4:58pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday evening, November 27, 2022. Took a walk with the doggo down to the local community park this morning. There wasn’t much to it except for an open field and a large dog run. The dog run is a great find, if ever there is a need to burn off excess energy. We continued on in the opposite direction to explore the neighborhood more. Further up the road was another park, accessed only by a steep pathway. The climb was exhausting. However, the path looped back to the complex next door, which was fortuitous; it saved us from having to backtrack down the hill and climb the first road back to the apartment. The area is not as beautiful as Dana Point but, I am sure after time, it will feel like home.
Category: Happy
Ready for the weekend
9:48pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Friday night, November 25, 2022. Woke up this morning in Santa Clarita, California. Spent time walking the dog, reading the paper and drinking coffee. Drove to Orange County this afternoon, did some shopping with my daughter before settling in for the night. I walked the dog, then got ready for bed. All in all a good low key day. Ready for the weekend tomorrow.
Thanksgiving 2022
6:26pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Santa Clarita, California, USA, Thursday night, November 24, 2022, Thanksgiving. Had a good morning with my daughter and the dog. We stayed at the hotel watching a movie and reading until noon checkout. Then we went to her aunt’s house up the street for a full Thanksgiving meal. It was a good time. I got to see some people I hadn’t seen in years and catch up on the latest news. The food was good and so was the company. We talked, ate too much turkey and watched a lot of football. Afterwards both my daughter and I were tired so we left to check into a new hotel and rest before going back to Orange County tomorrow.
Thanksgiving eve in Valencia, California
6:04pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Valencia, California, USA, Wednesday evening, November 23, 2022. Left Palm Desert at 12:30pm. Made it to Valencia four hours later after a drive that normally takes two and a half. Once I got here I picked my daughter and the dog up at her aunt’s house, then we drove north toward the amusement park to check into the hotel. We just finished dinner and are now playing a game on her tablet. It is nice to have a moment to hang out, just the two of us. We will stay here until check out time tomorrow then go back to her aunt’s for thanksgiving dinner.
Start of thanksgiving week
6:04pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, November 21, 2022. If I stayed in Orange County this week I would have felt I should have left for the desert. But I chose to come out here, so of course I wish I stayed. I guess the saying is true; you always want what you don’t have. I will make the most of the situation and enjoy it best I can. Overall, the day has been fine; the office is slow, the roads are busy and the stores are packed. I will work tomorrow, then head to Orange County or Valencia, California Wednesday afternoon to celebrate thanksgiving with my daughter and her mom’s family. All in all it should be a good week.
Good hotel in Palm Desert
6:16 pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday night, November 14, 2022. Trying my third hotel in as many weeks. This is the best one so far; quiet, has a 24 hour fitness center, a kitchenette in the room and close to the office. I will try and stay here from now on if possible.
Arizona afternoon
4:34pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Sunday afternoon, November 13, 2022. The usual morning routine; walk, workout, coffee. Later, I went to the store for some items, washed the car and vacuumed the floor mats. This afternoon was sapient packing things for my daughter and getting the house ready for my friend. Now I am watching football and enjoying a nice, fall, Arizona afternoon.
Bittersweet Arizona
6:21pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, November 10, 2022. Heading to Arizona tomorrow after work. Originally I was going to leave at eleven, then the clinical manager needed time off. So I pushed it to three. I don’t mind staying but that is 4pm mountain time. Most of the drive will be in the dark. This weekend will be bittersweet. My friend arrives on Tuesday so this is the last week I have the apartment to myself. I will miss some things about Arizona but overall, I am ready to move on.
1st day in Palm Desert
6:15pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, November 1, 2022. First day of the new assignment. There is a lot of information to digest. It isn’t so much there are more problems than Dublin, just the mood of the site is bleak. The first order of business is to get the energy turned around. Halloween yesterday was fun. We didn’t stay out too late but did manage to get some good candy. It was nice to have the extra day to spend with my daughter and take her to school a couple times.
Halloween 2022
4:54pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, October 31, 2022, Halloween. Took my daughter to school this morning, did a couple of calls for work, got a haircut, exercised in the afternoon, then picked my daughter up. Now we are getting ready to visit friend’s for pizza dinner and trick-or-treating. I am wearing the shirt I bought for the party last Saturday. Happy Halloween 🎃
mikemeyer949 