About two hours ago the alarm went off in our building, water started magically pouring into the apartment like a fountain of disappointment. We've got a fair amount of water damage at the front of the apartment, and... yeah. =|

Thanks to this lovely event, every thing on my plate is currently delayed. Most of our personal effects are fine, but the walls/ceiling and flooring is pretty effed up. Not sure of the extent of the damage from our new found hallway swamp. While the apartment is going to fix this... our landlords are notoriously bad when it comes to maintenance. Thanks to THAT, I have to call out of work tomorrow to get sorted out. Which means a nice chunk of cash just went poof.

I'm unbelievably stressed right now. This could just not have happened at worse time for me, both financially and stress-wise.

Here's to hoping everything's cheap, insurance covers what it needs to and...

Yeah. =|

Fuck.

Regarding drama: Never let the actions of one person influence you. There's too many variables and truths to let ANY one person be your sole voice of reason. Stop. Think it over. People make mistakes, people speak out of line. One person doesn't speak for the whole. Seek answers, not rumors.

When something happens, look to leadership or those in charge for an official answer. Wait for an official response. Holding fault for somebody stepping out of line, misspeaking out of place is fine, but ONLY hold the fault to the person. Not the organization. Not the group. Not his friends. Unless they stand behind that person more than likely they're all just as angry as you.

It takes many bricks to hold up a wall but a wall is useless without its foundation.

Last September, I declared a September Friday to be Flamedramon Friday! And I'm doing it again.

Flamedramon Friday
September 20, 2013
Rules: Draw Flamedramon

Just draw Flamedramon, make it awesome and post it Friday Sept 20th! I'll create a journal to gather up submissions (be sure and post your Flamedramons to it!) and I'll be awarding secret prizes to my favorites. That's it.

Spread the word!

Just posting an updated commission queue. This is not a complete list of dues, but images I am currently working on:

1) Nefer (Sketching)
2) Gillian (Sketching)
3) Welshy Rhys

Will be posting updates soon. This is not a complete list, as I still owe some people, and will be updating as I move on to those images. If you want/need a refund please let me know. I'm always accomodating.

And of note: I am not currently taking commissions in the near future.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11465887/

It's right up there. Seriously, that... THAT is absolutely gorgeous. <3 This fandom's come a long way since the giant "UFO head" suits from over a decade ago. I'm seriously impressed. So yes. Go. Fave. Fave everything in her gallery, and then go to the suit designer's page and fave all of those.

 Pumzie  Templa

Just a note -- I'm really trying to get back into the dirt and grim with art. I uploaded a batch of pictures I've been sitting on (that still need to be finished) tonight.

Long story short: last year I (and a few hundred others) were laid off. I'd been with the job off and on over the years -- hell, I was less than a year away from my 15th year anniversary with the company (YAY!) when I got laid off (BOO!). Emotionally, this did a number on me because it forced a lot of "Why me?" and "Could I have done something different?". I tried to get out of my rut but it was never able to easily to do. Debt, wedding, moving, disorganization, FA and all sorts of things kept getting in the way.

I was worried (hell, terrified) that I was going to enter another Art Block of Imminent Death™ again. Some of you may know that I was a former animator for VH1 and Nick. Being a professional animator is one of the greatest and single worst experiences you will ever know (EVER). Back in 2004/2005, I had a major falling out with the industry after continual fights for more money, ended up lead animator at a company, but got sick of non-stop 60-80 work weeks for shitty pay... and I just really needed a serious need to re-examine my life. I quit animation forever, never really looked back. Don't regret it at all.

I'm trying, and trying really hard to get back into the swing of things. I know I've been a flaky artist in the past, and I always offer refunds for people impatient with waiting. I'm working on getting back in gear. It's going to take time, but... I have high hopes. =3 I'm sorry for the delays and creativity deadzone I've been in for a while

Well, why not... here goes!

1. Why do you like fat/inflation?
I don't know! It's a lighthearted escape from reality. Not something I take really seriously, but enjoy all the same.

2. Which is better? Fat or Inflation? And why?
Inflation. More variety and there's a bunch of various ways to handle it. Fat's okay, especially for resting on one's belly.

3. Would you consider your liking sexual or not?
Not really, no. I like it, but not in "that way". Even if I have mature are of it out there. I just find it fun.

4. Fat/Inflated guys or girls?
Yes. Everywhere. Everyone. Everything.

5. Do you like inflation furs who are latex or rubber instead of fur?
Squeaky is best pony!

6.Would your character prefer fat or inflated?
Depends on who's violating him. Generally inflated and transformed. =3

7.Opinion on slob furs.
Take a shower. TAKE A SHOWER! Take a shower.

