There is nothing as great as good old fashioned last-minute-rush to get something done. I promised my friend that the number of my blog posts this year would be a perfect square. It happened to be perfect squares in the past - although I didn't try to make it that way. [144,100,__ - I am trying to fill in the blanks with 49].

Could I have done more in 2007? Regrets are for losers and ONWARD we march :-)

Here are few notable things I did:

YC Winter Founder Program
I applied for WFP Y Combinator funding, for my startup AdheSieve. It was not selected. The process of submitting the application itself was a new experience. One big positive outcome was that I talked to my current manager at my day job about my startup plans. I didn't want to do anything behind his back as he has done a lot for me - and also because doing something behind someone's back is just plain creepy. He was extremely supportive and encouraged me to make it big. I am continuing my efforts - moonlighting basically. I pretty much threw out the AdheSieve idea though.

Web Apps
I know much more about web applications than I ever did. I have internalized various things, which mean I can roll out a webapp in hours when I think of something. I'll be putting my webapp muscles to work in near future ;-) Expect some serious kick ass apps. If you want to invest in my company, do so soon. You don't want to miss the next Google.

Linux, Exclusively
Ever since I first started using Linux, I've been a loud mouthed advocate. My friend TVK and I won Rs.100 in a college debate (Windows vs Linux). :-D But all my computers so far had been dual-boots. Although I rarely booted into Windows, I had it there. When I bought my new Thinkpad T61 few months ago, I made it an exclusively Linux machine. Finally! I intend to get the Vista tax back by going to small claims court. I've made videos of not accepting the Vista EULA . I have not filed the claim yet. At the very least, it will make a funny YouTube video.

Patent Pending, Almost
My friend Mark and I came really close to getting a patent. I bought three books on the subject and started reading earnestly. Really interesting books. You should read them even if you are not thinking of getting patents: (like digging a well before you are thirsty)

1. Patent Pending In 24 Hours
2. Patent It Yourself
3. How To Make Patent Drawings
   

It turns out that prior art for our invention exists. Hmmm. Anyway, the whole activity of excited discussions over lunch every day and sharing dreams of what we were going to do after we cash out has got me all psyched up. It will be really cool to invent something! Now, THAT would be achieving my childhood dream.

Drawing Lessons
My sister and I took one full quarter of drawing lessons. I can say that I see things a bit differently now. I feel that my patience has improved too. I don't remember doing anything else ever for three hours straight. That is good. I sometimes have a sneaky suspicion that I have ADD or ADHD or whatever. It may be that I am just being childish. If I can draw a still-life of eggs on a white paper plate for three hours, I guess I can safely assume that I am okay.

Skills
Learned snow-boarding and inline skating, early this year. I found out that I enjoy snow boarding much more than skiing. It is a LOT more fun. I learned several new tricks in playing Racquetball.