Hey everyone - hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations made you forget all about your computer for a few minutes! My folks and brother visited us for the Christmas week so that was great.

I’m heading back to work tomorrow so I thought now was a good time to get my head straight and tell you about the things that I AM GOING TO DO this year! On this new day of this new year, I’ve made up my mind - certain things are going to happen. By writing them here, I’m going to play them like a contract/promise between me and you… not that you’ll really care, just that at least it’s a matter of my word with a pinch of pride thrown in.

Here’s what I am going to do doing - starting now:

1. Lose ten kilograms by 1 April 08
This wont be easy, but I’m going to get my ass back to the gym and eat smart. I know this is achievable and it’s just a matter of wanting it enough. My wedding is on the 12th of April so it’s important for me to get rid of the chubby groom factor - I’m only ever planning on having one set of wedding photos!

2. Learn C#
Don’t get me wrong, I still love ActionScript, it’s just that sometimes I get a little frustrated by the fact that we’re often fighting against factors that don’t apply elsewhere - speed of execution being the big one. All of this stuff to do with 3D and physics is only just becoming possible and it’s still at a level that really limits what can be done. I need to add another string to my bow and I’ve decided that this is it - I’ve bought myself a book, I’ve got the idea for the first simple game - and I’m starting today. Imagine the particle generator potential!!! :)

3. Make a game in C# and XNA and publish it to XBox 360 live
If you’ve noticed that I haven’t been experimenting here as much as I used to, I’d say that’s probably because I’ve really been enjoying my XBox and experiences that go with it. Not just the gaming side, but I’m really inspired and intrigued by many of the games I play… what makes each of these games fun, addictive, worth paying for?! It’s really a study as much as it’s me zoning out and killing time. So, I’ve decided that I’m going to take my previous resolution and bundle that into an XBox format and take my game ideas to that next level.

4. Paint a picture on a big canvas
I used to be so into art in so many ways. I originally wanted to be a graphic designer or an illustrator or an animator but I guess I just totally misunderstood what was required to get into these university courses and that’s how I ended up in computing. My mother and sister are both brilliant artists and I know it’s in me to some degree too - so this year is the year I do something about it. I’m going to get myself to a few art classes, meet a few people and get a few acrylic ideas out.

5. Buy a guitar and get back into it
Most of you wont know this but I used to be really into my guitar. I even used to be in a very rookie little trio and we used to have some fun by getting up at the local Open Mike nights and experimenting with a few original songs. I found that the whole act of turning away from my computer and picking up that axe and entertaining my other senses really balanced me and - without wanting to get too hippy about it - I felt that it was really good for the soul. When I decided to travel (I went to the UK and Europe) I needed the cash and couldn’t take it with me so I sold the old girl and put the money towards the airfare. I really miss it. So this is the year I will do something about this too! I’m going to find AU$1000 and buy myself another guitar and rediscover the joy of making music.

I think that’s it - five resolutions will do for this year. 2008 will be a big one as both Samantha and I are turning 30, getting married, traveling to South Africa twice, finding and buying our first home. Crazy, I know.

So I’ll head off and dive into my C# text book. If you’ve got any resolutions that you’d like to share - or have any useful tips to help me achieve mine, please leave your thoughts.