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*Rawrf!*
Posted 12 years agoOkay. Nothing heavy tonight.
Just a quick update about what Sampson is up to.
Summer will probably begin here in about a month, as we still have June-uary to go through.
Critically looking at a lot of art recently. There are many techniques and methods that I am studying. Am truly amazed at the talent that is out there.
Booked hotel/registered for FC2014. I hope to meet many of you there!
Rainfurrest 2013 is coming into focus. I know it's over three months away, but I like to be prepared :3
Cycling lots. I think this may become a thing for me. *grin*
I truly hope you are well. Drop me a line some time!
Just a quick update about what Sampson is up to.
Summer will probably begin here in about a month, as we still have June-uary to go through.
Critically looking at a lot of art recently. There are many techniques and methods that I am studying. Am truly amazed at the talent that is out there.
Booked hotel/registered for FC2014. I hope to meet many of you there!
Rainfurrest 2013 is coming into focus. I know it's over three months away, but I like to be prepared :3
Cycling lots. I think this may become a thing for me. *grin*
I truly hope you are well. Drop me a line some time!
Five
Posted 12 years agoOkay.
Close your eyes.
Oh wait. Don't. You kinda need to read to continue.
Anyway, think of five people that you are really close to. Take your time.
Ready? Alright...
How many of them are immediate family? Friends from school or work? Partner? Spouse?
How many furs were in that small bunch? One? Most? All five?
List was too small, wasn't it?
If there's an important thing I've learned in the last year, it's that the number of
folks in my life have grown exponentially. Art, cycling, beer or just general furriness,
I've grown close to a lot of fantastically talented and outrageously creative critters.
Nothing is created in a vacuum. The others around us enrich our view and expand our
perspective. While it's possible to make art alone, it's pretty damn difficult.
And, like art, it's damn hard to progress alone.
My list is more than five.
I am incredibly thankful for this.
Close your eyes.
Oh wait. Don't. You kinda need to read to continue.
Anyway, think of five people that you are really close to. Take your time.
Ready? Alright...
How many of them are immediate family? Friends from school or work? Partner? Spouse?
How many furs were in that small bunch? One? Most? All five?
List was too small, wasn't it?
If there's an important thing I've learned in the last year, it's that the number of
folks in my life have grown exponentially. Art, cycling, beer or just general furriness,
I've grown close to a lot of fantastically talented and outrageously creative critters.
Nothing is created in a vacuum. The others around us enrich our view and expand our
perspective. While it's possible to make art alone, it's pretty damn difficult.
And, like art, it's damn hard to progress alone.
My list is more than five.
I am incredibly thankful for this.
Gay 'Community' vs Fur Community
Posted 12 years agoIn case you hadn't noticed already, I'm male and enjoy the male form. That would make me rather
gay in the normative sense. Was I born with it? Probably. I identified as wolf a few years before
I identified my attraction towards members of the same gender, but that's another discussion at
another time. Basically, my built-in attraction has always seemed just that: hard-wired.
I did most of the typical rituals and rites of passage that a modern, gay urbanite can expect in
western society: I struggled as a teenager, came out just after high school, joined a gay youth
group, marched in pride parades, went to gay bars, volunteered everywhere I could to advocate
marriage equality, rights and other just causes. I did these things because I wanted to change
things about society and its laws.
Over time, I couldn't help but become...isolated. The fine folks I met doing gay-oriented activities
had busy lives that didn't quite include developing new relationships. Friends that I had close and
dear to me drifted away, both geographically and emotionally. I even lost a number of close friends
to death, back when retroviral therapy was just a dream.
As I reached my late-thirties, I looked around and noticed that I was...alone.
Sure, I had married the man that I am proud to share my life with. I have a loving family and had
a few close friends spread throughout the US and Canada. This is not to diminish these relationships
at all...I just felt isolated.
All the volunteering, late nights at the bar with acquaintances, 'social' websites and even the
occasional march/protest against some injustice had resulted in abject solitude.
What happened?
For one thing, times changed. Friends with HIV stopped dying. Marriage equality is rapidly becoming
the norm. Being gay is generally not an issue in most places in western society. This is not to
belittle or ignore the struggle that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people face constantly
in places like Africa or Asia. Basically, for me, gay folks assimiliated themselves into society.
The 'community' vanished.
Was there ever a community in the first place? Maybe not. A 'community' based on a biological trait
that galvanized itself against injustice doesn't seem like a firm foundation. Eventually, if
successful, it would end naturally. Seeking community in this fashion would ultimately result in
a participant, namely me, to become...alone.
Searching for a community to belong to has always been part of who I am. After a year of plunging
headfirst into the fur community once again and taking the initiative to contribute and meet others,
I have encountered more 'community' here in the fandom than at any other time of my life.
Furs are bound by a few common interests, most of which are not even remotely connected to our DNA
or character traits. These interests power the community forward and the fuel is art, music, crafts,
fursuit-making, dance, writing and a whole host of creative pursuits. The community is full of an
exceptionally diverse group of individuals that have really opened my mind to an entire spectrum
of viewpoints and passions. I have connected with a vast amount of you through the simple fact that
we are all furs.
