No, the year's not really quite over yet, but the idea of sharing a few of my favourite things for 2006 just suddenly appeared in my head.
Let's call it "The d2 Delectability Awards". Yeah, I like the sound of that... And so, without further ado, my favourites:
Software
Microsoft Office 2007, specifically Outlook
Man, I don't know where to start telling you how much Office 12 rocks. Since installing it in March, my day-to-day productivity has literally skyrocketed, all thanks to one little two-part word: "To-Do". Outlook's To-Do bar, combined with calendar entries and reminders synched to my WM5 phone, have completely changed how I get stuff done. It really deserves a full review, so I'll give it one soon.
Entertainment
Prison Break
I've never really been a heavy TV Series watcher, but Michael Scofield and company have changed this. I can't remember anything I've ever watched that has such an unpredictable, on-the-edge-of-your-seat plot as PB. 12 episodes into season 2, it continues to be an absolute thriller, to the point where fights erupt in the office if someone happens to slip something about an episode everyone hasn't seen yet. Awesome.
Food
The "Muesli Munch with fruit yoghurt" from FreshStop
Fruit and Veg City's new fresh delight experience rocks. FreshStop opened 200m from our office halfway through the year, and I was instantly hooked. Where else can you stare at a huge counter full of absolutely fresh (you can see them cutting stuff up) fruit, get someone to mix up whatever varieties you choose, add some muesli and honey, and go and chill on a couch upstairs to enjoy? All for R13.95, no tip required. Yum.
Drink
Chai Frappe at Primi
Iced, sweet goodness, perfect for sharing with someone interesting. Yum again.
Web application
Campaign Monitor
Want to see how a web app should be built? Look no further. CM has quite possibly the slickest interface I've ever used (bearing in mind how powerful it is), and the attention to detail is phenomenal. We power bSOLVe's newsletters (along with a few of our clients') with Campaign Monitor - I won't even consider looking at anything else, it's that good. Did I mention that David and the team rock when it comes to friendly support? Highly recommended.
Blog
Signal vs Noise
I'll admit, I think Jason Fried and the team are pretty smart individuals. Yes, they're blatantly anti-Microsoft, but I guess it's just part of their whole vibe (and a major reason they get so much love from the web 2.0 crowd). The SVN guys have a knack for noticing, understanding and explaining the little things that matter; something I like to do myself, which is probably why I dig what they have to say.