Its been almost a month since I last did one of these, so I thought I would share how things are going.


For the most part, things are alright here.
I have been busy finishing up a few things and have been trying to get a few things done.
The weather has been hot lately, which seems to be making me more tired than normal. I already miss running the snow blower.

Something I have been finding lately though, is that though I am only 24, I can tell that I'm getting older fast, and finding that there is less that I'm able to do, or simply am lacking the drive I used to have.


When I first joined furry, I thought it would be quite fun to do a little fursuit dancing.
Well, I'm still getting a fursuit, but the whole dance thing... I don't have that much energy anymore and am concerned that it would dehydrate me too quickly.

I am also noticing that I'm starting to get used to doing more things that I can enjoy by myself.
I am ok with this, but with some things, I really wish I had a friend that could participate.


So, its a bit like how one friend put it to me once. Perhaps there was lots more I was once able to do, and I feel like I should be able to do, but I won't get to do. *shrugs* I don't know.

I usually don't make journals like this, but due to what I am seeing, I feel I should post something.

A good friend of mine on here, Spring-the-husky, is not feeling well at all lately.
I won't go into details here, but from my understanding, he has been injured, sick, and is unable to eat much.

In addition, one of my watchers and a friend of Spring's, royalwolfknight, has been diagnosed with lung cancer on both lungs.

If you can, please keep these two furs in your thoughts and prayers, it sounds like things are getting rather serious for both of them.

I did this one once in the past, but found it again in another furs journal that I watch, and thought I would fill it out again.

1.) If your fursona had to be a primate, it'd be:
Lemur.

2.) If your fursona had to be a feline, it'd be:
Snow Leopard, Siberian or Canadian Lynx.

3.) If your fursona had to be a canine, it'd be:
Already a wolf. :) A Domesticated fox, Borzoi, or Kishu Inu, might be considered other options.

4.) If your fursona had to be a hoofed animal, it'd be:
Probably a Dall's sheep.

5.) If your fursona had to be a rodent, it'd be:
Siberian Chipmunk.

6.) If your fursona had to be reptile, it'd be:
chameleon.

7.) If your fursona had to be a marsupial, it'd be:
Koala

8.) If your fursona had to be a fish, it'd be:
Aquatic Okamisune: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12391206/

9.) If your fursona had to be an amphibian, it'd be:
See above. :)

10.) If your fursona had to be an avian/bird, it'd be:
Snowy Owl

11.) If your fursona had to be a creepy crawly, it'd be:
A spider

12.) If your fursona had to be a hybrid, it'd be:
Aquatic Okamisune, or Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

13.) If your fursona had to be a mythical creature, it'd be:
Already an Okami. :) Probably a Kitsune.

14.) If your fursona had to be a Pokémon, it'd be:
Mightyena

15.) If your fursona had to be a plant, it'd be:
Cherry Blossom

This was a meme I found in Spring the Husky's journal that I thought I would try. :)

► Name ➔ Rocket Arctic Wolf
► Will you answer all questions truthfully ➔ Yes
► Are you single ➔ Yes
► Are you happy ➔ Most of the time
► Are you bored ➔ Sometimes
► Are you sad ➔ Sometimes
► Are you Italian ➔ No.
► Are you German ➔ I'm American, but my ancestors reportedly came here Germany.
► Are you Asian ➔ No, but I like Japan! x3
► Are you angry ➔ No.
► Are you Irish ➔ I'm American, but I have a little Irish in me.
► Are your parents still married ➔ yes

TEN FACTS

► Birth Place ➔ United States
► Hair Color ➔ White with black markings.
► Eye color ➔ Wolf Amber
► Birthday ➔ October
► Mood ➔ Whats going on today? :)
► Gender ➔ Male
► Lefty or Righty ➔ I use my right paw to write and draw, but I can use my left if I have to.
► Summer or winter ➔ Winter, though I like the severe weather in the Summer months.
► Morning or afternoon ➔ Morning

