one thing visitors comment on is how much Belphie groans in his sleep. like we'll all be sitting in the living room, and they'll say "what in the world is that loud ominous groaning," and then they'll follow the noise to a heating vent where Belphie is upside down on a sheepskin rug, groaning like a christmas ghoul
resplendent on his furs
It is still wild to me that I legitimately have to research in a bikini in order to effectively collect data.
And the reason being is that people (of all genders equally) perceive me as a threat otherwise.
Like
Threat vs not a threat
People have said before that they are concerned I’m gonna get them in trouble, but I think the real reason folks get mean is that tourists effectively enter a liminal space when they go on vacations (especially American tourists on tropical vacations) and they don’t want anything to pull them out of that mindset.
So when I show up with a clipboard and wanting to talk while wearing an outfit that clearly says “I’m working, but not in any sort of position that exists in your vacation fantasy,” that pulls them out of the fantasy and they react negatively.
Meanwhile, if I’m dressed the same way everyone else is, even if I have a clipboard and want to talk about the same thing, I automatically become a wacky NPC who is part of the fantasy.
I no longer hear “It’s really weird that you’re just out here watching people” but instead “You get to lay on the beach all day and call it “work?” Hell yeah! Living the dream!”
Yes I study raccoons. The critically endangered pygmy raccoons like to live at beach clubs. My current study is looking at interactions between tourists and/or tourism industry staff and the raccoons.
Surely this is just environmental camouflage that let's you get closer to your subjects?
It's just as valid as when wildlife photographers cover themselves in netting with twigs and leaves attached or hide inside a fake rock right?
Yeah, this is Mama, a full grown pygmy raccoon. They are a completely separate species than common raccoons. Their scientific name is Procyon pygmaeus and they are a critically endangered species. There are only around 120 left in the world and they are only found in the island of Cozumel in Mexico. I, tumblr user raccoonmilf and the creator of Dashcon, am the only United States citizen legally allowed to research them. I am currently studying how pygmy raccoons are impacted by direct human activity within the tourism industry.
Are you also the one who is allowed to keep a racoon at home, and set them loose to help with cleaning?
Yes, that is me. Those are a different species of raccoons, though. The raccoons in my home are common raccoons (Procyon lotor).
how it all feels lately
yeah actually this was a very literal piece of vent art bc i got a notification about cheese recalls while making dinner :') might as well add the info since i didnt expect so many people to share my doodle
