Four Year Blog-aversary

This is the end of my fourth year of active blogging, and my 2,469th post, and has become my tradition, today I look back on the past year and think about what I've learned...

But first, I'd like to thank you. Thank you for reading. Thank you for commenting. Thank you for your blogging.

Thank you all...

 

1) It's not a sprint, its a marathon

Remember to pace yourself, but also remember to keep going, even if it's at a walk... Technology, business, the world, etc will not stop if you do. But again, it does not hurt to husband your strength and set a steady pace for yourself. Sprinting is a good way to max your stress and burn out...

2) There's always room to rescue one more cat

'nuff said...

3) Don't be afraid to delete comments (and don't let the attack comments get you down...)

Look, it's YOUR blog. If you don't like a comment, delete it. If someone throws trash into your yard, you throw it away, right? Same deal.

Also when (when, not if... blog long enough and Mr. Anonymous will drop an attack comment... just a matter of time... sigh...) you get attack comments, try not to let them get you down too much. I know, it's hard to not let those effect you. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt... If it's time to stop blogging, then stop, but don't let the anonymous rabble control you. You control you!

4) If you're a developer, code on the side. Code for the joy of it...

Tech is moving way to fast to assume that everything you'll need to learn you'll learn at work. (LOL... that sounds like an idea for a Dilbert strip or something...)

Take charge of your future and your learning. And apply it! That's the trick. Pick a personally interesting project and start coding. And don't worry, just code.

My OSS projects that I've worked on in the last year have saved my sanity and reminded me why I'm a developer. It's reminded me just how much I love to code. Reminded me of the joy of programming...

5) Remember that teenagers will usually grow out of it

'nuff said...

6) Don't blog/email/comment/im when you're angry or something you wouldn't want your kids or parents to see.

Yeah, it's common sense, but common sense is rarely all that common. Remember, electronic data NEVER dies.

7) Save for retirement NOW

It's pretty simple. The sooner you start saving, the sooner you'll be able to retire... Your retirement is your reasonability. Do you really expect the Social Security (for those of us in the US) to be there for you? Your company pension? Take the time now to start putting away for your retirement...

8) Build your Disaster Kit NOW

Start building your Disaster Preparedness Kit now. And keep building it. Like security, it's not something that's ever done. Again during a major disaster, do you really believe the government will be there as soon as you need them? Your, and your family's, disaster safety and preparedness is, in part, YOUR responsibility...

I've made it my tradition that every Christmas each family group gets more disaster stuff. So each year our kits keep building, growing and getting better. Our kits are not perfect, but something it better than nothing...

I hope you are never involved in a disaster, but it seems smart to prepare for one just in case, doesn't it?

 

Okay, I think that's enough for now. ;)

Take care...

Related Past Post XRef:
Three Year Blog-aversary...
Two Years and Counting...