June 24,2025,Saturday night,9:30pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to Riptide Tepan Grill tonight with my daughter and her mom. We went to celebrate Father’s Day early. unfortunately two of the chefs called out sick. So though we were literally the first people to be seated when the restaurant opened we had to sit for an hour waiting for our food while the table next to us ate. Surprisingly none of us lost our cool and we accepted the situation. Afterwards we drove to Foothill Ranch for ice cream at baskin robins. On the way home we stopped in Laguna Niguel to wish my daughters friend farewell before she left to visit her boyfriend and his family in Florida. All in all it was a good way to spend Father’s Day eve.

June 13,2025,Friday evening,5:48pm,pacific standard time,Pizza Hut parking lot, Laguna Hills,California, USA. Grabbing pizza on my way home from work. Today was my daughters last day of school, save for two weeks of summer school to make up for absences and unexcused tardy days. that makes me nostalgic for summer vacation. And beer. And dinner. I am feeling diminished today. I need to get some rest tonight and start fresh tomorrow.

June 12,2025,Thursday evening,6:32pm,pacific standard time, apartment complex parking lot,Dana Point, California, USA. Yesterday work went until 7pm because of HR training and talking with co-workers. Then today we had Interdisciplinary Team meetings plus safety and Quality Assurance. I am spent. I just want to wash up and crawl into bed. Last night I got home late, had trouble sleeping and got up early this morning. Pluses no nap today. Not the best combination energy wise.

June 11,2025,Wednesday night,9:03pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Got a call from the company CEO today. He wanted to tell me my supervisor gave notice. I could tell things weren’t right so it wasn’t totally unexpected. Nonetheless when suspicions are confirmed everything changes. Later news came down the clinical lead for the region was demoted. That means the four people directly responsible for my hiring are now gone. Things change quick. My supervisor recommended me to fill his position, which is more in line with my skill set. I will look at the option and make myself available to formally apply. I wanted to grow and take a larger role. Not necessarily through this route.

June 10,2025,Tuesday evening,7:10pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went to a work “happy hour” this afternoon in Placentia with one of our business partners. during the meeting our marketing rep mentioned how much she likes working with management in general and me in particular. She said her and another rep call me “Papa Mike” because I always take care of things. I find it endearing and enlightening. I appreciate being seen as a father figure that is solution oriented while at the same time it leaves me feeling slightly numb. A stark realization I am not young any more and that time keeps plodding forward.

June 9,2025,Monday night,7:37,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Today was arduous. The good vibes never got flowing. I guess it was bound to happen. The weekend was so transcendent. I was moving mountains with my mind, dreaming about 10,000 Bricks (I went back to the original name.) I suppose there was no where to go but down after such an exhilarating high. One positive note from today. I got news my raise was approved. Not what I asked for but more than what I am making now. the important thing is I asked and received. That makes me incredibly happy.

June 8,2025,Sunday night,7:44pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Today was my daughter’s mom’s birthday. I got up, went for a walk/workout then picked up flowers, balloons and gift cards from Smart &Final by the gym. I ran everything up to Aliso Viejo and took the dog for a short walk. After doing laundry I headed back to Aliso to grab my daughter and take her to lunch followed by shopping at Five Below. She needed to get a gift for a friend who was also celebrating a birthday today. When her friends party ended we headed out to dinner with her mom at Wood Ranch in Laguna Niguel. After a quick bite of cake and happy birthday singing I left and came home for the night.

June 7,2025,Saturday evening,6:50,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Got up at 3:19am and did the Blue Lantern walk. Then I came home and watched sports takes on YouTube while doing a shoulder and bicep workout at home with my free weights. At 9am I headed to Aliso Viejo to say hi to my daughter before she went to Glendale to see her grandma. Then I spent the day with the dog, mostly running errands. Getting air in the back right tire, picking up my suit from the cleaners, washing the car, taking picture frames and a five gallon jug of water to Dana point, taking the dog for a walk, taking a long nap, grabbing a green tea and a pup cup from Starbucks. Buying carrots and strawberries from Ralph’s. And finally sitting on the couch watching a new show on Netflix. It was a great Saturday.

June 6,2025,Friday night,9:28pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Took the staff to Dave and Busters tonight to show appreciation for all their hard work. It was a small group so they had the option to bring a +1. It was fun to see coworkers in a social setting and to meet their spouses. We had a great time. It was more expensive than anticipated but we can budget for a while to even things out.

June 5,2025, Thursday morning, 6:58am, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California,USA. Today is the last day of school at the middle school the dog and I walk by on our adventures. Even though it was early I could tell there is an excitement in the air. Few things feel more wonderful than the last day of school before summer vacation.