It is SO hard to keep up with all this social media 0.0

FURST WORLD PROBLEMS

So as you could probably tell, I've fairly well abandoned FA. I mean, I'll keep it here as a repository for old photos and journals in case I'm feeling nostalgic, but I can no longer feel guilty for ignoring it! Between my you tube channel, twitter, vine and telegram I feel like more of my furry-allocated time is being taken up then I have to give!

Well, I'm here now, so I may as well leave an update!

I now live in Ohio! Specifically Columbus. Got a nice job up here (not telling you where, weirdos!) so I'll be settled in for the next three years at least. Mangusu is here too obviously, given the whole marriage thing ;) which happened last September (yes I've missed a lot!)

People in Ohio have been so incredibly friendly and more importantly, active, as in they do stuff, and still use the traditional means of inviting people (aka a phone and not a public message board XD) yes, I may still be a little salty about Orlando.

So far things are working out well enough. Pretty broke because of the gap between the old job and starting the new one, but hopefully after a month of noodle-eating, that should resolve itself.

Next con planned is AC, followed by MFF and then I may need to re-evaluate my life and go on a non-furry holiday. The new job has very limited PTO so I'll need to be more careful with plans.

Other then that, made a few more videos for my channel. Quite hilariously, copped some flak for the latest one for being too "raunchy" because it contains some fully clothed scenes of vaguely sexy dancing. Never mind that "other" video with little john that didn't seem to bother anyone? Seriously though, popstars do way worse and nobody cares!

But don't think I havn't listened. The problem is I don't know who my audience actually is. I made the videos, they were my ideas, I thought they were funny and I had fun making them - which really should be enough! But apparently I have a lot of younger fans (how that happened I have no idea!) and I'd been touted as "the good furry you can take home to show your parents" which is nice, and I see the value in it.

I do feel that Dash is becoming a little stale for me and needs to evolve. I get that he is really popular as the innocent, cute furry, fun for all ages - but that is really very simple (and boring) to play and the friends I hang out with are not 10 to 16 year olds, they are 20 to 30 year olds! So to them it's pretty "uncool". Whereas the new stuff, Peanut butter jelly for example, they like.

I've been in the fandom for 10 years, in the community for four years, owned 3 fursuits and lived in three countries. I've made fursuits, I've danced, Ive made videos, I've public suited, married a furry - Ive basically tried a little of everything the fandom has to offer and I love it still.

I guess what I'm saying is, while I enjoy performing a service to the furry community, I also want to have fun making the videos I want to make. It's hard to decide which direction to continue on.

And now I've just realized I'm rambling!

Quick PSA - A lot of people have been hunting me down on telegram lately out of the blue. I don't mind this at all and try to talk to everyone who messages me. But here is some reality. Just because you have all day to sit on telegram, doesn't mean I do. "Hi" and "How are you" are not a conversation, they are a trap - I'm not here to entertain you because you are bored, if you don't have a "reason" to message me, please don't. This "reason" can be as simple as to say you like my videos or to ask a question about me, that's fine. Having nothing at all to say, is not. I will absolutely talk to you if you are a minor, answer questions about the community and give general life advice - that doesn't mean we are now super best friends and you can now message me every day. I love to work on projects with people, and help people with their projects - this is the best reason to message me.

Finally, I don't really have online chat friends. I have actual real life friends I struggle daily to find enough time for. If you are not 18, and don't go to conventions, and we have nothing in common other then us both being furries, we aren't going to be friends. That's just how the real world works =^.^= I suggest finding someone local, who has a similar interest or hobby OTHER then just furry, to get to know you, as they will more likely become an actual friend!

Ok scratch that, that definitely wasn't a quick PSA!

Much luvs yall!
Dash Tiger

I wish I was an artist so I'd have reason to update FA more often. Too much social media!

Such as my new Vine! https://vine.co/u/1167930904585662464

This may be a pointless addition to the list though, as most of my vines get made together with this handsome guy https://vine.co/u/977366063992168448 which ends up in a lot of double posts, though now that we've been separated by a few thousand miles, I hope to be doing some of my own, probably with Fang the Tiger.

So, on to the big news!

I'm engaged! Look at my pretty ring, l o o k at it! GOOD.

Most of you have seen the proposal video by now I'm guessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzb2JPtqNEM

Well what some people don't know is why it's so silly! Well Mangusu and I were living together in America for 3 months, which meant we pretty well didn't leave each others side (especially since he worked, and I didn't!) So Mangy had about a week to throw together this romantic proposal video using footage he already had, without me noticing.

Most of the footage comes from another video we put together one afternoon just for fun, set to Lily Allens "Air Balloon" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMBBcTjVoms
The rest came from vines we made, and footage from our fursuit clubbing night in downtown Orlando.

The proposal itself actually managed to catch me offguard. Surprising as I knew it was coming (Three days before I had to leave America, all our freinds show up to a "movie night" yeah yeah :P) Because while I knew it was coming, I did not expect the video part at all, or that so many of our friends were involved, and how loving and emotional the whole experience would be. In fact I distinctly remember being so choked up I couldn't say the word YES and only managed a nod. So manly.

Pizza was had, congratulations said, and then three days later I was on a plane, which is pretty emotionally destroying. Our visa was lodged five months ago and we havn't heard anything back, I don't have any work or place to stay, and have no idea when I'll get to see Mangusu again because its totally dependent on the random whims of America's immigration department. I'm also broke again. So yeah, gotta take the highs with the lows.

I will say though, Ive never been the type to wear jewellery, so this is my first ring, and it feels really good. I can just look at it and know that I have a special bond with someone, wherever they are, and it just makes everything feel so real.

I'm completely ready for this, and still as in love with this boy as when I first met him.

So what's next? who knows? Will probably stay in Brisbane for awhile, find work where I can, make videos, go to FURDU, and count down the mysterious days until the visa is approved!

Love you all,
Dash Tiger

Hi everybody! Wow what a whirlwind week!

Dash Tiger arrived the day before Rivfur and although I fell in love instantly, there was no way I could of known what a success he would be and I am immensely humbled by all the well wishers and complementary furs out there! My first outing with him was on the fursuit walk at Rivfur and the mongoose and I snuck off to a little copse of trees just off the path. Mangy wanted me to climb up there but unfortunately the suit is still too tight on me for that, so he jumped up instead and then *that* photo happened.

I had a rough idea that holding my head down would give cute derp eyes, but didn't plan that my immense height (I'm six foot two!) would make my legs so cute and tiny from such a high angle! (yay perspective shots!) It came out adorable! I put it on twitter, somehow Colson found it, then Dooryu and within 24 hours between retweets it had 400+ favourites and some 50 retweets 0.0.

Needless to say, as my friend Sparkypanda said "Someones found their cute angle and is workin' it."

The walk through Roma street parklands was otherwise pretty magical. It's a beautiful place suiters don't usually get to go, and my American friends were pretty jealous that places like that exist so close to our cities. Finding great photo opportunities was simple.