The connections we make here with each other are stronger than any I have ever experienced anywhere
else. I have made friends in the last several months that I value and cherish and celebrate beyond
anything.
It makes me astoundingly happy.
I have found community.
For this, I thank you.
gay in the normative sense. Was I born with it? Probably. I identified as wolf a few years before
I identified my attraction towards members of the same gender, but that's another discussion at
another time. Basically, my built-in attraction has always seemed just that: hard-wired.
I did most of the typical rituals and rites of passage that a modern, gay urbanite can expect in
western society: I struggled as a teenager, came out just after high school, joined a gay youth
group, marched in pride parades, went to gay bars, volunteered everywhere I could to advocate
marriage equality, rights and other just causes. I did these things because I wanted to change
things about society and its laws.
Over time, I couldn't help but become...isolated. The fine folks I met doing gay-oriented activities
had busy lives that didn't quite include developing new relationships. Friends that I had close and
dear to me drifted away, both geographically and emotionally. I even lost a number of close friends
to death, back when retroviral therapy was just a dream.
As I reached my late-thirties, I looked around and noticed that I was...alone.
Sure, I had married the man that I am proud to share my life with. I have a loving family and had
a few close friends spread throughout the US and Canada. This is not to diminish these relationships
at all...I just felt isolated.
All the volunteering, late nights at the bar with acquaintances, 'social' websites and even the
occasional march/protest against some injustice had resulted in abject solitude.
What happened?
For one thing, times changed. Friends with HIV stopped dying. Marriage equality is rapidly becoming
the norm. Being gay is generally not an issue in most places in western society. This is not to
belittle or ignore the struggle that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people face constantly
in places like Africa or Asia. Basically, for me, gay folks assimiliated themselves into society.
The 'community' vanished.
Was there ever a community in the first place? Maybe not. A 'community' based on a biological trait
that galvanized itself against injustice doesn't seem like a firm foundation. Eventually, if
successful, it would end naturally. Seeking community in this fashion would ultimately result in
a participant, namely me, to become...alone.
Searching for a community to belong to has always been part of who I am. After a year of plunging
headfirst into the fur community once again and taking the initiative to contribute and meet others,
I have encountered more 'community' here in the fandom than at any other time of my life.
Furs are bound by a few common interests, most of which are not even remotely connected to our DNA
or character traits. These interests power the community forward and the fuel is art, music, crafts,
fursuit-making, dance, writing and a whole host of creative pursuits. The community is full of an
exceptionally diverse group of individuals that have really opened my mind to an entire spectrum
of viewpoints and passions. I have connected with a vast amount of you through the simple fact that
we are all furs.
The connections we make here with each other are stronger than any I have ever experienced anywhere
else. I have made friends in the last several months that I value and cherish and celebrate beyond
anything.
It makes me astoundingly happy.
I have found community.
For this, I thank you.
I'm Coming Home!
Posted 12 years agoIn a few short hours I'll be flying back to wet, wonderful Vancouver and I couldn't be more thrilled! I had a wonderful time, but it's time to be back home. I have lots to catch up on when I return and will be able to respond back and connect Tuesday evening/Wednesday. FA on a mobile device is not fun and I kinda prefer my big PC anyway :P
Hope all is well and chat with ya soon!
Hope all is well and chat with ya soon!
With Endless Gratitude
Posted 12 years agoI can honestly say that this truly has been the best birthday ever!
Entering the weekend was a little rough, mentally. Not often do I get skittery about
growing older, but for some reason it kinda hung over my head. Watching the biological
odometer tick over alarmed me a bit. Time has always been a bit of a friend and a foe,
but it seemed to be growling at me in the corner for the last little while, ready to strike
out.
But something made a difference. And not just something.... it was someone! And...
even better, it was MANY someones that made a HUGE difference this birthday weekend!
Thank you all for the fantastic birthday wishes and for the gift of your time, friendship and
yes, your art. Of all the gifts I've ever received, nothing has come close to the gift of yer
talents and fantastic skills! I am ever so humbled by the art I received from:
davecko
haemish
nicoface
dracosyndrome
rrowdybeast
pdxwerewolf
BlueEyedWolf
bigwolfpaws
Ryusuke573
teetsie
I'll be posting the art I received separately when I get back from Spain in a couple weeks.
It'll be worth the wait! It's all astounding!
If I've missed someone, please let me know! I get a little #TankWolf now and then and
have been known to forget!
But what I never forget is how wonderful all of you are. You may live close. You may live
far away. In my mind, you are all here with me and nothing feels better than that.
Thank you.
Entering the weekend was a little rough, mentally. Not often do I get skittery about
growing older, but for some reason it kinda hung over my head. Watching the biological
odometer tick over alarmed me a bit. Time has always been a bit of a friend and a foe,
but it seemed to be growling at me in the corner for the last little while, ready to strike
out.
But something made a difference. And not just something.... it was someone! And...
even better, it was MANY someones that made a HUGE difference this birthday weekend!
