... or wait, um... I guess 'tweet' is the word all these kids are using these days.

https://twitter.com/SampsonWoof

I'm not sure what I'll use this for. Maybe random thoughts.

Well, that's all I seem to have these days, so there may be a lot.

Anyhoo, I found it to be a good way to stay informed of upcoming fur events as I completely missed RainFurrest this year. Still kicking myself.

I also joined up with the local fur board and hope to actually meet other furs instead of continuing my life as a shut-in *stares at cheeto-stained paws*

This brings up a big question for someone like me who is still relatively new to this whole thing:

What sort of other fur events go on out there? I'm aware of Anthrocon, registered yesterday for VancoFur and only just learned about RainFurrest in Seattle, but what else is there out there? I'd love to get out more and meet some of ya!

A month from tomorrow I'll be basking in the fantastic goodness that is Hawaii. This has become an annual pre-winter getaway to the mild, trade wind-blessed isle of paradise where I can dip my paws into the ocean and become all otter-like.

A big surprise from last year's trip was how Halloween is celebrated in Waikiki. There were tons of folks out in costume - old and young and everyone in between having such a good time. I wasn't really a Halloween-kinda wuff before then and with my little diversion into costume-making this year I thought I would be fun to join in on the fun.

Because most of the Halloweens I've experienced in the past involved freezing cold temperatures, the costumes I wanted to wear never really were all that appropriate, climate-wise. Now that I have a chance to wear something, um, revealing, I thought I'd put my imagination to work.

It's been in my head for a little while now, but I'll be starting soon on my wolf shaman mask and hopefully this will go quicker than the big foam fursuit head I completed this spring. Design considerations such as being smaller and lightweight as well as including no metal is making it a fun challenge. Basically, I want it to fit into my carry-on and not make my head all sweaty and such.

Certainly not a traditional fursuit, but I'll be sharing photos as I go along with the build process.

The loincloth will be the easiest part to make.

*wolfish grin*

I'm a fairly analog wolf. I still use a pocket watch. I don't have a cell phone (really, I don't - I hate talking on the phone). I prefer walking to driving. I read books printed on paper.

So, it is in keeping with this quirky behaviour that I still make little notes with pen and paper. These little scraps fill my wallet and usually say cryptic things like '1L 1% milk' and 'dent thur 4 oct.' It's a system that works for me and has for years.

That's not to say I'm some kind of fossil, although my neighbours would prefer I'd stop yelling at their kids for trampling all over the lawn and that I try wearing something other than slippers when walking around. Lately, I've been writing down little ideas on these slips of paper - fragments of phrases describing situations and objects I'd like to incorporate into future drawings. When inspiration strikes on the train ride to work, I just pull out the pen and write it down.

I know, I know... if I had a smartphone, I'd be able to just send it off home and it's waiting for me where I actually create, but there's something satisfying in having a physical object to carry around. Unfortunately (or fortunately) these ideas have taken over my wallet and I'm happy that there's so much I'd like to do, but it reminds me that I wish I had more time to actually get to them. Alternately, one advantage to having time away from creating is that it allows an idea to marinate a bit. Some ideas just get better while others end up getting tossed. A note to draw myself working at my desk at my job got scrapped because well... it represented an activity that's so utterly ordinary (i.e. boring).

I hope the ones that I end up submitting marinated well and that you enjoy them as much as I do ... despite my archaic ways *grin*

I'm currently devouring (how's that for metaphor?) a lovely collection of short stories that revolve around transformation. Over a Labour Day trip to Portland, I made a pilgrimage to the lovely and fantastically large Powell's Books and could have easily spent my entire paycheque there. I picked up a recommendation (Jim Butcher's 'Fool Moon) and stumbled across 'Werewolves and Shapeshifters,' compiled by John Skipp.

I've spent the better part of my commute since then lugging around this weighty tome... really - this thing is outsized and heavy. Like any collection, there are some great examples of the genre and a few that only skirt the concept of werewolfery and end up being more about change. This is not a criticism - change and transformation go hand-in-paw as far as I'm concerned.

The cadence of a short-story compilation sets my brain into a different rhythm, unlike a longer novel-length book. By the time I'm immersed into the world of the author, I'm whisked into another paradigm, with different rules and a dimension unlike the previous. If reading a novel is akin to lounging aboard a train enjoying the scenery, a series of short stories is like hunting prey in the woods, ears and nose alert to threats or treats.