The rest of Rivfur was also amazing. Rivfur is a two-year old, small con in Brisbane. A con that most people I know had very little hope for and there had been a lot of negativity about in the Brisbane community, which Mangusu and I simply didn't understand, because aside from some organisational problems, it was a great con, one I enjoyed immensely more then the much bigger and well established Confurgence. Furdu will always be the best Australian con in my eyes, but I don't see why there can't be room for both.

It was bizzare that most of the attendees seemed to be interstaters with very few Brisbane furs (where its held). People need to support these cons and the hard work that goes into them, or end up with nothing. As always, having fun is your own responsibility, cons are just there to host a venue and get people together. I'm not aware of any room parties being shut down at Rivfur (I may be wrong here!) whereas plenty were closed at Furdu, and the Laser tag event was BRILLIANT - pizza, beer, laser tag, free arcade and a hundred furries in a room can't go wrong. Registration was probably on the pricey side, but the hotel and staff were nice with a well utilised con space.

Of course I may be biased here! At least one part contributing to the high that was Rivfur for me was winning the dance competition!

A competition I very nearly didn't enter!

I had planned to choreo a dance because I'm no freestyling mongoose, but I got sick in the week leading up to rivfur and never got the opportunity. On the verge of backing out at the con, my friends Lisa, Kiba and boyfriend Mangy, managed to get me drunk enough to convince me to do it. Six shots in ten minutes and I was suited up and in the dance room!

All the dancers there were awesome friendly people, very supportive of each other, no egos at all. By the time my turn came up I felt totally relaxed, like I was just out dancing with friends. Without any prep at all, I jumped up and just danced my heart out, and I think it came out better then I could of possibly practiced it at home (Thanks red bull and vodka!!!)

I've been to a few Aussie dance comps now and really see improvement in the dancers, can't wait to see more from them all (and me too!)

Sadly I have no video yet, still waiting to get footage from people. My friend missed the first half due to operator error :p but Boxer got it, so I just need to cut it together then I'll post it here.

I'm still a total amateur when it comes to dancing, so I'm really grateful these smaller amateur events still exist, and am really happy the bigger cons are starting to run amateur leagues along with the main events. This is a good direction.


I guess that's enough for now! Catch you when I've got that dance video to post. Expect lots of cute photos in the meantime!

So much to say here that I can't say. But one day in the future when I look back nostalgically over these journals, I want to remember how I felt when I first got my hands on Dash Tiger.

Life is unpredictable. Which is a good thing, because otherwise what's the point. Relationships are hard, which is a good thing, otherwise they wouldn't carry any meaning. Fursuits are tight, which is a good thing, otherwise I'd have no reason to lose weight.

:3

OMG so so happy with the new fursuit. It's my first commissioned suit, with both my previous suits being made entirely by me - this is the first time I can suit up without that niggling fear in the back of my mind that I'd done something wrong with it. I am immensely happy with the work  phoenixwolfsuits has done, and I feel like he is the best tiger fursuit I've ever seen. Which is great, because he's mine! He suits my personality perfectly, he is well made with obvious attention and care to detail and I recommend phoenix very highly.

It's been over a year without a fursuit for Mangusu and I, which has had a greater toll on him, for not being able to express his dance creativity as much as he could. But all that is changing now so expect to see a lot from him (and a bit from me too!) Juven should be arriving on stage in a few months, probably to debut at MFF.

I expect a great deal more happiness in my life now, which I know is an odd thing to say, but I just have this positive feeling.

Great things are ahead.

I cannot believe my last furaffinity journal was about leaving the UK. That was like a lifetime ago! I've been back in Australia for almost ten months now, and I was in the USA for at least two more before that!

So much and so little has happened this year. Got an amazing job working with wildlife, learnt an enormous amount about exotic animals and came closer then I've ever felt to landing my dream zoo job...

...and then found out that the wildlife job sucked due horrible bullying, inept management and constant euthanizing of animals. Missed out on a job at Australia Zoo by a hair's breath, and have found myself working for the clinic I started my career with...again.

Well, silver lining - I actually love being back at that old clinic, where I'm well liked, treated with dignity and appreciated greatly. Also, once or twice a month I get to locum at Dreamworld, which is always amazing.

And continuing the theme, Mangusu and I finally had a chance to make a forever home in Australia, with him getting a work visa, both of us could have careers here. We got a fantastic apartment, new bed, furniture, t.v, in a complex with a spa, pool and gym...

...only to spend the whole year with no one willing to hire Mangy (thanks to his visa restrictions and lack of higher education), consequently not having enough money to party as much as we should, and Mangy wanting to up and quit Australia (and rightly so).

Well, silver lining again - Now we are planning to move back to America. Sure we'll have to go through that whole inane visa process again, sure I'll have to spend literally tens of thousands of dollars re-training to get registered as a vet again, not to mention buying a car, furnishing a house, but at the end of it, we'll be in the Furry capital of the world! (Plus better internets and cheaper booooooze!)

So yeah, as you can see, a whole lot of something and a whole lot of nothing this year. Pretty much square one for both of us. (Except we hit our two year anniversary wooo!)

One outright positive however is that Phoenixwolf has started work on our fursuits finally ^.^ They should be ready by MFF, and fingers crossed you will see us there. So far mine looks AMAZING. One or two things I'm not super confident about it, but generally very impressed. Phoenixwolf does good cat!

It's official, I'm leaving the UK!

I head out on the 28th June to arrive in New York City for four nights, then onwards to Orlando for one month, then LA for 2 nights then back to Australia for good! As I don't want to be lugging this fursuit all the way to Aus, I'm selling him ^.^

http://www.furbuy.com/auctions/1044173.html

So far the opening bid is 400$ which is roughly what it cost me to make him. I'm hoping it sells for a lot more than that given the 100 hours of work I put into it! The suit is in good condition and would fit someone of average build from 5 foot 10 to six foot 2 (or thereabouts).

Please pimp the hell out of me and get the word out!

Love you all!

Dash

Wow, what a great con!

Those that know me, know how Mangusu and I met (at confuzzled last year!) so they know that CFz 12' would be a pretty hard con to beat in terms of personal epicness. I met, fell in love with and danced with a beautiful guy who had been my inspiration - not to mention got drunk 5 days in a row with so many wonderful people and played all sorts of wonderful games and saw such great performers. It was my first con.

But this years CFz 13' did just that. I did not really have a down moment all con (except briefly when a cheeky drunken mongoose made me play hide and seek for an hour XD. Where last con was so incredible for all the new people I met, this con was made great by how much better I got to know all those people I already knew. So many furries whose names I knew, who I'd spoken too once or twice, I now can call friends and give big hugs too without being shy. Big shout outs especially to Mercury and Aigus, Tech Tiger, Taya, Zak and Kiyo, Ollie, Hush, Rab, Spinky, Brix and Eossfox for being cool people I got to hang out with that I don't usually get to see. Sorry if I missed anyone out - just got home and brain has died.

Much loves too my regular crew - you know who you are!

So what did I do at the con?

