June 17,2025,Tuesday night,7:29pm,pacific standard time, apartment complex parking lot,Dana Point, California, USA. Basically a repeat of yesterday. I got up a little earlier and did the blue lantern walk followed by an at home chest/tricep workout. Worked in Costa Mesa, then took my daughter to chic-fila for dinner before going up to the office complex for driving practice. She is getting a feel for turning and braking but overall she is doing well. I enjoy spending the time with her.

June 16,2025,Monday night,8:27pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Picked my daughter up after work and got her dinner at In and Out. She didn’t want to go home right away so we went to an office complex parking lot to practice driving. She is eager to get her permit and be on the road. I am happy for her, she has grown up a lot the past two weeks. She finished her junior year of high school, she applied for a job and she is going to stay at summer school . Originally the plan was one week to make up missed hours. However, she got involved in projects she wants to see through so she is staying until mid July. Which coincides perfectly with our planned Wyoming trip starting the 12th.

June 15,2025,Sunday evening,6:47pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Father’s Day. Yesterday was supposed to be my Father’s Day celebration but we extended the festivities. This morning my daughter, her mom and I met a friend for coffee at Philz in Aliso Viejo. Then we headed to the Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo to do ceramics at Color Me Mine. Afterwards, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for a late lunch. While we were there I received a call for a patient needing supplies so my daughter and I took her mom home and headed to Costa Mesa. We got back to Aliso Viejo at 6pm. I dropped my daughter off and hurried home to start laundry. Now I am watching Diners, Drive ins and Dives and waiting to put clothes in the dryer.

June 24,2025,Saturday night,9:30pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to Riptide Tepan Grill tonight with my daughter and her mom. We went to celebrate Father’s Day early. unfortunately two of the chefs called out sick. So though we were literally the first people to be seated when the restaurant opened we had to sit for an hour waiting for our food while the table next to us ate. Surprisingly none of us lost our cool and we accepted the situation. Afterwards we drove to Foothill Ranch for ice cream at baskin robins. On the way home we stopped in Laguna Niguel to wish my daughters friend farewell before she left to visit her boyfriend and his family in Florida. All in all it was a good way to spend Father’s Day eve.

June 13,2025,Friday evening,5:48pm,pacific standard time,Pizza Hut parking lot, Laguna Hills,California, USA. Grabbing pizza on my way home from work. Today was my daughters last day of school, save for two weeks of summer school to make up for absences and unexcused tardy days. that makes me nostalgic for summer vacation. And beer. And dinner. I am feeling diminished today. I need to get some rest tonight and start fresh tomorrow.

June 12,2025,Thursday evening,6:32pm,pacific standard time, apartment complex parking lot,Dana Point, California, USA. Yesterday work went until 7pm because of HR training and talking with co-workers. Then today we had Interdisciplinary Team meetings plus safety and Quality Assurance. I am spent. I just want to wash up and crawl into bed. Last night I got home late, had trouble sleeping and got up early this morning. Pluses no nap today. Not the best combination energy wise.

June 11,2025,Wednesday night,9:03pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Got a call from the company CEO today. He wanted to tell me my supervisor gave notice. I could tell things weren’t right so it wasn’t totally unexpected. Nonetheless when suspicions are confirmed everything changes. Later news came down the clinical lead for the region was demoted. That means the four people directly responsible for my hiring are now gone. Things change quick. My supervisor recommended me to fill his position, which is more in line with my skill set. I will look at the option and make myself available to formally apply. I wanted to grow and take a larger role. Not necessarily through this route.

June 10,2025,Tuesday evening,7:10pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to a work “happy hour” this afternoon in Placentia with one of our business partners. during the meeting our marketing rep mentioned how much she likes working with management in general and me in particular. She said her and another rep call me “Papa Mike” because I always take care of things. I find it endearing and enlightening. I appreciate being seen as a father figure that is solution oriented while at the same time it leaves me feeling slightly numb. A stark realization I am not young any more and that time keeps plodding forward.

June 9,2025,Monday night,7:37,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Today was arduous. The good vibes never got flowing. I guess it was bound to happen. The weekend was so transcendent. I was moving mountains with my mind, dreaming about 10,000 Bricks (I went back to the original name.) I suppose there was no where to go but down after such an exhilarating high. One positive note from today. I got news my raise was approved. Not what I asked for but more than what I am making now. the important thing is I asked and received. That makes me incredibly happy.

June 8,2025,Sunday night,7:44pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Today was my daughter’s mom’s birthday. I got up, went for a walk/workout then picked up flowers, balloons and gift cards from Smart &Final by the gym. I ran everything up to Aliso Viejo and took the dog for a short walk. After doing laundry I headed back to Aliso to grab my daughter and take her to lunch followed by shopping at Five Below. She needed to get a gift for a friend who was also celebrating a birthday today. When her friends party ended we headed out to dinner with her mom at Wood Ranch in Laguna Niguel. After a quick bite of cake and happy birthday singing I left and came home for the night.