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Sometimes You Can Combine Varied Interests into One Career Pursuit

Ask Papabear - Sun 2 Apr 2017 - 19:37
Dear Papabear,

Long time reader of your column and I've benefited from a lot of the insights found in your work. So, thank you for all that you do for people around the world!

To start off with, I am a college student. I take full-time classes, work an on-campus job, run an exec position of a club, and participate in two other clubs. After that, I have all of my friends and personal projects. You can already see that I keep myself very busy and run on very little sleep.

But my sleeping pattern isn't what I chose to write to you about. I give so much of myself to everything I do, I've never been known to do anything half-way. The reason is that I love everything that I do, and I have yet to find anything that I haven't found interest in or excelled at naturally.

Want an actor, artist, digital designer, costumer, film editor, special effect artist? I'm you're guy. Need a handyman, carpenter, cement layer, minor electrician? I'm also that guy.

I love the critical thinking of mathematics, the mystery of chemistry, the factoids and reasoning behind historical events, and the endless storytelling possibilities of writing. That was long-winded, but I truly do so much and I'm always hearing from family:
"Oh! But you have so much potential." "You're too smart to be in theatre." "You have such a mind for math." And the endless, "You should do" this and "you should do" that.

Currently I'm studying to become a theatre costume tech major, and a dance and Japanese double minor. I made my mind up about that a long time ago. But hearing my family criticize that, or even all the sour looks when I mention going into theatre, really makes me feel hollow about my one solid decision.

I take it well. I explain all that I know: that the job field for a technician has a lot less competition than acting. That "one can always find a job as a technician," as I have heard many times from my friends and coworkers.

I guess my real issue isn't in coping with my family, or how to communicate with them about MY decision. The issue is how to cope with potential. If life is full of possibilities, and everyone is to find their niche in life, what happens to the people that could fit anywhere? I could do anything and be anything and be happy. But I would be missing out on everything else to dedicate my life to just a few of the things I care about.

This must sound like a weird problem to have. I'm sorry if this is confusing. I have always lived my life without restricting myself by saying "I can't do something." Instead, I always found something I liked about what I was doing and found drive in that.

My family means well, but all of the constant what-ifs that come from looking into other paths just bring me down. How should I go about reconciling with my family? And settling this gnawing feeling in my gut about everything I might miss out on in life?

I know I'm still young. But I thought I would ask your opinion on the matter.

Sincerely,

​Rillee Satranack (North Carolina, age 20)

* * *

Dear Rillee,

The first thing to get out of the way is your concern about your family's opinion. I don't have to tell you that this is your life and your career, so the choice that matters is yours, not theirs. If they are a good family (and I'm sure they are) they aren't going to hate you because you choose some job they don't agree with. Agreed? So put that out of your head right now.

With that aside, you're left with the issue of what to do when you have a dozen interests and enjoy them all? Looking at your list of avocations, I can't help but think that, yeah, all of them pertain to the movie industry. I mean, seriously: storytelling is obvious, and so are costumer, film editor, acting, special effects....

But the other stuff all can pertain to moviemaking, as well. Carpentry, cement laying, electrician work are all relevant to set design. Chemistry is relevant to special effects (mathematics, as well). History is relevant to good storytelling.

I'm not sure what a "theatre costume tech major" is, but I would suggest you study moviemaking. You don't say what university you go to, but according to this article, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts ranks fourteenth among the best U.S. schools to major in film studies.

I'd suggest changing majors to film studies and go for it. You sound like a natural, and you could combine all your interests into one!

Good luck,
Papabear

Toys That Educate and Inspire

In-Fur-Nation - Sun 2 Apr 2017 - 01:59

[We thought about creating an April Fool’s Day joke, but to be honest we could never top r/zootopia over at reddit.com! Anyway, we’re fresh back from WonderCon in Anaheim… Ye Ed-Otter] Here’s an American toy manufacturer called Safari Ltd. “From mind blowing dragons to enchanting mermaids, our authentic educational toys and action figures spark imagination and speak to the innate curiosity in all of us. Regardless of what you are looking for, Safari Ltd® wants to provide you with the best figurines in the industry and a comprehensive learning tool to share with the world.” To that end they make not only dragons and fantasy creatures (both funny and serious) but lots of real-life animals as well. And all of them are available on line.