Thank you all for the fantastic birthday wishes and for the gift of your time, friendship and
yes, your art. Of all the gifts I've ever received, nothing has come close to the gift of yer
talents and fantastic skills! I am ever so humbled by the art I received from:
davecko
haemish
nicoface
dracosyndrome
rrowdybeast
pdxwerewolf
BlueEyedWolf
bigwolfpaws
Ryusuke573
teetsieI'll be posting the art I received separately when I get back from Spain in a couple weeks.
It'll be worth the wait! It's all astounding!
If I've missed someone, please let me know! I get a little #TankWolf now and then and
have been known to forget!
But what I never forget is how wonderful all of you are. You may live close. You may live
far away. In my mind, you are all here with me and nothing feels better than that.
Thank you.
Duality and the Passage of Time
Posted 12 years agoIn a short few hours, I'll mark the fortieth year of my life. I'm not really sure what I
envisioned for this day, but since most of life's time-based events are punctuated by
reflection, allow me this one indulgence.
If there is one truism as it applies to my experience, it is this: celebrate, nurture and
cherish life's duality. Moving through life being aware of my two natures has been a
marvelous filter in which to experience this existence. The joys of a wild landscape and
the energy of a built environment tantalize and excite both my brain and my soul.
However.
The dangers of a dual nature are real, unfortunately.
Not looking after the practical demands of the modern world. Not finding the right way to
communicate or express myself. Not allowing myself to simply feel my emotions. Not letting
my senses guide me. These situations never end well, ending up in hurt emotions for those
that love me or for those that I love. Alienation and pain are the rotten remains of a
life that puts two divergent sets of demands on a being if too much of this occurs.
But what is a were to do?
Seek balance.
Balancing the two sides of me has, and I suspect, always will be my lifelong challenge. As
I titled one of my works last fall, "I did not ask for this," who really wants to have a
life where you're being pulled and pushed in two opposite directions? I've long passed that
stage where I was troubled by this. The only directive I take now is to manage this in a way
that achieves equilibrium.
So, as the clock ticks away and I acknowledge that time has passed, I can only be thankful
and appreciate the kind and loving folks that seemingly put up with me and somehow... manage
to find a place in their heart for me.
My heart is already filled with them.
envisioned for this day, but since most of life's time-based events are punctuated by
reflection, allow me this one indulgence.
If there is one truism as it applies to my experience, it is this: celebrate, nurture and
cherish life's duality. Moving through life being aware of my two natures has been a
marvelous filter in which to experience this existence. The joys of a wild landscape and
the energy of a built environment tantalize and excite both my brain and my soul.
However.
The dangers of a dual nature are real, unfortunately.
Not looking after the practical demands of the modern world. Not finding the right way to
communicate or express myself. Not allowing myself to simply feel my emotions. Not letting
my senses guide me. These situations never end well, ending up in hurt emotions for those
that love me or for those that I love. Alienation and pain are the rotten remains of a
life that puts two divergent sets of demands on a being if too much of this occurs.
But what is a were to do?
Seek balance.
Balancing the two sides of me has, and I suspect, always will be my lifelong challenge. As
I titled one of my works last fall, "I did not ask for this," who really wants to have a
life where you're being pulled and pushed in two opposite directions? I've long passed that
stage where I was troubled by this. The only directive I take now is to manage this in a way
that achieves equilibrium.
So, as the clock ticks away and I acknowledge that time has passed, I can only be thankful
and appreciate the kind and loving folks that seemingly put up with me and somehow... manage
to find a place in their heart for me.
My heart is already filled with them.
Four Zero
Posted 12 years agoEgads. Less than a week before my birthday. Turning 40 on Saturday and honestly, this is the most fun I've been having EVER! Ironically, it also marks my one year anniversary here on FA and it's been a blast! Thank you all for being kind enough to watch, comment and yes, become exceptionally good friends!
Rawrf!
Rawrf!
Pics from VancouFur 2013!
Posted 12 years agoI'm VERY sorry I don't remember all the fursuiters in these pictures I shot last weekend :(
If you know any of them, please share! Feel free to use fer yer own purposes, too!
http://s1289.beta.photobucket.com/u.....ncouFur%202013
If you know any of them, please share! Feel free to use fer yer own purposes, too!
http://s1289.beta.photobucket.com/u.....ncouFur%202013
VancouFur 2013 Rocked!
Posted 12 years agoWow! My first real con!
I had an absolute blast and met SO many of ya fuzzbutts there in RL! I even met a lot of new furs and am still on a bit of a high from all the fuzzy warm feelings.
Thank you to all that came and thank you to all that made this such an incredible weekend!
I took A LOT of photos and will be sifting through and posting the best in the next couple of days.
Honestly, I'm out of superlatives... this was a majorly fun time and while I'm a little sad that I hafta go back to work tomorrow, the friends I've made and the relationships that got stronger will last a lot longer than the post-con blues!
Rawrf!
I had an absolute blast and met SO many of ya fuzzbutts there in RL! I even met a lot of new furs and am still on a bit of a high from all the fuzzy warm feelings.
Thank you to all that came and thank you to all that made this such an incredible weekend!
