Outcome: “Win”
Record: 30-0
Streak: 30

Summary: In keeping with my goal of cultivating a tranquil state of mind, I took a refreshing break for an hour and a half this afternoon. I rode my bike around the neighborhoods, looking at the trees, and I chilled out on a dock to watch the sun set. I also drank some herbal tea at work. I observed my ethics, wrote for an hour, and made a strategic move in “b”. I have two hours surplus at work still, which I think I’ll use Friday for a meeting for “b”.

Monthly Summary: The biggest thing is that I think I’ve found my system. It’s flexible enough that it can change as needed while still retaining its fundamental identity. To use the language of a famous proverb, I’ve figured out how to fish, and even though the catch might fluctuate, I’m still going to be eating. One big testament to the system’s quality, aside from the 30 days themselves, is the fact that the 30 days haven’t felt hard, barring one or two. That’s huge, namely, that the system be sustainable.
Objectively I’ve done a lot. I checked the blog and I hadn’t started actually writing my second novel draft before the 30 days began. In that time, I’ve completed about 17% of my second, almost polished draft. So in five more months, maximum, I should have a solid draft. I know that sounds like a lot, but I don’t care, because I’m moving forward with my other plans, and I’m not going to rush my writing. It’s infinitely better than last year in the sense that it’s actually something, i.e, more than zero. Those months will be over before any of us know it.
Plan b went from a vague concept to a tangible project. I’m meeting with someone in Baltimore on Friday who runs a sustainable design firm, and I’ve been in contact with several other environmentally related organizations in the area. I’ve also been writing to Upenn about their program and beginning the process of putting together my application.
My ethics have been overall solid this month. Not much to say about that in such a public forum, as much of that has to do with personal relationships.
I’ve also been sure to put in full, honest days of labor at work. It’s been annoying at times, since my true interests are suspended while I’m there. But I’ve used the time well given the weird schedule.
So I'm picking this up where I left off, and I can't remember the order of thoughts that I had in my head yesterday. Incidentally, I had a meaningful ethics victory last night and today, but that type of stuff I don't really want to put into the blog.
Objectively speaking, I wrote 17% of my book. Next month I would like to at least continue at this rate. I picked up a book about writing that was recommended to me by a St. John's tutor. It will probably affect my approach, but I'm not sure if it'll effect my absolute output. With regard to "b", I narrowed down my interests, first of all. At the beginning of the month I was trying to everyone about what I want to do since it wasn't focused. Now I'm much more focused, I think the Penn program in architecture would probably suit my interests well, and the path between where I am and there seems somewhat clear to me. I also have 1 internship that I might get that I've already applied to, one very promising contact in Annapolis, and a meeting on friday with someone in Baltimore. I have plans about next month, but I'll keep them to myself at the moment. Work was straightforward, but even with the job that I have I saved a respectable amount of money. I'm not stressing about money at any rate. Next month will be more of the same. (Not that I have the mythical 7 that's being chased around here, but I'm good for now). I've been getting into much better shape. I don't know how much weight I lost in this last month, but overall I've lost about 30 lbs. I don't know what weight at which I want to stop my descent--it'll more be a question of when my body looks right to me. More of the same next month, which should be a lot, considering what I've done this month. In French I've been keeping a steady pace. I'll keep going with 1 lesson a week, which means I'll finish my program in three months. It sounds like a lot, but I just need that 15 minutes a day. I'm also going to start reading Harry Potter in French to master the level of elementary reading in that language, to use the How to Read a Book term. After that I'll start reading heavier stuff. Speaking of reading, now I'm going to apply the system from the aformentioned book (not Harry Potter) whenever I read. I'm extremely psyched about the growth of understanding that it should bring.