image c. 2017 Safari Ltd

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Categories: News

Her Dad Wants to Fursuit, but She's Worried about His Back Problems

Ask Papabear - Sat 1 Apr 2017 - 11:29
Dear Papabear,

My dad and I want to go to a convention this summer. and I think its awesome that he likes furries and wants to go fursuiting. but he has back problems. and I am afraid that he will be hurt from some one "run hug"ing him. I am not sure if I should ask him to maybe not wear a suit or how I could help him avoid all of it. I would like some advice.

Lola (age 16)

* * *

Hi, Lola,

I think that's wonderful! :-)  Okay, we don't want to keep Dad from having fun, do we?  The best solution is to make sure your dad, when he is in fursuit, has a handler. A handler is someone who accompanies a fursuiter and doesn't wear a fursuit themselves. They assist fursuiters by being extra eyes and ears. This is especially important when the fursuiter is inexperienced (or has physical problems), and because when you wear a fursuit your vision and hearing can be restricted. Handlers have several jobs to do, including:

1. Making sure the fursuiter doesn't trip on anything
2. Keeping away people who might pounce on the fursuiter or cause damage to the fursuit or wearer.
3. Helping the fursuiter drink liquids (often with a drink that has a long straw) or getting them safely to the "headless lounge," which is a place for fursuiters to temporarily take off some of the costume and cool off.
4. Noting when people might want to take a photo with the fursuiter and helping to arrange the shot.
5. Generally helping the fursuiter get around, get on elevators, return to the hotel room, etc.

So, get your dad a handler, or, if you can't find someone, take turns fursuiting and then you can watch over him and vice versa.

You're lucky to have such a great dad! Have fun!

Papabear

The Sempais Band: Butterfly Digimon

Furry.Today - Fri 31 Mar 2017 - 14:40

Fursuit Friday! So how about a Japanese fursuit band music video?
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Categories: Videos

Beast of War, by Mina S. Kitsune – book review by Fred Patten

Dogpatch Press - Fri 31 Mar 2017 - 10:07

Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer.

Beast of War, by Mina S. Kitsune. Illustrated by Sal Hernandez.
Ames, IA, Light Beasts, LLC, July 2015, trade paperback $8.50 (197 pages), Kindle $4.00.

The big annoyance with Beast of War is that it is written from the viewpoint of a teen airhead of the future. Melissa Rin Brick, a college student in Atlanta, would rather attend fan conventions, dances, and parties cosplaying as “Cute Kitsune” than study. She lives far enough in the future that bullets (from the context, bullet trains) cross North America in a couple of hours from one city to another. There are AI-controlled cars. Apparently the ozone layer has been destroyed, and a Life Shell over the cities protects people from ordinary radiation.

“‘Scientists say that everyone should stay indoors during tomorrow’s solar eclipse. The current disruptions in the sun will cause serious harm to those outside. A warning is being issued: high risk of third-degree burns or stroke. They also remind you not to look directly at the sun during this event, even with the Life Shell and the Moon both blocking a majority of the harmful rays.’

Oh, blah blah. Everything that happens has to make people worry. Like you could really get burned while the Life Shell protects us from space.” (p. 6)

Mel, who has been partying at a convention while she should be in school, is met by her friend Jill:

“‘Right, but I figured you didn’t know about the warning to stay indoors today, so I was going to take you to a shelter. Class was cancelled.’

‘What, over that solar stuff? Come on. Scientists always have a bug about something, from earthquakes to global warming to a lot of snow,’

‘Yes, and thanks to global warming, the entire Midwest became an inland sea for thirty years!’” (p. 8)

This is all in Chapter 1. Mel ignores the warnings, and in Chapter 2 is apparently sent by the extra radiation from the solar eclipse into another dimension – and into a new body.

“Now I’m flat on my butt in tall grass that’s brown, not green. I’m in a valley, not on a hill. And where the hell are my clothes?

