I just got knocked upside the head with the realization that Ari-chan (http://zombie-rainbow.deviantart.com) may indeed be the first partner I've had to match me with how serious I take my relationships. And that makes me incredibly happy.

Case-in-point: I was thinking of driving out to her place last weekend on a whim. I had the money in my account at the time, but Marauder (my car) isn't ready for a long haul yet, plus there's the small fact I don't have an exact address. But, ya know. Details. Still. I was going to drive the 8 hours out to Kansas City to see my girlfriend.

Me: So.. Um... Yeah. I almost drove out in your direction Friday night. >_>
Her: Almost, huh? What stopped you? XD

Cannot tell you how good that makes me feel. She WANTED me there. She wasn't going to call me crazy and cuss me out up and down for doing something spontaneous and, in my own silly way, romantic. That's a big deal for me... And it's many points tipped in her favor. <3

It's 57 degrees outside currently.
The sun is trying to peek out behind the clouds.
My headspace is okay this morning.

I was looking at quotations from Ghandi and the Dalai Lama early, early this morning while talking religion with Setsu. Both men had/have very positive outlooks on life.

Something I was talking about with Sabrina and Tybis last night was that Symbols are a very important part of how I live Life.

I also need to load up the RENT soundtrack.

It is okay for me to validate and put words behind my feelings. Giving them words and presence takes them out of my mind and makes them concrete issues I can deal with in a logical and reasonable way. Sometimes, you all may never see them. Many times you will, though.

This is why my headspace is okay today. Over the course of the weekend (and a few clue-by-four reminders), I have been reminded to own my feelings and that no one can make me feel depressed, worthless, or unloved unless I allow them to. I know that I am worth something to many people and that people do love and care for me, even in that platonic-no nookie-friendship sort of way. I know all the same that I am not the easiest person to deal with. I have my moments where I am very much a big ball of snarly or bristly, but those are part of who I am. I'm not all fluff and purring kitten all the time.

Mostly, though, I am in control of my Life and the direction it's going in, and if nothing else, the past six months have shown me that Life is indeed what we make of it, and I intend to make the most out of what I have been provided, and even surpass the expectations of those around me.

Go, go, Gryffindor! *cheeky grin*

Do you have artwork, stories, or other content you'd like to submit for possible inclusion in the RCFM Lucky Eight conbook? If so, we'd like you to submit your creative works for consideration.

The submissions must be received before April 2nd, 2010 to be considered. The editor of the conbook reserves the right to edit all submissions for content and space requirements. Please keep your submission at a PG level. By submitting material for the RCFM conbook, you give permission to Rocket City FurMeet to publish the material in our conbook and to use it for RCFM advertising, though you retain all other rights to your submitted material.

If you have any questions that are not answered here, please let me know and I will be happy to assist you.

How about advertising in the RCFM conbook? It's a great opportunity!
Advertisements are only:

o $25.00 for a full page ad
o $15.00 for a half-page ad
o $10.00 for a quarter-page ad
o $40.00 for the full page inside the front or back covers

Advertising and art submission graphics should be black & white or grayscale. Acceptable formats are Adobe Photoshop (.psd) and Adobe Illustrator (.ai) documents, as well as JPEG (.jpg) and TIFF files. JPEG and TIFF files should be 300 dpi (dots per inch). Please zip files over 3 MB. Pre-printed ad pages may be sent via postal mail to:


Attn: RCFM Conbook
Rocket City Furmeet
2603 Landsdale Drive
Huntsville AL 35810


Thank you,
Samii Tiger, RCFM Conbook Editor
SamiiTiger[at]gmail.com

Stolen from the DragonMutt.


1.Are you single or taken?
Taken.

2. Chocolate or flowers?
Flowers. Chocolate's tasty and all, but I can dry the flowers after they've been on display.

3. Will you do anything special for Valentines Day?
The day proper? No. But I am taking my girlfriend out to dinner a couple days prior.

4.Do you like anyone?
Yes.

5. Were you dating anyone last Valentines?
Yup.

6. What would be your dream Valentines date?
Dinner, curled up for a movie, and snuggles.

7. Do you make a big deal about Valentines?
Yes and no. I like doing things for my partner regardless of the day and get super-excited whenever I get to plan things.

