I don't post life updates much but I think this one is important.

A few years ago I tried to live up to my childhood dream of being a police officer, but I was unsuccessful for a number of reasons. Officially I was let go for "not progressing fast enough" and I was not given an opportunity to retrain. I blame myself for most of it. After that is was a dark place for a long time. I felt like a bad caricature of a better man, the punch line of a bad joke. I tried for 2 years to get back into the police force. Interview after interview always led to the same point; "sorry but you have not been selected, another more qualified candidate has gotten the position, feel free to apply again." I just felt so burnt out on all the wasted time and energy. I figure that mark of being fired made it impossible to get rehired by another police agency. I bounced around from job to job trying to find any purpose I did medical transport then security, but neither were really satisfying. When I was working my dead end job in security I started to study on my own and try and learn some IT skills. Thankfully a few months later, with some help from a good friend I was picked up by an IT company and I have been working there for the past few months now.

I have not felt this way in a while. Like I have some purpose now. I am looking forward to advancing my career and seeing where it takes me. The important thing to me was instead of dwelling on the past and trying to cling on to the identity of what I was trying so hard to be, learn from my mistakes and move on. A part of me will always wonder how things would have turned out if I were still a police officer, but I cant dwell on my mistakes. I will still support the police but I have no delusions about that chapter being over in my life.

I am looking forward to a new year with new opportunities. Thank you to all my friends and family who gave me the will to keep fighting and to keep moving forward; One day at a time.

Bopping snoots at ac this year. Looking forward to some shenigans.

Hey all, heading up the wasteland airsoft game Fertile Crescent 4 in ballaback Virginia. I will running the Circus of Value Caravan and setting up by the lake. Thankfully the weather should be good for the weekend. I will have a special deal for furries who come up to my booth. Say the phrase "Huskies are the best dogs" and I will give you bottle caps as kind of a fun secret code. Hope to see you guys there, hopefully we can all survive the wasteland.

Had a great time at mff this year with my new skull dog suit Die_N@mic by barking mad studios . I was able to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones! I always love the atmosphere of MFF and that is why I cant wait until next year.

I had a great day going down to Ballahack airsoft with some friends and playing for the day. Our team pulled a head and it was fun all around.....but man was it hot! It is imperative that on these hot days if you do any sort of outside activity to hydrate with water and know your limits. As fun as it is to stay in the game and finish the fight its also not fun if you pass out from heat exhaustion while wearing camo bdus. Reminds me of the old adage "the mind is willing but the body is weak." Have fun, get out of your comfort zone, but be safe so you can have more fun down the road.

This has been as public service announcement from your friendly neighbor hood hoosk .

Where are you staying?
Main hotel


What day are you getting there?
Wednesday afternoon depending on traffic


How long are you going?
wednesday to monday!

How are you traveling?
Pedal to the metal carpooling

Who will you be rooming with?
 snowywolf12  chumbasket huskers and a mystery roomate


Who will you hang out with during the convention?
Friends I have met along the way and hoping to meet some new cool peeps as well!


How is the best way to find you?
Telegram me at siegefed or look for a large siberian husky in a vault suit

If I see you, how should I get your attention?
you can come up and say hi. I am pretty friendly but my depth perception will be limited

Gender?
boy doggo

How tall art you?
5'11

Are there any panels/events you might be attending?
not sure, but I will be at the dances for sure

Are you arranging any photoshoots?
not that I know of but if there is other wasteland/fallout suiters I am more then down for some photos

Will you be going to parties?
Yes

What suits will you be bringing?
New to FWA is my husky partial siege!

Are you mated/in a relationship?
nope, although I am fond of cheeses

Can I hug you?
sure I have no problem!

Are you doing art at this convention?
just buying it

Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
around the floor and lobby as well as in the art and dealers area

Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
once I talk to you for a bit I think it would be ok, I love meeting new people!

Can I take your picture?
yes absolutely!

What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
I wanna meet new people mostly, try and be more social, and have a great vacation. As well as hang out with friends I have met along the way.

How can I contact you?

Telegram and Twitter at siegefed or by random hugging

This has been a crazy year of ups and downs. The more I think of it, the more I think of the opening to tale of two cities,

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

But its not all doom and gloom. I met a lot of cool people, got to travel around, and spend time with my family. So I am ready to what new things 2017 has in store for us! I look forward to meeting you all and hopefully at some new cons!

looks like I have the greed light to head up to MFF.