I took A LOT of photos and will be sifting through and posting the best in the next couple of days.
Honestly, I'm out of superlatives... this was a majorly fun time and while I'm a little sad that I hafta go back to work tomorrow, the friends I've made and the relationships that got stronger will last a lot longer than the post-con blues!
Rawrf!
VancouFur 2013 Q&A Thingy
Posted 13 years agoI have no idea where this template came from. I hope this helps you find me at VancouFur 2013!
Where are you staying?
The official con hotel - Executive Inn & Suites in Burnaby
What day are you getting there?
Friday around dinnertime.
Who will you be with?
The HusBear.
Do you do free art or trades?
Note me first :3
Do you do commissions/badges?
I don't take money for art at this point, but I've made my own badge for VancouFur.
Do you have prints/CDs?
I have created a number of fun watercolors for myself, but no, nothing on portable media to sell/distribute.
Do you have art in the art show?
Nope! Not this year. I'd like to build up a bit of physical art (i.e. watercolours) for next year.
What suit(s) will you have?
*sigh* None, this time. I'm still trying to find the motivation to fix the overheating issues of my own fursuit.
Can I dance with you?
Hell yeah! Just grab me and let's boogie!
What is your gender?
Male. *checks undies* Definitely.
How old are you?
I am 39. Really!
How tall are you?
5 foot nine inches. Apparently I am a bit of a PocketWolf.
Are you mated? in a relationship?
Yep! To a non-fur, who's a fan of the fandom, if that makes any sense.
Can I touch you?
Only if you can catch me. If you do, then yes!
Can I talk to you?
Eek! What kind of question is that? Of course!
Can I hug you?
As long as you are not moist, then go for it! If you are cute and moist, then it's negotiable.
Can I take photos of you/with you?
Sure can! I'll be taking lots of pics, too, so let's stay in contact so we can share :3
Can I buy you lots of drinks?
Yes! I like craft beer. Local, preferably. Let's support our fine brewers here in British Columbia!
Do you drink Alcohol/Smoke?
I do enjoy alcohol, but no - I don't smoke.
Can I give you lots of money?
For what?
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Um.. hugging, yes. Snuggling is negotiable.
Can we hang out?
As long as yer not obnoxious or require me to provide 90% of the conversation, sure!
Are you nice?
Mostly. I get nicer if you offer me a beer.
Where will you be most of the time during the con?
Everywhere! This wolf don't stay still for very long!
Other cons you may go to?
Rainfurrest 2013 in Seattle and planning on Further Confusion 2014.
Who are you rooming with?
The non-fur HusBear.
Attending any events?
Yes! Guest of Honour dinner, dances, everything!
How can I find you at the con?
The beard. I have a massive beard. And apparently I'm short. Or not. Depending on who you are.
Where are you staying?
The official con hotel - Executive Inn & Suites in Burnaby
What day are you getting there?
Friday around dinnertime.
Who will you be with?
The HusBear.
Do you do free art or trades?
Note me first :3
Do you do commissions/badges?
I don't take money for art at this point, but I've made my own badge for VancouFur.
Do you have prints/CDs?
I have created a number of fun watercolors for myself, but no, nothing on portable media to sell/distribute.
Do you have art in the art show?
Nope! Not this year. I'd like to build up a bit of physical art (i.e. watercolours) for next year.
What suit(s) will you have?
*sigh* None, this time. I'm still trying to find the motivation to fix the overheating issues of my own fursuit.
Can I dance with you?
Hell yeah! Just grab me and let's boogie!
What is your gender?
Male. *checks undies* Definitely.
How old are you?
I am 39. Really!
How tall are you?
5 foot nine inches. Apparently I am a bit of a PocketWolf.
Are you mated? in a relationship?
Yep! To a non-fur, who's a fan of the fandom, if that makes any sense.
Can I touch you?
Only if you can catch me. If you do, then yes!
Can I talk to you?
Eek! What kind of question is that? Of course!
Can I hug you?
As long as you are not moist, then go for it! If you are cute and moist, then it's negotiable.
Can I take photos of you/with you?
Sure can! I'll be taking lots of pics, too, so let's stay in contact so we can share :3
Can I buy you lots of drinks?
Yes! I like craft beer. Local, preferably. Let's support our fine brewers here in British Columbia!
Do you drink Alcohol/Smoke?
I do enjoy alcohol, but no - I don't smoke.
Can I give you lots of money?
For what?
Can I hug or snuggle with you?
Um.. hugging, yes. Snuggling is negotiable.
Can we hang out?
As long as yer not obnoxious or require me to provide 90% of the conversation, sure!
Are you nice?
Mostly. I get nicer if you offer me a beer.
Where will you be most of the time during the con?
Everywhere! This wolf don't stay still for very long!
Other cons you may go to?
Rainfurrest 2013 in Seattle and planning on Further Confusion 2014.
Who are you rooming with?
The non-fur HusBear.
Attending any events?
Yes! Guest of Honour dinner, dances, everything!
How can I find you at the con?
The beard. I have a massive beard. And apparently I'm short. Or not. Depending on who you are.
