2:41pm, pacific standard time, office in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday afternoon, April 20, 2023. Received word my company car will be delivered soon. That makes me happy. I needed a bit of good news to lift my spirits.

7:12pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, April 19, 2023. Another anxious morning, albeit slightly less severe. Why does everyday start with the same ritual? I spend hours preparing for 9 hours of work, just so I can finally relax, come back to the hotel, eat dinner, watch television and fall asleep. I am not sad, frustrated or depressed in the morning. I can’t even say worried. Rather, my emotions are out of alignment, similar to being physically out of whack from a night spent sleeping wrong. And just like those occasions when I have to work out kinks in my muscles or joints, I have to spend time working out emotional “kinks” when I wake up from a restless night. I just wish it didn’t have to happen every single day. It is starting to get a little exhausting.

7:30am, appreciate the time, be in the moment. Because it will end, and you will miss it. Palm Desert, California, April 18, 2023, Tuesday morning. This is a lesson I often forget. Looking back on Phoenix and Arizona for two years I realize now how much I appreciated and loved that time. I love palm desert and appreciate this opportunity as well. And When it ends I will look back and miss it terribly. So often I am caught up in annoyances and wishing for reprieve. I do not savor the moment that will end. In due time I will look back on this time in palm desert just as I do Phoenix, and cry a little for the loss.

7:41pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday night, April 27, 2023. Called my mom tonight and booked a flight to Utah/Wyoming for travel next week. I need time away from work and it will be the seven year anniversary of my brother’s death that weekend. Last year, mom visited Arizona that weekend and stayed through Mother’s Day. This will be a shorter trip but should be fun. We always have a good time.

12:49pm, pacific standard time, complex pool, Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, April 16, 2023. Took a walk this morning, grabbed coffee and went to the gym for a workout. Afterwards, I headed back to the apartment, showered and cleaned a little. At 11am, I grabbed breakfast for the girls, took the dog for a walk, ate a quick lunch and headed to the pool. The girls wanted to swim and tan so I am just hanging out. I planned on getting my car washed this afternoon and running to the store but, the day is going fast. I might have to do those things next weekend.

8:15pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday night, April 15, 2023. Recap from the rest of Friday; picked my daughter up from school, picked the dog up from the groomer and picked up a blanket from the dry cleaners. Then I picked up dinner from the pizza place and a friend from her house. I ended up driving over a 100 miles in town yesterday. This morning I went for the usual Dana Point walk. Afterwards, I showered and got ready. I grabbed breakfast for everyone at the donut shop then went to Aliso Viejo. The plan was for the whole family to attend a friend’s music performance in Santa Ana. However, it was just me and my daughter’s mom. My daughter went with her friend to the ball fields to work the concession stand. When we got back I took a nap, watched a movie and took the dog for a walk. This evening I picked the girls up so they could go workout at the complex gym. When they were finished I came back to Dana Point to read and sleep.

12:09pm, pacific standard time, coffee shop, Laguna Niguel, California, USA, Friday afternoon, April 14, 2023. Drove in to Orange County from Palm Desert yesterday afternoon so my daughter and I could go to a movie in Irvine. It was the same one we saw Saturday but , she wanted to go again and I didn’t mind. We had a good time and I was able to relax. The past week had me feeling burned out, which is different than being stressed. When I am stressed I can calm my breathing and stay focused. When I burn out I shut down and lose my concentration. It doesn’t happen very often, but is is scary when it does. I am glad I left early and did something to care of myself. I have been productive with my time today. I dropped my daughter off at school, did some work, took the dog to the groomer, got a haircut and returned an online order. Now I am enjoying a cup of coffee before picking my daughter up at school followed by picking up the dog from the groomers.

6:50pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, April 12, 2023. Had an employee appreciation lunch for the staff today. They have worked hard the past couple months. It was nice to share a meal, some dessert and promotional items with the people that provide patient care. Afterwards, I worked on preparing my financials presentation. The good news is we are moving in the right direction. The bad news is we still haven’t broke even. I have to be patient. Everything will work out in due time.

6:13pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, April 11, 2023. Woke up an hour later than usual this morning. I couldn’t wake myself up and get out of bed. I barely had enough time to visit the gym for an abbreviated workout before heading to the office. I spent most of the workday on virtual meetings. At 5pm I left the office, grabbed food, came back to the hotel, ate dinner and watched television. To be honest, it wasn’t an overly exciting day.

6:22pm, pacific standard time, hotel in palm Desert, California, USA, Monday night, April 10, 2023. Busy day today. There was a lot going on at work. I did not leave Dana Point until 2:30pm and did not get to Palm Desert until after 5pm. That is alright. Monday afternoons usually aren’t productive anyway. I think I will turn in early tonight and get started on the week tomorrow. still think I need a vacation sooner rather than later.