Where are you staying?
Hilton Hotel

What days are you attending?
Thursday to Monday afternoon

How are you traveling?
Long Long drive....

How is the best way to find you?
either my telegram or look for me suiting at the con.

Are there any panels you might be attending?
there are a few that look interesting, but it is all subject to change

Will you be suiting?
FURsure look for this curl
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/21068157/


What is your gender?
Good boy

Can I talk to you?
absolutely! I might be tired or zonked out from the drive up, but I always like chatting and meeting new people.

Can I touch you?
Highfives, hugs and such

Can I visit your room?
if you're invited

Can I buy you drinks?
sure if you want to

Can I give you stuff?
sure!

Can I hug or snuggle with you?
I am always down for fluffy hugs, snugs might depend...

Are you nice?
yep! This tail will be wagging all weekend


Will you be going to parties?
If invited

Will you be performing?
just moving my tail on the dance floor

If I see you, how should I get your attention?
just come up and talk to me or poke me

Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
days, mostly out and about on the floor, panels, and the artist/dealer area. Nights will be rave time and party time

What/where will you be eating?
trying to cut down on food so I will snack on the go. I might be able to sit down for lunch and dinner and rest my pads

Can I come with you for food/fun/etc?
if you are a chill guy or gal most certainly!

Can I take your picture?
yes for sure!

What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
I want to try and be more out going and have some fun with some friends along the way and make some new ones!

Back to where it all started I suppose, I became social in the fandom after talking to some awesome furs last year at this anime/gaming/TV con in Hampton VA. I am looking forward to beep booping around in suit and out in some fallout/wasteland cosplay.

Where are you staying?
With a couple friends near by and with  ErgoPrime

♬Who are you staying with?♬
snowywolf12 snowywolf12 shufflin_husk shufflin_husk

♬Day of arrival/Departure?♬
arriving late afternoon on thursday, leaving sunday afternoon or monday

♬Transportation?♬
tried and trusty Xtera

♬Who will you hang with during the convention?♬
Anyone and everyone.

♬How can I find you?♬
look for a fluffy curl with a pouch on a tail and a husky banana. I will also be in wasteland gear with a pipboy and a Fatman
♬Are you cliquey?♬
nope

♬Will you be suiting?♬
Depending on who is there, maybe for a little while

♬What’s your gender?♬
I am a dude

♬Are you taken? Are you looking for a mate?♬

Nope not taken, but always looking for some cool cuddle buddies
♬How tall are you?
5’11

♬Can I talk to you?
absolutely, I love meeting new people, you may get a ton of questions so be warned.

♬Can I touch you?♬
yes, but a heads up might help.

♬Can I hug or snuggle with you?♬
yes : ) I am the cuddle king

♬Can I visit your room?♬

not really for this one, but maybe head out to eat

♬Are you nice?♬
I am, but I may be tired so dont let that set you off

♬Will you draw/do badges/do trades?♬
sorry not that talented, but maybe an interpretive dance

♬Are you going to any panels/shows/dances/competitions?♬
panels and dances yes, but I am more about fun then competition. I am hoping to take and get a lot of pictures taken

♬Can I give you stuff?♬
sure, I do love gifts : )

♬Do you smoke/do drugs/drink?♬
nope

♬Can I buy you a drink?♬
sure if you want to

♬Will you be going to parties?♬
If I get invited or it seems interesting

♬If I see you, how should I get your attention?♬
the direct approach will work fine, I am friendly so talking shouldnt will be the best option

♬What/where will you be eating?♬
depends on whats open, hoping to check out the local flair. I know there is a good noodle place near the con

♬Can I come with you for food?♬
Of course! Just ask.

♬Can I take your picture?♬
Yes and please

♬What’s your goal this year?♬
find a new job and get reestablished. in addition make some new friends and reunite with old ones.

A good friend of mine  HauntedJynx is having a rough batch like we all have and is in great need of help. she is an up and coming talented artist who needs some help.

