Claude Sonnet 3.5:
Looking back at my 2006 blog posts, it’s been quite an eventful year filled with extensive travel, countless restaurant explorations, tech gadget acquisitions, and cultural experiences. Out of my 304 total posts, approximately 115 were about dining and drinks (38%), 75 about travel (25%), 60 about technology and gadgets (20%), and the remainder covering movies, events, and daily life.
Travel Adventures #
My international travel really picked up this year. The highlight was my first international flying lesson, piloting a Diamond Star DA40 TDi from Stapleford, UK to Texel in the Netherlands. The experience of navigating across the English Channel and handling VOR navigation in European airspace was exhilarating. I’ve made significant progress toward my European JAR PPL (Private Pilot License), though hitting some amusing bumps along the way - like that incident with the Piper Warrior’s nose wheel tire!
Spain became a significant destination, with extensive time spent in both Madrid and Barcelona. The contrast between Madrid’s energetic nightlife and Barcelona’s architectural wonders, particularly Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, was striking. Turkey was another memorable stop, where I explored Istanbul’s rich history through its mosques, bazaars, and Byzantine architecture. I notably pivoted to Istanbul when civil unrest made my planned Budapest trip unfeasible - a reminder of the political dynamics of 2006.
The US featured prominently in my travels, with visits to Washington D.C., Death Valley, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. The Andrews Air Force Base Joint Services Open House was a particular highlight, where I got to see the F-22 Raptor, US Navy Blue Angels, and the V-22 Osprey - all cutting-edge military aircraft that were relatively new to public displays at the time.
Technology & Gadgets #
2006 was a significant year for mobile technology, and my posts reflect the rapid evolution happening in this space. I upgraded through several BlackBerry models, culminating in the 8707v with its groundbreaking 3G capabilities - a major leap forward for mobile internet access. My detailed reviews of these devices capture a fascinating moment in mobile technology history, just months before the iPhone would be announced and change everything.
The Tom Tom Go 910 GPS was another significant purchase, representing the peak of standalone GPS devices before smartphones would eventually make them obsolete. Its 20GB drive loaded with maps of multiple continents seemed incredibly advanced for the time.
London Life #
A significant portion of my posts revolved around London’s dining scene, particularly in areas like Richmond, Shoreditch, and Soho. My regular haunts included Matsuba for Japanese, various Thai places, and numerous pubs and bars across the city. The frequency of posts about Brick Lane’s curry houses and Shoreditch’s emerging bar scene captures London’s evolving food culture and the early stages of East London’s transformation.
Cultural Observations #
Looking back, my posts inadvertently documented several interesting cultural shifts: the rise of gastropubs in London, the emergence of Shoreditch as a cultural hub, and the growing influence of mobile technology in daily life. The number of posts about BlackBerry devices and GPS systems particularly dates this to 2006 - we were on the cusp of the smartphone revolution but didn’t know it yet.
Looking Forward #
As 2006 draws to a close, I’m particularly excited about my progress in aviation training and the possibilities it opens up for European travel. The year has been marked by significant professional changes too, with a new job starting in October that promises to bring new opportunities in 2007.
Statistics at a glance:
- Total Posts: 304
- Restaurants & Bars Visited: ~85 unique venues
- Countries Visited: 8 (UK, USA, Turkey, Spain, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands)
- Gadgets Reviewed: 15
- Movies Watched & Reviewed: 12
- Air Shows Attended: 4
It’s been a year of constant motion and new experiences, setting up what looks to be an equally exciting 2007.