5:53am just woke up, Monday, Arizona. I dreamed I went to a lab next door to work. I wasn’t supposed to be there. It was almost five o’clock. Some guy came looking to use the bathroom. I told him no one could enter. We were closing and no visitors were allowed. I shut the door and locked it. He was angry. I turned away. Then Heard a noise. He pulled the door open and ran down the hall. I threatened to call 911 as he grabbed things off counters. I didn’t want to cal 911. It would be a hassle. I would have to explain why I was there. He made his way out. I locked the door again. Secure this time. My friends from high school approached. I told them we were closed. They wanted to know if there was any candy. I grabbed a handful off a counter and gave it to them. I had to leave. There was a big fundraising event that night. The son of a co worker was getting married the next day. I didn’t want to get in trouble for being where I wasn’t supposed to be.

6:35pm. Back in Arizona. Sunday evening. This weekend was great. I had no time to think. Therefore I did not get anxious. I woke up Saturday and drove to Dana point. I was barely there when my daughter and I went to the mall. Then we came home and rested. At 5pm we went out with her friends. Ate dinner. Took her friends home. We got in late by my standards. 9pm. Watched the rest of a movie. Went to bed. I slept well on my wife’s couch. It was comfortable. Better than sleeping on the floor. After waking up I took the dog for a walk. Went through the car wash as picked up breakfast. The house was dark when we got back. I turned on the television and watched Hamilton. The dog curled up next to me. I sipped coffee. My wife and daughter got up at 9am. My wife went to the store. My daughter and I ate breakfast. I left the house shortly after 10am. I stopped by the store before heading out. I was in the freeway by 10:30am. As I drove i listened to audiobook mysteries. Traffic was light. I Got to chandler at 5pm. I fed my fish, Ate dinner and Called my mom. Then I Called my daughter. Put trip stuff away. Brushed teeth. Thankfully I suffered no existential thoughts. No usual Sunday dread. I need to be that busy every weekend. My mind attacks my happiness if it isn’t engaged. That is why I don’t get depressed during the week. I am too busy. I stay busy. Engaged. Productive.

12:53pm Sunday. Arrived in palm desert. Drove from Dana point. Listening to mystery book on tape. The drive is almost effortless. I disassociate and let the miles roll by. Last week, driving up to globe Sunday afternoon gave me perspective. It is good to get in later. Eat dinner, go to bed

I am focused. Finish two weeks of work. Get paid. Return to Dana point. My daughter says she wants to do eighth grade at her current school. I didn’t bring up the subject. She casually mentioned it as I was leaving. We had been talking about summer plans. Camps in California and Arizona. I am not disappointed. I want her to finish school in California. My energy is in Arizona. All will work out. I trust we are happy. All will be great as she matriculates through school. We have balance. All is well.

9:38am I am impatient to get on the road. To complete the trip back to Arizona. Yet this moment is sweet. I took the dog for a walk. Washed my car. Bought breakfast. When I returned everyone was still asleep. I began watching Hamilton. My wife woke up and went to the store. My daughter and I are on the couch. I have nothing more important to return to today. I will be patient. Savor the moment.

The view high from the hills facing east in south Orange County is magnificent. Yet it is seldom seen. The open water to the west is alluring. A new perspective is good

6:00am I am not indulging the cheap emotion of depression. Of nostalgia. I am moving forward. Looking forward. Always forward.

9:11pm I am getting back in the habit of checking in with a post. This replaces mindlessly checking email. or websites. Messages. If I am going to be mindless at least be productive.

Tonight was fun. Having dinner with 3 teenage girls is the same as being the designated driver with three frat brothers. The girls acted like they were drunk. Not on purpose. They were having fun. One fell out of her chair. They were loud. And crude. Ranch dressing spilled everywhere. Looking back it is funny. In the moment it was embarrassing. I gave the waiter a big tip. And avoided eye contact with other customers.

5:58pm at the mall San Clemente. My daughter is growing up. Her and her friends are teenagers. Well th other girls are teenagers. She doesn’t become one until later this year.

Killing time in Dana point i was feeling good. I started to browse rentals. Thinking of ways to stay here. The thoughts are so toxic. I have no I’ll feelings. Thinking like that is what didn’t work for nine years. I am happier in Arizona. I am healthier. Mentally, financially. I had my relationship with Dana point. I let it go. I am moving forward. Discovering what lies ahead

3:47pm went to the mall with my daughter. Got her device repaired. Bought pretzels and lemonade. Got some candy and a plushie. Came back to my wife’s apartment. Hanging out with the dog and daughter. Wife went to coffee with a friend. In an hour my daughter, The dog and I are going to dinner. Picking up a friend of my daughter. Meeting another friend. I will spend time with the dog. The girls will shop. Wife is going to dinner with the mom of the second girl. Everything is nice. Fun. Out of the ashes of chaos comes peace.

8:58am in palm desert. Driving to Dana point. My daughter is excited to see me. She has an appointment to get an electronic fixed. Then she is going to hook up with friends late. I will be the chaperone.

Strange feelings. Dana point was home for nine years. I moved there in April of 2012. My wife and daughter followed later. They moved from Utah in august of that year. I picked the city we would live in. I found the apartment. Our marriage was strained but we were making it work. My daughter was about to turn four.

Now Dana point is their home. I don’t have a place to stay. The apartment we lived in for five and half years is gone. The street I lived on for nine years is no longer my neighborhood.

I will sleep on their couch as a guest.

7:24pm I want to grab all the beauty I have ever seen. Hold it. Hoard it. Own it forever. I think of Utah. I think of the WIL. The memories off that time. Of her, blot out everything else