Off to Seattle!
Posted 13 years agoNothing like celebrating British Columbia's first 'Family Day' in the good ol' U.S. of A!
Have fun this weekend whatever yer plans are! I know mine will be filled with friends, craft
beer, sightseeing and lots of good times!
Have fun this weekend whatever yer plans are! I know mine will be filled with friends, craft
beer, sightseeing and lots of good times!
*erf?* I hit 300 Watchers?
Posted 13 years agoWow! That snuck up quickly!
Really, these milestones are NOT about me.
They are about you!
I really appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to watch this crazy old wolf-thing try and figure out how to draw.
Um, I wasn't really prepared for a piece to mark 300 watchers. I'll do something, though.
All I can really say is that I hope you are all enjoying and getting enough out of the fandom as I am! I have learned so many things over the last several months! I am proud to be here and am proud as hell to be furry.
Again, thank you. Let's head out on this journey together!
Really, these milestones are NOT about me.
They are about you!
I really appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to watch this crazy old wolf-thing try and figure out how to draw.
Um, I wasn't really prepared for a piece to mark 300 watchers. I'll do something, though.
All I can really say is that I hope you are all enjoying and getting enough out of the fandom as I am! I have learned so many things over the last several months! I am proud to be here and am proud as hell to be furry.
Again, thank you. Let's head out on this journey together!
I Got Gift Art!
Posted 13 years ago2013 is sure shaping up to be some kinda fun! I am so very flattered and humbled by the recent gift art featuring yers truly recently!
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9663629/ by BlueEyedWolf
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9632368/ by
IceAgeFan12
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9656153/ by bigwolfpaws
Thank you guys fer the fantastic art! I really appreciate it! :3
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9663629/ by
BlueEyedWolfhttp://www.furaffinity.net/view/9632368/ by
IceAgeFan12http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9656153/ by
bigwolfpawsThank you guys fer the fantastic art! I really appreciate it! :3
Twenty Thirteen
Posted 13 years agoAh, the calendar page turns yet again.
I'd love to know why this happens - the freakin' middle of the winter somehow involves the start of a new year. Seems to me it would make more sense to start it at the beginning of spring, but this is what we ended up with here in the western world.
*shrug*
What to look forward to in the new year: cycling; VancouFur in early March; a return to Spain in late March/early April; my 40th birthday; a railway tour of the UK in the fall; more drawing/sketching/creating.
What to avoid in the new year: stasis/complacency; assumptions; repetitiveness; junk food; passive-aggressive individuals; zombies.
In other words, the same as every year.
Instead of thinking of time as chunks and blocks, it's the grand story arcs that intrigue me. For myself, I love looking at how I've improved my art techniques over the past several months. These are never simple matters of skill or learning something new. It's about our mentors and teachers.
I honestly can't thank the fantastic artist folks in my life enough. It makes me rather... emotional... in the grandest possible sense to think of how I have so much to be grateful for the help and guidance from Haemish Davecko 
Berymuch 
Wula and nicoface
Thank you.
I'd love to know why this happens - the freakin' middle of the winter somehow involves the start of a new year. Seems to me it would make more sense to start it at the beginning of spring, but this is what we ended up with here in the western world.
*shrug*
What to look forward to in the new year: cycling; VancouFur in early March; a return to Spain in late March/early April; my 40th birthday; a railway tour of the UK in the fall; more drawing/sketching/creating.
What to avoid in the new year: stasis/complacency; assumptions; repetitiveness; junk food; passive-aggressive individuals; zombies.
In other words, the same as every year.
Instead of thinking of time as chunks and blocks, it's the grand story arcs that intrigue me. For myself, I love looking at how I've improved my art techniques over the past several months. These are never simple matters of skill or learning something new. It's about our mentors and teachers.
I honestly can't thank the fantastic artist folks in my life enough. It makes me rather... emotional... in the grandest possible sense to think of how I have so much to be grateful for the help and guidance from
Haemish Davecko 
Berymuch 
Wula and nicofaceThank you.
May the Darkness of this Season be Filled with Light
Posted 13 years agoThere's something quite remarkable about this time of the year. In the deepest, darkest depths of the midwinter, we counter the dim light and dreary weather with lights and colour and song.
We give this defiant celebration many names, but it still remains the same to me: a big upright middle finger to Old Man Winter.
One of the grandest, yet seemingly quietest aspects of this time of year is the wish for goodwill to all. Not some. Not just friends and family. Not just the folks pre-programmed on yer phone.
To all.
It's the basic building block of empathy. We cannot even begin to work together on this planet without the simple acknowledgement of bestowing a simple wish of happiness to everyone.
It is my heartfelt wish to you, at this time of year and beyond, the happiness and joy of a life well-lived.
Thank you,
Sampson
We give this defiant celebration many names, but it still remains the same to me: a big upright middle finger to Old Man Winter.
One of the grandest, yet seemingly quietest aspects of this time of year is the wish for goodwill to all. Not some. Not just friends and family. Not just the folks pre-programmed on yer phone.
To all.
