yet another dj

Blink – Blink – Blink – Blink

It’s as if the last four months have passed me by in a big puffy smoke, leaving me dazed with misty eyes (aka lack of sleep). I haven’t had the chance to scrub up; I need to reenergise and refocus for more important/interesting times ahead. I’m running a little low on steam at present but I haven’t crashed, just yet. I’m saying no to coffee also… I shall not dare.

Theories as to why my mind has been in a state of mash:

1. Work: yes, generic excuse I know, but my team has built/rolled out some new kit and it’s really toasted my buns. The web application looks amazing and feels pretty slick – it should be untouchable by competitors for sometime yet. I’m proud to a contributing factor, definitely.
2. F*cebook: you know it, the social network that is consuming everyone (both good and evil). Within half a year it’s blown up everywhere. It’s sad that I see my friends online more than in real life (defeating the purpose of real “social” activity) but, like Mirc and ICQ before it, Facebook just had to be experienced. As a stalking engine, Facebook has proven useful, but (jokes aside) it’s consumed so much of my real time that even my blogging space has been jeopardised.
3. Weather, UK: the summer has been drab to be fair. Maybe three or four weekends of real summer, but generally it’s been cold, wet and undeniably fecal-like. Outdoor activities and have been undermined by the conditions.

Goals (not footie)

Every month I define some personal goals that I plan to achieve (or at least begin working towards) during that month. They can range from performing research, online shopping, learning a new skill or pursuing my interests. I’m using Google Calendar and Google Notebook to keep track and to prevent me from slacking. Curiously enough, Wei-Yen and Chih have been talking about goals – time to shape up or otherwise perish, I think is the general consensus.

Things currently on my plate… seeking:

• A sporting alternative to gyming – perhaps tennis/martial arts?
• An outlet for online writing, commercial/technical/usability?
• Outdoor music festivals… this one might have to wait for next year :(~

Upcoming events:

• Gearing up for NZ (including a family wedding) – packing/cleaning/shopping
• Xmas snow trip in Tignes (pronounced “teens”) France, shopping for new kit
• Macbook research/planning the move from Windows to Apple

Retrospective

A photo collection is a great way to track your travels and shopping habits. It’s important you archive them, preferably with a chronological tag/folder structure and additionally an event description. Images are rich with easily identifiable information – useful when you can’t remember jack! Looking back, these are the highlights:

August:

• Rekindled my passion for Transformers, spending a bit of dosh on The Complete Generation One Collection (£60) and miniature figurines (€17). Loyal fan… and proud.
• Completed my Anjunabeats collection at bargain prices – I now have Volumes 1-5 (spanning 2001 – 2007).
• Leo’s everywhere… attended three birthday events in one day – who wouldn’t want to be a Lion? Roar!

July:

• Surfing in Newquay, Cornwall. Sampled some surf lessons in amazing Towan and Fistral beaches. Never tried this back home, but feels really sweet when you catch a wave. Wet.
• I was overcome with tennis fever – witnessing Wimbledon 2007 and greatly improving my forehand consistency.

June:

• KK’s mum stayed at the flat, cooking real food that encouraged me to eat a healthy three bowls of rice a day! Bo tong included! I gained 2kg in weight… I plan to keep it.
• Got a free upgrade in my job title, behold… “Senior Developer”. I’m doing the same work as before, but now my efforts are official.
• The birth of jonnyPoddy, the iPod shuffle that has liberalized my listening pleasures to the endless corners of Europe.

May:

• Farewell to Hei Hei. After a confined amount of time and space it was sad to see her part from the flat; she was always open to intellectual conversation and my cooking style. Tiesto thanks her for attending his kickass, back to back concerts.
• Cricket whites return… as two teams entered the park in a social fixture to reignite old school cricketing dreams. Years of wisdom and mental toughness are the key, since physical fitness and skill are no longer viable.
• Dating in the fast lane… yeap speed dating (now is your chance to post a lude comment if you wish :). Where else in the world can you see so much history, so much culture and so much congestion – leaving you a fraction of your day to meet people via organised dating. Twenty girls in one night (four minutes each); not my regular fixture but fun, nevertheless.

Today:

Time to get September rolling… clean my room and begin preparation for NZ.

ZzzzzZ first.