March 23-24, Saturday, Sunday, 7:33pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Last night I went with a couple of friends to see a Depeche Mode cover band in Long Beach at a venue called the Gaslamp. I really enjoyed the music and company. Today I was supposed to go to the new Ghostbusters movie with my daughter but she went with her boyfriend instead. I told my friend about it and she offered to go with me. We met at the Irvine Spectrum and saw the movie. Then afterward we went to Sprinkles cupcakes and shared a couple treats. On my way home I grabbed dinner for my daughter and dropped it off. Now I am watching the last games of the opening weekend of the basketball tournament. I am going to stay local for work this week so my stress level is lower than usual.

March 22, 2024, Friday night, 6:31pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Drove back from Bakersfield this morning and worked all afternoon save for taking my daughter to get a ramen bowl. The place we usually go permanently closed so we had to find another close by. Now I am at my apartment watching basketball and unwinding. I can safely say I am sick of work and don’t want to think about it for the next two days. My daughter and her mom are going dress shopping tomorrow. That gives me a chance to complete home improvement tasks and relax. I am going to enjoy some quiet time this weekend.

March 21, 2024, Thursday evening, 6:44pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Bakersfield, California, USA. Today was good. A lot of meetings and stress in the morning but by three o’clock I was done with work and able to relax. I went out at 4pm to buy groceries and pick up dinner. Then I came back to the hotel and watched basketball all evening. It has been a nice day in Bakersfield. I appreciate putting in a full day of work and now getting to enjoy being away from home and doing something I like while the company pays for it.

March 20, 2024, Wednesday night, 7:04pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Bakersfield, California,USA. I had my monthly operating review this morning. Afterwards, I drove to Visalia to visit that branch. After finishing meetings this afternoon I drove back to Bakersfield and grabbed subway for dinner. Now I am watching college basketball. I filled out my brackets this morning. Hopefully they look good! I also had my executive coaching session today. I am starting to see the benefit. The first couple times I was guarded and not interested in opening up. But the last two weeks have been stressful. It was nice to have someone listen to my experience and offer support. I am glad I have the opportunity to work with her.

March 19, 2024, Tuesday night, 6:20pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Bakersfield, California, USA. Finished dinner and now I am watching the First Four games of the NCAA tournament. Which reminds me, I need to fill out my basketball brackets before Thursday morning. I got up early today and finished my financial review slides for work. I skipped working out to make sure I had them just right. That reduced my anxiety significantly. Tomorrow I will take a couple calls at the hotel then go visit the Visalia branch tomorrow.

March 18, 2024, Monday night, 7:30pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Bakersfield,California,USA. Drove to Bakersfield today. Had to stop a couple of times to conduct and attend meetings. Got to the hotel around 4, answered some emails then got a burger from Red Robin. Watched some television, now getting ready to turn in.

March 16-17, 2024, Sunday evening, 6:32pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Last night I drove to Anaheim and met some new friends. We went to a punk bar called The Doll Hut then drove to the Rio Vista Inn for karaoke. This morning I went for a walk, followed by a trip to the gym and then came home to do laundry and drink coffee. In the afternoon I took my daughter to In and Out burgers, walked the dog, and went to Target with my daughter and her mom. Afterwards we stopped by a drink shop called Pengo to try something new. Now I am home watching the NCAA basketball tournament selection show and finishing dinner. Today was about as good as life ever will get. Yet, I am not sure I can fully appreciate how fun it was until I look back on it sometime in the future.

March 15, 2024, Friday night, 9:32pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to a potluck at my daughters school for lunch. It was good seeing her interact with friends. I didn’t know many of the other parents so I talked mostly with her mom and a small group at a nearby table. For dinner we went to Olive Garden and had pasta. This evening I met someone at the harbor and had a couple drinks. All in all it wasn’t a bad day.

March 14, 2024, Thursday evening, 5:24pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I asked for PTO today. I am going to leave Saturday, March 30, and drive to Wyoming to see my mom. Hopefully my daughter will go with me. We might even take the dog. It will be good to get away from work and have a nice road trip. We aren’t staying long but we will be there to celebrate Easter. My mom is excited to have visitors. Things are a little better at work today. I was able to calm myself down regarding the frustration and disappointment of yesterday. I have to remember my boss is new. He is trying to please his boss and learn his role. He doesn’t have time for attaboys and worrying about my feelings. I am sure it will be fine.

March 13, 2024, Wednesday evening, 5:26, pacific standard time, hotel in San Bernardino, California,USA. Had a rough couple days at work. I am trying to hire a new manager for two branches but the four candidates I have presented all have been rejected. I am disheartened. The process makes me feel like a child asking for a puppy and being told no. My new boss is not communicative nor supportive. This is exactly the scenario I feared when all the change was happening at the beginning of the year. I vowed I would weather the storm but it is going to be trying.