Let’s start with an update to my resolutions:

1) Be more organized.
Still trying to squeeze out those few extra wasted ours in the day. I have a new laptop these days (from work) and I am able to use Outlook as a secondary to my planner (I still working the “old fashion” paper route). I don’t really have a good way of measuring this on, but I think I am getting better.

2) Get into shape.
I have lost a further 3 pounds in the last two months. This is a little slower than I had hoped, but I am feeling much better these days. Two weekends ago, I finally finished my scuba certification and had no troubles with my dives. Last November when I tried, the first dive almost killed me.

3) Finish my thesis.
Still working on this, it just coming really slowly.

4) Improve my cooking skill.
Cooking is going well. I have started playing with breads and curry powder, no major mistakes yet. This is another hard to measure goal, but I am pleased (and Lori hasn’t complained yet).

I have also decided that the reason I don’t update my blog is because I am always writing rants, none of which ever seem to be short. I am going to try and start writing more personal blurbs, maybe then I will write more. Lori and I leave for Sydney on Friday for a two week vacation. Since we will have internet access, I am hoping to keep family and friends up-to-date via my blog. So be sure to check for updates.

Last year I posted my resolutions and then promptly forgot them, getting me nowhere. So this year, I have decided to give semi-regular (close to the beginning of each month) regular updates. So here we go:

1) Be more organized.
I have been keeping my day planner up-to-date, and it has helped me stay on top of some things. It is an ever evolving part of my life, but thus far, I have not missed anything really important this year. There are however a couple more hours I could squeeze out of each day, but I am trying.

2) Get into shape.
I have been going to the gym somewhat regularly. Over Christmas I had some problems with my back, which turned out to be related to a worn out disk. This has mode things a little difficult, but with the help of my Chiropractor, it is getting better. I am happy to say that thus far this year, I have lost 14lbs.

3) Finish my thesis.
Believe it or not, I have been working on this (Dave saw me in the university if anyone needs proof . I am hoping to complete a chapter this week.

4) Improve my cooking skill.
This is ongoing but working out well thus far. I seem to be good and things that are bad for me: chocolates, cakes (especially cheesecake), cookies and other desserts. I am working on improving in other areas and have added about 10 new recipes to my rotation of meals, a couple of which are Brian Kidney originals.

Another year has come and gone. Last night I rang in the new year with a few friends at quiet dinner party Lori and I hosted at the house. With the help of my brother’s girlfriend, Kerry, I cooked some Chinese food. Eight hours of cooking… 30 minutes of eating, good thing the food was good.

With the end of the year, I, like most, like to look back at the last year and try to decide what I would change in the new year. Unfortunately, I set pretty specific goals in 2005 and no plan to achieve them. As such, I failed in all my resolutions: I did not lose the weight I wanted to, and I did not finish my thesis (I really didn’t get that far with it at all).

This year, I am setting goals instead of specific resolutions. These goals are as follows:

1) To be more organized.
2) To get in shape. This involves both losing weight and getting active (no specific amounts).
3) To complete my thesis (this one is specific, but needs to be done).
4) Continue to improve my cooking skills (it’s becoming a big hobby of mine).

Wow, I didn’t know a website could collect dust. Oh well, it’s been a while so here’s the reader digest version.

1. I got a job. Yup, wasn’t even unemployed long enough to get EI. I am now a Product Engineer at Stratos. I no longer program full time, instead getting a chance to pay with some network equipment and other fun toys.

2. I have made the switch to Linux. I installed it on my machine along side Windows a while ago thinking I would switch back and forth a bit, but I have found that I can do everything I want in Linux. Windows is still there, but I doubt it will be much longer.

3. With the move to Linux I installed the MythTv to play with the open source PVR. Since it runs on my desktop and is not connected to my TV, I stream the recorded shows to my XBox using XBMC Mythtv. It’s quite the slick setup.

4. THE KIDNEYS ARE GOING TO AUSTRALIA. My wife won tickets in an Air Canada contest, so we are planning go somewhere between February and April of next year.

5. I’m finally going to get to Scuba dive. With the impending trip, Lori and I are going to try to get certified for diving so that we can fully enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. With my asthma I will be limited in the depth at which I will be able to dive, but at least I will be able to cross of diving on my list of goals.

That’s a quick rundown of some of the last couple months. To be honest my new job has kept me busy, so I haven’t done a hell of a lot. Maybe next time I’ll talk about my wind surfing adventures. You’ll have to stay tuned to find out.

Wow, have the last few weeks been just a little too nuts. I couple of weeks ago, my quiet life of sitting around writing my thesis got thrown completely out of wack. I got an email about a job interview on a Friday afternoon, just before I was going out of town for a funeral. When I got back from two, I got an offer of a 7 week contact before I had a chance to got to the interview. I am currently working on that contract, still waiting to here about second interview for the other job. Really though, I am hoping that he contract work lead to full time work, but more on that another day.

I have also finally changed my desktop to Linux. I have been talking about this for a while, but now that my work no longer depends on Windows, I took the plunge. So far so good (with a lot of help form my friend Geoff Holden), with the exception of my TV Card. It’s a ATI AIW card, and they’re not well supported under Linux. In all, my experiences haven’t been too bad, though I am not sure I would try Linux with my parents yet.

Finally, I want to tell you about the best movie you have never seen (at least it would be a safe guess you haven’t), Shine. I was flipping through the channels on Sunday and I happened upon it on Bravo. The movie is the story of David Helfgott Autrailian pianist who was born in 1947. I details his life from a young boy playing in competitions, to an youth who suffers a breakdown while playing in London, to the current day life of David (well, up to 1996 when the movie was released). Not only is this movie filled with beautiful music, it also has an amazing acting performance by Geoffrey Rush. If you haven’t seen this movie, put it on your “to see” list.