Phenostuff

[Xzengrim]

You know how they say everyone has an internal self-image? Like the 'residual self image' they talked about in The Matrix? Well, if yours is wolfen, do you ever confuse it with your actual self?

I spilled some paint down my right leg and on part of my shoe today. When a friend saw it, she said, "What's that?" So I looked down, and said, "Oh. I spilled paint on my... uh...my..." and I couldn't remember the word I was thinking of. I snapped my fingers for a minute, and waved my hand, trying to think of the word. "My..." And she says, "Pants?" And I thought of it and said, "My... my back leg."

I've got a habit of thinking of my legs as my back legs, my forearms as my front legs, and my mouth as my muzzle. It's not really a problem, but sometimes I say the wrong thing in public. My friends gave me a thorough ribbing for referring to my painted limb as my back leg, as though I had four or something.

Does this ever happen to any of you?

[blueeyes]

I've have had similar experiences, though I can't say I have shared your beliefs. It's even more embarrasing if you refer to a hand as a paw or a arm as a leg when you're are around people who don't know your association with animals.

[Wolvaurynomir]

I've referred to my teeth as "fangs" so many times within my family that it's become an almost everyday occurrance. Other than that, I don't really get the physical me mixed up with my wereside. I'm rather good at distinguishing the two.

[holy_will]

It is not necessarilly something I have ever worried about doing, the majority of people I know have come to expect my odd behaviour. Of course, that never stops them from snapping a finger in my face when I stare out the window during class time. :drool:

I think the oddest thing I do in connection to my were-side on a daily occasion is growling when I get aggrivated; and not a normal plain growl you do just because you are annoyed. I mean a vicious growl as if to warn off an enemy. That always gets a few questioning glances; then I would make an attempt at dissapearing into the background... :p

[Ender]

On a slightly related note, I'm attempting to learn how to run on my arms and legs at the same time. My arms being so much shorter then my legs, does pose a problem though. I've gotten the "fling"ing of my arms on the ground to propell my body, then kicking off with my legs to get some distance, the problem is the landing. I don't stay flat in the air, I arc up, and almost jack-knife in the air, usually landing on my shoulder. Wrenching my back and arms on more then a few occasions. Ha It's always a good time, and funny as hell I'm told, to watch.

Why am I doing this you ask? I hope to develop a faster means of travel "on foot". Why? Well thats none of your damned business :p

[YoungFang]

Just so you know running on all fours sucessfully will affect your back to some degree. When I posted the article on feral children I mentioned about their ability at being able to run on all fours. The spine croves to conpensate for the fact that a human's head joins from the bottom of the skull to the spine where as for four legged animals it tends to be from the back.

[Ender]

That was another problem I was having, seeing where I was going. I using made a good 8 or 10 meters, then either hit something or feel. I'm still working on it. It's not so much running, as it is launching off the ground and kicking to land. Neh, I'll get it eventually.

[Cape]

i do this occasionally too, but i don't have a problem seeing. my spine is pretty flexible and i can bend my neck into the correct position for that style of running easily and with out any pain or anything.

[Xzengrim]

I always wanted to try that, but I would have to get out into the country in order to give it a try. I wonder if it would work. I used to be able to do it when I was little, but now I get the feeling that my legs are probably too long.
Oh well, there's only one way to find out...

...>oof!<

[Kishi-Garou]

I run sideways, sometimes, but when I can, I can gallop, which is what most four legged mammals do, ... sort of.

It takes some space to get that ... ability?

[Quicksilver]

On a slightly related note, I'm attempting to learn how to run on my arms and legs at the same time. My arms being so much shorter then my legs, does pose a problem though. I've gotten the "fling"ing of my arms on the ground to propell my body, then kicking off with my legs to get some distance, the problem is the landing. I don't stay flat in the air, I arc up, and almost jack-knife in the air, usually landing on my shoulder. Wrenching my back and arms on more then a few occasions. Ha It's always a good time, and funny as hell I'm told, to watch.

