3:37pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday afternoon, January 20, 2023. Made it back to Arizona. Things were slow enough at work I could leave before noon. After a quick stop to fuel up I headed east. The drive was smooth, no traffic or major accidents. I was able to relax, listen to music and enjoy the desert scenery. It is so nice to be back in Arizona right now. My apartment in feels like home, at least for a couple days. I missed my couch, tv, bed, clothes, etc. Now I am going to do a little cleaning before getting dinner and spending the night watching movies.
Month: January 2023
Let the day end
6:03pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, January 19, 2023. Today was emotionally exhausting. I worked on my financial report in the morning then had a meeting in the afternoon to let go of an employee. She handled it well and obviously it was much more stressful her. But I feel empty inside. I am going to curl up and let the day mercifully end.
Profitability and success
7:33pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, January 19, 2023. Found out today the potential director candidate withdrew for consideration this morning so, back to square one. She was from the Midwest, which means she probably wouldn’t have stayed long any way. I don’t mind sticking around a couple more months. The site is finally rounding into shape after many weeks of dysfunction. Now I get to see this through. We survived the culture change, now comes profitability and success. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
January 17, 2023
6:18pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, January 17, 2023. My time in Palm Desert could be winding down. A potential candidate is visiting the site next week. I will show her around and go over job duties. If things go well she could be in place by the end of February. That means I would be on to my next assignment, location to be determined. There are a few open positions but, it sounds like they have strong applicants as well. I am not too worried. I am sure there is a need for me somewhere. On a side note; my ordination into Christian ministry was 24 years ago today. Hard to believe I ever lived that life. So much has changed in the past two decades.
Dana Point, California redux
5:58pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, January 16, 2023. I have mixed feelings about moving back to Dana Point. On one hand, it is the most home like place I know in the world, having lived there for eleven years. On the other hand, the time there wasn’t always great. Often I struggled to justify the stress it took to be a resident, both financially and emotionally. When I packed up the condo two years ago and moved to Arizona I made peace with goodbye. I knew it was time for change. Of course the process was easier with my daughter and her mom still living in the area. I enjoyed visiting Dana Point on weekends without the baggage of citizenship. Now that I am moving back I worry about falling into old thought patterns. Arizona was good for me. I became a newer, better version of myself. I want to continue the process of evolving. I guess time will tell if Dana Point redux promotes or hinders my journey of personal growth.
Sunday, January 15, 2023 in Orange County, California
4:46pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, January 15, 2023. My daughter, her friend and her mom joined me for breakfast with my cousin and her family in Dana Point this morning. We met them at the harbor because they were coming from San Clemente. Afterwards, we went to the beach to build sand castles and continue our visit. Even though the sky we still managed to have a good time. This afternoon I drove to San Juan, signed the lease on my new apartment and paid the deposit. I will get the keys middle of next month and move my stuff back from Arizona a little later. Now we are relaxing and cooking dinner before the week begins tomorrow.
Back to Dana Point
5:21pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday night, January 14, 2023. Saw two more properties today and submitted an application for the first. I like where the apartment is in Dana Point and feel the owner is very nice. Now that a decision has been made I feel relieved. I did not realize the amount of stress associated with not knowing where I would live the rest of the year. On Monday I will submit a deposit and sign the lease and get the keys. The unit won’t be vacant until mid—February but that works for me. It will be nice to be back to Orange County in general and Dana Point specifically.
I don’t want that kind of energy in my life
8:47pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, Friday night, January 13, 2023. Looked at three properties today. The first residence in Laguna Beach was depressing. The building should have been condemned thirty years ago. The second was in Capistrano Beach, which is part of Dana Point. I liked the location and there were certain things about the apartment that were nice but, overall I am not sure I want to live there. Finally, the last unit was the best. The complex is quiet and it is located in a good neighborhood. The price is a little higher than my budget but, not out of the question. However, the landlady has a way of making me feel guilty every time we talk. That and she lives close by. It may sound a little drastic but, I don’t think I want that kind of energy in my life right now. Even in such a simple capacity as renting.
Possible return to Dana Point and a film fest
10:23, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Thursday night, January 12, 2023. Just got back from my daughter’s film fest in Orange. It was fun to see the work of the students then talk to them afterwards. We met up with friends who came to offer support. It was nice they drove so far for an event hosted by a school there children don’t attend. On a personal note; I contacted rentals in the area to set up viewings over the weekend. I have come full circle in my search. The places on my list are all in Dana Point. This fact has invigorated me. For so long I didn’t think I could go back even though Dana Point is the only place I truly consider home. Up until today there did not seem to be anything in my price range. Now I have viable options. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have keys to my new home.
Upcoming move and a trip to Arizona
4:42pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday afternoon, January 11, 2023. I left the office early this afternoon but decided not to drive west. Instead, I am staying an extra night in Palm Desert before driving to Orange County tomorrow. I am taking the next two days off from work because my daughter’s school is hosting a film fest tomorrow night in the city of Orange and I don’t want to miss it. Then on Friday I am focusing solely on finding the right community for my upcoming move. I have narrowed down my choices and know the area I want to live. I need to determine the best community and lock it down. That way I can move my stuff back to California and establish residency again. On a side note; I think I will head to Arizona next weekend. It has been a while since I visited and to tell the truth, I kind of miss it.
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