Well, I injured myself, a lot. Small, seemingly insignificant injuries that put all together tried really hard to make me miserable (alcohol numbs the pain!). Let's see I was;

Bitten by a ferret (wasn't even holding him, he got me through the cage while I was filming a different one, little bastard)
Punched (accidentally) in the face by Sparxus Fox which gave me a split lip and mouth ulcer
Got my toe stood on by drunken mangusu, which split the nail and caused an infection, which I had to dig out with scissors.
Bit my lip (ouch)
Got serious chafing from suit sweat combined with er... well lets say the con food wasn't great
Oh and I walked into a few walls (wasn't even drunk)

On a slightly more productive side, I hosted my first ever panel (YAY!) which went great! I was a little nervous/unprepared but many more people showed up then I had expected and everyone contributed with questions which was great! (despite the room being so hard to find and having a terrible timeslot!!!) My deepest thanks to everyone who attended and thank you to my co-host Medosai who managed to teach me a whole bunch of stuff too!

Sunday was a busy day! Before the dance competition, Sparxus Fox, Mangusu and Dasharoo (that's me!) stole the spotlight in the rotunda to film a music video for a Scissor Sisters song. No idea what it's going to turn out like, but it was filmed by Vectorcrocodile, who was so professional and helpful and had such great gear - thank you so much! I'd recommend you to anyone who needed help filming, Mangy says so too. Vector says the vids will be out soon so watch this space!

On a downer, I had some problems with the con. They seem pointless to discuss now given that the hotel is being changed for next year but I wanted to get it off my chest. Last year the food was amazing - this year the food was bloody awful. The meat was clearly the poorest/cheapest they could find. My beef curry (which tasted awful) was more tendon then meat, and I'm not even really sure if was beef. That's just one example - really, if you ate anything but the hot chips from that buffet you were taking a risk. How did things slip so badly? Sure the staff had problems getting food out last time, but they managed ok and this buffet alternative was a MAJOR disappointment.

Lastly was the overflow hotel. The Hilton itself was great! There included breakfast was the best Ive ever had in a hotel, ever. The room was brilliant, and the staff helpful. There weren't many of us there...maybe 20 or 30? But I feel we were seriously fucked over by the con because of the shuttlebus, that was promised. Now when the overflow was announced, I'm almost certain they didn't say what times it was running, but when I complained to Rizzo, he assured me they did. He also said it was costing them thousands of pounds and I should be grateful. Well I booked my stay based on the availability of this shuttle.

Noone seemed to know when the shuttle times were. Midnight and onwards is useless. It turns out it was 12, 1230 and 1am. Now considering events finish at 2pm, that seems remarkably thick to me. Why not run it 12pm, 1am and 2am? (or better yet, 3am) Morning shuttle leaving at 10am made it difficult to attend some events. Also the shuttle bus couldn't fit us all so some people were royally screwed.

Oh, catch a cab you say? cabs were 20 to 25 pounds during the day, and we paid 35 pounds to get home at 2:30am on the Saturday. All in all, we saved nothing by doing the overflow. Also I'm not sure about this "thousands of pounds" business. If that was truly the case they could of paid individually for us all for regular cabs and saved themselves several hundred or more.

Honestly though, I got over it, because the con was so great. Because of the company of course! I think the hotel (and for various reasons not mentioned in this journal) some of the con staff (who mainly seemed to have no idea what was going on and constantly give out incorrect information) let us down when compared to last year. Still I appreciate the massive amounts of initiative, effort and contribution they give us as volunteers and thank you from the bottom of my heart for this great con! The new hotel has rendered almost all my problems moot anyway!

Moving on to a more positive note. Fureokee!!! Can't believe I missed it last year, because this year it was SO MUCH FUN. I really wish they would run this more regularly, maybe every night! Mangusu and I sang disneys "A whole new world" but got thrown off because it was the live version (with very different lyrics). I'm sure we looked adoreable though and got a big round of applause for the big kiss at the finish! Also wanna say a big embarrassed apology for Dash and Monsteroo dancing during your song (whoever you are!) we couldn't help but hog the limelight.

Ummm Dance competition this year - holy crap what happened? The talent this year was AMAZING. So greatful for the con staff for listening to feedback and having the judges and audience facing the same direction. Mangusu came second and Sparky wolf won a very deserved first place! Zak, kiyo and ollies group dance was just so incredible - they put in so much effort and it really shows. Can't wait to see them in an American con going up against the best of the best.

I think that's it! Other then that it was (obviously) Mangusu and my first year anniversary! I've never dated anyone this long and never will again because he is the one <3

Love you all fuzzies! Can't wait to see con videos and hear about whatever else you all got up too!

I will be seeing you all at Confuzzled yay! I'll be running a panel with Medosai where all your veterinary care and animal training questions will be answered! So come along!

And just for laughs!

HOW MUCH FURRY ARE YOU

[x] you meow/bark to get attention
[x] you find pets toys amusing
[] you get hyper by the smell of catnip
[] you growl/hiss when someone gets too close to your food
[] you growl/hiss when someone you dislike is too close to you
[x] you purr/shake your leg when someone shows you affection
[] if someone tosses a ball, you chase it and bring it back
Total: 3

[] you love to be scratched behind the ear (Only by Mangusu, I really hate it when other furries do this to me!)
[x] you love fish/meat (I'm practically an obligate carnivore!)
[] you like to stick your head out through the window of a moving car. (wha? I'm no dog)
[] you like when people pet your head
[x] people can make you stop doing stuff by hitting you on the nose with a newspaper (pretty true of everybody?)
[x] you think feathers are fun to play with
Total: 3

[x] you sleep a lot during daytime (I am the king of the cat nap)
[] you enjoy scaring birds (fuck pigeons)
[x] you lick peoples faces to show you like them (ew.)
[] you bite people if they annoy you
[x] you tend to steal food from your friends/family's plate when you have eaten all of yours (oops!)
[] milk or water is your favourite drink (both!)
Total: 3

[] you own a collar and you enjoy wearing it
[] you own a leash and enjoy wearing it
[x] you own animal ears/tail/paws, have a hat with ears, or a fursuit
[x] you enjoy long walks in the park
[] you meow/bark when you see something you want
Total: 2

[x] you call your hands and feet "paws" (sometimes, not always)
[x] you tilt your head when you do not understand what someone is talking about (sometimes)
[] you run to the door when someone mentions a walk
[x] you really enjoy cuddling (Mangy is an expert cuddler and some special wolf I know is pretty good at it too)
[x] you stretch your body and whimper a bit every morning when you wake up (this is fun!)
[x] you can wake up and go back to sleep right away after looking around
Total: 5

[x] you have your favorite spot besides your bed where you like to sleep (sometimes I nap on the floor when there's a bed empty)
[x] you meow or bark very often
[x] you hide when you get scared
[x] you run to the door to see who it is every time someone comes in to the house (curiosity haha)
[] you like to chase flying insects and try to catch them with your bare hands
[x] you tend to chew on stuff a lot
[] you like to do tricks to get a treat
Total: 4

