“Metædes”
In the upcoming literary work, a voyage delves into profound depths of thoughts, contemplations, and epiphanies. Expressed in language rich with poetry and metaphors, it embodies reflections, beckoning readers to forge their own insights and comprehension.
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“Fragments of Hope in a Bleak Existence: The Ember of Renewal”
In the profoundest depths of my despair, where shadows loom large and sorrow feels insurmountable, I find an unexpected flicker of hope. This flicker, a steadfast belief amidst the darkness, reveals a powerful truth: from the ashes of desolation, beauty and rebirth can emerge. Embracing this fragile yet potent notion, I undertake the arduous task…
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“In the Embrace of Melancholy: The Resilience of the Spirit”
Heavy-hearted, with my soul feeling like a stone sculpted by the relentless passage of time, I tread with measured steps towards the threshold of the unknown. My path, veiled in the ethereal mists of uncertainty, winds sinuously towards the gaping maw of the abyss. In this shadowy realm, the harrowing specters of destruction and the…
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“Wandering Shadows in the Solitary Journey Beyond Sculpted Realms”
Amidst a desolate landscape, I trace the faint outlines of hope, seeking illumination in the ruins of vibrant dreams. Here, I navigate the blurred boundaries between dreams and reality, in a surreal odyssey where despair meets the yearning for redemption and the essence of life once lost seeks to be reclaimed.
“Metædes”
Hardcover Illustrated Book
“METÆDES” represents a literary endeavor refined through multiple incarnations until achieving its ideal form.
The forthcoming first volume of this trilogy will debut as a hardcover illustrated book, interweaving personal narratives set within a unique universe. It unfolds as a dialogue between myself, Life, and Death, questioning every aspect of existence.
Meticulously illustrated throughout its pages, it provides a creative dimension that invites readers to traverse the darker recesses of my mind.
WordPress: Contributions
Core:
Plugins:
Themes:
Sites:
Docs:
Third Party:
WooSesh: Developer of the Year
Surprisingly, I have been honored with the WooSesh honorable mention for Developer of the Year 2023, recognizing my significant contributions to the WooCommerce Community. This accolade celebrates my work on two acclaimed themes, Séance and Aegis, which have garnered praise for their innovative design and functionality.
“Alex is theme developer with a keen eye for design who has released two beautiful block themes in the past year. Even more impressive is how he constantly helps others in the WooCommerce Community group on Facebook. If you ever ask a question, odds are pretty good Alex will be there to help.”
WooSesh
Séance, a Full Site Editing Theme
Séance is crafted with a consistent, singular hue, complemented by undertones of duo and trio color schemes.
This design consideration prioritizes those with color vision challenges, spanning both dark and light palettes, while preserving a gothic allure that resonates with devoted and emerging writers due to its pure and understated design.
While being remarkably streamlined and assertive, Séance integrates color schemes centered on user accessibility and is adorned with a range of intricately crafted design patterns.
These components impart a restrained yet potent visual essence to the content, evoking the sensation of gently skimming through a tome, taking in the narrative at a relaxed pace.
Wholly adaptable, Séance embraces the Full Site Editing capabilities introduced with WordPress 5.9, delivering a rejuvenated writing and visual journey in its distinctive manner.
Embrace a Profound State of Mind
In this special rendition, a sincere account of a life and its myriad influences is presented. It also charts a journey through a life filled with apparent contradictions, intertwining a vivid mosaic of recollections and viewpoints.
Over a Decade of Pioneering Leadership
On October 1st, 2010, birthed from the intersection of passion and ending, and precisely twenty years after the inception of the World Wide Web, a scholarly platform was launched, signifying a venture into the era of digitization.
Thus, the swift proliferation of this distinct amalgamation began globally, emerging from a mix of apprehension, societal stigmas, and the often misunderstood realm of gothic subculture.
Upcoming Event
As the DevOps of TBEX, North America’s largest Travel Blog Exchange Conference, a nexus for creators, DMOs, and brands re-imagining the travel industry since 2009, here are the events I participate in on the technological front.
Event
TBEX North America 2024
Purpose
Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference
Date
July 9th-12th, 2024
Location
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Convention Center
100 Convention Blvd, San Juan, 00907
Other Events
Upcoming events already confirmed for this year and the next include:
September 23rd-26th, 2024, 9 am – 6 pm
TBEX Summit America 2024
Travel Bloggers Exchange Summit
Anchorage, Alaska
Dena’INA Civic and Convention Center
600 West Seventh Avenue, Alaska 99501
June 16th-19th, 2025, 9 am – 6 pm
TBEX North America 2025
Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference
Québec City, Canada
Québec City Convention Centre
1000 Bd René-Lévesque E, Québec, QC G1R 5T8
September 9th-12th, 2025, 9 am – 6 pm
TBEX Europe 2025
Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference
Donegal, Ireland
ATU Donegal Letterkenny
Port Rd, Gortlee, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Research Studies
The Soulful Melancholy of Fado: An Exploration of Portugal’s Gothic Tradition
Fado, an emblematic music genre from Portugal, is imbued with deep-rooted emotions and a unique sense of melancholy that resonates with native and international audiences.
This genre is often described as the musical embodiment of “saudade,” a Portuguese term that captures a complex blend of longing, nostalgia, and soulful yearning.
Fado’s essence lies in its ability to convey profound emotional depth through its poignant lyrics and haunting melodies, creating a visceral connection between the performer and the listener.
World Goth Day: Celebrating the Comprehensive History of Goth Subculture
World Goth Day fosters a sense of belonging and identity among Goths worldwide. The celebration challenges stereotypes, promotes understanding, and highlights the inclusivity and diversity central to the Goth ethos. From small meetups to international festivals, and cultural events, World Goth Day events bring together communities to celebrate their shared culture.
