2:49pm, pacific standard time, bookstore parking lot, Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, November 20, 2022. My daughter is hanging out with another friend today and I am the chaperone again. Unlike yesterday, I am spending more time in the car than in the shops. I just don’t have the energy, or motivation, to follow teenage girls from store to store. I feel run down. My daughter’s mom is under the weather with a scratchy throat and runny nose. Hopefully I am not coming down with what she has.
Tag: california
Only so many
4:42pm, pacific standard time, tire store in Lake Forest, California, USA, Friday afternoon, November 18, 2022. The plan was to reach Orange County this afternoon and pick my daughter up from school. Her mom needed new tires for a trip north next week and the appointment was scheduled for the time school let out. However, she wasn’t feeling well and asked if I could get the tires. So we met in Aliso Viejo and traded cars. I went to Lake Forest and she took my car to the school in Laguna Hills. I don’t mind running the errand (or paying for the tires even) but it means not getting to spend time with my daughter. I hate missing those opportunities, I only get so many.
Newspapers
6:46pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, November 16, 2022. The hotel where I am staying has newspapers at the front desk. I grab one every morning when I get my coffee. I forgot how much I enjoy reading news from such a medium, rather than always peering through my small, cracked, phone screen. However, I don’t think society will go back to printing newspapers in mass quantity ever again. Like so many things in life, they had their moment and now are slowly fading into obsolescence. That is alright. Best to remember how it once was rather than cling to what can never be again.
No fun week
6:46pm, pacific standard time, Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday night, November 15, 2022. Today felt nonstop and yet I barely got anything done. The to-do list gets longer every passing hour and I don’t have enough time, or energy, to address everything. I am exhausted, and tomorrow is busier. Weeks like this are no fun.
Good hotel in Palm Desert
6:16 pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday night, November 14, 2022. Trying my third hotel in as many weeks. This is the best one so far; quiet, has a 24 hour fitness center, a kitchenette in the room and close to the office. I will try and stay here from now on if possible.
Bittersweet Arizona
6:21pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, November 10, 2022. Heading to Arizona tomorrow after work. Originally I was going to leave at eleven, then the clinical manager needed time off. So I pushed it to three. I don’t mind staying but that is 4pm mountain time. Most of the drive will be in the dark. This weekend will be bittersweet. My friend arrives on Tuesday so this is the last week I have the apartment to myself. I will miss some things about Arizona but overall, I am ready to move on.
A professional band-aid
5:53pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday evening, November 9, 2022. Had my 90 day evaluation today. It went well. My supervisor gave me a 4 out of five rating, which means I am exceeding expectations. She highlighted my skills and energy, even calling me the “band-aid.” When a site has leadership turmoil I come in and soothe the situation. I like that analogy. I can live with being a professional band-aid right now.
Being more social
5:39pm, pacific standard time, parking lot, Palm Springs convention center, Tuesday evening, November 8, 2022. Waiting to meet up with an old work colleague. We were going to a convention mixer then dinner, but he is running late. I kind of wish I cancelled; the night is dark, it is rainy and I am a long way from my hotel. However, I always tell my daughter to be social. Time to take my own advice, suck it up and make the the best of the situation.
Trying different hotels in Palm Desert
5:32pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, November 7, 2022. Trying a new hotel in Palm Desert this week. The first one I stayed at last week was expensive because of a convention in town. That is alright, I wanted to try a few properties, see which was best. This hotel isn’t bad but, I do miss the in-suite kitchen. Oh well, I will try another hotel next week and decide which I like best.
Sunday afternoon in Laguna Niguel
1:32pm, pacific standard time, parking lot in Laguna Niguel, California, USA, Sunday afternoon, November 5, 2022. Went for a short walk this morning, did laundry, cleaned the kitchen and took out the trash. When my daughter woke up we went to get tacos for lunch. Now she has a friend over to help her pack for the move. I stepped out to run some errands.
mikemeyer949 