November 24, 2024, Sunday evening, 5:06pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Today was a perfect day. Woke up just after 5am, walked and worked out. Then I stayed home and watched football until 2pm. After that I ran errands all over town. I went to the hardware store, Starbucks, Albertsons, Home Depot, sprouts, BevMo and the post office. All while enjoying a beautiful Southern California November day. This week is thanksgiving break so no school. Everything came together for a magical moment. Now I am sipping a drink and watching a little television.

November 23, 2024, Saturday morning, 11:49am, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California,USA. One of my friends from high school passed away today, or maybe it was yesterday. He had cancer. By all accounts it was a tough and painful situation. I am glad he is not suffering any more but it is still hard to hear the news. At this point death is no longer a tragedy but rather an inevitability.

November 21,22, 2024, Friday afternoon, 3:57pm, pacific standard time, parking lot by my daughters school, Laguna Hills, California,USA. Two more interviews with the Torrance group yesterday and today. On Monday I have a call with the Rancho team. I also was contacted about an area director role but that looks like it is up north. Right now I am going to grab my daughter and take her home then probably pick up her boyfriend so they can spend time together at her moms house.

November 20, 2024, Wednesday afternoon, 2:46pm, pacific standard time, parking lot in Laguna Hills, California,USA. The interview with the Torrance team went well. I have two more calls scheduled, one tomorrow and one Friday. The Rancho group got back to me and wants to schedule two interviews this week as well. It would be nice to get them all out of the way before the weekend. Other than that there hasn’t been much response from my application activity. I guess it is a slow time of year. Right now I am picking up my daughter early from school. The last two mornings have been trying for everyone. She doesn’t like school and I can’t blame her. next week is thanksgiving break. that will be a nice reprieve.

November 19, 2024, Tuesday afternoon , 4:33pm, pacific standard time, parking lot by my daughters school, Laguna Hills, California,USA. I pick my daughter up at five. Afterwards we are going to grab dinner at in and out. On a professional note, the Torrance people got a hold of me. I have three interviews with five people scheduled tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. Last week I had three interviews with the Rancho crew but that opportunity seems to have gone cold. I need to get a job soon, being alone with a lot of free leads me to depressing places.

November 18, 2024, Monday night, 6:40pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Got up at 4;30am, went to the gym to walk on the treadmill and workout. Took the dog for a walk and took my daughter to school. after that I came home and did a whole lot of nothing. Around 1pm I perked up and submitted my resume to a staffing agency. Might as well get some hours as a temporary worker while the hiring process plays out. Torrance reached out today. Some interviews will be set up. I didn’t hear back from rancho. I applied for a couple jobs this evening. One is a ‘bench’ Director for the senior living that used to own the hospice I worked for in Phoenix, Arizona. That might be a better option. I think I need a break from hospice.

November 17, 2024, Sunday morning, 6:39am, pacific standard time, Starbucks off Alicia and Niguel, Laguna Niguel, California, USA. I decided to sit in Starbucks and wait for the gym to open. That is a change for me. Usually I go home or wait in my car. But I am tired of sitting in my car and home is a little farther away. I like hanging out here. I used regularly come to this Starbucks on Sunday mornings when our family lived together.

November 15,26, Friday, Saturday night, 8:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California,USA. Yesterday had a third interview for the Rancho job. Also went to my daughters school for the thanksgiving potluck celebration. Today I spent the day with my daughter and the dog in Aliso. I am going to head home soon and go to bed.

November 14, 2024, Thursday afternoon, 12:50pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. When people ask me about the job search I paraphrase Camus and say I am open to the possibilities of the universe. This morning I was thinking of another book, Two Years Before the Mast, by RH Dana, the namesake of my home town. He mentioned in his journal how the ship waited two weeks at sea for favorable winds to blow them where they needed to go. The job search is leading me to places that seem stagnant. But I must be patient and allow the winds to blow me where I need to go. Now o am thinking about my dad’s favorite saying as a Lutheran minister, “come spirit come, blow spirit blow.” He said it so much we had it etched on his tombstone.

November 13, 2024, Wednesday night, 6:03pm, pacific standard time, parking lot of Rock School, San Juan Capistrano, California, USA. Had my first official interview with the Torrance company. It went well. Still have to interview with other people and the job has to be vacated. That is going to take time. Tomorrow is my second interview with the Rancho Cucamonga group. That process seems quicker and more positive. Tonight I am waiting for my daughter to finish her singing lesson then take her home before returning to Dana Point. Between school drop off, pick up, dinner and music it has been a full day.