Always look forward, never back

5:26pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Tuesday evening, May 24, 2022. The hiring director for the job in San Diego contacted me today. I have a virtual interview with Senior Leadership next Thursday. In addition, I was contacted for a different position this afternoon. It would require more travel and commitment but, at a much higher salary. Either way, I will return to California and be close to my daughter. I accept whatever outcome fate offers me. Always look forward, never back.

Angels game Sunday

1:14pm, pacific standard time, Anaheim, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2022. Enjoying an Angels game today wit my daughter and her friend.

Dana Point Saturday May 21

4:56pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, May21, 2022. Drove into Orange County this morning at 11am, got the mail and picked up lunch. When I arrived at the apartment there were dishes cluttered on the counter and around the sink. I spent time rinsing, sorting and scrubbing various plates and glasses before loading the dishwasher. In the afternoon we went to the store for groceries and bought a new game. It was fun to try something different. Now we are taking a break and cooling off. I will get up shortly and begin prepping for dinner.

San Diego update

5:21am, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday morning, May 11, 2022. Yesterday was the second interview for the job in San Diego; this time with the hiring manager. Our conversation was engaging, lasting longer than the time allotted for the call; which is typically a good sign. He told me I would advance to the next round and that a recruiter would be reaching out for appointment times. At this point, there are likely four interviews to go; perhaps fewer, if some are done as a group or in panel format. Depending on their urgency and desire to fill the position quickly, I should know a definitive outcome by the end of next week.

Vacillate

5:21am, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday morning, May 6, 2022. The interview for the Director position in San Diego, California went fine yesterday, just a preliminary phone screen to discuss qualifications and work history. I will know more next week. In the meantime my chaplain endorsement is falling into place. One more colleague needs to complete a reference letter. Once that is done I will have an interview with the governing board and be submitted as a candidate. I constantly vacillate between my stressful, yet lucrative, career path and returning to being a Chaplain.

Excited about the possibility

5:29am, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Thursday morning, May 5, 2022. At 11am a recruiter is calling me in regards to a job opening in San Diego, California. It would be a lateral move but, things in Phoenix have been stagnate for a while and aren’t getting better any time soon. I am excited about the possibility of taking on a new challenge. A change in scenery can be very reinvigorating.

I won’t be happy, no matter what

7:16am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday morning, April 23, 2022, day 9 of vacation, sitting on the couch, contemplating life. I looked at payroll reports this morning and checked work email. Vacation is almost over and I need to prepare for Monday. I have no passion at the moment. Not because I dread work but, because the financial health of the site is bumming me out. It is hard to find motivation when the results are always negative. Then again, it probably doesn’t matter. If the financials were better the bullshit of everyday tasks would annoy me. I won’t be happy, no matter what. I am simply justifying what I already feel.

Life is like surfing

8:14am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Friday morning, April 22, 2022, day 8 of vacation (Earth Day) Life is like surfing; waking up alone on a cold, gray morning, leaving valuables behind, and running barefoot across endless shifting ground to the waters edge. Though rocks are sharp and the water is cold, the roiling expanse is met with confidence. After all, why would there be reason to doubt? Nothing has pierced our belief that all ends up working out for the best. Yet, inevitably, disappointment arrives; waves don’t break like they should, other surfers knock us down and the wind howls mercilessly in our ears. At that point, it is natural to feel tested and beaten. Yet, at the lowest moment, with only a little time left, it only takes one amazing wave to change everything. Life, like surfing, is beautiful; not because every moment is perfect but, rather, because so few truly are.

Day six of vacation

8:53am, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Wednesday morning, April 20, 2022, day six of vacation. We got back home from the theme park last night just before ten pm and went to bed shortly thereafter. The trip was exhausting but, overall, extremely fun. I had a generalized plan to sleep in this morning but, our dog was eager wake up and explore; probably because we missed our walk yesterday. I did make the decision to cut the walk short because my legs were still sore. Nonetheless, this morning has been productive. It isn’t 9am yet and I have had two cups of coffee, loaded the dishwasher and started three loads of laundry.