What Taran Will Do In 2005

Taran's had a busy year.

From CARDICIS to MISTICA, I've cemented relationships with some really good people. One of them called me on the phone today (a calamity, I admit, since I hate telephones), and we talked a bit about the problems of the region with technology - experiences with the U.N., what have you. The same tone with which one would discuss what you plan to have for dinner tommorow.

Then there's been the Software Libre thing - I am doing away with using 'Free, Libre Open Source Software' (FLOSS) and 'Free Software/Open Source' (FOSS), and instead using what I think is a better phrase. Software Libre. There's no confusion. But Software Libre is beginning to have a noteworthy presence in the Caribbean, and I'm happy to play a part in that. There are some real blowhards out there who think that they are doing something, but they are all over the world - a dime a dozen, and as cheap as their stale breath. We have some real people in the region doing things.

I'm also planning to head over to the Dominican Republic in 2005 - early - and leave Trinidad and Tobago behind. This is for a variety of reasons, but the main ones are that (1) I feel I can make more of a difference if I live there, and (2) I need to learn Spanish, and the only way that seems to work for me is immersion.

I will read and write more. For a while, my keyboard has been silent as I experienced many things. I have piles of books I have read, and I have to do the reviews on them still. But what I was finding was that, instead of each book and experience having a grand effect on me which was worth writing about - I found it necessary to not write about some of them, instead letting them ferment and affect my world view in ways that... well, in ways which I am still coming to terms with. But I shall continue reading, and reading what others don't as well as what others do.

Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity.

-Christopher Morley

I didn't read that quote until this year, but ever since I could read, I find that I have been doing it. So I like the quote. There's so much knowledge that the mainstream lemmings miss, it's amazing.

This also means that I will continue to work on Intellectual Usability. The reason I stopped - and I would like to think I paused, but instead I stopped - was because I found that there were things I did not know, so I researched. And I researched. And I researched some more - and I'm still researching. But I am now back to a point where I can continue, and continue I shall.

The struggling for knowledge has a pleasure in it like that of wrestling with a fine woman.

- Lord Halifax

On a more personal level, I will spend more time exploring - a side benefit of moving to the D.R., I think, but in the exploring something wonderful happens. When you're away from the tourist stuff, and you're out on your own experiencing new things you see new things - and you see things older to you in a different light. This is important for writing, for reading, for thinking - and ultimately, for growth. And I shall continue to grow.

And I shall continue to do my best to wrestle with fine women. Or a fine woman. :-)

To all - Happy 2005.

To those who have seen tragedy recently, and continue to see it - you have my thoughts, and my support in any way I can (and that is not empty, I have references).

I'm convinced that this is our world, and we're going to take it back one person at a time. We need free minds, free hearts and free spirits to continue growing - and I am lucky to have friends with all three.

More blogger resolutions here.