Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 74
Time I woke: 4:30
Journal of activities:

I left my house early this morning because I had a meeting scheduled for 9:00 am in Larkspur, a city in Marin county, about 25 miles south of my home in Petaluma. Since I was concerned about hitting rush hour traffic, I left my house at 4:50 am and I arrived in Larkspur in time to begin my run at 5:30. I ran around the shopping center because I needed the lighting until the sun came up, then I ran around the bay across the street from the shopping center where my meeting was scheduled. I ran up toward the sign at the entrance of the famous San Quentin prison. After finishing my run, I returned to my car, wiped myself off, changed my clothes, then walked to the Rustic Bakery and ordered an oatmeal. With cherries and some type of vanilla flavoring, oatmeal tasted better than any I’ve eaten before. I worked on my MacBook Pro while waiting for Chris to show up. We spoke about the possibility of using the Straight-A Guide Life Skills program that my friend Justin and I created as a feeder program for The Last Mile. In principle, we wanted to work with Chris in persuade administrators at the California Department of Corrections to allow people in prisons across the state of California to work through the Straight-A Guide. Those who thrived would advance their candidacy for transfer to San Quentin so that they could participate in The Last Mile program. I’m glad to have his support.

Following my meeting with Chris, I stopped by Golden State Lumber to say hello to my friends Danny Della Santina and Tom Schmierer. I spent about 30 minutes with them, telling them about the challenges and progress I’m making in building my career. Then I drove home to resume my work. My mother-in-law, Linda, was visiting from Seattle. She flew down to watch Carole being inducted into the Beta Gamma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing. I’m so proud of my wife. I smiled with joy as I watched her colleagues recognizing Carole for her academic excellence. She is the center of my life.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 5:30
• Lenght of time: 1.2
• Miles run today: 8
• Weather: Beautiful and Sunny in Petaluma
• Consecutive days: 5
• Cumulative miles since day off: 37
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful to have many friend and mentors who work together with me as I strive to build my career.

Appointments:

This morning I met with Chris Redlitz, the founder of The Last Mile, and then I met with Tom Schmierer and Danny Della Santina, of Golden State Lumber.

Links to publications: