Claude Sonnet 3.5:
In 2008, I documented 210 posts across several main categories: dining and drinks (78 posts), travel (42 posts), technology and gadgets (35 posts), entertainment (30 posts), and personal updates (25 posts). Looking back, it was a year marked by significant international travel, a growing fascination with emerging technology, and an ever-deepening exploration of London’s culinary scene.
Travel Adventures #
My travel year kicked off with an unforgettable February trip to Norway, where I experienced some bucket-list Arctic activities in Tromsø. Dog sledding with Alaskan Huskies under the night sky was exhilarating, matched only by witnessing the Aurora Borealis while enjoying reindeer stew - a perfectly Nordic combination. The Polaria aquarium visit added an interesting cultural dimension, though I noted the ironic contrast of watching seals play and then seeing seal fur products in the gift shop.
The spring and summer brought me to Berlin and Mexico. Cancún served as my base for exploring the Mayan Riviera, including visits to Chichen-Itza, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. I tried scuba diving in Cozumel (perhaps ambitiously for a first attempt) and enjoyed authentic Mexican cuisine away from the tourist traps, particularly at La Choza with its tin roof and wrought iron aesthetic.
The fall was dominated by an extensive Canadian tour, covering Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Niagara. Montreal’s culinary scene particularly impressed me, with Olive Gourmando becoming such a favorite that I visited multiple times. The city’s bike-friendly infrastructure made exploration a joy. In Ottawa, I found myself connecting with Canada’s political heart at Parliament Hill and experiencing the engineering marvel of the Rideau Canal’s tiered locks.
Technology & Gadgets #
2008 marked significant shifts in my tech ecosystem. After a decade of maintaining my own blog software, I made the decision to migrate to WordPress and Media Temple’s Grid-Service hosting - a move reflecting both the maturation of web platforms and my changing priorities. The transition involved migrating over 4,000 blog posts and dealing with the complexities of permalink preservation.
My gadget interests reflected the rapid evolution of consumer technology. I watched the iPhone ecosystem develop, though I remained hesitant about the first-generation model’s limitations, particularly its lack of 3G/HSDPA support in the UK market. The emergence of HD video capabilities in DSLRs caught my attention, particularly with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II’s groundbreaking footage.
The year ended with me contemplating a shift from my MacBook Pro to a Thinkpad, reflecting an ongoing evaluation of my computing needs. My camera gear underwent scrutiny too, as I weighed the merits of the Canon 40D against the pixel-heavy 50D, ultimately favoring image quality over marketing specifications.
London Life #
Throughout the year, London remained my home base and cultural playground. I maintained a regular circuit of favorite establishments while continuing to explore new venues. The Stone Masons Arms and The Dartmouth Castle in Hammersmith became reliable haunts, while Brick Lane’s Story Deli earned the title of my favorite pizza place in London.
The city’s cultural offerings kept me engaged, from the Much Ado About Nothing at the National Theatre to The Mighty Boosh Live at the O2 Arena (though I found the venue too large for comedy). The year concluded with a New Year’s celebration at Fire in Vauxhall, a fitting end to a year spent exploring London’s diverse entertainment landscape.
Looking Forward #
As 2008 drew to a close, my focus increasingly turned to streamlining and efficiency - whether in technology choices, photography gear, or content management. The WordPress migration symbolized a broader shift toward leveraging established platforms rather than maintaining custom solutions, freeing up time for other pursuits.
My blogging itself evolved, becoming more focused on documenting experiences and technical explorations rather than daily updates. This transition reflected both personal growth and the changing nature of online content creation, as microblogging platforms began their ascent.
Note: While maintaining the chronological record and travel log remained a priority, the frequency of detailed blog posts decreased compared to earlier years, marking a natural evolution in my online presence.