Why am I doing this you ask? I hope to develop a faster means of travel "on foot". Why? Well thats none of your damned business :p

Ender, for the movie "Planet of the Apes" that came out a few years ago... they had a whole segment in the dvd extras that showed them training to run on hands and legs... pick up the dvd and check that out...just a thought..

[Quicksilver]

i used to do that when i was younger, but for a different reason...i believed i was a horse. yes it does hurt your head, but if you know the place well, you can stare at the ground and know where you're going. besides, it places more strain on your arms because they're not used to carrying that much weight. you also can't run that far because our lungs are not suited to handle the needs for that type of running. it is fun to do when no one is in the vicinity (impossible for me, i'm in a dorm); kind of a different way to get around.

Well the whole running on hands and legs... occasionally when ging up and down flights of stairs... I subcontiously use my hands and climb upwards... not that it is something I do to seem odd... infact I used to do that before I discovered shamanisim.. and my totem (bear) well thats my 2 bits..

[Ender]

Will do. Did they use "stilts" on thier arms to even it out? And get the "gorilla" style of running?

[Quicksilver]

nope... they ran on hands and legs... and if they jumped they used wires.

[Ender]

Wires? Forget it then :p

[Quicksilver]

Wires? Forget it then :p

The wires were only for those rediculous jumps...

[SnowWalker]

I run on all fours occasionaly, well, run is maybe not the word to use. i attempt to walk, and canter. i haven't quite mastered the trot yet... Although I have a lovely trot when going up the stairs! I haven't quite mastered going DOWN stairs, and i'm wondering if it's just impossible.

I love getting around on all fours... i'm pretty good at it, i guess. Not that I'm going to win any contests in speed or anything

:-D

[Cape]

I run on all fours occasionaly, well, run is maybe not the word to use. i attempt to walk, and canter. i haven't quite mastered the trot yet... Although I have a lovely trot when going up the stairs! I haven't quite mastered going DOWN stairs, and i'm wondering if it's just impossible.

I love getting around on all fours... i'm pretty good at it, i guess. Not that I'm going to win any contests in speed or anything

:-D

yeah, i do the stairs thing too, which is kind of embarassing when you don't even think and do it in public, such as at school lol.

and yeah, it's possible to go down stairs on all fours. i do it. you just gotta know how to balance yourself. and don't try to go too fast (not until you're near expertly balanced, at least), or you'll miss a step and slide down the steps on your stomach.

[SnowWalker]

Hmm i'm going to have to start working on going down the stairs on all fours... do you go sideways? Is there a trick to it other than going slow?

~SnowWalker

yeah, i do the stairs thing too, which is kind of embarassing when you don't even think and do it in public, such as at school lol.

and yeah, it's possible to go down stairs on all fours. i do it. you just gotta know how to balance yourself. and don't try to go too fast (not until you're near expertly balanced, at least), or you'll miss a step and slide down the steps on your stomach.

[Cape]

i don't go sideways, i go head first forward.

it's kind of hard for me to think of any tricks, because i'm sorta natural at it. i never fell down, and got it right my first try.


all i can really tell you is that it's all in the balance, and don't let the blood rushing to your head throw you off (i'm pretty sure this is the reason that dogs and such rush down the stairs and usually do not take it slow lol)

[Dreamcatcher]

Hey I hiss in public! sometimes I get an ugly
glance from some ol' lady- but who cares!

[purinpuff]

Good to know I'm not the only person who has a tendency to fall on all fours when climbing up stairs.

When I was really young(5? 6?), I said to myself, "Cats can walk down stairs, so why can't I?" So I tried and I immediately started tumbling down the stairs (lucky for me, they were carpeted, so it wasn't as painful as it sounds... but I was still kinda traumatized.).

Lesse, I have a tendency to like to balance myself sitting on things like the back of the couch the way a cat might. When I sit on regular surfaces, I like to bring my legs in close.

For quite a while I had this way of scratching myself really fast repeatedly (like a cat or dog).

