Good to be with a friend

10:32pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday night, December 2, 2022. Got to Chandler at 4:30pm. Had some things to complete for work then sat down and watched the football game with my houseguest/friend. We both lived in Utah for some time so we had similar rooting interests. I am glad she is here. At first I was worried about having someone in the apartment but, it is nice to be with a friend rather than alone.

Foundation is set

6:19am, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, December 1, 2022. We celebrated the company name change and new branding initiative today. There was cake, a sparkling cider toast and nice catered lunch. Afterwards, we convened in the conference room for a staff meeting. I must say, though preparation for today was exhausting, the end result was positive. Everyone enjoyed the festivities and engaged in team building activities. The foundation is now set for a new beginnings this month and for upward growth next year.

I am thankful

6:30pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday evening, November 30, 2022. This morning I had a breakthrough. A positive change in my outlook I hadn’t considered before now. Namely, I am living in the moment. I am not bored, or day dreaming, or wishing for a different job, different circumstances. The challenge of today takes all my focus and energy. Yes, at times I feel drained, but being fully invested is what I have been searching for. That is what I wished for when I started looking for a new job. Seeing things from that perspective gives me peace. Yes, work can be difficult, but I am in the battle, not standing on the sidelines waiting for something to happen. That is happiness in its own right. And for that, I am thankful.

More hopeful

5:51am, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday morning, November 30, 2022. Woke up this morning feeling more hopeful than last night. A good nights rest and figuring out a workout routine at this hotel helped. Yesterday, I booked the travel for my mom to visit over the holidays. I look forward to spending time with her again.

Lost the ability

6:39pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, November 29, 2022. Today was disappointing. Nothing specifically bad happened but, nothing felt particularly good either. Lately, it has been hard embracing the stress of work without craving the value of its rewards. I am not questioning my desire to work, free time is just as stressful in its own way. Rather, I worry I’ve lost the ability to feel genuine joy any more.

Eerily Phantasmal

6:16, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, November 28, 2022. Good, easy day today. Took my daughter to school, then parked nearby to sit in on virtual meetings and answer emails. At noon I headed east toward the desert. The roads were busy but not overly full. However, just before Palm Desert a dust storm turned the sky eerily phantasmal. It was surreal and a little scary. I was happy to arrive at the office and wait for the storm to eventually die down. Now I am all checked into the hotel and done with dinner. There is no reason to go out again tonight. I will rest up and be ready for work tomorrow.

After time, it will feel like home

4:58pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday evening, November 27, 2022. Took a walk with the doggo down to the local community park this morning. There wasn’t much to it except for an open field and a large dog run. The dog run is a great find, if ever there is a need to burn off excess energy. We continued on in the opposite direction to explore the neighborhood more. Further up the road was another park, accessed only by a steep pathway. The climb was exhausting. However, the path looped back to the complex next door, which was fortuitous; it saved us from having to backtrack down the hill and climb the first road back to the apartment. The area is not as beautiful as Dana Point but, I am sure after time, it will feel like home.

Saturday hanging out

6:20pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday night, November 26, 2022. Watches videos online with my daughter most of the day. Then we went and got some cards for a game she likes. Later in the evening we went out again to pick up the mail and dinner. It was a fun day; hanging out, talking, listening to music, laughing. Nice way to spend Saturday.

Ready for the weekend

9:48pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Friday night, November 25, 2022. Woke up this morning in Santa Clarita, California. Spent time walking the dog, reading the paper and drinking coffee. Drove to Orange County this afternoon, did some shopping with my daughter before settling in for the night. I walked the dog, then got ready for bed. All in all a good low key day. Ready for the weekend tomorrow.

Thanksgiving 2022

6:26pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Santa Clarita, California, USA, Thursday night, November 24, 2022, Thanksgiving. Had a good morning with my daughter and the dog. We stayed at the hotel watching a movie and reading until noon checkout. Then we went to her aunt’s house up the street for a full Thanksgiving meal. It was a good time. I got to see some people I hadn’t seen in years and catch up on the latest news. The food was good and so was the company. We talked, ate too much turkey and watched a lot of football. Afterwards both my daughter and I were tired so we left to check into a new hotel and rest before going back to Orange County tomorrow.