Read below and see what you can do to help, anything would be appreciated.
-~Siege~


Hey guys.
So recently a few things have happened to/for me and unfortunately has left me in a bit of a situation. Now I am not one for asking for help, but as my only viable form of income is art this is the only thing I can do now. For those who want the complete story I will post it under this, if you do not want to read it or just to know about the commissions and such scroll down till you see that header. Long story short, my mom lost her job forcing us to go without income for about a month. She is now in a job making half of what she did before, which is unfortunate for me as I have had to drop out of school, due to the money issues, which has left me currently enrolled in GED classes. I will hopefully be done with those by November or sooner, but the prospects of me getting a job after it are slim at the moment. Now with all of this and more happening, things have came to a point I need to get out of my current house and away from it. These reasons are uber personal and I won't discuss them.

I am not able to own property or whatever due to age. I am limited to what I can do to get out, which is where my love Iracundia comes in.
Hopefully as soon as possible I will be able to go to him. We have everything worked out dates, plans, etc etc. Now the only issue I have is money. I have no income and will not be forcing Ira to come up with all the money himself. So I will be opening commissions and as well accepting donations. We have a goal money wise, which is enough to get me over and to have some to live on. (That is below) Now I will not stop taking commissions even if it is reached cause to be honest we need all we can to survive on.

$25.00 / $4,000

For those who are wondering why it will be a bit of money, I will be moving countries, from Alabama (in the USA) to Britain.

Small breakdown of the cost for those who'd like to know!
(These are the estimated cost in USD, due to taxes we've rounded up to the nearest 10th!)

$150 - Passport
$100 - Visa
$1300 - Flight (Round trip due to visa)
$ 450 - Travel Insurance

$2000 is the minimum amount I need to go over.
This does not include any money for living.
Everything past 2000 is what I will be living off of!



The Story

On July 24th my mom was working a $55,000 a year job, 40 hours a 5 day week salary. That day her boss cut her hours to only two days, 16 hours a week. July 28th she lost her job. We had no income from the 28th of July until about a week ago. She now works a job making projected $30,000 yearly. This caused us to be behind in bills, which were already lacking due to my mom's last 5 paychecks from the previous job were bad. Things have been slowly getting back to normal. However family wise it shook us to the core.

I was in a private school, which unfortunately had its problems. (Not able to dive into details about that at this point)
The monthly bill was 200, which we were no longer able to pay. As of August 24th I had dropped out, on the 29th I started GED classes. I go three times a week and will hopefully be done soon. Thankfully I qualify with financial aid so no need to worry about it.

Due to my family situation at the moment, I am needing to leave. I will not be able to get out until Mid January, but it allows me to have enough time to get some money under my belt.That is why I am currently doing this.



Commissions and Donations

I will be taking commissions!
You can order one by noting mithfuril

mithfuril

Our plan is to do a few themed YCH's, Badges, and even a few special things that are in the works.
All normal commissions are open, and everyone who buys stuff to help will be featured in a journal.

I will be doing adopts for my closed species on this account and pushing events for those!
Also we do have shirts and other things up on our redbubble.
All info and links can be found on the mithfuril page!!

- - -

Donations


Click Here To Donate!
https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/w.....72275b28239088

(If you donate please comment so I know your username to feature!)

I am opening these just incase anyone would like to.
Anyone who does will be thanked and featured on my front page.
As well as probably will get a thank you gift at some point!

If anyone signal boosts this, I will be beyond grateful as it will be helping alot.

Back and finally recovered from AC. It was a crazy time with good friends, but here was my experience.

Traveling into the convention:
it was smooth sailing to Pittsburgh but once we got into the city it got a little hairy, I had only been there once before. There was a ton of road work and traffic was a slog, but we finally made it to the Marriott on Washington place, it was about 5 blocks from the con.


The Hotel:
Well I am starting to like the Marriott chain alot more, room was readily cleaned and stocked and beds were super comfy. The only down side was the transit system to and from the con. it could take anywhere from 20-40 minutes. So that was a drag.... but there were other furs in the hotel and everyone was pretty friendly.

Registration/Processing:
thank goodness I pre-registered, I was in and out in like 10 minutes max, my buddy  shufflin_husk had to wait like an hour.

The Panels/Events:
due to the transit system and general fatigue, I missed most of the panels. The only events I attended were the Fursuit parade and the night raves.

