2005 in Review From My Perspective

2005 was the “year of the elite” for me. 😉 I had several eye opening and exciting experiences, but also learned some disheartening life lessons as well. Both build character.
2005 Technical Things to Note:

• I delivered six new web sites (2 with over 1,000 members) (3 used Content Management Systems) this year
• I brought in my first non-Apple computer in my house, a Sun machine and installed Solaris 10…several times
• I moved to using Fedora 4 on my PowerBook
• I finally started playing around with subversion for version control
• I finally broke away from basic web hosting to go with a Virtual Private Server solution
• I used my first wiki and now do not know what I would do without one
• I set up an off site backup system for my home computers
• I bought my first flat panel display
• I became Apple certified
• I had the opportunity to speak with some amazing people in CA
• I spent a lot of time improving on my knowledge of UNIX
• I created my own Dashboard Widget
• I finally started using QuickBooks
• I now use Nagios for my network monitoring tool of choice
• I rarely browse web sites anymore…it is all about RSS feeds
• My soap opera (Guiding Light) is now available as a podcast and I subscribe to several podcasts/listen to them on a daily basis

2005 Personal Random Things to Note:

• Penn State is back on top
• Politics are just that. Learn to play the game or don’t complain.
• My daily source of entertainment/dose of reality no longer works with me
• I was reunited with my friend Tim from PSU at the Apple Developers Conference
• Dark Shadows: The Revival came back into my life
• I did not figure out the Rubik’s cube
• I played the hell out of SoCom II
• I began drinking Diet Coke
• I moved (most importantly I bought my first snow blower)
• Please…communication is essential for a working relationship – business or personal
• I learned hard work pays off, just not in all environments, all environments are not equal
• I began playing SoCom III
• I learned the value of tweaking a design vs. a complete overhaul
• I picked up playing the guitar again
• I have a few new family members
• I golfed less than 15 times the entire year. This will change next year!
• I played my first Links course
• I am intrigued by quantum physics
• I have become much more patient with people and situations