Ok so we all know that today is Pearl Harbor....A day that will live in infamey for me personally not because I knew anyone at Pearl Harbor but because this is my Wah's birthday. Happy Birthday runtt!!! I don't know if we will be doing anything when I get home from work but I did promise to take him out to dinner some time.

I will confess I play WoW (or World of Warcraft for you who aren't in the know). It's one of the few MMORPG (massive multi-player online role playing game) that I can really get into. It's fantasy for one, two it has orcs, tauren (minotaurs), elves, humans, what not all fighting for supremacy in a world that seems to be ripping itself apart between two fractions, an threat from a large undead army, and demonic invasion. At least that's the simplistic version. The story lines themselves seem to be very detailed and well thought out for the most part.

Now I play a tauren warrior on both Khadgar (where my main Raelum lvl 59 is) and another that I recently started on Bloodhoof (lvl 20). I resisted the game for a long time before I broke down and played and I played at first on and off. Reason was that one I was too busy and two well I had no one to play with. In fact that was the reason I chose these two realms is because friends were on either one that I could play with. However my friends are all lvl 70 or above and thus are too busy with their raids, dailies, and playing with the groups they have played with since the beginning.

Last night I was playing with my lvl 20, getting him a mount was the goal. I made it but the strange thing as with my other characters, I have found that no one contacts me. NO ONE.

A friend of mine once complained that the only reason he didn't play games such as these is because of the fact he got constantly messaged. Requests to join guilds, raids, parties, etc. all came flooding at him even at the starting level.

Now I like role playing and World of Warcraft seemed to be the online version of table top gaming, however it is not. Table top is a social thing, you HAVE to talk to the other person in your group. In MMORPG's you don't. Just sign up form a party or group get that quest or goal done and before you know it, you are left alone in the middle of a field wondering what the heck just happened? Where's all this fun that everyone else seems to be having? Where's these mysterious groups that everyone seems to be playing with? Is it an elite thing? Do you have to be at the highest level in order to enjoy the game completely? If so then let me be frank, that's just stupid and boring for those of us that are starting out. And yet that's the feeling I am left with signing off every time I play. Honestly I would rather play Left4Dead or Left4Dead 2 with bearknight at least I know he's going to catch me on fire at some point in the game, but also he's unlikely to abandon me when the Tank comes and cripples me. There's more of a sense of loyalty in a shooter game than a MMORPG? *shrugs* Maybe not but that has been my experience and well I would rather play a game WITH SOMEONE than by myself any day of the week. It just makes the game like WoW fun, otherwise I would content myself with something MADE for a single player, like a simulation game, or Castlevania, Mario Brothers, Tetris even.

In summary it's called a massive multiplayer game and I am seeing the players but they just aren't playing together or I have simply picked the wrong servers. Then again playing the whole let's connect on server A, B, C,D as your friends seem to always choose different servers is also a slight problem. I forsee myself getting to those higher levels only to be ditched by my friends because well by the time I get there, they will be completely bored with the game, at least til the next expansion comes out. *shrugs* Maybe I should just write stories and expireince rpg the way it was meant to be good old paper and pencil on a table top.

Taken from bearknight

I was just contacted by Ron at The American War Dogs Association, and he needs our help with a rescue adoption.

The Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT has a 5 year old Dutch Shepherd that they need adopted ASAP. If you’re from the Northeast, or are willing to travel to CT get the dog, contact us ASAP!



This brave soldier’s name is Sam, and he’s a retired patrol/explosives detection dog. His dedicated service has brought him to locations across the globe, but none are more important than his next journey (home). He’s VERY friendly, loyal, and loves to play, but as a working dog he’s active so potential homes should not have small children. If you or someone you know can give a young, healthy, friendly retired soldier a good home, please contact me at belicbear HAT gmail DHOT com ASAP!

PLEASE contact everyone you know and let’s see if we can find Sam a loving family!

Thank you!

Belic

Info:
MWD: Sam, USN (Ret)
Tattoo: K197
Age: 5
Breed: Dutch Shepher
Color: Brindle (Black w/Brown stripes)
Weight: 75 lbs.
Training: Patrol/Explosive Detection

And Meezer too: http://wimp.com/surprisedkitty/

For in less than three months I will be invading your state!!!! MAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Yes Silvermane is going to the West side officially today I booked my flight to the glorious but often misrepresented sunshine state (aka it always seems to rain there) for the month of January. Which means of course I am going to FC. I should be arriving around noonish Wednesday and leaving at 2pmish the following Tuesday. What will happen in between who can say...I hope fun at the very least.

