Excited to get started

5:03pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Thursday evening, August 11, 2022. Had a good conversation with the hiring manager for my new position this morning. I will begin training in Palm Desert, California on Monday and probably spend the first week or two there. Then I will likely be assigned somewhere in Northern California. I was excited to learn Monday and Friday are considered travel days, which makes things infinitely easier on me and my family. This opportunity is turning out to be a true blessing. I am excited to get started.

If only

5:23pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday evening, August 9, 2022. Went for a walk this morning after a heavy rain last night. Then had a coffee appointment at 9am with a salesperson for the company I am joining. After that I pretty much wrote all day with a quick break to workout. If only everyday could be like today.

Last days in Arizona

5:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Monday evening, August 8, 2022. Worked on some writing today, ran a few errands and set up two appointments for tomorrow. The days are starting to go fast. In one week I will be in California starting the new job. For now I will enjoy the last days in Arizona.

Friendship

4:50pm, pacific standard time, Parking lot in Tempe Marketplace, Sunday afternoon, August 7, 2022. Had a rare day in regards to social activity today. Met a friend for coffee this morning, then another friend came over to watch television. Now I am going to have a drink with a friend in Tempe. I don’t often have opportunities to be this social, I will enjoy it while I can. It is nice getting of the house for a change.

In for the evening

4:39pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday afternoon, August 6, 2022. Family left at 5am this morning. After they were gone I ran a couple loads of laundry, watched two movies, wrote a little and practiced scales on the guitar. This afternoon went grocery shopping then called my mom. Now I am in for the evening, enjoying the quiet and staying out of the heat.

Last day

4:39pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday afternoon, August 5, 2022. Last day family is here. Went to the mall to shop and eat, now going to the pool before spending the night watching movies. it has been a good family vacation for everyone.

Simply existing

5:01pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Thursday evening, August 4, 2022. Had another good day. Spent time reading, writing, walking, exercising and taking a couple of naps. Nice to have the family here visiting and enjoy simply existing.

Things will look different

4:26pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday afternoon, August 3, 2022. More time spent writing today. I also got the oil changed and tires rotated on the car. It is time to plan logistics and prepare for new routines. Chances are I will leave for Orange County a week from tomorrow and start my new job from there. Hard to believe I won’t be spending much time in Arizona any more. I haven’t given notice on my apartment but I also will not be renewing my lease. One way or the other things will look different at the beginning of next year.

Invigorated by the process

5:20pm, pacific standard time, pool at the apartment complex, Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday evening, August 2, 2022. I spent a couple of hours today working on the piece I resurrected back in June. Working on it is different than anything I have done the past 20+ years of writing. In those instances I was alone in the act of creation; trying to use my skills, my imagination, my tenacity and anything else I could muster to make something out of nothing. This piece feels separate from me, almost like a gift. It exists as a wonderful story on its own. My purpose is not to birth it out of alchemy but rather, to spend time making it as beautiful as possible. Subsequently, I am invigorated by the process and excited to see the finished product.