The city:
One of my highlights was being able to wear my suit in public and walk around town. I was able to partake in so many pictures and talk to so many friendly people! I was able to answer questions from a lot of people ranging from the silly to the strange. The best interaction I had was when a group of elementary school teachers told me that they tell their students every year that at this time the animals come out of the woods into the city to make friends....well they were not wrong.

Con Staff:
Friendly, polite, and helpful! They were easy to find if I needed help or a question and kept the event organized from the start. Truly the stars of the event.

Vendors/ art:
A majority of where I spent my time (and money). There were so many vendors and artists from all over, I had a blast chatting with many talented artists and craftsman. I did buy some fun 20s style prints.

Non-events/ general shenanigans:
I was in suit some of the time and had fun taking pictures and booping snoots of the other suiters, but since the con center is so big you never know whats going on where. Everyone seemed to be pretty open and friendly. The best part was walking around in the city and checking out Furnandoes.


OVERALL:
A ton of fun mixed in with a pinch of exhaustion. There was so much to do, and so many cool people to talk to. I made some new friends, spent some cash, and danced my tail off. It is a big convention with a ton of people, but it also opens up new opportunities and chances to break out of habit. I will try to go again next year if I can, but I will try to stay closer.


Until next time! Siege signing off!

Made it in last night, had to fight a lot of traffic through VA, WVA, and PA, but we made it in to our hotel rooms. Everyone is pretty friendly and I cant wait to see how this unfolds. Looking forward to meeting new peeps and buy some cool art. I am so excited! See you all at the con.

Feel free to chat and hit me up.

Finally got the green light that I am going to AC this year! Its been awhile since I went to Pittsburgh. I used to play airsoft there and I heard radio advertisements for the con.


Where are you staying?
I am at the Marriott hotel near the Con, but I have some friends in the con hotel as well.


Who will you be rooming with?
A Holf:  iracundia
a husky:  shufflinhusk
a Apolekis:  hauntedjynx
A cocaine wolf:  snowywolf12

What day are you getting there?
Thursday in the afternoon

What day are you leaving?
Sunday late afternoon

How are you traveling?
Carpooling, though a hovercraft would make for a better mode of travel

How is the best way to find you?
I will be out and about where I can, I will be in 20s attire, a briefcase and a husky partial. I will have leather pouches on my tail

What do you look like, age, gender?
5'11 23 y/o husky male

Will you be suiting?
I will be getting my partial on thursday, but I may wear casual clothes in the evening. Typically hyena agenda stuff

How do you want to be addressed?
Siege, CJ, or that awesome husky! but anything works. just dont call me surely

Are you nice?
I am, you can talk to me whenever. I may be a bit dazed from the travel and all the sights and sounds, but I am very approachable

Can I give you a hug & snuggles?
fursure! I love hugs and snugs

Can I take our picture?
yes and yes! I love pictures

What are you going to be doing, will you be going to parties?
panels, socializing, dancing, and throwing some cash. depends on the parties, but I am open for most anything.

What's your goal(s) for the con this year?
try to be alot more social then what I was at FWA, but I think I am getting better. Maybe learn some new dance moves!



If you are heading to Ac or just want to chat, feel free to hit me up on telegram siegefed or note me on FA.

Just got home safely from FWA 2016 and man it was a awesome! Great people and a great time! but here is the run down of how everything went. This is all from a non-suiters perspective and it was my first con.

Traveling into the convention:
drove into the outskirts of Atlanta and took the train. Not a bad option cheap parking for sure. the station is like 2 blocks from the hotel so walking with belongings is not a huge issue

The Hotel:
Beautiful with plenty of floor space! I never felt cramped, except on the elevators, but that is a given at any con. The staff were really nice and we all had a good laugh on multiple occasions. The one thing I wish I had in my room was a fridge and a microwave. The beds were really comfy : ) and had a nice modern touch to them. The lower levels did have restaurants and a small food mart to buy snacks on the go. There is a sky bridge that connects the hotel to the mall but I never used it.

Registration/Processing:
there were no issues with registration and everything went very smoothly. The line at Starbucks took longer then the line at registration.

The Panels/Events:
I did go to several discussion panels, art panels, dance competitions and raves. They were all a blast with a personal feel to them. Anyone could join into the discussion or ask questions. There was a panel for everyone! The comedy show and the concert where the best I have to say. The improv group that came out were really funny and included audience participation and the concert with Foxamoore, TJ, and Husky was beautiful and moving. The raves were a blast! people from all skill levels were moving and shaking to different talented DJs and I loved it!

