Category: Embarrassing

Dana Point, California redux

5:58pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, January 16, 2023. I have mixed feelings about moving back to Dana Point. On one hand, it is the most home like place I know in the world, having lived there for eleven years. On the other hand, the time there wasn’t always great. Often I struggled to justify the stress it took to be a resident, both financially and emotionally. When I packed up the condo two years ago and moved to Arizona I made peace with goodbye. I knew it was time for change. Of course the process was easier with my daughter and her mom still living in the area. I enjoyed visiting Dana Point on weekends without the baggage of citizenship. Now that I am moving back I worry about falling into old thought patterns. Arizona was good for me. I became a newer, better version of myself. I want to continue the process of evolving. I guess time will tell if Dana Point redux promotes or hinders my journey of personal growth.

I don’t want that kind of energy in my life

8:47pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, Friday night, January 13, 2023. Looked at three properties today. The first residence in Laguna Beach was depressing. The building should have been condemned thirty years ago. The second was in Capistrano Beach, which is part of Dana Point. I liked the location and there were certain things about the apartment that were nice but, overall I am not sure I want to live there. Finally, the last unit was the best. The complex is quiet and it is located in a good neighborhood. The price is a little higher than my budget but, not out of the question. However, the landlady has a way of making me feel guilty every time we talk. That and she lives close by. It may sound a little drastic but, I don’t think I want that kind of energy in my life right now. Even in such a simple capacity as renting.

Night one: sharing a room with mom

7:22am, pacific standard time, hotel lobby in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday morning, December 20, 2022. My mom and I made it through the first night sharing a hotel room with only a king bed. The couch pulled out for a surprisingly comfortable hide-a-bed and the desk has rollers for an impromptu partisan. This morning I woke up early to exercise then stayed in the lobby drinking coffee and watching sports. At 7am I went back up to shower, get dressed and reassemble the couch. Mom is still asleep and I am downstairs for another cup of coffee before heading to the office. It isn’t perfect but, we are making the best of the situation.

Monday before Christmas

6:34pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday night, December 19, 2022. The family is still a little under the weather today. I stopped by this morning to walk the dog and drop off tea before driving to Palm Desert. My daughter and her friend were asleep but, her mom was in the living room watching television. She was thankful I was able to help before departing for the week. I got out of Orange County at noon and arrived at 2:30pm. My mom is with me this trip. I thought I booked a suite with a separate bedroom but there isn’t much privacy. We are going to share the room to save money but we might have to rebook. I am getting too old to sleep on the pullout couch in a hotel room and neither of us are keen on sharing a sleeping space.

A little financial stress

5:15pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Thursday evening, September 8, 2022. A little stressed about finances right now. Nothing major; just have to figure out taxes and expense reports. Also, I am aware of the need to resolve my housing situation in the next couple of months. Tomorrow I fly back to Orange County then drive to Arizona for the weekend.

I would have been embarrassed

8:53pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Friday night, August 19, 2022. Dropped my daughter off at school this morning. First day of high school. Boy, has time has gone fast. Afterwards, I drove to Irvine and found an office building with an empty suite. The door was propped open with marketing material set out, indicating potential tenants were free to enter and look around. The place wasn’t busy so I walked through the lobby to the back area. It was empty and most lights were off but, there was power to charge my devices and enough cell reception to use my phone’s hot spot. I stayed for three hours and got a lot of work done. It was nice to have a place to camp out but, I must admit, I would have been embarrassed if someone walked in and saw me.

Maybe it wasn’t the best choice

5:52pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA . Wednesday evening, August 17, 2022. Got out of work at 1pm this afternoon, which I wasn’t planning for. Also, it is Wednesday, not Thursday. My daughter and her mom aren’t expecting me until tomorrow night. I didn’t want to disrupt their routine, nor did I want to pay for a hotel, so I drove to Arizona. It was a long drive and there was a dust storm on the way. In hindsight, maybe it wasn’t the best choice.

Waiting for the key

5:40pm, pacific standard time, Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday evening, July 23, 2022. Drove to Orange County this morning to go to the beach with my daughter and some friends. After a long hot day we arrived home to a locked door. We are sitting outside, waiting for the key.

Buzz cut

6:25pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Monday evening, July 11, 2022. Bought clippers this morning and gave myself a haircut. Actually, I gave myself a buzz cut. I didn’t have much choice; the front part of my scalp has been thinning lately and nothing I did looked good. It still doesn’t look very good but, at least it is better than it was. I guess I can’t complain, I had most of my hair up until age 50. Getting old is not very fun.