It's the basic building block of empathy. We cannot even begin to work together on this planet without the simple acknowledgement of bestowing a simple wish of happiness to everyone.
It is my heartfelt wish to you, at this time of year and beyond, the happiness and joy of a life well-lived.
Thank you,
Sampson
Any Pointers on Making a Reference Sheet?
Posted 13 years agoI'm really aiming to make one fer myself, but unsure really where to begin. What should it include? Any help would be amazingly appreciated! :3
I made a tumblr!
Posted 13 years agoDownload this Now! It's a Wolf Game!
Posted 13 years agohttp://www.wolfquest.org/downloads.php
Live life as a wolf!
This is from the fine folks at the Minnesota Zoo, where I learned wolf behaviour as a pup!
*rawrf!*
Live life as a wolf!
This is from the fine folks at the Minnesota Zoo, where I learned wolf behaviour as a pup!
*rawrf!*
Werewolf Legends are Terrible
Posted 13 years agoTruly.
Such suspicion and ignorance.
Silly humans.
Fear is one of the most powerful motivators known to any creature on this planet. What better way to designate 'other' than to concoct fear-based hypocrisy of those who happen to be different.
Doing any sort of research these days inevitably involves encountering stupidity. Whether it's something as mundane as tax law or something deeply personal, it's impossible to avoid ignorance.
How demeaning it is to realize such ignorance can indeed be centuries-old.
We are not to be feared. We are as natural as the water and air around us.
And, I might propose, just as vital.
Such suspicion and ignorance.
Silly humans.
Fear is one of the most powerful motivators known to any creature on this planet. What better way to designate 'other' than to concoct fear-based hypocrisy of those who happen to be different.
Doing any sort of research these days inevitably involves encountering stupidity. Whether it's something as mundane as tax law or something deeply personal, it's impossible to avoid ignorance.
How demeaning it is to realize such ignorance can indeed be centuries-old.
We are not to be feared. We are as natural as the water and air around us.
And, I might propose, just as vital.
Go! Do this Now!
Posted 13 years agoGo and wish Haemish a fantastic birthday!
Do it now! *smile*
Haemish is an exceptionally imaginative and talented individual and is the only big horned sheep I've met.
Snakes and beer are key.
Haemish a fantastic birthday!Do it now! *smile*
Haemish is an exceptionally imaginative and talented individual and is the only big horned sheep I've met.
Snakes and beer are key.
There are No Lone Wolves
Posted 13 years agoI can say with some certainty that life can indeed be set to idle. Spinning your wheels slowly, gaining no traction until you take yer footpaw off the gas and just sitting there can be easy. No wasting fuel. No effort exerted to move. It can be just so damn comforting to be left alone with your thoughts.
And that's the problem.
Thoughts and ideas, like any perishable item, tend to rot and decay over time. Not sharing or communicating these is a sure path to mental isolation and a stagnant outlook on things in general.
For a very long time, I found myself in this mindset. Oh sure, I was happy. Never really did get depressed. Nothing changed much to cause a wide swing in either direction. Comfy is an alluring game and I was a willing participant.
Being comfy is a great incubator for bad habits, too. I smoked for many years. I didn't get much exercise. Life just seemed too... stuck, somehow. If there's no incentive to change, then why bother trying. Oh, and pass me another slice of apathy, while yer up.
The only aspect of my life that I maintained was my spirituality. It burbled away, like a personal motor. Routine tune-ups and taking it for a short spin kept me going. It was always there, like air. Or water.
But even that was just status quo. Nothing grew from it. Nothing challenged it. My spirituality just... was.
And so, in that weird wonderful way that life sometimes works, this spring I went here: http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/
For those of you who have not been, Barcelona's Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is Gaudi's most famous work. Words cannot possibly describe it. It's less of a building and more of a portal between two dimensions.
I entered and wept openly.
My reaction surprised me. I was not Catholic. I was not even Christian. Why was I so moved?
The longer I remained there, the clearer things became. This was a work not of religion or ceremony to me. It is the most incredible manifestation of the fusion between creativity and spirituality that was lacking in my life. This amazing space revealed how you cannot possibly have one without the other.
No longer was I content to just putter away with the mechanics of my animal soul. My soul needed to run. It needed to soar. This cannot be possible when it's caged up in the trappings of my brain. It needs others to feed off of and to nurture it.
I've read numerous journals and scribblings this year about how furs are just so grateful to be in the community. To find others that share the same interests and worldviews is a commonality that I've embraced, too.
In short, I started doing art again and have been sharing my sometimes-clumsy attempts at this on FA for a number of months already. I've met a lot of you online and quite a few in RL, too. I'm so exceptionally grateful for all of you. Even those that I haven't met yet. You have fed my soul in ways that even I can't comprehend.
So, in short, there are no lone wolves.
There are only wolves that haven't found their pack yet.
Tailwags,
Sampson
And that's the problem.
Thoughts and ideas, like any perishable item, tend to rot and decay over time. Not sharing or communicating these is a sure path to mental isolation and a stagnant outlook on things in general.
For a very long time, I found myself in this mindset. Oh sure, I was happy. Never really did get depressed. Nothing changed much to cause a wide swing in either direction. Comfy is an alluring game and I was a willing participant.
