have a truly meaningful dialogue. Until this happens though, it's going to still be shit in and shit out. I personally have a twitter, but rarely do I ever use it or interact with it, and mostly use it to just to announce local group events.

Wow, a lot has happened this year, but at the same time, it didn't! The last con I went to was (what some may call the last con of 2020) Texas Furry Fiesta.

So far, here is my con list for 2021, assuming we get this vaccine out and in everyone's arms in time. I'll probably be getting the vaccine by the end of Jan being a healthcare worker.

BLFC 2021
IFC? - hasn't announced dates yet as I can see, if it conflicts with Megaplex, I'm going to Megaplex.
Megaplex 2021
MFF 2021

Any cons before June I'm just ruling out, as I believe it is just too soon and any responsible leadership will/should decide to cancel.
The best estimates have the country "back to normal" by summertime, so even June is pushing it, but we will see!

I typically have to plan way ahead for my vacations because of the nature of my job and work typically wants to keep me working all the time and there's very few alternates that can do my job when I'm gone, which I suppose is a good thing! This past year has taught me that my job is pandemic and disaster proof; so long as this virus doesn't kill all my patient population.

I hope you are all doing well!

As a side note and just from my point of view as a healthcare worker on the front line; if any of you are still somehow thinking this virus is a hoax, let me provide you a glimpse of my experiences since about April of this year.

I see the desperate medical orders for IV fluids, vitamin C, and zinc all day every day, dexamethasone injection orders, and yes, even the wave of stupid hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine orders which thankfully have stopped for the most part; the end of life hospice orders for lorazepam and morphine that never stop. I see the deaths every day of people's loved ones, having to die alone with a stranger holding their hand (nurse or doctor) IF they are lucky, most of the time they are alone while they take their last breath, family unable to say goodbye. This is reality, and I get the natural response of denial when it comes to such horrible things we can not or do not want to comprehend; but it's long been time we ACCEPT IT and DEAL WITH IT and SOLVE IT. So please, for the love of God, get the fucking vaccine when it comes out. It's not a microchip, or any of that other stupid nonsense, its science that WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE.

Take care, wear a mask, and practice social distancing.

Woof out!

Looking ahead to 2020, I will be at the following cons. An asterisk means maybe.
Doing awesome otherwise :) Just working and having fun when I can!

TFF
GFM
BLFC
Megaplex
*IFC
MFF

MFF is just around the corner! Hope you to see you all there!

Wow, what a fun con! Every year I remember why I come back to this fun con. As I’m writing this, currently sailing towards CocoCay on the Mariner of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s ships. A nice cruise is an amazing way to end megaplex, take it with some good friends and it’s a great way to finish off a vacation. At the con I got to meet a lot of people I’ve chatted with before, but never met in person, so that was great and exciting. Also helped my friends run their escape room, which if you ever have a chance to check out a Fuzzy Logic escape room at a con or at their store it’s a really cool place and experience, so you definitely should check it out. Also ran into and got to hang with some existing friends and make some new ones too. I’m always thankful that I have the opportunity to do such things and hope that others will be able to do them as well. As with every con, didn’t get to hang out with everyone I’d hope to, but that’s always part of it hehe. Always more cons and also next year for this one ^^. Thank you to all the people whom I got to meet and hang with, you all are awesome and I hope you all have a safe trip home! Will be back home on Saturday. Until then, woof out!

Who all will I see at BLFC? :)

See you all there in a couple of weeks :)

Hey all, It's been a crazy year! Been to a lot of different cons all over the US, seen a friend or two between, and met a lot of awesome people (for the most part, a few negatives, but that happens and it's ok!)

2019 I will be at GFM, TFF, BLFC, Megaplex, and MFF! Cutting the cons down a bit this year, I want to have a normal vacation or two as well.

Hope to see everyone again, and see you at one or more of those!

-MrWolf

Who all will I see there?

Hello there! Wow, it's been a busy year so far con wise!

BLFC this year was my first, it was pretty good, probably will do it again, the mountain scenery is great.

I will be at IFC and MegaPlex in Aug, and maybe a one off con here or there if time permits.

Hope everyone is doing well, and I can't wait to see you all again!

So this past weekend I was hanging out with  cessnafox this weekend in sunny Florida!

The weather was absolutely perfect the whole time, much thanks to him for hanging with and showing this derp wuff around!

I'm bummed I have to go back to STL with the shitty weather and no palm trees!

