Who am I?

___I often find it very difficult to talk about myself. I was raised not to be self-oriented, and to always put others before myself. However, a writer and an artist both must learn introspection, and observe themselves from a stranger's perspective.

___ Now, at the age of 28, I am still getting to know this person named Stefanie. I'll introduce her to you as best I can.
First and foremost, I am an artist and an author in equal parts. One talent sometimes partially eclipses the other, but both are ever-present. I cannot stop writing; I cannot stop creating. I have tried many different mediums and styles of both trades, and am very open-minded to variety and progress.

___ I was born in Portland, Oregon in December in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-five. I grew up between Gresham and a farm in Sandy, at the base of Mt. Hood. All of my fondest memories are from that farm, and I often write about it to keep those memories fresh. I miss Oregon dearly... I dream of one day going back and buying that farm. I want to retire there, like my grandparents did. The only place that comes close to rivaling it is North Carolina. Specifically, the Smoky Mountains. I have had my very best vacations and camping outings thence. I'll be displaying some of my photography taken in those gorgeous mountains.

___ I like to think of myself as a bit of a nerd. It's a nerd's world, you know. Moreso with every passing day. I love my various MMOs and single-player RPGs (PC gaming, of course :3 ). I'm a huge fan of Tolkein, Poe, Heinlein, Lovecraft, and the ever-illustrious Stephen King (I am a Tower Junkie. To the core). I love Star Trek (Next Generation and Voyager), Mythbusters, all the Harry Potter books/movies, and am slowly but surely teaching myself Na'Vi and Ta'Agra'Iss. Latin fascinates me. As does philosophy, physics, therapudic herbology, and the state of Zen. I am an ailurophile, bibliophile, claustrophile, and acrophile. I do, however, have a small case of spheksophobia. Does hinder my entomological interests a bit.

___ Why aeyvi.com and not stefanierathbone.com? I'm sure the latter is taken by now. My name is not all that unique. For that reason, and because Aeyvi is my online pseudonym/nom de plume, I'm using this domain instead of something more "practical." I almost like it better than my given name. It feels more... me.

___ I have been writing and creating stories since before I could even read. I would draw descriptive pictures, and staple them together in booklets. I was so eager to learn the English language, even in kindergarten. I have won awards for writing in my school days, but I no longer compete. I write for my own enjoyment, and to share my inner adventures with others. I like to think of myself as well-read and very precise with my grammar and spelling. Some might call me a Grammar Nazi, but really grammar is just one of my pet peeves. I'll often correct someone mid sentence (ie: "She baked cookies for he and I." correction- "She baked cookies for him and me.") and I'll often catch myself correcting people in online chats. God, how kids type today... it drives me batty.

___ I have been a graphic designer since the age of sixteen, when I began working for my parents' company. It was the hardest six years of my working life. I am self-taught in most Adobe products, and have studied with masters and creators of the programs and their plug-ins. I like to think of myself as a Photoshop Guru... but alas, I have not the funds yet to get my Adobe Certification.
Likewise am I profficient in Premiere and After effects. I used them frequently as head of a film department in the above stated position. I often had to be a one-woman production team. From set up, lighting, direction, shooting- then to capture and post production and editing- then finally to rendering, checking, and burning to menu-functional DVD and online progressive/streaming flash. I oft also was the script writer, the spokesperson, and the vocal talent. It was not an easy job, to say the least.