Wow, these last few months have been like a whirlwind. No joke. I'm sorry I haven't been on in a while...I really, really miss all of you, but my problem is time. School has been more hectic and crazy than ever this year and between homework, 5 1/2 classes (1 1/2 being at night), and 2 of those classes being 2 1/2 hours long I barely have time to eat and sleep let alone start up the computer to do anything but homework.
But I wanted to let you all know that I'm not dead, I will come back soon, and that I miss all of my friends here on DA very, very much. Semester ends in 4 weeks, so maybe I'll be able to get on some more over the holidays and catch up with everybody.

's to you all! See you again in 4 weeks!

That's right, all my friends are starting to pack up and get ready to back to college. And unfortunately, so am I. No, school doesn't start up again until the 31st of August, but I've got to get books and supplies and renew my parking pass, and just get things ready to go. What I dislike the most about the school year is that most of my friends go elsewhere and I don't get to see them...at all. Although at least this year I'll be commuting to school with one of my friends who's returning to USM.

In case any of you were wondering, I had a great vacation last week. We had good weather all week long...except for Sunday when we got caught out in a thunder storm seeing Papa Roach at an outdoor concert. That's was fun, all huddling together under this tiny umbrella. But the concert was a blast, and so was the rest of the week. We got to go swimming in the lake almost every day.

And then there was last night. Oh, boy, last night was the most fun I've had in LONG time. We went to see the Sick Puppies at this little night club up in Portland, Maine called The Station. It was crowded and hot, and a hell of a lot of fun. That band knows how to put on a good show. It's definitely one of the best concerts I've ever been to. I think even beating out Disturbed, Linkin Park and MCR. That's saying a lot. Sick Puppies are just incredible live. And what's even cooler is that we got to meet them after the show. They're all really great and Shim (the lead singer) and I had this interesting conversation about the silver pen he was using to sign my CD. XD So, yeah I bought their CD even though my friend already gave me a copy of hers just so I could get Shim, Emma and Mark sign the thing.

By the way, if you haven't heard of the Sick Puppies before, you need to look them up. They're just a little band out of Australia that is going to become HUGE one day, you just wait. If you've heard of them before and only know the song "All the Same" you need to look up more of their music. And whether or not you've heard of them before you have to check out their new CD Tri-Polar because it's the best frickin' CD I've listened to in a LONG time. Great tracks from beginning to end, I honestly can't think of a single song that isn't good on that CD. And if you don't like rock music, well check it out anyway because even fans of country have said that they love the Sick Puppies.

Anyway, I'm done with my weak promo now. XD I have major artist's block right now. No inspiration to finish any of the three projects I've already started and no inspiration to start something new. Also, I have writer's block as well. I just can't get myself to sit down and wright. Every time I try I get distracted by something. The sad thing is, it's been this way all summer. As much as I'm not looking forward to going back to school, I hope it jump starts my creative side again. I'm getting sick of this.

Yes, as the title suggests, I have finally gotten my hands on Photoshop CS3 and I am very, very happy. The best part is, I got it for free! See, my mom sorta "borrowed" it from the place she works and let me download it onto my computer. It came with a whole bunch of other things as well that I didn't download. Maybe some of you Photoshop experts can tell me whether or not Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Flash are helpful programs to have. If they are I'll put them on my system. Maybe it's just me, but when I started working on some art I found that I have a lot more control over my tablet in CS2 than I did in 7.0. I also like how the program is set up better than 7.0. So, expect some new digital art from me soon. I've already started something.

Also, my iPod broke. Yeah it just sorta died. I think I'm going to go mad without it. I was listening to it today and then it just sorta stopped 12 seconds into Faint by Linkin Park and won't move. I've tried everything from plugging it back into the computer to pressing all the buttons, but so far nothing. It's just been sitting, stuck there for about an hour and a half now. Actually though I'm kinda impressed it's still alive. It's a first generation Nano that I've had for the past four years. BTW just a disclaimer I'm not an Apple freak. I just like the iPod. When it comes to computers I'm a Windows girl all the way.

Also, I have a recommendation for you sci-fi/ fantasy readers out there. Pick up the book Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson. It's the best book I've read in a long while. I highly, highly recommend it. It's a trilogy, but the great thing is that the first book can be read without the other two. Although I'm planning on picking up the sequel as soon as I can.

I'm gong to be gone for the next week. We're going up to the cabin we rent every year at Hancock Pond. I'm really looking forward to getting away for awhile. We leave in two days but I have a feeling I'm going to be busy so this is probably the last time I'll be online. See you all in a week!

This is pretty much just a test to try out this knew journal CSS. I saw and had to give it a try.

Anyway, I mentioned I was going to see Staind, Shinedown and Chevelle last week. I already gave some of you an overview, but I've just gotta talk about it again, I'm still pretty excited. It was a great show. Staind was pretty good, although I think they might have been a little off that night. Chevelle was also good. I'd heard good things about them, but they were really amazing in concert. Shinedown however stole the show, hands down. They're set was great, and they really knew how to get the audience worked up. I was so out of breath from jumping and screaming by the time they left stage I had to drink down a good portion of my friends drink. Then I went and bought a Shinedown shirt even though I'd already bought a Staind one.

Halestorm was the opener at the show, and if you haven't heard of this band you should definitely check them out. They sounded incredible. Right now I'm working on getting my hands on one of their CD's. Maybe I'll just download it off iTunes. It doesn't really matter, I just need to check out more of their stuff. Their singer, Lizzy Hale, has the most amazingly strong voice. All in all my recommendation for any rock lover is to keep your eye on these guys I think they're going places.

Speaking of new music. I got my hands on the new Sick Puppies CD today and have been listening to it for a while now. It's an impressive follow up to their first album All Dressed Up For Life. It's a little heavier than their first CD, but I think they've improved for the better. I highly recommend the CD. Oh and if you look at the thanks section in the CD you'll see three of the WCYY DJ's listed there, I guess Portland, Maine really is their favorite place to play. Maybe I'll get to see them when they come back this August. Hopefully.

Last but not least some friends and I are going to see Harry Potter 6 tomorrow night. I don't' know why I torture myself with the movies I usually walk away feel unsatisfied for angry. Yet I still go to see them and usually opening night to. I'm hoping they did a good job with this one because the Half-Blood Prince was one of my favorite books and if done right I think it will make an incredible movie. Hey, it can't get worse than the third HP movie can it? I'm actually sorta looking forward to seeing this one. Don't ask me why.

I noticed I have a way of writing really long journals. Thanks for everyone who still reads these things.