See you on the West side!

Well I am back at work for only two and roughly half days. I took some time off for HALLOWEEN, best holiday evah! :)

Going to be having a party with fursuit trick or treating this weekend. Friday I am hoping to watch American Werewolf in London whilst carving a pumpkin....can it be done...we shall see! I am really excited like a pup again, can't wait, cleaned my house and everything! I am going to raid Target for some last minute things.

The yard is set, weather is looking good, and if I am lucky I won't be the only fursuiter walking up the street demanding candy...or just hugs. :)

PS: I 'accidently" woofed on the way into work today, totally without thinking about it...I am filled with shame and yet surprised by it.

I would like to thank the following for all the hard work they did to help me without with the Headless Lounge this year: Griflyn, shortwaves81 for once again lending his excellant headtree and helping close the lounge several late nights as well as helping me with the Costco run, rukario71 for staying on the lounge and watching over everything throughout the con, you definately did a great job! A special shout out to the good fur who donated the slushie machine, not only was it nice it was installed just when the AC in the Headless Lounge went bye bye and having a cool slushie I am sure helped many a fursuiter to deal with the heat! Thanks a bunch! Also thanks to all the fursuiters who used and enjoyed the lounge, we try to provide a good space for you to rest, dehead, and cool off, may not have been able to do that 100% of the time what with heaters going, circuit breakers popping off, but we try and I thank you!

I would also like to thank all the artists who donated art to the Book of the Dead thanks to your charitable donations we raised 260 dollars for the War Dog's charity!

While on the subject of charity, I would like to thank all those who did the Bucket Brigade according to Rismo we helped raise at least half of the total and that is awesome! Thanks to jdpuppy, jimwolf24, nekomon, shortwave81, rukario71, kwisa, tilt_longtail, brunbera, duncan_the_dog, fyrdawg, Matsune, and kellogg_collie for all your efforts. Now not everything is a compition, unless your name is Nekomon, love you tiger! *grins* However there were always two furs that were always asking for Bucket Brigade badges and they are skippyfox and axelwolf. Axelwolf never missed a day without doing the Bucket Brigade and without a doubt raised the most money! Thank you soooooo much everyone who helped, you have honored the canines that served and are serving our country. Hopefully with your help they will finally get the reconition they deserve!

Next year the Bucket Bridage will be back and maybe something else as well *grins*

Well I attended Furfright and bearknight's philsophy about the Headless Lounge (aka the fursuit lounge) worked! Fans and water, that's all I worried about and towards the end (last hour and a half) I didn't even worry about that. :P

I enjoyed the con although I didn't get to hang out with some people I wanted to but oh well. Furfright is a working con for me, if it's not the lounge I am working on, it's running around delievering messages, helping Bear and Princess, and what not. I did have a BLAST working Thursday night registration with Gavin, Belic, Lucian, that rocked big time! :) In a good surprise I met wielder13 we talked and talked, and talked some more. Was really good and I hope I didn't come off as a stalker Wielder but it was nice to chat with someone with common interests that I don't see often! I even fell asleep in his room. :)

Overall good con some issues with the hotel and no word as to the future. However there IS a future for Furfright and I am proud to announce that the War Dogs will be our chairty agian next year. I want to thank all those artists that donated to the Book of Dead, we got over 100 submissions the most so far AND raised 260 dollars! I also want to thank all the fursuiters that helped with the Fursuit Bucket Brigade! Together we helped raised over $7,000 to go to the War Dog's and hopefully with will help them get the reconition they deserve! Thanks to Rukario, Shortwave, and Griflyn for healping with the lounge and giving me a chance to have some fun at the con! Special shout out to Axelwolf and Skippy who always wanted to go out and do the Bucket Brigade! You two rocked! :)

On a more personal front...I got some bad news comming home last night. My sister's health had turned for the worse. She needs a lung transplant and will be going Firday down to Boston to be checked out. There is no if's and's or but's about this. I am hopeing she can get a trasplant because the other option is not an option at all. So please keep her in your thoughts and pray for her. I know I will be. This was kind of a downer from a good weekend but this is life really, up and down.

I am also set to go Trick or Treating on halloween fursuit style! Unless of course things turnout bad for my sister but she will be in good hands down in Boston, she should be out in 2 to 5 days, this is just to evaluate her for the transplant. If anyone would like to stop by they will be welcomed. I could use some friends faces at this time. Also I don't know my work scheduale at this time, I am hoping it will be a 5 day week with weekends off but we shall see. I'll try to keep everyone informed.

