5:39pm, pacific standard time, parking lot, Palm Springs convention center, Tuesday evening, November 8, 2022. Waiting to meet up with an old work colleague. We were going to a convention mixer then dinner, but he is running late. I kind of wish I cancelled; the night is dark, it is rainy and I am a long way from my hotel. However, I always tell my daughter to be social. Time to take my own advice, suck it up and make the the best of the situation.
Trying different hotels in Palm Desert
5:32pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, November 7, 2022. Trying a new hotel in Palm Desert this week. The first one I stayed at last week was expensive because of a convention in town. That is alright, I wanted to try a few properties, see which was best. This hotel isn’t bad but, I do miss the in-suite kitchen. Oh well, I will try another hotel next week and decide which I like best.
Sunday afternoon in Laguna Niguel
1:32pm, pacific standard time, parking lot in Laguna Niguel, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, November 5, 2022. Went for a short walk this morning, did laundry, cleaned the kitchen and took out the trash. When my daughter woke up we went to get tacos for lunch. Now she has a friend over to help her pack for the move. I stepped out to run some errands.
New apartment prep
8:11pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday night, November 5, 2022. Spent the day at the new apartment in Aliso Viejo. We moved a dresser, assembled a desk and put together a bookcase. All in all, we were there over seven hours,?with a small break to take my daughter to a birthday party in Lake Forest. I am exhausted. Time to read, then go to sleep.
In Irvine Friday afternoon
3:02pm, pacific standard time, office building parking lot, Irvine, California, USA, Friday afternoon, November 4, 2022. Left Palm Desert at 11:30 and made my way west. Stopped in Irvine instead of going to Dana Point; better to stay local, in case I need to pick up my daughter. This is the last weekend before she moves with her mom to Aliso Viejo. They are getting the keys today and officially moving next Friday. Update: I don’t need to pick her up but, I am going to meet them at the new apartment, then go to dinner.
One big celebration
6:46pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, November 4, 2022. Spent most of the day working on a plan of correction. The executive director, who was supposed to stay through tomorrow, left for good this morning. I guess she figured now that I am here there was no reason to stay. Other than work, not much to report. I called my mom this evening and discussed plans for our next get together. Her birthday is coming up and so are the holidays. We won’t be able to celebrate all of them separately so, it looks like we will plan one big get together, either for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Helping a friend
6:52pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, November 2, 2022. A full day in the office today. We had meetings at 9am, 11am, 11:30, 2:30 and 4:30 because there are issues that need to be addressed quickly. Only my second day and I am already in deep. Oh well, I enjoy being a part of the solution and working hard. A friend reached out today to tell me she is moving to Arizona from Texas to start a new job. I offered to let her stay in the Chandler apartment because I am seldom there. I am glad it won’t sit empty any longer and that I can help a friend.
1st day in Palm Desert
6:15pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, November 1, 2022. First day of the new assignment. There is a lot of information to digest. It isn’t so much there are more problems than Dublin, just the mood of the site is bleak. The first order of business is to get the energy turned around. Halloween yesterday was fun. We didn’t stay out too late but did manage to get some good candy. It was nice to have the extra day to spend with my daughter and take her to school a couple times.
Halloween 2022
4:54pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, October 31, 2022, Halloween. Took my daughter to school this morning, did a couple of calls for work, got a haircut, exercised in the afternoon, then picked my daughter up. Now we are getting ready to visit friend’s for pizza dinner and trick-or-treating. I am wearing the shirt I bought for the party last Saturday. Happy Halloween 🎃
At the Salt Lake City airport
3:17pm, mountain standard time, Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2022. Today is the thirteen year anniversary of my last day as a full time hospice chaplain. The party last night was to be with co-workers from that era. Unfortunately, two couldn’t make it and one has a serious illness. Consequently, it was not the reunion anticipated. Still, it was nice to see old friends and a few long forgotten acquaintances. Now, after a farewell lunch with my mom, I am at the airport, traveling back to Orange County to spend Halloween with my daughter.
