August 24,2025,Sunday night, 7:15pm,pacific standard time, apartment complex parking lot,Dana Point, California, USA. I was riding around with my daughter, getting ice cream, listening to Poison. specially the song, Can’t bring me down. There is a line in the bridge, “got a bumper sticker, just says ‘peace.” I jokingly told her she needed to get one. Then I thought about it. The writing I am doing, the 10,000 Bricks, is all about finding peace. Positivity, engagement, alignment, connection are the essence of life. I think I am going to get the bumper sticker. Or more likely, a license plate frame. Time to align myself with what I teach.

August 23,2025,Saturday night,9:40pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. My television died this morning. I had been watching videos this morning then turned it off for a little while. When I tried to turn it back on nothing happened. It would turn on but the screen remained blank and none of the buttons worked. I was not surprised. It was an old television. Time for an upgrade. I found a good deal at target. It isn’t the fanciest unit but it will suffice and the price was right.

August 22,2025,Friday night,6:40pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Just got home, put some groceries in the fridge, now watching pre-season football. I am thankful it is Friday. My mood was off all week. I need time to reset and recharge.

August 21,2025,Thursday night,6:31pm, pacific standard time, apartment complex parking lot,Dana Point, California, USA. Being a parent is emotional. Yesterday my daughter had a great day at school. She told me all about it on the way to and from her singing lesson. I was so happy for her. Today when I saw her after work she was lying in bed in her dark room, barely acknowledging my presence when I said hi and told her dinner arrived. She is young, mood swings are expected. Still, seeing her sad hurts. I am sure she will snap out of it by the weekend but tonight feels painful.

August 20,2025,Wednesday morning,5:53am,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Had a strong desire to play hooky today and go on an adventure. Drive out into the desert and just keep going until I hit Arizona. My chest filled with exuberance imagining it. I am going to bask in the feeling for moment, read an article about the artificial intelligence bubble bursting, sip coffee and watch the weather. I am happy right now. Doing my things; daydreaming, exercising, reading , drinking coffee, watching the weather and/or sports takes and doing puzzles. Last night we went to Wood Ranch for a birthday dinner. Afterward my daughter and I stopped by CVS to get a whitening pen for her teeth. When we got back to Aliso Viejo we had strawberry shortcake, sang happy birthday, opened presents and talked about past memoirists. It was a good night with my daughter and her mom.

August 19,2025,Tuesday morning,4:44am,pacific standard time, Planet Fitness parking lot,Laguna Niguel,California, USA. Woke up later this morning and came straight to the gym. I had a couple extra minutes before it opens so I am using my time productively. When I look back on what I have written I appreciate the earl morning posts.’probably because I am reading them in the morning. After I finish at the gym I am going to hurry home, get ready and head straight to the office.!I look forward to taking my daughter to dinner and heading about her birthday.

August 18,2025,Monday night,6:59pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went up to Aliso this morning and dropped off donuts for my daughter’s birthday. At 10:30am I door dashed her pancakes and bacon from her favorite breakfast restaurant called Stacks. We planned to grab dinner in Irvine but her and her mom went up to Pasadena to have treats and dinner with a friend. That means we will celebrate tomorrow night. She is happy, that is what matters. I am glad she gets to spend her day with a friend.

August 17,2025,Sunday night,6:34pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California,USA. Woke up later this morning then walked on the treadmill and did a back workout at Planet Fitness. Spent the morning doing laundry and taking naps and watching YouTube videos. This afternoon I went to target in San Clemente then drove the long way to Dunkin to get a coffee with points. Then I drove to laguna niguel to get cash for my daughter before going to Five Below and buying her a couple little gifts to open. Now I am hanging out with the dog waiting for my daughter to get home and say good night. The last two Sundays I have had a good routine. By spending the morning at home I feel no stress in the afternoons and enjoy getting out and about. I think I will continue to do that.

August 16,2025,Saturday night,8:42pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. This morning the whole family, including the dog, drove to valencia. We met up with family to celebrate my daughters soon to be 17th birthday. We had a nice lunch at Woodranch hosted by us followed by present opening at my daughters aunts house. My daughters cousin gave her a nice Fender electric guitar and amplifier. Afterwards we drove to Glendale to visit my daughters grandma. It was a long day filled with good memories.

August 15,2025,Friday night, 6:23,pacific standard time, apartment complex parking lot,Dana Point, California, USA. My daughter and her mom went to Olive Garden for dinner. I was running late after dropping off supplies at a patients house in Laguna Woods. I told them to have a good night. I will catch up with them tomorrow when we drive to Valencia to see family. Today is a memory filled day. The start date anniversary for my last job three years ago. and my farewell dinner for my pastoral internship. I didn’t have time to be nostalgia. And frankly, I don’t romanticize the past like I used to. Of course when the past isn’t fondly remembered it tends to fade. At least the present feels really good. For that I am thankful.