I was just going to make this a post but I figured that would get lost in the shuffle.  I opted instead to make a page out of this little ditty. 

With CES 2009 over at the end of this week, we’ll start to slowly settle back into the regular news cycle.  As we do, like many other bloggers out there, (Simon May, I’m looking at you:  Thanks for the inspiration!) I have certain goals I wish to attain not only in relation to this blog but on a much wider scope as well.  For now though, I’ll just discuss what my goals are for 2009 in relation to Entertainment 2.0.

1. Make the podcast weekly—This one has been a timing issue for me from the beginning but I want a more regular show.  I now usually have time to myself each Sunday morning so you should be able to expect shows every Sunday afternoon/Monday morning at the latest.
2. A more professional podcast—I simply want to clean it up a bit.  I’m currently researching a good podcasting rig and I think I’ve found one.  Hopefully I can have it soon and start making the show sound better.
3. Product reviews—With CES here, I’ve already started contacting companies to attempt and obtain review samples of their products.  I want to make myself a source for Media Center product reviews for all Media Center users.
4. Monetize—Yep, I’ll say it.  I want to earn a little off of the blog and show.  While I would prefer to have one sponsor, this hasn’t happened yet and may not for awhile so until it does you’re going to see ads on the blog.  I’m trying to put up stuff that Media Center geeks could use, such as the new Tiger Direct link you’ll find to the right.  I’m not going to turn the whole blog and show into one giant ad, but you will hear it mentioned from time to time.  Earning a living isn’t the goal of this blog.  (I have other plans for that.)  It’s more that I want to be able to purchase products for review, be able to run contests, and, the ultimate goal for this year, pay for my trip to CES 2010.
5. Contests and giveaways—see above.
6. More community involvement—You’ve heard me say it during the last few podcasts and I’m going to continue to push this part:  I want this to be YOUR Media Center podcast.  While I’m here to review apps and hardware, bring you news and share my opinion, it’s the enthusiasts that have the stories we all want to hear.  Whether you leave something on the drop, or want to come on the show for an interview, I want to involve the community as much as possible.
7. Do more interviews—This, along with product reviews, is one of the biggest improvements I want to make to the show.  I did a few in 2008 and I want to expand this in 2009, a lot.  I want to talk to everyone from MS people to hardware folks to 3rd party app developers to other bloggers and podcasters.  I’ll be seeking these people out but if you work for a company related to Media Center, then let me know!  I’m also again looking for enthusiasts, system builders, etc. to join me on the show.
8. Get a monthly special going—I’ve spoken to certain people about this and once CES is wrapped up I’ll be bringing it up again.  I’d like to start a monthly round table podcast with a separate feed involving four of us.  I’d like to go with a format of two experts, myself and another member of the community.  If this is something you’d be interested in participating in please let me know.  I’m hoping to start this project before the end of January.
9. Monthly VideoCast—This is hard due to lack of equipment, but with my Media Center upgrade coming in February, I’m hoping that will be the first episode of a running series.
10. Become more involved in the Media Center community as a blogger and raise my knowledge level—Pretty self explanatory.  I want to expand my own knowledge and expand my reader/listener base at the same time.  With a niche like Media Center, I’m sure I’m never going to be Leo LaPorte but I can try.

That’s about all I can think of right now.  It’s a lot to get to in one year when you’re also trying to expand other projects.  I hope to update this list by scoring things off as I accomplish them.