I recall, not that long ago, when I decided to become an active member of the Newgrounds Art forum. Although it was not my first post on the BBS, it felt like I had been born anew. It's stepping off a plane in Denver, Colorado after spending the past 2 years in Phoenix, Arizona. The crisp cool air fills each nostril, and leaves a slight stinging sensation and the warm relaxation as you exhale. It was a wonderful feeling.

Many sleepless nights, pulled by the call of the siren that is the internet, and the art forum. Even when I lurked alone I felt a sense of sentimentality for this place that I would love to call home, and do call home. Many ask why I do not venture out, to the other branches of the Newgrounds Forum, and I will jokingly utter phrases and quotes of the world being a scary and terrifying place to wander, but in truth I do not cower here in fear, but I remain here for it is comfortable and has the hospitality of friends. Venturing out is something I do partake in, but only briefly for I see the hostility of others toward their own kindred, and the rashness of the ignorant surfacing. When presented with something as close as this is to a utopia, why would one choose to leave permanently after seeing the scars and truth of the world?

For now my hand itches and my wrist ache, I feel the soul of a artist serge through me, and the blood of a mechanic flow within me. And although my skills are wide and vary, I still have a long time to master them to the point of any consideration of professional. Stay with me for I am weak alone, as we all are, and perhaps together we can grow to be strong, and worthy of the pen, the mouse and the brush.

It has been a long and rough journey coming through the trials and tribulations to become an art forum regular. All of this rigorous posting has been not a daunting task but a revelation of the times spent and the lesions learned. As my count climes to two thousand I begin to wonder what will become of me in the next thousand posts or the thousand after that, and I realize that; this is only a milestone, and the path, for me does not end but continues to milestone and one after that. I am not dampened by this realization, but driven to see that next step, pushed out to become a better person, artist and Regular.

So to you my fellow regulars and Art form squires alike, I raise my glass of whiskey and uncork my bottle of scotch! To you I hope the path continues like my own; Long, hard, and worth every step!