The Reshuffle

My agenda for the remainder of 2012 and early 2013 was turned on its head two months ago when our development team at work shrank by one. The increased workload and responsibility that I was given did not phase me, but I knew that my at-home studies and priorities were going to change. As December gets underway and the holidays are upon us, I have a whole new routine, a new set of short-term goals, and new studying to do. The big focus points:

Hiking the Appalacian Trail (2014)
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am taking full advantage of while I am young, employed, and ready to go. I began training (endurance, strength) and buying gear (expensive but necessary) this year and will continue to push myself all through 2013 in preparation for six months in the wilderness come March 2014.

Writing
I have always been an off-and-on writer, but lately I have been making big inroads on several small short stories that are more or less coming together into a cohesive novella. My goal is to have the stories polished and published in 2013.

Technology Shift
In mid-2012 I began a six-month program to study specific technologies as a way to expand my software developer ambitions. Thanks to the chances at work, those initial plans were tossed out in favor of another set of skills that will be more pertinent to my current and future jobs. I am studying for a Microsoft Certification test in January, learning native Android software development, continuing to follow my interests in JavaScript, and working on a presentation on responsive web design that I hope to tour with in 2013.

Photography
I finally pulled the trigger on my passing interest in photography in early 2012 and have made it a serious hobby. In 2013 it looks like I will be going one step farther by getting an Ohio Tax ID number and setting up shop as an amateur photographer. I intend to focus on what interests me the most: artistic night shots, daytime portraits, nature/wildlife, and HD video production.

B3 out.