8:29pm, apartment in Arizona, Sunday night. We made it back to Chandler around 6:15pm. Traffic sucked. After a quick dinner we went to bed early. My mom leaves for Wyoming on Wednesday.
Category: Happy
Hole-in-the-rock
1:31pm, apartment in Arizona, Sunday afternoon. We hiked Papago Park this morning, up to Hole-in-the-rock. The path was short (0.3 miles) but uneven and crowded. My 79 year old mother said she liked the challenge but it was probably too dangerous. “All’s well that ends well,” she quoted. After we cooled off and drank water we grabbed fresh fruit at the store and had lunch. Now we are resting with the ambitious hope of hitting the casino up the road this evening.

Saturday
13:35pm, apartment, Saturday afternoon. My mom and I ran errands around town this morning. It is the weekend before thanksgiving so it was busy. She wanted to get me some groceries and paper products, typical staples I need for the house but haven’t gotten in a while. She enjoys shopping and I of course am thankful for the gesture and getting to spend time with her. While we were at the store I remembered an item my daughter requested for Christmas a couple of weeks back. On a whim I looked for it and it was a good thing I did. The store did not have it in stock. I checked online for another location nearby and realized it is becoming scarce. Apparently this particular item is nearly sold out within a 20 mile radius and I imagine will be very hard to find by next weekend. I ended up ordering one at a store west of town. After resting we are going to go pick it up then grab some dinner.
Good day continued
9:57am in my office, Arizona. I am still thinking about the post from yesterday. The schedule I mentioned was created when I first moved to California 19 years ago. It was perfected when I was a hospice chaplain in utah. It is remarkable to think for all the dreams and hopes that have passed through my mind these thousands of days I really have only lived slight variations of one day.
A good day
6:28am, Sunday morning, Dana Point, CA. When life is over all I really did was live thousands of individual days. Here is an example of an idealized typical day for me: From midnight to 3am I sleep. For this particular example I would have many vivid dreams that stick in my mind and make me happy. I don’t always get to have great dreams and I appreciate them when I do. Next I would wake up between 3am and 6am and go for a walk. I like to walk outside or go to the gym and walk on the treadmill. I walk early in the morning because at that time I can talk to myself and let my mind wander without wondering if I look weird. I also don’t have to stress about greeting people or worry about the dog (when I have her) encountering aggressive dogs or owners that want the animals to say “hi.” (I am not asocial but I do prefer to spend most of my time in my head rather than overthinking personal interactions). After that I exercise (stretch, lift weights), go home, watch some tv, read, eat breakfast and drink coffee. I can enjoy an entire morning doing those activities plus writing a little bit, napping, paying bills, answering emails. Around 10 in the morning I would shower, iron clothes, dress, get ready all while listening to music. Between eleven and noon I would leave to have lunch with a friend or co worker. When that was over I would spend a moment alone to recharge my energy. Maybe drive to a secluded spot, sit in my car and scroll through my phone, catching up on the news of the day. Around three pm I would make chaplain visits or go into the office and interact with people. A little after five I would head home, eat dinner, watch tv and read before I fell asleep between 8pm and 9pm. There it is. What I would consider a good day (weekday at least). I like that schedule. You know what? It isn’t hard to be happy when I don’t think too much about existential issues or try to rule the world. I guess I simply need to relax and enjoy the day in front of me.
Saturday
8:33pm, Saturday, Dana point. spent the day in Irvine, went to lunch with friends. Saw a movie. Now back in Dana point watching videos. It has been a good day.
Might as well
7:55am office, Arizona, Wednesday morning. Might as well just be me. Might as well accept who I am. Might as well tell people what I am thinking and feeling. I will have all eternity to myself but only a short time left to interact with people.
Decision
1:05pm office. I made the decision to let my lease run out and return to California in March. I will start looking for jobs in January. Let’s see how well this post ages.
Friday
6:42am Friday. My old boss reached out to me earlier this week. I haven’t seen her for years. Haven’t talked to her very much lately. She moved to Washington state. We got along well, even earned our mba’s together. She texted me and said she might be coming to Phoenix in December/January. It would be good to see her. I felt happy when I heard from her. I haven’t felt happiness for a while. I am tired of feeling mopey!
Monday night
6:49pm Monday night. Look forward, keep focused on what is in front, never behind