Magnitude 4.3 Earthquake this morning in the South Bay

This is Pacifica, California and this is where I live, Pacifica is 20 minutes south of San Francisco. This morning I was working at my desk at home when the house sounded like it was settling into the ground. A couple of minutes later the house shook, and the chair I was sitting in swayed and shimmied left to right a few times. There was no doubt that an earthquake had just hit the bay area.

Fyi, no reports of damage or injuries, Bit it definitely felt like a strong quake. vlb

Friday Already:) Oh, Yeah

This beach is located about 40 minutes south of San Francisco, and only 5 minutes south of Devil's Slide, Devil's Slide is well known in the bay area because about every other year it closes down hwy 1 to through traffic, after winter storms cause weak areas in the rock to slide into the highway, shutting it down for several days, while the cleanup and repairs are made. But, a major highway project underway will make those closures a thing of the past.

Yesterday as I took a walk along this beach, and took in the beauty of God's creation, and took time to breathe in the fresh air, and had time to play with dogs, and spend time out in nature with the love of my life, I found renewed strength, and began again to count my many blessings, and name them one by one.

My life will always be in development, there will always be new things to learn, and new places to go and explore, this period of career change is showing me these things more than ever. A stranger once prayed for me this wonderful prayer of encouragement, and part of the prayer went like this, "God keep her reminded, that you are always going before her, preparing the way for her." Hindsight has shown me how this prayer is being fulfilled day by day, as I look forward I hope to begin to see it as well, with more conviction and assurance, while at times there may just be one set of footprints in the sand. (get it?) vlb

Monday came quick!

It was a very cold and windy weekend. But today the sun is warm, the wind has calmed down somewhat, and the search for a job continues.

I take a daily walk for exercise and fresh air. I noticed last week for the first time on my walk, that more cars are parked along the street than ever before, more people are staying home. The headline on this Saturday's SF Chronicle showed unemployment in California was now at 10.5%. I can certainly see the impact where I live with more neighbors staying home these days. Back when I was first home from leaving my job, this area was a ghost town during the week.

So with renewed effort, here's to the week ahead, the job search continues. So send positive job energy this way! The sun is high in the sky, there is a cold breeze blowing, you can hear the distant sound of lawnmowers running as the wheels of industry are turning. So here's to hard work, play, and taking the time to smell the roses. Happy Monday! vlb

sunset in pacifica california, weds and thurs night

The fog returns to Pacifica

The fog is rolling in thick today.

Just like in life, sometimes the fog comes in thick. But, all of the beauty, all of the blue skies, all of the hope, and promise, and direction, and potential are still there. Even when it's not as apparent as when the skies are clear. vlb

Monday

At the end of the day this Monday, while I did a ton of research, and found some interesting positions to apply for, and finally had my telephone interview with EDD to go over questions regarding my unemployment benefits, it felt like a wasted day, unfortunately.

But, during this period of searching for a new job, going back to school, and changing my career path, I'm guessing that's just the way it's going to be. I've had some incredible days that felt successful and I could see that I made some major steps forward. This was not one of those days.

What was missing? Well, I never took my walk today, I never picked up my book to read, I had lunch at my desk, I didn't do my stretches.. My lesson? To remember the exhaustion that comes from not doing those things that recharge and renew my brain cells and battery. It's just as vital to take time to smell the flowers, as it is to plant the seeds, as I grow into that new job that I'm looking for. vlb

Pacifica, California this week end