6:17pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, January 26, 2023. Today is my nephew’s 31st birthday. That’s significant because twenty years ago, when I turned 31, we lived close to his family in Valencia. In between jobs, I spent afternoons hanging out with him, doing homework, shooting hoops, and shuttling him to various activities. I look back fondly on those weeks. It was a rare opportunity, before full adulthood, to be carefree and spend quality time with a relative I might otherwise not have known. It was also that age, when shortly thereafter, I took the Utah hospice chaplain job. I consider that period the happiest of my life. Realizing he is now the same age brings back good memories. He’s been through a rough couple of years lately. For the occasion of his birthday, I hope he finds his “Utah” soon. And gets to enjoy a little happiness in his life as well.
Kind of a drag
6:09pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, January 24, 2023. I did not have any energy today. Even an extra cup of coffee this morning didn’t make a difference. From the moment I walked in the office nothing engaged my attention. I guess some days are like that; you just don’t find momentum and time drags on. By 11am I was counting minutes on my notepad. Hopefully tomorrow is a little better. Life is no fun just enduring.
Be here for a while
6:02pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday night, January 24, 2023. Spent most of the day cleaning up HR files. There are so many back office things that haven’t been touched in the past two years. I am finally getting a handle on the most egregious. The site is really starting to come around; new staff, new attitude. I believe it is going to be a successful year. Which is good because the recruiter announced on a team call today she is focusing on “critical needs” in the region. The Director position in Palm Desert isn’t one of them. I am pretty sure I am going to be here for a while.
Made it to palm desert, January 23, 2023
6:03pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, January 23, 2023. Drove in from Arizona this afternoon. The wind was strong, especially on the California side of the border. Many times larger trucks swerved uncontrollably. Coupled with blowing dust the trip was far from relaxing. I made it to the office at 3:30pm and did some work before grabbing dinner and checking in to the hotel. Now I just got off the phone with mom. I am going to watch television and read before turning in for the night.
Eventually all things are lost
6:41pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Sunday evening, January 22, 2023. There is a finite amount of time left in Arizona. I am struggling to say goodbye. I can’t stay but, letting go is difficult. A part of me exists here that doesn’t subsist anywhere else; waking up in my apartment, going for walks, exercising in the gym and drinking coffee while watching the weather. It is the best start to a morning I have ever experienced. Now the opportunities do those things are dwindling. Life is like that; you celebrate times and then let them go. It was just announced the minor league baseball team in Salt Lake City, Utah is moving to the suburbs. They are going to tear down the stadium in the area where I have watched games since I was nine years old. So many memories with my brother, my dad, my family exist in that ballpark. It is sad to see it go but, time marches on. Eventually all things fade and are lost. We have no choice but to enjoy them while we can and miss them when they are no longer here.
Baseball mitts
6:35pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday evening, January 21, 2023. Enjoyed a low key day in the apartment. Ran some errands this afternoon but, nothing too ambitious. I needed time to rejuvenate after a long week. I was going to meet a friend for dinner tonight but canceled. I didn’t have the desire nor energy to go out. On another note; my daughter is starting baseball next week. I dug our mitts out of storage and have been breaking them in. So far, so good. I haven’t played catch in years and never with her. I am excited to get back out there and to share that experience with her.
Back in Arizona, January 20, 2023
3:37pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday afternoon, January 20, 2023. Made it back to Arizona. Things were slow enough at work I could leave before noon. After a quick stop to fuel up I headed east. The drive was smooth, no traffic or major accidents. I was able to relax, listen to music and enjoy the desert scenery. It is so nice to be back in Arizona right now. My apartment in feels like home, at least for a couple days. I missed my couch, tv, bed, clothes, etc. Now I am going to do a little cleaning before getting dinner and spending the night watching movies.
Let the day end
6:03pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, January 19, 2023. Today was emotionally exhausting. I worked on my financial report in the morning then had a meeting in the afternoon to let go of an employee. She handled it well and obviously it was much more stressful her. But I feel empty inside. I am going to curl up and let the day mercifully end.
Profitability and success
7:33pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, January 19, 2023. Found out today the potential director candidate withdrew for consideration this morning so, back to square one. She was from the Midwest, which means she probably wouldn’t have stayed long any way. I don’t mind sticking around a couple more months. The site is finally rounding into shape after many weeks of dysfunction. Now I get to see this through. We survived the culture change, now comes profitability and success. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
January 17, 2023
6:18pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, January 17, 2023. My time in Palm Desert could be winding down. A potential candidate is visiting the site next week. I will show her around and go over job duties. If things go well she could be in place by the end of February. That means I would be on to my next assignment, location to be determined. There are a few open positions but, it sounds like they have strong applicants as well. I am not too worried. I am sure there is a need for me somewhere. On a side note; my ordination into Christian ministry was 24 years ago today. Hard to believe I ever lived that life. So much has changed in the past two decades.