Being comfy is a great incubator for bad habits, too. I smoked for many years. I didn't get much exercise. Life just seemed too... stuck, somehow. If there's no incentive to change, then why bother trying. Oh, and pass me another slice of apathy, while yer up.
The only aspect of my life that I maintained was my spirituality. It burbled away, like a personal motor. Routine tune-ups and taking it for a short spin kept me going. It was always there, like air. Or water.
But even that was just status quo. Nothing grew from it. Nothing challenged it. My spirituality just... was.
And so, in that weird wonderful way that life sometimes works, this spring I went here: http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/
For those of you who have not been, Barcelona's Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is Gaudi's most famous work. Words cannot possibly describe it. It's less of a building and more of a portal between two dimensions.
I entered and wept openly.
My reaction surprised me. I was not Catholic. I was not even Christian. Why was I so moved?
The longer I remained there, the clearer things became. This was a work not of religion or ceremony to me. It is the most incredible manifestation of the fusion between creativity and spirituality that was lacking in my life. This amazing space revealed how you cannot possibly have one without the other.
No longer was I content to just putter away with the mechanics of my animal soul. My soul needed to run. It needed to soar. This cannot be possible when it's caged up in the trappings of my brain. It needs others to feed off of and to nurture it.
I've read numerous journals and scribblings this year about how furs are just so grateful to be in the community. To find others that share the same interests and worldviews is a commonality that I've embraced, too.
In short, I started doing art again and have been sharing my sometimes-clumsy attempts at this on FA for a number of months already. I've met a lot of you online and quite a few in RL, too. I'm so exceptionally grateful for all of you. Even those that I haven't met yet. You have fed my soul in ways that even I can't comprehend.
So, in short, there are no lone wolves.
There are only wolves that haven't found their pack yet.
Tailwags,
Sampson
Back Home!
Posted 13 years ago*whew*
That was a whirlwind trip to the Mile High City. No time for much fun other than a good dinner out and sampling some fine Colorado beer.
YVR needs to figure out how to get checked bags to the carousels faster. Just sayin'
Hey! Thanks everyone! I'm only 2 watchers away from 200! I have a special piece of art on tap for that 200th watcher - specifically, it's me. Yes, me. Transforming.
Did a bunch of TF sketches in my rare spare time in Denver, and this idea came to me after a couple of Tommyknocker beers (delish).
Can't wait to post it! Just 2 more watchers to go!
That was a whirlwind trip to the Mile High City. No time for much fun other than a good dinner out and sampling some fine Colorado beer.
YVR needs to figure out how to get checked bags to the carousels faster. Just sayin'
Hey! Thanks everyone! I'm only 2 watchers away from 200! I have a special piece of art on tap for that 200th watcher - specifically, it's me. Yes, me. Transforming.
Did a bunch of TF sketches in my rare spare time in Denver, and this idea came to me after a couple of Tommyknocker beers (delish).
Can't wait to post it! Just 2 more watchers to go!
Boomerang
Posted 13 years agoJust got back at 4:45am this morning from the lovely isle of Oahu and now I gotta turn around and head to the arid Colorado plains (aka Denver) tomorrow morning.
Did *lots* of pencil sketches in my book while I was away and came up with some really fun and kinda sexy ideas for pieces. Being mostly naked on a tropical beach surrounded by lots of mostly-naked men will do that, I guess :3
*looks down at tan line*
Forgot how dark my furless-monkey form can get.
Will be sketching in between obligations in Denver and on the flights. Not planning on seeing much in the way of tropical inspiration, but travel does get my mind working again. I keep coming back to the idea of werewolves in hotels and airports...prolly 'cause I'm one of 'em.
Room service, anyone?
*arrrRRRrooOOooooo*
Did *lots* of pencil sketches in my book while I was away and came up with some really fun and kinda sexy ideas for pieces. Being mostly naked on a tropical beach surrounded by lots of mostly-naked men will do that, I guess :3
*looks down at tan line*
Forgot how dark my furless-monkey form can get.
Will be sketching in between obligations in Denver and on the flights. Not planning on seeing much in the way of tropical inspiration, but travel does get my mind working again. I keep coming back to the idea of werewolves in hotels and airports...prolly 'cause I'm one of 'em.
Room service, anyone?
*arrrRRRrooOOooooo*
Drawn and Quartered
Posted 13 years ago*urgghh* Dawg, this leash is stuck... Oh! Howdy there! Just trying to get this collar offa me. They tied me down again.
Who? The persistent controlling twins I call Time and Obligation. They're constantly trying to stuff me in a kennel or tie me to a bike rack while they run away with my concentration. The only way I was able to get this posted was that one of them left their iPhone behind.
I've discovered the joys of drawing 'offline' again. Sketch books are now placed strategically around my desk at work, by the bed and next to my computer. Now, when I have a few moments, I open one up and draw something. It reminds me of when I got serious several years ago about going to the gym and improving my health: make little changes here and there and keep repeating. I'm already seeing some improvement.
