February 17, 2025, Monday night, 6:52pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Proactivity may or may not be a word. It would be the noun form of the adjective proactive, or proactively. Either way proacitvity is my word for the day. I wrote the following in my notes this afternoon. “PROACTIVITY has leverage, sets the agenda. Has the power, frames the discussion, makes the money.” My dominant energy is passive and reactive. I am tired of that energy. I want to try something new. I am interested in making a change. I am mindful of creating proactivity.

February 16, 2025, Sunday night, 6:32pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. This morning the dog and I tried a new trail. We walked along Aliso Creek and under the parkway to Sheep’s Hill park and back up the usual route. It was very cold. And beautiful. Afterwards I went to the gym and the store. My daughter and I hung out until her mom got home. Then the two of us drove to Ladera Ranch to pick up her boyfriend. Her mom wanted to rest so we detoured to Barnes and Noble. I bought a new book called Zero Limits Living. I am making a conscious effort to be present and proactive in my life this year. Photos are book on night stand, sunrise looking at the apartments across the way in Aliso Viejo and images/videos from aliso creek trail

February 15,2025,Saturday night, 7:53pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California,USA. Staying in Aliso with my daughter and the dog. Her mom is with friends and family up north. My daughter got her hair cut and colored today. I ordered pants online. Later we went to the mall. I bought a workout shirt and windbreaker. The shirt was too small so I drive back later to exchange it for a size bigger. It fit pretty good. Then I realized it is a woman’s shirt. I am debating whether that is obvious or even matters.

February 14,2025, Friday night, 6:52pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. The girls at work set out a big charcuterie board to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Then after work I stopped by my daughter and her moms house for pizza. I have eaten more decadent things in the last two days than I did the last two months. And they are already planning my birthday celebration next week. I am not complaining. It is nice to be a part of a team. I am glad they want to hang out with me. pictures are the charcuterie board at work and the gifts I bought my daughter.

February 13, 2025, Thursday evening, 5:42pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. This afternoon I attended a marketing event at a senior living community in Anaheim. One of our liaisons helped put on a Valentine’s Day “hoedown.” Complete with cookie painting, arts and crafts, a milk shake bar, steer roping activity, pictures, pin the tail on the donkey and finally, cornhole. I was just going to lend support but ended up running the cornhole booth. It was a lot of fun. I am glad I went and got to help. Besides that, the weather has been cold and rainy all day. I have felt tired. My daughter isn’t going to music so I am turning in early. Picture is me and a resident at the cornhole game.

February 12,2025, Wednesday evening, 6:24pm,pacific standard time, parking lot, rock school, San Juan Capistrano, California, USA. It has rained all day here and looks like it will rain for the next two days. I did manage to get a walk in this morning before it truly started. I won’t be so lucky tomorrow and Friday. My plan is to walk on the treadmill at the gym tomorrow. Since I don’t take my daughter to school I should have enough time to run home and shower before circling back north to Costa Mesa.

February 11, 2025, Tuesday night, 6:52pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. The boss came down from Los Angeles to spend the day with us in Orange County. We reviewed marketing plans in the morning then carpooled to the 52 Seasons restaurant for lunch. I met the new Clinical Supervisor. She will be a good fit. Later this afternoon we went over financial information. I feel a little overwhelmed. Mostly because all the forms and systems are new. Once I become familiar with everything it will feel less stressful.

February 10, 2025, Monday morning, 6:53am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. First work Monday in 19 weeks. They never get easier. I am feeling rather vulnerable. Oh well, have to do what needs to be done. I am not taking my daughter to school because that makes me an hour late. Nonetheless, I feel rushed to get out the door on time. Also, I burned another of my new shirts. They aren’t wrinkle free yet they aren’t iron friendly. What is the point? I literally put the iron on it and it burned right through. Funny thing is I had ironed this shirt before!

February 9, 2025, Sunday morning, 8:07am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. The past four months gave me a new perspective on work. Mostly, being “the boss” is a privilege. Back in October, when my responsibilities were taken away, I did not feel relief. Rather, I felt isolated and directionless. I longed to lead a team and be part of a community again. With this new job I don’t taken it for granted. In fact, I see it as a privilege worth sacrificing for. Now typical stressors take on new connotations. Sunday blues are not a monster to be endured and eradicated. Rather it is one sacrifice I agree to make to be the boss. Waking up at 3:30am isn’t a grind but a sacrifice to get what I want. Not drinking alcohol is an activity I am willing to forgo to be on top of my game. Taking less of pay is not a failure, rather a sacrifice I am willing to make to have this job. This concept is powerful. It reframes so many “bad things” and makes them challenges I gladly face to have what I want.

February 8, 2025, Saturday night, 7:30pm,pacific standard time,apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Spent the day in Aliso viejo with my daughter while her mom traveled north to be with family. I took my daughter to get breakfast and lunch, watched some Netflix, took the dog for a walk and scrolled through YouTube. Not an overly productive day but relaxing nonetheless. video is from sunrise this morning in Dana point.