October 26, 2023, Thursday evening, 6:57pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Palm Desert, California,USA. It feels like my priorities are shifting. I don’t follow sports like I used to. I didn’t even realize the Arizona Diamondbacks made it to the World Series until a friend mentioned it. Normally, I am up to date on things like that. I also don’t obsess over vices like I used to. However, certain desires are more pronounced on weekends, so time will tell if that has truly changed. The key is not only eradicating unproductive behavior but funding an alternative replacement.

October 24-25, Tuesday/Wednesday, 6:00pm, Wednesday evening, hotel room in Palm Desert, California,USA. Drove out to Palm Desert yesterday afternoon in time to host my weekly area call. After that I answered emails and went grocery shopping. Then this morning I went to the Halloween/staff party in Palm Desert before driving to attend the same event at the San Bernardino branch. I am really enjoying no longer being a branch director. I don’t have to go in early, stay late or worry about the day to day operations of a single site. This gives me opportunity to deal with macro issues and effect more change.

October 22-23, 2023, Sunday and Monday, 7:43pm, pacific standard time, Monday night, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Sunday was good. Got up early, finished some work stuff, then went to the gym before taking my daughter to Dunkin Donuts. At noon I returned to Dana Point and did laundry. Later, I went for a walk up the Dana Point Hills and texted my boss to ask for a PTO day. I needed time off to go to Knott’s Berry Farm. That is what we did today. We had a great time, very low key. The park was not crowded and we got on rides easily. After the park closed we picked up Del Taco in Anaheim and headed home. We both are tired but had a great day.

October 21, 2023, Saturday night, 7:51pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Today is the 19th anniversary of what the WIL (woman I love) and I considered our anniversary. I haven’t seen her for four years so it is anticlimactic. In that time I have met and dated other women but not sure if anything serious will come from it. I gave all I am to that relationship. Companionship is nice, and necessary but I doubt I will ever fully fall in “love” again.

October 20, 2023, Friday night, 11:21pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Drove back from Palm Desert this morning, finished up some work then went with my daughter and her mom to Descanso Gardens in La Canada. It was fun to walk around and see the in-laws. We hadn’t seen each other since Christmas. I am going to read a little then fall asleep.

October 19, 2023, Thursday evening, 6:31pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Palm Desert, California,USA. Spent the day at the Palm Desert branch uploading competencies into the online education platform. I got a lot done but there is still more to do. Once that is completed I can print out transcripts for employee files. I debated going home tonight. It would have been nice to have the morning free but I was too tired to pack and drive so I got soup and pizza from Panera and came back to the hotel to watch The Office. I will still try and leave early to be home for meetings. The plan is to visit a Halloween themed farm with my daughter’s mom’s family tomorrow night.

October 18, 2023, Wednesday night, 7:29pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Palm Desert, California, USA. As stressful as yesterday was today was peaceful. I did my usual routine then took two virtual meetings in my Bakersfield hotel room. I got on the road at 10am and drove straight to Palm Desert stopping only for a company wide call and parent teacher conferences. I got to the hotel at 4;30pm and settled in before picking up dinner at Chipotle. I don’t get many coast days at this job, have to take advantage when I can.

October 17, 2023, Tuesday morning, 11:28am, pacific standard time, 17th anniversary of my dads death, parking lot of Bakersfield branch, Bakersfield, California, USA. Today is not a good day. Lots of stress and my brain is foggy. I can’t concentrate and at noon I present my monthly operating reviews. I should have stayed in Orange County then traveled to Palm Desert tomorrow. I don’t have time for branch concerns. After the operating reviews I have the area call, parent teacher conferences and survey review for Palm Desert. I am already exhausted with no end in sight.

October 16, 2023, Monday evening, 7:13pm, pacific standard time, hotel room in Bakersfield, California,USA. Got a late start today. Didn’t make it to Bakersfield until 7pm. I knew the trip would be rough because I had a monthly operations call at 2pm. I planned on getting as far down the road as possible before taking the call but my daughter’s mom called at 10am saying her car was towed and our daughter was suspended from school. So I picked up my daughter then took her mom to the tow place. It was noon by the time all was taken care of. I did my calls in Dana point and left at 3:15pm. It was an emotional day. I remember being that age and the struggles I endured. It is part of growing up yet, it is tough knowing the road she must walk. As a parent I want to protect her and at the same time prepare her for life. Sometimes it is hard to know which energy to portray and which will serve her best.

October 15, 2023, Sunday night, 6:43pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. My friend left this morning at 8:30am. We had a good time last night watching sunset at the beach, walking and talking. After she left took my daughter to breakfast before doing laundry and some grocery shopping. This afternoon I went on my usual walk up the hills of Dana Point. Afterwards, I drove to Aliso Viejo to help hang Halloween decorations and take my daughters friend home. We got Del Taco for dinner then I drove back to Dana Point.