Feautured Site

Every month or so I choose a site that I adore, and interview the owner. You cannot apply for this, but you can nominate someone here.

Current Featured Site:

http://wysteria.passionate-eye.org

[ 1 ] What is the name of your site?

Answer : The title of my site has been "Wysteria" since December 2002. For the 6 years prior to that it was called "Mystique Illusions".

[ 2 ] Why that name?

Answer : Well, in all actuality, "Wysteria", when spelled with an "I" - as in "Wisteria" - is a southern blooming vine that covers trees in flowing purple blossoms. They are beautiful as seen floating in the wind on some of the southern plantations in Virginia. In my eyes, wisteria somewhat represents the age of southern history and I am very proud of my heritage.. So, when I was trying to thinking of a new title for my website, it just sort of came to mind and I fell in love with it.

[ 3 ] What is your site mostly about?

Answer : Wysteria is a personal site mostly about me and the things that I enjoy. You'll find a link to my diary and photos of my boyfriend and I, etc. I have tons of content that can hold your attention for hours so of course there is quite a bit for any visitor to do. I have a very *intense* love of web design, so much so that I chose web design as my major in college. My website is and will always be a way for me to release built up creativity. My moods and emotions are always reflected in the colors and language I use to make the layouts whole. Wysteria is my _personal_ site so I go out of my way to make it is personal as possible. My site is a 100& reflection of my personality.

[ 4 ] How long has your site been up?

Answer : My site will have its 7th birthday on January 6th, 2004 - which will also be my 21st birthday. My site was originally given to me as a birthday gift by a friend of mine who my site is now dedicated to - may he rest in peace.

[ 5 ] Do you have any other sites that you maintain?

Answer : Yes, I currently maintain 3 other websites besides Wysteria.

"The Wysterian Awards", http://www.white-nenya.net/~wysteria/awards/ -- A site that was originally born at Wysteria but had to move out on its own due to it's increasing popularity. We now have 14 Judges that review 8 sites a week and we have a 3 week waiting list at any given time.

"Serendipity Listings", http://www.white-nenya.net/~wysteria/serendipity/ -- Seren is a web directory where people can freely post their websites in hopes of delivering more traffic to their sites. There are currently 11 categories to choose from and we have close to 100 sites listed.

"Evermore", http://www.white-nenya.net/~wysteria/collective/ -- This site is simply my collective website, or "jump" site. Evermore helps people to have a starting place when viewing my sites. you will find no content there, simply links to each of my sites.

[ 6 ] What makes your site special from others?

Answer : Honestly? I always try to stay away from the "typical layout".. You will never find a layout of X-tina and Justin or even Final Fantasy at Wysteria. My thoughts and my feelings are always reflected in my layouts. I keep them real and very close to my heart. I usually lean more to poetic photography and frequent a multitude of online photo bins.

I am also a very strong supportor of safe internet for children. I am highly against any sort of nudity, whether it be art or photograph and any unnecessary display of the bare human body so you can always count on the fact that I will have a child-safe site. If the graphic I use could in any way be taken the wrong way I will usually have an alternative layout for you to use to view my website but, again, you will never see any sort of nudity on my site.

[ 7 ] What in your opinion attracts the visitors to your site?

Answer : Well, I would definitely say that the *number one thing* that attracts so many visitors (between 40 and 100 a day) is that I update my site every single day and have a specific section, called "updates", that will tell you exactly what has been added and where to go to view it. I display banners of the cliques, fanlistings, and directories that I join in that day's updates so that everyone else will have an opportunity to join them as well. I welcome new affiliates and sisters so that others' can drop by their sites and say hello. And I also give huge plugs for those that participate in events at Wysteria. We also frequently have new layouts that attract tons of viewers at any given time. I have actually been through 3 in the past five days. ^.^ There is plenty to keep any visitor coming back.

[ 8 ] What are your future plans for your site?

Answer : Wysteria will be around forever. It's been in existance for almost seven years and I *still* update every day. I love having the site and I can only see it growing older with me. It would be like losing a friend if I lost it. I do plan on purchasing my own domain in the future and will have free hosting offered to others who have similar sites as my own, so watch for that when it comes. ^.~

[ 9 ] Are you planning on changing anything?

Answer : I find it hard to stick with any layout for too long so you can always expect new layouts. I constantly add new sections and currently have 8 in the works. However though, a very large personal achievement will arrive late in the summer. I have not actually seen my biological mother in about 12 years and I have a series of letters that I have written to her but never sent that I will be posting for all to read. This will be a way for me to release so much built up tension and anger without actually involving her. Call it therapy if you will. *g*

[ 10 ] What is your personal rating of your site?

Answer : Well, as I've said before my layouts express my emotions. If they taught me anything about web design in college it was that you do not create a website to please other people. When you create a layout it is very important that it be exactly what is in your heart at the very moment you start creating the graphics not what you think will "get you the good review". I put 100% of my heart and soul into my website and I like to think that that is what people see when they visit.

Tori's Personal View

This site has to be one of my all time favorites. It always has the most original and great layouts, plenty of content, and it's not an everyday kind of website. It's always fun to go there and just look around.