February 11, 2025, Tuesday night, 6:52pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. The boss came down from Los Angeles to spend the day with us in Orange County. We reviewed marketing plans in the morning then carpooled to the 52 Seasons restaurant for lunch. I met the new Clinical Supervisor. She will be a good fit. Later this afternoon we went over financial information. I feel a little overwhelmed. Mostly because all the forms and systems are new. Once I become familiar with everything it will feel less stressful.

February 10, 2025, Monday morning, 6:53am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. First work Monday in 19 weeks. They never get easier. I am feeling rather vulnerable. Oh well, have to do what needs to be done. I am not taking my daughter to school because that makes me an hour late. Nonetheless, I feel rushed to get out the door on time. Also, I burned another of my new shirts. They aren’t wrinkle free yet they aren’t iron friendly. What is the point? I literally put the iron on it and it burned right through. Funny thing is I had ironed this shirt before!

February 9, 2025, Sunday morning, 8:07am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. The past four months gave me a new perspective on work. Mostly, being “the boss” is a privilege. Back in October, when my responsibilities were taken away, I did not feel relief. Rather, I felt isolated and directionless. I longed to lead a team and be part of a community again. With this new job I don’t taken it for granted. In fact, I see it as a privilege worth sacrificing for. Now typical stressors take on new connotations. Sunday blues are not a monster to be endured and eradicated. Rather it is one sacrifice I agree to make to be the boss. Waking up at 3:30am isn’t a grind but a sacrifice to get what I want. Not drinking alcohol is an activity I am willing to forgo to be on top of my game. Taking less of pay is not a failure, rather a sacrifice I am willing to make to have this job. This concept is powerful. It reframes so many “bad things” and makes them challenges I gladly face to have what I want.

February 8, 2025, Saturday night, 7:30pm,pacific standard time,apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Spent the day in Aliso viejo with my daughter while her mom traveled north to be with family. I took my daughter to get breakfast and lunch, watched some Netflix, took the dog for a walk and scrolled through YouTube. Not an overly productive day but relaxing nonetheless. video is from sunrise this morning in Dana point.

February 7,2025, Friday night, 7:33pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Third day of work completed. It was Pretty much the same as the other two. It did rain most of the day . That was slightly different. I am thankful even if the prospects of staying long term are a little underwhelming.

February 6, 2025, Thursday night, 6:48pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Day two of the Costa Mesa job. Another early morning. I am Not sure the time (3:30am wake up) or the pace of my morning’s are sustainable. I am on the go from the minute I get up to the time I go to bed. I do appreciate being a part of a team again, I just need to be able to find a steady routine. This evening I Caught up with a work colleague from last year. It was good to talk to him. Heard about the drama at my old employer. Though I am happy to feel vindicated (my successor is a bad boss, numbers are down) I still resent how my tenure ended. And I feel bad for my staff. Oh well, I can’t change the past. Always forward.

February 5, 2025, Wednesday night, 6:07pm, pacific standard time, parking lot of Rock School, San Juan Capistrano, California, USA. Long first day. Woke up at 3:30am to walk and workout before going back home to shower and get ready. Then I took my daughter to school and got to the office by 9am. Lots of information to process. The orientation is not overly structured and the office is more chaotic than I anticipated. it is still better than not working. Glad to be back amongst the employed.

February 4, 2025, Tuesday evening, 5:40pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I am in a really good place mentally. This job doesn’t feel like a daunting commitment. Rather, it is an opportunity to interact with others and use my leadership skills. Tomorrow will be my first in the office. While I need to get up to speed with work, my main focus for the coming weeks is arranging workout and school drop off schedules so I have job/life balance. Once all those pieces are arranged I will be happy. My 2025 goal remains the same: expand my Chief Officer energy/leadership skills beyond hospice. As I do that more opportunities will present themselves and I will continue to grow as a person.

February 3, 2025, Monday night, 6:28pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Drove to the city of Orange this afternoon to so my pre-employment physical and TB test. Afterwards I went to Aliso Viejo and hung out with the dog. The physical and TB test we’re the last things I needed to complete prior to beginning work. Still not sure when my start date will be. That most likely depends on when my background check is completed. I am alright waiting until next Monday.

February 2, 2025, Sunday night, 6:47pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. Walked and worked out this morning. Took my daughter to breakfast then played guitar and video games. This evening I went to strands/salt creek to watch the sunset. The fog was rolling in so I didn’t see much other than the guy standing in front of me taking selfies for twenty minutes. I contemplated sneaking a video because it was so amusing but really, what would I have done with it? Best just to have entertaining memory and a good story to tell.