SmallWorlds beta was opened up today and I was lucky enough to get an invite.

Mitch Olson and the rest of the guys over in Auckland, NZ have been flat out creating what I believe to be the best online interactive experience currently on the web.

So what is SmallWorlds? The best i can do to describe it is to think of a cross between “The Sims” and FaceBook. You create an avatar, get some credits and start looking around. Second Life also comes to mind, but unlike Second Life, you can be logged in and interacting with people in seconds thanks to the fact that SmallWorlds only requires Adobe’s Flash Player.

Interacting is fun, you can play pool with others, listen to music, watch TV (YouTube clips), look at art hanging on the wall (Flicker) and more.

It’s currently in beta but still loads of fun. If you want an invite, send me an email.

Hilarious YouTube clip from Donnie Hoyle, who btw shares my opinion of cats!

2007 is now history and it’s time to begin a new year. Before I share my personal goals for this 2008 I thought i’d share some interesting facts from last year;

• Ruth & I celebrated our 15 year anniversary
• Average reading one paperback per month
• 554 Tweets on Twitter
• 31,000 emails in 2007 (25,000 in 2006)
• 78 Flights (Domestic and International)
• 93 nights away from home (although 31 were for non work)
• 37 blog posts
• New countries discovered: Hong Kong & Dubai

Personal Goals for 2008 (in no particular order)

Weigh less this time next year.
I managed to lose some weight in 2007 but put most of it back on. This year i need to not slack off during winter!

Become a better husband & family member.
I need to spend more quality time with Ruth. I also need to be there more for my family, both immediate and extended.

Discover a new country
This is an annual goal that i want to maintain. This year i’m thinking either India or China.

Become a better manager
This crosses over into a work goal, but personally I want to serve the people that report to me better.

Join a new band
I’ve been playing Bass & Guitar for over  15 years and not being  in a band is starting to depress me. Time to fix this.

Keep up with technology
Not just Adobe related technology, I love geeking out with the latest innovations and that has to continue.

Be more adventurous and have fun
Most importantly, I want to get  to the end of 2008 and look back at the fun I had. Life’s too short.