I never knew Furp, alas. From the tidal wave of grief and loss pouring through the community today, it's clear that I missed someone worthwhile. I'm sorry for that, but feel compelled as well to say this to all. Life is brief, and can end in a split second. Cherish your friends today, do not wait. There is always someone for whom tomorrow doesn't come. Keep memory alive, and learn from it. You loved him, and there were reasons. Those reasons are just as valid now as they were before, and you can make them live on in your contact with others.

Now, looking to the immediate future, quite a different thought but also important. Nominations for the Ursa Major Awards are open now, and remain open through the end of February. These are really significant honors for our artists, writers, and designers. Everyone says furry fandom is about the art, yet the number who participate in the Ursa Awards voting is pitifully small. It costs you nothing. All you have to do is register with a valid e-mail address, and you will receive a code that permits you to post your nominations, and then in March to vote for the winners in each category. Your opinion is welcome and needed. Please participate. Details of the nomination process are here. You may submit up to five entries in each category if you wish. The site includes a list of suggestions, but you are not limited to those. Any work of art, literature, film/video, game design, or other anthropomorphic art that was first released to the public in the calendar year 2008 can be nominated. Online publication (such as at FurAffinity) is acceptable, as are print or other media. Let's see a bigger turnout for the nominations and voting this year. The Ursa Majors are to furry fandom what the Hugo and Nebula awards are to Science Fiction, the Oscars to the motion picture industry, the Grammies to music, and so forth. They matter a great deal.

Well, if Kyell Gold can do this, why can't I? I have two works of short fiction that are actually eligible for nomination this year. If you're interested in furry writing that isn't about sex but touches on other elements of life, love, and fate, perhaps you'll have a look and consider these.

"A Change of Pace" by Altivo Overo. FurAffinity link here and FurRag link here (no login needed for FurRag.)

"Catch Me If You Can" by Altivo Overo. FurAffinity link here and FurRag link here (no login needed for FurRag.)

Tags: writing
Mood: pensive