Some New Year Resolutions

The new year is just around the corner and since I have time on my hands, I decided to come up with a list of my new year's resolution. I usually don't do this but what the heck!

So here goes the list (in no particular order):

1. Remove pirated software from desktop PC and try using legit ones
• I am a software developer by profession and I have realized that using pirated versions of software I use almost everyday is unfair. This realization came to fruition when me and some officemates had casual chats about the compensation given to us not being at par with the effort we expend. Empathy is key -- imagine those software developers who aren't getting paid enough for their troubles because people pirate the software they make and sales go a bit down. I have started this initiative by buying a legit copy of Windows 7 Home Premium. Although I usually opt to use FOSS, there are some softwares in my desktop PC that are pirated (most of them are games).
2. Create something useful
• I have been wanting to create something useful for some time now. It's about time I put to use what I read in those technical books I've bought. So for 2011, I am forcing myself to create a simple but useful computer program which will hopefully help me learn new stuff and come up with something useful (and hopefully profitable). Of course, something useful isn't entirely limited to computer programs but programming is my top skill so I can't think of any other thing. But I'll keep an open mind. This will also help wean me off of wasting too much time in social networking sites.
3. Shed some pounds
• And so my dream of becoming a 200-lb stud may come to a crashing halt come 2011 because my wife keeps telling me that I'm well on my way to fatdom which I feel she abhors. And since I love my wife more than my 200-lb dream, then I need to sweat it out as soon as possible. (For the record, I am currently at 198 lbs; 2 lbs shy of my dream. Hehe.)
4. Improve my writing skills
• I admit that my writing is a bit blah so I want to improve on it. But I really don't know how. All I know is I like to write stuff but what I write turn out to be mundane. I feel that I can do better. I guess I'll start by writing more stuff in this blog and at the same time try as hard as I can to make them a little more interesting.

I'll keep it to 4 for now which I think is already a handful anyway.

Here's to 2010; Onward to 2011!