Aral Balkan

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season and that 2007 will be a bright new chapter in your life. It's definitely started out that way here in Brighton, where we are having a most wonderful sunny day.

2006 was as full a year as I've had in recent history. I had the honor of presenting at a number of conferences internationally, including FlashForward Seattle and FlashForward Austin in the US, Multimania in Belgium, Wizards of OS in Germany and Flash on the Beach and d.construct, here in the UK. This year is already off to a running start and I still can't believe that I'm going to be flying to San Francisco in just four days to present at MacWorld, followed by PixelReloaded in one of childhood playgrounds, the lovely and aromatic Singapore. What a dream come true! :)

This year, I plan to concentrate on my own projects, create a few new toys and generally get back into tinkering and experimenting. I feel like I've drifted a bit from working with the things that I love and every now and then you need to nudge yourself back towards that place. I've started to do that now and plan to continue doing so in 2007.

I hope 2007 brings you peace, love and happiness.

Comments

• happy new year to you too! long time no speak, but i hope that this year sees as much fun as you seem to have had in the last. take care rx

  by rachel hunt on 2007-01-01 14:40:34

• "This year, I plan to concentrate on my own projects, create a few new toys and generally get back into tinkering and experimenting. I feel like I’ve drifted a bit from working with the things that I love and every now and then you need to nudge yourself back towards that place." This mirrors my own thoughts and plans, as I blogged yesterday.

  by Keith Peters on 2007-01-01 14:48:41

• All the best in the new year Aral! It is a warm sunny day in Toronto as well (actually it is freaking me out a bit! :) 2006 was a heck of a year for me, with many of my hopes coming true - going from single developer to building a team of 8 skilled people, various speaking engagements, a teaching position offer, board of advisors, CNMA finalist, FlashForward (meeting yourself!). It all seems somewhat surreal as I look back at it, the year went by in the blink of an eye. How to top it in 2007?? Well, I have a few ideas....:) May the new year bring you success and happiness. -tim.

  by Timbo on 2007-01-01 16:41:42

• Aral, i wish you the best for 2007..Keep making things for all of us, inspiring us and make us happy. HAPPY/FLASHY NEW YEAR!

  by savvas malamas on 2007-01-01 16:55:01

• Happy new year dude. I've also started a english blog and I'd like to invite you to take a look at. Best of lucky in 2007. Hope this year I could attend at FOTB. Regards.

  by Igor Costa on 2007-01-02 02:02:13

• Thanks, Rachel, Keith, Timbo, Savas and Igor! :) @Keith: Just read your new year's post. Totally hear ya! @Igor: Nice blog, man -- best of luck with it!

  by aral on 2007-01-02 10:46:37

• Thanks dude. Appreciated comments. Best of to you in 2007.

  by Igor Costa on 2007-01-02 14:26:11