September 18, 2023, Monday evening, 6:24pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Bakersfield, California, USA. Two weeks ago I started doing an exercise called up/downs or burpees. You start by standing up, then bend down, put your hands on the ground, kick your legs back then forward and finally finish with a hand raised jump. I was doing 50 a day. They really helped my cardio, core and posture. But they were also causing me discomfort. Hours after exercise I would feel swelling in my pelvic area and chest. I am not sure if the source of irritation was the exertion or the movements but either way the irritation was too much to bear. I had to stop doing them. Years ago I discovered similar issues riding an upright stationary bike. I would feel painful swelling and constipation after riding. So much so that I stopped exercising on stationary bikes and haven’t rode one since. The issue with the bike wasn’t that big of a deal. I didn’t particularly enjoy that piece of equipment anyway. But the up/down circumstances are different. I hate giving up something I so recently discovered and enjoyed. It makes me feel old.

September 17, 2023, Sunday night, 7:03pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I am seeking a goal that doesn’t involve moving or changing jobs. What do I focus on for the upcoming year? September 1st is a rebirth day. What can I accomplish in the next 50 weeks? that answer will guide my happiness in the near future.

September 16, 2023, Saturday night, 11pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Stayed the night in Aliso Viejo. Woke up this morning and grabbed coffee. Went for a walk then stayed in most of the day. Family got back at 2pm. They were both tired. Talked with my daughters mom then took my daughter to grab dinner. I left at 4:30pm and came back to Dana Point. Been j bed more or less since then. The skies were grey all day which is always dispiriting.

September 15, 2023, Friday evening, 7:46pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA . I am in Aliso Viejo, dog sitting at my daughters moms apartment. They are at Universal Studios in Hollywood for Halloween Horror nights. I haven’t heard any updates yet, hope they are having a good time. The dog and I are just hanging out, but she is barking at every little sound so it is getting annoying. I talked to my mom on the phone this evening. We have a plan for Christmas. She is bringing her cat to California. That was a major sticking point. Now she seems more excited.

September 14, 2023, Thursday evening, 6:41pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Yesterday was my daughters dogs 4th birthday. In all the running around, picking my daughter up from school then going to the Halloween store we forgot to celebrate. Hard to believe she is that old already. Time goes fast. I worked from home today. It was nice being local. Picked my daughter up early from school. Some kind of drama took place but she didn’t say what and I didn’t press. Tomorrow her and her mom go to universal studios with friends. I am going to stay the night in Aliso Viejo and dog sit. Sounds like all of us will have a good time.

September 13, 2023, Wednesday night, 9:03pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. My counterpart, the person who hired me and has been with the company 14 years, announced her resignation today. Talking with her afterwards the main reason was travel. She doesn’t want to be on the road five days a week any more. I don’t blame her. It has been nice this week, staying close to home (San Diego), seeing my daughter (I picked her up from school this afternoon and we drove to the Spirit Halloween store in Huntington Beach this evening) and having personal time to workout and run errands. I enjoy the job for the most part and don’t mind the travel. Eventually the lifestyle will catch up with me and I will make a change. Until then it is business as usual. Keep plugging away and do the best I can.

September 12, 2023, Tuesday evening, 9:19pm, pacific standard time, hotel in San Diego, California,USA. Came to San Diego for a conference. Staying one night, then heading back to Orange County. Had dinner at Coasterra, which has Great view of downtown San Diego. Today is one of the rare days I feel relaxed. It is nice to not be in Bakersfield for a week. I am going to enjoy the rest of my time in Southern California and appreciate being close to home.

September 11, 2023, Monday night, 10:58pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I keep waking up at night realizing I didn’t write a post for the day. At least I am catching it in time. Better late than never. Mondays are difficult for me. I get emotionally exhausted contorting into the persona of a leader this job requires. At this point the stress isn’t worth the payoff. I can’t imagine working another 6 months at this job, let alone 6 years. Failing to sustain consistent employment is far more financially detrimental than diminished pay. I need to find more balance and steadiness. Side note; I have an issue with my left lower eyelid, it has been swollen the last couple of days. It isn’t so noticeable as it annoying. I wonder if it is related to the sneezing fits I keep having? Up until today I blamed allergens in the hotels but, I am not at a hotel tonight. Hopefully it is nothing.

September 10, 2023, Sunday night (Monday morning) 12:02am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went and saw the Nun 2 movie with my daughter in Irvine. I thought it was pretty scary. She said it was alright. Afterward, we picked her mom up at the auto repair shop then drove to Dana Point so they could borrow the other car. Luckily, it started after sitting unused for three weeks.

September 8-9, 2023, Friday and Saturday, 4:34pm, pacific standard time, Saturday afternoon, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. My daughter stayed the night with her friends family at the Great Wolf Lodge, in Garden Grove. I dropped her off shortly after 5pm yesterday and came back to Dana Point. I haven’t been to Aliso Viejo all day. It is times like this that make me realize how much life revolves around spending time with my daughter. We are planning to go a movie tomorrow but I am more aware everyday that once she can drive on her own life will change drastically for all of us. I miss her right now. And I miss the dog as well. But after all was said and done it was nice to have a day to myself. I slept in and went to the gym this afternoon. Now I am reading a graphic novel version of my favorite book, The Stranger by Albert Camus.