I need to do more vacations that aren't cons, I'm finding them more and more relaxing actually than cons.

Next con is FWA. I hope to see some fluffs both new and old! :)

Well, it has been a busy few months!
While my next con is MFF in Dec, I've been busy planning for 2018!

Hopefully I'll get to see some of you in 2018 at the following:

Feb: Texas Furry Fiesta in Dallas, TX
Feb: FurSquared in Brookfield, WI
April: Furry Weekend Atlanta in of course, Atlanta, GA.
May: Biggest Little Fur Con in Reno, NV
Aug: Megaplex in Orlando, FL
Aug: Indy Fur Con in Indianapolis, IN
Dec: Midwest FurFest in Chicago, IL

See you all later today ^.^

Today I realized that this fandom has really helped me discover who I am to a very deep level.

Who knew what started out as a hobby/interest could have such a profound effect on my personal development as an individual.

Through challenges, successes, friendships, relationships, I've learned a lot about myself; my personal strengths, my weaknesses, where I've excelled, where I've fell short.

I've been doing some soul searching as of late, who I am, why I am the way I am, and I think I'm now coming out of the foggy haze and getting clarity.

I have difficulty at times expressing my thoughts & feelings, sometimes I realize that this short-fall makes me come off in a way to others that really doesn't reflect who I am.
For that, I apologize and ask for your patience. I always believe the best in people, and sometimes I assume that everyone thinks the way I do and should understand where I'm coming from; I realize it just takes more explaining on my part to help others understand my point of view and I'll work on that. I don't claim to be perfect, and I don't believe anyone is perfect.

To those who have helped me along the way and to those who have exercised patience & understanding, you know who you are, I thank you and am very grateful I'm lucky to have such awesome people in my life.

That is all ^^ Thank you for taking the time to read *wags*

Realized my profile on here wasn't super descriptive, decided to revamp it a bit.
It's still a work in progress for sure, but there's a lot more info now about me, my beliefs, and my silly shoutouts to some of the wonderful people I've met along the way.

Last convention was FWA, seems like ages ago!

Who all will I see at IFC? If you see me, don't be shy, say hello! Hugs are the best! *nods*

Woot! :D I was able to get the day off too \o/

Wow, August was one heck of a month with Megaplex & IFC; I thought'd I'd update!

Megaplex kinda started off lame, was pretty bummed; had a person bail on the last minute, had some surprises and what not planned. Despite the lame beginning, it was an awesome con! Met a real cool dude  cessnafox and we ended up hanging out quite a bit, it's a fun little con I'd probably visit again :)

IFC was also fun! Roomed and hung out with a new STL Local  wafflestheraccoon and it's only like 4 hours away! Probably the closest con next to our one here in town (GFM).

Other than that, been working, going local furry get togethers, in a good place right now, couldn't be happier! :)

Woofs out, follow me on twitter (MrWolf2525) for fursuit pictures and other silliness :)

Hope to see you there! If you see me roaming around in suit, say hi!

Don't be shy, I'm just a silly derp wolf.

Well, forgot to update this!

I'm now at my goal weight and have been for several weeks.

I began this journey June 6th, 2015; several months and over 85 pounds later, I reached my target weight.

I feel a lot better, but that's from a generally subjective point of view.

So, let's look at the objective facts:

I was 234 pounds with BMI of 34.6. Anything greater than 30 is considered obesity. My BMI was Stage I Obesity, almost Stage II Obesity.

I am now 148 pounds with a BMI of 22. Normal weight is a BMI of 18.5-24.9.

My disease risk before weight loss relative to normal weight and waist circumference was very high.
My disease risk after weight loss relative to normal weight and waist circumference is now null. Null? Meaning disease risk due to weight & waist circumference is gone.. zip... nada.

Cool, right? Well, here's some more cool things. I had cholesterol levels taken before and after I had lost 55 of those 85+ pounds.

This is with no medication, simply just loosing the weight & eating right.

Overall cholesterol decreased 6% (GOOD)
Good cholesterol increased 15% (GOOD)
Bad cholesterol decreased 23% (GOOD)

I've reduced my risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension; there's more, but those are the big three worth mentioning.

TLDR: I am no longer killing myself with food... and reduced my personal burden on our healthcare system by doing so. I took my problem into my own hands and fixed it.

