Backporch Beer - WE'VE CLOSED! THANKS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE!

OBT before 40

This is another cross-post from Facebook. I have to find a way to pick/choose Notes that I want to also hit this blog so that I don’t have to do this double-work.

I begin to realize that I have never completed anything big in my life, mainly due to my lack of focus — too many interesting things to do at once. I know that I can finish something awesome and I have a list of potential activities. I would like you to help me pick that activity. Between now and my 40th birthday party (April 29, 2010) I will complete that task based on you input. Please, leave comments and suggestions. I will decide on March 29th, 2008 and update this page (and the Facebook event page) with my progress.

Being me, I’ve made a chart breaking down each task with three ratings: artistic/analytical/mechanical. (Ratings are 1-5 with 5 representing the most effort.)

This is the list of activities I will choose from:

• Learn Processing : 5/5/1 – Processing is a programming language applied to visual media mostly for art, but I think there will be a day that it will have commercial applications. I would like to create an installation quality presentation, and have it appear in a gallery. http://is.gd/kgTA

• Learn Accordion and/or Ukulele : 5/2/4 – I’ve started the beginning process of learning these instruments then I hit a wall (separate rhythms on each hand – accordion; tuned my baritone uke to standard – too lazy to restring).

• Write a novel/screenplay : 5/4/1 – I’ve got a dozen ideas for original novels, and half-dozen for “based-on” screenplays. (And if Brian Walters can write three novels that were published on Amazon…)

• Develop an iPod/iPhone game : 4/5/1 – I don’t know Objective C yet, and I’m not a very good artist, but I’m sure I can come up with a creative, progressively challenging game.

• Construct a DIY Bargain Studio : 1/3/5 – I’ve got about a dozen plans for building inexpensive camera/lighting rigs that would support my movie creation jones. http://is.gd/kh5N

• Learn R : 2/5/1 – Data analysis and metadata creation/design is a longtime love of mine. R is the new/applied SQL and could be a powerful career boost. – http://is.gd/UeB

• Learn Mashup (Music) Creation : 3/4/1 – I have a fairly broad (but simple) base of music theory including rhythm as of late. The mashup meme is old, but the style will probably live forever. http://is.gd/130K

• Create Independent Web 2.0 Site : 2/5/1 – I have a few ideas for expanding on the existing concepts of social computing, and with my knowledge in automation through programming I think I could do this well.

• Become a Vlog Personality : 3/3/2 – My obsession and inspiration of the Vlog Brothers and 5AG drives me to attempt my own YouTube channel. Do I have the charisma? Could I find a unique voice? Is my skin thick enough to survive flaming?

• Create Facebook Application(s) : 2/4/1 – I’ve already created two independent applications that I could rewrite for Facebook, and I believe FB will survive the social web flood. This also has the potential to change my career.

Ok…I’m ready for your input…try to be nice, though.

One Response to “OBT before 40”