Aphinity

2010-10-11T19:40:44Z

174.7.78.236: Updated for Howloween, job, and fursuit info

[[Image:aphinity-marci.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Commission by [[Marci_McAdam]]. Used with permission.]]
'''Aphinity''' is an [[anthro]] bottlenose [[dolphin]] from [[Wikipedia:North Vancouver|North Vancouver]], [[Wikipedia:British Columbia|British Columbia]], Canada. He first came to recognize himself as [[furry]] in February of 2006. He spent a few years on [[Tapestries MUCK]] as [[Chuff]], the anthro [[killer whale]], prior to his introduction to [[Vfur]], courtesy of [[Orka]] and [[Selkit]] from [[Furnation Worlds]], who in turn lead him to [[Trapa]] and [[Loial]]. He is the lead organizer of [[Howloween]] since [[Howloween 2008]] and [[Howloween 2009]].

== Marine studies & work ==

Aphinity is passionate about dolphins and [[whale]]s. He has previously worked as a dolphin trainer at [http://www.dolphin-institute.org/ The Dolphin Institute] and has constructed a [[Wikipedia:Sonar|passive sonar]] [[Wikipedia:Hydrophone|beamforming hydrophone array]] for both [http://www.ubc.ca/ UBC] and for [http://www.vanaqua.org/ Vancouver Aquarium] researcher [http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~deecke/ Dr. Volker Deecke].

He continues to actively assist in studies of wild killer whales in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska and was given approval to construct a passive sonar array system in the [[beluga whale]] habitat of the [http://www.vanaqua.org/ Vancouver Aquarium], to which he was given staff privileges. He continues to volunteer actively for the [http://www.vanaqua.org/ Vancouver Aquarium] as a Gallery Educator and is employed for Mascot work as Beebop beluga, the Aquarium's official mascot.

== Interests ==
====Automotive====
Aphinity has a background in automotive racing and performance vehicles thanks to his father, who runs an [http://www.inlinesix.com inline six drag race car]. He personally drives a [http://www.bluesrt4.com 2004 Dodge SRT-4] turbo sport compact car, and occasionally races radio controlled off-road and on-road cars, having placed 3rd in the Canadian Nationals in 1/10th Scale Gas Truck before previously quitting racing in 1997.

====Photography====
Aphinity is an amateur photographer with a good deal of [[Wikipedia:Nikon|Nikon]] camera equipment. He is an experienced videographer and editor with past years of experience, including construction of a multimedia grad slide show for his high school graduating class, and various other amateur productions.

====Computers====
Aphinity is an avid computer user (including being an [http://www.apple.com/ Apple] [[Wikipedia:Macintosh|Macintosh]] user) and once worked as an Apple Certified Technician at a major Apple Specialty store in Vancouver, BC. He is presently employed as a computer consultant for a North Vancouver company. He dabbles in electronics occasionally and has a diploma in [http://www.bcit.ca/study/programs/550qdiplt Computer Systems Technology] from the [http://www.bcit.ca/ BC Institute of Technology] with a specialty in embedded systems.

== Fursuits ==
[[Image:aphinity-fursuit.jpg|right|150px]]

Aphinity constructed his first [[fursuit]] thanks to tips and guidance from [[Trapa]] and help from [[Loial]], and a head design thanks to Saros (Legend Gryphon). The suit is comprised of a molded plastic head construction with overlaying soft foam and plush fabric, 3D eyes, a separate tail that hooks through a belt loop, a separate dorsal fin that can be worn independently, and feet constructed over top of old shoes.

When the fursuit was still unfinished, he chose to wear it for [[Howloween 2006]], his first ever furry convention. He continued to work on it, and made substantial improvements to it for his use at [[Further Confusion 2007]], as well as [[Rainfurrest]] 2007 and occasional public venues. Due to wear and damage, this fursuit is currently retired and it's final use was at [[Rainfurrest 2009]].

He expanded his performance options by acquiring a second suit, a Siberian Husky named ioco, which was received in October of 2009 on a commission from OneFurAll Studios. While Aphinity is still his main character, he has found ioco to be tremendously well received by others and more understood compared to Aphinity, his dolphin character.

== External links ==
{{Contributor}}
* [http://www.furaffinity.net/user/aphinity Aphinity] on [[Fur Affinity]]
* [http://aphinity.livejournal.com/ Aphinity] on [[LiveJournal]] (rarely posted to)

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Fursuiters]]
[[Category:Dolphin characters]]
[[Category:British Columbia]]
[[Category:Howloween staff]]
[[Category:Rainfurrest staff]]

Howloween

2009-09-07T09:11:58Z

174.7.78.236: Specifics in wording to update to current event situation and theme, as well as location and present/past tense. Info added about 2007's party in lieu.