TEN THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE
► Are you in love ➔ Not with anyone, but there are things I love. :)
► Do you believe in love at first sight ➔ Depends on what it is. I have seen things and bought them because I loved them almost instantly. With people.. well, I want to see whats inside first.
► Who ended your last relationship ➔ My mate, though it was probably my fault.
► Have you ever been hurt ➔ Perhaps, but never heartbroken.
► Have you ever broken someone's heart ➔ With much regret, I believe I have. I'm sorry. :(
► Are you friends with your ex ➔ I think so, but I don't know.
► Are you afraid of commitment ➔ Yes.
► Have you hugged someone within the last week? ➔ Yes
► Have you ever had a secret admirer ➔ Probably.
► Have you ever broken your own heart? ➔ My heart doesn't break, it just gets crushed badly and bounces back.

TEN CHOICES
► Love or lust ➔ Love
► Lemonade or iced tea ➔ How about some regular tea? But iced water is good. :)
► Cats or Dogs ➔ Dogs
► A few best friends or many regular friends ➔ A few best friends.
► Television or internet ➔ Internet, but I like TV sometimes as well, especially if the internet is down. :)
► Pepsi or Coke ➔ Pepsi, but Coke is good too.
► Wild night out or romantic night in ➔ Either one is fine with me. x3
► Day or night ➔ Either one is good with me, except when it comes to tornadoes.. night spotting is not much fun.
► IM or Phone ➔ Either one is good.

TEN HAVE YOU EVER
► Been caught sneaking out ➔ Nah, no reason to leave! x3
► Fallen off the stairs ➔ Yep, several times. Its not fun.
► White water rafted ➔ I have sat in a raft, but only in calm waters. :)
► Finished an entire jawbreaker ➔ No, I don't eat stuff like that.
► Wanted something/someone so badly it hurt? ➔ Yes, sadly.
► Prank called a store ➔ Nah, I don't do stuff like that.
► Skipped school ➔ Nope.
► Wanted to disappear ➔ Nope.

TEN PREFERENCES
► Smile or eyes ➔ Eyes. When you look into once eyes, you see into ones soul.
► Light or dark hair ➔ Doesn't matter.
► Fat or skinny ➔ Doesn't matter.
► Shorter or Taller ? ➔ Doesn't matter.
► Intelligence or Attraction ➔ Intelligence
► Jock or Nerd ➔ Nerd
► Hook-up or Relationship ➔ Relationship
► Funny and poor OR rich and serious ➔ Funny and poor is better.

LAST

► Last Phone Call ➔ Mom
► Last phone call you received ➔ Mom
► Last person you hung out with ➔ A good friend friend online.
► Last thing you ate ➔ Rice.
► Last thing you drank ➔ Soda.
► Last site you went to ➔ Furaffinity.
► Last place you were ➔ Home.

RELATIONSHIPS
► Are you in a committed relationship ➔ Nope, not in a relationship.
► When was your last relationship ➔ 2013
► Have you ever loved a guy/girl more than anything else in the world? Sadly, I did, as some things cannot be bought.
► Do you still love them ➔ Yes
► Do you like someone right now ➔ Not in that way.

FAMILY
► Do you and your family get along ➔ Most of the time.
► Would you say you have a "messed up life"➔ Not really.. A difficult life, yes, but not messed up.
► Have you ever run away from home ➔ Nope.
► Have you ever gotten kicked out ➔ Nope.
► If so, how long ➔ See above

FRIENDS
► Do you secretly hate one of your friends ➔ I don't hate anyone.
► Do you consider all of your friends good friends ➔ Some more than others.
► Who are/is your best friend(s) ➔ I will not say here, but they know who they are.
► Would you die for them ➔ If I had to, though hopefully things will not get that crazy.
► Who knows everything about you ➔ No one except me. :)

I saw this in Lycan7793's journal, and thought I'd give it a try.


Is there anybody you just wish would fall off the planet?
No one really. Also, the earth is round, so you can't really fall off the edge. x3

How do you flush the toilet in public?
I like to wear leather gloves when I can, as many seem to put their hands in nasty places before touching the handle.