For another time, I had this thing where I would rub my face and lick my hand and arm and claw at the desk all kitty-like when I was going insane in a certain class.

Wow, I had this big "feline" thing for a while. But now I'm in a more "canine" thing...

(and, strangely enough, I'm a vegetarian through it all)

[Xzengrim]

I like meat best when it's either burnt to hell, or almost raw. Those are the two points at which you can really taste the flesh of it.
That, and when I'm alone I tend to walk on my toes. I never wear shoes either unless I have to, no matter how cold my feet get. I can't stand the feeling of things (shoes or socks, mainly) clinging to them.
That, and I've found that dog-scratching is the best way to scratch a beard. You pull your fingernails in close to the ball of your hand, bend your wrist back, and then just whip it on by your face repeatedly. Sure, people make fun, but that's the only way to go.

People act like there's nothing you can learn from wolves, just because they're 'wild animals." Well, I say, "If you're right, you're right"... animal or not.

[Moonlight]

i do the growling thing too, and coming from a girl, no one's expecting such a vicious sound. it's really deep and enough to ferak out most people and the problem is, i do it all the time even when i don't mean to. when i really mean it, i want people to know that they're pushing my limits and i'm about to attack. when i don't mean it, i'm just listening and responding to my inner voices. the problem is, those growls sound the exact same. i also have tendency to flick my tongue and hiss, but i do that only when i'm alone.

Oh I feel your pain! People do not expect that from a girl at all...My brother (though he is very cool) likes to make fun of me. Though people are very used to my...er, aggression, since I've done it all my life. Since I was a toddler. Though, back in those days, they though I was just messing around...lol

[Moonlight]

yeah, i do the stairs thing too, which is kind of embarassing when you don't even think and do it in public, such as at school lol.

and yeah, it's possible to go down stairs on all fours. i do it. you just gotta know how to balance yourself. and don't try to go too fast (not until you're near expertly balanced, at least), or you'll miss a step and slide down the steps on your stomach.


I am mentally incapable of "walking" up stairs. I trot up them on all fours. I've tried to train myself, but my inside says, "this is way easier and more fun!"

And it IS easier to trot upstairs than hauling your ass up them on two legs!

I don't know about other therians but I crave blood and meats, even better if it's raw (I know, it's stupid, but it tastes sooooo good! )


ooooh yeah...mmmm...steak. ..rare...no seasoning...I don't want to get sick by eating a whole one raw, but I'll steal a few bites of raw hamburger when my mom isn't looking

It's just not that great if you can't taste the blood and natural juices of meat...

That, and I've found that dog-scratching is the best way to scratch a beard. You pull your fingernails in close to the ball of your hand, bend your wrist back, and then just whip it on by your face repeatedly. Sure, people make fun, but that's the only way to go.


Exactly...Though I don't have a beard, I completely agree with your scratching method. Er, I only do it when no one is watching...
*starts itching behind her ear* ooooooo...

[ShadowCat]

One thing.. do any of you guys REALLY ever mind shift,
or play at being puppys all day long! :p Don't U think it's just easyer
walkin' down the stairs normally (I'm saying this for your safety no diss)!
Anywayz.. I M-shift during extremes of emotion like anger, fear or sex! Happenz 2 any of U? Shifting during those times brings on the animal stringer then when I do it through concetration or meditation!
Hope I didn't offend anyone..'m feelin' a bit catty 2day.. ;)

[purinpuff]

*is only psycho human right now*

Do you suppose other animals feel this way about humans?

Umm.. I dunno. I've only gone crazy. Though I have had strong longings for soft fur at times. I think that's one of the things about whatever "mode" I'm in that's rather consistent-fur.

But, yeah. I'm baisically a kitten/puppy. That's it.

(then again, I suppose the animal I would really be on the inside would be a herbivorous mammal... But I don't see myself feeling the need to run from predators. I suppose that would make me an elephant or rhinoceros? Nah...)

