THEBILNS

Thu 3 Jan
2008

RECAPPING 2007

The Little Man started school in September. I was the one that dropped him off for his first day of Junior Kindergarten and I don’t think I’ll ever forget watching him walking around in the playground searching for the first kids that would soon become his friends and classmates.

I remember him standing against the wall as his class formed a line, as he watched other kids cry, occasionally glancing over to me, getting the reassuring look that everything was going to be ok.

This was also the year The Little Man came into his own with skating and playing hockey. He’s bloomed over that last four months. So much so, that I’m wary of having his four year old frame joining the ranks of 7-8 year olds for his next session.

2007, saw our house break ground. Clearly, that’s no where near as exciting as the day of getting your keys, but when you put down a deposit for a home that will be delivered two years away, hey you’ll make any progress a moment to note.

The year also brought Tiia her first favourite movie, Alvin And The Chipmunks. She loves that flick and thanks to the ‘internets’ she watches it regularly and can pretty much sing most of the songs to tune. She may not get all the words, but that doesn’t matter to her.

Her favourite moments in the movie? Alvin with the hula-hoop, Alvin taking a shower in the dishwasher, Alvin saying “Dave, needs a little help … from the loovvvvve doctor”, and the chipmunks singing Witch Doctor.

Some change was in the works for Harp and I. We both changed paths in our careers. Choosing somewhat more dynamic work, respectively. Harp’s still with Microsoft, but in a much more different role and I’m in a brand new company altogether, working with the same technologies, just for different audiences. On a personal level, I love the work that I’m doing, but I miss my friends in the old place.

2008 promises to be a more exciting year. The kids are growing up, which means things are going to get more dynamic with regards to what they will be doing and what we’ll be doing with them. Harp will be enjoying some new things at work. Me? I’m not sure … I think this year will mean a lot of exploring for me, career wise.

But there’s no doubt that getting our new home this February will be a highlight of for 2008. Here’s hoping your year brings you many highlights.

THINKING

• Spending will make you happier, but not in the way you think. Interesting read over at Secular Philosophy.

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• Chrisopher Hitchens nails it yet again with this piece for Slate Magazine. After reading the piece, I’m inclined to agree with a lot of it.

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• When flying 35,000 feet above land, I stare down at the natural landscape and marvel at it ... and every time I fly over a city, town, etc. ... I can’t help but to think ... so this is what cancer looks like.

  I know, it’s harsh, but have a look, cities and towns just don’t blend very well with the natural landscape.

• According to this read over at Dailytech, the XBOX360 has a 33% failure rate! Like what?? Like how much? Like one in every three units will have hardware failure! I love my box ... and I’m touching wood it stays in with the other 66%.

• Old news for some of you out there, but “Demon Days” by Gorillaz ... not bad eh? Not bad at all. Nice tunes on that list.

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• Yes it’s true .. i know Gorn and I also know ShoeGirl. Personally, I think he could have gone a lot more than 30 days.

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• A 16 year old girl proclaimed she is an atheist. The reporter asked her why and she promptly replied, “I was born that way.”

  Interesting ... she’s right, you know.

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