June 12, 2023, Monday night, 6:41pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA. The new director started today. Spent an hour getting him set up on the computer. Now he has two weeks of online education before really digging in to orientation. We will see how it goes. It is a tough job, lots of turnover, not a lot of work/life balance. And he is young. I don’t know if I could handle that much stress when I was that young. Hell, I don’t know if I can handle it now.

June 11, 2023, Sunday evening, 6:38pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA. Drove to Palm Desert this afternoon after spending the day taking my daughter to a birthday party at Dave & Busters in Orange, California. The weather was overcast until 30 miles out, then the skies cleared and dust storms began. I don’t know which is worse, rain or dust. My sinuses do better in the dust but, it is still annoying. The new director for the Palm Desert branch starts tomorrow, eight months after the last director’s resignation and my interim tenure began. There is a lot riding on getting him through orientation and having him staying in the position long term. Time to start a new chapter for everyone and see what the future holds.

June 11, 2023, 1:48am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to the transformer movie in Irvine with my daughter and her friend yesterday (June 10). It was still early when the movie got out so we walked around the outdoor mall and stopped in various stores. At least the girls did. They shopped for clothes while I stood outside. My daughter is at an age where she is embarrassed to shop with her dad. It worked out well though. Her friend helped her pick out nice clothes and I paid for them. In the end, everyone was happy. Other highlights for June 10: got coffee, walked the dog in the morning, traded out the rental car. The day went fast and work was surprisingly quiet. A rare moment to enjoy down time and a silent phone.

June 8-9, 2023, Thursday/Friday, 5:42pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA. Drove back from Bakersfield last night instead of staying another day. It was my daughter’s mom’s birthday yesterday. And they needed help cleaning my daughter’s school locker before summer break began. I was happy to help but the drive tired me out. Plus, work calls came in at 12:30 and 2:30am so I didn’t sleep much. Today was work and errands. I started laundry this morning but need to put it in the dryer. Time to head back to Dana Point and finish up for the night.

June 7, 2023, Wednesday evening, 6:21pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Bakersfield, California, USA. Woke up anxious this morning and felt that way most of the day. However, things settled down toward the afternoon and my angst subsided. I actually got caught up on my to do list. After work I grabbed a sandwich for dinner. Now I am in the hotel watching television. I purposely avoided checking emails this evening. There is no reason to worry about things I won’t address until morning anyway.

June 6, 2023, Tuesday night, 5:55pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Bakersfield, California, USA. Worked in Palm Desert in the morning then drove to Bakersfield. Pulled in to the hotel at 4pm. Answered texts, emails and returned phone calls. I didn’t want to go out to get dinner so I had lunch snacks for dinner. Going to bed early tonight. My promotion was announced today but I don’t feel like celebrating. I am exhausted. Recharging my energy needs to be a priority.

June 5, 2023, Monday evening, 6:09pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA. Spent the day clearing out the Director’s office. For a brief moment I felt nostalgic, then I remembered how burned out I am on this place. I can’t wait for the new guy to get up and running so I can spend more time someplace else. Here is a drearily ominous fact; I turned this place around, was showered with accolades, got a promotion for my effort and after just seven months I can’t wait to get the hell out. Director jobs suck. You never get down time, you never rest. No one can stay in that energy long term.

June 4, 2023, Sunday evening, 6:47pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA. Drove into palm Desert on Sunday to be in the office first thing tomorrow morning. We are borrowing staff from another branch and have new employees starting. I needed to be here to get everything ready. I will stay tomorrow night then head to Bakersfield for the remainder of the week. I don’t mind traveling on Sunday. It is much more relaxing to drive without my phone constantly ringing. And I already took care of payroll for tomorrow so I can relax a little Monday morning.

June 3, 2023, Saturday night, 11:54pm, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to see The Boogeyman movie this afternoon. Also worked out, walked, took the dog for a walk, drove to get breakfast with my daughter and ran errands. Had late dinner with daughter and her mom before heading back to Dana Point.

June 2, 2023, Friday night, 10:09pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to see the new Spider-Man film with my daughter tonight. The movie was long, but overall a good experience. Watching it made me miss the little kid in me. The one that loved superheroes, summer vacation and daydreaming. He is gone now, almost completely cramped out by an adult lacking imagination. That makes me sad. I have lost so much in life, including the loss of past selfs. Most of the time I accept it. But every now and then I find myself mourning who I was and never will be again.