Saturday

March 8, 2025, Saturday afternoon,4:49pm,pacific standard time,bedroom of apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I decided for the rest of the night I am going to stay in the back half of the apartment. I shut the bedroom door and won’t leave until morning. It feels strange to sequester myself but at the same time it feels like a mini-vacation. Almost hotel like. It has been a good day. Got up around six, hung out in the apartment then walked on the treadmill at the gym. Afterwards I went to Aliso Viejo, took the dog for a walk, got my daughter lunch, hung out at the office parking lot in Laguna Niguel, bought some jerky and fresh berries at Albertsons, then came home. Now I am going to read and enjoy the sunset.

Tuesday

February 25,2025, Tuesday evening, 5:46pm,pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California,USA. Stopped by the apartment in Aliso Viejo to see my daughter. She wasn’t home because she went to dinner with her mom. I took the dog for a walk instead. I will wait until they get home. I didn’t get to see my daughter yesterday not did I take her to school this morning like I usually do on Tuesdays. Just as well to hang out here than go back to to an empty apartment in Dana Point.

January 29, a nice weekend

5:54pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday evening, January 29, 2023. There was no baseball game yesterday. Rather, the teams practiced technique and reviewed fundamentals. It was still a fun time and my daughter did well in every aspect. This morning, we got up early and went to a movie in Irvine. Afterwards, I dropped her off and ran errands by myself. All in all it was a nice weekend. Now the skies have turned gray and a little rain is falling. The forecast calls for precipitation tomorrow as well. My trip to Palm Desert might be interesting if it keeps up.

My daughter the baseball player

8:25am, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday morning, January 28, 2023. My daughter has her first baseball game this morning. In preparation, we went to the ballfields after school and played catch. She has a good arm and isn’t too bad at catching. Impressive, considering it was her first time using a glove. I am nervous for her but, excited as well. She is athletic and wants to succeed. If she sticks with it she will have fun and be a good player.

Sunday, January 15, 2023 in Orange County, California

Beach at San Clemente State Park, San Clemente, California

4:46pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, January 15, 2023. My daughter, her friend and her mom joined me for breakfast with my cousin and her family in Dana Point this morning. We met them at the harbor because they were coming from San Clemente. Afterwards, we went to the beach to build sand castles and continue our visit. Even though the sky we still managed to have a good time. This afternoon I drove to San Juan, signed the lease on my new apartment and paid the deposit. I will get the keys middle of next month and move my stuff back from Arizona a little later. Now we are relaxing and cooking dinner before the week begins tomorrow.

Back to Dana Point

5:21pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday night, January 14, 2023. Saw two more properties today and submitted an application for the first. I like where the apartment is in Dana Point and feel the owner is very nice. Now that a decision has been made I feel relieved. I did not realize the amount of stress associated with not knowing where I would live the rest of the year. On Monday I will submit a deposit and sign the lease and get the keys. The unit won’t be vacant until mid—February but that works for me. It will be nice to be back to Orange County in general and Dana Point specifically.

I don’t want that kind of energy in my life

8:47pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, Friday night, January 13, 2023. Looked at three properties today. The first residence in Laguna Beach was depressing. The building should have been condemned thirty years ago. The second was in Capistrano Beach, which is part of Dana Point. I liked the location and there were certain things about the apartment that were nice but, overall I am not sure I want to live there. Finally, the last unit was the best. The complex is quiet and it is located in a good neighborhood. The price is a little higher than my budget but, not out of the question. However, the landlady has a way of making me feel guilty every time we talk. That and she lives close by. It may sound a little drastic but, I don’t think I want that kind of energy in my life right now. Even in such a simple capacity as renting.

Possible return to Dana Point and a film fest

10:23, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Thursday night, January 12, 2023. Just got back from my daughter’s film fest in Orange. It was fun to see the work of the students then talk to them afterwards. We met up with friends who came to offer support. It was nice they drove so far for an event hosted by a school there children don’t attend. On a personal note; I contacted rentals in the area to set up viewings over the weekend. I have come full circle in my search. The places on my list are all in Dana Point. This fact has invigorated me. For so long I didn’t think I could go back even though Dana Point is the only place I truly consider home. Up until today there did not seem to be anything in my price range. Now I have viable options. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have keys to my new home.

Sunday, January 8, 2023

9:33pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday night, January 8, 2022. Set up a new phone today. Making sure all of my apps and accounts are working properly as been a struggle but, so far no major problems. It has been a good day; went for the full walk in Dana Point this morning, took my daughter to lunch around noon, then did more apartment hunting in the evening. After two days I realize I will most likely end up in Rancho Santa Margarita rather than Lake Forest. It is still to be determined but I will know more at the end of the week. For now it is nice just to be making some progress.

Apartment hunting

4:49pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, January 7, 2023. We are going to see a movie tonight in Irvine. That means getting home late. I don’t mind, it will be nice to get out of the house instead of sitting on the couch. I drove in from Palm Desert this morning then ran errands before checking out apartment complexes in Lake Forest. Nothing stood out as a place I want to live. I will check out more properties tomorrow. Hopefully one will stand out. I did decide to get a two bedroom. That way when my daughter or mom want to stay they have their own space without feeling like they are putting me out.