5:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday evening, October 21, 2022. Drove from Dana Point to Chandler today. Got to the apartment at 4pm. When I arrived I did a short workout, listened to music, ate some dinner, then read. I am going to bed early tonight. Even though I got over being sick two weeks ago, congestion crops up in my chest from time to time. I am not ill, I just have lingering symptoms that won’t go away. That is alright. It has been a busy couple weeks, some extra rest is good, no matter what the reason.
Month: October 2022
“Domino Beach”
1:32pm, pacific standard time, Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California, USA, Thursday afternoon, October 20, 2022. I got another five minute short story from the vending machine at the airport. This one is called “Domino Beach” by Marie Ivantechenko. I like the fact the first time I got a story from the vending machine it was from a highly regarded author, O. Henry. This time I got one from a student. The story was runner up in Short Edition’s Long Story Short Award, 2020. I grabbed a cup of coffee and a danish before sitting down. It was a very pleasurable experience and a good read. This is my second to last time traveling through Oakland. After next week I will be in Palm Desert, California. I don’t know if I will miss air travel and crowded airports, but I will miss the routine I created.
Motivated
5:37pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Wednesday night, October 19, 2022. Yesterday, a current co-worker I knew from a previous job texted me to say my supervisor was complimentary of me. He shared her exact words were she wished she had several more employees like me. It was nice to hear that. Even though I just started with this company (2 months) it seems like a good fit. I am valued for the work I do and feel motivated to put forth my best effort.
The joys life has to offer
5:37, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Tuesday evening, October 18, 2022. The new executive director started today. I think she will do a good job. Her leadership style is what this branch needs; focused, stern and fair. Though I have only been here less than two months I will miss Dublin a little. But I look forward to a new assignment and spending time in Palm Desert. In the end, if I didn’t try new things I wouldn’t experience many of the joys life has to offer.
Some answers will never be known
11:37am, pacific standard time, Santa Ana/Orange County/John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California, USA, Monday morning, October 17, 2022. Waiting for my flight to Oakland. It was a good weekend in Orange County. Since learning of my new assignment in Palm Desert I have felt at peace. The future, present and past are in balance, which feels nice. Today is the 16 year anniversary of my dad’s death. Lots of memories of him and where I was sixteen years ago. I was working as a hospice chaplain in Ogden, Utah. When we heard the news we gathered in Wyoming the rest of the week and had the memorial service on the 20th. I miss him and wonder who I would be if he hadn’t died at the age of 65. I guess some answers will never be known.
Usual Sunday blues
3:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, October 16, 2022. Feeling the usual Sunday blues for no reason, other than realizing the reward for a weekend well spent is starting over Monday morning. Today I went for a short walk, did laundry, ran errands and cleaned the kitchen. There are some things I need to do for work but, so far, have procrastinated doing them.
New assignment
4:35pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, October 15, 2022. Went for a short walk this morning, got coffee and worked out. Then I ran a few errands and watched football. Yesterday I found out I will finish in Dublin soon and go to work in Palm Desert. That makes life a lot easier to balance.I look forward to making the change and starting a new assignment.
O. Henry and the Oakland Airport
11:58am, pacific standard time, Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California, USA, Friday morning, October 14, 2022. They installed a short story kiosk at the Oakland Airport. You put your hand over a sensor indicating the story length you desire then, instantly, a strip of paper is dispensed, free of charge. The story lengths are 1 minute, 3 minutes or 5 minutes. I chose 5 minutes and got O. Henry’s, The Cactus. It is a good read and, I must say, a fun and novel way to encounter excellent writing.
Thursday afternoon, Dublin, California
3:16pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Thursday afternoon, October 13, 2022. Left work a little early, still feeling run down. Lying in bed, watching baseball, looking for a place to live. I will grab dinner in a little bit then get some rest. The day was good. Went to the office, took care of some reports, finished a conference call.
Which is best?
6:08am, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Wednesday morning, October 12, 2022. I don’t feel secure because of constant worry at work; a forgotten task, a difficult decision gone awry or an important metric missed. At any time my career could fall apart. I hate living with the stress but I wonder; is it best to face challenge and potential failure or, should I play it safe and enjoy security? The latter seems smarter, but I always choose the former.
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