August 21,2025,Thursday night,6:31pm, pacific standard time, apartment complex parking lot,Dana Point, California, USA. Being a parent is emotional. Yesterday my daughter had a great day at school. She told me all about it on the way to and from her singing lesson. I was so happy for her. Today when I saw her after work she was lying in bed in her dark room, barely acknowledging my presence when I said hi and told her dinner arrived. She is young, mood swings are expected. Still, seeing her sad hurts. I am sure she will snap out of it by the weekend but tonight feels painful.

August 20,2025,Wednesday morning,5:53am,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Had a strong desire to play hooky today and go on an adventure. Drive out into the desert and just keep going until I hit Arizona. My chest filled with exuberance imagining it. I am going to bask in the feeling for moment, read an article about the artificial intelligence bubble bursting, sip coffee and watch the weather. I am happy right now. Doing my things; daydreaming, exercising, reading , drinking coffee, watching the weather and/or sports takes and doing puzzles. Last night we went to Wood Ranch for a birthday dinner. Afterward my daughter and I stopped by CVS to get a whitening pen for her teeth. When we got back to Aliso Viejo we had strawberry shortcake, sang happy birthday, opened presents and talked about past memoirists. It was a good night with my daughter and her mom.

August 19,2025,Tuesday morning,4:44am,pacific standard time, Planet Fitness parking lot,Laguna Niguel,California, USA. Woke up later this morning and came straight to the gym. I had a couple extra minutes before it opens so I am using my time productively. When I look back on what I have written I appreciate the earl morning posts.’probably because I am reading them in the morning. After I finish at the gym I am going to hurry home, get ready and head straight to the office.!I look forward to taking my daughter to dinner and heading about her birthday.

August 18,2025,Monday night,6:59pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went up to Aliso this morning and dropped off donuts for my daughter’s birthday. At 10:30am I door dashed her pancakes and bacon from her favorite breakfast restaurant called Stacks. We planned to grab dinner in Irvine but her and her mom went up to Pasadena to have treats and dinner with a friend. That means we will celebrate tomorrow night. She is happy, that is what matters. I am glad she gets to spend her day with a friend.

August 17,2025,Sunday night,6:34pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California,USA. Woke up later this morning then walked on the treadmill and did a back workout at Planet Fitness. Spent the morning doing laundry and taking naps and watching YouTube videos. This afternoon I went to target in San Clemente then drove the long way to Dunkin to get a coffee with points. Then I drove to laguna niguel to get cash for my daughter before going to Five Below and buying her a couple little gifts to open. Now I am hanging out with the dog waiting for my daughter to get home and say good night. The last two Sundays I have had a good routine. By spending the morning at home I feel no stress in the afternoons and enjoy getting out and about. I think I will continue to do that.

August 16,2025,Saturday night,8:42pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. This morning the whole family, including the dog, drove to valencia. We met up with family to celebrate my daughters soon to be 17th birthday. We had a nice lunch at Woodranch hosted by us followed by present opening at my daughters aunts house. My daughters cousin gave her a nice Fender electric guitar and amplifier. Afterwards we drove to Glendale to visit my daughters grandma. It was a long day filled with good memories.

August 15,2025,Friday night, 6:23,pacific standard time, apartment complex parking lot,Dana Point, California, USA. My daughter and her mom went to Olive Garden for dinner. I was running late after dropping off supplies at a patients house in Laguna Woods. I told them to have a good night. I will catch up with them tomorrow when we drive to Valencia to see family. Today is a memory filled day. The start date anniversary for my last job three years ago. and my farewell dinner for my pastoral internship. I didn’t have time to be nostalgia. And frankly, I don’t romanticize the past like I used to. Of course when the past isn’t fondly remembered it tends to fade. At least the present feels really good. For that I am thankful.

August 15,2025,Thursday night,7:51pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. My daughter texted this afternoon asking if we could get ice cream later. We started a ritual of driving to foothill ranch, listening to music and going through the drive thru at baskin robbins for a scoop of ice cream. It is a fun thing to do that gives us a chance to be together. We talk a little, listen to music and enjoy a endless treat. I appreciate experiences like that with her.

August 13,2025,Wednesday evening,6:08,pacific standard time,parking lot,school of rock,Sam Juan Capistrano,California, USA. Yesterday I got news two of the branches from my old job are closing. I have been reaching out and texting with staff I used to work with for three reasons. One to see how they are doing. Two, to see if there are any patients we can care for and three to see if any staff can come over. The territory impacted isn’t my area but I am helping best I can. The news has made me feel down all day. I am tired and need to get some rest.

August 12,2025,Tuesday night,9:01pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Woke up early again and did the same routine as yesterday. There is a point of diminishing return getting up early when I am so bored and tired I take a nap before work. I might as well sleep an extra hour instead. On my way to work I got gas and passed an OCTA bus sitting at the stop just pass the shell station. That is significant because it is a visceral reminder to be a thankful member of the workforce. I saw the bus sitting there in a similar fashion one morning on my way to take my daughter to school. I know it is usually there just after 7:15am. I purposefully drive that route to see it and get my mind right and fill my heart with appreciation. Amazing how something so benign can have a big impact on a moment.