Sort of a list for 2008, I guess. I’m sure it will be horribly incomplete, but it’ll be a start. I don’t even expect to finish it in this first posting.
Take a class in actionscript 3. Or, I might need to take a step back and find a basic class that might be called “Object Oriented Programming for Designers.” Flash CS3 brought with it a new version of actionscript, which is quite a bit different than previous versions, but this is a good thing from what I can see. It’s not like I knew the previous versions of actionscript very well. Ha! Not at all is more like it. When I tried out a simple Flash piece with AS3 it took me hours and hours just to figure out something as simple as a button. It’s done quite differently than before. Certainly, I could have used actionscript 2 in Flash CS3, but to me it seems silly to keep using old technology when you have the new sitting in your lap. In the end, I figured the actionscript 3 way to do buttons out. I just didn’t expect the difference to be that drastic. Maybe I can just read (yet another) book.
Mainly what I want to do with Flash/AS3 is learn how to tie in XML data. Knowing how to do this falls into the “how to make life easier!” bucket. Being a busy freelancer, I need access to all the ways to be more productive. No one I know that uses Flash knows actionscript well, and therefore I don’t think is as productive as we could be. We’re still doing stuff Flash 3 style. Building everything by hand, depending on the timeline for everything (animation, navigation, etc.). I learned how to do a little bit of animation using AS3 and it is earth shatteringly more powerful. I’d like to learn more if I can.
However … I also know this programming stuff is not my expertise and aptitude. I completely accept that my little brain might not be able to wrap itself completely around the breadth and subsequent power of OOP. So, that’s the next thing.
Team up with a web programmer/developer. I’m to the point where some of my ideas are limited completely by my abilities. Yeah, I’d love to learn the javascript and XML technology behind sucking in an RSS feed to a web page, styling it and presenting it in an iframe or something. But I do not know how. Lots of web designers don’t know how, so I don’t think I’m lacking so much, really. It’s just extremely frustrating to not know how to do it, and to no know anyone who does know how to do it. In the end it just doesn’t get to happen! Sucks. So, I have a need for a javascript, php, asp.net, perl programmer/developer. Flash dev experience is a Plus. If you know one or you are reading this and you are one please contact me.
Build +AlphaDesign (read Plus Alpha Design). My good friend Robert and other acquaintance Darren have a great name. I love it. It’s a better design firm name than I could ever come up with, I think. Starting a business is probably what I’ll end up doing. Robert needs to figure something out, too. He’s in his “dream job” but hates it. Nothin dreamy about that. Having a business name instead of being just an independent contractor might have some advantages to it. It may just complicate things? Not sure, but it’s something that needs to happen.
This doesn’t really go on the list, but I have to say it somewhere. The Bose Companion 3 system is really awesome. I bought one well over a year ago when I got rid of my huge dolby digital 5.1 sound equipment. I just re-set it up at my current place. The Bose system is so small, but man – it’s sound is just incredible. It looks like they’ve updated it to the Series II and it looks even better. The only gripe I have with the system is the speakers are easy to knock over because of the base.
Even the slight nudge by my mouse cable can knock it over, as illustrated above. 
The new satellites seem to be a better design. And maybe there’s some small stands I can get or something. Anyhow. If you’re ever in the market for a small system, I highly recommend it. It makes working long hours a pleasure.
to be continued …