Having Lauren stay an additional night meant a lot to me, given that her desire, in part, was to be around when I returned from my first day at work. She left this morning. I wasted hours trying to get AI to do something I could have done myself, all the while losing time. Arrrgh. I tried the train to work and loved it. I will likely do that often. Day 2 was another good day learning the workflow and routines. I am likely to bring my remarkable, so I have access to read and write during the downtime. I noticed I have a strong sense of pride in the cleanliness of the spaces. Furthermore, I want to bring in tools and fix things. I also got to go inside the projection room, which was a real treat. It was a bit overwhelming, hot and loud. I plan to return between films next week, when I am off, so I can learn more. Jen met me after work for dinner and a movie. "The Big Sleep". I felt a greater appreciation for the level of work that goes into presenting it.

A Reel Job

36 years ago, I started attending a venue that has captivated my imagination and attention ever since. I've had a multitude of experiences here that were pivotal in shaping my interest in both classic cinema and art-deco architecture.

Today I stepped into the lobby for the first time as an employee, not a patron.

    June has arrived. The past month and much of the upheaval and transitions have settled. The next three months hold promise, potential, and possibilities to be all the more significant. Hopefully, in more positive ways than negative. I’ve recently returned with Lauren from a short visit to Kona, Hawaii. What began as her reaching out to schedule a Vegas outing morphed in a matter of hours into the trip we settled on. Three days on the "Big Island.” It began on a relatively low budget but later ballooned to include a Luau, a full-day island tour, and surprise flight upgrades. We have not had a trip together for some time, unlike the repeated trips with Tommy to Rush Creek and Catalina. He and I remain estranged, and I don't expect that to resolve for some time. As abrupt and unexpected as this all was, given the nature of the tense negativity and disrespect for our efforts to make his planned stay through June a healthy transition, it was just not going to happen. Working through this has been difficult and challenging, but the time alone and apart has given Jen and me both a chance to realign. Lauren is in the middle, it seems, yet aware that we had to take action on the need for boundaries. As for the next three months, the number of considerations and circumstances includes my starting a part-time job while managing the financial aspects of retaining medical insurance, transitioning to Medicare, Father's Day, my birthday, Jen turning 60 at the beginning of August, and the kids turning 23 shortly before the end. The biggest strategic challenge is the insurance and income coordination, which has necessitated a great deal of learning, planning, and action. Leveraging all I have come to understand throughout the last three months should allow us to have our medical insurance needs covered for the time being, at least for an emergency need, should one arise. The next few weeks are crucial. This effort alone has been a part-time job, and this Saturday I begin another—working at the Stanford Theatre. Minimally at first, while I manage the aforementioned income amounts, but with the hope that over the course of the next year, I may move up and into more involvement. My mom and Jikoji remain ongoing obligations. Staying healthy and active does, too, as does ensuring Jen and I maintain a thriving relationship between ourselves and with our friends and family, which in time I hope will include a healthy reset with Tommy. I just don't know how much time that will take.