I've successfully attended another Anthrocon. It was my rockiest one yet, but still worth the trip. It's always great to see so many rad people who I encounter only once per year, as well as meet a bunch more, some of whom were only on the flights out of Pittsburgh. Even on the last leg of my trip, I was meeting people. I slept on a bench in Toronto's airport last night, and I just got back to Kingston.

You may have read about my really shitty outset that resulted in me missing two flights, followed by a delay of a third. That really raised my stress and tanked my mood. I wasn't my typically super-stoked self when I got to AC. It took me a while to bounce back, but once I attended  kittiara's panel on Saturday morning, I felt rejuvenated and re-inspired.

Though the watercolours I had received a lot of praise, I didn't sell much in the Alley. It's okay, though; they take longer than the illustrations of previous years, so I didn't want to accept too many and get overwhelmed. Additionally, this was the first year where I arrived with a decent budget, so I could afford to not draw and still eat, haha. I also scored a few commissions for myself! I'll upload them, plus my trades, to my scraps once I get back to Winnipeg at the end of July.

I had some fun moments. Were any of you in the Zoo on Sunday, when the whole place erupted into a roaring round of applause? Guess who that was for. B3

Additionally, Uncle  nemo's Story Hour was hilarious.

The last two big highlights of the con were the panels I'd attended. After Kittiara's panel, she and I had lunch together, where we got to discuss art in a one-on-one basis, as well as general life stuff. That was really nice, and really boosted my mood after the rough start. I also made it to  ianjay's top secret, unlisted comics panel. From both of those events, I gained a stronger sense of direction with artwork. I made sure to write my guidelines into my sketchbook, so I'll remember them all. I feel confident that this next year will be significantly more productive for me artistically.

Were you at AC? Tell me about your con highlights!

Hey, everyone! I had a really long day on Wednesday, travelling to Pittsburgh. After two missed flights and another delay, I got here. Thursday has been much better; I've cheered up a lot.

Come find me in Artist Alley this Friday, from noon until 6 p.m.! Instead of the sketches of yesteryears, this is your chance to score watercolour badges! They take a little longer to complete, but the rad thing is, I don't need to keep your sketchbook to complete them, so you're free to go get it filled at the same time. I can also switch between two projects at a time, while I wait for layers of paint to dry. They'll measure 3.7 x 6 inches -- pretty decently sized, and also proportioned by the golden ratio!

I'll have a few badges examples kicking about; be sure to check 'em out, and come say hi!

Holy fucking shit.

Uh, furries, I might miss my flight to the states. I was ten minutes into my first train ride with Via Rail, on my way to Toronto airport, when I heard a loud clattering pelting the underside of the car, like a lot of gravel pelting against metal. It was a person. Someone just killed themselves by standing in the path of our train.

Fucking crazy.

Everyone is remaining calm, and the staff is acting professional. One of them said that this usually causes a delay of a few hours, which makes me wonder how frequently he experiences this.

I wonder how the conductor is feeling, having watched the person stand in our path.

Edit: I had my flight rescheduled. After explaining the circumstances, the rescheduling fee was waived. Admittedly, I wasn't my most-confident on the phone; this has left me a little unnerved. Via Rail is also issuing a refund.

I just want to get to Pittsburgh and put this behind me.

I'm hitting the road to Pittsburgh (as well as the rail and the sky)! I'll make it in during Wednesday evening, for my fourth Anthrocon. If you're attending, come see me in Artist Alley and say hi!

P.S. For those dudes and dudettes who signed up for free sketches from me: I have a bunch done. Turns out that you all have rad characters, so I'm going to tackle the whole list! I'll finish the rest and upload them sometime after AC!

See you all in Pittsburgh!

Yo, furries who like beautiful art!  undyingsong is tight on money, and thus is opening for pay-what-you-want commissions. Her work is gorgeous; go get some!

Is there anyone who needs some last-minute sleeping space during AC? Our room at the Plaza has a sudden vacancy. There's half of a bed available.

 aerys is also looking, so he may fill the space before I do!

I've been focused pretty hard on graphic arts for the last couple of months. With Anthrocon fast-approaching, I'm trying to flex my illustration muscles again, so I can kick maximum sketchbook butt in the Artist Alley and with trades!

Post a reference to your fursona! If it's rad enough, I may make a doodle of it. No promises though.

Here comes a new challenger:  Ransom!

I'm ready for back-to-back-to-back artistry! I'll be kicking sketchbook butt on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! Three rounds, all weekend! The Alley is always fun. I just hope it isn't as segregated as it was the previous year, when there was a big wall in the way, and the fursuit parade skipped us entirely. Regardless, even if you're on a tight budget, come on by and say hi! I'm not just there to draw—I love to socialize with all you people who I see so rarely.

I've secured passage to the strange and distant city of steel.

In other words, I'm going to Pittsburgh to attend Anthrocon again! I mentioned it, like, four months ago, but with the date a lot closer, I figured it was worth mentioning again—particularly since I have a flight booked now.

