As we shamble forward, dead on our feet, the lifeless rocky terrain of the South Kaibab trail gives way to a verdant oasis: the Bright Angel campground. A rich canyon floor dotted with colorful domes and colorful people. The hikers who periodically passed us on the trail were polite and friendly and the people of the campground are no different. Words of sympathy and encouragement wash over us as the canopy above dapples and diffuses the harsh sun into pleasant light. We find an open campsite, n
South Kaibab trail: my first real hike. We packed our 65-pound packs and showered the night before to save time. At 5:30am we awoke, dressed, checked out and grabbed breakfast when it opened at 6. We hopped on the 7 am Hiker's Express to the trailhead. My brother and father were in high spirits but I am not so enthusiastic. I jokingly toss out a Star Wars quote: "I have a bad feeling about this." I have never carried a real pack before, but I am greatful for how it is expertly balanced to rest o
The Tug-of-War between advancing and avoidance, influences my behavior in intimate and business relationships as an emotional Cancer Moon is Intensified by its square to mental Mercury and aggressive Mars. I am caught between impulsive expression and the need to be safe. Additionally, beautiful Venus tensely opposes electric Uranus, raising the stakes on this basic dilemma. I desire the pleasures of intimacy but I'm not prepared to give up my freedom.
I was led to believe that trail was a beginner's trail with a overnight camp in the middle. I was misinformed. What I actually just experienced was a moderate difficulty trail and a beginner's trail with an overnight camp in between. South Kaibab, the moderate trail, was 7 miles with no water but what we carried with us. We then camped at the bottom of the canyon at the Bright Angel Campground. The beginner's trail, Bright Angel trail, was 9 miles with water available and is generally not as ste
Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer. I have written lots of reviews of French talking-animal comic books. It’s time to also cover talking-animals in text in the mystery/detective novel field. Here is a profile of one of the oldest series of all; the Midnight Louie novels by Carole Nelson Douglas. Future articles […] View the full article
Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer. The Prophecy Machine, by Neal Barrett Jr. NYC, Bantam Books/Spectra, November 2000, 0-553-58195-3 paperback $6.50 (342 [+ 1] pages). The Treachery of Kings, by Neal Barrett Jr. NYC, Bantam Books/Spectra, August 2001, 0-553-58196-1 paperback $6.50 (326 [+ 1] pages). In works of fiction, usually the focus […] View the full article
Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer. Bones of the Empire, by Jim Galford. Seattle, WA, CreateSpace, August 2015, trade paperback $13.99 (508 pages), Kindle $2.99. Bones of the Empire is Book 5 and the conclusion of Galford’s The Fall of Eldvar series. It connects the events in both Books 1 & 2, […] View the full article
In the past month, Oklacon and Rainfurrest both announced dramatic cancelations involving misbehavior. (Oklacon was written up here on 9/28/15.) Mainstream news didn’t notice, as far as I know. The only press I saw was a super positive Rainfurrest article: “Being a Furry Can Change Your Life.” Public image is a big deal to furries. They seem even more sensitive about it […] View the full article
The connection situation hasn't improved. As such, I will have to create this entry in pieces. The day began as I awoke to the phenomenal snoring of my travel companions, my younger brother and my father, at 4:33am. Unable to sleep, I quietly removed myself from the room to go for a walk, dressing warmly and bringing my camera along. Outside hung a beautiful reddish moon, piercing through the cloudy darkness. The canyon was too dark for the nighttime picture I hoped for, so instead I focused on
Headlines, links and little stories to make your tail wag. Guest posts welcome. Tips: patch.ofurr@gmail.com. USA Today shares a lot of new Zootopia images and story hints. Mrs. Otterton’s missing husband spurs the action on. There’s “Duke Weaselton, a small-time weasel crook with a big-time mouth”. Judy Hopps is “a ground-breaking rabbit trying to make it as a […] View the full article
See how long I can keep this up! Will try to produce updates from my trip! Done from my phone so please excuse mistakes. 4:00AM - Got up for flight. 5:20 am - Made it through security. Forgot to take off my shoes! X( Those T-ray machines creep me out, but TSA at this small airport is always very pleasant. 6:01 am - Began blog entry : P 6:45 am - Take off! The cabin is dark and makes for a beautiful scene out the window. Sadly, I am not window seat and the flash ruins the picture of the city li
I've never had a blog before. I haven't decided if I want to turn my critique request thread into a blog yet, but I do want a space for less formal topics. A place to relax. A place to talk about ideas and maybe life. A place to share and comment on all the fascinating news I come across. That will be this blog. So welcome to Chernoblog!
Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer, submits this review: ROAR volume 6, Scoundrels, edited by Mary E. Lowd. Dallas, TX, Bad Dog Books, July 2015, trade paperback $19.95 (394 pages), Kindle $9.95. ROAR, Bad Dog Books’ about-annual anthology of non-erotic furry adventure short fiction, enters a new phase with volume 6. Volumes 2 through […] View the full article
Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer. Léonid. T. 1, Les Deux Albinos, by Frédéric Brrémaud & Stefano Turconi. Toulon, France, Soleil, August 2015, hardcover €10,95 (48 pages). My thanks to Lex Nakashima, as usual for this French bande dessinée album. At first glance, Léonid looks like a cute funny-animal comic book featuring […] View the full article
Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer. By Tooth and Claw: Clan of the Claw, Book 2 [edited by Bill Fawcett]. Riverdale, NY, Baen Books, April 2015, trade paperback $15.00 (309 pages), Kindle $8.99. Book 1, Exiled: Clan of the Claw, was published in August 2011. I had begun to think that Book […] View the full article
Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer. Tinder Stricken, by Heidi C. Vlach. Sudbury, Ontario, Heidi C. Vlach, May 2015, trade paperback $14.00 (266 pages), Kindle $3.99. “By dawn’s feeble light and one smoldering candle, Esha stared into the polished tin mirror, full of dread like every other morning. The goat had stolen […] View the full article
It has been a few months since I got PERMANENTLY BANNED (yes, caps are important :V) from FA over the #FATransparency drama (for violating something I didn't even sign) and things have been coming along ok I guess. It does indeed suck that the traffic on Weasyl and SoFurry is significantly down on numbers than that of FA. That was always a given. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't annoyed by that fact though, I am. I've lost pretty much half of my watchers if we compare my weasyl watchers to my FA
Furclubbing: “A repeat/regular nightclub event by furries for furries.” It’s a New Thing that’s been spreading since the late 2000’s. This kind of dance party is independent from conventions. This builds on the growth of cons, and takes things farther. It’s more ambitious than events that happen once, house parties, or informal meets. Those can stay inner-focused for friends who already […] View the full article
