Reflections

Well my New Year’s eve is not that exciting. I am here at home with my family. Honestly I would not rather be anywhere else. Having young children does restrict what you can do on New Years. My wife has just gone to bed and as usual there is nothing on telly. Nothing has changed there in twelve months since I last looked at it. So I find myself sitting here thinking of the year that is passing and the year head.

This last year has been great. My kids continue to bring me great joy and I am more in love with my wife than I have ever been. My extended family has grown and I have an extra niece. My cousins have had kids of their own which is great. So family wise it has been a good year.

I became a podcaster this year and I continue in that and the show is growing well. The show saw a change of hosts. Knightwise continues to be a great partner in crime. The Global Geek Podcast also moved to The Podcast Network. That move has been very good for the show and it is great to be a part of that community and club. I am looking forward to what happens this year. I really do think that this year is going to be a great year for the podcast. Optimistic? Maybe, but you have to think positive and have goals to get anywhere.

My blog has grown this year and I am loving being a part of WordPress. It is a dynamic place in a continual state of development. It really is exciting to be a part of that. I can’t wait to see what they roll out this year.

My online life has seen some great connections with people that are a huge support and have become more friends than contacts. I meet Jason Van earlier in the year and recently I meet Tim King, a fellow podcaster and designer. Tim has been invaluable to bounce ideas off and just talk tech. We have also played with some designs that you might see this coming year. It was so great to meet fellow “geeks” in Australia who are thinking like you and have common interests. I thank them for their friendship and their willingness to help when I have asked. I especially thank Jason for his support with developing my marketing knowledge and interesting conversation and mutual respect.

So that’s my world, then I reflect on the greater world and how that might impact mine. I see that Saddam’s death sentence was carried out. I don’t care if he deserved it or not or if it was right or not, the loss of life for whatever reason is sad. I see the middle east continue to be a complete mess. Terrorism continues to be a concern globally. However, maybe falsely; I feel somewhat safer here in Australia. I fear that greater world and how safe my children will be. But I am not about to live in fear or anything like that either.

So that is all that comes to mind right now. There is heaps more swimming around in my head. But that is my reflection for this the end of 2006. Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone.

We will now resume our usual programing.

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The Essence of Life: In One Sentence

It is that time of year when we get all sentimental and think about life and everything thereafter. Do you think you could sum up your life or the essence of who you are and what you have learned in one sentence? Then to have it there forever. Phrazr is a service that invites you to do just that.

“It is our mission to use the Internet in this uncommon way, to keep these sentences for the coming generations and share the values you have created for them, forever.”

Phrazr is a nice looking site, simple all the same. It allows you to read the most recent sentences that have been put up in a scroll like graphic that unfurls when you hover over it. It is well done. They offer the service of having your sentence on the Internet forever. A permanent monument to yourself. You can opt to have your message made private as well.

Personally I think that this is a statement that should be carefully considered, forever is a very long time. What happens if the site fails, the money dries up, server catches fire or blows up or whatever. There is no explanation as to how they will keep it up there for all the world to see under those circumstances.

The service is not free. It will cost you $5 US to have your sentence memorialised  for all time. Payment is via PayPal. But then that is a small price for immortality of sorts. Plus if it helps you wrestle some demon or makes you feel like you have contributed something worthwhile then go ahead. Personally I would rather make a time capsule for my kids.

Phrazr Screenshot