Top 10 Predictions for 2009 - An update!

Hi blogfans !

Thought it was time to update the blog properly as it's been a while. Firstly, how you doing? Can you believe it's mid-August already? It's kind of crept up on me that's a fact. In one way though, it's also given a bit of a boot to some of the projects that have been floating around for a while. Currently in production are 3 e-commerce shops, a couple of new hosting clients and another site for a church and community centre. Will just comment on one of these for now... for the online shops, Open Cart is amazing. An easy to use and fully comprehensive open source cart solution that I have been shouting about and recommending all week. As a result, most of the old e-commerce shops I've done are being quickly replaced with Open Cart. It's that good!

Anyway, I actually thought it was about time I reviewed my top 10 predictions for 2009. There's still a few months to go, but some of these will now not come off, so a good time to review to see what's left... here goes...

10. Apple will launch a new version of the iphone... probably a Nano and an upgrade to the proper one (better camera), and probably just after I've finally got hold of mine (still not got one)

They DID! I've got one, and it's the best gadget I've ever bought (and I've bought LOADS!). No Nano version though, and I'd also suggest that it will be available on other networks soon so the price should become a bit nicer.

9. Twitter will become the new social networking phenomenon - although Facebook will continue to grow

Erm... totally 100% correct, and becoming more correct by the day.

8. Google will do something new and exciting... much to Microsoft's annoyance

Nothing too major, although the recent Yahoo/Microsoft deal may have worked the other way... I doubt it though... Google is too big... and too good... to worry about it's position in search.

7. Andy Murray will win a Grand Slam... but it won't be Wimbledon

Half right in that he didn't win Wimbledon, but I think his chance has gone anywhere else this year.

6. Blur will ROCK Glastonbury!

Oh they so did!!! I was there, they were awesome... as were Ting Tings, Dizzee, The Specials, Madness, Rolf, Pendulum (wow!) and Lamb. Red Snapper should shoot their sound guy, and get their smoke machine fixed.. shame coz I love those guys.

5. Liverpool will win the Premier League... just.

Erm no. Rubbish. And I don't think they will this season. We needed Owen to come home NOT go to Manchester.

4. Lewis Hamilton will successfully defend his F1 Drivers title - and pick up the BBC Sports Personality award at the 3rd attempt

This is also looking a bit shaky... although he is back to a bit of form at the moment. Nah... think it's a case of come on Jenson now. Great start for Brawn, hope they can recover. Same goes for Felipe Massa. Shocking injury and hope he's back soon.

3. Netbooks will become the new must-have gadget

Not sure that they're as sought after as I thought they might be. Know a couple of people with them... they're a bit slow but great value and I really like the idea of them. Have to suggest that the iphone is a better bet though... hardly use my laptop these days as the phone can do it all.

2. The Ting Tings will release their 2nd album towards the end of the year... and it'll be even better than their first

Not heard anything so far, although know they're in the studio. Will keep my eyes peeled for a release date.

1. Even though it's 10 years old, the great british public will STILL be transfixed by Big Brother all summer...

I'm not... neither are my friends... is anyone else? Yaaaawwwwn!

So I reckon so far I'm only on about 30%... pretty appalling really. Let's see what the next few months brings. For chokestudio, it looks like it'll be busy. Will also be doing some new music. As Apollo 440 once said "let's get back to the rock!"

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

25% of 2009... gone already!

Hi chokefans!

Can you believe that we're almost a quarter of the way through 2009 already!?! Bonkers!

So... how we all doing so far? Still on track to set out what you wanted to achieve this year? No... me neither. One thing that has been reinforced to me so far this year though is that life has a funny knack of beating you back every now and then - and when you're least expecting it. Whether it's work, play, family or friends - not everything will turn out as you plan it. It becomes a question of how you cope, and what experiences, resources and inspiration you draw on to help get you through it.

More importantly it's about the people around you and how they can support and help you. You do need to realise however that your demeanour can affect those people, and that in many ways, you can help yourself. Walk round with a face like thunder, staring at the floor and people will stay out of your way, and you'll get left alone to worry about all your little problems on your own. You won't get anything done because you'll be so wound up, and have nothing to distract you from all your stresses. Keep your pecker up however while still smiling and remaining interested in everyone around you and you're likely to get the same response back from people just when you need it. That little pick me up from the person who you held the door open for yesterday. Put a smile on someone's face today, and they'll lend you that 10p you need for a coffee tomorrow (without which it would probably just tip you over the edge!)

It's this sort of attitude that I'm determined to bear in mind over the coming months - and one that was inspired for the most part by a bloke I met called Paul Stalker. I'd really encourage you to read his story and sign up to his emails. Check out his website at www.paulstalkereffect.com 

So a bit of a departure from the usual sort of topics for this update, but hopefully still useful for you. See you next time!

P.S: Liverpool to win the Premier League? I think this prediction is back on... don't forget to keep your eye on the rest of my top 10 predictions for 2009 from the first blog post of this year.

Top 10 Predictions for 2009

Good evening one and all!

Two posts in a week... goodness!

I thought I'd better stick my stakes in the ground and jot down my predictions for 2009. Both professionally and otherwise and before it gets too late.

So here goes with my top 10 predictions for 2009...

10. Apple will launch a new version of the iphone... probably a Nano and an upgrade to the proper one (better camera), and probably just after I've finally got hold of mine (still not got one)

9. Twitter will become the new social networking phenomenon - although Facebook will continue to grow

8. Google will do something new and exciting... much to Microsoft's annoyance

7. Andy Murray will win a Grand Slam... but it won't be Wimbledon

6. Blur will ROCK Glastonbury!

5. Liverpool will win the Premier League... just.

4. Lewis Hamilton will successfully defend his F1 Drivers title - and pick up the BBC Sports Personality award at the 3rd attempt

3. Netbooks will become the new must-have gadget

2. The Ting Tings will release their 2nd album towards the end of the year... and it'll be even better than their first

1. Even though it's 10 years old, the great british public will STILL be transfixed by Big Brother all summer...

Feel free to comment with some of your own! We'll all compare notes same time next year and see how we did.