6:04pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Valencia, California, USA, Wednesday evening, November 23, 2022. Left Palm Desert at 12:30pm. Made it to Valencia four hours later after a drive that normally takes two and a half. Once I got here I picked my daughter and the dog up at her aunt’s house, then we drove north toward the amusement park to check into the hotel. We just finished dinner and are now playing a game on her tablet. It is nice to have a moment to hang out, just the two of us. We will stay here until check out time tomorrow then go back to her aunt’s for thanksgiving dinner.
Tag: daughter
Not that busy
6:13pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, November 22, 2022. Still no update on the plan for tomorrow, but it looks like I will be able to get on the road early. That will help beat traffic. Today was non-eventful, a catch up day on neglected work projects, which is what I anticipated. It just isn’t that busy this time of year. I don’t mind. Right now all I want is to be home and spend a couple of days with my daughter.
Start of thanksgiving week
6:04pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Monday evening, November 21, 2022. If I stayed in Orange County this week I would have felt I should have left for the desert. But I chose to come out here, so of course I wish I stayed. I guess the saying is true; you always want what you don’t have. I will make the most of the situation and enjoy it best I can. Overall, the day has been fine; the office is slow, the roads are busy and the stores are packed. I will work tomorrow, then head to Orange County or Valencia, California Wednesday afternoon to celebrate thanksgiving with my daughter and her mom’s family. All in all it should be a good week.
Feeling run down
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.
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.
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.
At the Salt Lake City airport
3:17pm, mountain standard time, Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2022. Today is the thirteen year anniversary of my last day as a full time hospice chaplain. The party last night was to be with co-workers from that era. Unfortunately, two couldn’t make it and one has a serious illness. Consequently, it was not the reunion anticipated. Still, it was nice to see old friends and a few long forgotten acquaintances. Now, after a farewell lunch with my mom, I am at the airport, traveling back to Orange County to spend Halloween with my daughter.
Recuperating
3:50pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, September 24, 2022. We got back to the apartment at 2:30am yesterday and were asleep by 3am. The dog and I got up at 7am to move the car and grab some coffee. I managed to take a nap this afternoon, but still feel tired. I am going to spend the rest of the day recuperating and reading while my daughter plays video games in her room.
Hot today
6:07pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Friday evening, September 2, 2022. Hot today. Took my daughter to school, hosted a call for the Dublin site, answered emails, then came back to the apartment. The rest of the day was spent helping around the house, mostly setting up a portable air conditioner which was very much needed.
Sunday, August 28, 2022
6:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Sunday evening, August 28, 2022. Woke up at 4am to finish packing and headed out to California. I got to Orange County before 11am, picked my daughter up from a sleepover, then grabbed tacos for lunch. Afterwards, we went back to the apartment to do laundry and prep for the upcoming week.
mikemeyer949 