[silenceowl]

On a slightly related note, I'm attempting to learn how to run on my arms and legs at the same time. My arms being so much shorter then my legs, does pose a problem though. I've gotten the "fling"ing of my arms on the ground to propell my body, then kicking off with my legs to get some distance, the problem is the landing. I don't stay flat in the air, I arc up, and almost jack-knife in the air, usually landing on my shoulder. Wrenching my back and arms on more then a few occasions. Ha It's always a good time, and funny as hell I'm told, to watch.

Why am I doing this you ask? I hope to develop a faster means of travel "on foot". Why? Well thats none of your damned business :p

While ender is attempting to run on all fours an owl sits up in a tree to the left of him. Watching...just watching
Then with a quick burst from his wings flies away and says
"Stupid mutts"
(I mean no disrespect by this its just while I was reading this; I was picturing this in my mind and thought it funny)

[silenceowl]

ohh and I did refer to my arm as a wing in biology class once.

[Moonlight]

One thing.. do any of you guys REALLY ever mind shift,
or play at being puppys all day long! :p Don't U think it's just easyer
walkin' down the stairs normally (I'm saying this for your safety no diss)!
Anywayz.. I M-shift during extremes of emotion like anger, fear or sex! Happenz 2 any of U? Shifting during those times brings on the animal stringer then when I do it through concetration or meditation!
Hope I didn't offend anyone..'m feelin' a bit catty 2day.. ;)


U no speaky english??

...

Actually, I was offended.

You really have no idea what you're talking about do you?

"no diss"

Lo siento, pero no entendía lo que dijáis.
Per favore, potreste dirli una volta di più?

Grazie!

[Ironpaws]

Just so you know running on all fours sucessfully will affect your back to some degree. When I posted the article on feral children I mentioned about their ability at being able to run on all fours. The spine croves to conpensate for the fact that a human's head joins from the bottom of the skull to the spine where as for four legged animals it tends to be from the back.
[error] I have, well a double joined neck so I can level my neck with my back so I look straight forward and even up at a 21 degree angle and when on all fours my arms my rear quarter is level with my shoulders, but it does take evert to stand back up straight after beeing down running I will add that O.o So I level with ya Ender, really! lol [end error]
/\ Thats how tired I was! /\

[correction]
I have, well.. a double joined neck so I can level my neck with my back so I look straight forward and even up at a 21 degree angle and when on all fours my rear quarter is level with my shoulders, but it does take evert to stand back up straight after beeing down running.. I will add that O.o
So I level with ya Ender, really! lol
[End correction]

[Cape]

One thing.. do any of you guys REALLY ever mind shift,
or play at being puppys all day long! :p Don't U think it's just easyer
walkin' down the stairs normally (I'm saying this for your safety no diss)!
Anywayz.. I M-shift during extremes of emotion like anger, fear or sex! Happenz 2 any of U? Shifting during those times brings on the animal stringer then when I do it through concetration or meditation!
Hope I didn't offend anyone..'m feelin' a bit catty 2day.. ;)


yeah, i do. and i normally walk down the stairs pretty normally, because it is a lot easier. i just go down on all fours when i'm bored. actually, most of the time i don't even technically go down the stairs, i just sorta leap off of near the top and land at the bottom on all fours...

and i also do get the strongest M-shifts during periods of high emotion, but other than that they seem pretty random.

[holy_will]

I've tried the walking on all fours thing many times... but never going down stairs, and I always catch myself in public before doing it going up the stairs. It is when you don't catch yourself in time that it is kind of embarassing. :o

[Ironpaws]

I'v walked through the woods on all fours over hill but I tried the stairs amd wow was that fun, one two, thump thump thump crash, smash, doinggg... "WEEEE, eee, lets do that again!"
walks upstairs limping..

[holy_will]

I'v walked through the woods on all fours over hill but I tried the stairs amd wow was that fun, one two, thump thump thump crash, smash, doinggg... "WEEEE, eee, lets do that again!"
walks upstairs limping..

:drool:

I do that trying to get through a crowd of people. I am not at my most graceful when there is a group of people around me. I am seriously paranoid of people around me, I get edgy. :droolbloo