Ok - it's a fruity name for this post, I know. But I've been thinking of beginnings and endings a lot lately. What I've come to realize in this time is that there never were any real endings. I can't say that about beginnings, because everyone has had a first something-or-other, but what I've called endings lack the feeling of release to me, there's no conclusion. Even parts of me I can't revisit are with me, I carry them around - the good and the bad. So when I look at this transition in my life, I can't help but wonder: how much of the last three years will I carry with me knowingly, and how much will just be there?

For all this rambling, I think I should make my point, and that is I'm moving back to Des Moines after being away for four years. So this new beginning is really more of a welcome back and what I'm 'ending' is what got me here in the first place, and that's not going away. I guess this is just my way of coping with the bittersweet, getting it down in this post.

The good news - I'm moving from a two bedroom apartment (which, don't get me wrong, has been great) into a five bedroom home. This means a dedicated office, with separate practice rooms. To celebrate, I purchased a Genius MousePen 8x6 Tablet to get me started, and I've drawn maps of my recording room, including what I'll need to soundproof it.

All in all, this should mean a bigger output, and not just quantity, quality as well. 'Cause I'll be the first to say: as proud of my submissions as I am right now - I'm kinda sick of them!

Peace, Love and Rugby

AB

My first actual use in a flash work (and not my own, either!).
This is the file, and not a bad piece of work either. Really neat to have this as my next milestone, very encouraging (I could use this right now). Especially neat considering it's only a sample I posted to advertise my services and it's four years old!

Anyway, you should definitely check it out, like I said it's pretty well done (which bodes well for me - not having something in a DailyToon) and this way we strengthen the bond between FP and AP!

Keep on rocking in a free world
AB

I realize today it's been a while since I won anything. I mean anything. And not just door prizes or something where my name is pulled out of a hat, but a competition, something I had invested in.

I really didn't expect to win. And none of that false modesty crap where I kid myself by saying I won't win, when I'm actually thinking about my chances and what I'll do when I win. But just the kind of habitual: "I'm finished. Here it is. Now I'm going to think about something else". For a long time, I had gotten used to the intrinsic value of what I did - how the process could be more rewarding than the product. I hope that hasn't spoiled!

Because ever since about 11:30 am CST, I've been walking on friggin sunshine (pardon the cliche). Thanks to the efforts of regulars like DoobieTimePiece, there are contests that promote and inspire. And once again, I threw my hat in the ring and walked away "thinking about something else". But what was my second choice for the Lullaby contest actually won, and now I'm just finding the words to express my emotions. Feelings I haven't visited in a long time, possibly years, have resurfaced and without rambling on too much longer I want to say 'thank you'.

First of all to DoobieTimePiece, of course for hosting this contest and making it as big a deal as it turned out to be. To all the submitters who gave me a run for my money, and raised the bar for the Audio Portal with their incredible (sometimes intimidating) works. And to the judges, who I still don't have a full list of, so I'll just say thanks to you collectively and avoid forgetting someone!

So if you haven't already, check out the submissions (full list here) and leave some comments. I personally love hearing from you, and that's another way to keep making things here that much better!

Thanking you in advance
Adam-Beilgard