6:04pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, November 21, 2022. If I stayed in Orange County this week I would have felt I should have left for the desert. But I chose to come out here, so of course I wish I stayed. I guess the saying is true; you always want what you don’t have. I will make the most of the situation and enjoy it best I can. Overall, the day has been fine; the office is slow, the roads are busy and the stores are packed. I will work tomorrow, then head to Orange County or Valencia, California Wednesday afternoon to celebrate thanksgiving with my daughter and her mom’s family. All in all it should be a good week.
Month: November 2022
Feeling run down
2:49pm, pacific standard time, bookstore parking lot, Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, November 20, 2022. My daughter is hanging out with another friend today and I am the chaperone again. Unlike yesterday, I am spending more time in the car than in the shops. I just don’t have the energy, or motivation, to follow teenage girls from store to store. I feel run down. My daughter’s mom is under the weather with a scratchy throat and runny nose. Hopefully I am not coming down with what she has.
Big change nonetheless
4:45pm, pacific standard time, mall in Mission viejo, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, November 19, 2022. Stayed with my daughter and her mom last night in the Aliso Viejo apartment. It felt strange staying in a new city out here. The area is familiar yet, experiencing Orange County from a new perspective feels foreign. After eleven years in Dana Point certain perceptions and expectations had been cultivated. Now they are altered. Of course it is not as shocking as decamping to Arizona two years ago, but big change nonetheless.
Only so many
4:42pm, pacific standard time, tire store in Lake Forest, California, USA, Friday afternoon, November 18, 2022. The plan was to reach Orange County this afternoon and pick my daughter up from school. Her mom needed new tires for a trip north next week and the appointment was scheduled for the time school let out. However, she wasn’t feeling well and asked if I could get the tires. So we met in Aliso Viejo and traded cars. I went to Lake Forest and she took my car to the school in Laguna Hills. I don’t mind running the errand (or paying for the tires even) but it means not getting to spend time with my daughter. I hate missing those opportunities, I only get so many.
It has been a grind
6:17pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, November 17, 2022. Finishing another week in Palm Desert. It has been a grind. I am eager to get on the road, get out of here for a couple days and recharge mentally. My friend from Texas is in the Arizona apartment now so I am heading to Orange County tomorrow. If I have the energy I will look at potential places to live. Things are moving fast, I need to think about where I am going to live next.
Newspapers
6:46pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, November 16, 2022. The hotel where I am staying has newspapers at the front desk. I grab one every morning when I get my coffee. I forgot how much I enjoy reading news from such a medium, rather than always peering through my small, cracked, phone screen. However, I don’t think society will go back to printing newspapers in mass quantity ever again. Like so many things in life, they had their moment and now are slowly fading into obsolescence. That is alright. Best to remember how it once was rather than cling to what can never be again.
No fun week
6:46pm, pacific standard time, Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday night, November 15, 2022. Today felt nonstop and yet I barely got anything done. The to-do list gets longer every passing hour and I don’t have enough time, or energy, to address everything. I am exhausted, and tomorrow is busier. Weeks like this are no fun.
Good hotel in Palm Desert
6:16 pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday night, November 14, 2022. Trying my third hotel in as many weeks. This is the best one so far; quiet, has a 24 hour fitness center, a kitchenette in the room and close to the office. I will try and stay here from now on if possible.
Arizona afternoon
4:34pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Sunday afternoon, November 13, 2022. The usual morning routine; walk, workout, coffee. Later, I went to the store for some items, washed the car and vacuumed the floor mats. This afternoon was sapient packing things for my daughter and getting the house ready for my friend. Now I am watching football and enjoying a nice, fall, Arizona afternoon.
Saturday in Chandler, Arizona
2:35pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday afternoon, November 12, 2022. Woke up early this morning after a good rest the night before. Went for my usual walk and worked out at the gym. Later, I ran to the store and called my mom to wish her a happy 80th birthday. She is going out for lunch with friends to celebrate. I wish I could have been there but, we will see each other at Christmas and celebrate then. I did not see my friend last night so we will get together this afternoon. Right now I am resting, watching football, packing and picking up the house.
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