Achievements
------------
1) Improved my guitar playing skills. Finally overcoming some issues that were holding me back from getting my alternate picking fluid at high speeds
2) Improved my ear training skills quite a bit.
3) Started to learn Blitzmax (my first 'real' programming language, ever). Began in June and spent some time whipping up a basic tile engine. Then started on my MUD server.
4) Learned the basics of SQL and MySQL - enough to get it integrated with my MUD.
5) Currently learning Lisp, as I've decided it's the most appropriate language for my MUD.
6) Got to see Roger Waters live. Got to hear all of "Dark Side of the Moon" played live. Amazing. The closest I'll ever get to seeing the original Pink Floyd lineup live, I'm sure.
7) Patched things up with my girlfriend. There was no particular problem with the relationship except that we were drifting apart.
8) Managed to stick to a workout routine. Lost weight and improved my fitness level at least 10-fold.
9)
Mistakes
--------
1) Neglected relations with my family. We were never that close and have grown even further apart this last year.
2) Still have a tendency to completely give up music to devote time to programming, and vice versa. I'll have to probe deeper into the reasoning behind this seemingly subconcious shift of interests.
3) Not sure if this is a mistake as of yet, but, moving my MUD (which was coming along nicely) to Lisp. I'm estimating I'll be set back at least 2 months initially. Hopefully the features Lisp offers will allow me to offset that setback and then some in the long run.
4) Spend way too much money on energy drinks. I'm addicted.
5) I'm still too reclusive. I need to get out more and meet more people. Being a hermit is quite draining.
6) Still spend too much time dreaming. I'm also extremely indecisive when it comes to finalizing plans for my MUD (there's always a better solution ...just must spend more time brainstorming. Argh)
Goals for 2007
--------------
1) Pay off my school loan and get back to college.
2) Continue on my MUD. By the end of the year it should at least be in alpha, if not further along the development path.
3) Lose 15 more pounds and get a six-pack stomach. I've always wanted one.
4) Run a half-marathon.
5) Explore AI and related fields. Get some experience coding neural nets/genetic algorithms. Start catching up on my biology/neuro-science.
6) Improve my math skills...a LOT. While I made it to calculus in HS, I don't recall any of it. I was always good at math but at the time, had nothing 'real' to apply it to, and so I never was really interested in it.
7) Either get my car running or sell it. Anyone looking for an 1987 Fiero GT in good condition? They're practically collector cars!
8) I better stop this list, as my final goal is to "stop projecting unrealistic goals for myself that in the end do nothing but kill my enthusiasm as I realize I can't meet them all within the given time-frame" :P
------------
1) Improved my guitar playing skills. Finally overcoming some issues that were holding me back from getting my alternate picking fluid at high speeds
2) Improved my ear training skills quite a bit.
3) Started to learn Blitzmax (my first 'real' programming language, ever). Began in June and spent some time whipping up a basic tile engine. Then started on my MUD server.
4) Learned the basics of SQL and MySQL - enough to get it integrated with my MUD.
5) Currently learning Lisp, as I've decided it's the most appropriate language for my MUD.
6) Got to see Roger Waters live. Got to hear all of "Dark Side of the Moon" played live. Amazing. The closest I'll ever get to seeing the original Pink Floyd lineup live, I'm sure.
7) Patched things up with my girlfriend. There was no particular problem with the relationship except that we were drifting apart.
8) Managed to stick to a workout routine. Lost weight and improved my fitness level at least 10-fold.
9)
Mistakes
--------
1) Neglected relations with my family. We were never that close and have grown even further apart this last year.
2) Still have a tendency to completely give up music to devote time to programming, and vice versa. I'll have to probe deeper into the reasoning behind this seemingly subconcious shift of interests.
3) Not sure if this is a mistake as of yet, but, moving my MUD (which was coming along nicely) to Lisp. I'm estimating I'll be set back at least 2 months initially. Hopefully the features Lisp offers will allow me to offset that setback and then some in the long run.
4) Spend way too much money on energy drinks. I'm addicted.
5) I'm still too reclusive. I need to get out more and meet more people. Being a hermit is quite draining.
6) Still spend too much time dreaming. I'm also extremely indecisive when it comes to finalizing plans for my MUD (there's always a better solution ...just must spend more time brainstorming. Argh)
Goals for 2007
--------------
1) Pay off my school loan and get back to college.
2) Continue on my MUD. By the end of the year it should at least be in alpha, if not further along the development path.
3) Lose 15 more pounds and get a six-pack stomach. I've always wanted one.
4) Run a half-marathon.
5) Explore AI and related fields. Get some experience coding neural nets/genetic algorithms. Start catching up on my biology/neuro-science.
6) Improve my math skills...a LOT. While I made it to calculus in HS, I don't recall any of it. I was always good at math but at the time, had nothing 'real' to apply it to, and so I never was really interested in it.
7) Either get my car running or sell it. Anyone looking for an 1987 Fiero GT in good condition? They're practically collector cars!
8) I better stop this list, as my final goal is to "stop projecting unrealistic goals for myself that in the end do nothing but kill my enthusiasm as I realize I can't meet them all within the given time-frame" :P