Con Staff:
Friendly, polite, and helpful! They were easy to find if I needed help or a question and kept the event organized from the start. Truly the stars of the event.

Vendors/ art:
A majority of where I spent my time (and money). There was an amazing amount of artists and vendors of all crafts there. You could buy/commission just about anything with what ever style you were looking for. Need a suit, but not sure what to buy? The fur suit makers there would let you try on a mask, tail, paws, and let you see how it fit. Got a question about how an artist came up with a certain idea? The artists and vendors were super friendly and I had a lot of great conversations with them.

Non-events/ general shenanigans:
From a non-suiter stand point, I did not get into to many suit shenanigans, but going up and taking pictures/ hugging/ and talking to suiters was never a problem. I did have fun booping noses and swishing tails that was a lot of fun. There was a lot of fun on the elevators such as dancing, talking to non furs, elevator races, and so on that just added to the experience. I will have suit by next year/con so it will change my opinion for the silly suiter fun.

OVERALL:
A great time and a great launching point for future cons. I learned a lot and met a lot of cool furs along the way. I would highly recommend going to FWA as a first con. I learned how much I love the furry community! I could strike up a conversation with anyone and feel welcome. It was an eye opening experience that I will never forget. It is not goodbye for the people I met, but a "see you soon." My advice for anyone who is nervous about going to a convention is to not afraid to mingle and go to panels. This is the warmest community that I have been involved with and will be involved with. I have never felt this level of connection to any other group before. I cant really say anything bad because I only have Nekocon ( an anime convention) to compare the "con" experience to.

Until next time! Siege signing off!

♬Where are you staying?♬
Marriott Marquis Atlanta

♬Who are you staying with?♬
 snowywolf12  shufflin_husk

♬Day of arrival/Departure?♬
Early Afternoon Wednesday /Sunday Afternoon

♬Transportation?♬
white wolf snow at the wheel

♬Who will you hang with during the convention?♬
Anyone and everyone.

♬How can I find you?♬
look for a fluffy curl with a pouch on a tail and a husky banana.
♬Are you cliquey?♬
nope

♬Will you be suiting?♬
nope, unless I can find a good price on one here/

♬What’s your gender?♬
I am a dude

♬Are you taken? Are you looking for a mate?♬
Nope not taken, but always looking for some cool cuddle buddies
♬How tall are you?
5’11

♬Can I talk to you?
absolutely, I love meeting new people, you may get a ton of questions so be warned.
♬Can I touch you?♬
yes, but a heads up might help.

♬Can I hug or snuggle with you?♬
yes : ) I am the cuddle king
♬Can I visit your room?♬
If I or my roomies are fine with it or we invite you.

♬Are you nice?♬
I like to think I am.

♬Will you draw/do badges/do trades?♬
sorry not that talented, but maybe an interpretive dance

♬Are you going to any panels/shows/dances/competitions?♬
panels and dances yes, but I am more about fun then competition
♬Can I give you stuff?♬
sure, I do love gifts : )

♬Do you smoke/do drugs/drink?♬
nope

♬Can I buy you a drink?♬
sure if you want to

♬Will you be going to parties?♬
If I get invited or it seems interesting

♬If I see you, how should I get your attention?♬
the direct approach will work fine, I am friendly so talking shouldnt will be the best option

♬What/where will you be eating?♬
depends on whats open

♬Can I come with you for food?♬
Of course! Just ask.

♬Can I take your picture?♬
As long its my good side

♬What’s your goal this year?♬
find a new job and get reestablished. in addition make some new friends and reunite with old ones.

Anthropomorphic Analysis: Bark and Order
An analytic insight on law and order in the anthropomorphic world.

“All war is a symptom of man's failure as a thinking animal.”
― John Steinbeck

While a utopia (some might call it a zootopia) of the various species would be ideal, there needs to be well established rules and laws that prevent us from returning us to our primitive nature. The social contract theory dictates that we give up certain freedoms and live under rules so that we may all come together in harmony. In order to enforce these rules, a particular group is needed; the police. Several questions arise for this group: Who should we hire? What will they carry? How will carry out their duties with anthro features? How will these features affect incarceration?

