Introduction
My name is Sebastian Elias Cross-Hartley, and I'm a hobbyist web developer and graphic design artist with a passion for storytelling and visual creativity. Inspired by high fantasy, DreamWorks animation, and the immersive world of Tolkien, I dream of becoming a multi-published author. I love crafting narratives that blend epic adventure with surreal and whimsical elements, drawing from my favorite stories to create something uniquely my own. Whether through design, writing, or digital art, I’m always looking for new ways to bring my ideas to life.
Beyond my creative pursuits, I find inspiration in metal music—especially Avenged Sevenfold and Nightwish—as well as games like Half-Life, Portal, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. I have a soft spot for colorful, character-driven storytelling and a deep appreciation for worlds that balance lightheartedness with depth. Lately, I’ve been exploring classic horror and campy genres, eager to dive into their charm and legacy. As an autistic creator, I embrace unique perspectives and immersive storytelling, always searching for the next spark of inspiration.
This site has zero ads, is free of affiliate links, and without sponsorships—just pure, independent content. I believe in creating a space devoid of distractions, where readers can engage with my work without being bombarded by promotions or hidden agendas. The only data collected is minimal, anonymous analytics to help me understand general trends, ensuring a smooth and privacy-respecting experience.
About Me
Life is a canvas painted with imagination, and my journey is shaped by the lens of my autism, creativity, and a deep love for storytelling. I embrace the fantastical, weaving dreams into words and images that bring my visions to life.
Ink on My Mind: Inheritance, LOTR, and Endless Forms Most Beautiful
The worlds of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings have profoundly shaped my imagination. The vast landscapes of Alagaësia, where dragons soar and destiny calls, and the timeless journey through Middle-earth, rich with lore and legend, are more than stories to me—they are sources of inspiration and wonder.
Music, too, fuels my creativity, with Nightwish’s Endless Forms Most Beautiful offering a symphony of sound that captures the grandeur of existence. Their blend of metal and orchestral elements stirs the same sense of awe and adventure that I find in my favorite tales, making their music an essential part of my creative process.
A Cinematic Odyssey: Twilight Sparkle’s Magic of Friendship
In the realm of animated wonders, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has left an indelible mark on my heart, and at the center of it all stands Twilight Sparkle. Her journey from an introverted scholar to the Princess of Friendship is one of growth, discovery, and the power of connection. More than just a protagonist, Twilight embodies the evolution of the series itself, reflecting the changes and challenges that shaped its world across nine seasons.
More about MLP…
The Elements of Harmony Era (Seasons 1-3)
The early years of Friendship is Magic introduced us to the vibrant town of Ponyville, where Twilight Sparkle’s initial reluctance toward friendship gave way to deep and lasting bonds. This era established the series’ core themes through episodic adventures centered on the Elements of Harmony. Twilight’s journey from an isolated academic to a leader in the making resonated with me, as she navigated social challenges and personal growth, learning that knowledge alone is not enough—understanding and empathy are just as vital. These seasons exuded a sense of warmth and discovery, setting the foundation for the grander adventures that lay ahead.
The Expansion Era (Seasons 4-7)
With Twilight’s ascension to princesshood and the introduction of the Cutie Map, the world of Equestria expanded beyond Ponyville. This era marked a shift from small-scale slice-of-life storytelling to grander, interconnected narratives. The show explored new locations, introduced complex moral dilemmas, and tested Twilight’s leadership in ways she never expected. It was in these seasons that her role truly evolved—not just as a student of friendship, but as a mentor, a diplomat, and a beacon of hope. The addition of Starlight Glimmer as a major character also brought fascinating new dynamics, challenging Twilight’s ideals and pushing the series into deeper emotional territory.
The End of an Era (Seasons 8 & 9)
The final seasons of Friendship is Magic carried an air of both conclusion and transformation. Twilight, once a student, now prepared to take on the mantle of ruler, reflecting the passage of time and the inevitability of change. These seasons embraced nostalgia while paving the way for the future, bringing long-running arcs to fruition and giving beloved characters the resolutions they deserved. Themes of legacy, mentorship, and finding one's place in an ever-changing world resonated deeply, making this era both a celebration and a farewell to the magic that had defined a generation.
Twilight Sparkle’s story is one of evolution—both for her and for those who followed her journey. Her struggles and triumphs serve as a reminder that growth is a lifelong process, and that the magic of friendship is not just about companionship, but about learning, leading, and embracing change.
