August 18, 2023, Friday night, 10:50pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. It is my daughter’s fifteenth birthday. And it was the first day of of school for her 10th grade yea. She had a full day and so did I. Lots of meetings and phone calls. At 4pm she, her mom, and I picked up her friend then drove to downtown Disney in Anaheim. We ate dinner at the Storytellers cafe then shopped at the stores in the mall. We got back to Aliso Viejo at 10pm. I took the dog for a short walk then headed back to Dana Point. Now it is time to fall asleep and rest for several hours.

August 17, 2023, Thursday night, 10:10pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Drove back to Orange County this afternoon so I could be present for my daughter’s 15th birthday and her first day of school tomorrow. Traffic was awful through LA county, but I made it. I went to their apartment in Aliso Viejo to say hi this evening but she was playing online with friends. No big deal. I will see her tomorrow and spend time with her then. We are going to downtown Disney for her birthday and having dinner. Should be fun.

August 16, 2023, Wednesday night, 7:14pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Bakersfield, California, USA. I found a dime outside the office today. It only meant something because it reminded me of the two nickels I found on my trip from Chandler to Henderson two weeks ago. I don’t think it means anything but you never know. Maybe I will look back on these posts and see the significance down the road. Other than that not much happened today. I drove to Delano to see a patient. It was uneventful but it got me out of the office for a couple hours. That was nice.

August 15, 2023, Tuesday night, 7:07pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Bakersfield, California,USA. Today is my one year work anniversary. A year ago today I was in Palm Desert starting as an Executive Director Specialist. The training started at three and ended at five. I knew I would like the job with hours like that! Kidding aside it had been a good year. I fried out on anxiety at the end of March but all in all I am happy. And they are happy with me. Hopefully I am writing a post about my two year anniversary in 2024.

August 14, 2023, Monday night, 8:34pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Bakersfield California,USA. Survived the first day back from vacation. And I survived my first dentist appointment in almost four years. There are a couple small cavities that will get filled next week but nothing major. I was worried it would be worse. Also, financials came out while I was on vacation. I had to prepare a presentation this morning and present this afternoon. I ended up not getting to Bakersfield until after five. Then I stopped by the office to let the IT guy in to fix the phones. After dinner and grocery shopping I was going to meet a friend for coffee but, our plans fell through. Maybe later in the week we will get together.

August 23, 2023, Sunday evening, 7:22pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Go back to work tomorrow. The day after that is my one year work anniversary. Right now, I have little desire to jump in and be consumed with anxiety. I look back on the past year with pride. I loved getting the job and am proud of what was accomplished. But I can’t say there is anything I particularly like about the work. If it ended tomorrow I wouldn’t give it a second thought. That was how leaving the Phoenix job was. overall, I would like a job I am passionate about but, at this point, I am pretty sure that thing does not exist.

August 12, 2023, Saturday evening, 9:03pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. The current of energy is fascinating. When I was younger anxiety was prominent. I often felt uncomfortable yet didn’t hesitate to do something to address it. Like, go for a drive, shoot hoops, work out. Now, anxiety is more subtle and undefined. Almost like a rip tide. Rather than trying to fix it I try to endure. That seldom works. I need to take better care of myself and call a spade a spade. If I am uncomfortable I should fix it, not let it fester and try to wait it out.

August 11, 2023, Friday night, 8:06pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went for the walk today and worked out. Took the dog to the groomer and picked her up this afternoon. Drove around with my daughter, got lunch and dinner. Had to do some things for work tonight. Now watching movies and checking out a dating app.

August 10, 2023, Thursday afternoon, 1:16pm, mountain standard time, Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Made it safely to the airport. The canyon leading into Salt Lake City was closed due to an accident so we went a little out of our way to the north but still arrived in plenty of time. We past security though my daughters friend packed a big bottle of perfume that was confiscated. Now I am sitting at the gate with the luggage while the girls went to grab Starbucks, We had a good vacation but it is time for some rest and recuperation. It will be good to get back to Orange County and enjoy the upcoming weekend.

August 9, 2023, Wednesday evening, 9:09pm, mountain standard time, condo in Evanston, Wyoming, USA. Drove down to Salt Lake City this afternoon. Stopped by REI to buy shoes for my daughter and picked up a pair for myself. Then we went to Savers Thrift Store where her friend bought two pairs of jeans. After Savers we went to the Fashion Place Mall. Mom and I talked over coffee while the girls shopped. The evening ended with dinner at PF Chang’s before driving back to Evanston.