You know, I really hadn't realised how long it'd been since I'd really been paying attention to DeviantArt - the internet as a whole, actually - until I spotted the date that I'd posted my last journal entry. October, last year? Goodness. That's practically criminal in some circles. Why have I so thoroughly neglected you all, I hear you ask? That's a very good question without any particularly compelling answers, but let me try to lay it all out in plain English.

God, damn. I'm busy.

For the first time in all twenty five years of my life I've actually got work that comes home with me. I have assignments, workbooks and examinations which require more than a fraction of my brain power dedicated to their solution. I'm working hard, as it happens, toward something more than flipping burgers for the rest of my days. There might be more to come because of it, or instead of it. We'll see how the next couple of months develop before making any rash judgements about the next twenty five years, but I have discussed with very serious business partners the idea of having an office in a zepplin. No joke.

I've been online now and again, but usually with my eyes focussed on a site where I'm working toward a national qualification, studying mathematics and English to a grade which I hadn't achieved whilst at school. It keeps feeling like I'm building on something important and finally, finally pulling my finger out of my ass to get something done, the foundations of something I can build more of a career out of. It's a good feeling, but it doesn't help that I keep coming back by various sites and poking at Facebook thinking, "I really ought to check in and let everyone know I'm still alive."

So, this is for you guys, just to let you know I'm alive and well. If you're curious, though, you can check out one of the projects I'm involved with over at Simply Syndicated: www.simplysyndicated.com Visit the shows page to listen to 'World One Stage One', a classic video gaming podcast featuring yours truly and a couple of other self-professed reprobates shooting the breeze about the classics we love and love to hate.

In two words, then: I'm back.