Crafting Digital Realms: My Evolution as a Web Developer
My journey into web development began in 2008 on Freewebs, where I first experimented with creating websites. Back then, my approach was simple—drag, drop, and explore the possibilities of the internet. However, as my interests shifted, I put web development aside in 2011, uncertain if I would ever return to it.
In 2015, my curiosity reignited when I began working with WordPress. At first, I modified existing themes, learning the intricacies of how websites were structured. I now recognize the ethical concerns that can come with modifying themes, but at the time it was part of my learning process. By 2017, I had developed enough confidence to build themes from scratch, crafting my own designs and refining my skills.
My approach to web development evolved further in 2022 when I ventured into headless CMS setups, using Next.js to separate the front-end experience from the content management system. This shift introduced me to modern frameworks, pushing me to embrace more dynamic and flexible website architectures. Finally, in May 2024, I took another leap forward, transitioning to Astro for even greater performance and adaptability.
From my earliest experiments to my current projects, web development has been a continuous journey of discovery and innovation. It’s more than just coding—it’s a creative outlet, a means of expression, and a way to bring my digital visions to life.
Gaming Realms: Shaping Worlds Through Play and Modding
In the digital landscapes of gaming, I find endless inspiration in the sprawling worlds of Skyrim and Fallout 4. These are not just games—they are vast, open-ended realms where I can carve out my own destiny. Whether battling dragons atop the Throat of the World or wandering the desolate ruins of the Commonwealth, these experiences go beyond mere escapism; they are a canvas for storytelling, exploration, and self-expression.
Yet, what makes these worlds truly limitless is the power of modding. Through the creativity of the modding community, Skyrim and Fallout 4 become ever-evolving sandboxes where new stories unfold, mechanics are refined, and entire landscapes are transformed. Mods breathe new life into these games, allowing me to experience them in fresh, unexpected ways—whether by enhancing immersion, expanding lore, or outright reshaping the world itself. The ability to modify and personalize these games speaks to the boundless potential of interactive storytelling.
Beyond the open worlds of Tamriel and the Wasteland, I am also drawn to the enigmatic and deeply atmospheric settings of Half-Life and Portal. These games offer a different kind of immersion—one steeped in mystery, tension, and ingenious design. The overrun town of Ravenholm, the eerie silence of the Black Mesa Research Facility, and the sterile, puzzle-filled corridors of the Enrichment Center all spark a fascination that lingers long after the credits roll. Valve’s approach to environmental storytelling, physics-driven mechanics, and cryptic narratives make these games endlessly compelling to analyze, explore, and reinterpret.
Whether venturing across a fantasy kingdom, surviving a post-apocalyptic wasteland, or unraveling the mysteries of scientific experiments gone wrong, these games provide more than just entertainment—they offer worlds to shape, stories to uncover, and experiences that redefine what interactive storytelling can be.
Chasing Vistas: From Van-Life to Mountain Serenity
Photo by Yuriy Bogdanov
Once, I dreamed of life on the road—a Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro, endless highways, and the freedom of a digital nomad existence. The idea of blending travel, creativity, and exploration fueled my imagination for years. However, as time passed, shifting laws, new challenges, and the realities of the road led me to reconsider. While the dream of van-life still holds a special place in my heart, my vision for the future has changed.
Now, I take life day by day, guided not by wheels but by a longing for something more grounded. My dream is to settle in the Pacific Northwest, where the towering Cascade Mountains of Washington State offer solitude, inspiration, and a connection to nature that speaks to my soul. A cabin nestled among the evergreens, where the seasons shift in a quiet rhythm, feels like the perfect place to embrace creativity, reflection, and the next chapter of my journey.
From the mythical lands of Alagaësia and Middle-earth to the limitless realms of modded gaming, my passions are shaped by the love of storytelling, exploration, and creativity. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has shown me the power of growth and friendship across its many eras, just as my evolution as a web developer—from Freewebs to Astro—has reflected my own journey of learning and reinvention. Whether through books, games, digital landscapes, or the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, my path is one of endless discovery.
Dreams change, but the essence of who we are remains. The worlds I explore, the stories I create, and the passions I chase are all pieces of a larger tapestry—one still unfolding with every step forward.
A dream is bound, not by where it takes place, but by the passion that fuels it.
Anonymous