Do you wear your seatbelt in the car?
Always.

Do you have a crush on someone?
Nah, I don't get those anymore.

Name one thing you worry about running out of.
Time.

What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble?
Some think I look a bit like Ammy from Okami. :)

What is your favorite pizza topping?
Extra cheese. :)

Do you crack your knuckles?
Nope, no reason to. :)

What song do you hate the most.
Call me weird, but I don't like the neon cat song. x3

Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head?
Nope, I have other songs stuck in my head. x3

What are your super powers?
Quite a few. http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12760205/

Peppermint or spearmint?
Peppermint.

Where are your car keys?
On the table, under some paper, books.

Whose answers to this questionnaire do you want to hear?
Whoever wants to fill it out. :)

What's your most annoying habit?
Constantly checking on things, though that is not always a bad thing.

Where did you last go on vacation?
Lincoln, NE. But that was years ago.

What is your best physical feature?
Intelligence.

What CD is closest to you right now?
Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom. Its a video game CD. :)

What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?
Yogurt, milk, cheese.

What superstition do you believe/practice?
Can't think of any.

What color are your bed sheets?
Snow leopard print. x3

Would you rather be a fish or a bird?
Neither, I'm happy with being a wolf.

Do you talk on your cell phone when you drive?
No.

What are your favorite sayings? "I reject your reality and substitute my own." -Adam Savage. "Its a lot more fun fishing when you catch fish." -unknown. "I can put up with this crap all day if I have to." -John Tanner

What song(s) do you sing most often in the shower?
I don't sing in the shower.

If you could go back or forward in time,where would you go?
I'd go back to multiple eras if I could, just to see what life was like.

What is your favorite Harrison Ford movie?
*shrugs* I don't know.

How many kids do you plan on having?
None.

If you could kiss anyone who would it be?
*shrugs* I'll wait for someone to kiss me.

What do you do when no one is watching?
Hehe I create scenes with model emergency vehicles, and then smile once someone notices. :)

If they made a movie about your life, what actor/actress would be you?
I would be myself, I just would need to find a good animator. :)

Coffee or Tea.
Tea.

Favorite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert?
Blue Man Group, BB King.

Do you talk to yourself?
Not really.

Its been a while since I posted an update with how things are going, so I felt now would be a good time to do so.

Well, its been pretty much the same old here, though some things have changed.


My health has been ok, overall, though I still struggle with stomach issues and still am a bit weak.

Things have been a bit more exciting with the severe weather that has been happening all across the US.
Not much happened here except for some rain, but it was interesting to see what was going on in other places, sometimes in real time.

Still not much of a social life, as I only have regular uninterrupted contact with about 3 of my friends, and they all live far away, in different time zones.
As a result, I'm having to get used to finding more things I can do by myself.
So, there might be more art from me here, as I'm running out of other things to do.

I saw this on Hollyfox's journal and thought I might try it out here, adapting it to a place where I'm more typically walking. :)


"While trudging though the snowy fields, Rocket Arctic Wolf comes across ________________"


Fill in the blank with what you want me to find. :)

1. Why did you join FurAffinity?
Someone I knew from LJ thought it might be a good idea to post some of my creations here.
He was right. :)


2. What does your username have to do with you?
Its my fursona name.


3. What is your current avatar of?
Me :3


4. How many watchers do you have, and how many do you watch?
234 watchers, 365 I watch.


5. Do you have more than one account?
I made one for the okami-furs group, but that's about it for now.


6. Name 3 of your favorite artists on FA.
That's a tough one. But currently, I'd say Kyousuke, FoxForrester and Makifoxcat


7. What artist do you admire because of their personality?
All that I know well.


8. Do you comment, fave, or both?
I do both.


9. What do you typically post on FA?
Typically photos of things I like and linearts I have added colors or details to.
I do sometimes draw a little or write a bit of something, but its not very often.

