Do you like to wear ears and tail of your favourite animal? I don’t mean by lopping them off and mounting them on you, I mean like a depiction of it. Do you really like those cartoons, art work and things that portray animals with human characteristics?  Most probably you’re a furry. It’s not something to be scared or ashamed of, it’s part of you.

There is no real set definition of furry, it is a fandom that popped up probably around the 1980′s (I have no real clue of when it started) which has grown to something with so many facets that it is hard to define. Some people just see it as a way to pass the time, to dress up and have fun, others have more of a lifestyle approach to it. There are people who see it as good clean fun, others it is a fetish.

I’ve always been very cat like, since a very early age. I  meowed as a child, and still do today. I found furry in 2002 when a friend told me about it, then I began going to the meet ups in 2006. I know that I have always been this way, much like how I know I am bi and also into a lot of different fetish related things. Furry is more of a label for someone who really likes to be an animal in human form. Not to be mistaken for pet play or therianthropy.

If it fits you then great, embrace it and be yourself. There is no right or wrong way to be a furry, much like there is no right or wrong way to be a goth. Do what comes naturally to you.

Image Credit.

Now that it has been out a week I can write this without worrying about too many spoilers. I got my copy at some stupid time in the morning last Tuesday, via Steam and by Wednesday afternoon I had completed it. Some might say that is a short time to a game, but it isn’t. It worked out approx 10 hours of game play, that is straight, without exploration or achievement completion. So I probably have another good 10 hours in completing all the achievements and taking a good look around for secrets. Then I have the co-op to do. I had to wait for my partner to complete single player and we should be starting co-op this week all being well.

The game takes place after the first one, not too sure how long after and not too sure how you got into the ‘hotel’. All I can think is the test subjects are actually clones and GLaDOS mistakes you for the one who killed her in Portal 1. I might be wrong, it isn’t actually explained why you didn’t make a bid for freedom and why you are now in the hibernation Chambers.

There is signs of a new civilisation when you wander, which I have to look into in more detail and awesome new characters to befriend. Wheatley is adorable, even after his change of heart. But my favourite one is the corrupt core at the end with an obsession with space.

I found the game a little too easy in places. I seemed to sail past each level. I wonder if this is because I had played Portal 1 the week before and was still in the ‘thinking with portals’ brain. The last few were the hardest and had me shouting obscenities at the screen. The end though was just way too easy.

I look forwards to some co-op DLC and maybe some single player DLC in the future.

Photo Credit.

A few weeks back I was lucky enough to come across Chin Chin Labs in Camden while it wasn’t too busy and have some of their amazing liquid nitrogen ice cream. I wanted to head back today and try their pina colada flavour but every time I walked past the queues were massive.

When I was there though, their special was for St Patrick’s Day, with Guinness and cake and other beautiful things in there. I had it with a piece of mint glass and happily snacked on it around Camden.

The science is simple, creamy ingredients go in very cold substance and yummy dessert of the gods comes out. Some people might think that using a chemical like liquid nitrogen might make it inedible or taste weird but it doesn’t, I don’t know the reasons why but if it was unsafe then they wouldn’t be doing it would they?

The place is decked out like a sexy secret lab with white coats and beakers full of candy and toppings. The staff play up to this and explain the process the ice cream is going through, the theatre is half the excitement.

As it is hot and toasty at the moment, go for something fun and different to cool you down. Chin Chin Labs is just up by the entrance to the market and stables, just off Chalk Farm Road; turn left at the iconic Camden Lock railway bridge & lookout for the swings outside the shop.

Photo Credit.