December 9, 2023, Saturday night, 8:10pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Got the battery replaced in my personal car. Triple A came out and did it for $200. The bad news is replacing the battery resets the diagnostics. I have to drive 100 miles before I try and pass the smog inspection. This afternoon I drove out to Anaheim Hills. While there I decided to get the car washed but after I paid I realized the line was insanely long. I ended up sitting for an hour to get a low cost 5 minute basic rinse. That left me in a bad mood. At 4:30 I met up with my daughter and her mom to pick up her computer at Best Buy and then go get her friend for a sleepover. Now I am back home in Dana Point. I was supposed to go out tonight but I begged off. I just wasn’t in the mood to be at a crowded restaurant.

December 8, 2023, Friday night, 9:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. We went to dinner with my uncle, his spouse and her sister at the El Torito in Dana Point tonight. It was busy and the waiter struggled. It took an hour to get our food and then it was inadvertently prepared to go. We ended up eating out of takeout containers while seated at the restaurant. Afterwards we bought chocolate truffles at the Chocolate Soldier before heading to Aliso Viejo to take the family home.

December 7, 2023, Thursday night, 7:25pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Got back to Orange County at 8pm last night. Stopped off in Aliso Viejo to see my daughter and drop off gifts. Socks for her, a mug and spook set for her mom. This morning I walked the dog then took my daughter to school. This afternoon I interviewed a nursing candidate and attended meetings before taking my daughter to the dentist. When we finished we went and picked up a friend whose dad had surgery after suffering a heart attack yesterday. She is staying the night with my daughter tonight and maybe through the weekend. I however might try and drive to Phoenix to celebrate a friends birthday Sunday. It seems overly ambitious but I would hate to miss the opportunity to celebrate with her.

December 6, 2023, Wednesday afternoon, 3:21pm, eastern standard time, Jackson-Hartfield Airport, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Getting ready to fly back to Los Angeles then drive home to Orange County. Casino night was fun. I drank a couple whiskey on the rocks and played blackjack and poker. On the last hand of the night everybody went all in. I won with a pair of 8’s. Even with pretend money it was nice to win. I look forward to getting back to California and working with my team on the things we discussed this week.

December 5, 2023, Tuesday night, 10:132pm, eastern standard time, hotel room in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Had a good time the last two days. Mostly listening to presentations, award banquet last night, casino night tonight. I won the big final hand at Texas hold ‘em poker which made me feel good. I must confess, I didn’t want to come on this trip, but now that it is over I am thankful. With my new position I will come to Atlanta more regularly starting next year. Now I have precedent and know what to expect.

December 4, 2023, Monday morning, 9:17am eastern standard time, gym at The Hotel Colee, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Got to the hotel around 11pm last night. It is nice except the room is missing an iron, hangers and trash cans. I stopped by the front desk to request everything. Also, the gym is closed for renovations so I walked a little ways to use the gym of a neighboring hotel. It isn’t great but better than nothing. My sleep was anxious. I feel better now that I am getting some exercise.

December 3, 2023, Sunday afternoon, 1:03pm, pacific standard time, LAX, Los Angeles, California, USA. At gate 135, terminal 3? B? Waiting to board the 2:20pm flight to Atlanta. I decided to fly out of LAX because there would be more options than Orange County or Long Beach. Not sure it really matters. Thats alright, the drive wasn’t bad and getting through security was easy. The walk to the gate was long. Now I am playing Spelling Queen, eating Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn and peanut m&m’s while waiting to board in 35 minutes.

December 2, 2023, Saturday night, 7:39pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Spent the day with my daughter. We grabbed lunch from subway then went to the pet store to return a harness for the dog. We have to go back one more time because it is too big. After that we went to the hardware store to buy replacement bolts for a rolling storage bin. Then we grabbed water and snacks from the grocery store by my gym. We were going to head home but she was having so much fun she wanted to do more. So we went to the mall and then Ulta beauty to by Christmas presents. It was a fun day.

Decmeber 1, 2023, Friday night, 7:31pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Yesterday was emotional. I got a promotion but others weren’t so lucky. Many roles were reduced, restructured, or eliminated. It made for a couple awkward meetings and some tough phone calls. In the end not much changed for me. I got a small raise, lost the Bakersfield and Visalia branches, earned a Vice President title and gained authority to sign contracts. My purpose feels clearer now. I understand what I am supposed to do and I am ready to do it. 2024 coming up and it is time to prove my worth. The original promotion in June was because I turned around one branch. Now it is time to show what I can do with five.