10.What's your favorite submission in your gallery?
That's a tough one, but I'd have to go with this one that was a gift from a friend, its displayed as my featured submission.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/5764545/


11. What are the things you wish you could draw better?
Wolves, anthro animals, natural things, cars, aircraft.


12. How many hours a day do you spend on FA?
About 2-4.


13. Are you a fast, slow, or medium typer?
Medium, though if I have a lot to say or think about, it might slow me down.


14. What is the most annoying thing people ask you?
I don't really have anyone who asks me anything annoying.


15. What is the most annoying/offending comment you've received?
Can't really think of anything that stands out too much.


16. What/who inspires you?
Oddly enough, I'm often inspired by non-furry things. :)


17. Everyone has considered leaving FA once or twice. Have you? Why?
Nope. Never really saw a reason to. I like FA.

I saw one of my watchers fill this out, and thought I'd do the same. :)


• What is the name of your fursona?

Rocket Arctic Wolf

• Where did the name of your fursona come from?

Rocket comes from the name that the Rock Island had for their passenger trains.
I thought it sounded nice, and would be a good name, so I went for it. :)
I also have a bit of an interest in old space stuff, so it goes nicely with that too.

• What species is your fursona and why did you choose that species?

Arctic Wolf/Okami
For me, it came from watching real arctic wolves, and those that I saw in video games and anime.
It just felt really fitting for me, and since I tend to like cold weather and water, it just feels right.

• What color is your fursona and why?

White fur with black markings and wolf amber colored eyes.
Arctic wolves are white in color, so its natural. :)
The black markings area unique design that is based off of those I saw on Okami Ammy from Okami and Blanca from Shadow Hearts II. I liked the way both of those wolves looked, so I came up with my own design that was based off them.

• What is your fursona's personality and how does this compare to your RL personality?

Same as mine for real.
Caring and kind, dedicated, and having diverse and unusual interests.

• What is one item your fursona owns that is significant to you in RL?

Hmmm, he owns pretty much everything I own for real in some way shape or form. x3
I do wish I had some of the things he has in larger forms though.
(the cars I have as models in my world, are actually full size and drivable in his.) :)

• What is one thing your fursona would say to you if you could meet?

It would feel a bit like having a clone show up, but I think it might be something like: "Come with me, I'm about to make all your dreams come true." :)

• What is one thing you would say to your fursona?

Again,It would feel a bit like having a clone show up, but I would say: "How are you doing, my friend?"

• How has your fursona changed over the years?

He has done many more things, and discovered new abilities for sure. :)
Through shapeshifting, he now can be in kitsune form or an aquatic okamisune form for 12 hours at a time, and can be feral and anthro in all forms. He also has several reflectors now.
He has also worked more jobs.

• How long have you had this fursona?

5 years

• Would you like to be more like your fursona?
I am quite a bit like him already, but to be fully like him.. seems like it would be nice. He can do quite a few things I can't do, that I really wish that I could do. :)

I thought I would share what I use so others can see if its something they might like to use as well. :)

1. Colored Pencils.

I use a wide variety of these on just about everything I do.

Dixon Ticonderoga Core-Lock.
These are my favorite to use for just about anything, and what I primarily use for most of what I do.
They feel solid, and even with fairly regular use, its quite possible for them to last at least 5 years. The tin containers they come in will likely last even longer than that. :)
They also don't blend together when in use, so things stay the color they are supposed to be, and don't make a big mess all over the paper.
They were also made in the USA, which is always nice.
The only bad thing about these is that they are no longer made and are getting hard to find.

Along with these, I also have an assortment of older 1990s colored pencils I use for various colors I am unable to find in the Ticonderoga sets.
These include: Rose Art, Sanford Colorific, and Prang. All work about the same.

I also sometimes experiment with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Gioconda colored pencils.
From what I've found, these are best for more artistic things, as they tend to blend a bit.
Both are set well made, with the Derwent pencils being very solid.
The Gioconda pencils from the Czech Republic are unique from any of my other pencils however.
They produce colors that one can almost tell are from that part of the world, a bit like having a set of paints from over there.

