6:09pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, April 24, 2023. Talked with my supervisor this afternoon. Starting in May, I will split my duties between Palm Desert and Bakersfield. I don’t mind, in fact, I feel rejuvenated. It is time for a new challenge and a change of scenery. I will still support the Palm Desert branch until a new director is hired. I just won’t physically be here every week.

3:54pm, pacific standard time, mall in Mission Viejo, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, April 23, 2023. Went to the same movie for the third weekend in a row. My daughter likes it and she wanted to bring a friend this time. I didn’t mind. It is a good movie in the specialty theater. More like a ride than a movie. The girls didn’t want to go home afterwards and I wanted to visit a store in the mall so we will hang out here for an hour then head back.

4:59pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, April 22, 2023. Walked, worked out, got my car serviced this morning. Went to Aliso Viejo, grabbed donuts with my daughter, walked the dog. Came back to Dana Point and continued unpacking from the move. all in all a good Saturday.

3:10pm, pacific standard time, coffee shop, Laguna Niguel, California, USA, Friday afternoon, April 22, 2023. Received a call from my supervisor on the drive home. There is a strong candidate for the Palm Desert Director position. I hope this one pans out. I have been there six months. I need to move on. She mentioned Bakersfield will be open soon and I might end up there. I don’t care. I am just happy there is finally a possibility for change.

2:41pm, pacific standard time, office in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday afternoon, April 20, 2023. Received word my company car will be delivered soon. That makes me happy. I needed a bit of good news to lift my spirits.

7:12pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, April 19, 2023. Another anxious morning, albeit slightly less severe. Why does everyday start with the same ritual? I spend hours preparing for 9 hours of work, just so I can finally relax, come back to the hotel, eat dinner, watch television and fall asleep. I am not sad, frustrated or depressed in the morning. I can’t even say worried. Rather, my emotions are out of alignment, similar to being physically out of whack from a night spent sleeping wrong. And just like those occasions when I have to work out kinks in my muscles or joints, I have to spend time working out emotional “kinks” when I wake up from a restless night. I just wish it didn’t have to happen every single day. It is starting to get a little exhausting.

7:30am, appreciate the time, be in the moment. Because it will end, and you will miss it. Palm Desert, California, April 18, 2023, Tuesday morning. This is a lesson I often forget. Looking back on Phoenix and Arizona for two years I realize now how much I appreciated and loved that time. I love palm desert and appreciate this opportunity as well. And When it ends I will look back and miss it terribly. So often I am caught up in annoyances and wishing for reprieve. I do not savor the moment that will end. In due time I will look back on this time in palm desert just as I do Phoenix, and cry a little for the loss.

7:41pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday night, April 27, 2023. Called my mom tonight and booked a flight to Utah/Wyoming for travel next week. I need time away from work and it will be the seven year anniversary of my brother’s death that weekend. Last year, mom visited Arizona that weekend and stayed through Mother’s Day. This will be a shorter trip but should be fun. We always have a good time.

12:49pm, pacific standard time, complex pool, Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, April 16, 2023. Took a walk this morning, grabbed coffee and went to the gym for a workout. Afterwards, I headed back to the apartment, showered and cleaned a little. At 11am, I grabbed breakfast for the girls, took the dog for a walk, ate a quick lunch and headed to the pool. The girls wanted to swim and tan so I am just hanging out. I planned on getting my car washed this afternoon and running to the store but, the day is going fast. I might have to do those things next weekend.

8:15pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday night, April 15, 2023. Recap from the rest of Friday; picked my daughter up from school, picked the dog up from the groomer and picked up a blanket from the dry cleaners. Then I picked up dinner from the pizza place and a friend from her house. I ended up driving over a 100 miles in town yesterday. This morning I went for the usual Dana Point walk. Afterwards, I showered and got ready. I grabbed breakfast for everyone at the donut shop then went to Aliso Viejo. The plan was for the whole family to attend a friend’s music performance in Santa Ana. However, it was just me and my daughter’s mom. My daughter went with her friend to the ball fields to work the concession stand. When we got back I took a nap, watched a movie and took the dog for a walk. This evening I picked the girls up so they could go workout at the complex gym. When they were finished I came back to Dana Point to read and sleep.