First off, with the variety of features of the different species, what would make a good police officer? Since the police is an equal opportunity employer, any gender and any species can apply. Police tests and the academy training vary by department and any species that has the has the strength and endurance would make for a good officer. The common trend of canines being officers mainly comes from the pack mentality and that certain members can be trained to track people, narcotics, and explosives. This training is offered after the academy and if you can detect and track any of these you can then specialize in it. That doesn't necessarily mean the police is k-9 club only. Diversity in the department has added benefits of victim/suspect cooperation as they tend to cooperate with or open up to those in their species or gender and a wide pool of skills amongst the different officers; both inherited or learned. For example, when I went to the academy I trained with a snow leopard. She was both agile and quick, despite having a huge fluffy tail that followed her everywhere. In addition, we also had a buck that sat behind me who had an eye for detail and his wide vision helped on some of the traffic stop scenarios. Variety in the uniform is needed to conduct a wide range of police activities.

The second question, what kind of equipment should they have? It all starts with base uniform, comfortable and provides flexibility for whatever species wears it. Professionalism in the means of having your fur/feathers/scales clean and straight. The tail or wings is up to the discretion of the officer or police policy, having an extra appendage for someone to grab or get snagged can be a risk. Claws/talons should be kept dull in order to avoid further injury during a fight or an arrest and to avoid spreading blood borne diseases. Now for the equipment. First off is the kevlar vest. It provides good protection from claws/talons and, of course, a high resistance to bullets. Now for what is carried on the belt? Adjustable handcuffs that can be used for a variety of species and can also be used to secure hard tails from being used as a weapon. Next would be pepper spray which works too great of an effect. A Taser also has a great effect on a variety of species but may not penetrate hides or scales. Following that would be a telescoping baton that can be used as a defense tool. Finally a sidearm with ammunition; only to be used if lethal force is justified. The ammunition would have to have limited penetration potential that could pierce hide and scales and expand to keep it from leaving body; somewhere between a hollow point round and a full metal jacket.

For the last question, handling the variety of species that are incarcerated. Of course the crime committed dictates where the inmate will go and stay but there are other considerations that need to be taken into account: size, species, crime, gang affiliations, and features that can be used as weapons against other inmates or prison staff. As a part of the constitution, the 8th amendment sets forth that the government shall not impose punishments that are cruel and unusual. Now certain rights are revoked while incarcerated such as the 2nd amendment, right to bear arms. The question is; how do they safely incarcerate dangerous inmates with unique attributes and features without violating the constitution? For the purpose of this question, let's say that certain anthropomorphic kept their offense and defensive capabilities through years of evolution and incarceration in a prison being a modern feature. You can't just turn these features off. How do you prevent snakes from using venom, wolves from using their claws, skunks from using their spray, alligators from using their hard tails? These are imperfect questions because we do not have a need to invent these mechanisms, but there are several real world items that are used for unruly violent inmates. Spit and bite masks are used for violent inmates as well as flexible leather/plastic restraints. In addition, padded hand restraints are also used in cases of preventing inmate violence or self harm. These restraints can be applied across to board to prevent inmates across the board from hurting themselves, other inmates, or the staff. Flexible restraints could be used during transport to prevent the inmate from using their tail or claws but could be taken off while in the cell.

Back to the issue of snakes and other animals that have venom or some sort of projectile offensive/defensive capabilities, how do you prevent them from using this in the confines of prison? Bite masks may be a good start, but would surgical removal be a viable option or chemical inhibitors? This is where the cross road begins and the question opens to the community. Taking laws and rules into account how would these issues be addressed? Tell me what you think and other issues that police and jailers would have to contend with?


Thank you to  snowywolf12 for peer review

Hello everyone,

I found a fun way to get to know your friends better and to get everyone involved in the conversation. I have asked a couple of my friends a series of questions regarding an apocalyptic scenario and they can tell you about themselves.

The questions go:
#1 So say that there is a zombie outbreak/disaster/ toaster uprising (insert any scenario) and you come across a group of survivors. They want to know why they should let you into the settlement and they want to know your strengths. What would you tell them?

(the point of this is like in a job interview, let people talk about what they are good at. You can remind them that combat skills is not necessary the only positive attribute, as having skills in medicine, bartering, electronics, navigation, ect are all valuable skills.)

#2 what would you say are your weaknesses?