Ok so Furfright is more or less a week so I figured it would be nice to let you all know how to best interact with Silvermane

Fursuiting:

- If you see me in fursuit, don't be shy! I am rather friendly in suit and am not above giving out free hugs or just being playful.

-Yes I do photos but I would ask that you share them after the con and let me know you want a photo that way I can pose better for you.

-Getting my attention can be hard, don't whisper in my ears thinking they actually work because they don't, it is a suit after all. Wearing a fursuit is like wearing a helemt motorcycling, you can't hear nor is your vision that good. Unless you are standing right in front of me assume I can't see you.

-DO NOT tug or grab my fursuit please, it's a fursuit and can tear or get mistreated if you can't aget my attention verbally (hearing in suit is diffcult see above) just tap me on the shoulder.

-DO NOT tug on the tail, last thing I need is to be tailless like many a Hollywood werewolf.

-If you see me dashing off some place in a hurry it might be because I am busy, being on staff does that sometimes. However don't feel like you can't stop me, sometimes I get single tracked minded and forget to have fun so if it's not too busy I can most likely stop and chat at least.

-If I am wearing my pirate uniform, expect a drunken pirate, not an actual drunk but that's how I will most likely act.

-Native American: I have a native regalia for my suit, I am still debating wearing it but if I do, please ask before handling any of the regalia some of it is delicate.

-Do feel free to hug Silvermane, he likes that.

I think that pretty much covers things. I may also be drawing here and there but that's totally up in the air at the momment. I will be bringing some of my art stuff to work on but I won't be doing the Artist Alley or anything, requests can be taken but again it's going to be hit and miss.

If you are looking for Silvermane I will most likely be around the fursuit lounge, wandering the corridors, in the dealers room, or just crying in my room.

If you have any questions let me know!

So what will everyone be doing in roughly 36 days?

After some consideration BELIC *grins* and myself have made some changes to the Book of the Dead submissions. PHOTOGRAPHERS and PRINTS will now be ALLOWED! :)

So here's a summary of what is needed and what the Book of the Dead is:

Book Of The Dead: The Book of the Dead is a collection of original
artwork and photography that’s auctioned off to raise money for
Furfright’s Charity. Any/All artists and photographers are welcomed
to participate!
Here are the submission guidelines:
-All work must be G to PG 13 (no adult pieces!) Please keep them clean!
- Original Halloween/Horror and War Dog-themed artwork and photography
is preferred, but we will also accept finished color prints.
-Pieces must be 8.5" x 11" to fit into the binder. Anything larger may
be cropped. Digital artists, make sure you submit a high res file so
we can create a quality print.

Please send all submission to:
Peter Smith (Silvermane)
c/o Furfright
20 Harrisburg Ave.
Westbrook, Maine 04092

Digital artwork can be sent to: wolfart1977 AT aol DOT com.

DEADLINE IS OCTBOR 2ND!

If you have any questions or want to donate please contact Silvermane at the above email address or comment here! :)

Happy Birthday to skippyfox!!!!

As a reminder also this Saturday is the 2nd Gaming Night, hosted at my place at 7pm! :)

Ok thanks to Brun and Sedge I've decided that this might be fun as well so here goes!

Ask me anything! Maybe something you've always wanted to ask, or something you just thought up. Serious, funny, weird, whatever....

Comments will be screened, and I will not reveal anyone's identity unless they wish to.

In the spirit of the meme I will do my best to give an honest answer to each question, however if it is too personal I may not ansewer, then again I may ansewer it you never know until you ask! I will provide the ansewers in a later lj post.

Reminder that the Book of the Dead submissions are due Oct 2nd! :)

What is the Book of the Dead?
The Book of the Dead is a collection of art work that we auction off at Furfright to help raise money for Furfright's TWO charities. In the past we have raised over $500 dollars by selling off the book.

What can you do to help?

Well if you are an artists you can send your art work in! Here are the submission guidelines:

-All artwork must be PG to PG 13 in rating (no adult art please as this is a family con)!

-Artwork must be original, can be digital or traditional. NO PRINTS

-Art work must be 8.5" by 11" to fit into the binder. Anything larger may be cropped to fit accordingly. Smaller works are welcomed! Digital artist just make sure your artwork is done in a high enough resolution to be printed off in good quality.