The noise is making my skull spin. Yipe! What the heck is crawling on my head? Ears? I can feel myself touching fuzzy ears. Yet I don’t just feel them with my hands. I feel them with … my ears. I have fur on my head; not hair, but fur.” (p. 12)

Mel’s fursona was Cute Kitsune; now she’s a real foxgirl. She is quickly surrounded by those things in the background on Sal Hernandez’s cover:

“Grey speckled skin; seven fingers, skinny upper bodies with circular feet. Has to be a group of sci-fi freaks. They must have got me into a sensory VR room. I’ve never been in a VR this real, though I heard the sensory ones are amazing. They speak, but I can’t understand a word of it. That can’t be a scrambler. Something is very wrong here. I can see stars; they look real. I can feel the wind on my skin and bugs on my legs.” (p. 13)

The grey people have four eyes and spears. They think she’s a natural fox and put her in a cage:

“Whoa, I move fast! Too fast to stop! Oh, my neck. I didn’t know I could run that fast. I must have looked like a total fool. Oh yeah, they are laughing. That guttural reverberation could be nothing but a laugh. I’ll just pretend I didn’t do anything unnatural, like a cat would. They look sad when thy laugh, and it really hurts my ears when they make this much noise. Why do my ears have to be so sensitive? I always thought having fox ears would be great, but it’s really lame. The tail is still great to have.” (p. 18)

At this point I’m just going to quote the back-cover blurb: “A self-absorbed college student has everything she knows turned sideways. After ignoring multiple warnings, she walks down a one-way path. Now she is alone in a land and body that are unknown to her. See the world through her eyes as she struggles with the implications of the biggest mistake of her life. Can she adapt fast enough to keep alive? Can she keep ahold of who she is, or even what it means to be human? Can she make it home before she becomes more than just a beast of war?”

Mel, and the reader, have a whole alien world to explore, and she’s become a self-centered fox. Some highlights:   the world is called Haragerk. Kitsune credits a co-author, Rebecca “Lyarea” Everett. Those bulbous animals with six eyeslits on Sal Hernandez’s cover are xounds, and the seven-fingered grey men are Kumimi. Hernandez has also drawn 25 chapter-heading sketches.

Don’t expect an ending to the story. Beast of War is only Light Beasts Saga, volume 1. What will happen to fox-Mel next?

– Fred Patten

Categories: News

Knocking The Stuffings Out Of You

In-Fur-Nation - Fri 31 Mar 2017 - 01:59

Slipped by at first, but we found this over at Cartoon Brew: “Conrad Vernon is reuniting with Megan Ellison’s Annapurna, producer of last year’s hit Sausage Party, for another adult-oriented animation project, Amberville. The project is an adaptation of Tim Davys’Mollisan Town’ novel series set in a gritty world of stuffed animals. Amberville is being developed as a cgi series for Amazon Studios by Vernon and Chris McCoy, who wrote and directed last year’s Good Kids. McCoy wrote the pilot and Vernon will direct it. If the project makes it to series, it would be available on Amazon Prime Video. Amberville’s story revolves around a reformed Teddy Bear who is pulled back in to the criminal underworld when his former boss enlists him for an impossible new job.” Conrad Vernon, of course, is well-known as co-director of Shrek 2, Madagascar 3, and Monsters vs. Aliens.

image c. 2017 Harper Collins Publishing

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Categories: News

2017 (Channel Update)

The Raccoon's Den - Thu 30 Mar 2017 - 20:26
2017 (Channel Update)
It's been a while, so we're bringing you an update! Check to see what's in store for TRD this year! See more at: http://www.TheRaccoonsDen.com FACEBOOK: http://www.Facebook.com/TheRaccoonsDen... From: The Raccoon's Den Views: 2243 32 ratings Time: 05:36 More in Entertainment
Categories: Podcasts

Trailer: Here’s the Plan

Furry.Today - Thu 30 Mar 2017 - 17:26

Here is a trailer for an upcoming short that looks extremely cute. For the record, this is from the same animator that made "When I'm Scared." https://vimeo.com/78139587
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Categories: Videos

The Guardian Herd: Windborn, by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez – book review by Fred Patten

Dogpatch Press - Thu 30 Mar 2017 - 10:58

Submitted by Fred Patten, Furry’s favorite historian and reviewer.

