I always continue to come back to deviantART. It's not because I like the place or anything; I really don't have much affiliation with it, as I don't do much in the way of what could be considered art in a graphical sense. Sure, I make websites and I do their layout and designs, but the real magic goes on behind the scenes.

It's been an interesting hiatus that I have gone on from art, perhaps a permanent one. That doesn't really mean my skills have degraded any. More so, they have just taken an interesting turn to less of having a sole purpose of visual appeal, erring for the favor of having dual purpose: Visual Appeal and Usability.

A small update is in line, perhaps. Since the last time I produced an art piece, in June of 2004, I have graduated from highschool, acquired a job as a webmaster, quit that job this year due to major conflicts of interest with the owner, acquired another job as server administrator and webmaster, and am in the process of being sued for leaving my previous job (An act of maliciousness, which is what I hope to have it dismissed on). I have progressed from having a title of simple dabbler in code to being able to claim title of Senior Web Architect, having overseen the creation, deployment, and maintenance of 4 large scale e-commerce sites.

College continues for me, majoring in Computer Engineering, though soon to be switched to Computer Science simply because my desire for the hardware aspect of the spectrum wanes greatly. Such is to be expected though, when my time is mostly consumed on the software aspect. After this week of finals, I am taking a semester off, to work and save some money, for when I transfer off to University.

Funny, as two years ago a few months prior, I was talking about jobs and school; about how I was trying to save up for going to college. Seems to be the same now. Funny how life works out that way, thought it seems that some things of the past, despite how hard I try, always slip out from my fingers.

So, as for now, I'm sitting here, tapping away on my laptop. For the curious, it's a Macbook, loaded up with OS X 10.5.1. I've had it for a few years now, and more and more I've come to really enjoy the Apple line of products, which is an obvious explanation for my having also purchased one of the new iPod Classics 80GB and an iPhone. Current project is a rewrite of the server backend code that manages the customer and order database, as well as the custom item creation for specialized orders. I'm also reworking my site (again), simply because it provides a good way for me to test out and rework my thoughts on how things are done, as well as keeping my graphical skills slightly edged.

My current book obsession has been the Forgotten Realms novels, by R.A. Salvatore. For those who are familiar with his books, then you know of the character Drizzt Do'Urden. For those who know of him, I have but this to say: Drizzt is awesome. Not normal awesome, but awesome to a degree that the history and thought put into his character is enough to rock your face off. Right the hell off. I've already finished the Icewind Dale Trilogy (composed of Crystal Shard, Streams of Silver, and The Halfing's Gem) as well as the Dark Elf Trilogy (composed of Homeland, Exile, and Sojourn), and am currently awaiting the next compilation of books, Legacy of the Drow (composed of The Legacy, Starless Night, Siege of Darkness, and Passage to Dawn). For anybody who has not read any of these books, and enjoy a good fantasy book, I highly recommend each and every one.

And, on one final note, before I stop my endless rambling: Steven Wilson is an awesome musician. I leave you with an excerpt from Mellotron Scratch.

Don't look back into black,
Don't let the memory of the sound drag you down.
To end as friends,
So painful.
Don't look down,
Shut it down.