Good day in palm desert, dreading Bakersfield

August 24, 2023, Thursday evening, 6:23pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California,USA. The director was back in the office today after two days off. That gave me time to do my job instead of covering for him. I really felt like the Area Director for the first time. Next week I go back to Bakersfield to meet with and train the new director. Personally, I am excited, all the leadership positions in my area will be filled. But I am nervous for the new hire. Bakersfield is a mess. We have a long way to go before it is running efficiently.