The Guardian Herd: Windborn, by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. Illustrated by David McClellan; maps.
NYC, HarperCollinsPublishers/Harper, September 2016, hardcover $16.99 ([xvii +] 340 [+ 3] pages), Kindle $9.99.

When we last left the flying horses of Anok, Starfire had finally united the dissident pegasi of the five separate Herds just in time to meet his two opponents’ Black Army and Ice Warriors, both under the command of Nightwind the Destroyer, the immortal, evil stallion from 400 years ago, for a sixty-page battle climax. As this fourth Guardian Herd novel, Windborn, begins, Star seems to have defeated all his enemies. He has integrated the former Black Army into his United Army. But Star is temporarily separated from his United Army, and when he returns, he finds that his pegasi have been captured by Nightwind and have disappeared.

While looking for them, he meets his deadly enemy, Frostfire, the former commander of the Black Army. Nightwind has discarded Frostfire as a loser and taken Petalcloud and her Ice Warriors to be his troops. Nightwing has vanished along with Star’s herd plus Frostfire’s mate, Larksong, and their colt. As both Star and Frostfire have to find Nightwing and the missing pegasi, they reluctantly agree to search together.

Meanwhile, Nightwing has been capturing all the pegasi that he can find (around twelve thousand) and forcing them to join his herd, without telling them where he is taking them:

“Morningleaf’s tears soaked her chestnut face and dripped off her cheeks, falling hundreds of winglengths to the ground below. She dangled between her mother, Silverlake, and her friend, Redfire. The two steeds did their best to carry her through the clouds without hurting her worse. Her brother, Hazelwind, and two of her best friends, Echofrost and Shadepebble, flew ahead, creating a wake for the steeds, to ease their burden. Echofrost’s brother, Bumblewind, flew behind with Brackentail and Dewberry, whispering about escape.” (p. 17)

“Morningleaf glanced down at the land passing far below her hooves. They’d been traveling for fifteen days, visiting the five abandoned territories and searching for stray pegasi to join their herd. Many were elders, and when they refused to follow Nightwing, he’d set them all on fire. Each time Morningleaf closed her eyes, she saw the flames and heard the screams.” (pgs. 19-20)

Windborn alternates its chapters (or pairs of chapters) between Starfire’s and Frostfire’s argument-filled search, and Morningleaf’s and her friends’ attempts to escape from Nightwing:

“Star was larger than Frostfire and should have been taking the headwind to speed their flight, but the white stallion refused to draft on Star’s wake. And it was silly for Star to draft off Frostfire’s, so they flew in each other’s competing currents, slowing each other down, and Star became frustrated. They landed at the water’s edge, and Frostfire plunged his nose into the current. Star spoke. ‘We’re not working as a team.’

‘So,’ said Frostfire, water dripping down his chin.

‘So we should,’ said Star. ‘If you let me lead, we’ll travel faster.’

‘I won’t draft off you,’ said Frostfire, ruffling his violet-edged feathers. ‘You can draft off me.’” (pgs. 29-30)

“Nightwing landed his captured herd in the scrubby foothills located east of Mountain Herd’s territory. They were inland now, far from the coast, flying over a long, winding river. They’d been traveling for twenty-two days. Nightwing settled the herd once a day to drink and eat, and once a night to sleep. The pegasi were weary and hungry, and Morningleaf was no exception. Her wings ached from holding her weight.” (p. 36)

The two stories come together about halfway through Windborn, and the last half of the novel becomes Star’s and his friends’ plans to get Nightwing’s vast new Wind Herd of pegasi free from his control. There is the death of a major character, attacks by dire wolves, a giant tornado, and (here’s a giant spoiler that you won’t get from the advertising) the climactic battle between Starfire and Nightwing and the end of this series! Wow!

The four novels of the Guardian Herd series are all dramatic. I have some trouble imagining the pegasi – horses with large wings – doing such things as, here, digging Vietnam War-style tunnels with their hooves to spy on their enemies. Each volume has a Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book that describes too many multicolored pegasi. Here there are 44 of them: “Crystalfeather – small chestnut mare with bright-blue feathers, two front white socks, white strip on face. Birchcloud – lead mare. Light bay mare with green feathers, two white front socks. Graystone – Ice Warrior. White stallion, silver mane and tail, pale-yellow feathers each with a silver center, blue eyes.” (pages viii-xi) But for readers who like dramatic talking, flying horses – My Little Pony with tragedy and melodrama — this can’t be beat.

