Claude Sonnet 3.5:
Looking back at my blogging activity in 2002, I published 613 posts across various categories including aviation (92 posts), technology (156 posts), blogging/web development (78 posts), entertainment (65 posts), travel (82 posts), and personal/career reflections (140 posts). The remaining posts covered miscellaneous topics like current events, photography, and random observations.
Aviation Adventures #
My passion for aviation really took flight this year. I pursued both fixed-wing and helicopter training, getting my first taste of rotary flight in an R22 helicopter which was an incredible experience despite the challenge of hovering! The highlight was attending the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the UK where I finally got to see both the B-2 Spirit and F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft in action. My aviation photography and videography also expanded significantly, with my airshow videos becoming surprisingly popular online, generating over 2,800 downloads per month.
Technology & Web Development #
I continued evolving my blog’s technical infrastructure, adding features like XML feeds, mobile posting via SMS, and various analytics tools. The Aussie Blogs webring grew to over 170 active sites, delivering nearly 12,000 visitors to member blogs in just six months. I experimented with Google AdWords early in the year and built several custom tools including a dead link checker and automated content management system.
European Adventures #
The six-week European trip was definitely a highlight, covering Italy, France and the UK. Starting in Rome, we explored the Vatican, ventured south to Pompei, then worked our way north through Florence, Venice and Milan. The French leg included Nice, Monaco, Cannes and Paris, before finishing in London. Beyond the tourist sites, I managed to indulge my aviation interests by timing the trip with RIAT.
Career Transition #
After nearly 6 years at Dimension Data, I made the decision to leave in September. The company had changed significantly post-merger and it was time for a change. This opened up the opportunity to focus on completing my degree and exploring new directions for 2003, whether that be pursuing aviation professionally or starting a business venture.
Looking Forward #
The year ends with me feeling energized about the possibilities ahead. My 2003 goals include completing my degree, obtaining my private pilot’s license, potentially starting a business, and continuing to travel - with Japan and more of Europe on the horizon. The blog has evolved into both a creative outlet and a way to document this journey of exploration and growth.
What strikes me most looking back at my posts is how they capture not just events but my thought process during this pivotal year. From geeking out over new tech to pondering career changes to sharing travel experiences, the blog really became a digital journal of both everyday moments and major life decisions.
This was a year of significant transitions - in career, in travel experiences, in flying achievements, and in personal growth. While there were certainly challenges, particularly in the first half of the year, the decisions made and opportunities seized in the latter half set up an exciting path forward into 2003.
[Note: The statistics and categorization are based on analysis of the provided blog archive data from 2002. The narrative aims to capture both the factual events and personal voice evident in the original posts while providing additional context and reflection.]