[] you own a wearable item/tag with your name on it
[x] you refer to yourself as an animal
[] your username has something to do with animals
[x] your e-mail has something to do with animals
[x] if you get a bleeding wound, you lick it to make it feel better (small injuries like cuts)
[x] you look for edible stuff often
Total: 4

[x] you often find yourself looking through the window for a long time
[] you like to say hi to strangers
[] you like to be petted when you have done something good
[x] people think you act like a pet
[] you growl/hiss at stuff you do not like
[] you like to eat grass (wut?)
[] if you get wet, you shake to get rid of the water
Total: 2

Final total: 22
Take your score and multiply it by 2 = 44%

Half tiger! :D

So  mangusu boarded a plane on Tuesday, three days after we heard the good news about the visa. You see UKBA doesn't tell you that you successfully got the visa, they just mail back the stamped passport XD. Anyway, a long, long, long, wait later, and mangy touches down in the UK only to be harassed by customs *AGAIN*. The agent grills him on why he was denied last time, why his situation is different this time etc. etc. and when he's not satisfied he asks mangy to sit down and wait while he escalated the process to his manager (never a good sign.) Thankfully the higher up has more sense and Mangy was let through, right into the arms of his waiting tiger at the arrival gate.

Oh, there were tears. Only a little from this brave tiger. Tigers don't cry...not much.

*sniffle*

It was one of those hallmark airport moments. We hugged for what must of been a very awkward ten minutes for those backing up behind and around us. It was much shorter then our last meeting at the airport in America - we were both eager to leave that horrible airport, we didn't feel secure till we got on the tube.

And then Mangy, my love, was here. I cannot describe how much of a surreal experience it was to be sitting on the tube, something I ride every day, and having him beside me...actually there...for real. After almost a year of talking about, wishing it, planning it and then finally fighting for it.

It actually took me a few days to get over that feeling - kept looking up and being surprised It was him =^.^=. Now we are very much back to our old comfortable zone. We go to sleep together, we wake up together, we eat and cook together - words can't describe how much I've missed this. I've been single most of my life and am usually very independent, but these past few months without him I'd completely let go, I ate badly, I slept in, I procrastinated - my mind could only focus on the one thing - getting mangy to the UK, and waiting on that damned visa. I refuse to even think about what might have happened if they didn't let him in this time.

So you might be wondering what's next? Well it's the London fur meet today - sadly mangys come down with my horrible flu quite badly, but we will still be seeing you all there! Then there is Confuzzled not too far away, which is now a definite for us! (YAY!)

But on a more exciting note, I got to interview stage for a veterinarian job in Perth Zoo, Australia!!! After almost six years of working towards this goal, this is the first interview Ive had, and it's a very short list. I'm very excited. If I get this job, me and mangy will be moving to Aus, to live for at least three years!

I wanted to thank once again all the people who donated and commissioned Mangy in our time of need. I also wanted to thank  aniboxer and  baekho for giving me a cheap place to stay for a month (work has been very scarce these few months) and Tygs for giving me and Mangy a room while he's here in England. Much <3

See you all at LFM!!

Mangusu has outdone himself this time - checkout this http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10285466/

It's a YCH auction of four different gods, looks schweeeeet!

He's also still open for regular commissions.

See what I did there hearts?

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4431105/

Check it out, free art and pimping a good freind of mine who does wonderful wonderful stuff  stefi_heartlilly, especially dragons. Sadly I'm a cat, but she draws me too, if you've seen my badge, that's her!

Go looksee looksee!

Thankyou so much for all your advice and support over the past week. It has helped more then you know, just knowing that whatever happens, he's going to be ok.

A quick update, all the documents are done, the visa online application is off, and Mangy has an interview in a few days. I'm guessing we will find out in about 10 to 15 days.

I hope it works out, because I really wanted Mangy to meet all my wonderful UK freinds, not to mention having our one year anniversary at the same place we met, would be pretty special. If it doesn't however, know that we have a backup plan. I can't tell you what it is, (some of you know, if you do then *hush*) because it's not set in stone - but rest assured we *will* be together.

Missing him loads.

Anyway, on a happier note - LFM was today! So great seeing all you guys again. After only three months there are so many new faces! It was my first time suiting in Dasharoo for the UK furs and he was recieved really well! If you have any good photos, please let me know because I have like NONE from FC!

Also sorry if I didnt get around to everyone at LFM, I do try to spend time with you all, but it was pretty overwhelming being back, I'm sure you understand!

See you next meet!

Much loves - Dash

First off, thankyou to everyone for all your support and especially your advice. This fandom is truly something unique and special.

I've spent pretty much every hour of the day since I've gotten back reading immigration laws, posting on advice forums and trying to find a way around this. It seems like every avenue I try I run into barriers. My head hurts, I'm not sleeping, and I keep getting flashes like he's in the next room...The biggest barrier by far for us is showing that Mangy has strong ties to the USA and can afford to pay for his trip. Namely, showing that he has employment.

To that end, Mangy is putting himself forward as a freelance artist (which he is of course!) but he hasnt done any commissions since the last tax year (thanks to having a tiger at his house and a fulltime job). We need to get commissions done and most importantly paid for, ASAP so that we can show UKBA not only that he has employment, but he makes enough for his trip.

So please, we really need your help -  Mangusu has opened for commissions here in his journal http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/4400538/ . Please only take commissions if you can pay promptly, we have less then a month to get the document in order.

This time around we have organised a two and a half month itinerary where we (quite legitimately) plan to travel for a weekend in paris, to confuzzled in leicester for a week, a weekend in scotland, and a weekend in portsmouth. The rest of the time will be split between London, and wherever I am living, maybe Bristol with some luck. Hopefully that will show UKBA that the purpose ofthe trip is indeed a holiday.

After that, Mangy will come back to the USA, but we will have a stronger case for a partner visa and a more permanent solution.

In between random sobbing I'm just going to come out and say it. Mangusu got refused by British Immigration and will be back on a plane home tommorow. Fucking immigration won't even let me see him, I have no working contact to talk to him, all I know is he is locked up in some prison fucking hotel all alone and probably sobbing worse then me.

We were so fucking excited to be in the UK finally too.

Got in at 7am, Mangy got held up in customs interview and then God only knows what happened to him because all I got were frantic 5 minute calls of "what do we do" and "I love you" and fucking tears. They practically caged him as far as I know. I on the other hand was just dumped in the baggae claim area with assurances of "frequent updates" that five hours later I hadnt recieved a single one of. I very literally paced around all three floors of Gatwick airport a few hundred times. The police sniffer dogs started to skip over me.

I can't eat, I keep breaking down. Cried on the fucking tube. Saw Ani boxer, barely held it together until the second he left and I'm on the floor of the bathroom sobbing.

I miss him so much but Im really just scared. Scared how he's been treated, scared that he's all alone without me, scared that he's crying too. I want to be there for him and I cant even.

But baby you would of been proud of me. I started SO much shit, I did not even take it lying down. I called the US embassy, I called Immigration solicitors, and when they wouldnt talk to me anymore after telling the chief immigration officer to go fuckhimself for repeatedly calling mangy my "freind" and not my fucking "partner" (Which I screamed very loudly right in the middle of the airport arrivals gate, I then went to the police and told them my boyfreind had been kidnapped.

