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.

August 15,2025,Thursday night,7:51pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. My daughter texted this afternoon asking if we could get ice cream later. We started a ritual of driving to foothill ranch, listening to music and going through the drive thru at baskin robbins for a scoop of ice cream. It is a fun thing to do that gives us a chance to be together. We talk a little, listen to music and enjoy a endless treat. I appreciate experiences like that with her.

August 13,2025,Wednesday evening,6:08,pacific standard time,parking lot,school of rock,Sam Juan Capistrano,California, USA. Yesterday I got news two of the branches from my old job are closing. I have been reaching out and texting with staff I used to work with for three reasons. One to see how they are doing. Two, to see if there are any patients we can care for and three to see if any staff can come over. The territory impacted isn’t my area but I am helping best I can. The news has made me feel down all day. I am tired and need to get some rest.

August 12,2025,Tuesday night,9:01pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Woke up early again and did the same routine as yesterday. There is a point of diminishing return getting up early when I am so bored and tired I take a nap before work. I might as well sleep an extra hour instead. On my way to work I got gas and passed an OCTA bus sitting at the stop just pass the shell station. That is significant because it is a visceral reminder to be a thankful member of the workforce. I saw the bus sitting there in a similar fashion one morning on my way to take my daughter to school. I know it is usually there just after 7:15am. I purposefully drive that route to see it and get my mind right and fill my heart with appreciation. Amazing how something so benign can have a big impact on a moment.

August 11,2025,Monday night, 5:58pm,pacific standard time,In & Out Burger off El Toro, Lake Forest, California,USA. At In & Out getting my daughter dinner. Had a good day. Woke up at 2:23am, did the walk to the walk and a home bicep/shoulder workout. I got up so early I had time to get in two quick naps before going to work. This morning I took shoes up to Aliso Viejo because my daughter’s friend left them in my car last night after they went to the beach. Her friend went back to Pasadena today and her mom is going to a dinner so I will drop off the food for dinner then head home myself.

August 10,2025,Sunday afternoon,4:11pm,pacific standard time,Starbucks off Granada and PCH,Dana Point, California, USA. Dropped my daughter and her friend off at the beach then came to the Starbucks by our old house off Santa Clara. I spent a lot of time at this location back in 2012 when I was in between jobs. A lot has changed in 13 years, it has been remodeled twice. But I have good memories of working on my laptop and scheming to conquer the world.

August 9,2025,Saturday night,7:38pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Spent the day with the dog watching the show Quarterback on Netflix. Worked out at plant fitness, did a load of laundry, did the blue lantern walk and the dog park walk. Got Starbucks coffee in the morning and Peet’s in the afternoon. My daughter called me from the road coming back from San Diego. She wanted Panera for dinner. I ordered the the whole family dinner then drove to lake forest to pick it up. They came home tired and hungry so I made my way back to Dana Point and just got home. It was a fun day.

August 8,2025,Friday night,8:52,pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Went and saw the new Fantastic Four movie with my daughter, her friend and her mom. The movie was forgettable but we had a good time hanging out together, talking a bit too loud about the plot holes. I am ready for sleep. I got up at 2:30am this morning, did the walk to the walk and worked out at home. I am going to try and sleep in tomorrow and catch up on rest. It was a long but enjoyable week.