About two hours ago I turned in my graduation application. If I pass the two classes I'm taking right now (no real reason I shouldn’t), I will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May. Me. Graduating. Finally!

My first semester of college was in the fall of 1989 at Michigan State University. I've had several stops and starts since then, but I've now been on the right track long enough to get my degree. It’s amazing that a) I'm finally getting it done, and b) that it took me as long as it did. Whew!

But that’s not all the big news this year.

Most of you reading this site already know this, but last Friday (January 20th) was my last day as a Yahoo! employee. There really are too many reasons for my leaving to list here, but let’s just say that’s it’s been something in the works for a while. There were several “things” that all happened at just the right time to make leaving Yahoo! the right choice. I'm now contracting with a company that a good friend works with and I couldn’t be happier.

There are more issues to think about now that I'm basically self-employed (health insurance, life insurance, etc.) but I definitely feel up to the task. I have a lot to learn, but I'm enjoying the process so far.

Oh yeah, there’s still some other news, too.

Earlier this month, I broke the news to my parents that we're moving this summer. Sometime in May, or June, or July, we'll be picking up the family and moving from Dallas on up to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Again, there are too many reasons to list here, but this also has been a while in coming. It was hard breaking it to my folks, especially my mom, but I think this move will be good for us. No, great for us.

This has already started out to be a crazy year, and January isn’t even over. I'm sure there are going to be some bumps in the road, but at the end of it all, I know it will all be worth it.

Wish me luck! :)

Updated: 4 January 2005

It seems like I've been coming across many excellent weblog posts and articles where freelancers have posted what they've learned in the process. Whether you are planning to do something like this or not, there are some handy tips in these.

About Going Solo & Steps to Becoming a Freelance Web Developer, by Garrett Dimon

It seems like everybody is or wants to be a freelance web developer. Of course, this makes sense because it enables such a glorious and carefree lifestyle. Rather, that’s what everybody envisions.

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as creating a web site and cashing checks. There’s a lot more to running a business that isn’t sexy or fun. Parts of owning your own business are downright boring, tedious, and expensive.

Full-time freelancing: 10 things learned in 180 days, by Cameron Moll

Thus, here are 10 things learned over the last 6 months. This topic has been exhausted elsewhere by many others, so I hope I've avoided duplicating what’s already been said.

Small Biz 101: How to Get Started, by RyanC

Starting your own company is amazing. The freedom it offers is something you just can’t have when working for someone else – no matter how high on the ladder you are. So why doesn’t everyone bail out of their 9-to-5 and head for the green pastures of self-employment?

Do you have any tips for freelancing from abroad? at MediaBistro

Now, more than a year and a half into my Italian adventure, I can look back on my naive enthusiasm and-even if it stings-chuckle. Being an ex-pat writer requires just as much work, if not more, as making it happen back in the motherland. And I had it easy.

Is there an online service that can help me set up a new company (either as a GP or LLC) and get Federal and State Tax ID’s quickly? at Ask MeFi

I was just awarded a consulting contract, and need to set up a company fairly quickly (in 2 weeks' time). Is anyone aware of a service for helping expedite this? It will be a sole proprietorship, so I don’t need anything fancy, just the right paper work, tax ID’s and subsequently a bank account.

How to Start a Startup, by Paul Graham

You need three things to create a successful startup: to start with good people, to make something customers actually want, and to spend as little money as possible. Most startups that fail do it because they fail at one of these. A startup that does all three will probably succeed.

NEW: Cash Flow and No one starts with a masterpiece, by RyanC

In this article, I'd like to focus on something that I believe holds people back from starting their own company or launching a new product or service. What is this hurdle? It’s the belief that you have to know exactly what you're doing from day #1.

NEW: Ten Rules for Web Startups, by Evan Williams

1: Be Narrow

Focus on the smallest possible problem you could solve that would potentially be useful. Most companies start out trying to do too many things, which makes life difficult and turns you into a me-too.

NEW: How to Make a Million Dollars, by Marshall Brain

And really, this decision to start a business gets us to a key part of our conversation. There are two mentalities at work in our economy today. Either you can be someone else’s employee, or you can be the one who hires the employees. You can work for a business, or you can own a business of your own.

NEW: What Not to Do, by Mark Henricks

He came up with an informal list of “16 Mistakes Start-Ups Make”—since expanded to 17—that has been used in a Harvard Business School case study, has been cited in many publications, and has become a part of what he teaches budding entrepreneurs in his frequent university lectures.

NEW: Why Small Web Design Firms Should Think Big, by Andrew Neitlich

Either you're serious about growing your business, or you're not. Either you choose to approach marketing with 100% commitment and intensity, or you choose to approach it with a half-baked effort.

NEW: A Guide to Starting Your Business, by Chris Campbell

Making your own decisions. Doing something you love. Spending more time with the family. Participating in the American Dream. Starting a business is awesome. Paperwork. Legal fees. Invoices. More paperwork. Taxes. Starting a business sucks. The Particletree Team is about to incorporate its second business and have come to the conclusion that while everyone seems to be pretty good at giving sage advice about running a business, most fail to get to the specifics on starting one.