And can I just say, hats fucking off to the police, because they took me very seriously, and even though they are pretty much powerless next to immigration, theyat least managed to sort out my luggage, get an apology for the homophobia but also find me a temporary contact to talk to aaron.

In the end though, it was all for nothing, because the chief fucking inspector is the final word and he doesnt have to prove shit. Mangy had to go home and that was that. I could appeal with a solicitor, I could sue them for avoiding due process in informing us of our rights, but none of that would happen in time.

Us embassy had the sanest advice. Go home, spend 10 days getting a same-sex partner visa, and try again for a shorter stay.

So thats what we're doing. I dont care about how much its going to cost because if anything this experience has taught not how much I love aaron but how much I fucking NEED him, because I never cry and Im sitting here typing this and I just cant fucking control myself, I wanna jump out the fucking window. I need to talk to him - I just dont know how :_(

TLDR: Making comments on art about needing more of your personal sexual preference is unconstructive and selfish. Calling those people out as demeaning to women is ignorant, childish and demeaning in itself.


So there's been a lot of hoo-ha on twitter and FA lately over a few misplaced comments from furries on heterosexual arts saying "this would be better if it was male/male" "needs more penis" etc.

Now the argument I've seen is that this is demeaning to women.

Isn't it funny though, that if someone had posted "needs more tits" this wouldnt generally be seen as demeaning to men, but rather it could be seen to be, oddly, demeaning to women?

Now dont get me wrong, I think both comments are stupid to make, an artist makes the art for themselves and an audience can enjoy it if they please. If the artist wanted more tits/penis, he/she would have added more. Hell, it's furry porn, it could come with 5 boobs and 6 penises if the artist is into that.

Lets be honest here though, the real idiots are the one saying that these comments are demeaning to women, or to men, or to anyone at all. Methinks some people just like to get off on white knighting for groups they see as a minority or weak (which is demeaning in itself).

Just a thought.

Feel free to bash away below!

Here's something to get going with

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVlddH1NbJM

Thanks to raspberry roo, slyfox, larka and banshee for the impromptu sunday evening of craziness! This meme seems to have exploded overnight...

Anyway, back to life.

So the bad news. I did not get any of the five veterinary positions I applied for in America and sadly because of the nature of veterinary licensing and visas, I cannot apply for anything else at this time and must return to the United Kingdom. This was always a big possibility as the positions to which I applied are extremely competitive, so I was mentally prepared for it but it does mean that I've had to uproot a certain royal mongoose and transplant him somewhere else.

My apologies Florida, but this tiger has stolen your mongoose and he won't be giving him back anytime soon!

Come Feburary 27th  mangusu and I will be on a plane to London where we will be staying with the very awesome  aniboxer  baekho for a few weeks until we find a place and get settled. It's going to be a very scary/exciting time for us!

(Particularly as the mongoose is not allowed to work while in the UK, so expect to see loads of open commission slots from him for all sorts of crazy stuff!).

Havnt got rooms at Confuzzled yet, hopefully will get sorted with the overflow hotel soon. We both cannot wait to see all our furry freinds at LFM on March 10th! Try store a little sunshine away for us.

SO this journal is a little late and thats because I wasn't going to write one as  mangusu did such a great job with his. But in the interests of posterity, here goes!

So I'd been pretty excited about this con. Not only was it my first con together with the boyfreind since we met at Confuzzled in England, but it was my first American con and first time meeting many of aarons close freinds.

First, can I just say how amazing American furries are! The number of really great fursuits are outstanding they are just everywhere you look! Not to mention the room parties - american furries be crrr-aazzy. I spose thats because you're not allowed to drink in the hallways or outside, and you are allowed to pack 10 people into a room!

Oh and also can't forget to mention all the cute guys at FC 0.0 wow, if I wasn't so taken right now.... 0.0

So much stuff to talk about! Ok so there's mangy's dance comp. You'll see me front and center in the cheer squad being outdone by skroy - that guy knows how to get excited. Mangy did a ribbon dance wearing apollo's suit  apollonighthusky Wow. Firstly, he didn't even practice that dance - secondly, thats the first time he's worn that suit - he instantly made it come alive. Also, totally cute suit apollo, I was so sad when he gave it back!

Next was room parties. I met so many great people at FC, coming home was so sad cause I'm not sure I'll get to see you all again. Really wanted to shout out to  diggyroo  apollo_night_husky and especially  ebonywolf99 you guys took such good care of me, it's hard being at a con and not knowing anyone.

On saturday night someone had organised a party at the local night club called frolic - boy did we give the inhabitants of san jose a shock. I actually enjoyed suiting on the walk to the club as much as the club itself. Clubbing in fursuit is so much fun, especially when u've got fans and aircons to the max and you're in the company of such great furries! Apollo was fresh off his dance comp win and the emtional high was just filling the room.

Sunday brought FC unleashed, the talent show for FC. Mangy and I had been working on routine over the past week. Would of liked to spend more time on it, but building Dasharoo took so long! Most of sunday was spent in auditions, they hadnt really gotten the lighting/stage set up in time so we didnt get a dry run, we also lost a prop. In the end, I was less nervous then I thought I'd be (I didnt think id even make it on stage) but i was still hella nervous! Managed to not fuck up the dance, but the skit part failed horribly!

Essentially, it was supposed to be set in australia, monsterroo comes on holiday and interrupts Dasharoos native dance (with clapsticks!) because he thinks its shit. Monster then shows dash how it's actually done, using modern music. Dash really likes what he sees and asks monster to show him how to dance, then they do a big number together at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw7sxc16i6A

I managed only to fuck up one move of the dance (and some of my impromptu t-shirt digigrade padding fell out at the very end!) which I'm proud of, but after seeing myself on stage I can see so many things I need to improve on. For one, I was so focused on getting the steps right, I ceased being animated and fun. Anyone who'se seen me dancing in clubs know I can jump around like an idiot and have fun, but at FC unleashed i did the steps and nothing else. Mangys such a natural, and with practice and watching him, i know I can do better! (I also learnt Dasharoo and steps do not mix, his dropped crotch is so low, he can only lift his feet about 15 inches off the ground.)

Oh yeah, we won third place! Considering how amazing the other acts were, I'm pretty chuffed! Hell, i would of been happy just to get up on stage!


Didnt really get to suit much, con felt a bit like there was so much we had to do vis-a-vis auditions etc, but what suiting I did was great. People seemed to really love dasharoo (I can only see his faults!!!) which pleases me no end! I knew i swore Id never make another fursuit, but I already have plans!!! bwhuahahaha.

And that's pretty much it for now. Theres so much more i could say but my fingers hurt.

Loves all ma furries!

Merry Christmas and much loves to all my freinds and watchers!

So I've been in Amurrica for two weeks now and it already feels like I live here. Everyday I wake up to the mongoose, and every night I'm there to greet him at the door. <3 It's a surreal experience, one I've never had before but feels strangely comfortable. Sadly he's working christmas, but I did get to have dinner with his mum, and will meet his dad on boxing day - all very official like!

