Relational databases - there has to be more right?

Question

I really enjoy database design and the whole concept of managing data semantically and all the logic that comes with it.

My knowledge level when it comes to databases is

Answer 1

The standard text in the field is "An Introduction to Database Systems", by C. J. Date.

I have twenty years C experience; I read it, thought it excellent and I wrote a relational database because of it (a proper one, not this SQL malarky!).