March 18, 2024, Monday night, 7:30pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Bakersfield,California,USA. Drove to Bakersfield today. Had to stop a couple of times to conduct and attend meetings. Got to the hotel around 4, answered some emails then got a burger from Red Robin. Watched some television, now getting ready to turn in.

March 16-17, 2024, Sunday evening, 6:32pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Last night I drove to Anaheim and met some new friends. We went to a punk bar called The Doll Hut then drove to the Rio Vista Inn for karaoke. This morning I went for a walk, followed by a trip to the gym and then came home to do laundry and drink coffee. In the afternoon I took my daughter to In and Out burgers, walked the dog, and went to Target with my daughter and her mom. Afterwards we stopped by a drink shop called Pengo to try something new. Now I am home watching the NCAA basketball tournament selection show and finishing dinner. Today was about as good as life ever will get. Yet, I am not sure I can fully appreciate how fun it was until I look back on it sometime in the future.

March 15, 2024, Friday night, 9:32pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to a potluck at my daughters school for lunch. It was good seeing her interact with friends. I didn’t know many of the other parents so I talked mostly with her mom and a small group at a nearby table. For dinner we went to Olive Garden and had pasta. This evening I met someone at the harbor and had a couple drinks. All in all it wasn’t a bad day.

March 14, 2024, Thursday evening, 5:24pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I asked for PTO today. I am going to leave Saturday, March 30, and drive to Wyoming to see my mom. Hopefully my daughter will go with me. We might even take the dog. It will be good to get away from work and have a nice road trip. We aren’t staying long but we will be there to celebrate Easter. My mom is excited to have visitors. Things are a little better at work today. I was able to calm myself down regarding the frustration and disappointment of yesterday. I have to remember my boss is new. He is trying to please his boss and learn his role. He doesn’t have time for attaboys and worrying about my feelings. I am sure it will be fine.

March 13, 2024, Wednesday evening, 5:26, pacific standard time, hotel in San Bernardino, California,USA. Had a rough couple days at work. I am trying to hire a new manager for two branches but the four candidates I have presented all have been rejected. I am disheartened. The process makes me feel like a child asking for a puppy and being told no. My new boss is not communicative nor supportive. This is exactly the scenario I feared when all the change was happening at the beginning of the year. I vowed I would weather the storm but it is going to be trying.

March 12, 2024, Tuesday morning, 7:49am, pacific standard time, hotel room in Victorville,California,USA. It was a year ago today I completely moved out of my apartment in Chandler, Arizona. Hard to believe it has been that long. I look at pictures from that day and see how sad I was. As much as I appreciated coming back to Dana Point the physical difference between the Chandler apartment and the Dana point space is striking. The Chandler apartment was inviting and cozy. A safe place to shut the door and tune out the world. It was my fortress of solitude. A place to recharge. The Dana Point apartment is cold and uninviting. It does not feel welcoming nor empowering. I appreciate having a place in the area I call home. The price is right and the location is excellent. But the apartment itself sucks and I miss the Chandler one more every day.

March 11, 2024, Monday night, 7:51pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Victorville, California, USA. I am aware my energy has turned rather sour. I have spent so much time gritting through stressful work I forgot what it feels like to be happy. This week I want to focus on reclaiming positive energy and sharing that with those I meet.

March 10, 2024, Sunday evening, 7:31pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Still felt a little under the weather this morning so I slept in. With the start of daylight savings I was running behind. By the time I got up and ready I was picking up my daughter. This afternoon we grabbed lunch and ran a couple errands. After that I napped and walked the dog before coming back to Dana Point. Now I am unwinding before calling it a night.

March 9, 2024, Saturday night, 6:39pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Walked Santa Clara avenue this morning then drove to Foothill Ranch and worked out at their Planet Fitness. Afterwards I grabbed coffee and a donut from the Dunkin out there. This afternoon my daughter and I went to the Irvine Spectrum and saw the movie Imaginary. The movie wasn’t particularly good but the experience was fun. Before driving taking her home we stopped at REI and bought her a coat. Then we got her dinner, dropped her of in Aliso Viejo and I continued home to Dana Point. On a personal note, I kind of lost communication with the woman I had been seeing for a while. I am feeling a little blue. Otherwise it was a good day.

March 8, 2024, Friday night, 7:41pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Still felt a little under the weather last night but improving. Got a call from my boss today, I am getting a discretionary bonus for last year. That helps immensely. Now I can pay off a couple credit cards and still have a tax return coming. This morning the dog came home with me so I could take her to the groomers at 11am. When I dropped her off in Aliso Viejo this evening my daughter and her mom wanted dinner so we drove to the Ruby’s Diner in San Clemente. Now I am home and ready for bed. I am going to get a good rest tonight then go for a walk tomorrow to get back in the workout groove.