(point here is not to drag them down, just get an understanding on skills that might need work)

#3 Time to gear up! What would your primary and Secondary weapon (firearms) and a melee weapon that you would use?
(this is just to see what their preference is, they may know some training that no one in the group knew and could teach others)

#4 Think fast! the zombies/raiders/toasters are about to break in! Look for a weapon, a barricade, and a way out!
(can be done anywhere and it tests peoples reflexes. This one is more of a group question but encouraging everyone to talk is key,)

These are just some fun party questions to get everyone talking and thinking. I found this to work well in new groups or on members that were typically quite. Give it a try and tell me your results!

Learning first aid and becoming an EMT had its challenges. With all the different species as well as features it was difficult at times to remember the procedures for different injuries.
For starters, as handy as fur and scales is for the cold and protection, it can be a pain to determine where and how extensive a wound is. Furthermore fur does not bond well with the adhesive on the dressings, bandages, and defibrillator pads. Electric and manual razors were standard issue to clear fur out of the way, treat the wound on the ambulance and make it easier for the doctors to treat the wound.

Another issue is dealing with injuries to tails and wings. Broken tails are more common with soft tails. While not life threatening, it creates a problem when placing them in the ambulance and securing a proper splint to avoid further injury. Injuries to hard tails are typically cuts, scrapes, breaks, and occasionally amputations. Fairly straightforward to treat, no razors needed, but tight bandages and a tourniquet for the really bad injuries.

For wings, feathered or non, a very gentle touch was needed to avoid more damage to the area. Immobilizing a broken wing in the confines of an ambulance could be difficult but not impossible. Some soft splints to keep it still, and a lot of cloth straps to keep the wing from moving.

Another difficult thing to remember was blood pressures/ and volumes of the various species. Most species have a similar range in blood pressure but larger breed had more volume and could last a little longer before going into shock. Smaller species had to be monitored more closely with dosages of drugs and amount of blood lost.

The challenges associated with administering effective CPR are having a proper air seal around the muzzle of the patient. Thankfully at our disposal are several masks for different muzzle sizes. Scales and think hides make for more difficult compressions but proper placement of place of paws is key.

One common injury that happens when tensions are high are lacerations and cuts caused by claws and teeth. Having claws and sharp teeth is great for when you need to open envelope or cut wrapping paper ,but bad knowing that everyone is armed with an edged weapon. EMTs and medical personnel have to keep their claws dull and short by policy to avoid ripping the glove or creating other cuts on the patient.
Priority was on stopping the bleeding, because they can create nasty irregular wounds. If the attacker was venomous, than the best medicine we could provide was a heavy application to the gas pedal to get to the hospital ASAP.




Feel free to comment on your thoughts and opinions as well as feed back.

Over the weekend I was able to attend one of the coolest airsoft operations on the east coast; Revelations 6 at Ballahack airsoft. The event was part airsoft, part role play, and all apocalypse. The story is that the world was bathed in fire by a war between the nations and that few survivors remained. Ammo is limited and alliances are fragile, as players forge a name for themselves in the wastes. The event takes heavy influence from mad max and the fallout series as caps is the currency. Rather then being a large free for all, players actually get into the role of survivors by making their gear look rugged and their weapons battle worn. Revelations is one of the most unique airsoft games I have ever been to and I have been playing on the east coast for over 12 years.

There are referees embedded on the field to keep the piece and give quests for cool items.

I have gone the past 3 years as a jet crazed merchant and enjoyed every minute of it. Being a merchant serves two purposes; 1 to sell my spare gear and 2 to give players a place to purchase supplies they might need to survive.

The event offers a truly unique experience in the moments I call ,"only in the wasteland can I say..." here are some of those moments
only in the wasteland can I say:
- I traded a flute for a mahogany table leg
-I bought a working watch for 5 bottle caps
-I traded men-tats for a harmonica
-I formed a band with a trumpet, ukulele, and a harmonica
-I played poker with my friend in the middle of a gun fight
-I bought a nuke for 100 caps
-I got in a gun fight while trying to eat a can of beans
-and so many more!


If you are a fan of the apocalypse and maybe want to try some role play and airsofting, I would highly recommend you going to Revelations

A couple of weeks ago, I got the pleasure of being trained, and exposed to, pepper spray (OC) and the TASER system. Here is my account from both the training and the exposure to these wonderful items.


