December 31, 2024, Tuesday afternoon, 4:50pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to coffee with a friend in Laguna Hills this morning. After that my daughters aunt and uncle came down to visit. The women went to a tea setting, the men Went to a burger place called The Stand. After lunch we returned to Dana Point to talk for a while before they headed back to Valencia. Mom and I will head to Aliso Viejo in a little bit to ring in the New Year early and play some video games with my daughter.

December 30, 2024, Monday evening, 6:51pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Mom and I drove to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena today. Lots going on in the area with prep for the game and parade. We walked around the park then came home and rested. This evening we went to Costco but didn’t buy anything then got The Habit hamburgers for dinner.

December 29, 2024, Sunday night, 10:12pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to the LA Guns concert at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano tonight. My daughter, her mom, our family friend and my daughters boyfriend all went. we had a good time.

December 28, 2024, Saturday night, 8:03pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went for a walk and worked out this morning. Had coffee in Irvine with a new friend then came home for lunch and a nap. This afternoon mom and I went to the post office, Albertsons and Barnes &Noble. After that we watched my daughter play video games and ate Rubios for dinner with my daughter and her mom. On a professional note, I am coming around to something I never thought I would do; go back to sales. It is the right choice for many reasons. The interview process is easier, there are more openings and more importantly, my energy feels stronger with that discipline right now. We will see how it goes but I think that is my best path forward.

December 27,2024, Friday night, 7:48pm, pacific standard time,apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Drove to Valencia to have second Christmas with the in-laws. It was low key and simple. Pizza, chips/guacamole, and a couple chocolate samples for dessert. The drive home was tough; lots of traffic around dusk made visibility difficult, but we made it safely. My daughter got a Sony PS5 from her cousin so we dropped her off at home with the dog to get working on setting it up. Now mom and I are heading to bed.

December 26, 2024, Thursday night, 7:41pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Slept on the couch last night. Though it wasn’t comfortable I still got a good nights sleep. Went to the gym and got coffee this morning. I had lunch with mom after a trip to Costco and Target. Then this afternoon I went up and spent time with my daughter before mom, my daughter and I went to dinner at The Krave in Lake Forest. time to go to bed. Tomorrow we are heading to valencia to have a holiday get together with in-laws and relatives.

December 24,25,2024, Christmas Eve,Christmas Day,Tuesday,Wednesday afternoon 3:54pm,pacific standard time,apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Last night had breakfast for dinner with my daughter and her mom. We then played two games, Qwixx and Old Maid. Afterwards we watched the movie Elf. This morning I dropped off Santa gifts in Aliso Viejo then cleaned the apartment for my mom’s visit. We all drove to Long Beach to pick her up then went to Aliso to eat and open presents. We will reconvene tonight here in Dana Point for a light dinner. Overall, it has been a good Christmas.

December 23,2024, Monday night, 8:57pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Talked with the recruiter about the pleasant hill job. It was an awkward conversation.,she walked through my resume asking why I left every position. Then said she wouldn’t present me as a candidate. weird and frustrating to be judged by criteria that has nothing to do with skill. I appreciate the possibility this job opened in my mind but feel put out by the process. I mean, she reached out to me. Not the other way around.

December 22,2024, Sunday afternoon, 4:27pm,pacific standard time,apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I have one more severance payment coming from my previous employer. That means starting next Monday, December 30, 2024, I am no longer “earning” money. At that point I begin accumulating credit card debt and diminishing cash reserves. Put another way, this period of my life will come to an end. While I am sad it is over- mostly because I got to spend time with my daughter-I am also relieved. Not working but still getting a paycheck made me soft. It is hard to be motivated when there is no fear of failure. I am going to enjoy this week with family then start the new year off finding the next chapter in my life.

December 21,2024, Saturday night, 11:49pm, pacific standard time,apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to The Athenaeum in Pasadena this evening for dinner. On the way home my daughters moms car broke down. I paid $130 to get a Lyft home while they rode in the tow truck. It still was a fun evening. I also picked up stocking stuffers for Christmas and got a chair for the bedroom today.