8. Have you ever had a secret admirer?
*grins* Yes. She's now my girlfriend. <3

9. Would you ever write someone a love letter?
Yup. I like doing such, too.

10. Do you believe in Cupid?
Um... No.

11. Do your parents give you presents on Valentines?
Mom used to.

12. Do you still send out Valentines cards?
Nope. I simply don't have time to. =3

13. Do you like candy hearts?
Blech. Only if they're the SweetTarts kind.

14. Flowers or chocolate?
See the second question.

15. Is Valentines day depressing?
Not really. When I was single, it was just another day.

16. How do you feel about PDA?
I'm 150% for it. I adore being affectionate in public. Not bathing eachother with tongues and groping but kisses, nuzzles, hugs, cuddling and holding hands is the best. (Keeping Yoru's answer since it's close enough to mine. =D)

17. How is your love life?
A lot more simple than it used to be.

18. Have you ever been dumped on Valentines?
Nope.

19. How many roses would you want?
Dunno. I'd be happy with one if it was "the perfect rose".

20. Will you have a boyfriend/girlfriend next year?
I hope so, but, really, I have no way of predicting the future.

I'm still alive. I should probably get around to uploading some of the sketches I've done to both here and DeviantArt.

Kinda not really doing commission art anymore. It's not my thing, really. I like drawing and such, but I need to focus on doing art that makes me happy. 'Tis the only way I'll improve.

Anyways... Alive and kicking, working at a new job as of December 2009, and have had a lot of flotsam and jetsam happen in my life that I'm convinced is making me a better person, even if it's rough at times.

By the way, it's the Year of the Tiger. You know what that means, right? It means that this is my Year to shine and rock out Life.

Yes, folks, you heard right! Great for LJ icons, dA icons, forum icons, FA Icons, Twitter Icons! If you need an icon, I'm your artist!

I have 10 slots open for $10 Tribal Icon Commissions. Usually it only takes me 2-3 days to bang these out, and I'm rip, rarin', and ready to go after coming back from RCFM!

So, who's interested?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

As I complete these, I'll open more slots up.

I also have other types of commissions available from badges to price-by-piece tattoo designs if that fits more your style!

So, with a week out until RCFM (I know, I'm doing this late in the game!), I figured I'd toss out badge commission slots for those interested.

I'm offering 3" x 5" digital color tribal badges at $20 a piece, which is down $5 from the normal price of $25. I also have icons available at $5 a piece.

Tribal Icons can be a fursona, a general animal, or an object. In the case of the fursona or animal, only the head will be used for the icon.

Tribal Badges can be full-body or head-only. For color tribals, I will try to match your fursona's color scheme the best I can without compromising the integrity of the tribal design.

Digital badge customers will also receive an icon with background for FREE included with their order. All digital badges also come with a background of your choice (solid color, gradient, or stripes).

You are responsible for any lamination and badge clips.

Because it is only a week out until RCFM and I would like to be able to deliver these badges to you in person at the con, I am only taking 5 slots for commissions.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

If you are unable to catch a slot here, come see me in the Artist's Alley at RCFM!

The wolf looked up to the midday sky, wind ruffling her fur, before she looked down at the flyer clutched in her paw. A little less than two months until the annual festival. There were the promises of discussions that went into the night, dances every night of the festival, a carnival where talented performers showed off what they knew, a grand market where vendors from all over came to show their wares, and much more!

A little less than two months to get there.

She clacked her tongue softly at the horse she rode, bidding him forward. Two months was far away, but she knew the time would pass by quickly. The two months would seem like two days, and then she would be in the company of friends once more, sharing laughter and tales from her journey and also from the time between this year's festival and the last.

