I took out my septum close to a month ago, I guess you could say it was a waste of money and time, but it was a fun experience. My tiny venture into body mod has opened my eyes into so many more things. But again, there are no pictures to document my journey. I guess it’s time to invest into a decent camera, maybe a DSLR, or maybe a simple point and shoot. Any recommendations?

I’ve got a number of smaller projects to keep me busy over the next few weeks, along with a few offers I’ve yet to fully review. In your opinion is a full year of merch design for a record label worth $500. I suppose it all depends on how much they decide to work me. But on the upside, the money is paid in full up-front, which could come in handy over the next few weeks.

Luckily, the milk thistle found in Rockstar Energy Drinks is a natural antidote to this poison, and so far, it seems to be working. On another note, after further investigation, the mushroom ingested turned out to be a False Death Cap, an almost identical mushroom that, as the name suggests, is not fatal. Hurricane born mushrooms, not something I ever want to encounter again.

• August 11th - The Yellow Sign, Once We Were Buried @ Transitions Art Gallery - Tampa, Florida [w/ Illithid, Legions, and Board The Windows]
• August 17th - Screamin For Vengance Tour @ The Dungeon - Orlando, Florida [w/ American Me, Oceano, Borland, Devoured By Pestilence, Harvest The Deceased, and Along Side Oni]
• August 22nd - Deterrence @ The Mad Hatter - Lakeland, Florida [w/ Denounce The Betrayer, Alvira, Astraea, and more TBA]
• August 28th - Catalepsy Tour Kickoff @ The Dungeon - Orlando, Florida [w/ Rose Funeral, The Breathing Process, Years Spent Cold, Red I Flight, Devoured By Pestilence, and 42 Children]

More coming soon. Keep an eye out on http://myspace.com/iamaadesign for future updates.

But through all this, the one thing that bothers me is the stereotype that comes with being god-free, whatever that entails. I’ve never once claimed the influence of Satan, I’ve never once spoken of Satanist beliefs (thought I do follow some of them), or any type of Left Handed Path. The use of the upside down cross, or crucifix has been misconstrued. It’s been warped throughout the years to become something it’s not. It’s not a symbol of Satan, but rather a symbol of martyrdom, of dying for what, or who you believe in. It’s a symbol of humility, as St. Peter originally intended it to be when he crucified himself on this cross. My beliefs do not reflect the influence of Satan or any sort of magic.

In the same relation, Satanists do not believe in Satan either. Satanism is an atheistic religion, heavily influenced by the left hand path of Satan, who is simply their representation of all worldly indulgences. Satanism is about being involved in yourself, basically. Not bothering, nor asking to be bothered. It’s about surrounding yourself with the people you trust, the people who don’t annoy or bother you. I may have Satanist beliefs, but I don’t, in any way, believe in Satan as an entity.

Client: Life.Ended.Abruptly
Published Work: http://myspace.com/lifeendedabruptly
Date Completed: June 15th, 2008
Description: Full MySpace layout, including Masthead for Life.Ended.Abruptly., a Central Florida Death Metal band. Project took about 10 hours, spanning over a week’s time. Minor changes are still being made. The masthead is a series of manipulated photos, the mountain range and explosion being two separate images.

Client: Sparing No Lives
Published Work: http://myspace.com/sparingnolives
Date Completed: June 1st, 2008
Description: Photomanipulation layout for Sparing No Lives, and Orlando based Hardcore bands signed to Statik Factory Records. As a quick side note, the base image for the Life.Ended.Abruptly. layout was used to fill the inside of the main figure’s mouth. Once again, this layout is a photomanipulation, making use of two separate images (the meat racks and the main figure). To accompany the new layout, a new identity, including logotype, was created.

Client: From Ruins Of Treachery
Published Work: http://myspace.com/fromruinsoftreachery
Date Completed: May 29th, 2008
Description: MySpace layout for From Ruins Of Treachery, a lakeland deathcore band. Originally playing under the name All Shall Bow, this layout was created using various lighting techniques and a small collection of stock renders to represent that name. The concept was eventually kept for the new name as well. A new logotype was also created to accompany this layout.

Client: Personal Work
Published Work: http://myspace.com/iamaadesign
Date Completed: May 20th, 2008
Description: Full MySpace layout for promotional use. Simple layout, again playing around with some basic lighting and tiling techniques. The type used is VTKS Bandana. I will most likely revise this layout at a later date.

I’m not sure if I’m ready to let the word into my life. Or maybe I’m just lazy.

Marlboro Menthols, Camel Wides, Bali Haijs, Newports, anything with a bit of flavor or menthol. I’ve even taken a strong liking to hookah. I guess graduating has given me a feeling of growing up, more than I ever thought it would. I feel older and older with every passing day, and the constant smoking doesn’t help that. Fortunately, I’ve cut back to the point where I’m no longer buying my own products, just bumming off others. Drinking is another problem. I drink to be social, not to be drunk. It’s all in moderation, but even I realize that everything has to start somewhere.

I’m tired with involving myself with these situations. I’m tired of drinking and smoking. I’m tired of the influence I get from others, and I’m especially tired of feeling dirty. I’ve never claimed any social status before, and I don’t ever plan on it. The scene is littered with children and their bullshit straight edge pride. You’re no more intimidating or impressive than anyone else with your ex’d hands and drug free clothing. You wont be held any higher in anyone’s mind. People make choices for themselves, and in the end, your claims won’t matter anyway.

In light of this situation, I’ve decided to live a drug free lifestyle. My weight has slowly increased since I’ve picked up these habits, and it’s about time I clean up my act. I’m dropping everything, losing weight, improving my hygiene. And I’m doing it for myself, not for anyone else. It’s the right choice. I’m going to live drug free for myself, and for the environment. And you should too.

His pictures led us to believe that he was blind in one eye, however, but we were pleasently surprised that he was not only perfectly healthy in vision, but his eyes were two different colors. I’ve seen this plenty of times before, but never in a boxer. We signed all the paperwork not even an hour after the shelter was opened, and Friday we’ll be on our way home with our new puppy, Captain Zapp Brannigan. Yes, Futurama indeed.

Zapp Brannigan, Sex God.