4:50pm, pacific standard time, Parking lot in Tempe Marketplace, Sunday afternoon, August 7, 2022. Had a rare day in regards to social activity today. Met a friend for coffee this morning, then another friend came over to watch television. Now I am going to have a drink with a friend in Tempe. I don’t often have opportunities to be this social, I will enjoy it while I can. It is nice getting of the house for a change.
In for the evening
4:39pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday afternoon, August 6, 2022. Family left at 5am this morning. After they were gone I ran a couple loads of laundry, watched two movies, wrote a little and practiced scales on the guitar. This afternoon went grocery shopping then called my mom. Now I am in for the evening, enjoying the quiet and staying out of the heat.
Last day
4:39pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday afternoon, August 5, 2022. Last day family is here. Went to the mall to shop and eat, now going to the pool before spending the night watching movies. it has been a good family vacation for everyone.
Simply existing
5:01pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Thursday evening, August 4, 2022. Had another good day. Spent time reading, writing, walking, exercising and taking a couple of naps. Nice to have the family here visiting and enjoy simply existing.
Things will look different
4:26pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday afternoon, August 3, 2022. More time spent writing today. I also got the oil changed and tires rotated on the car. It is time to plan logistics and prepare for new routines. Chances are I will leave for Orange County a week from tomorrow and start my new job from there. Hard to believe I won’t be spending much time in Arizona any more. I haven’t given notice on my apartment but I also will not be renewing my lease. One way or the other things will look different at the beginning of next year.
Invigorated by the process
5:20pm, pacific standard time, pool at the apartment complex, Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday evening, August 2, 2022. I spent a couple of hours today working on the piece I resurrected back in June. Working on it is different than anything I have done the past 20+ years of writing. In those instances I was alone in the act of creation; trying to use my skills, my imagination, my tenacity and anything else I could muster to make something out of nothing. This piece feels separate from me, almost like a gift. It exists as a wonderful story on its own. My purpose is not to birth it out of alchemy but rather, to spend time making it as beautiful as possible. Subsequently, I am invigorated by the process and excited to see the finished product.
Relief
4:25pm, pacific standard time, apartment, Chandler, Arizona, USA, Monday afternoon, August 1, 2022. Completed my in-person CPR training this afternoon and subsequently, all the onboarding tasks for my new position. Next step is to coordinate an orientation schedule with the hiring manager. This gives me a sense of relief. It is starting to feel more real. I look forward to the 15th and getting back to work.
Busy but fun
3:02pm, pacific standard time, trampoline park, Chandler, Arizona, USA, Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2022. Since yesterday afternoon we have gone swimming twice, shopping at multiple places and now, visiting the trampoline park down the street. It has been a busy, but fun, weekend. Luckily, I found a place to sit at the trampoline park so I can relax while they get some physical exercise.
Cleaning and listening to music
8:23am, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday morning, July 30, 2022. Yesterday was productive; continued to work on some writing assignments, ran errands, then went to bed early. This morning I worked out and spent a couple of hours listening to music while cleaning the apartment. Family arrives around 11am. I am excited to have them in Arizona this week.
Story resolve
7:22pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Thursday night, July 28, 2022. Spent the morning working on a piece that vexed me for over a decade. The same piece I was working on a month ago but, set aside because it drove me crazy. There is a lot of existential angst surrounding the work but, in the end I came back, not because I envision myself a great writer but, because I want to see the story resolve.