-Halloween themed art is preferred, come on it is Furfright after all! *grins* And Halloween is so easy to do! :)

If you would like to donate artwork, please send it to the following address:

Peter Smith (Silvermane)
C/o Furfright
20 Harrisburg Ave.
Westbrook, Maine 04092

Digital artwork can be sent to wolfart1977 AT aol DOT com.

DEADLINE IS OCT. 2nd! Any artwork left over will be used in the following year's Book of the Dead.

If you aren't an artist you can help by spreading the word of this to artists you know!

Thanks for everyone who has donated in the past, hope to hear from you again! :)

I went down to Belic's this past weekend to deliver some mail for Tama and just to get out of the house for a weekend. Went swimming at the infamous "Death Pond" also known as Miller Pond with Belic, and by swim I mean I mostly sat on the rocks in the water. I did swim a bit but talking while swimming not a good combo. We watched Venture Brothers which seems to be a theme amongst my friends of late! *laughs* Also got to see Space Mutiny of MST3K fame, still funny, still great, and Tama treated us to Makido with awesome sushi! Thanks again Tama.

Went home a bit early on Tuesday thank goodness because I some stuff piled up at home I had to deal with. Spent yesterday doing errands in and out of the house. Yes Belic and Tama I got Left for Dead, as well as finding one of my favorite monster movies of all time on DVD: RODAN!!!! I love Rodan, more than Godzilla actually. He's my favorite Toho monster besides Angilas (spikey quadraped repitilan doglike thing). Why do I like Rodan? Simple he's just a flying oversized pteradon like creature. His power is simply sonic shockwaves from flying at fast speeds. That and well the movie itself is one of the first non Godzilla films I saw. It is just something from my childhood I enjoy.

From the Editorial Desk of Silvermane:

Furry Pessimissm. I have noticed of late that a lot of furs I know and whose lj entries, FA Journals, etc. are all kind of in a self examination period or they are simply finding faults in the fandom. Perhaps in a deeper way they are finding faults in themselves but overall there seems to be a growing negativity in the fandom. Getting a new suit to please the crowds, relationship problems, the Num8 incident, Perro's iPhone getting stolen, furries in the news so on and so forth have brought an air of well...down right funk to the fandom. I am not talking wet fursuits here either.

Everyone seems to be down. Depressed, pessimissitic and down right negative. Now this is going to be shocking to most who read my lj BUT I laugh at this. It's a FANDOM! Why be depressed? It's about fun people, FUN!!! Chins up muzzles straight and go out and have some, I know you can. So there are some douches out there, there are douches every where you go, the fandom is not immune. It just seems to all happen at once but that is life. You can look at the glass as half full or half empty or simply half assed, but I will be throwing that glass away because it is not filled with Souther Comfort or a Mojito.

It's about having fun, if getting a new fursuit every year makes someone happy then fine go with it, though you may go into debt real quick. Relationship problems, talk to Dr. Phil, whose 8 divorces and counting should let you have a clue how good his adivse apparently is, not! *laughs* The Num8, well personally I say this is the pretext we need to invade France, however regardless of how you feel personally, don't let it help out those whom you know are in need or just need a pick me up. Perro got a new iPhone so that's all good. Furries in the news, well could be better, could be worse, so far we don't have a pedophile axe murderer who slaughtered german shepard puppies to raise the Elder Gods from their sleep. So chin up, stop being negative and have fun!

And that is the opinion of this wolf...

Oh and in more home news, we have moles....However Sabastien (Runtt's cat) is killing them. Theory being that the rain we have gotten has flooded them out of their home. So far this week alone Runtt has found three of them. Hopefully we'll get some sun and everything will dry out for them and other critters.

MAINE FURRY GAMING NIGHT!!!!

One of my roomates,gesten_nyotas and I want to host a gaming night. Once a month to start out and then go from there if it is successful or people can make it more than once a month.

Where: My house: 20 Harrisburg Ave. Westbrook, Maine.

When: Saturday July 25th at 7pm.

What: Gaming, this means video games, table top roleplaying, card games, board games, whatever everyone wants to do. We do have a X Box 360, Playstation, Game Cube, sorry but the PS2 has died on us. We also have some board games and a few rpgs we can play. I personally have Werewolf the Apocaplyse and IronClaw, Gesten has...D&D and I am sure a few others.

