Well, it’s that time of year again. Though this post comes out almost 2 weeks too late, I feel it is important to share some of my New Year’s resolutions. 2008 was a great year for me, I accomplished a lot including getting engaged to the most incredible girl in the world, moved to Chicago, and got a job at the most exciting up and coming interactive advertising agency in the Windy City.

Looking ahead to 2009, there are a few objectives I am looking forward to achieving, and making myself a better person.

- Following my friend Jeff Woelker‘s lead, I plan on volunteering with Chicago Cares to help adults learn more about how to use computers to become more comfortable with the digital age.

- Become more active. I just found out a nearby park has a natatorium. I swam for nearly 10 years growing up. So with my shoulder close to being totally healed from surgery, I figure I would hit the pool again for some much needed exercise.

- Read. I don’t read as much as I should. Well, I read a lot of blogs. A lot of blogs. I need to read more books that will benefit me both personally and professionally.

- Blog more! My goal is 2-4 posts a week. Some coming from personal experiences or rants, and the rest coming from my world famous reviews of iPhone applications.

- Record at least 40 episodes of my technology podcast Bytecast Weekly with co-host Matt Hewitt. (BTW, we are still looking for a third host, so if you are interested please let me know!)

- Spend a little bit of time on some personal projects. Right now one my projects is a secret, but everything should be live and running no later than February. Hint: it involves music.

- Grow professionally. I want to become more aggressive with my skills as an online marketing specialist. My goal is to learn more about about usability, user behavior, and advanced analytics so I can look at problems more holistically.

Have a happy and safe 2009. What are your resolutions?

I’m finally all moved in and getting a chance to settle down. Chicago is a great town. I really have not had a chance to do the “touristy” things I’ve wanted to thus far, but I’ve done enough.

What I’ve done over the last 30 days:

- I have a new job as the Online Marketing Specialist at Chicago Advertising Agency, LoSasso.
- Eaten at some of Chicago’s finest dining establishments: Jury’s, Giordano’s and Rockwell’s Grill
- Third row seats to the Chicago Bulls season opener (also want to point out I’ve now been to as many Bulls games as I have Mavericks games, even though I lived in Dallas for 20 years)
- Attended a fun/valuable conference in Phoenix/Tempe/Scottsdale put on by Sitewire
- Watched my brother dominate in the Chicago Marathon, while my fiancee and I sipped Boba Tea in Chinatown
- Considering being @ColonelTribune for Halloween

I’m settled, and ready to start blogging again. Thanks for sticking around!

I guess that explains it.

Yes, I’m still around. After I got engaged, things got VERY busy around here. I found out that in the coming months I will be moving to Chicago. So my fiancee and I are working extra hard to find an apartment before she starts her new job in mid September, and I am also hustling to find an SEM/SEO gig in Chicago. So if you know of any companies in need of internet marketing help, let me know!
I did find time to record episode 8 of Bytecast Weekly with Matt. So please check it out! I’ll be back in the game in no time.