Review of the year 2020 (spoiler - it sucked), but we're still here

[swatts]

Greetings G Programmers,

Here's my review of a very strange year.

Work SSDC

Marginally better than last year, our partnership with Sierra Peaks is really beginning to come good and that's great because the UK has been pretty flat. I've noticed a slight change in our business, where we are being brought in to add "Grey Hair" to a project. This is a new term to me (Jonny got it from a job he was working on), and I love it as my hair is going quite grey now.

Here's some of what we worked on this year - 

Tow tank

2 Laboratory Management Systems

SingleShot Mini (PicoITX based server)

Singleshot improvements

Switch testing system

Hydro-electric Dam Bearing control system

Laser Pollution Testing truck

Semi-conductor bonder

Aerospace Actuator Test System

University Lab Improvements

Work DSH Workshops

This is growing quite nicely and organically, I'm forecasting this will grow a bit more in 2021 and take off in 2022....

We started and are quite proud of VIWeek and the GLASummit, we also did some very enjoyable online events and launched our FFF (Foundations Fast Forward) offering. We now have a lot of material and are not afraid to use it!

Work GDevCon

We had to put GDevCon into hibernation for the year, we'll be back in 2021! Various online things served as a replacement and were pretty great!

CSLUG

James Mac has taken over the organisation of CSLUG and is obviously doing a better job than me, so that's lovely, good job James. Hopefully we'll get to meet up in 2021!

Travel

Mostly Bedroom-->Kitchen-->Office-->Living Room-->Bedroom and repeat

Happiness

I've been fortunate to live in a house with the people I most want to be with. I'm quite good at making bread now.

Sadness

Weirdly I feel privileged that this is the saddest thing to happen to us this year. But I miss her.

I'm going to repeat what I said last year, because I think we deserve it even more now ..

How about this for a new years resolution for everyone.

Surround yourself with things that make you happy and reduce the things that don't.

Let's do positive things in January, rather than removing perceived excesses. I'd like to see a "self-pampering January" rather than diets and gym memberships. How about a starting 2020 full of art, music, laughter. dogs and treats.

Also take some joy from looking after each other, find someone or something you really want to look after and make their lives as great as you possibly can. It's quite possible that it will be reflected back upon you.

Lastly I'd like to thank everyone who's kept in touch, I don't do Christmas cards, but if I did yours would have a lovely long message in it!

[Intaris]

Surround yourself with things that make you happy and reduce the things that don't.

See, That's the grey hair talking there. Or to put it another way, that's why people are looking to the Grey hair for advice.

It sounds like superficial advice. But it's the truth.

[Bob_Schor]

Across the Pond, we seem to be seeing the Light at the End of the Tunnel.  Vaccines are going into Arms, Congress has gotten off its duff and passed needed Relief spending, and there is a possibility of a Peaceful Transition in January.

VIWeek and the GLASummit were wonderful Events.  I do miss sharing "in person" with my LabVIEW colleagues at NI Week in Austin, but Mucho-Kudos to the creators and innovators of these two Events.

We miss our kids (on the Other Coast).  No grandkids yet, but my wife hasn't yet met our "Grand-dog", Azula.  Continued Health, Happiness, and contentment for the coming year.

Bob Schor

[swatts]

My 2021 Preview will be much more upbeat I think. There's much to feel optimistic about.

My parents will be getting jabbed soon and that will be a huge relief and just after I posted this I got some great health news from my sister, so weights are being removed....

I can't wait to start "in person" stuff again, I'm a big introvert and it's even been tough for my old brain!

[FabiolaDelaCueva]

Hi Steve, 

I am arriving late to this party...

Funny you should mention the grey hair job... I read this book a couple of years ago and I have been aiming at having a Grey Hair Service firm:

Managing The Professional Service Firm by David H. Maister

Thanks for the DSH-workshops FFF plug... ahem... you forgot the link... so here it is: http://dsh-workshops.com/#fff

Finally, you are so right, surrounding ourselves with good things is the best we can do, always be kind to future you and if possible to present you as well... 

Then, after you have been taken care of, as you eloquently put it: "find someone or something you really want to look after and make their lives as great as you possibly can"

Seems like you have found the key to happiness and joyful life.

Cheers and thanks for your friendship, I am so lucky to get your advise on a daily basis 🙂 

Best regards,

Fab