Another change has been getting more active with the other furs in RL. It's been a marvelous fall so far... meeting many of you in person (so to speak) and looking forward to the Howloween party. I've even signed up to volunteer for our local con, VancouFur and will be at a planning meeting tomorrow evening.
On top of that, I have my lovely vacation to Hawaii and a business trip to Denver right after that.
That said, I really don't have a lot of time leftover for the next little while and offer an apology for not getting back to folks quicker. I hate typing that, but please understand that it's not an excuse... just a temporarily busy time in this wolf's life. Hopefully once I get back to posting more art, it will be mid-November and I promise: it will be better than before. I think that's the most exciting thing about learning and training your brain: the more you do, the better the results.
And that is something I look forward to!
*woof!*
Who? The persistent controlling twins I call Time and Obligation. They're constantly trying to stuff me in a kennel or tie me to a bike rack while they run away with my concentration. The only way I was able to get this posted was that one of them left their iPhone behind.
I've discovered the joys of drawing 'offline' again. Sketch books are now placed strategically around my desk at work, by the bed and next to my computer. Now, when I have a few moments, I open one up and draw something. It reminds me of when I got serious several years ago about going to the gym and improving my health: make little changes here and there and keep repeating. I'm already seeing some improvement.
Another change has been getting more active with the other furs in RL. It's been a marvelous fall so far... meeting many of you in person (so to speak) and looking forward to the Howloween party. I've even signed up to volunteer for our local con, VancouFur and will be at a planning meeting tomorrow evening.
On top of that, I have my lovely vacation to Hawaii and a business trip to Denver right after that.
That said, I really don't have a lot of time leftover for the next little while and offer an apology for not getting back to folks quicker. I hate typing that, but please understand that it's not an excuse... just a temporarily busy time in this wolf's life. Hopefully once I get back to posting more art, it will be mid-November and I promise: it will be better than before. I think that's the most exciting thing about learning and training your brain: the more you do, the better the results.
And that is something I look forward to!
*woof!*
Urban Wolf Explorer
Posted 13 years agoI love to track and hunt. The thrill and anticipation of seeking and finding what I am looking for makes me a very happy wolf indeed.
Knowing your environment is key. Learning the olfactory pathways, auditory landmarks, and visual clues create a solid mental map of your territory. The more time you spend in your home territory, the more keen you become to noticing the subtle changes and patterns around you.
But what to do when you find yourself in an unknown or unfamiliar place? The overall mission of finding and locating your quarry remains the same, but a new mental map needs to be formed.
Travelling to other cities very much requires the ability to construct an entirely new environmental orientation. The key is adaptability.
One aspect of travel that feeds this wolf's soul is to create missions that revolve around sniffing out an utterly unique experience. Challenging my brain to do this without a guidebook or map makes it even more satisfying.
Leaving the temporary den that is the hotel room, I look around. What are the buildings like? Are they elaborate or plain? Is the neighbourhood filled with small, tightly-packed structures or are there large, standalone edifaces? A mixture of both?
What are the local creatures doing? Are they moving quickly towards their destination, carrying briefcases? Are they leisurely strolling in groups, casually enjoying the day? How are they dressed?
As I roam, the new environment reveals itself. Tree-lined boulevard? Ornate structures? There may be luxury shops and expensive restaurants here with delicious, tasty regional snacks. Narrow passageways and meandering, slow-moving crowds. This may indicate an historic part of the city, with some unique landmark or two.
In a sense, cities are organized no differently than any natural environment. A tracking and hunting mission requires your senses. Adapting these senses to a new and different environment can be delightful.
Especially if your mission is to find the perfect tiramisu *slurp*
Knowing your environment is key. Learning the olfactory pathways, auditory landmarks, and visual clues create a solid mental map of your territory. The more time you spend in your home territory, the more keen you become to noticing the subtle changes and patterns around you.
But what to do when you find yourself in an unknown or unfamiliar place? The overall mission of finding and locating your quarry remains the same, but a new mental map needs to be formed.
Travelling to other cities very much requires the ability to construct an entirely new environmental orientation. The key is adaptability.
One aspect of travel that feeds this wolf's soul is to create missions that revolve around sniffing out an utterly unique experience. Challenging my brain to do this without a guidebook or map makes it even more satisfying.
Leaving the temporary den that is the hotel room, I look around. What are the buildings like? Are they elaborate or plain? Is the neighbourhood filled with small, tightly-packed structures or are there large, standalone edifaces? A mixture of both?
What are the local creatures doing? Are they moving quickly towards their destination, carrying briefcases? Are they leisurely strolling in groups, casually enjoying the day? How are they dressed?
As I roam, the new environment reveals itself. Tree-lined boulevard? Ornate structures? There may be luxury shops and expensive restaurants here with delicious, tasty regional snacks. Narrow passageways and meandering, slow-moving crowds. This may indicate an historic part of the city, with some unique landmark or two.
In a sense, cities are organized no differently than any natural environment. A tracking and hunting mission requires your senses. Adapting these senses to a new and different environment can be delightful.
Especially if your mission is to find the perfect tiramisu *slurp*
