January 20, 2024, Saturday afternoon, 3:52pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Last Friday I worked out at the complex gym in Aliso Viejo. I felt in great shape. I snapped this picture to share with a friend. The next day I got a sinus infection. Then this Thursday my back went out from coughing while in bed. I feel run down and crooked. Amazing how in one week things can change. On a side note; it has been rainy all day. I got a walk in before the storm and went to the gym this afternoon.

January 19, 2024, Friday night, 6:45pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Worked today. The sinus infection feels better but my back went out yesterday. I am walking crooked. I am Still trying to re-calibrate my mindset about changes at work. My boss is gone in two weeks. It feels like everything will change. Not sure what the priorities will be. Amazing how one decision by someone else can alter so much of my life. There is nothing to do now except adapt and go with the flow. I am sure It will all be fine.

January 18, 2024, Thursday night, 6:07pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I came back to Orange County today. Originally I planned to visit Palm Desert but just didn’t feel up to it. I still have a cough and runny nose. It wasn’t a bad day. I worked out, ate breakfast at the hotel, drove home then picked up my daughter from school. Now I am resting up for tomorrow and hopefully shaking the bug I got.

January 17, 2024, Wednesday night, 6:55pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Bakersfield,California,USA. I have been feeling under the weather the last couple of days. Mostly a severe runny nose and a dry cough. It feels like extreme allergies more than illness, but it is annoying nonetheless. I went to the Bakersfield office today. Things went alright until the medicine I took this morning wore off. Then my nose began running profusely. I left early and came back to the hotel because it was uncomfortable, for me and everyone else. I was planning to visit Palm Desert this week but might postpone. I don’t want to be there if the symptoms persist.

January 16, 2024, Tuesday morning, 5:46am, pacific standard time, hotel room in Bakersfield, California, USA. Yesterday I checked on the hospice I used to work at in Phoenix. I knew their lease expired at the end of the year and was curious if they moved. Turns out the site has been permanently closed. I am not surprised. They struggled to find patients even when I was there two years ago. Still, seeing it closed for good has left me feeling sad.

January 14-15, 2024, Monday morning, 7:45, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Yesterday, I spent a lot of time reading blog posts I had written three years ago. That is when I started doing this exercise in earnest. Back then I desperately needed a forum to feel heard. Now the need is not as immediate, but still vital. Feeling heard gives me an inner peace I have not found elsewhere. This morning has been beautiful. The sun is shining through my window. I am working but since it is a holiday nothing feels overwhelming. I have a couple calls this morning then I will head to Bakersfield and Visalia for a couple days.

January 13, 2024, Saturday night, 11:38pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Woke up a little later than usual, went for a walk up Blue Lantern, got coffee, then came home. I went through the storage bins in my room to find an old Blu Ray player. My daughter wanted to show her mom the movie from film fest. Unfortunately, when I hooked it up the machine no longer worked. Not surprising, it had been in storage for ten years. I will call a friend tomorrow and see if we can borrow one.

January 12, 2024, Friday night, 7:07pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA. Still in Aliso Viejo with my daughter. Her mom is supposed to be home soon. She called from the road and said she might stay in Dana Point. I doubt that will happen. She is frustrated with our daughter and feels unappreciated but I am sure she would rather be home than in my apartment. Personally, I feel tired myself. I hope she gets here and decides soon. Either way, I am ready to turn in for the night.

January 11, 2024, Thursday night, 9:24pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA. Tonight was the film festival for my daughter’s school. The event took place in Irvine at the theater we frequent often. The film she starred in closed the show. This isn’t just dad talk, she did a great job. She sincerely has a powerful screen presence. I was so proud of her even though she was embarrassed by all the attention. when it was over we took her friend home then came back to the apartment in Aliso Viejo. Her mom comes back from Arizona tomorrow. I will miss getting to spend so much time with my daughter. We had a good routine this week.

January 10, 2024, Wednesday night, 5:54pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA. Another day of survey activity in Palm Desert. Today didn’t go so well. There are incomplete files that need to be corrected. I am thoroughly enjoying this week with my daughter but i am also antsy because I should be at the branch for survey. One more day, we will see how it goes. I will relax and let things happen as they may. Boss wise it is going to take some getting used to the new leader. He has a more direct management style. I am not going anywhere but, if I am honest, work has lost a little luster.