There are usually at least one or two dozen other furries who show up for AC. Can I expect to see any of you there?

 undyingsong is holding a mature YCH commission auction. If you haven't seen her work before, let me tell you, she's a total sweetheart with an eye for absolutely gorgeous colour palettes. I rarely commission anyone, but I've gotten three pieces from her, and they're all fantastic!

The window's closing; here's your chance to score her work for yourself or a friend: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10512697/

I'm gonna have a little free time in June. I'm still planning on going to AC, but if there's a decent con going on in June, particularly in eastern Canada or the north-eastern United States, I'll consider checking it out.

Anyone know of any?

Remember the logo and business card which I designed for  thatsfurredup? It was done in exchange for a partial fursuit! Rather than keep it for myself, I gave it to my good friend and panda extraordinaire,  neive. I figured she would put it to better use; the cute style really suits her characters.

The fursuit got completed!  eenyuwolf was given a challenging design, and she pulled it off well! It didn't take too long either. If you need a fursuit, Eenyu is a pleasure to work with.

On another note, I got some rad pieces of art recently: this cute doodle from  kattywampus, and this gorgeous painting from  undyingsong! I love them both. :D

A lot of people are jumping ship here over the latest bullshit involving the administration. Just wanted to let you know that you can also find me on Weasyl, should you decide you've had enough of FA. I've had an account there since they went online; it's not a perfect gallery, but it's very nice, and they're continually improving it.

This guy. d(ºwºd)

I just secured my room for Anthrocon! This year, I'll be rooming with Batman. I'm being adventurous and checking out the Marriott this time, instead of the luxurious but now-familiar Omni. And I'm planning on flying this time, thankfully. It's more expensive, but way more pleasant.

Who else is planning on attending?

Is anyone going to Furnal Equinox in Toronto, from March 8th to the 10th? One of the guys running the thing invited me, when we spoke during AC's Artist Alley last year. They're having a military theme, which is right up my alley. I figure I can attend for relatively cheap if I were to split a room, and use my military discount on Via Rail fare. But it still wouldn't be worth the money if not many of my friends are going.

So, out of curiosity, anyone planning on attending FE?

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Here's the wintry OC ReMix playlist I threw together last year, in case anyone's feeling geeky and festive. :3

https://secure.join.me/813-244-008

I gotta take off in 90 minutes, but I figured I'd stream for a little while before then. I'm just going to be inking and colouring a drawing. Feel free to join me!

Stream beaten! Thanks for joining. I might host again when finishing that picture.

Commissions! Who wants 'em? 'Cause I'm taking some now—high-rez, full-colour digital artwork. I love drawing characters, so I'm offering some of those with simple backgrounds.

Cel-shading: $60
Smooth shading: $80
Extra characters: +$10

You might have noticed I also dabble with graphic design. If you need a logo, business card, brochure, flyer, poster, billboard—anything like that, I can design it. We can discuss specifics and I'll give an estimate.

And of course, everything I make is print-ready!

If you have PayPal and are interested, note me and we can discuss details! I'm taking three at a time.

Slot 1:
Slot 2:
Slot 3:

I just beat  thatsfurredup's logo design contest! Music related:

If you haven't already seen it, you can view my entry here, and the other entries here. The grand (and only) prize is a custom fursuit head.

Not much else to say right now! I'm just in a super good mood, haha. :D

So, we're watching some movies at home, and a friend put on the Artistocats. I remembered the times, as a very young kid, where I'd pop my Disney Sing-Along tape into the VCR and chime along with one of my favourite tunes: Everybody Wants to Be a Cat. I recall that I used to play that particular tape all the time.

Fast-foward twentyish years, and suddenly things make more sense!

I got promoted!

I am in such a good mood tonight! I got promoted to Corporal! Goodbye, Rifleman! It felt so good to get another promotion along with a handful of guys who were just wee little noobs with me a couple of years ago, who all enlisted around the same time and cut their teeth on the same courses as me. That, and the officer promoting me was the very same man who recruited me in early 2010. When he looked up and saw it was me, he gave a distinct grin that I didn't see on the soldier to my left nor my right.

I just feel great right now. So self-confident, so happy.

Next up: Master Corporal.

My birthday is in four weeks.


What do I do? /oDo\

In the wake of the murders in Aurora, I've seen a lot of people talking about gun control. Seems like a pretty polarized topic, one that's plagued with widespread misconceptions. No matter your stance on it, it benefits everyone to teach a bit about firearms before debating their legislation.

So, with a couple of years of infantry experience, and the qualification of being a firearms instructor, I wrote a post in my Tumblr about this: Things to Know Before Debating Gun Control. It's meant to dispel some of the popular myths about firearms, because ignorance doesn't help either side on this. I hope some people find it enlightening.

Apparently I have a boyfriend—at least according to the rumours circulating in my family. This is news to me! I wonder who he is. I hope he's handsome.

Have I been dating any of you and not realized it? owô

Anthrocon is amazing, but I can't wait a whole year between seeing everyone. I'd love to check out something a little smaller, where I'm not so badly torn between so many things at once. Which cons do you like to attend? Where and when are they?