She knew it would be a magnificent time!

~~~

Rocket City FurMeet: Magnificent Seven
~A Place Where Friendship and Fun Run Wild~
http://www.rcfm.net

If you haven't already registered for RCFM 2009: Magnificent Seven, pre-registration goes until May 15th, 2009, though memberships are also available at the door.

Come to RCFM this year and have a MAGNIFICENT time!

Greetings, folks!

Wanted to give you an update to the conbook deadline.

Due to a request from our printer, we are moving the deadline up to March 6th for submissions to the RCFM Magnificent 7 conbook.

To make our conbook utterly MAGNIFICENT, we need your help! Submit original artwork of furs out on the range, original stories that were once told around cowboy campfires, or poems that told of Wild West Legends. We want to see the uncharted lands of creativity that YOU, our attendees, have!

For conbook submissions, please send them to me at samiitiger@gmail.com. Just remember that they need to be rated PG-13 or lower to be friendly to all of our attendees of all ages!



Crossposted to wherever we can get it posted! Spread the word and let your friends know; even if you don't plan on attending RCFM, your art or creative writing still may be featured in our conbook!

How To Deal With A Tiger At Con

- Feel free to come up and say hi to me! I like meeting new people and am always looking to expand my circle of friends... Especially if you've chatted with me here on LJ.

- I don't mind hugs, but keep in mind that I don't like being hugged by complete strangers. Introduce yourself first.

- If I feel uncomfortable in a situation, whether I am in a group or with one person, I will leave the area for an undetermined amount of time. This is basically so I can cool down and/or get my temper in check so I don't do or say something rash. Simply enough, leave me alone during this time. I'll come back out when I'm ready to.

- I will possibly be fursuiting at con. If I am, please do not randomly pounce me, pull my tail, or do anything malicious. I can't see to my sides or in back of me, and my vision is somewhat diminished in suit. If I feel that I am being attacked, I will act accordingly.
-- If I say I'm wandering to get water, let me. Me being dehydrated is not enjoyable, so I want to keep hydrated. (As Youko has quipped at me many a time, "Hydrate or Die!", especially now since I fursuit.)


If you'd like my number to get in contact with me at con, drop me a line via PM.

I'm hoping to do dinner at The RAM (http://www.theram.com/illinois/wheeling.shtml) one of the nights of con with folks... Who's in?

Yes, I'm taking last-minute commissions for tribal badges for Rocket City FurMeet to be delivered AT THE CON.

There is also a good chance I'll be spending part of my con in the Artist's Alley taking commissions. If so, it will be a limited quantity since I'll be fairly busy during most of the con.

But anyways... There are currently 5 commission slots open for badges, and prices are listed below.

Tribal Badges can be full-body or head-only. For the black tribals, I will only use black ink in composing them. For the color ones, I will try to match your fursona's color scheme the best I can without compromising the integrity of the tribal design. You are responsible for lamination and badge clips.

Digital badge customers will also receive an icon with background for FREE included with their order. All digital badges also come with a background of your choice (solid color, gradient, or stripes). Customers will receive updates as I complete sketches and inking.

Examples of my tribal work can be found here on FurAffinity.

Prices are as follows:
Digital Black Tribal badges -- $20 (3.5"x5")/$25 (4"x6")
Digital Color Tribal badges -- $25(3.5"x5")/$30 (4"x6")

Payment is by Paypal (SamiiTiger AT GMail dot com) and must be made before work can begin. (It's a pain to do split payments on Paypal, so it's easier to ask for the amount before I begin work.)

Thanks for reading, and happy commissioning!

Commission List:
1. Smrgol
2.
3.
4.
5.

Here's the deal... I need money for such things as food, gas to get to my primary job, car insurance, and other related incidentals. I do artwork for relatively cheap. I prefer to work for any money I receive rather than ask/beg for it. I consider it the honest thing to do, but that's beside the point. The point is that I've got commissions open for tribal icons for LiveJournal and forums and tribal badges. I'm willing to take 10 commissions right now, and rotate in first come, first served style as I get them completed.

Tribal Icons can be a fursona, a general animal, or an object. In the case of the fursona or animal, only the head will be used for the icon.

Tribal Badges can be full-body or head-only. For the black tribals, I will only use black ink in composing them. For the color ones, I will try to match your fursona's color scheme the best I can without compromising the integrity of the tribal design. All badges will be laminated and sent with a badge clip.