But wait! There’s more!! An early passage here alludes to a vanished Herd that disappeared 400 years previously to escape Nightwing’s first appearance:

“Redfire, who hailed from the desert, spoke. ‘Our legends say that the Lake Herd pegasi fled Anok when Nightwing became the Destroyer four hundred years ago. That they escaped.’” (p. 19)

Now, for those who have not had enough flying, talking horses, Alvarez’s The Guardian Herd website (aimed at teenage girls) promises a spinoff trilogy, Dark Water Trials, beginning in August 2017, that tells what had happened to the Lake Herd. The pegasi led by Echofrost flee the war in Anok to a new continent, where they encounter Landwalkers (humans).

See you in August!

– Fred Patten

 

 

Categories: News

Ep 157 - Time Travelling Radio - omg, a new episode! BTW, the movie Alkali was th…

The Dragget Show - Thu 30 Mar 2017 - 01:27

omg, a new episode! BTW, the movie Alkali was thinking of was Banraku. Special note: this one is dedicated to our dear friend, Takaza. We share some special memories of him at the end of the episode. Ep 157 - Time Travelling Radio - omg, a new episode! BTW, the movie Alkali was th…
Categories: Podcasts

FA 064 Shame - Why did we have an article in Playboy? What is Shame? What is Rage? What is Love? Baby don't hurt me. All this, and more, on this week's Feral Attraction

Feral Attraction - Wed 29 Mar 2017 - 18:27

Hello Everyone!

On this week's show we open with a discussion on our recent article in Playboy. We go over some of the feedback we've received, explain some of our thoughts on the complaints, and explain why we agreed to give an interview in the first place in as least of a flippant fashion as possible. We also go over some feedback from last week's episode and add in a comic that was published by Oh Joy Sex Toy! which discusses Pup Play in comic format. We totally forgot to mention that-- our bad!

Our main topic is on shame. We talk about what shame actually is, how it forms in you as an individual, and what it can do to your life if left unchecked. The first in a three part episode series, this is a personal episode about us as hosts and you as a listener. Let's journey together as we work collectively to undo our faults. 

We close out the show with a question on sexual intimacy. How can someone have a dick too sensitive to touch but not sensitive enough from penetrative sex to cum? Is there something wrong with him, or is he doomed to never pleasing a sexual partner ever.

For more information, including a list of topics, see our Show Notes for this episode.

Thanks and, as always, be well!

FA 064 Shame - Why did we have an article in Playboy? What is Shame? What is Rage? What is Love? Baby don't hurt me. All this, and more, on this week's Feral Attraction
Categories: Podcasts

Coco: Dante’s Lunch

Furry.Today - Wed 29 Mar 2017 - 14:08

A new short based in the world of the upcoming Pixar film Coco just dropped. While the film COCO itself doesn't seem massively furry this is just too cute not to share.
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Categories: Videos

Episode -7 - The Shark Returns

Unfurled - Wed 29 Mar 2017 - 07:24
Adoom has returned to us after many times being away! And he has much to tell us on his travels Episode -7 - The Shark Returns
Categories: Podcasts

A Whole Lotta Bull

In-Fur-Nation - Wed 29 Mar 2017 - 01:57

Thanks to Furry. Today, we got our first look at the newly-released trailer for Ferdinand, an upcoming animated movie from Blue Sky. And thanks to an article over at Cartoon Brew, we have a whole lot more information about it too!  According to the studio, “Ferdinand tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.” It’s directed by Carlos Saldanha, who of course gave us not only Ice Age: The Meltdown but also Rio. Wrestling superstar John Cena (fresh off his turn as a voice actor in the Surf’s Up sequel) stars as the voice of Ferdinand the bull, but the Cartoon Brew article also features a huge spread of character designs and voice actors from the film. Look for it this winter.

image c. 2017 Blue Sky Studios

Categories: News

Trailer: Ferdinand

Furry.Today - Tue 28 Mar 2017 - 14:45

Looks like Blue Sky has made a new version of Ferdinand the bull. Not sure what to think about this. If you don't remember Ferdinand if from the book The Story of Ferdinand [1] from the 1930s. Disney made a version of this story in 1938: https://youtu.be/ALYj24vKmR4 [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Ferdinand
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Categories: Videos

Reviewer slams furries for infesting her hotel – you’ll cry when you see the Manager’s epic reply.