What to bring: If you want to spend the night (sorry but work scheduales make no other night open) you may, please bring blankets and airmatresses though. Also any snacks, sodas you like, etc. And of course games and accessories! :)


If you want to come just mention it on the lj or email me at wolfart1977 AT AOL DOT com.

What Legions huh? Cryptic message eh? Wonder what I am talking about huh? Could it be Roman Legions? A demonic horde? Legions of fanbois invading all over?

Oh so many questions but you'll have to wait to see what this is all about. *grins* MAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA *evil laugh* I am so terrible.

Well through sheer forgetfullness I completely missed that Lupine and Kildoo were visiting from the far away country of Canadia, a ruthless land ruled by maple syrup and hocky players. *grins* I took them to Famous Dave's BBQ, Runtt treated them to Kon a sush/hibache place that just opened up. Now here's the cool thing, at the hibache they do that whole flipping food into your mouth and IF you catch it, the cook squirts SAKE into YOUR MOUTH!!!! Runtt got soaked, I didn't do it even though I did catch the food the second time. Lupine got some sake as well. Then we took them to Portland Headlight and Fort Williams where many pictures were taken. Mostly we just hanged out and had a great time. Thanks to Kyro Kildoo and myself were "treated" to the worst film I have seen to date, Poltryguist....It is AWEFUL!!! It's also Tromaville,so what did I expect, we started watching Killers from Space, with the Film Crew but I had to head to bed.

Monday Griflyn visited as well in a secret operation that shall yield many smiles later this month I am sure. MAHAHAHAHAHAHA I'll have pics when I reveal my evil plan! :) We went for a walk with Buster and gave the dog a long brushing and a nice bath. Overall Buster took it well but still doesn't like the hose at all. We watched Season Two fo Venture Brothers and Griflyn helped me clean up my room.

There's an art idea I am working on that Griflyn and Neil Patrick Harris have inspired me to do, as well as working on somethings for Furfright. Oh and I am nearing completion of the flower garden out front, about 8 to 10 more bags of marble should do it if I don't add more plants to it. As for the veggie garden, it's still hanging in there, barely...There's some peppers budding and a single tomato, so I am hoping something comes of it.

This comming weekend I am heading down to CT to visit some friends. Might be back Tuesday don't know as yet. Following weekend is MAINE FURRY GAMING GATHERING! Details found here: http://silvermane3.livejournal.com/213321.html and as a result I got some WoW cards, broke out my chess boards, I got my furry butt handed to me too, as well as brought out some board games! Looking forward to it!

One of my roomates, gesten_nyotas and I want to host a gaming night. Once a month to start out and then go from there if it is successful or people can make it more than once a month.

Where: My house: 20 Harrisburg Ave. Westbrook, Maine.

When: Saturday July 25th at 7pm.

What: Gaming, this means video games, table top roleplaying, card games, board games, whatever everyone wants to do. We do have a X Box 360, Playstation, Game Cube, sorry but the PS2 has died on us. We also have some board games and a few rpgs we can play. I personally have Werewolf the Apocaplyse and IronClaw, Gesten has...D&D and I am sure a few others.

What to bring: If you want to spend the night (sorry but work scheduales make no other night open) you may, please bring blankets and airmatresses though. Also any snacks, sodas you like, etc. And of course games and accessories! :)


If you want to come just mention it on the lj or email me at wolfart1977 AT AOL DOT com.

A dear friend of mine and bearknight needs your help. As it was this person was moving in to my house next week, however yesterday he got into an accident. Good news is that he is ok, only a broken ankle. Bad news is that because he just moved from Michigan, he doesn't ahve a job and well broken ankle will make getting one hard. He has no health insurance and his car insurance might not cover all the damage from the accident.

If anyone could I'd like to help raise some money for this friend. He's had a rough life already and I know some of you know some of it, I can't go into the details but it's poopy and to have this happen just as things are suppose to get better, well stinks. Karma you owe me, Bear, and our friend bitch! So fellow furs, it's time to kick Karma's butt!

If you can give anything, be it $5 or $50, any thing is of great help. You can send money to the following address:

Peter Smith (that's me, I would give my friends name but he's not here right now)
20 Harrisburg Ave.
Westbrook, Maine USA
04092

I'll make sure that my friend gets every penny and I'll be throwing in a few dollars myself!

If you want to paypal just comment bellow and I'll send you a message one here with the contact information.

Please, if there is one thing the fandom has always proven to me, it's how kind and supportive we can be to each other in times of need. Please help! :) I know you can! :)

*hugs mightly from the wolf*