Well, it's been a trying and expensive couple of weeks, but I finally got my computer back. Though the part that is still "my" computer is only a shell of its former self: I ended up needing a new motherboard and processor, new hard drive, and even a new CD drive. Which of course necessitated a new operating system--the part I was really dreading. Fortunately Windows 7 is a vast improvement over Vista, and its improved compatibility features allowed me to salvage most of my beloved old programs. Photoshop 4, Bryce 3D, and Ray Dream Studio are all up and running successfully, and I didn't lose a single byte of data (art and writing) from my old hard drive. I did lose Illustrator, Word, and, ironically enough, Acronis, which is what I use to back up my system, but these are fairly minor disappointments in comparison with what could have been a truly disastrous scenario.

It's going to take me quite a while to get caught up on viewing and commenting on the backlog of art, as well as responding to old messages and journal entries, so I beg your patience. Thanks to everybody who wrote with their well-wishes on my last journal--your kindness means a lot to me. I look forward to rekindling old conversations and joining new ones, as well as enjoying the art that's been posted in my absence. I hope you all are well.

[link]