6:46pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Thursday evening, November 4, 2022. Spent most of the day working on a plan of correction. The executive director, who was supposed to stay through tomorrow, left for good this morning. I guess she figured now that I am here there was no reason to stay. Other than work, not much to report. I called my mom this evening and discussed plans for our next get together. Her birthday is coming up and so are the holidays. We won’t be able to celebrate all of them separately so, it looks like we will plan one big get together, either for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Tag: Palm Desert
Helping a friend
6:52pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Wednesday night, November 2, 2022. A full day in the office today. We had meetings at 9am, 11am, 11:30, 2:30 and 4:30 because there are issues that need to be addressed quickly. Only my second day and I am already in deep. Oh well, I enjoy being a part of the solution and working hard. A friend reached out today to tell me she is moving to Arizona from Texas to start a new job. I offered to let her stay in the Chandler apartment because I am seldom there. I am glad it won’t sit empty any longer and that I can help a friend.
1st day in Palm Desert
6:15pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Tuesday evening, November 1, 2022. First day of the new assignment. There is a lot of information to digest. It isn’t so much there are more problems than Dublin, just the mood of the site is bleak. The first order of business is to get the energy turned around. Halloween yesterday was fun. We didn’t stay out too late but did manage to get some good candy. It was nice to have the extra day to spend with my daughter and take her to school a couple times.
Last week in Dublin
7:41pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, Monday night, October 24, 2022. I took a later flight today, which ended up being delayed an hour. That meant I didn’t get to the hotel until 7pm. Just finished dinner and watched a little football. Now I am going to read. This is my last week in Dublin. I am excited to finish this assignment and move on to the next in Palm Desert.
“Domino Beach”
1:32pm, pacific standard time, Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California, USA, Thursday afternoon, October 20, 2022. I got another five minute short story from the vending machine at the airport. This one is called “Domino Beach” by Marie Ivantechenko. I like the fact the first time I got a story from the vending machine it was from a highly regarded author, O. Henry. This time I got one from a student. The story was runner up in Short Edition’s Long Story Short Award, 2020. I grabbed a cup of coffee and a danish before sitting down. It was a very pleasurable experience and a good read. This is my second to last time traveling through Oakland. After next week I will be in Palm Desert, California. I don’t know if I will miss air travel and crowded airports, but I will miss the routine I created.

The joys life has to offer
5:37, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Tuesday evening, October 18, 2022. The new executive director started today. I think she will do a good job. Her leadership style is what this branch needs; focused, stern and fair. Though I have only been here less than two months I will miss Dublin a little. But I look forward to a new assignment and spending time in Palm Desert. In the end, if I didn’t try new things I wouldn’t experience many of the joys life has to offer.
New assignment
4:35pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, October 15, 2022. Went for a short walk this morning, got coffee and worked out. Then I ran a few errands and watched football. Yesterday I found out I will finish in Dublin soon and go to work in Palm Desert. That makes life a lot easier to balance.I look forward to making the change and starting a new assignment.
First day of new job
6:46pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Rancho Mirage, California, Monday evening, August 15, 2022. First day of the new job. Things went amazingly well. So much of the hardware and software are similar to what we used in my past job. That will make getting up and running efficient. I spend the rest of the week here (Palm Desert) then shadow other directors before taking my first assignment the beginning of September.
Nervousness
3:29pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Dana Point, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, August 13, 2022. On the way to Orange County this morning I exited in Palm Desert to find the office I will go to Monday. It is literally within walking distance of the hotel I always stop at between Chandler and Dana Point. I am glad I will be starting this new job in such familiar surroundings. It reduces my pre-job nervousness.
Someplace familiar
5:00pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, Wednesday evening, June 29, 2022. Staying the night in Palm Desert, California before the interview tomorrow in Riverside, California. I haven’t stayed at this hotel in over five years. Back then I would come once a month for regular site visits with a previous company. That was many years ago but, I always liked it here. I considered this hotel my home away from home. It is nice to stay someplace familiar before meeting new people and possibly embarking on a new journey. I am going to go to the evening mixer then grab something for dinner before turning in.