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.

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.

Friday, Veterans Day, return to Arizona

6:39pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday night, November, 11, 2022, Veterans Day. Got out of Palm Desert before 1:30pm this afternoon. The drive was fine; very little traffic on the roads, good music in the car and gorgeous weather all around. I forgot how nice sunsets are out here. November in Arizona is beautiful. Being back feels strange. Like, everything is familiar yet, distant at the same time. It feels as if I physically slipped into a memory. Oh well, I am a little tired. I am sure tomorrow it will all feel normal again.

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.

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.

In Irvine Friday afternoon

3:02pm, pacific standard time, office building parking lot, Irvine, California, USA, Friday afternoon, November 4, 2022. Left Palm Desert at 11:30 and made my way west. Stopped in Irvine instead of going to Dana Point; better to stay local, in case I need to pick up my daughter. This is the last weekend before she moves with her mom to Aliso Viejo. They are getting the keys today and officially moving next Friday. Update: I don’t need to pick her up but, I am going to meet them at the new apartment, then go to dinner.