A colleague of mine was lamenting about his future and what direction he should go. As I was sharing my own feelings on the topic I started to summarize what I’ve learned from courses, books, and talking to successful people. Suddenly I realized the list I made was pretty damn concise and on-target. Enjoy.

1. Set your goals
2. Stay focussed
3. Know when to say no
4. Make a committment, honor it, and “clean up” if you break it
5. Don’t judge or envy others
6. Network, network, network
7. Do what you love and stop doing what you don’t
8. Exercise regularly and take care of your greatest asset - yourself
9. Take time to play
10. Stop trying to be perfect or “getting it right” the first time - just do it

Late last week my web development colleague and I finished the first phase of a site redesign for a new client. I was asked to give a slide presentation on Saturday to the client’s constituents. I agreed and asked the approximate size of my audience. “About 50 people, ” I was told.
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The author of DVD Decryptor was sent a “cease and desist” order from an entertainment company (presumably Sony but that’s pure hearsay). The software allowed the user to remove DVD copy protection for personal use such as backup, watching on your PDA, etc.

Sure, people used it pirate movies but with the explosion of Personal Video Players there is a legitmate need to watch legally purchased DVDs on their device. DVD Decryptor and Nero Recode was perfect for that.

I think we have more to fear from DMCA laws than we do the Patriot Act.

The NRDC is coordinating a “virtual march” in support of Global Warming Awareness. An excerpt:

Please go to www.stopglobalwarming.org and join this historic march, and invite your family and friends to do the same. Together, we will demand that Congress and the Bush administration take the necessary and long overdue steps to reverse potentially catastrophic changes in the Earth’s climate.

Believe what you want about global warming but don’t stick your head in the sand. The Earth’s climate changes over the millenia (the Ice Age proved that) but don’t pretend pollution doesn’t influence those changes.
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Our 19 week ultrasound was a success. The baby is a boy (no mistaking it either) and is clocking in bigger in size than expected. No surprise based on the genetic stock of my spouse and her family. Photos in the gallery now renamed to Baby Junior.