OC: True Fire Power
The first training we got for the post academy section was the OC spray. After some powerpoints we met in the parking lot to receive some claws on training. The spray we use has a decent range with a foam delivery system. There are no sights to go off of so it is a guess as to where it will land. It is a close range tool anyway, so I was not expecting to add a scope or a foregrip to it.
As for the exposure part, apparently word traveled fast that we were going to get sprayed today. People were pressed against the glass windows on all levels of the PD. It was my turn to take the plunge and I lined up against the wall and closed my eyes waiting for the spray. “Are you ready?” They ask. “No, I am not ready to have my face engulfed in flame,” I thought but I nodded anyway. The OC hit me and sounded like a wet pool noodle. I opened my eyes and immediately hunched over in pain. “Fight through it,” the officers yelled as I carted off to the mini obstacle course. I flailed the baton at the bag as I struggled to pry my eyes open. After doing that and some other tasks, I washed off the excess foam from my fur and sat with my face over a fan for the next 40 minutes. The fan was the only thing that helped. It was terrible! Everything burned, the OC clung to my clothing and fur. I was so relieved when it was over.

TASER: Thunderbolts of Lightning= Very Very Frightening
We had some hands on instruction with the system and learning how to draw from the holster. The TASER was intuitive with two bays to fire from that could be individually charged and the ability to drive stun if a target gets too close. Furthermore there is a built in laser and flashlight with some basic sights.
We were taken to the upstairs gym. Again the halls were lined with on lookers with cameras in hand. After a couple of officers went, it was my turn to ride the lighting. With a person on each arm, and my tail firmly between my legs, the countdown began. On the count of 3, the barbs hit me and it felt like every muscle in my legs and back constricted and I let out a loud yelp. Everything locked up as 50 thousand volts went through my body. I was guided down to the floor and the ride was over in 5 seconds. Everything was numb as I collected my thoughts, I did not even feel the barbs being removed. Once I made my way to my feet I was alright, if not more energized.

For the head to head comparison, The OC was pretty effective and has more capacity than the TASER, but I am responsible for treating anyone I spray with it. There is no magic remedy, just air and time. The TASER can shut down just about anyone, has two shots, faster recovery, and easy target acquisition with the laser and flashlight. but requires a specific target zones. Hands down I would rather be tazed and
use the TASER.

Its been 3 weeks since I graduated from the police academy and I think it time for some reflections on the experience. For those who are about to join the academy or curious about the whole experience, this might help.

The first day of any job is always the hardest and the first day was no different. Surrounded by strangers by we were all on the same boat named uncertainty. The clock struck 8:05 and the silence was broken with yelling and the sounds of everyone springing to their feet. I was so scared that I nearly jumped out of my fur. 8:06 and I was staring at the hallway floor with my fellow compatriots. PUSH UPS GO! 1-2-3- 1! 1-2-3- 2! and so on. That was most of the day. Going from classroom to hallway to meet the floor. What had I gotten myself into? I may not remember all the lessons I learned, but I will never forget what that floor looks like.

The rest of the weeks progressed pretty well. After the first couple weeks our trips to the hallways became less and less. Instructors from various police agencies would teach us topics ranging from community policing to report writing to baton training. We grew closer as a class and began to develop close bonds. Every trial and tribulation made us stronger and more focused on graduating.

The hardest week of all was defensive tactics training, 8 days of being learning take downs and escapes, while also being slammed around by teachers and students. The week ended with two tests. In both of them you had to fight an instructors and show good form with the take downs. Thankfully I passed both tests on the first try and I walked away bloody, beaten and bruised; but I was one step closer to the end.

Two of the best weeks were toward the end, driving and shooting week. The weather during shooting week was pretty bad though. It was cold rain for most of the week and even my double lined coat got soaked through. By the end of these two weeks we were near the end of our journey.

The rest of the academy was pretty boring compared to the previous 2 weeks. Just the final tests and paper work. We had all entered as strangers, but we left as brothers and sisters. The bond was formed through ice and fire and we all left knowing that we had accomplished a great task.

When I walked out of graduation I knew that my journey was no over, but it was the start of a life long adventure.



If you have any questions, want to hear more stories from the academy, or just want to talk don't be afraid to PM me.