All customers will receive updates as I complete sketches and inking. For traditional badges, customers will receive an update to the final product before their badges are mailed out. If you are in the Chicagoland area, your badge will be delivered to you in person.

Examples of my tribal work can be found here in FurAffinity.

Prices are as follows:
Tribal Icons -- $3 (No Background) / $5 (Background [Gradient, Solid color, or striped])
Traditional Black Tribals -- $10 (3.5"x5") /$15 (4"x6")
Traditional Color Tribals -- $15 (3.5"x5")/$20 (4"x6")
Digital Black Tribal badges -- $20 (3.5"x5")/$25 (4"x6")
Digital Color Tribal badges -- $25(3.5"x5")/$30 (4"x6")

Payment is by Paypal (samiitiger@gmail.com) or in person if you live local to me and must be made before work can begin. (It's a pain to do split payments on Paypal, so it's easier to ask for the amount before I begin work.)

I also ask that people keep in mind that this is to supplement my normal job. I do work 40+ hours a week, but will try to do my commissions in a timely manner. If something comes up where I'm not able to finish the commission within a reasonable time, I will let the commissioner know and speak with him or her on a one-by-one basis.

Thanks for reading, and happy commissioning!

(Side note: On my main page on here, the closed parentheses appear as winking smilies. This is a bug in how FA reads some of its code.)

I'm sure that by now, many, if not all of you, have heard that KO, Rocket City FurMeet's Chairman, is in the hospital with some fairly nasty injuries. I know that many individuals have worried about not being able to send KO something monetary to help cover the cost of his hospital stay, as well.

So... I was talking with  riftfoxx earlier this morning and he had a pretty good idea. Most people send get well cards and such to people when they're in the hospital. Well... What about sending con badges to KO as a sort of Get Well gesture?

If you don't want to send KO a con badge, feel free to send him a card or a letter, as well.

The first batch of mail will be shipped down to Huntsville on Friday, June 15, before I head in to work, and following batches will be sent every two weeks. I will not read or open any of the mail received, as I believe that KO and Pita should have the delight of doing such. I'm just the messenger. :)

Any mail to go to KO for this project should be sent to:
Cards For KO
C/O Milan Nelson
823 W. Lincoln Hwy. Apt. D-1
DeKalb, Illinois 60115

Copied from the RCFM LJ Community:

For those of you who are not on the RCFM staff list, Last night Kevin (KO, RCFM's Head Cat) was seriously injured and is currently in the Hospital with multiple broken bones and will be in surgery today. I am not 100% sure of all his injuries, but he will be out of commission for a good while.

Kevin has gone out of his way so many times to help those around him, and we need to do the same. I am accepting donations for Kevin and Karen to help off set the monumental costs that are growing even as I type this post. Any and all donations are welcome. If you are unable to contribute funds, that is ok, just please send Kevin your Love. Post a reply to the journal (http://community.livejournal.com/rcfm/53368.html) and I will print it out when I go to see him this weekend.

Please send donations to paypal alexanderkatz @ earthlink.net

Thank You
Alex



I will also reiterate what Brody said in a comment on the thread. This happened outside of work for KO, so there's no telling if insurance will cover anything. If not, KO and Karen (Pita) will need the RCFM Family more than ever.

Also... Our own  animecat is offering ONE commission to the highest bidder to help KO offset the cost of medical bills. Go see her LJ post here (http://animecat.livejournal.com/153184.html) for more details.

~Samii

RCFM Sci-Five has come and gone, but not without a healthy dose of new friends and good memories.

Seriously... RCFM is the con I will go to year after year, come hell or high water, because it is HOME. It's like going to a big family reunion every year that I go, and it's something I miss from when I was younger. I am proud to be on staff for such a wonderful organization, and encourage everyone to go at least once in their con circuit.

Samii Tiger
RCFM Volunteer Wrangler

For those going to RCFM this weekend, here's the forecast:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/forecast/Ma.....L&site=HUN

Now... Being that it's 3 days until Rocket City, here's info about me...

- I like hugs. If it seems like I'm spazzing or stressed out, feel free to give me one. I'd prefer to know your name first, though, if you're someone I've never met in person before.

- Like the rest of my fellow staff members, I will be extremely busy this weekend about the con. However, feel free to stop me and say hello if I don't look like I'm in a rush to get someplace. I like meeting new people.

- Volunteers are always needed; if you would like to donate your time (and possibly earn some cool shwag), come and see me.