2. Drawing supplies.

I'll admit, what I use is fairly simple. There are probably better options out there. :)

Pencils: Regular Dixon Ticonderoga pencils, the older ones that were made in the USA. These just work best for me.
Paper: Hamermill Premium Inkjet Printer Paper.

3. Computer Programs.

Infranview: http://www.irfanview.com/
This useful tool can handle many formats and has many nice effects.
For me, I primarily use it for image enhancement, editing tint, cropping, and adding various effects.
One of my favorites is the rain drop/bubble effect: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12391206/

Gimp: http://www.gimp.org/
This program can be used for just about everything from what I have seen.
Like Infranview, it supports many formats, and also has good layer support for projects that require layers.
The effects that Gimp has are rather unique as well, its lighting effects being quite enjoyable to work with in my experiences.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12397778/

# http://www.getpaint.net/
This program kind of reminds me of regular Paint and Gimp combined into one.
I typically like to use it for doing things with layers and adding text, but I'm sure there are things it can do that I haven't experimented with yet.
Created using # http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12135307/

Paint:
Just the regular paint program that comes with most windows PCs can be useful for adding text and fixing small flaws.
Text added with Paint: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8693726/


That's about it for what I use here. :)
Though there might be better alternatives out there, this setup does the job for me.

A good friend of mine shared this with me a while back.

I thought I would post a journal to it here so others could see the video as well.

http://youtu.be/5dIu8gHkzEs

http://youtu.be/EBalTcYrqoE?t=17s

This looks like fun. :)

This is in a game, but I just like the thought of an easy way to add parts and markings to vehicles. x3

Well friends, Its been more difficult to be here lately.

The loss of so many things that meant a lot to me in the last 3 years has been hitting me hard lately, and is leaving me feeling unmotivated and sad.

The time change and rapid changes in the weather have also been making me more tired than normal.

I'm sorry to all my friends who miss me and have been looking for me, but I just haven't been able to get much done lately.
Hopefully, I'll be able to get things back on track here soon, but its been difficult to say the least.

For any here who like animals from that part of the world, these cams are pretty good.
From what I've seen, the best time to watch is between 2:00 and 3:00am if you're in the Central timezone.

http://www.africam.com/wildlife/

I'm posting this here so hopefully others will not suffer the same problem.

I am not sure whats going on here, but while I was on skype, a member of a group I am a part of left his contact info at the top of my skype page.

When I went to look at his profile to confirm who it was, it gave me some very serious malware that nearly took out my computer.

Due to these circumstances, I will not be on skype until I get things sorted out.

According to my friends, I seem to be coming up with some good ideas and concepts lately that might make for something interesting to read.

The trouble I seem to be having however, is that I get an idea, or get started on something, and then seem to draw a blank or have difficulty making things work in a way that makes sense to those reading it.

It seems that I need assistance developing things out further at times, or need to RP some of these things in order to get a better feel for what will work the best.

Most of my writing is set in old Japan, which also creates some interesting challenges, but makes for some beautiful locations as well.

I am wondering if any of my friends here with time would be willing to help out with this.


Thank you,
Rocket_Arctic_Wolf

I saw these recently and thought they might be worth sharing here.

Meet the Coywolf. - Coyote-wolf hybrid common in Eastern Canada.
http://youtu.be/sZm810CE9uw

Radioactive Wolves. - Documentary about the wolves in the Chernobyl region.
http://youtu.be/dpVNBQqOWV4

Sometimes, one has to do whats best for others.

Being sick often has helped me realize something... I do not make a good mate, and it really is not what I should be doing.

Most my age want to go places, have fun, and work towards goals.

Myself, well, I'm very different.
Every day is a struggle. It is normal, but, it is still a struggle.
The years of illnesses and diabetes problems are taking their toll.
Some things are more difficult for me to do now.

My mom and dad also struggle with medical problems, and we have few relatives and friends that would help.
It would be wrong for me to leave them with no one to help, so, its now my job.
In Japan and Russia, I have seen where it is common for the younger family members to take care of the old.
So, I will stay with mom and dad until I cannot anymore, as I feel I at least am doing what I supposed to do, and what is right.