[snifsnifsnifsnif... sorry - neighbour's cooking steak.... *drool*]

Reading has always been a two-way conversation between the author and the reader - opening up my mind to a different concept of transformation (in this case, many) has been refreshing. Much like how different artists here have different visions of anthro, I love to warp and stretch my own concepts and perceptions.

If that isn't transformative, I'm not sure what is!

*arrrRRrrroooOOOooo!*

One of the oldest fascinations I've had since I was a pup (and yes, that was *many* years before a lot of you were hatched) has been lycanthropy. The snarling, fang-filled evil man-eater kind.

It doesn't really fit with most of my outward personality. I like to think of myself as a fairly sunny, optimistic wolf who gets a little squeamish watching medical procedures on television. I enjoy sunny days at the beach. Heck - throw in the lollipops and rainbows, too. I love the happy side of life.

But... the idea of transforming at will (or not) into a hulking mass of fur with sharp claws and teeth has always lurked in the dark recesses of my heart.

The primitive animal-side of my brain starts wildly firing its ancient synapses at the thought of giving in to the urges to hunt and subdue prey. The surge of power and unrestricted malarky at being a feral, feared beast.

Maybe it's the cooler nights and the hint of autumn in the breeze, but this time of year always brings out my werewolf side. The sound of crunching leaves beneath paws and the slowly-dying flora around me only add to the creeping grimness of the months to come.

Again, to be perfectly clear, the violence and horror aspects of werewolfery are not anything I'd do in RL, but like all good legends and mythology, it's fascinating to wonder and dream about what truths lie at its heart. To ponder what it would be like to first notice that.... *something* isn't quite normal... the sprouting of fur on my skin... the stretching and pulling of a new muzzle... the sensation of growing a tail...

*arrrrrrrrroooooooooooo!*

I really wanted to end Max's transformation story on a good note, but really struggled with how to represent it. I thought about doing something tender or even a little sad and lonely, but nothing seemed right... but I didn't feel quite comfortable with pr0n. I came to a conclusion:

Fuck it.

I'll do something raunchy and ribald.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/8752725/

Enjoy!

*arooooooooo!*

There is so much talent and imagination here.

I'm sure you've all encountered amazing works on FA but I am totally blown away by how furs here master lines, colour, shading, acrylic fur, photography, stitches, foam, clay, watercolours and other materials and techniques.

Creativity is the ultimate form of expression. Our dreams, hopes and yes, even our cynical outlooks all define how we express ourselves. I appreciate them all.

"Diversity" as a term or catchphrase gets thrown around a lot, but I prefer exploring multiple perspectives.

We are all unique and logically, we all have a unique interpretation of our imaginations.

Getting an insight to these imaginations, however, requires initiative. Please take a moment today or in the next few days to articulate something from the back burner of your mind and just let it out.

I'm absolutely positive that someone else will relate or at least, understand.

*rarwf!*

...have Firefox installed and am back on FA. Still have to reinstall programs and such, but the Hard Drive Debacle of 2012 has been fairly painless.

Besides, the new hard drive is twice as large and you know as well as I do.... size matters.

*aroooooooooo!*

...I feel like I'm writing this from a sinking ship as I furiously do last minute backup thingies. Might be offline for a couple days or so while I rebuild my little electronic world.

Drawings are safe along with photos on an external drive. If you don't have one, get one immediately. They will save you lots and lots of grief.

Well, the glass-half-full wolf in me will be glad to get a faster, larger drive.

But still... urgh.

*slowtailwags*

Okay... who hit the fast forward button?

I asked myself that last year and never really got an answer. As a young pup, I always wondered why adults kept saying how quickly time passed when each day seemed like a grinding, slow-moving glacier.

I can't explain how or when it started, but it seems like a cruel cosmic trick to blink and have a day or a week zip past like a bullet train. I know how the week is filled when I look at the numbers:

42 hours in a fabric cattle pen moving pixels around for clients.
8 hours reading onboard SkyTrain to and from said cattle pen.
50 hours fending off zombies and running through airports where I never seem to catch a plane as I 'sleep.'
7 hours nomming delicious edibles like bacon and sushi.
5 hours panting on the elliptical trainer, swimming laps or grunting in the weight room.
2 hours standing in line at such exotic boutiques like the grocery store.
5 hours peforming domestic feats of endurance (i.e. laundry, cleaning, etc.)

