Well, it's that time of the year to do the wrap-up. The final stretch before the credits. Time to let Australia know who your chosen idol is. To refresh your memory, this is what happened in 2005.

My goals for '06 were:

Be a good husband, father, friend and colleague. Do "family" things, "Andy" things and "work" things all in balance. Blog a bit more. Play guitar a bit more. Go to the Zoo at least once this year. Go to the aquarium. Help out those less fortunate some more. Have a kick ass 30th birthday, whatever shape that takes. Play lawn bowls some more. Paint the bathroom ceiling (yes, I'm giving myself an entire year to do it).

Lesson learned #1: Print out the goals this year, stick them somewhere I can see them, refer to them frequently. I didn't even recall I'd written goals until just now, looking back over the blog for historical reference (whoops!). Coincidentally, I think I got about half of them - I did more "Andy" and "work" things, but not enough "family" things. I blogged more (just counted; 160 posts in 2006!), didn't go to the Zoo/Aquarium, had a great birthday, didn't play lawn bowls, did paint the bathroom ceiling (but not the door or window frame).

This year was dominated by 2 things really; Aurora and work.

Lesson learned #2: Having a child is mindbendingly challenging, in so many ways other than the "oh, you'll lose some sleep", or "jeez, nappies cost a fair bit" ways. It's also more rewarding, thrilling, grounding and amazing than one single person could ever describe.

Aurora has truly changed the fibre of who I am, what motivates me and how I see the world now. It's been a very hard year though, on all involved. Firstly, I have no doubt Aurora has found it hard - getting used to this world, working out how to move, finding her voice, and more recently, getting teeth. The last 2 days have really driven home how hard it is to look after a 1 year old child (and who can believe she's actually now 1 year old!). I'm just exhausted. So it's been hard for me, in the "getting used to having a child" ways, but also with the changes to my view of the world; the very defined role I now play in the family - breadwinner, and the (almost constant) feeling of being away from my new source of life and joy. But mostly, it's been hard on Steph, and I won't even begin to try and explain what she might say or feel on the matter. Suffice to say, she has done the hard yards for the benefit of Aurora and I in the past 12 months, and I cannot thank her enough for it. And even though my feeble brain forgets to make my mouth move often enough to utter the words, she is an amazing mother, a wonderful wife and an inspiring woman.

Lesson learned #3: Tell Steph how awesome she is, a lot more 

In 2006, work was the most challenging and rewarding it has been for me. Challenges included bringing new people on, retrenching/dismissing a few people, a LOT of travel and taking on broader responsibilities within SDM. I started the year heading up the Enterprise Project Management (EPM) team. We had 3 full time people (including me). We've grown the team now to 7 full time people and a few people in part time capacities as well. In September, I took on heading up another team within SDM - focussing on SharePoint, Workflow, BizTalk, InfoPath and a few other technologies. We all fall under the banner of "Information Worker". There's about 18 people in that team, spread across Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Luckily I have some good lieutenants to call on. Whilst I took the title on in 2006, I really see 2007 as my year to make some serious impacts on SDM with this team, and duplicate the success we've had with the EPM team.

Lesson learned #4: I am a very organised person at work, but there is (as always) room for improvement. I've started to plan next year with time set aside each week to "work on the business". I think in '06 I've been able to do this with the EPM team, but haven't even really started with the IW team.

Lesson learned #5: Constant travelling is hard on everyone involved. Whilst I might not be able to change the amount I have to travel, I can continue to remember the effects it has on me and my family, and try and mitigate these where possible.

I restated the purpose of my blog in 2006.

I had a number of family issues (blood related - not Steph or inlaws) this year, more than I've had in my entire life I think. Some were my fault, through not stopping to think about my actions (or lack thereof), but the majority were beyond my control. Most sadly, I stopped speaking with my sister on 16 June, due to some very hurtful, unkind things she said (think the worst and then double that). I'm not sure I'll ever speak to her again... we'll see if time can heal those wounds. There's still a bunch going on with me and the family right now (enough to dwarf this blog post), but I'll leave that until another time to write about.

Lesson learned #6: I know what kind of family I want Aurora to grow up in, and a lot of that is within my control to make it a reality. 

I turned 30 this year (and blogged up a storm on it as well). I really enjoyed turning 30; a whole new decade ahead of me, and a nice night out with a few friends and a few drinks (nothing spectacular, but something quite relaxing)

I blogged a lot this year about the people in my life, in the form of their birthday messages. This year saw me cover GVB, Mark O, Cam, Sean, Gav, Arthur, Steph, Samuel, Pauly, Nicky, Danyse, Chidgey, Kerri, Stocky, Skogg, Lauren, Neville, Bronwen, Huckle, Mum, Slash, KT, Elaine, Glen, Marc, Imogen, Vanessa, Tammy, Bren, Tanishka, Tim and Aurora. Phew, that's a few. It was good to take some time to think about everyone, although I don't think I'll do it again in '07.

Lesson learned #7: Spend more time with friends (where possible). I have a lot of interesting, smart, funny, generous friends. 

Musically, I attended a bunch of concerts this year; Coheed and Cambria, Funeral for a Friend, Opeth, Queensryche, Atreyu/36 Crazyfists, Ben Folds + the MSO, Gigantour (Megadeth/Soulfly/Arch Enemy) and G3 (Petrucci/Vai/Satriani). By far and away the band who had the biggest effect on me this year was Coheed and Cambria (as you would see from my blog postings 1, 2, 3 and 4)

I also collaborated with my longtime musical comrade, GVB, on an album (called Alive) for his singing school. I'm really proud of what we achieved, and really love some of the songs we came up with. I re-listened to the album the other day - there are some really brilliant moments in there when things come together. Hopefully we'll do another one at some point. It also allowed me to acquire another guitar for the collection (a custom built acoustic I'm pleased as punch with)

Lesson learned #8: Indulge when appropriate. I love my new guitar.

On reflection, 2006 was a hard year. A hard one, but a pretty educational one as well. I learned a truckload about myself, my relationship with Aurora, Steph, my family, my friends and my work. I learned some boundaries I hadn't hit within myself before. I learned that I am sometimes far more brilliant than I give myself credit for, and that I am a completely inept dumbass at times as well. 2006 was a growth year. And the last couple of weeks in 2006, suitably, was a time of incredible growth for me.

I'll blog later about goals for 2007, but overall, 2006 will go down as a memorable year, for better or worse, a year that saw a lot of action and a year that I'm glad is over :)

Happy New Year everyone, and welcome to 2007.