8. Opinion on vore.
Delicious, and I want to nom the world.

9. Best type of fur to fatten or inflate?
Dragons. Yes. DRAGONS. I may be biased, but DRAGONS.

10. Do you like it when the inflated fur pops or the fat fur explodes?
Nooope, nope, nope. I find it kinda creepy, honestly. Just don't understand it. Definitely a "to each their own" aspect of it.

11. Blueberry inflation?
Never been involved in it or thought about it? I dunno!

12. What is one thing you don't like about fat/inflation?
Nothing! Thanks to being a Digimon, I can just swipe a Data Wipe card and reset myself back to default! Good to go, and ready for more.

13. Who is the best inflation/fat artist?
I HAVE NO FAVORITES... except for  gillpanda,  samael,  gillpanda,  thunper and  gillpanda.

14. If their fursona was real, who would you most likely force feed/inflate and huggle? (not your character)
Yes. Maybe. Probably. Especially with my Digivice. Just keep swiping Capacity cards! Storage, storage, storage. Name of the game.

15. Do you like fat/inflation of characters from tv shows or video games?
No? I can't really think of any.

16. Do your non fat fur or non inflation friends mind that you're into that stuff?
They fall into three camps. A) "Don't give a fuck" B) "Well, there's... that" and C) "WHY THE HELL DO YOU LIKE THIS SHIT?" But then I remind them of the odd stuff they like and they shut up. =D

17. Does your family know that you're into fat/inflation or that you're a furry?
Yes. It's kind of awkward, but... eh. Just a fantasy thing.

18. Do they approve of it?
Not really. They get it's harmless (if bizarre). Though it was awkward seeing my mom looking over my stuff...

19. Do you think it's fair to call it a "fat fetish" or "inflation fetish"?
Yes. Why not?

20. Would you like a cookie?
Yes. Except if they have almonds.

21. Is your fursona in any way similar to yourself?
Depends. There's Buffneer and Fatneer. Fatneer's more akin to myself in real life.

22. Do you have a fatfur/inflation fursuit?
I AM MY OWN FATFUR SUIT! I... oh. Now I feel bad.

23. What are your thoughts on airlocks?
They're amazingly resourceful for blowing out necromorphs.

24. Your favorite kind of inflation/fatfur theme?
Yes. Although, more accurately, the "Something went wrong!" theme (why DOES my Digivice keep erroring!) or creeping upon people and "improving" them. =D

See title. Ask me dumb questions.

NOTE: Don't ask drama questions. I'll hide your comment. Not in the mood for drama.

NOTE 2: Done answering questions for the night! Sleep is a unfortunate necessity.

647 attendees. 121 fursuiters. $10,516 for charity. One BAD ASS pool party.

One of the single highest donation rates per attendee of any convention, even those near 10X our size. It's freaking incredible. You guys are truly awesome.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for standing together and supporting the NJSPCA. <3

Howdy, howdy, howdy!

We're all prepped and finishing up last minute FAU goodies, conbooks and more. Lots of packing. Excited to see everyone at the con! In our 6th year, it's been quite a journey to get where we are, and we've been through major milestone. This con is no exception!

I'm super excited for this weekend -- it's going to be a blast!

I look forward to seeing everybody there!

- Neer

All,

In light of recent real world issues, I'd like to state FA's official stance on something: FA is an LGBT friendly site. It doesn't matter who you are, what country you're from or what you look like. We support and accept gender equality across the board. And I'd like to further that support down the line, and aim to do so.

Now, I'm not asking everyone to accept LGBT, and I know some of you out there are not comfortable with that. And you know what? That's perfectly acceptable. I'm not here to change your mind. Opinions are fine, we all have 'em, and our opinions don't always agree or see eye to eye. But what's not acceptable is harassing people because of their gender or sexuality (this applies to LGBT bashing heterosexuality, too!). No force in the 'verse makes you lay down fingers on a keyboard and type words and sentences to promote hate. Hate is a personal choice.

99.999% of the time, that's never an issue on the site. But I'd like to make it clear that I don't want it to ever be an issue either. Promoting that level of equality is something I am very much for, and will fight for.

Now that that's out there... you may go back to your regularly scheduled whatever it was you were doing.

Thanks,
Dragoneer

EDIT: Yes, I know this is a rather obvious statement, but it's one I still wanted to stay regardless. Just needed to "get it out of my system" so to speak.

Greetings, everyone!

Apologies for being quiet of late -- there's been 1,001 and things going on in the background, and I've barely been able to keep up. FAU is just weeks away, and I've been hammering out all the final details (maps, kitsch, swag, events and more!) and working my ass off on 20 other things in the background.

I know I haven't been too vocal of late, but we're busting our asses trying to make this FAU the biggest and best yet (on top of some other MAJOR things in the pipes). I'm rather excited (something I haven't been for quite a while at that).

