Harpies in Fountain.

I'm approaching three weeks in null sec space, two of which have been with Corp 54 and CVA, and I'm still alive, still flying and can't remember last time EVE felt this good.
Life in New Eden has in many ways turned both harder and easier then ever before, null sec space does provide a set of unique challenges that a former high sec resident might not be used to.  Something as simple as going to fetch some ammo might suddenly become a very interesting trip, whereas the intell networks does actually provide a level of security one is not used to in highsec.

I did actually go on a trip for some ammo, there was nothing of the type I needed for my ratting ship in the pocket around my home base, and so I was forced to run an industrial ship several jumps through null sec.  Now that did wonders for my blood pressure.  There are fortunately these handy things called Jump Bridges installed at convenient locations and they will shave off several unwanted jumps on your trip.
The ammo run turned out all right by the way.

I've set certain rules for myself that I will follow in order to make my null sec life as painless as possible.
I won't fly bling stuff that I can't stand to loose, not that I've done much of it in the past, but definitely not now and here.
I realize that I will have to move stuff, assets, minerals, products etc. around null sec, I also realize at some point that I will loose a haul of something like that, therefore I won't load a transport with more that I can stand to loose.
I will try to have a backup ship for every main money making ship I use, so backup miner, backup ratter etc.
The possibility of loosing a ratting/mining ship is just to large to ignore and I'd hate to be stranded without something.
 Basically it comes down to common sense and not putting all your eggs in one basket.

While null sec is far more dangerous than high sec in many ways, I have the impression that it's a lot safer in general.  The intell channels keep you up to date on the movements of nearly every red/neut in the entire region, probably aided by the population density of Providence.  There aren't many empty systems in Providence, so reds/neuts are usually tracked in pretty much realtime, allowing you to keep close tabs on anything moving around close to you.  Compared to high sec this new level of intell and information does make you feel alot safer, could be a very false sense of security I guess, but by keeping an eye on the proper channels I've avoided many unpleasant encounters already.

Ok, enough of the day to day stuff.  This weekend, I've been PvP'ing, yes, so what, no big deal.  Well, considering my previous PvP experience was a few high sec wardecs and some ill fated trips to low, it was kind of a big deal for me.
Being in a null sec fleet was an entirely new experience in EVE and one that certainly gave me an appetite for more.
The fleet was advertised as a fast Harpy fleet, but seeing as I had no Harpy available at that moment, I instead jumped into an Executioner and headed out to catch up with the fleet.  We headed into a wormhole leading into Fountain and started looking for a fight.
I apologize for not having any sort of detailed account here, I'm still rather new to this whole thing and was mostly focused on following orders and not making mistakes, the kills themselves quickly vanished in a blur of activity.  Suffice to say, we killed alot of ships belonging to Fatal Ascension.
The main enemy fleet we ran into seemed to be mostly made up of FA pilots with some other CFC entities mixed in, they were flying a similar Harpy fleet to us, but we managed to kill most of their tackle and logistics and picked off damage dealers after that during an orderly withdrawal to the wormhole we came from.
I eventually got killed while venturing to close to the enemy fleet on a gate engagement, managed to warp off and self destructed my pod seeing as the enemy was between me and my way home at that point.

The evening was not over however, so upon waking up back in Providence I headed back to F-Y for another Executioner just in time to head out again.  This time it was the people still online from the Fountain fleet, in more of a "kitchen sink" setup, heading into Catch for targets of opportunity.
We found several, amongst them a T4 Loki class Strategic Cruiser, probably the shiniest thing I've ever killed.

During the course of one night, I saw more action than I've seen so far in my entire EVE career, there are actual killmails on my board and I had an unbelievable amount of fun.
So far, heading to Providence is without a doubt the best move I've done in EVE.

Fly hard, Amarr Victor.

Providence Awaits

The stargate shimmers before me, holding a promise of unknown riches and adventure on the other side, a new life, a path I've never walked down before lies before me beyond this stargate..
I activate the gate and jump through, as I materialize on the other side I see before me a whole region of space I've never before ventured into, Providence awaits.

That was the scenario a few days ago after another successfully completed mission, another exploration site that didn't yield much in terms of wealth or excitement, since I returned from slumber it struck me how much everything had changed, and yet remained exactly the same. 
In EVE we make our own fortunes, adventures and narratives, it's our sandbox and if you find yourself bored, well it's probably your own fault. 
I decided to take matters into my own hands and go somewhere new, and somewhere a little further then the next mission hub to shoot the next bunch of red crosses for whoever payed the LP.  I decided to head into null sec, 0.0 security space, the promised land of EVE, where all the stories originate and empires draw their own lines in the sand.
I decided on Providence simply because I've heard about it since I started playing EVE.  A lawless region where CVA and the Providence holders enforced the peace, and a region that was open and welcoming to neutrals, unlike nearly every other null sec region in the universe.

So there I was, sitting on a stargate in my Interceptor, leaving all of high sec behind me and sticking my foot in the deep end for the first time since I started playing in 2007.
I've been in alliances before, in high sec, which rented space, I think I also headed out east on one trip, because I have a jump clone sitting in a system I've no recollection of ever being in.  So it was with some excitement I decided to take this plunge.

I've practically no experience with 0.0 and so expected to die pretty fast, but I've managed to survive for a few days now.  I've been careful, making sure to create bounce spots in warp, setting up scans and tacs on most gates I've passed through.  I've been diligent in creating instas for the stations I expected to use and to be social with the locals I've come across.  The last few days have been fun, I've been flying with a new attitude and vigilance, although I haven't really done much of note, it's still been a breath of fresh air to my playing experience.  I took Evv out there off course, he's the brawny one after all, but after a few days I did find myself seriously entertaining the idea of bringing Evoran out there as well, set up a cheap mining ship and just try it.  I'm not quite sure of how the industry in 0.0 works as opposed to high sec as I've never done it, but the idea is very tempting. 

I was planning on staying in Providence for as long as the Holders would let me, as a neutral, carving out my new life among the stars.
It did not last very long.
The neutral bit, that is.
Today I headed out to rat a little and as I returned from a short AFK there was a convo request waiting for me.  I was certain I had pissed in someones cereal and expected a thinly veiled threat and a prompt retreat from my new lifestyle.  The cereal was however quite unspoiled and instead of being run out of the region, I found myself chatting to a recruiter.
There was a slight issue however, the recruiter, Trisha D'Vaney, represented Imperial Dreams, a corporation that is Amarr exclusive, I'm Gallente through and through.  All was not lost however, I expressed how tempting the offer sounded to me and Trisha was kind enough to promptly connect me with Wildcard Trek, CEO of Corp 54.

So here I am, a new member of Corp 54 and one of the oldest and most historical alliances in the game. 
I've no idea where life in New Eden will take me from here, but I'm sure it's going to be an exciting ride.

I can only extend my sincerest gratitude to Trisha for the initial offer and to Wildcard for the confidence they extended me.  I shall do my utmost to not disappoint or betray that confidence.

Fly safe everyone and Amarr Victor.