A Basic, Working copy of Silt (MUD Server)

This was a lofty goal at best from the get go, but I wanted to put it on the list to keep my mind on it.  The most I accomplished was starting a sourceforge project page for it.  So I think we can place this solidly in the FAIL category.

Finish the Birthright Webpage

This was one of those goals that started as a firmly planted win that would be trivial to complete, but ended up being the exact opposite.  I found myself getting too tied up in style issues and less worried about function.  Also, starting in June (when I got my job) I suddenly found myself without free time to work on it.  So in the ensuing chaos, I revamped the site and moved a little further into functional coding than I had been.  While not completed, it’s still making progress toward completion.  While I feel good about the progress of this project, I said I’d finish and I’m not even close to that goal so: FAIL

Achieve JLPT level 4

There’s nothing to say about this one except:  FAIL

Write a white paper on security

Originally, the idea for this came from when I was at Defcon and several of the speakers said that there is no better way to force yourself to learn a subject than to write a white paper on it.  I decided to do this as a goal simply to force myself to learn a little more about a subject I enjoy, and perhaps to get my name out there a little more (hey, you can’t blame a guy for a little self-promotion).  While I never got the proper push to writing a security paper, I did get approved to write an article for The Linux Journal regarding command line history.  The article isn’t done yet, but is solidly on its way and not due until July 2010.  Because the research is done and all that’s left is to finish the writing, this goal goes to: MEH.

Read 12 fiction books

I read Watchmen, Darkly Dreaming Dexter, Babylon Babies, Dearly Devoted Dexter, Dexter in the Dark, Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, and Dexter by Design.  That puts me at 10 books, which is 83%.  Not too bad considering my lack of free time all around.  Chalk this one up to SUCCEED.

Read 2 non-fiction books

I got halfway through 1 book and halfway through another.  I just can’t force myself to stay interested in non-fiction and I don’t know why.  FAIL

Start a podcast

I did it, we’re at 24 episodes strong and 2 months short of a year running.  Inconsistent, I know, but we’re getting better!  Listen at http://whatstherumpuspodcast.com/ SUCCEED

Be $10k less in debt

I made a good deal of progress towards paying off my debt, not as much as I’d have liked but a decent go of it nonetheless.  MEH

So there is a rundown of my goals for this year.  Stay tuned next week when I recount my goals for the coming year.

• A Basic, Working copy of Silt (MUD Server)
• Finish the Birthright Webpage
• Achieve JLPT level 4
• Write a white paper on security
• Read 12 fiction books
• Read 2 non-fiction books
• Start a podcast
• Be $10k less in debt

From what I know of personal goal setting, one should set reasonable goals with hard-line completion stipulations (which is what I’ve done).  The next step is to break down each goal into discrete, acheivable tasks, schedule them into the year and move slowly to completion.