6:39pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday night, November, 11, 2022, Veterans Day. Got out of Palm Desert before 1:30pm this afternoon. The drive was fine; very little traffic on the roads, good music in the car and gorgeous weather all around. I forgot how nice sunsets are out here. November in Arizona is beautiful. Being back feels strange. Like, everything is familiar yet, distant at the same time. It feels as if I physically slipped into a memory. Oh well, I am a little tired. I am sure tomorrow it will all feel normal again.
Month: November 2022
Bittersweet Arizona
6:21pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, November 10, 2022. Heading to Arizona tomorrow after work. Originally I was going to leave at eleven, then the clinical manager needed time off. So I pushed it to three. I don’t mind staying but that is 4pm mountain time. Most of the drive will be in the dark. This weekend will be bittersweet. My friend arrives on Tuesday so this is the last week I have the apartment to myself. I will miss some things about Arizona but overall, I am ready to move on.
A professional band-aid
5:53pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday evening, November 9, 2022. Had my 90 day evaluation today. It went well. My supervisor gave me a 4 out of five rating, which means I am exceeding expectations. She highlighted my skills and energy, even calling me the “band-aid.” When a site has leadership turmoil I come in and soothe the situation. I like that analogy. I can live with being a professional band-aid right now.
Being more social
5:39pm, pacific standard time, parking lot, Palm Springs convention center, Tuesday evening, November 8, 2022. Waiting to meet up with an old work colleague. We were going to a convention mixer then dinner, but he is running late. I kind of wish I cancelled; the night is dark, it is rainy and I am a long way from my hotel. However, I always tell my daughter to be social. Time to take my own advice, suck it up and make the the best of the situation.
Trying different hotels in Palm Desert
5:32pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, November 7, 2022. Trying a new hotel in Palm Desert this week. The first one I stayed at last week was expensive because of a convention in town. That is alright, I wanted to try a few properties, see which was best. This hotel isn’t bad but, I do miss the in-suite kitchen. Oh well, I will try another hotel next week and decide which I like best.
Sunday afternoon in Laguna Niguel
1:32pm, pacific standard time, parking lot in Laguna Niguel, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, November 5, 2022. Went for a short walk this morning, did laundry, cleaned the kitchen and took out the trash. When my daughter woke up we went to get tacos for lunch. Now she has a friend over to help her pack for the move. I stepped out to run some errands.
New apartment prep
8:11pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday night, November 5, 2022. Spent the day at the new apartment in Aliso Viejo. We moved a dresser, assembled a desk and put together a bookcase. All in all, we were there over seven hours,?with a small break to take my daughter to a birthday party in Lake Forest. I am exhausted. Time to read, then go to sleep.
In Irvine Friday afternoon
3:02pm, pacific standard time, office building parking lot, Irvine, California, USA, Friday afternoon, November 4, 2022. Left Palm Desert at 11:30 and made my way west. Stopped in Irvine instead of going to Dana Point; better to stay local, in case I need to pick up my daughter. This is the last weekend before she moves with her mom to Aliso Viejo. They are getting the keys today and officially moving next Friday. Update: I don’t need to pick her up but, I am going to meet them at the new apartment, then go to dinner.
One big celebration
6:46pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, November 4, 2022. Spent most of the day working on a plan of correction. The executive director, who was supposed to stay through tomorrow, left for good this morning. I guess she figured now that I am here there was no reason to stay. Other than work, not much to report. I called my mom this evening and discussed plans for our next get together. Her birthday is coming up and so are the holidays. We won’t be able to celebrate all of them separately so, it looks like we will plan one big get together, either for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Helping a friend
6:52pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, November 2, 2022. A full day in the office today. We had meetings at 9am, 11am, 11:30, 2:30 and 4:30 because there are issues that need to be addressed quickly. Only my second day and I am already in deep. Oh well, I enjoy being a part of the solution and working hard. A friend reached out today to tell me she is moving to Arizona from Texas to start a new job. I offered to let her stay in the Chandler apartment because I am seldom there. I am glad it won’t sit empty any longer and that I can help a friend.
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