Saturday

March 8, 2025, Saturday afternoon,4:49pm,pacific standard time,bedroom of apartment in Dana Point, California, USA. I decided for the rest of the night I am going to stay in the back half of the apartment. I shut the bedroom door and won’t leave until morning. It feels strange to sequester myself but at the same time it feels like a mini-vacation. Almost hotel like. It has been a good day. Got up around six, hung out in the apartment then walked on the treadmill at the gym. Afterwards I went to Aliso Viejo, took the dog for a walk, got my daughter lunch, hung out at the office parking lot in Laguna Niguel, bought some jerky and fresh berries at Albertsons, then came home. Now I am going to read and enjoy the sunset.

My daughter the baseball player

8:25am, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday morning, January 28, 2023. My daughter has her first baseball game this morning. In preparation, we went to the ballfields after school and played catch. She has a good arm and isn’t too bad at catching. Impressive, considering it was her first time using a glove. I am nervous for her but, excited as well. She is athletic and wants to succeed. If she sticks with it she will have fun and be a good player.

Baseball mitts

6:35pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday evening, January 21, 2023. Enjoyed a low key day in the apartment. Ran some errands this afternoon but, nothing too ambitious. I needed time to rejuvenate after a long week. I was going to meet a friend for dinner tonight but canceled. I didn’t have the desire nor energy to go out. On another note; my daughter is starting baseball next week. I dug our mitts out of storage and have been breaking them in. So far, so good. I haven’t played catch in years and never with her. I am excited to get back out there and to share that experience with her.

Back to Dana Point

5:21pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday night, January 14, 2023. Saw two more properties today and submitted an application for the first. I like where the apartment is in Dana Point and feel the owner is very nice. Now that a decision has been made I feel relieved. I did not realize the amount of stress associated with not knowing where I would live the rest of the year. On Monday I will submit a deposit and sign the lease and get the keys. The unit won’t be vacant until mid—February but that works for me. It will be nice to be back to Orange County in general and Dana Point specifically.

Apartment hunting

4:49pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday afternoon, January 7, 2023. We are going to see a movie tonight in Irvine. That means getting home late. I don’t mind, it will be nice to get out of the house instead of sitting on the couch. I drove in from Palm Desert this morning then ran errands before checking out apartment complexes in Lake Forest. Nothing stood out as a place I want to live. I will check out more properties tomorrow. Hopefully one will stand out. I did decide to get a two bedroom. That way when my daughter or mom want to stay they have their own space without feeling like they are putting me out.

New Year’s Eve 2022

6:25pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Aliso Viejo, California, USA, Saturday evening, December 31, 2022, New Year’s Eve. The weather has been foggy and rainy all day. I drove I’m from Palm Desert this morning then picked up my daughter to visit friends in San Juan Capistrano. Afterwards we picked up dinner and settled in to celebrate the new year. My daughter is playing a game on her tablet and I am watching football. Time will tell if we have enough energy to see midnight.

A good September Saturday

4:07pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday afternoon, September 10, 2022. Going to see a friend this evening, have dinner and hang out. This morning I exercised, paid my bills and finished some things for work. Then I ran to the store for groceries, watched football, took a nap and played guitar. A good September Saturday.

Christmas night 2021

8:19pm Pacific, Valencia, CA, at relatives, Saturday night, Christmas, December 25, 2021. We traveled north today and arrived shortly after 2pm. Dinner was Prime Rib with pie for dessert. I took mom to the hotel an hour ago then came back to watch a movie. Work called at 7:30pm (8:30pm Arizona time). A patient had a fall. The nurse who covers area is not answering her phone. I tried the clinical director but she didn’t answer. Finally the traveling nurse picked up. She is calling the community. I have not heard back from her on next steps.

Saturday night update

7:27pm (pacific) Saturday night, Dana Point, CA, December 11, 2021. I am sitting on the couch in my wife’s apartment with my daughter, watching videos and trying to stay awake. The funeral service this afternoon was exhausting. It brought back many memories, not all of which were particularly good. Still, I am glad for the chance to say goodbye one last time. After the funeral we drove home for lunch then went back out to visit friends. By the time we settled in for the evening I was ready to go to bed. I am going to change and wash up now.

Attending a funeral today

6:22am (pacific) Palm Desert, California, Saturday morning, December 11, 2021. I am traveling to Orange County today to attend the funeral of my daughter’s friend’s father. Actually, I should say, my friend. I knew him well, at least as parents of similar aged children know each other. We attended many school events over the years and volunteered our time together, talking about the frustrations of life and the enjoyment of fatherhood. It is hard to believe he is gone. I will hug my daughter extra long when I get there, life feels rather fragile at the moment.