year in review

  • January 5, 2009

    Favorites of 2008

    So this may be a little late, but hey- I wanted to be sure about what I was writing; and this year there were a couple late-in-the-game entries. Here is my first [annual?] favorites post. Covered this time around: new tech toy, website, software, movie, music.

    Favorite Tech Toy: Blackberry Storm
    This was a tough one considering: A- I’ve only had the Storm for 1.5 weeks and B- I got my first Mac this year. But the Storm is the best little device I’ve ever used. The UI is easy to get used to, it’s very versatile, and it can do a lot. I love the full browser and 3.2MP Camera, which my old blackberry lacked. And I know, the iPhone has had it forever. But it doesn’t have a click-screen or several options for an onscreen keyboard, which IMHO is a big plus. Because of the Storm, I could sell my old Blackberry, and my iPod Touch.
    Favorite Website: Freelance Switch
    As a freelancer, I am constantly looking for advice and tips on accounting/financial, legal, and client issues. Freelance Switch is a great resource with authors writing about all that and more. Plus, they have freelance job boards, forums, and ebooks, making the site a one stop shop for any freelancer.
    Favorite Software: Coda
    The ultimate Web Development IDE and one of the top reasons I’m a Mac user. Along with your run of the mill highlighted syntax, it suggests php functions, HTML tags, and CSS elements and attributes. It also has a visual CSS editor, built in shell for SSH, access to ebooks, and built-in FTP. It makes web development 100x more efficient.
    Favorite Move: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
    All the way up until Christmas, when I saw this movie, I was sure The Dark Knight was my favorite movie of ’08. However, Benjamin Button is a fascinating story that takes you through the 20th century via the tale of a boy born an old man and aging backwards. It’s skillfully done, Pitt and Blanchett are awesome, and the movie raises some interesting points about relationships of all kinds. A must see.
    Favorite Music: Anberlin
    I’ve liked Anberlin as long as I’ve heard of them, but 2008 was different. They put out a new album, which I love. I saw them at an amazing show in Philly, and they are actually getting radio play. My brother will be disappointed I didn’t pick Guns N’ Roses and the release of their long awaited CD, Chinese Democracy (which I’d also recommend), but Anberlin wins it this year.

    So there you have it. My five favorites of 2008. What do you think?

  • December 31, 2008

    Do or Do Not. There is no Try.

    That is one of my favorite quotes (and not just because it’s in Star Wars, or Yoda said it). It has a lot of meaning to me. And this quote, I suppose, is the theme of my Year in Review post. In the past I’ve said, “This is a benchmark year, blah blah blah,” and then listed things of note that happened to me that year. 2007 was particularly good. But 2008 I feel, was a year of almosts.

    I almost signed that big client or launched that project. I almost got an A, I almost met that goal, I almost said what I really wanted to say. This really goes against the quote that is the thesis of this post, and one I’ve been trying to live by since high school. To me, almost is trying and failing. So for 2009, I’m going to do or do not. I’ve set a business plan for my business and it will be a good year. I just need to follow through instead of just thinking about it or saying I’m too busy. I’ve also set some personal goals for myself, which I will also follow through with.

    So I guess the quote is also my New Year’s resolution. Here’s to 2009. I want to leave you with another 2008 Year in Review post I just read over at SimpleBits. It’s very pithy, to the point, and also holds true for me.

  • December 28, 2007

    2007 in Review

    My year-in-review post comes a few days early this year because tomorrow I leave for DC to meet up with some college friends for a weekend long New Year’s Eve celebration. It seems every year in this post I say how it’s been a benchmark year, and it’s usually not the case. Yes, I picked up some new skills here and there, but in retrospect, that seems to be business as usual. This year, however, was quite different.

    • I graduated college: In May, I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Media and Information Technology. That is still a crazy thought for me.
    • I started Grad School: I am now attending my alma mater to attain my Master’s Degree in Software Engineering. This past semester was pretty difficult but I learned a lot that I will now be able to apply to my projects as a freelancer.
    • My Business Grew: In a huge way. Not only did a get a big number of clients and some great connections, I became more confident as a business owner and web developer. I also launched a new project, Into the Open, which I will really push after New Years. Finally, I am re branding my business entity with a new name, logo, and scope as far as what the business offers. If things go well, I might be an LLC before 2008 is out.
    • I lost 50 pounds: I made my annual resolution of losing weight/going to the gym and actually followed through. While that has slowed in the last few weeks, I will be getting back into it now that I am not quite as busy.

    I’d say since the time I started this blog, 2007 has been the most substantial in my personal and professional life. I’ve gained some great insight, a whole new skill set and grew a lot as a person, forming some very strong bonds with people and learning a lot about myself through them. So, good bye 2007 and here’s to 2008!

  • December 31, 2006

    2006 in Review

    This post I have been thinking about for a couple of days now, and I am not sure what to say. 2006 was a pretty good year for me. JLC Web Design had a benchmark year, doing pretty well client wise. I’ve picked up a few new skills, like programming in AJAX and C. I’ve taken more pictures and got a litany of new toys, including a new laptop, camera, mp3 player, and of course, my Treo 650.

    I also started a couple of series on this site that I hope to continue. The first one is The Business, where I give some insight on running my business, JLC Web Design. I also started a series on productivity and staying organized.

    Coming in 2007: a new design to the blog, and hopefully a whole new project. All in all, it was a pretty good year. I’ve learned a lot, and hope ’07 is just as good! Later!

  • December 31, 2005

    2005: Year in Review

    Well, 2005 was quite an eventful year for me. One of my resolutions was to read more, and I definitely did that. I plan to do even more in 2006. After going through the archives for this year, I found some older posts with some nice insight here and here. I think it was partially due to more insight on my blog that it grew so much. ’05 was a great year for me internet wise.

    2005 was also a year of travel, concerts and new experiences for me. For one, Ireland. It was unlike anything I have ever done. Plus, I said I would never travel over seas. I am now glad that promise didn’t hold. In Ireland, I also saw U2, which kicked off my 2005 concert tour. I saw A LOT of concerts this year. All of the pics are here. U2(amazing), Bloc Party, Misfits (met Jerry Only), TransSiberian Orchestra, HIM, Dane Cook, and the best of ’05- CKY. I was especially excited for CKY to begin with because of the great time I had in 2003 when they played the Chance. Not only did they have a lot of energy this year (and then too) but we got to meet and take pics with everyone in the band. They are all about their fans, which is great to see.

    The last thing I want to talk about is programming and me in 2005. I have made some serious advancements in PHP/MySQL and Java. I have come to know that it really is something I enjoy and want to keep doing and get better at so I can do cooler stuff. No 2 programs are the same, and there is always ways to improve already existing programs. When I finish the book I am reading now, I will be reading a book on AJAX and the Java Cookbook, maybe doing 2 or 3 programs out of it a week.

    Thanks to everyone who read this and the rest of my blog in 2005. Its popularity grew and that really means a lot to me, because I don’t just feel like I’m talking to myself. I am glad my advice is reaching people. Later.