Time to Focus

This month has been the worst month of the year in so many ways. The biggest was being sick for nearly 4 weeks, which had a domino affect on getting anything done, which put me even farther behind than I was on just about EVERYTHING. So if you emailed me something or whatever, and didn’t get a reply, it’s just that I am so far behind responding to stuff. I have been trying to get caught up on emails the last couple of days. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. I wasn’t ignoring anyone. The short winter days are depressing and it’s been colder than normal here lately.

I always like the day after Christmas. The New Year’s Holiday really hasn’t been that much of a holiday for me since my old days of partying have long since passed. So the day after Christmas for all intents and purposes is the last of “the holiday period” for me, when I can start getting back and focused on things. It’s really my own new year.

With that in mind, it’s time to renew focus and clear some projects off the board, and start preparing for the 2008 storm chase season, which begins officially for me March 1st (doesn’t it ever really end?). Just 2 months from now. I can’t wait! Santa brought me a new digital SLR camera, a Canon Rebel XTI. This is a major piece of chase equipment upgrade! I am very excited to get this as I can now start taking some very high resolution images that I can use for other things, like prints and calendars, that plain old video grabs just don’t work for, and neither did my old 5 megapixal point and shoot. It will also open up the doors for me for some good lightning pics. Now THIS I am excited about! I haven’t seriously shot stills since I sold my old Canon AE1 film camera years ago. I love the flexibility of digital. Hopefully with some learned skill and some luck, I will have some really cool images to share soon.

With that in mind, I absolutely have to get the rest of the website finished in the next two months. This has been delayed due to paying website projects, and paying jobs always come first. But my stuff has to be done before March 1st. I also recently picked up a new HP laptop to upgrade the older one. I haven’t decided, but the other one might stay in service in the chase vehicle as well. I am still trying to decide if I want to use the Windows Vista that came on the new one, or set it back to Windows XP. Thanks to my chase partner Graham also for the new scanner to upgrade one of the ones in the chase vehicle. Looking forward to getting that installed. We have an identical one to put in his vehicle was well. We try to standardize equipment across the vehicles where possible, so we are very comfortable with the equipment in either vehicle.

So, the theme for me is, clear out some projects (and quit taking on so many free ones), get this site finished, and get ready for chase season. One major thing I plan on doing over the next year is clear out sources of major stress in my life. It’s just something I need to do to stop burning out all the time, and just be happier in general. Part of that is working really hard to pay off some things I owe and get debt free. Compared to many people, I really don’t have all that much dept, but over the next 18 months I expect to be in a debt free position. That is a goal I can’t wait for!

I have a feeling this is going to be a great 2008!

Written by David Drummond on December 26th, 2007 with 4 comments.
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