2007 was a year to remember
Filed Under (Random Note) by Nic on 24-12-2007
Tagged Under : 2007, reflection
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Wow. What a year. To be honest, the thought of writing this post has haunted me for almost the entire year! I despise writing year-end summations. I despise them because there is so much that matters that cannot be mentioned. There is just too much stuff.
But I’ve decided to give it a good go. I think that this will probably be the most personal post I’ve written all year. Who knows, here goes.
I began 2007 in a bit of a daze and felt a bit overcome by many things. Jen moved back from London at the end of last year so she was back and we were together again. We have been together now quite a while. This has definitely been the greatest accomplishment of my year and the almost three that we have been together, keeping a woman like Jen is always an accomplishment, she is amazing.
I currently still living with my Mom. She’s a great source of strength for me and I think she is more of a friend than a mother now that I have grown up and can contribute to life a bit more. Thanks.
I struggled in the first part of 2007 with work, money, freelancing, career path and life in general. I started a few projects that ended OK. I helped Courts start his blog, Sharepointexpert. I met Christof, Mike, Justin, Stii, Matt, Dave (who I knew before the “web 2.0 bubble”) and many more. The 27 dinners became a stable event in my year. I also became reacquainted with Groogle and Shnitz which I am thankful for.
My friends and I continued our 8:Thirsty tradition every Wednesday of the year. This is a time that we use to catch up, hang out and discuss our lives, paths, futures and reminisce about our pasts. Wednesdays are more often than not my favourite days of the week thanks to the 8:Thirsty Boys.
After struggling with my freelance photography and writing - working for corporate clients and some smaller inserts in the Sunday Times - I decided that this was enough. At this point luckily I was found by Financial Mail and offered a job. I have been working there for close on 8 months now. What a pleasure. At 23 I have almost walked in to the perfect job. The only down side is the fact that I drive to work on the same road that I have driven since I was 12 on my way to school. That needs to change, but otherwise things are grand at the office.
I started SA Rocks in 2007. This is an accomplishment that I am extremely proud of I must admit. SA Rocks has given me faith in my country once more. It has proven to me that people are inherently good with tinges of evil and that SA is a truly Rocking country if we allow it to be that. The growth of SA Rocks over the past 10 months has proven to me that I am not the only person in SA who wants to feel good about the country. I have successfully carried a 100% growth (and sometimes more) from month to month on SA Rocks.
I have been accused of many things this year too. Waves and linkbaiting have definitely been the name of my blogging game on this blog. I think that this had made me more friends than enemies but I stand to be corrected on that one. First there was Guy who Paul, Vince and Justin helped and advised me with. Then there was Bolton who we are still debating at lunch with Matt, Vin and Justin. I was linked to on TechCrunch, met Jimmy Wales and spoke at the 2nd 27 dinner about the state of SA and why I love it. I also managed to sign a contract with Virgin Money to sponsor SA Rocks!
Justin wrote his year-end post that I read today and he said it well; many people hope that next year will be better than the one gone past. This year I hope that next year can match 2007 because if it does I will have ample opportunity to make friends, make money and create my happiness.

To everyone who has touched my life this year who I have left out I thank you for your involvement and input in to my life. It’s been a long, difficult, challenging and rewarding year and I thank you all for being close to me.














Dude, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to know you and do some stuff with you and I hope I get to go even more stuff with you in 2008.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday. I am painfully jealous just looking at photos of your holiday spot.
Hey Paul!! Thanks very much. Same from my side. I am sure that there is alot to come in 2008 for all of us and hopefully alot of stuff together!
I am sure that you are having a great time with your son on holiday so don’t be too jealous of me!
Was good meeting ya this year dude.. our paths crossed.. im sure it will again in 08
@charl - I am sure they will, have no doubt, let’s try make 2008 full of fruitfilled paths!!
Great post Nic. Happy Holidays and have a great New Year.
Great post to read on Christmas morning. The Fairy has tears in her eyes. Thank you. 2008 will have to match and outperform 2007!
Congratz dude on an awesome year and I hope you get to match it in 2008. Even with all the crime and shennanigans, South Africa is a great place to live in, and thank you for highlighting the good stuff. Also made it to 3 years this year (married years), and if 2008 matches 2007 I’ll take it. Somebody once said that a week is a long time in politics (I’m sure those who were at Polokwane would agree)…and I’m going to wait a few days before I write my wrap-up for 2007.
Keep rocking!
Love the link love dude
Thanks.
Been a pleasure to work with you and I look forward to 2008 because I know it’s going to ROCK!
Ah you know, I know how to link to mates!!
Ye, I agree, I think that 2008 is going to be an amazing year. I haven’t had a good feeling in a while about a new year.
Things are going to be great!
What a wonderful post Nic, I’m dreading writing my one too, best I start preparing
All the best for 2008!
Hey Chris, Thanks alot man. YE, think you better prepare well, these things are tought to get done!!
Thanks and same to you, hope 2008 is awesome!
You know, I think this was probably one of the more original summaries of 07 I’ve read so far.
I like your optimism, Nic. Bring on 2008 - I agree!
Thanks SheBee!! I appreciate your kind words. I do try and occasionally succeed at entertaining!
I am positive about ‘08 and am sure things will be moving on up - to the east side (little bit of humour).
Well you do succeed mostly I think
You can keep the east side, its all west side, bay-beee!
Dude, it was a huge honor meeting you in the flesh! Hopefully we’ll do it more often in 2008!
Wow, thanks Stii, it was fantastic meeting you too. Such a humble down-to-earth dude in the blogosphere is always refreshing and welcome!!
We will definitely do it more often. Maybe Justin and I will get down to you at George for a long weekend or something?!
I’m so sad I’m going to be using a PC again at ViaMedia, saying goodbye to the macbook pro is going to be a sad, sad moment in my life. I have an iMac, however, I have never been able to sustain 2 computers
Also, perhaps you should put “quit smoking” on you list of to-do’s for 08.
Quit Smoking…. yes… What I think is that I need to start doing more exercise first and then work in the smoking thing!