- If anyone is interested, I'll be in Artist's Alley for part of the time at con doing tribals and tribal badges. Prices will be listed at the table and such.

- To find me at RCFM, look for the person with a fleece tiger hat and tiger tail in a labcoat. Well, most of the time... You'll hear me before you'll see me since there's a bell on my tail.

I think that's it... Hard to believe another year has gone by.

Contact Info for Con:
Room Number: TBA
Phone Number: 1 (815)922-3356
Badge Name: Samii Tiger
Real Name (in case of emergencies): Milan Nelson

Both RCFM and my move are impending (about two weeks from each other) and I'm finding I need a bit more money to supplement what I already have saved for my apartment... So, I'm offering commissions for Tribal Badges to be delivered at RCFM next weekend OR LAFF SoftBowl this weekend.

Badges will be the standard 3"x4" format that many of you are familiar with, done traditionally with Sharpie Markers. I recently purchased the 8-count set, so I can do more than just black-pattern tribals.

Examples of my work can be found at my website, Dangerous Eyes http://www.freewebs.com/samiitiger, under the "Tribal Badges" listing.

The cost for a tribal badge is $15.00, and I have 7 slots available.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

If interested, please leave a comment here or e-mail me at SamiiTiger at Gmail dot com.

Thanks!
Samii

So, I'm now working full time as a security guard at OfficeMax. Boring, you think, eh?

Not so!

Just recently, I finished up a rather large graphic design project for my location that is currently being looked at by the Vice President of Loss Prevention. I've also done some other graphics that are being used at the Philly location.

So, yes, I'm security, graphic design, and so much more.

And yet I still have time to serve as staff for Rocket City FurMeet (http://www.rcfm.net) for my second year.

How To Deal With Me
- Despite my already established reputation in LAFF as having the second biggest balls in the group and being a complete bitch, to boot, I am approachable. I like meeting new people.

- Along those same lines, I don't mind hugs, but keep in mind that I am taken. Unless I know you, do not randomly come up and assume you can nibble on me. There has to be some basis of trust there.

- With me being taken, Tybis and I do have established ground rules for cuddling and such. The rules are equal for both of us, no exceptions. Ask me on IM or E-mail for more information.

- Along with the previous statement, I am a dominant individual. I do not appreciate it when people either try and force me into a submissive role or try and duel for dominance with me. If we are role playing, indicate to me how rough you like to be played with. If it doesn't break rules, then I'll try and adhere to that as much as possible. Also, don't try and force me to be more forcefully dominant than I wish to be. It doesn't work and kills the RP rather quickly.

- Despite the fact that I am with Tybis, I am a huge flirt. I know he's flirty at times, too, but just remember that he's mine and I'm his. It'll make things that much easier on all parties.
-- If I make you feel uncomfortable by being flirty with you, let me know and I'll back off.

- It's also notable that if I feel uncomfortable in a situation, whether I am in a group or with one person, I will leave the area for an undetermined amount of time. This is basically so I can cool down and/or get my temper in check so I don't do or say something rash. Simply enough, leave me alone during this time. I'll come back out when I'm ready to.

- If I clearly state that I am wandering off for that specific time to be with Tybis and/or another significant other, leave me be. The phones will be off and there will be no way to get in contact with us. 'Nuff said.

Contact Info for Con
Room Number: TBA
Phone Number: 1 (815)922-3356
Badge Name: Samii Tiger
Real Name (in case of emergencies): Milan Nelson


By the way... Who all is gonna be at MFF this year?

I'm whoring myself out as an artist. If anyone would like to commission either a tribal badge or a digital badge to have done for MFF, I'm opening up 5 spots. Both are $15, which includes the badge and badge holder.

1. StormDog - Tribal Badge
2.
3.
4.
5.

After a bit of thought, I've decided to open myself up for commissions for the tribal designs. Prices will depend on complexity and size, and I ask that you e-mail me for information.

To start off with, I'm able to take 10 commissions so I don't overburden myself, but as ones get cleared from the pile, I can take more on.

So... I'm curious... If I were to open myself up for commissions for the designs, how much would you pay? How much would you pay for a page of stickers with your design on it?

So... I'll be doing tribal art for my portfolio for the following people:
Sema Jayhawk - Sema and Pit Bull
Xander the Tiger - Tiger

If you'd like me to do a design for you, let me know!