Eventually all things are lost

6:41pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Sunday evening, January 22, 2023. There is a finite amount of time left in Arizona. I am struggling to say goodbye. I can’t stay but, letting go is difficult. A part of me exists here that doesn’t subsist anywhere else; waking up in my apartment, going for walks, exercising in the gym and drinking coffee while watching the weather. It is the best start to a morning I have ever experienced. Now the opportunities do those things are dwindling. Life is like that; you celebrate times and then let them go. It was just announced the minor league baseball team in Salt Lake City, Utah is moving to the suburbs. They are going to tear down the stadium in the area where I have watched games since I was nine years old. So many memories with my brother, my dad, my family exist in that ballpark. It is sad to see it go but, time marches on. Eventually all things fade and are lost. We have no choice but to enjoy them while we can and miss them when they are no longer here.

Smith’a Ballpark, Salt Lake City, Utah, photo by Erik Alberto/Axios

Friday night in Palm Desert, California

5:21pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Palm Desert, California, USA, Friday night, December 30, 2022. Left the office and returned to the hotel. Usually I go back to Orange County Friday afternoon or late morning but, with no other staff available I stayed until closing. Next week a regional colleague will be on site. However, she does not arrive until Tuesday afternoon and leaves early Thursday so I will be in Palm Desert again for five nights next week. It is strange to be here on Friday but, it is better than hurrying home just to turn around again. I plan on sleeping in tomorrow, working out, and enjoying the free hotel breakfast before going to spend the new year with my daughter.

Arizona afternoon

4:34pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Sunday afternoon, November 13, 2022. The usual morning routine; walk, workout, coffee. Later, I went to the store for some items, washed the car and vacuumed the floor mats. This afternoon was sapient packing things for my daughter and getting the house ready for my friend. Now I am watching football and enjoying a nice, fall, Arizona afternoon.

Saturday in Chandler, Arizona

2:35pm, mountain standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday afternoon, November 12, 2022. Woke up early this morning after a good rest the night before. Went for my usual walk and worked out at the gym. Later, I ran to the store and called my mom to wish her a happy 80th birthday. She is going out for lunch with friends to celebrate. I wish I could have been there but, we will see each other at Christmas and celebrate then. I did not see my friend last night so we will get together this afternoon. Right now I am resting, watching football, packing and picking up the house.

Getting ready

5:55pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Saturday evening, October, 22, 2022. Productive day; Walked, worked out, grocery shopped, bought leather conditioner for my work bag. Did laundry, packed and watched football. Getting ready to head back to Orange County and fly to Dublin one last time before flying to utah/Wyoming to see my mom and friends.

Extra rest in Arizona

5:18pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Friday evening, October 21, 2022. Drove from Dana Point to Chandler today. Got to the apartment at 4pm. When I arrived I did a short workout, listened to music, ate some dinner, then read. I am going to bed early tonight. Even though I got over being sick two weeks ago, congestion crops up in my chest from time to time. I am not ill, I just have lingering symptoms that won’t go away. That is alright. It has been a busy couple weeks, some extra rest is good, no matter what the reason.

Dublin, California, October 3

5:07pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Monday evening, October, 3, 2022. Woke up feeling well enough to go for a walk and do a light workout this morning. In fact, I got up so early I still had time to read the news and pack before morning meetings. I left the apartment at 9:30am and drove to the airport. After catching an afternoon flight to Oakland I got to the hotel at 3:30pm. I just finished responding to emails and phone calls. Dinner is on its way, then time for an early turn in.

I wonder if he would be proud?

6:46pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Wednesday evening, September 28, 2022. Notable things from today; I spent time at the office in Dublin catching up on reports. I came back to the hotel this evening and enjoyed a quiet dinner and I had a good workout this morning. On a personal note; I have been thinking about my dad the last couple of days. It will be sixteen years next month since he passed away. I wonder if he would be proud of who I have become?

Things have settled down

5:58pm, pacific standard time, hotel in Dublin, California, USA, Tuesday evening, September 27, 2022. I woke up early this morning after a restless nights sleep. Work issues kept me awake and stressed. I went to the gym and had a good workout before heading to the office at 7:30am. Things seemed to have settled down by the afternoon. Tomorrow is my last full day in Dublin before heading back to Arizona for the weekend.

Wednesday June 15

4:48pm, pacific standard time, apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA, Wednesday afternoon, June 15, 2022. Woke up early to walk and work out, wrote a little then applied for unemployment. The second interview today was rescheduled for Friday. Turns out the Rancho Cucamonga job also covers Riverside. Not sure what is going on there with so many vacancies! That is three jobs at the same time. Started looking at Chaplain positions as well but, haven’t applied yet. It would be nice to have something to do, earn some money and get benefits again.