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9537907/

Here it is! So it's a kangadaroo of course! Colours are meant to represent the sunburnt country I come from. I considered doing the aborigional flag (red, yellow, black) but then I'm in no way, shape or form aborigional, so thought I'd meet half way, plus I always wanted to do a colourful suit and boy is this colourful!

In terms of progress;

Fursuit Head - 33%
Digigrade legs - 100%
Upper body - 33%
Handpaws - 0%
Feetpaws - 50%

So far so good, we are on track for a FC finish! I've got claws and pads on order and they wont arrive till a week before FC (with luck! they may not arrive at all!) but otherwise things are progressing well. I dont have any RL photos of my work yet, been so busy and I dont have a camera! but will try livestream the work at some point.

Any suggestions for arm patterns guys? Leave your comments below!

Ok so I wanted to make a series of journals detailing the construction of my new fursuit :D I will be the primary builder but Mangusu and Larka (aka celestial wolphen) will be helping me out quite a bit. (Having an artist for a boyfreind is so very very useful!)

So Mangy and I went shopping, yay! Clever mongoose had been saving loads of coupons and we saved 15% on the fur.

Super 77 adhesive
Elastic straps x 2
Thread
Exacto knife
Buckram (already had this)
Hot glue sticks x30
Gluegun(already had this)
Scissors (already had this)
Markers (already had these)

Stretchy black fabric
Basic template fabric (already had this)

Foam - 1 1/2 yd 1/2 inch foam for head base and 2yds 6inch thick foam for head/legs/etc

6 yards of DF fur in three colours :D

Total cost so far 210$ US.

Thats pretty damn good!! Less quality materials had cost me about twice as much in the UK.

Sooooo still a few things to shop for - I need to have this suit finished by Jan 17th, but I need to buy some orange paw pads and claws. Will probably make my own tongue and teeth, but may buy these too. Any suggestions who to get them from?

Starting on the head base tonight, just waiting for the mongoose to get home from work. Design's all done but you will have to wait to see it!!! Was agonising choosing a species/colour and pattern! (it's not going to be dash tiger mark 2 im afraid, no tiger this time!)

Sadly I couldnt do the tribal coloured roo because the colours of fur just werent avaliable! (and I came up with a better idea anywho) so feel free to post guesses for colour/species below!

I'm so incredibly fucking happy right now. I didnt even know it was possible to be this happy. Being away from  mangusu for 2 months after spening 3 amazing weeks with him was the suckypants but coming back to him? I feel closer to him then ever before for it. I really really dont think I could ever leave him again for more then 2 weeks.

It's such and odd feeling, because I'm just such an independent Aussie guy, who kinda figured because of his career, would generally end up alone. But then here comes this person who day by day is becoming more important than that.

I guess I'm super lucky I won't have to make a choice. <3 <3 <3.

OMG THE FOOD. Seriously americans, you have no idea how good your "cheap crappy takeout" is compared to english "fine dining". Food in England is TERRIBLE. Coming to the states is so much like coming home. I can finally enjoy eating again!

In other news, we just bought our tickets to Further Confusion!!!! It's my first American Con, and while not my first con with the mongoose (we met at Confuzzled 12'), it will be our first con "together". I'm so scared though! Cause Mangy's freinds are Crrr--aaazzzzyyy! (In the best way imaginable!) I have plans to arrive drunk to ease the burden. Also most of them have no idea what I look like, so evil plans are brewing Bwhuahahaha!

Also, huge huge news! Mangy and I are making a new fursuit!!! As I gave Dash tiger away to a freind, I need a new suit. I learnt so much making Dash so I know this one can be better, plus I know it's going to be fun to work on it *with* someone. (Just need to teach the mongoose how to sew!)

Soooo many ideas floating around my head. I'm NOT making another Dash tiger, cause I don't like DF orange, don't want to mess around with dyes, and want to wait till Im much more practiced before i make him. This character will be Dasharoo, a kangaroo who thinks Aussie Cliche's are a fashion style <3. Hoping to use tradional browns with Aborigional tribal markings, dress him up in leathers and maybe make a boomerang holster like Bunnymunds.

I'm really super open to ideas right now however, so if you have any crazy ones, shoot them at me!

Holy CRAP! Where did the time go? I think all that waiting day by day just to be in the arms of the mongoose again has pretty well blanked out all the "in-between" times because it sure doesnt feel like six months.

Yes thats right, as of 30th November (not the date we met, just some middle-ish date we both decided we'd fallen in love)  mangusu and I will have been together six months!

That makes this my longest relationship ever, which I'm pretty chuffed about - not because of some arbitrary length requirement though, but because this is my first relationship where I happily think it would be my last <3 and anyone who knows me and my...errr...history, knows thats pretty damn amazing.

So what comes next? Well, I can't really bare being without him any longer, so it's back to America. My flight leaves on the 11th of december and I will be there for two months.

On february 4th, I will find out if I got my dream job in America, working at a zoo. If I get it, then I'm coming back for a month to get a visa, then its back to the states one last time, forever.

If I dont get the job...well, there's a plan for that too, but it's not my place to say <3

So much excitement is coming up in my life - with america comes two months off work - and two big pieces of news.

1) I'll be making a new fursuit!!!!!

Totally not sold on whether to make Dash, or some random hyper coloured kangaroo/tas devil/tas tiger etc. Being in the states means access to better materials, and I'm hoping mixedcandy will give me some tips! (not to mention the boyfreind can help me, so long as he doesnt sew <3)

and 2) WE'RE GOING TO FURTHER CONFUSION!!!!!

This isnt set in stone yet, but im dead keen to go! My first american con! Sadly couldnt make FWA due to visa stuff :(


Sooo - to my uk furry freinds, will see you all at the london furs winter party, then its off to the states!

It's been exactly thirteen days since I touched down in the international airport of Orlando, Florida - Passed through the fiery gates of customs and saw my mongoose standing there there in the terminal, broad smile on his face.

He was carrying roses.

I knew he hated the idea of buying such a frivolous gift that would only die in a week and otherwise serve no purpose - but then he also knew that I love the message roses send, the tradition, and that I'd never been given any before. I knew right away that this boy was something.

Our first week spent together could not have been described any other way then a dream. We had launched ourselves into each others arms without reservation as it had seemed like we'd known eachother for years, not days. In some ways we had, having spoken online for almost four months, there was very little we didn't know about eachother, very little we hadn't explored. It was however, nothing at all like being there.

He holds me so tight, whispers such sweet things into my ears and never lets go. Living with eachother has been so solid that I struggle to imagine a time when he was not there when I wake up.

We visited Busch gardens first and it is one amazing theme park. I'm not usually a fan of rollercoasters (kind of scared of them actually) but I pushed myself to go on as many as possible and despite getting pretty ill by the end of the day, enjoyed them immensely. In terms of rides, Busch gardens was probably my favourite. Cheetah chase is amazing, and the river rapid ride is brutal.

