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1. Release version 0.2 of The Book

I released two new chapters and added a little polish to the existing ones. I would have liked to have written more, but I'm still fairly happy with how things turned out.

2. Keep running

Motivation for running has been at an all time low. It's hot and humid outside so I need to run before the sun comes up. I've managed it a few times, but my legs were stiff and the whole thing was thoroughly unpleasant.

3. Release version 1.2 of beeminder.el

I didn't even touch this during the month. It probably only needs a couple of hours to finish off, but I didn't make the time.

4. Complete one of my "other goals"

I finally settled on zetteldeft to manage my notes. I've been trying out a couple of other services and systems, but zetteldeft fits my setup nicely. I'd like to write more about this in the future, especially the tweaks I've made and how I take notes now.

I'm currently using Emacs 26.3 with the doom-nord theme. The status bar at the bottom uses doom-modeline with some slight tweaks. Font is Ubuntu Mono.

For work projects I use php-mode and web-mode. Recently I've started using lsp-mode with intelephense to add better auto-completion and documentation tooltips (which is something I'll be writing about in my book, "Developing PHP with Emacs").

I use magit for working with git repositories which has been a huge boost for efficiency. For navigating projects I use projectile with projectile-helm; they make jumping from one project to another extremely quick, which is helpful when I'm switching between client projects during the day. For project planning I use org-mode.

I'd say 80% of my professional work these days is done from within Emacs. I still use external applications like browsers and database tools, but any source code editing is done from within Emacs.

Eventually I'd like to get more comfortable using some other Emacs features like tramp (for editing files on remote servers) and EmacSQL for working with databases.

I still develop hobby projects in Blitz (using BlitzMax), although I've changed my setup a couple of times. I ended up writing blitzmax-mode so that I could write code with Emacs, and I've built a bunch of other Blitz tools over the years.

1. Read another book

I read "Mastering Software Technique: Conscious Practice for Writing Software". I've been writing software for a long time, but this book covered some ideas I'd never really thought about before.

Creating small test projects to throw away is definitely something I want to put into practice.

2. Make some art

I drew a few pencil sketches to get warmed up, but that's as far as I got.

Drawing was not as relaxing as I'd hoped.

3. Release the initial version of The book

The initial version of Writing PHP with Emacs is now available. I'd been holding back on publishing in order to get everything "just right", but that attitude defeats the purpose of leanpub. So I cut out everything I wasn't 100% happy with and then hit "publish".

Now the real work begins.

4. Run more

I ran a "stay away" 5K for charity at the end of the month. It wasn't my fastest, but it was top 3 for me which has given me a bit of a confidence boost.

I've also started training for a half marathon in October. Running in the summer heat is no fun.

1. Make some art

I originally planned to create one or two sketches, but inspiration did not strike. It's been a long time since I drew anything, and I'm still hesitant to try again. I find it frustrating that the art in my head never matches what ends up on the paper.

2. Read something

I re-read "Personal Development for Smart People". It's still worth a read, although I would have liked some more practical tips.

3. Release Bee Button

Total failure here. I got things ready for release and then promptly ignored the project to do other stuff. Right now it's 80% complete, which means there's another 80% to go.