So yeah. =) Lots going on, have more to discuss... and hopefully I'll be able to eek out more in the coming weeks.

A friend of mine recently had a long, strenuous battle with cancer. She made it. She survived. This woman is a police officer in the state of New Jersey, has put her life on the line to rescue defenseless animals from abuse and torture. She's seen a lot, been through a lot... and now survived a lot.

For those that don't know I'm referring to Officer Grafje of the NJSPCA. This woman is an incredible person. Truly incredible. I've had the honor of knowing her for five years, and along with the convention, we've raised over $15,000 for the NJSPCA. But this year? This year I'd like to do something truly special and unique for her.

I've set aside about $250 from the con's money to do something to honor her, but... I'm not entirely sure what. It doesn't have to be /one/ thing. It could be a number of things.

To you out there in Affinityville... suggestions? What would be something truly amazing, honorable, nifty or unique that we could do for her at the con?

Freakin'. Awesome.

Been grinding through the needful as we finish up a lot of the final planning for FAU, and we're psyched. Lots of great panels on the slate for this year (building rockets, a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, Mass Effect, comics, art, Ponies and more!). The hotel's filling up quite nicely.

If you're not away, we recently added lazarus to the official guest of honor list. He's a real life rocket scientist, too. We've also got some live musical guests, including the illustrious Matthew Ebel and the ever groovy Look Left (who will be during a performance during our patented Cocktail Hour™!).

In addition to reading some of the best of the best hate-mail I've ever received (think "Masterpiece Theater" with rage) I'll also be offering up a chance for every attendee to smash me with a water balloon for charity. $1 per balloon, and you can take out your aggression against me with an exploding latex water bomb. All cash goes to the NJSPCA. =3

I know some of you may have been waiting years for that.

http://www.faunited.org for more!

So, there's a journal spreading around the site about hackers, and that if you repost the journal staff is going to ban you. The answer? No, no we are not.

http://thiefoworld.deviantart.com/j.....n-do-322899159

The journal is a word-for-word repost of a journal which recently made rounds on DA, except changing a single letter on the post. Don't be fooled by hearsay.and rumors, folks. =)

Our hearts go out to you. To those affected by the events, just take a deep breath... try to stay strong. You'll be in our thoughts.

NOT COOL, ROBERT FROST!

What's on your mind tonight, FA? =D

Radio Comix has been one of the longest running furry comic publishers in the fandom. They've put out amazing tittles like Furrlough, Havoc Inc (a personal fav) and countless others. They've done a lot for the fandom, but have fallen under hard times.

They're trying to raise money to help recover a nasty backlog from the IRS, and need your help!

Help support and save Radio Comix.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/h.....ve-radio-comix

They've made their goal, but we can still do more to help 'em out. $5 can go a long way, $10 can go farther. Their campaign has hit $6K, far more above and beyond their intended goal. But I want to see them hit $20K. As a community, we can do this. Just $10 a person, per FA user, and they'll hit their goal in no time.

With FA's help, we can push them well over $12K (or more!). If the community can save a damn sandwich shop we can certainly save a huge part of the fandom's history. Let's help 'em out!

I encourage you to copy and repost this journal. Post it all over FA. Share it, and spare $10. It goes a long way.

Ever wanted to get vored by Murasadramon? =D

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10191059/

Delicious candidates wanted. Apply within.

I was writing some reviews on Yelp earlier when I came across a curious listing. What, a restaurant named Gangnam Style? A Korean cafe/restaurant?

And I instantly texted Net-Cat, telling him we had to go. Luckily he agreed.

Gangnam Style's food was absolutely amazing. I have no idea what the hell I ordered (other than it was a mixture of tentacles and ramen-like noodles), but it was nomlicious. Net-Cat got a flock of tempura-style chicken. They gave us soup, kim-chi and other amazing stuff. Totally amazing.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/gangnam-sty.....angnam%20Style

If you're in the North Virginia area GO to Gangnam Style. It's good. They'll be getting English menus in a week or two, but even then... it's worth it. So worth it.

My Yelp for those interested:
http://preyfar.yelp.com

Just wanted to say many thanks for all the early Birthday wishes. I don't have time to respond to everybody out there. =3 I turn 33 on Monday. Fun number.

Sciggles, Cooper, Zero, Cray, Silver and some others are celebrating my birthday by going out to the Melting Pot. Always wanted to go there, finally have an excuse to do so. =D

Mouth sex. They're pure unadulterated mouth sex.

Go buy them. GO BUY THEM ALL!

I have a lot of respect for  c0nnerc00n, and think the guy's a great artist. He's facing some hard times, and is trying to raise money through commissions. If you can, give the guy a hand and commission him. He's a great artist, does fantastic work, especially if you dig Digis. =3

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4424592/