Important notes to any interested in improving their personal health and well being:

1. It is not a *diet*, it is a *lifestyle change*. Importance difference between the two; One is a never ending roller coaster of ups and downs, one is for life.
2. Only *you* can make the decision to improve your health.
3. Loosing weight is 80% of what you eat. Exercise alone cannot magically undo poor eating habits.
4. This experience has personally convinced me that it is not poor genetics that make people unhealthy in regard to weight; more-so it is one's personal discipline & socioeconomic burdens that limit the ability to be healthy.
(My personal family history is very strong for diabetes, heart disease, & hypertension; in my situation I have reduced my risk for all three by personal discipline).
5. Health speaking, weight is everything! It is the single-most important thing in your life you can control to improve your quality of life.
Think of it as the first domino, once weight goes, it triggers a negative chain reaction to your health. This is reflected by the risk reductions seen when one becomes a healthy weight.
My "weight domino" was about to tip over, but I fixed it before it caused other damage.

I'm really proud of what I have accomplished, and it isn't easy! Now to maintain the same healthy weight and never go back to the way I was!

Woot woot, I'm now closer than ever to my target weight. Only 3 more pounds to go!

Also commissioned a new fursuit to celebrate, no more baggy wolf! :)

See you there! Arriving Thursday, Leaving Monday

Well, since June 6th I've started a new lifestyle change, kinda been a project that I haven't really told many people about.

So far I've lost over 50 pounds, trying to last until the end without buying new clothes, but they're so huge on me now! When your pants are like 8 sizes too big, there's only so much a belt can do... especially a belt that's also 8 sizes to big!

I feel that although this isn't the end yet, it is a pretty big milestone accomplishment, and I've gotten positive feedback from both friends and co-workers who've noticed.

I feel a lot better, and look forward to reaching my goal. At this rate, I might be at my goal or very close to it by MFF.

What made me decide to do it? A couple of reasons.

- A very strong family history of diabetes type II which is mostly caused by being overweight and eating crap food. (Yes, some genes are involved, but that's like 15% of the problem, 85% is eating habits).

- Feeling tired all the time

-A desire to be more healthy

-Some negative experiences at previous conventions in which I was in suit and singled out due to my weight.

The last reason I've never really talked to anyone about, and one of the reasons I decided to make this journal. I would challenge anyone to THINK before they make judgement or comments on someone due to their weight, whether in public or in private. Fact is, unless you've struggled with weight issues yourself, you have no right or reason to make douchebaggery comments about or to others in a public or private medium.

I can say after 20 some years of being overweight, both as a child and adult, it isn't easy.
For those who are blessed and have never had this problem, or for those who feel it's okay to make douchebaggery comments about others, let me put it in perspective for you.

Watch an episode of Drugs, Inc. or similar drug use documentary and while watching, replace all the needles & syringes with fast-food, junk-food, hell, just food in general; REPLACE the blood-born illnesses suffered with diabetes, hypertension, colon cancer; KEEP all the health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, and limb amputation.

Would you make light or fun of someone with an alcohol or illicit drug addiction, what about a friend, colleague, coworker or loved one you care about?

How would you know what it is like unless you were in that situation at some point in your life?

What about food addiction?

Anyone who has ever lost a substantial amount of weight or struggled with weight will tell you, all it can take is one relapse to ruin everything you've worked hard to accomplish, one relapse to return to old habits and gain all the weight back, one time.

"So.. MrWolf, you're saying that the comments of some people made you do this? Why do you care what some douchebag has to say? Isn't that letting them win, letting them get to you?"

No... not what I'm saying. The negative experiences I've had were few and far between, and it was the last reason on my list, certainly not the first, nor the main reason whatsoever.

I did it for ME, not for THEM.

That being said, I do remember those people and never forget. Not that I have a shit list or anything, but I do believe I'm a pretty good judge of character, and my time is best spent hanging out with those who I feel got my back; regardless of my waist size.

So all in all, this journal is not really about my weight loss, or about me. It's about awareness.

Awareness. Awareness to speak up. Awareness in numbers.

Speak up when you are witness or victim to snide or inappropriate comments.

Speak up if you struggle with weight or food addiction. There is help out there.

Speak up and let other's know that you will not accept douchebaggery comments towards you or others.

If we all accept that something isn't appropriate, then those who feel it's okay to make such derogatory comments, public or private, will be the minority. They will realize we will not accept it, and that they better step up, or step out.

TLDR: 50+ lbs lost woohoo; don't be an asshat at cons or in life in general.

See you there :)