7:41pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, Monday night, October 24, 2022. I took a later flight today, which ended up being delayed an hour. That meant I didn’t get to the hotel until 7pm. Just finished dinner and watched a little football. Now I am going to read. This is my last week in Dublin. I am excited to finish this assignment and move on to the next in Palm Desert.
Author: mikemeyer949
Strands Beach, Dana Point, CA
3:58pm, pacific standard time, Strands Beach, Dana Point, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, October 23, 2022. Ended up going out with a friend last night which put me behind packing for the week. I didn’t leave Chandler until 9am. That meant hitting terrible traffic outside Palm Springs. When I pulled in to Dana Point at 3:30pm my daughter and her friend were already dressed for the beach. Now they are playing in the waves while I rest in the sand.
Getting ready
5:55pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday evening, October, 22, 2022. Productive day; Walked, worked out, grocery shopped, bought leather conditioner for my work bag. Did laundry, packed and watched football. Getting ready to head back to Orange County and fly to Dublin one last time before flying to utah/Wyoming to see my mom and friends.
Extra rest in Arizona
5:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday evening, October 21, 2022. Drove from Dana Point to Chandler today. Got to the apartment at 4pm. When I arrived I did a short workout, listened to music, ate some dinner, then read. I am going to bed early tonight. Even though I got over being sick two weeks ago, congestion crops up in my chest from time to time. I am not ill, I just have lingering symptoms that won’t go away. That is alright. It has been a busy couple weeks, some extra rest is good, no matter what the reason.
“Domino Beach”
1:32pm, pacific standard time, Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California, USA, Thursday afternoon, October 20, 2022. I got another five minute short story from the vending machine at the airport. This one is called “Domino Beach” by Marie Ivantechenko. I like the fact the first time I got a story from the vending machine it was from a highly regarded author, O. Henry. This time I got one from a student. The story was runner up in Short Edition’s Long Story Short Award, 2020. I grabbed a cup of coffee and a danish before sitting down. It was a very pleasurable experience and a good read. This is my second to last time traveling through Oakland. After next week I will be in Palm Desert, California. I don’t know if I will miss air travel and crowded airports, but I will miss the routine I created.
Motivated
5:37pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Wednesday night, October 19, 2022. Yesterday, a current co-worker I knew from a previous job texted me to say my supervisor was complimentary of me. He shared her exact words were she wished she had several more employees like me. It was nice to hear that. Even though I just started with this company (2 months) it seems like a good fit. I am valued for the work I do and feel motivated to put forth my best effort.
The joys life has to offer
5:37, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Tuesday evening, October 18, 2022. The new executive director started today. I think she will do a good job. Her leadership style is what this branch needs; focused, stern and fair. Though I have only been here less than two months I will miss Dublin a little. But I look forward to a new assignment and spending time in Palm Desert. In the end, if I didn’t try new things I wouldn’t experience many of the joys life has to offer.
Some answers will never be known
11:37am, pacific standard time, Santa Ana/Orange County/John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California, USA, Monday morning, October 17, 2022. Waiting for my flight to Oakland. It was a good weekend in Orange County. Since learning of my new assignment in Palm Desert I have felt at peace. The future, present and past are in balance, which feels nice. Today is the 16 year anniversary of my dad’s death. Lots of memories of him and where I was sixteen years ago. I was working as a hospice chaplain in Ogden, Utah. When we heard the news we gathered in Wyoming the rest of the week and had the memorial service on the 20th. I miss him and wonder who I would be if he hadn’t died at the age of 65. I guess some answers will never be known.
Usual Sunday blues
3:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, October 16, 2022. Feeling the usual Sunday blues for no reason, other than realizing the reward for a weekend well spent is starting over Monday morning. Today I went for a short walk, did laundry, ran errands and cleaned the kitchen. There are some things I need to do for work but, so far, have procrastinated doing them.
New assignment
4:35pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, October 15, 2022. Went for a short walk this morning, got coffee and worked out. Then I ran a few errands and watched football. Yesterday I found out I will finish in Dublin soon and go to work in Palm Desert. That makes life a lot easier to balance.I look forward to making the change and starting a new assignment.
mikemeyer949 