I see too.. where many want a bunch of expensive things in their life and to go a bunch of places.
I cannot afford to do this in my life, and do not see myself ever having much money.
This is ok with me, as I have little goals, and hope to just get by.
I have realistically given up on many things in the past 2 years, and have been restructuring what I want to more basic things.

My life is not very fun, and its something I don't think others should have to suffer with.
Based on what I have seen, my life is about halfway over with anyway.

So, I will just keep doing what I'm doing here, unless I find myself in a position where I need a room mate to help pay rent or something.

I'm sorry to anyone who was interested, but, you are better off looking for someone else.

Today has been interesting.

Some things seem better, yet others have been worse.

I only had a fever once today, (100) and honestly have been feeling better except during the afternoon.

The cough is still very bad at times though.
I rarely coughed today, but when I did, it hurt, and I wheezed, requiring a really deep cough to stop the wheezing.
Tonight was especially bad though. One time, I coughed so hard that I coughed up blood with the typical clear mucus.

I have never coughed up blood before, and neither has anyone else in my family.
It seems to have stopped for now, but my lungs feel sore.
My mom and dad also have this deep wheezing cough.

So, hopefully we'll be okay here.
The cold temps can't be helping matters, but it looks like they will be ending soon.

Thank you to all here who have given well wishes, prayers, and advice. It has been nice to see your support. *hugs all again*

Well, friends, things haven't changed much here.

The virus is very similar to one I had in late November, early December, only more severe.

Today has been pretty bad.
Last night, I ate mucus all night as I slept. I got plenty of rest, but it didn't help much.

This morning, I woke up with rather swollen lungs, chills, a fever of 102.4, and moderate keytones.
The Motrin, Gatorade, and my diabetes control is helping keep things under control here, but, I seem to get a fever of 100-102 every time the Motrin wears off.

I keep going from being hot, to being cold as well. This caused things to feel sore, and me to sweat a lot.

There does seem to be one bit of good news today however. I have started to cough up green mucus.
Last time, this was a sign that the virus was on its way out.

My mom is still sick with similar problems. They're not quite as bad as mine, as she doesn't have diabetes, but its still rough.
My dad is still kind of sick as well, though he mainly just has the cough, and is able to go to work.

Hopefully, we'll be okay here. If the fever would let up, this would be much easier to deal with.

Well, last night was interesting.

I was at the ER for about 4 hours.

From what they told me, Its viral syndrome.
They ran a bunch of tests, and they all came back negative.
It feels very much like what I had in November, though with a worse fever that dehydrates me, and that creates problems with my diabetes.

Things seem to improve when I take Motrin. When I arrived at the hospital, my temp was 99.8, and my heart rate was down to 100-120.

The bag of fluids they gave me was something I needed. Though I had been keeping up on my fluids, I was sweating big time from the fever last night.

Hopefully, me and mom and dad will be okay.
I have a feeling this will take about two weeks to get rid of considering how things went last time.

The weather here has probably not been helping matters. Scattered light snow and ice with temps ranging from 31 to -13.

So, I still don't know how things are going to go, but I'll do my best here.

Well friends, I'm in really bad shape here.

My heart rate is at 140-165.
I have a fever of 102.2.
I'm just bad shape overall.

I don't know whats going to happen, but, I will do my best.
If something happens, I will try to have my mom update this.

*hugs you all*
If something does happen to me, I just ask that you remember me.

Well friends, the new year is not off to a good start here.

I am sick again with a bad cough, throat problems, runny nose, fever, aches, a more rapid heart rate than normal, and tiredness.
My mom and dad are having similar issues.

Yesterday, I was fine, and got a flu shot so I wouldn't have to worry about that, but whatever this is, its bad, and I'm concerned the shot may have made things worse.

With diabetes and the flu sweeping through state, I had little choice.
So far, 68 cases, 2 fatal.

I'll do my best here.
*hugs*

Well, its now New Years in my time zone. :)

Hope all of you have a good New Year.