Another year past. Here we go again.
Now that a week has passed since the new year has begun, it has only been now that I start thinking of what has happened in the past year and what I will do with this new one. It may be a little late to do a recap of what has transpired since, but who's checking anyway? A previous conversation with Death, the Righteous Babe, sorted me out. That's what I'd like to think.
And should I even start making a list of what I want to accomplish this year, even if I know that I won't even remember less than half of it, and even less of it I'll be able to accomplish, deliberately or accidentally? I can feel my shoulders start rising in anticipation of a big shrug. What the heck, right? Anyway...
The past year has been kind to me. I was given a chance to help out in the development of WordPress 2.7, testing-wise. And because of this, in some small way, I am a WordPress developer, I like to think, at least for a fleeting moment. As for blogging, I would like to think I have helped, in some way, WordPress users trying to integrate the new threaded comments feature thru a post I wrote based on somebody else's work and on my experiences trying to do so with mine. I believe I amused a lot of people by posting a couple of puzzles that I was able to solve. Not a big feat, but at least it provided some entertainment while waiting for my downloads to finish.
My professional life has been pretty stable, to say the least, and I couldn't want anything more than where I am today, except for a bigger paycheck, which is considered by most to be a pipe dream, but dream, I shall continue.
I have nothing but kind words and praises for my webhost, 1&1 Internet Hosting, as they have been an excellent host and I'm proud to say that after about two years with them (I lost count after the first 6 months), I've had no problems whatsoever. Well, nothing I couldn't fix on my own.
I learned and re-learned a great deal also when I switched to Ubuntu as my main operating system. I have not yet switched my computing entirely to Linux as the iPhone prevented me to do so. And no, the iPhone wasn't mine, but my wife's. It's hers and I can not complain about it. I do play with it sometimes. So does my two-year-old son, whom finished a level of Labyrinth in 2.232 seconds. Accidentally, of course, but he was able to repeat it in 2.365 seconds. Go figure. And I admit, I sometimes miss the old Redmond beast that is XP. At least I'm using the lesser of two evils.
A quick look at a previous post listing my resolutions for 2008 made me realize I accomplished 3 out of 6 goals, with another one pegged as debatable. I was able to buy a flash, a lens, and a camera bag for Cap, my Canon EOS 350D, which spawned a very neglected photoblog.The debatable goal was the last: me being a better provider for my family. I was able to hold down a couple of regular moonlighting gigs, but stress took its toll and I opted out in return for some quality time with and without my family. But as the new year looms, I have been considering, for quite some time now, if I should sell all, and I mean ALL my camera gear. Anyway.
The past year also gave me the chance to go out and admire Mother Nature again, as I was able to go hiking and do some mountaineering. It made me appreciate what the earth has been providing us, and guilty at the same time at how much waste we throw back. The goal for this year is to be green, to conserve more, to recycle more, to do everything BUT waste more. And that would be one of my resolutions for this year. Which means I would have to revive my other resolution to quit smoking, which is my Kryptonite whenever I feel stressed.
And since I started off my list with being green, I'm going to have to cut back in my lifestyle. What does this entail? Well, let's see.
Reduce the number of sticks of cigarette I smoke, if I can not quit smoking. And be aware of it.
Avoid unnecessary purchases, and have the wisdom to know which is and which isn't. And also be aware of it.
Reward myself, frequently if it's a very, very cheap (read: free) thrill, or one big reward for the whole year. Life will surely suck if I don't get a chance to enjoy it.
Remember always to find simpler ways to do things, and make sure it doesn't complicate anything. The new motto: measure twice, cut once.
I will not cross my fingers, but instead, brace for impact. This way, I'm prepared for the worst, and then be surprised, and gladly, if it turns out for the best. It's better if you lower your expectations.
