Most of you have noticed that I've been vacant as of late. I am sorry but it can't be helped. You all deserve a reason why.

About 2 months ago things started happening here where I work which... tossed everyone here for a loop. I can't explain anything in detail till June 5th (A day I should be at Simucon...early). But I can say this.

Within one day I was charged with making a database in either Access 2000 or SQL... from scratch. I've had to setup and install a network... from scratch. I was also charged with making a company website... from scratch (Not just a simple info page either).

Most of you know I do electrical engineering by now. I also program for DR. The coding EXP I got via DR and the massive background I have in computers alone made them point at me for this work.... which I've not done before (Unless you count the dbase "type" things I do in EXCEL).

As of this moment. A temp webpage is in place and waiting for me to learn HTML/DHTML from scratch (Which, I'm halfway there. I looked at WYSIWYG editors and... hated the limitations) Once that is done the site will be turned into a flash5 site as well. The network and server are in place and running for the most part but has yet to be updated to deal with SQL or host the website on it (instead of a local domain host where it is now). The database itself is forming nicely. The tables are pretty much done but I have to go form the rest of it now...forms... queries and reports. This will start as Access 2000 and be converted to let sql handle it. (Which aint so bad)

This woundn't be so bad but, I'm the only here that can turn on a computer let alone program them. So, I'm doing this all solo.

I'm also stuck on dayturn shift for this. Nothing like having the owner come and steal my marlboro's and ask me every half hour how things are going. (I bet if I quit smoking he'd leave me alone)

But.... that in a nutsehll is where I am at and why I have not been around much. After 10, 12 or 16 hours of looking at all this stuff, 6 days a week, The last thing I want to do when I get home is stare at more code.

I wish I could work on thieves 10 - 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, but I can't unless I can get Coke to sponsor me or something.

This is why I must say again... Bear with me. I'm not sure when I'll be done... But I am "not", I repeat, "not" leaving you guys. I love the game and my guild too much for that. ;)

Have fun in everything you do... just don't break the law....erm.. What am I saying! Go steal something already and quit reading this damn thing!

GM Royce