Anorexia Nervosa: Reflecting on Their Impact and Influence in Black Metal’s Evolution
Anorexia Nervosa, a prominent band in the black metal genre, originated in France around the mid-1990s. The band’s symphonic black metal style is distinguished by a unique combination of intense guitar work and orchestral elements, resulting in a vast and powerful sonic experience.
Witchcraft Acts Through History, and Christian’s Hideous Murders
Accused of holding secret meetings in which babies or small children were ritually slaughtered to their “pagan” god, and later their remains devoured at lavish feasts while unthinkable acts of sexual deviance happened around the dinner table, these unfortunate Christians found themselves the forefathers of the birth of early modern witchcraft.
Aeternus
Aeternus will be a beautifully illustrated series of hardcover graphic novels chronicling a journey through the mind into a realm of dreams and nightmares. The plot occurs between the modern world and a lively dream world that travels through time, often with a Victorian aura. The central theme revolves around the protagonist’s struggle to reconcile his existence in the real world, which he feels he does not fit into, and his periodic escapes into his dream world.
Life is depicted in a white hooded dress, embodying the moon’s ethereal glow. In stark contrast, Death is adorned in black clothes, also hooded, with vivid patterns reminiscent of the cosmos, creating a striking visual representation of these powerful entities.
His profound and complicated relationships define the protagonist’s inner battle, including falling in love with Death. The necromantic aura between him and the characters of Life and Death manifests as a love triangle. He loves Death and is acutely aware of his own mortality while also being romantically involved with Life. This creates a tension-filled dynamic as he grapples with his desire to die while still being alive, resulting in intense conflicts.
This romantic triangle influences the relationship dynamics between the protagonist and these two powerful entities. The protagonist frequently transitions between the real world and the world inside his mind, to the point where he confuses reality with vivid dreams. This blurring of lines reflects his subconscious struggles and his detachment from the normality of everything that surrounds him in the real world while he feels a perfect sense of belonging in the world he has created in his mind.
Throughout the narrative, the graphic novel series explores philosophical questions about existence. The protagonist questions his existence and perceives himself as detached from the reality that surrounds him, yet he feels an intrinsic connection to the world within his mind. This inner conflict and the ultimate resolution of his journey offer profound insights into the human condition and the nature of life and death.
Artwork: Mandragora
‘Mandragora’ is a profound art piece, embodying themes of mysticism and existential inquiry. Using intricate details and dark, evocative imagery, the artwork invites viewers into a realm where nature intertwines with the supernatural.
The piece draws inspiration from the mythical mandrake plant, often associated with magical and spiritual connotations.
Character: Wicked Jester
The ‘Wicked Jester’ emerges as a captivating figure of dark humor and enigma.
Adorned with an elaborate, tattered costume and a sinisterly expressive mask, this character is the epitome of chaotic mirth and malevolence.
The Jester’s eyes, filled with mischievous intent, and the intricate details of their attire, create a hauntingly beautiful contrast of shadow and light.
Interview
I was recently featured in an interview by Italian Contemporary Identities, discussing my artwork and my perspective on Artificial Intelligence as a disabled individual.
Conducted by Fabio Gamberini (pages 31 to 35), the interview offers an in-depth exploration of my creative process and my past collaboration with the Portuguese plastic artist, José Nuno da Câmara Pereira.
It also highlights my expertise as a WordPress block theme developer and delves into the historical facets of the Goth subculture.
‘Serpents of Irkalla’
Connect with Aemaerth
Expressionism through Theatrical Music
A passion for intense metal, vocals imbued with gothic essence, and classical orchestral melodies had inspired the creation of a musical endeavor named Aemaerth. For its creator, it served as a sanctuary from the ordinary, while also mirroring profound experiences of life and death through the lyrics.
Unique in its essence, the musical odyssey was a medium for rediscovering the very act of existence and expressing intense emotions, all the while fostering a sharp perspective. The music painted a theatrical tableau, melding the spheres of being and void within a deeply personal universe.
The Artistry of the Studio
By amalgamating all professional undertakings into one unified platform, rather than spreading them across multiple online arenas and jeopardizing focus, a studio service was initiated. This service aimed to deliver top-tier digital solutions for those in search of a distinct and refined online presence.
Initially, the studio encountered skepticism because of its non-traditional collaborative approach. Yet, over time, it has carved a respectable niche within the WordPress landscape, earning accolades for its premium output, fair pricing, and creative uniqueness. Presently, the studio stands as a standard bearer for exemplary online representations.
AExpo, International Cultural Festival
The festival stands as a majestic ode to gothic culture, uniting aficionados from every corner of the world. It gathers a varied assembly of attendees, from geeks and artisans to fashion designers, visionaries, musicians, writers, and scholars.
The gathering fosters intercultural exchange and thoughtful participation via an array of performances, exhibitions, and dialogues. Additionally, providing learning sessions and immersive workshops to amplify the overall experience.
Furthermore, it is dedicated to driving meaningful societal change by featuring a handpicked collection of community initiatives, from offering meals to those in need, delivering educational materials to marginalized children, to facilitating programs that connect the young and elderly, bridging generational divides.
Alex de Borba
Once calling Bogotá, Colombia home, this multifaceted Portuguese talent was a seasoned developer, journalist, scholar, alt-fashion model, composer, and vocalist. Moreover, they were the visionary and benefactor behind their own distinguished projects.
A deep appreciation for the musical subtleties of tribalism, orchestral, and darkwave was evident, often diving into profound gothic rhythms. Literary preferences were influenced by haunting gothic horror graphic novels and enriched by philosophical, mythological, and poetic writings.