I just emailed you…and hope I figured out the McDonald code.

I have a question about your book: “Refactoring Legacy Applications Using CakePHP”, and am interested in ordering it for a devewlopment team that I am spinning up. What’s the best way to get in touch with you by email?

I am mc-reach-able (in McDonald-ese) at:
daniel mc-dot phillip mc-dot cunningham mc-dot mc-at-sign gmail mc-dot com

Aaanyway, as a work-from-home freelancer who strives to be “always learning”, I get stressed just like you. Lately I’ve been asking myself “How do I get out of this crazy wheel of learn/work/learn/work”? What’s the specific problem, and how do I solve it?

For me, it’s that I’m sick of working for other people, doing whatever they prioritize. I have lots of good ideas, and I know I could make a go of it, if I could just focus instead of getting distracted by every new shiny under the sun.

So, I’m starting my own project. It’s one that I know I can be passionate about for a long time, and will pour all my effort into it. I’ll do it in the technologies I’m most comfortable with (php/mysql/zend framework/propel), regardless of how cool/efficient it is.

I’m aiming for maximum developer throughput per coding hour (80/20 rule). This will free up enough cycles to focus on solving business problems (aka building traffic, revenue, marketing, etc). Stuff that programmers don’t normally get heavily involved in, but which need serious attention in a start-up, and which I (personally) don’t find nearly as stressful as the coding.
Recap: 1) project with passion; 2) easiest possible code; 3) build the business.