Dogpatch Press - Tue 28 Mar 2017 - 10:14

Fiesta or infestation?

Texas Furry Fiesta was awesome for most everyone who was there. But one irate hotel guest had a nasty attitude towards the cute fuzzies breathing her air. On Tripadvisor, Nasty Nicola really let them have it:

Sounds terrible. Maybe next time she WOULD even bother if the hotel didn’t have such an BAD manager. He didn’t give a warning about the fluffballs trying to get away with heinous activity like hugs, making art, or getting treated with basic common decency.  Who could be worse than dirty furry trash? (I resemble that remark…) Well, I’ll tell you: Someone who’s racist against furries and a cheapskate jerk to service workers too. That’s an worse person.

Remember when the Vermont Furries faced discrimination? They got told they couldn’t play with others at Mardi Gras, because their costumes were too costume-y unlike other people’s costumes.  What did they do?  They got up in front of their city council and changed the law. No leashes, no masters!

Of course hotels are prepared for this kind of thing.  I hope they give employee awards for handling it right.  If they do, Employee of the Millenium goes to manager STEFAN “PREACH-IT” HUBER, for the way he beamed a stern Care Bear Stare right in Nasty Nicola’s face:

This hospitality ninja will break you if you dare to have a bad time at his hotel

Dear nicolacraig,

As I told you during our phone call earlier in the week, I am sorry to hear how displeased your guests were with their experience at our hotel.

Concerning the other group that was at the hotel while your guests were here, as I explained to you, we are not in a position, and most definitely don’t have the right, nor the inclination, to discriminate against anyone guest or any group. As a hotel, we cater to all kinds of travelers and conventions and do not feel it is necessary, to use your word, “warn”, anyone as to who is also in-house when booking.

As far as pricing is concerned, every hotel sells at different price points depending on a variety of different factors. Being a travel agent, surely you are exposed to this on an ongoing basis. Hotels are no different than airlines in the sense that you could be sitting next to someone in an airplane that paid hundreds of dollars less than you did, merely due to the fact that they booked at a different time than you did.

I have to admit that I am offended by this review for several reasons. First, because I don’t understand how you, particularly as a travel agent, can feel right about insisting on certain guests being better than others, and second, you are harming our reputation simply because I would not compensate you for your guests’ expectations to be surrounded by “like” individuals and because you expected to be “warned” that we have the D.R.A.M.A Convention at the hotel when booking these rooms.

I offer my apologies, but that is not the world we live in and most certainly not how we conduct our business.

Sincerely,
Stefan Huber
General Manager

BAM.  He also replied to a less than honest furry guest and showed them how Momma Huber didn’t raise no fool.

Now this might be a fun followup if you have a minute: tweet to @InterConDallas and thank them for hosting Furry Fiesta, and @elsanjuanhotel ‏ to tell them to promote this man up to the moon.  (Not literally, duh… moon tourism isn’t quite there yet.) Puerto Rico is his new location (he must have been called there to show them how to just slay at hospitality.)

In closing, every con should have such a stand-up guy who can professionally tell a hater to go eat a satchel of Hickory-Smoked Horse Buttholes.

PS: D.R.A.M.A. is the Dallas Regional Anthropomorphic Meeting Association. That’s the secret furry illuminati who organize Furry Fiesta.

@sylvan_wolf @DogpatchPress @SolusKrieger I came up with the acronym. ????

— Fuzz Borowski (@FuzzWolf) March 23, 2017

Like the article? It takes a lot of effort to share these. Please consider supporting Dogpatch Press on Patreon, where you can access exclusive stuff for just $1. Thank you – Patch

Categories: News