{{Howloween}}
'''Howloween''' is a Halloween-themed [[furmeet]] held in [[wikipedia:Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey, British Columbia]], about 20 minutes south-east of [[wikipedia:Vancouver|Vancouver]], [[wikipedia:Canada|Canada]].

It was held annually around Halloween at the Best Western Coquitlam Inn & Convention Centre from [[Howloween 2003|2003]] to [[Howloween 2005|2005]], and began being held at the [http://www.compasspointinn.com/ Compass Point Inn] in [[Howloween 2008|2008]]. As more of a furry-themed event than a full-fledged [[convention]], Howloween does not have a specific [[dealers den]] or [[art show]], but there are many available tables and chairs in the event area which takes up two halls in the hotel. The event includes furry themed games, panels, competitions, entertainment, and dance with an all-ages target audience. An ongoing tradition of the event is an unofficial after-party involving [[fursuit]] bowling at [http://www.revs.ca/holdom/ Revs Bowling Centre] in [[wikipedia:Burnaby, British Columbia|Burnaby]], [[wikipedia:British Columbia|British Columbia]].

==History==
[[Image:Howloween06.jpg|right|150px|Howloween 2006!]]
* '''[[Howloween 2002]]''' began at the home of [[TJ_Wolf]] in [[wikipedia:Burnaby, British Columbia|Burnaby]]. About 10 people attended the [[house party]], which featured modest events such as pizza and videos.
* '''[[Howloween 2003]]''' was the first to be held in a formal hotel setting. It was originally planned to be held at the Burnaby Radisson Hotel, but was moved to the Best Western Coquitlam Inn & Convention Centre, where it has remained until Howloween 2006. The event was featured in the [[wikipedia:CBC|CBC]] television program ''Culture Shock''.<ref>[http://fursuit.timduru.org/view/FursuitVideo/FurriesInTheNews/200401_CultureShock ''Culture Shock'' on CBC] (from [[Timduru]]'s [[The Fursuit Archive]])</ref>
* '''[[Howloween 2004]]''' was extended to two days and moved to the upstairs event area of the Best Western Coquitlam Inn & Convention Centre. A [[fursuit]] of the new mascot - a pink [[bunny]] with a hockey mask and chainsaw - was introduced, and the [[Wikipedia:pumpkin carving|pumpkin carving]] contest was also held for the first time.
* '''[[Howloween 2005]]''' introduced the candy table, where furries pooled their money to buy a whole bunch of candy. Attendees who pre-registered this year began receiving a Howloween T-shirt with their membership.
* '''[[Howloween 2006]]''' was once again held at the Best Western Coquitlam Inn & Convention Centre. The room block was increased and the convention space was expanded to two halls. Total paid attendence surpassed the record of the previous year with 119 registered [[fur]]s. This increase is believed to be a result of the cancellation of [[Conifur Northwest 2006]].
* '''[[Howloween 2007]]''' was officially cancelled, but a party in lieu was held at [[Aphinity]]'s house with over 60 people in attendance.
* '''[[Howloween 2008]]''' was organized by [[Aphinity]], and held at the Compass Point Inn in [[wikipedia:Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]].
* '''[[Howloween 2009]]''' is being organized by [[Aphinity]], and will be held at the [http://www.compasspointinn.com/ Compass Point Inn] in [[wikipedia:Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]] on Saturday, November 7th.

[[Image:Howloween 2004-Dance.JPG|right|thumb|2004 Howloween dance]]
[[Image:Img 2249.jpg|right|thumb|2005 Howloween fursuiters]]

==References==
<references />

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Howloween staff|Howloween staff]]

==External links==
* [http://www.howloween.ca Howloween official website]
** [http://www.howloween.ca/2008/ Howloween 2008 website]
** [http://www.howloween.org/2005/ Howloween 2005 website]
** [http://www.howloween.org/2004/ Howloween 2004 website]
* [http://www.furry.ca/cgi-bin/furryca/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=20 Howloween forum] at [[furry.ca]]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/howloween/ Howloween Yahoo! group]
* [http://www.compasspointinn.com/ Compass Point Inn] ([http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=9850+King+George+Highway,+surrey,+bc&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=43.584033,95.185547&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=A Google map])
* [http://www.bestwesterncoqinn.com/ Best Western Coquitlam Inn & Convention Centre] ([http://ca.maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=319+North+Road&csz=Coquitlam%2C+BC&country=ca&new=1&name=&qty= Yahoo! map])
* {{con resources}}
* [http://www.furry.ca/forum/index.php/board,21.0.html Howloween 2008 discussion] at [[furry.ca]]

{{British Columbia}}
[[Category:Parties]]
[[Category:British Columbia]]
[[Category:2002 births]]
{{featured article}}

WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Aphinity

Howloween