June 26, 27, 2024, Wednesday, Thursday morning 6:20am, pacific standard time, hotel room in Temecula, California, USA. Yesterday was better than the day before. I worked out in the morning then had my executive coaching session at 9am. Yesterday I learned those sessions will soon end. On one hand, I am sad. I won’t get to talk to my coach any more. It has been beneficial sharing my experiences with her. On the other hand, it will be nice to have my Wednesday mornings back. After we finished talking I drove to Orange County and prepped for an afternoon call, took my daughter to singing lessons and then came back to Temecula. Though it hasn’t been easy going back and forth from Orange County to Temecula each night I appreciate the opportunity to commune with evening time. 22 years ago evenings and late nights were sacrificed to conquer addiction. These past couple nights I got to revisit familiar emotions. Though I can’t say I want to do it regularly. While I miss staying up, I enjoy my mornings much more. I am ready for this week to be over and to get back to my routine.

June 25, 2024, Tuesday night, 7:35, pacific standard time, hotel in Temecula, California,USA. What a day. It started out good. I felt carefree this morning driving back from Norco/Corona. Then around 8am an issue at work blew up and my supervisor chastised me. It was not a pleasant experience. While I still feel upbraided, I did learn valuable lessons about certain processes. The keenest insight comes from the harshest truths. I know after today I won’t soon forget what I need to do. After that I had a decent day. Getting out of town was easier tonight than last night. I drove up over the Ortega highway through Lake Elsinore to get here. It is a winding road that taxes the nerves but delivers stunning views of the mountains and lake. Seeing that restored my soul. Now I am waiting for the dinner I ordered to arrive before I fully unwind and eventually go to bed.

June 24, 2024, Monday afternoon, 5:00pm, pacific standard time, outside counselors office, San Juan Capistrano, California, USA. It has been a long day. I was going to travel to Victorville today but plans fell through so I stayed local. I got my permanent crown placed this morning and took the Acura to Aliso Viejo this afternoon. I have been working from my car but it is hard to stay on top of things without a dedicated work space. After I drop my daughter off I will find a place to stay tonight closer to the office in San Bernardino or Vista.

June 23, 2024, Sunday afternoon, 3:47pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point,California,USA. A friend from Arizona is going to stay in the apartment this week while I travel for business. She stayed last summer for a couple days. It wasn’t too bad but this time she is staying a whole week. I am not used to sharing my space with someone. At least I will be gone most of the time. I have spent the day trying to clean as best I can but am reminded I really need to hire someone to help make this space presentable.

June 22, 2024, Saturday afternoon, 2:04pm, pacific standard time, on a bench in the park, Dana Point, California,USA. Got up early, went for the Blue Lantern walk, worked out, took Ireland for the dog park walk before it got hot. Came home, did laundry, swept the patio and took a nap. This afternoon I walked to Doheny Beach for the Surf and Art Festival. Now, I am at the park by my house, sitting on a bench by the ball fields. It has been kind of quiet. I usually don’t have this much free time. A friend invited me to go to Disneyland with her today. She works there and can get us in for free. I hate to say no but, I don’t have the energy for a Disney trip today.

June 21, 2024, Friday night, 8:54pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I had a couple beers last night and woke up feeling lousy. Which was made worse by having my big operating review this morning. Ironically, it was the best review I’ve done. Probably because I felt too sick to be nervous. At 5pm I picked my daughter and her boyfriend up from the beach and took them to dinner at The Schwack here in Dana Point. After dropping off her boyfriend in Ladera Ranch I took her back to Aliso Viejo and then came home.

June 20, 2024, Thursday evening, 5:21pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I got up at 1am this morning and went to the Carlsbad resort gym to do cardio. Afterwards, I went back to bed then returned to the gym to do weight training before complimentary coffee was served at 6:30am. I only had a couple meetings today so I decided to stay in Carlsbad until this afternoon. When I got back to Orange County I picked up dinner for my daughter and her mom from Mendocino Farms then came back to Dana Point. Now I am having a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and watching Beat Bobby Flay on Food network.

June 18, 19, 2024, Tuesday, Wednesday morning, 6:15am, pacific standard time, hotel Cape Rey, Carlsbad, California, USA. Yesterday, I worked out then picked my daughter up to get a bagel from her new favorite place. In the afternoon I drove to Vista, had a couple meetings, then got the office ready for the new director. I am staying at a new place in Carlsbad this trip. It is a resort across the street from the beach. I booked it because on the company travel site it was cheaper than my usual place. However, by the time they add parking and a resort fee that isn’t true. But, I am not going to say anything. Maybe next time I will plan ahead and invite my daughter and her mom to join me.

June 17, 2024, Monday night, 7:43pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point,California, USA. Yesterday afternoon I took a deep relaxing nap in the apartment in Aliso Viejo. It was the kind of carefree sleep seldom found in old age. Afterwards, we went to the mall for a late lunch. Then we shopped at the stores. I bought my daughter an outfit from lululemon. It was expensive but I don’t mind. The clothes fit her very well and she seemed happy. Tomorrow she can to wear them to play tennis. This morning I drove to Victorville for a meeting then turned around and drove home. Perhaps I should have stayed the night. However, I was there last week and the thought of staying didn’t interest me. Besides, I have to be in San Diego for the next couple of days. I didn’t want to drive further than I already have to.

June 16, 2024, Sunday morning, 9:52am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point,California, USA, Father’s Day. Went and picked up the dog for a walk this morning. Afterwards, we got coffee and a pup cup from Peet’s. I dropped her back off then went to the gym and worked out on my way back to Dana Point. Now I am doing laundry before we go to the PF Changs in the Mission Viejo mall at 2pm. It has been a great morning. I have been thinking about being a chaplain in Utah and the apartment we had in Layton. It was 21 years ago yesterday I moved in with the dog before my wife joined us in September. I loved that time. I was able to compartmentalize work and free time. Everything felt magical. Evoking that memory fills me with joy. I keep thinking this is the best time of my life. I am playing with house money as it were. I have a good job, I have been at it a while and when it ends I can be thankful for what I experienced. I am going to move through moments carefree from now on. Of course that is easier said than done. Regardless. I will enjoy this summer and not worry about anything beyond.