Upgrading to version 3.0

Over the weekend there will be a scheduled upgrade to the current version available. While version 2.9 has been the best of the iterations thus far, with unknown talents being uncovered, stories being told, experiences shared and interesting people being met, it is time to make some improvements and Sunday, August 10 seems like the most appropriate date to do so.

Version 3.0 has been a while in the planning and implementation and I'm both hopeful and confident that the improvements we aim to introduce will be to your enjoyment and benefit.

Changes to existing version:

Some of the additions include:-

# Early to bed:

The suggestion has been made that some of the current energy problems may be due to lack of sleep. If so, the solution to the insomnia may be stepping away from the computer that bit earlier, laying down the book and adapting to an earlier time in the leaba.

# Early to rise:

In order to maximise the potential given by the bright mornings, a decision to increase the time in morning preparation has been agreed upon.

# Food is good:

A stricter diet of more food, with more fruit and vegetables has been in the running for a while now. With the increased variety of fruit and vegetables at reasonable prices, it seems like an appropriate time to take stock.

# Get back:

Communication is a two way thing. Therefore each email should be responded to, each tweet replied to, each comment appreciated and each commenter made feel welcome. Preaching can be easy, practising is the challenge.

# Saturday night at the movies:

To fully expolit the benefit of such resources as movies.ie, the cinema will have to be attended at least once a week. The night may vary but the hope would be to indulge in celluloid goodness if and when possible.

# The more you study...

Whether it's lessons online or a course offline, a bar/podcamp or training course, an interesting book or a conversation with peers, I hope to start making the most of the education I receive, in order to share it to make things better.

# Make the most:

Every problem is an opportunity and every opportunity could turn out to be something interesting, something innovative, something fun. Evaluating each one for what it could be worth is something both necessary and potentially interesting.

# Give something back:

There are some great opportunities to help make a difference. The hope would be to use some time, energy and resources to be that change I want to see in the world.

# Ba mhaith liom caint

as Gaeilge. Níl an iomarca agam, ach le cabhair agus caint, bhféidir níos mó agam níos déanaí. After all, Irish is the national language. I'd like to know more.

# Seek first to understand...

... then be understood. Though this has been in implementation a while, there is much more development necessary. The implementation may be tough but the challenge to better the instruction worthwhile.

# Meaning PLUS Happiness:

Mr. Linderman: You see, I think there comes a time when a man has to ask himself whether he wants a life of happiness or a life of meaning.
Nathan Petrelli: I'd like to think I have both.
Mr. Linderman: Can't be done. Two very different paths. I mean, to be truly happy, a man must live absolutely in the present. And with no thought of what's gone before, and no thought of what lies ahead. But, a life of meaning... A man is condemned to wallow in the past and obsess about the future. (From Heroes)

Let's aim for a little bit of column a, a little bit of b.

# Take a little time:

Time to sit by the sea; time to spend with friends; time to learn a new craft, to listen to some classical music; to learn a new language; to write some more letters; to make new friends and enjoy my time with old ones.

# All you need is love:

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It's easy.

Nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time.
It's easy.

All you need is love.

Than you once again for your company over the past while, making version 2.9 of me the best year yet. I look forward to seeing what happens next year. It will be fun.