American parks really spare no expense when it comes to themes, a lesson no more overstated then at universal studios, my favourite park overall. The attention to detail is stunning and the rides are very immersive. We didnt have as much time here so I missed a bunch of attractions but it was an amazing day.

Universal also do this thing called Halloween Horror nights, where they open the park late at night and set up loads of haunted houses with scare actors. I cannot overstate just how amazing HHH is. The costumes/actors are, just brilliant! The park is completely transformed at night and pumped full of smoke and creepy noises, while actors jump from behind you. They had a silent hill house this year! If you ever go to florida, go in september and do this - there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. (Not you though Kiyo! Dont want the poor actors getting karate chopped by a jumpy cat!)

Finally came disney which in all honesty was a huge let down. They keep all of their old rides and instead of trashing/updating them, just expand ever outward. This means you walk for miles between decent attractions and have no idea what will be good or bad. One particularly shite ride we queued for an hour for was so laughably bad I was crying to jump off midway through.

Animal kingdom was "ok". The lion king show was simply put - brilliant. I am a little biased here, but honestly the animatronic simba and the timon fursuit, plus the firebreathers and acrobats were amazing. We were singing along, swaying side to side - I was captivated. The rest of the park was meh - the rapids ride was pathetic when compared to busch gardens one and the park was so bloated with merchandise and restaurants. The Everest ride was kind of cool.

Magic Kingdom was better if only because it was far more polished in its theme. Seeing the fireworks over the castle was, as promised, romantically lush. We had very little time here for rides, but managed to find time for the laughable "its a small world" ride.

Hollywood studios was laughable - you can skip this one. Future disney goers should stick to Epcot and just get drunk.

All in all that's five theme parks my mongoose took me too and we had a really great time, made all the more special because we did it together. Halloween horror nights was particularly great as a couple, because we could leap into eachothers arms everytime we got scared.

In terms of America in general, well, I love it! I know Orlando is only one part of a very multidunous whole, but really - open blue skys, warm weather, incredibly over the top freindly people, cheap food (cheap everything!), roads you can actually drive on (!!!). I could very easily live here. I've even met some of the local furs, they are all really fun! Playing cards against humanity with Malmute, Garret, Elijah and Larka was definitely a trip highlight.

There's just a few days left now and both mangusu and I are really trying very hard not to talk about it. I love him so much, something I've never said of anyone before, and after getting to be in his arms for two weeks now I know it's going to be hard to tear myself away. This makes me brutally sad but then, on the positive side - things have gone even better than I believed they would. Much, much better. I know now that I am coming back here somehow and as soon as I can manage it.

Really there is just one last thing on the calender, and Ive been looking forward to this the whole trip :D

Fursuit clubbing!

Trigger has kindly lent me his fursuit (as i gave mine away to a London fur) which I'll be wearing this wednesday at independent bar with Carwyn the Corgi and MonsterRoo (<3). They do a cheesey pop night - my favourite! Trigger will be there too - I am hoping he will film it so I can show you all!

Thats all for now - sorry this journal is so late. Just got my new laptop (it's a beast!).

ALL | ABOUT | ME
____________________________________________________________________________

- Name: Dashel - but you may call me Dash!
- Single or taken: Taken
- Sex: Male
- Sign: Virgo (So damn close to Leo >.< but virgo suits me better)
- Hair color: Chocolate brown
- Eye color: Blue
- Height: 6 ft 2 in
- Are you straight/bisexual/gay?: Gay, but people I first meet usually think I'm straight 0.0
____________________________________________________________________________

S P E C I F I C S
____________________________________________________________________________

- What kind of shampoo do you use? Garnier Fructis - I could drink the stuff.
- What are you listening to right now? Kesha - Tik Tok
- Who is the last person that called you?  azrafox
- How many buddies are online right now? about fifteen?
____________________________________________________________________________

F A V O R I T E S
____________________________________________________________________________

- Animal: Tigers and all other big cats!
- Color: Blue
- Drink: Vodka is my base, sometimes I mix it up with some malibu or blue curacao
- Element: Air
- Food: Must contain meat - fan of chicken things... Thai is the best!
- Game: I play everything 0.0 but my steam's most played list includes Skyrim, X3, Hearts of Iron 3, Dawn of War 2 - I also play Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, WoW.
- Movie: Two Brothers and the Lion King - watch me tear up I dare you!
- Song: My favourite artist is porbably missy higgins - (I'm secretely a lesbian).
- Subjects in school: Physics, Maths B, Maths C (highest), Graphics, English, Religious studies (compulsory >.<) and IT studies
- T.V.: How I Met Your Mother, Stargate, Buffy, Charmed, Star trek, Firefly, Angel, Big Bang, Scrubs, ummmm there's so many
____________________________________________________________________________

H A V E | Y O U | E V E R
____________________________________________________________________________

- Given anyone a bath?: No, unless sex in a spa bath counts?
- Smoked?: Never!
- Bungee jumped?: No - too scared.
- Made yourself throw up?: Nawwww
- Skinny dipped?: Yes, but only when much much younger
- Ever been in love?: Not until recently <3
- Made yourself cry to get out of trouble?: Haha, the sight of me crying would not get me out of trouble.
- Pictured your crush naked?: Pictured? or have Pictures ;)
- Actually seen your crush naked?: See above!
- Cried when someone died?: Oddly no
- Lied: Who hasn't? But in general I try to tell the truth as much as possible.
- Fallen for your best friend?: Nope
- Used someone?: We all use eachother, thats what freinds are for. But if you mean badly - yes I spose I have. Not proud of it.
- Done something you regret?: Many times - if you don't regret stuff, you clearly aren't learning anything.
____________________________________________________________________________

C U R R E N T
____________________________________________________________________________

- Clothes: Just woke up, I have jeans on but no shirt.
- Desktop picture: Big roaring tiger!
- Song on Ipod: Everytime we touch - Cascada

____________________________________________________________________________

L A S T | P E R S O N
____________________________________________________________________________

- You touched:  azrafox
- Hugged:  azrafox
- You kissed: Do skype kissess count?  mangusu
- You IMed:  mangusu
- Talk to online:  mangusu
- You sexed it up with:  mangusu
___________________________________________________________________________

A R E | Y O U
___________________________________________________________________________

- Understanding?: I would like to think so - but understanding doesn't automatically mean accepting.
- Open-minded?: Much much more then I used to be!
- Arrogant?: Hell yes, I'm awesome.
- Insecure?: See above.
- Random?: I have an average amount of randomness
- Hungry?: Always! It's a curse.
- Smart?: Yes
- Moody?: Not really
- Organized?: Hell no - I'm one of the least organised people I know.
- Shy?: Less shy then I used to be, but no I'm not really shy.
- Difficult?: Sometimes - I have a habit of telling people how to do things.
- Bored easily?: Definitely.
- Entertained easily?: If it's a computer :p
- Obsessed?: With tigers!
- Lazy?: Beyond comprehension
- Angry?: Very rarely - the groups most capable of this are - religious nutjobs, extreme left/right politicians, chavs, homeopaths
- Happy?: Usually! Best when around my freinds
- Hyper?: On cheap wine
- Trusting?: Far too trusting, lucky I'm good at picking my freinds <3
___________________________________________________________________________

