4:31pm at a bookstore in a shopping center, Irvine, California, Friday after thanksgiving. I am killing time at a bookstore while my daughter and her friend visit a virtual reality arcade. I took them both to see a movie. We are at the same shopping center as last night. What a difference between thanksgiving and Black Friday. Last night the place was deserted. Today we had to park on the top level of the farthest parking structure. This morning I slept until 6am then picked my mom up at 7:30am. We drove to Dana Point to walk around the harbor then back up The Street of the Golden Lantern. The grade is pretty steep on that road so by the time we got coffee and back to my wife’s apartment we were exhausted. After eating lunch we headed back north to drop my mom off at the hotel and to pick up my daughters friend. It is getting to be evening and the sun is setting. We will meet my mom and wife for dinner then take the friend back home.
Tag: Dana Point
Thanksgiving
10:01pm Dana Point, thanksgiving Thursday. My mom and I drove to Dana Point this morning from Chandler. Traffic wasn’t bad but we did get slowed down by an accident outside of Coachella. When we arrived some in laws had just shown up. Dinner was served early afternoon and followed up with hanging Christmas lights. Everyone went home around six then my daughter, wife and I saw a movie in Irvine. All in all not a bad way to spend thanksgiving.
The beach
4:28pm Dana Point, Saturday afternoon. I got out of Phoenix shortly after 4am and made it to Dana Point around 9:30am with the time change. My daughter has a friend who plays volleyball so she wanted to play a little when I arrived. After playing volleyball we headed down the path south of the apartment and went to the beach. I tried boogie boarding for the first time. Then the girls wanted to play more volleyball ball. Now we are back home relaxing a bit before heading out to run errands. So far it has been a good day.

Wednesday night
7:39pm, apartment, Arizona, Wednesday evening. I have felt off all day. Edgy. Punchy. No particular reason, I just woke up that way. The in-laws plan for thanksgiving changed. We are not going to Lompoc. Which isn’t bad because that was a longer drive. Now I have to find a hotel in Dana Point for my mom. I will call her tomorrow and see what she wants to do. The hotels by the water are run down but have great views. Farther inland the places are nicer.
A good day
6:28am, Sunday morning, Dana Point, CA. When life is over all I really did was live thousands of individual days. Here is an example of an idealized typical day for me: From midnight to 3am I sleep. For this particular example I would have many vivid dreams that stick in my mind and make me happy. I don’t always get to have great dreams and I appreciate them when I do. Next I would wake up between 3am and 6am and go for a walk. I like to walk outside or go to the gym and walk on the treadmill. I walk early in the morning because at that time I can talk to myself and let my mind wander without wondering if I look weird. I also don’t have to stress about greeting people or worry about the dog (when I have her) encountering aggressive dogs or owners that want the animals to say “hi.” (I am not asocial but I do prefer to spend most of my time in my head rather than overthinking personal interactions). After that I exercise (stretch, lift weights), go home, watch some tv, read, eat breakfast and drink coffee. I can enjoy an entire morning doing those activities plus writing a little bit, napping, paying bills, answering emails. Around 10 in the morning I would shower, iron clothes, dress, get ready all while listening to music. Between eleven and noon I would leave to have lunch with a friend or co worker. When that was over I would spend a moment alone to recharge my energy. Maybe drive to a secluded spot, sit in my car and scroll through my phone, catching up on the news of the day. Around three pm I would make chaplain visits or go into the office and interact with people. A little after five I would head home, eat dinner, watch tv and read before I fell asleep between 8pm and 9pm. There it is. What I would consider a good day (weekday at least). I like that schedule. You know what? It isn’t hard to be happy when I don’t think too much about existential issues or try to rule the world. I guess I simply need to relax and enjoy the day in front of me.
Saturday
8:33pm, Saturday, Dana point. spent the day in Irvine, went to lunch with friends. Saw a movie. Now back in Dana point watching videos. It has been a good day.
Monday morning, Labor Day
8:27am Monday morning, Labor Day, Dana Point. The path was familiar. I had walked it with my mom everyday the four months she lived with me. I appreciated that time. Though I was frustrated with work I had mornings free to walk along the bluff. We head north, then east until we got to the park. Then we circled back to the apartment. The whole trip last half an hour. I would have coffee then get ready for work.
Sunday afternoon
5:05pm Sunday afternoon. Dana Point. After going to the movie we headed across town and grabbed dinner. It was unseasonably warm outside for the time of year. When we arrived the cool breeze in the restaurant relaxed us. We ordered drinks and continued talking. She told me about her experience growing up nearby. I nodded dutifully with a look of sincere interest.
Saturday afternoon
4:53pm Saturday afternoon, Dana Point. Upon arriving in Orange County I stopped to grab my mail from the post office. Then I continued to my wife and daughters house. My daughter was excited to play a new game, my wife was finishing work before she left to run errands. I took the dog for a walk around the complex then returned to eat lunch. When I finished I felt tired, so I laid on the couch and took a nap.
Follow up
3:29pm By the time I got to Palm Desert I realized I couldn’t see my friend and make it to Dana Point in time. I texted her to say I got a late start. She replied, “Hi there. Bummer. See u next time.” When I got to the apartment I found a parking spot on the street. The sun was warm. A cool breeze blew off the ocean. I unpacked and changed then took the dog for a walk down the path that circled the complex. An overweight man nodded as we walked by. Kids on electric scooters raced down the path ahead of us. I felt content in the last remnants of the warm afternoon.