That leaves 49 hours a week for whatever the heck I want to do, which is about seven hours a day on average - weekends skew this, obviously - it's more like 4 on a work night. Most of that time is spent drawing, sketching and refining the fursuit.

It's those 49 hours that keep shrinking somehow. I can't explain why - I have no cubs of my own and the bulk of my family is about 2000 km away. Yes, television does cut into that (I love Modern Family) and there's always the variable events that pop up from time to time. I'm pretty efficient with time management, but it's paired with my slight unsettledness about unexpected events cutting into my free time.

I am so rarely bored. There is always something to write, draw or sew. I think this is what some refer to as living a "full life." I hope so, because it sure feels packed with stuff most of the time.

*tailwags*

I seem to have multiple story lines oozing from my greymuzzle brain (or what's left of it) and would like to have some sort of continuity.

If you know what tags I should use in my submission descriptions, please let me know!

This wuff would really appreciate it!

*tailwags*

*num*

Sketching out the next installment in the secret society story always goes better with bacon.

*shlurp*

Harsh? Just keep reading.

A year ago, if you asked me if I was happy with myself, I'd quickly answer yes. I have had a lot to be grateful for over the past few years: a stable home, a fantastic family, a lucrative job and many opportunities to travel. I am a very lucky wolf indeed.

But you can't be too happy or pleased with yourself.

If yer content with being pretty damn pleased with yourself and continue to build your attitude around this, then be prepared to live with the mold-encrusted stasis that goes along with it.

The problem with recognizing this is that it is almost never apparent. Sure, you might have those fleeting thoughts of learning a new skill or losing weight or something that sits on a long-distant 'bucket list,' but if you never act on them then that's when life goes into a never-ending holding pattern. Worse, not doing anything about it can make ya depressed.

The older I get, the more I just just don't give a damn what others think about me. In many ways, this has been the most liberating factor in my life.

I took up sewing and am about 75% of the way towards my first fursuit. I adding a cardio regime to my exercise routine and now I'm leaner. I even picked up a pen for the first time in almost 20 years to start sketching and drawing again - which has always been my first true love.

What was the block? Most of it was 'Oh - what would others think?"

How freakin' silly.

Am I an expert in all these things? No, and I don't pretend to. This is a process and one that involves learning, listening and most importantly: doing.

Does this make me happy? Of course it does. Do I want to be content and satisfied with where I am? No.

The excitement and satisfaction go hand in hand with the challenges. I'd rather have that than happiness and sitting still.

I need to rebalance my flux capacitor. I keep sketching scenes and then thinking "Hey - what if this happened in between?"

So I start mocking up the in-between scene and then it just keeps repeating itself. I have about a dozen unfinished sketches now *sigh*

Well, at least I'll be busy in the next little while. Just wanted to put up a couple of unrelated pieces in the meanwhile.

*tailwags!*

...but secretly hoping that it's just my new muzzle forming.

*snif*

...and there will be a bit more of him. I've been rattling this transfurmation story around in my confuzzled head for the last few weeks and am close to flushing out what happened to Max to get to this point.

In the meanwhile, I wanted to show that Max is indeed embracing his new body, even if it might take a while.

...and thank dawg. If I can avoid it, I'll never fly United again. What a schmazzle.

...and much work will ensue. Not much to expect in terms of updates or new art as I'll be pretty much consumed by my RL job.

Again, if there's anyone in Denver this week, I'll be checking in to FA about 5pm MDT each night if ya wanna meet up fer a pint or a grande latte.

I'm in the Mile High City Tuesday nite thru Sat morning... if ya wanna chat and have a coffee/beer - just msg me. Be nice to meet and chew the fat with fellow furs :)

Let's put those rusty sketching skills to work again... been years since I picked up a pen since I spent most of my working life in PhotoShop manipulating clients' images.

It takes a little getting used to, but I can so far reccommend getting a Bamboo. Pretty slick device.

...which I truly wish you would all experience some day: a majestic drive through the spectacular Canadian Rockies. Stay tuned for a little travelogue from the Wet Coast Wolf :) *tailwags*