R A N D O M
___________________________________________________________________________

- In the morning I: Switch on my computer so by the time I've finished my shower it's already loaded everything.
- Love is: different things for different people
- I dream about: Working with a wild tiger conservation program as a representative of a large Zoo.
- What do you notice first in the sex you're into: To be honest I've never really been that into sex, I prefer all the stuff that comes before (you know, foreplay, that thing most guys want to skip). So I like a guy who can kiss and knows how to cuddle. Luckily, Mongoose butt is a professional at both of these <3
___________________________________________________________________________

W H O
___________________________________________________________________________

- Makes you laugh the most:  mangusu
- Makes you smile:  mangusu (Oh boy does he know how to make me smile)
- Gives you a funny feeling when you see him/her:  mangusu
___________________________________________________________________________

D O | Y O U | E V E R
___________________________________________________________________________

- Sit on the internet all night waiting for that someone special to IM you?: Yes, but he never keeps me waiting.
- Wish you were a member of the opposite sex? No, never - in fact I would really hate it. I love being a guy.
- Wish you were younger?: Yes - I'm having problems growing up.
- Cry because someone said something to you?: Yes, most recently when Mangy said something romantic.
___________________________________________________________________________

N U M B E R
___________________________________________________________________________

- Of times I have had my heart broken?: Lots of times, I put my heart out way too quickly. But three I remember the most.
- Of Cd's I own: Who owns CD's these days?
- Of scars on my body: Five - Car Crash, tic bites x2, Lion scratch (for serious!), and another one.
- Of bones I've broken: None!

Wow! So overwhelmed with all the birthday wishes, here and on facebook. I've met so many wonderful people this year it's made 27 one of the best years of my life =^.^=.

This fandom has treated me exceptionally well and for that I really am greatful - I mean if it wasn't for you guys I would of never had met that special mongoose of mine <3. We are such a fun, great, understanding community and to anyone out there lurking I urge you to get involved in meets and conventions and put yourself out there - you won't regret it.

A special shout out goes out to;

Whiskers, sparxus and taikandu, the first three furries I met who took me under their wing. I never would of lasted without you guys.

Heartlilly, who is responsible for designing my first fursona

Apes, whose frequent generous giftarts developed Dash into what he is today

Azra and V, for being my brothers.

Ani Boxer and Baekho - for simply being awesome and down to earth.

Kiyo and Zak - for the inspiration.

Horus - for always being online when I need someone to talk to.

And last but definitely not least - Mangusu. You are always there for me.


My 26th birthday I pretty much spent on my own. I had just moved to England from Australia and had not yet made any really good freinds. From then till now I've had an amazing year. England had become my home - I walk the streets of London and know my way around better then any of my English freinds (they're rubbish at directions!).

Next year is going be a huge period of change for me. I'm not sure exactly where I will be, or what will happen. My Masters degree is finished and I am finally in a strong position to get a permanent place at a Zoo - but that zoo could be anywhere in the world. My first choice will be residencies in Orlando (they always have been), then residencies in America, followed by Zoo jobs in Australia, then England. Whichever I get (if i get one) I will be obliged to take. Twelve years of work and study towards this one goal is a hard thing to put aside.

As residency selection is in June next year, you will all have me with you for a little while longer, but I will be flitting back and forth between England and America. Indeed, this next meet on sept 1st might actually be my last.

To the ukfurs - you will all hold a special place in my heart, wherever I go. To the American furs - you guys better be ready for this Aussie tiger!


Lots of love <3 <3 <3

Confuzzled ’12 was an amazing experience. As my first furry convention this meant a lot of things; It was the first holiday I’d had with my new friends from the London meets, it was my first time experiencing the greater furry community, it was the first time meeting many of the heroes that had inspired me in the fandom.

Had I just went to parties and got drunk with friends (which I did), had I just met lots of new furs, gone to events and fur suited around – I would have been happy. Had I just met the people that had inspired me, I would have been ecstatic. I would have gone home, life would have continued as normal and I would have had great memories.

Life is funny like that – sometimes it takes a good thing and makes it great. So great that some days it feels like Confuzzled never really ended. Now I’ll explain why.

That guy. That wonderful, amazing, talented, soul-warming guy.

I had actually met him the first day of the con. Mangusu had been an important furry for me from the word go. I have been a furry since I was 19, but it was seeing Monsteroo perform that got me into fur suiting and the community. More than this was the guy himself. I really respected how he put himself out there – not just the dancing and art and general crazy creativity we all enjoy but his thoughts and aspirations. I thought this guy really gets it.

Contrary to popular expectations at CF, the popufur was actually a really nice guy. Mangy made a real effort to meet people at the bar, to try chat to everyone (not plying people for free drinks at all!*wink*) and that’s when I first talked to him. It was a nice short chat, I discovered he was a friendly, generous guy – I’d met my hero, was not disappointed, and that would have been enough.

But we kept meeting each other – at the dance panel and during his DJ set (he came out and danced with me, I totally wasn’t trying to get his attention!) and in the bar we talked, just us, till 4am, despite him having performances the following day. He came to my good friend Azra fox’s room party on the Saturday where one of the party goers almost killed him with a shot! We stayed up most the night talking about music and dancing, and it was really great.

The next day was the sponsor buffet. I really wanted to see his performances but I was not a sponsor. So mangy got me out the back by making me his "spot". Helping out backstage was loads of fun - but I was really just happy to see him dance. After the last act Mangy passed out in my lap. By the time we decided to go, Uncle Kage was already 10 minutes into his story hour. It was then we realised all the backstage doors were locked and the only exit was through the stage! If you've seen the CF 12 Kage vid you will see us unsuccessfully sneaking off the main stage leaving a stunned Kage.

The rest of the con came and went with some awkwardness – stolen hugs and glances. I wasn’t quite sure where we stood and I guess neither was he. There were some funny moments from people who didn’t quite get it – eg. Rizzorat thanking me for taking such good care of him during the con (double entendre please!)

After the con he had one last day in London. Mikepaws was taking him around to see the sights. I was working, but thanks to my colleague, managed an early exit and caught the fastest train I could just to have a last 2 hours with him before he left. As Mike was there we didn’t really get to say goodbye properly, but at the tube station – man, that hug could have lasted forever.

I thought I’d seen him gone forever, I’d really felt something there, a spark, but that was it, over. Two days later I got a contact add on skype from Mangy. He had literally just got off the plane two hours before, got home and installed skype. He had felt it too. <3 <3 <3

We both said it’s crazy, we live so far away. But that day at work I’d been looking at flights and he told me he had teared up at the airport. It was tough at first, the reality of the distance – but then we talked every day, every free moment we had, and more and more I discovered just how amazing and sweet he is – the guy wears his heart on his sleeve. Ever since then things have just been getting better and better – he makes my every day special. I love you Mangy.



See you in September mongoose.


(Apologies, I forsee many more of these soppy-face journals in the future)