<p>I really need more time in the day. I have so many things I want to do. I want to write more, I want to finish a side project, practice guitar, and more. But after work and cooking dinner, the hours in the day aren’t quite there.</p>
<p>Over the course of vacation I read two books that have inspired me to buckle down and focus on side projects and writing.</p>
<h2>Side Projects</h2>
<p>I read <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/coders-the-making-of-a-new-tribe-and-the-remaking-of-the-world-clive-thompson/12477150?ean=9780735220584">Coders</a> by Clive Thompson. In the book, he talked about the different companies and developers, and what they have been able to accomplish. I’m by no means naive enough to think that my little side projects are going to change the world or anything, but it’d be nice to finish something. Even if the app is just for me and no one else has any use for it, it would make me happy.</p>
<h2>Writing</h2>
<p>The other book I read was <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/on-writing-a-memoir-of-the-craft-stephen-king/14560198">On Writing</a> by Stephen King. I’ve had several ideas for short stories, novellas, &amp; novels, but have never really sat down and started writing. The book was an interesting look at how he got to be where he is today, and some of the tips and thoughts that have helped him succeed. And while what works for him is by no means universal, it has given me a slight push to write more.</p>
<p>His one suggestion is to write 1,000 words a day. I have been trying to write every day, but I never really had a word goal. I think that is going to change to be 1,000 words a day.</p>
<p>Most days while in Aruba, I would spend the late afternoons, after the pool and the sun, but before dinner, in the lobby bar writing over a martini or other cocktail. I’ve made good progress in my writing and am off to a good start, but I’ll need to spend time to keep it up.</p>
<h2>Everything Else</h2>
<p>Other things I want to focus on for the last two months of the year are guitar, and my fitness. I’ve been a little lazy of late for fitness, and I want to change that in November and December. I also want to make the time to practice guitar more often. I had been doing it only sporadically, but am hoping to do it at least every other day.</p>
<p>Like I said, I need more time in the day.</p>


I Need More Time in the Day

<p>July was a scorcher. I know we had it lucky compared to other areas of the world, but I don’t do well in the heat so the constant 90º weather was not pleasant for me.</p>
<p>Other than the heat, it wasn’t a bad month. Not much really happened this month. It was nice and relaxing. I went down to Maryland to hang out with a good friend from college. We caught an Orioles’ game in Baltimore and just hung out with his wife and daughter.</p>
<h2>Running Again</h2>
<p>Towards the end of the month I started getting back into running since I’m going to attempt the Philadelphia Marathon this year. My hip flexor is still giving me issues so I’m hoping it doesn’t get so bad I can’t run. Thankfully the distances right now are on the shorter side to help me ramp up to the longer distances. Waking up at the crack of dawn so I can run to beat the heat won’t be much fun though.</p>
<h2>Guitar</h2>
<p>I’ve also picked back up the guitar. I got one in high school, took a few lessons but then stopped playing since I didn’t really take to it. One of my goals this year was to pick it back up. I’ve gotten my hands on an acoustic guitar and am taking online practice lessons in hopes that I’ll take to it better this time. The tips of my fingers are hurting though 😭.</p>
<h2>More Sleeve Work</h2>
<p>I had my second session for my sleeve and so far it looks amazing. The detail is phenomenal despite it not having any color yet. I have two sessions scheduled in August to get some color on the upper arm and then start on the forearm. I’m looking forward to more progress and its eventual completion.</p>
<h2>Monthly Round-Up</h2>
<p><strong>🏃🏼‍♂️ Running &amp; Biking</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Running:</strong> Back up to 32.77 miles. Marathon training has begun.</li>
<li><strong>Biking:</strong> Nope</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>🏋🏼‍♂️ Lifting</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Switched over to a twice a week program to give me time for marathon training.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>📚 Reading</strong></p>
<p><em>Finished</em></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/twilight-of-the-gods-war-in-the-western-pacific-1944-1945-ian-w-toll/13150893?ean=9780393868302">Twilight of the Gods: War in the Western Pacific, 1944-1945</a> by Ian W. Toll</li>
<li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-terraformers-annalee-newitz/19537833?ean=9781250228017">The Terraformers</a> by Annalee Newitz</li>
<li><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/bullshit-jobs-a-theory-david-graeber/6692761?ean=9781501143335">Bullshit Jobs</a> by David Graeber</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Started</em></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://leanpub.com/learningpatterns">Learning Patterns</a> by Lydia Hallie &amp; Addy Osmani</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>✍🏻 Writing</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Continued my reading logs<ul>
<li><a href="https://kpwags.com/reading-log/35">July 7, 2023 (#35)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://kpwags.com/reading-log/36">July 21, 2023 (#36)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://kpwags.com/reading-log/37">July 28, 2023 (#37)</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Wrote about <a href="https://kpwags.com/posts/2023/07/12/random-thoughts-on-owning-things">owning things</a></li>
<li>Wrote about <a href="https://kpwags.com/posts/2023/07/24/reading-and-watching-notes">keeping notes on what I read and watch</a></li>
<li>Wrote about <a href="https://kpwags.com/posts/2023/07/31/blazor-custom-authentication">implementing custom authentication in Blazor</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>🎮 Gaming</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Continued <a href="https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/horizon-forbidden-west/">Horizon Forbidden West</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>📺 Watched</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Started, and finished <a href="https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-roosevelts/">The Roosevelts</a></li>
<li>Continued season 2 of <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12327578/">Star Trek: Strange New Worlds</a></li>
<li>Got up to date on <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472954/">It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia</a></li>
<li>Started season 3 of <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5057054/">Jack Ryan</a></li>
<li>Started <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8879940/">Mythic Quest</a></li>
<li>Continued <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1898069/">American Gods</a></li>
<li>Continued <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2261227/">Altered Carbon</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>🎬 Movies</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2906216/">Dungeons &amp; Dragons: Among Thieves</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11274492/">The Out-Laws</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4572820/">For the Love of Spock</a></li>
<li><a href="https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0796366/">Star Trek</a></li>
<li><a href="https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1408101/">Star Trek: Into Darkness</a></li>
<li><a href="https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2660888/">Star Trek: Beyond</a></li>
</ul>


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