2011
Here is my now yearly review of the previous year and a bunch of things I aim to get done in the coming year so fuelled with new year enthusiasm, i’ll keep the review brief and the ambitions high.
2010 in review
This was a big one. This year saw the end of me being the master of my own destiny that i had been for the previous 7 years. In March, I chose to return to being a cog in someone else’s machine. This held (and continues to hold) challenges for me. There is no question that I made the correct decision at the time and have made myself something of a sponge by absorbing as much knowledge, process and expertise as possible from some very intelligent people in a larger scale operation. I’ve also made some new friends and contacts. I have grown considerably in certain aspects and that is what I had hoped would happen when i set out my aims this time last year.
Backend
Last year, I planned to stick with one language(Python/Django) and I’ve done just that. At work, this proved a little untrue as I had to get stuck into some classic ASP for my sins alongside the unavoidable bread and butter that is PHP. In my own time however, it’s Python/Django all the way and I see little reason to change that in the coming year.
Frontend
2010 was the year that I officially switched to HTML5. Everything I build from scratch is now in the latest version of HTML. Of course CSS3 is following in close pursuit but i held back a little on that for my own reasons, this year i’ll drive it on. JavaScript features highly in 2011. I can get by with it and I can use jQuery quite happily but I want to get back to the heart of the matter and learn properly so that’s what’ll happen.
Creative
An aim for 2010 was to get back to my design roots and behind the scenes I have done that. I’ve been reading up on the theory once more, consulted other designers, got more involved in the design community and started getting my hands dirty again. I still have a way to go to be honest but it’s all coming back to me and i’m really enjoying it. I am finally happy with my personal brand and i’ll be rolling that out to my new website that’s coming early this year.
Fitness
I started running last year and although my enthusiasm for it ran out nearer the end of the year, I plan to step it up this year and get myself a bit fitter. I used to be a keen hillwalker and this year i’m taking it up again. I have Ben Hope penciled in for the end of May and Ben Nevis being spoken about also. Anyone wanting to join me is more than welcome.
Here’s to a great year, I wish you well for yours.
