I've started reading Anti_Patterns:_Refactoring_Software,_Architectures,_and_Projects_in_Crisis by William J. Brown, et. al. (Christmas present! )

It is interesting to me since most of the work I do is on existing systems. I've always had a bit of struggle with Design Patterns. The authors suggest a reason why: that design patterns (applying them) really is appropriate for ground-up, new systems. But often in-place systems need to be, in their words, refactored.

Anyway, as a design pattern novice I am really enjoying it. It's not at all (IMHO) incompatible with a study of design patterns themselves.