Ya' know... this is kinda wierd to be saying...

[wolfwings]

...especially since I've often said I'm a second generation furry and all to so many... I'm starting to see those I actually care about though... walking a different road.

ruggels is a prime example of this, for instance. He's done some wonderful work that I admire, such as his work on 3D models and his work on YERF over the years.

kattything is, perhaps, another example of this, as are smashwolf and arylkia as well. Yes, two of those three are well-known furry artists... but is that really their defining attribute, is it that they're furry or that they're artists instead? That they're wonderful artists, that's what. That they choose furry for their work, and a way to make money in some cases, and in some choices friends, doesn't change that.

ruggels will show up at conventions, dressed in a suit and tie, to provide a large, heavy wall against the 'hangers-on' as they've been described by various and sundry, to prevent the massive hugs, and hair-ruffling, and other nonsense, that happens. He is though, a good person to talk to. Not a good 'furry' to talk to, but a good person.

While I'm very friendly towards many, I avoid much of Furry myself as well, avoiding the politics and what-not as best as I can, trying to help where I always have, trying to find new places to help. Sometimes... I fail. Sometimes... I succeed. Sometimes I make a mistake, sometimes I don't. But regardless, I'm starting to realize, perhaps as I look at things enough, that furry is no longer an attribute in my life, merely a co-existance.

The beliefs I try to have, aren't those of 'furry' but those of myself, those that don't need 'furry' to work. Those that are acceptance, not fighting, not politics, but friendship, working together, not trying to rip each other off, trying to one-up everyone constantly.

I don't see this changing what kind of artwork I enjoy, any more than it changes what conventions I try to attend and help out at. Just... it's something I'm starting to realize, not that I'm jaded, but that I'm starting to have opinions, ones that I don't want to be drug into politics, not simply ignore it like I have, but actively shun it, and other minor niggly changes I'm realizing.

Comments

To be, or not to be..

[lionman.livejournal.com]

A question that has plagued us for many years, has it not? Some of us figure it out earlier than others. I have to agree that the politics do nothing for me, and I just have them talk to the elbow...my hand isn't even listening.

Find the things you like, enjoy them. Don't let yourself be pulled into things that you don't enjoy or don't want to be in. Say "no" when you're uncomfortable. Follow your heart, and let it set your spirit free.

The best parts of being "furry" is to pick the best parts for you, and leave the rest behind.

Amazing...

[jaffa-tamarin.livejournal.com]

...to think that there might be life outside of being "furry". Wow. Who would have thought it? :)

Pick what you like. Ignore or avoid what you don't. And don't get hung up on labels. If someone tells you that to be "furry" you have to do X, Y and Z, and all you want to do is X, well, screw them.

(And most of the political stuff you say you don't like, I would classify as fandom stuff, not really "furry", as such).

Re: Amazing...

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

I've often expounded on just that note, Jaffa. BTW, you're on my friends list now. Live with it. :-)

But honestly, I've always tried to say 'screw you' to the A, B, and C I didn't want, and keep the X, Y, and Z that I did. But I'm finding that a lot more of the 'fandom' is intruding, and I'm starting to realize where... and I suppose, admiting that I'll have to admit that some areas I always cherished may be changing, and I'll need to change with them, not rely on them as constants like I've treated so much of my life over the last couple years.

[love-hate-rape.livejournal.com]

It seems as though I am rubbing off on you... *grins*

[wolfwings.livejournal.com]

And that's what... a bad thing? I don't think so. :-)

Like I said, ya' lit a torch under my rump, `Nyssa. Gotten me trying to pull my life out of the nosedive of a holding pattern it's been in, hopefully I'm succeeding more than not. >^.^<

[auryanne.livejournal.com]

I find far, far too much that I don't like within furry to consider myself one (although my interests might suggest otherwise). But most of my friends are people who like to draw animals, so I'm still held by that tenuous thread :)

[ruggels.livejournal.com]

I'll tell you a story some time, when we meet face toface at the next con, again.

Scott