August 23, 2023, Sunday evening, 7:22pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Go back to work tomorrow. The day after that is my one year work anniversary. Right now, I have little desire to jump in and be consumed with anxiety. I look back on the past year with pride. I loved getting the job and am proud of what was accomplished. But I can’t say there is anything I particularly like about the work. If it ended tomorrow I wouldn’t give it a second thought. That was how leaving the Phoenix job was. overall, I would like a job I am passionate about but, at this point, I am pretty sure that thing does not exist.

August 12, 2023, Saturday evening, 9:03pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. The current of energy is fascinating. When I was younger anxiety was prominent. I often felt uncomfortable yet didn’t hesitate to do something to address it. Like, go for a drive, shoot hoops, work out. Now, anxiety is more subtle and undefined. Almost like a rip tide. Rather than trying to fix it I try to endure. That seldom works. I need to take better care of myself and call a spade a spade. If I am uncomfortable I should fix it, not let it fester and try to wait it out.

August 11, 2023, Friday night, 8:06pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went for the walk today and worked out. Took the dog to the groomer and picked her up this afternoon. Drove around with my daughter, got lunch and dinner. Had to do some things for work tonight. Now watching movies and checking out a dating app.

August 10, 2023, Thursday afternoon, 1:16pm, mountain standard time, Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Made it safely to the airport. The canyon leading into Salt Lake City was closed due to an accident so we went a little out of our way to the north but still arrived in plenty of time. We past security though my daughters friend packed a big bottle of perfume that was confiscated. Now I am sitting at the gate with the luggage while the girls went to grab Starbucks, We had a good vacation but it is time for some rest and recuperation. It will be good to get back to Orange County and enjoy the upcoming weekend.

August 9, 2023, Wednesday evening, 9:09pm, mountain standard time, condo in Evanston, Wyoming, USA. Drove down to Salt Lake City this afternoon. Stopped by REI to buy shoes for my daughter and picked up a pair for myself. Then we went to Savers Thrift Store where her friend bought two pairs of jeans. After Savers we went to the Fashion Place Mall. Mom and I talked over coffee while the girls shopped. The evening ended with dinner at PF Chang’s before driving back to Evanston.

August 8, 2023, Tuesday night, 9:52pm, mountain standard time, condo in Evanston, Wyoming, USA. Drove through the Uinta mountains this evening with my mom, my daughter and her friend. It was a fun trip but became long after a while. When we got back to Evanston the girls wanted tacos for dinner. We stopped by Taco Bell, got them dinner then headed home. Mom and I ate leftover pizza from the fridge. It was a low key day after lagoon yesterday but nice nonetheless.

August 7, 2023, Monday night, 10:38pm, mountain standard time, condo in Evanston, Wyoming, USA. Went to the amusement park Lagoon today. Stayed until closing then drove to our former hometown of Centerville for In and Out burgers. This morning at the Maverik gas station in Evanston I made eye contact with my high school girlfriend. She didn’t recognize me. I only knew it was her from seeing pictures on Facebook. The encounter happened so fast she was gone before I could say anything. But then, what would I say? There were years I spent heartbroken because of her. Now, she can walk by me and all I feel is indifferent. I guess time wears everything smooth, even the most passionate of feelings.

August 6, 2023, Sunday afternoon, 2:18pm, mountain standard time, Smith’s ballpark, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. At the ballgame with family. Enjoying a Sunday afternoon before heading to Pleasant Grove to have dinner with extended family. this is a good start to the vacation though the girls are bored.

August 5, 2023, Saturday night, 9:16pm, mountain standard time, mom’s house, Evanston, Wyoming, USA. Got up at 3am, did a performance evaluation for work, took a shower and went for a short walk with the dog. Flew out of Long Beach to Salt Lake City. Mom picked us up. Met my niece at Costco, then went to the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. Bought some rubber ducks at Cabin Fever like always, then went to the Dancing Cranes store in Salt Lake. After that we drove to Wyoming and enjoyed a quiet evening at home. Tomorrow is a full day with the baseball game and meeting family for dinner afterwards.

August 4, 2023, Friday night, 9:10pm, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA. I am sleeping at the apartment in Aliso Viejo tonight. We have to wake up at 4am tomorrow to catch a 7:10am flight out of Long Beach and I didn’t want to have to travel from Dana Point to pick up the girls. I am tired but they are excited. That have been in the bathroom all night putting on nails and doing beauty routines. Their enthusiasm is fun to see. It reminds me of family trips long ago. Just like them, I seldom slept the night before vacation in anticipation of adventures I envisioned having. I am glad the girls are enjoying themselves and have a similar experience, that is what this time is all about.