Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 9
Time I woke: 5:00 am
Journal of activities:

I had a busy day in Los Angeles today. I woke at 5:00 am with an intention of exercising in the hotel gym. Unfortunately, I soon found out that I did not have running shoes in my luggage. On top of that, the pool did not open until 10:00 am, by which time I was scheduled to be long gone.

My partner, Justin, picked me up at the hotel at 8:45. We drove to Beverly Hills for a meeting with Bruce Karatz, a successful businessman who has an interest in reforming our nation’s criminal justice system. After visiting in his extraordinary office, Justin and I sat to strategize for our next meeting in another section of town. We drove to South Central Los Angeles for a meeting at a center that handles many high-risk offenders who’ve been released from prison. The purpose of our meeting was to make a presentation the value our program could add to preparing more offenders for law-abiding, contributing lives. We found a true believer in Valerie Ross, a leader of the Los Angeles County efforts to reform offenders into law-abiding citizens. She asked us to provide her with a price list for our products and services so that she could make the request for a purchase. Selling to a government agencies can take a while. Our meeting with Ms. Ross gave us hope that we will succeed in securing a purchase order that could expose our Straight-A Guide reentry product to thousands of offenders. I then gave a spirited presentation to a group of 50 high-risk offenders.

After leaving the county agency, Justin and I drove to the Boys and Girls Club in Venice for a meeting with Armondo Diaz, who serves as a leader of the club. We spoke implementing our program there so that 60 students would have opportunities to learn from the Straight-A Guide. We left with a commitment for our first purchase order. It’s very exciting. As we walked out, Armondo gave us a tour of the facility and we found several students and staff who had already been using our books as a teaching resources.

Today was a great day for the Straight-A Guide program.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 0
• Lenght of time: 0
• Miles run today: 0
• Weather: Beautiful and sunny in Los Angles today
• Consecutive days: 0
• Cumulative miles since day off: 0
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful to God for every blessing in my life. Carole and I woke together in Los Angeles this morning, and I moved into the world fully transitioned from prisoner to salesman for our Straight-A Guide program. I felt inspired speaking to different audiences, eager to spread the message of self-empowerment. I’m a big believer that God helps those who help themselves.

Appointments:

Bruce Karatz. Valerie Ross. Armondo Diaz. Justin Paperny. Jesse Bonderman.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 8
Time I woke: 3:45 am
Journal of activities:

Today I had to register as a narcotics offender with the Petaluma Police Department. It’s part of the consequences that follow my conviction for trafficking in cocaine back in the mid 1980s. I didn’t mind. I met with Detective Lance Novelo at the local police station. He expressed interest in my story, so I told him about my journey. I also offered to contribute to any programs the community may have to steer young people away from the bad decisions I made as a young man. He took my fingerprints to keep on file, which the law requires. These types of intrusions don’t bother me in the least. I spent the rest of the day writing content for this new website that I intend to launch soon, and I also had to complete some administrative work in preparation for the course I’ll soon begin teaching at San Francisco State University. It’s called The Architecture of Imprisonment.  In the evening, Carole and I drove to San Francisco International Airport so we could board a flight to Los Angeles. We arrived in Los Angeles and checked into a hotel near the airport around midnight.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 5:00 am
• Lenght of time: 1 hour
• Miles run today: 6
• Weather: Beautiful sunny day in Petaluma and I ran around Shollenberger park.
• Consecutive days: 9
• Cumulative miles since day off: 107
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m asking God for strength and endurance today, asking for the discipline to keep my thoughts on track as I work to build my new business. I am grateful for the blessings I receive each day and I ask for guidance to make the best use of my resources.

Appointments:

Detective Lance Novelo of the Petaluma Police Department

Links to publications:

Earlier, I wrote an blog entry titled Drug Offender Registration Requirement that described my initial understanding of what would be required with regard to my filing the registration with the local police department. It’s all part of my effort to help others understand America’s prison system and steps individuals can take to build new lives as law-abiding citizens.

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 7
Time I woke: 3:50 am
Journal of activities:

This morning I went outside for my early morning run. I feel so free when I’m running and I really enjoy watching as the darkness gives way to sunshine. Today we had splendid sunshine by the time I finished my run. I returned home to shower, then I began a long drive to the famous Buck’s cafe in Woodside. Buck’s is a famous restaurant because many venture capitalists and entrepreneurs meet there to do deals. I saw several profiles of Buck’s on the CNBC program, which I used to watch from prison. I went to Buck’s for a meeting with the owners of Zaccor Companies. They are prominent contractors who lead the Bay area market in demolition work. I was grateful to have guidance from Kristen and Scot today. I wanted more information about steps I could take to help people who’ve been released from prison find sustainable employment. They gave me some great advice that I intend to pursue after I return from Los Angeles. I’ll be leaving tomorrow night for a series of sales meetings. But I’ve got a very busy week when I return.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 5:00 am until 7:30 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13.5
• Weather: Today the weather in Petaluma was warm and sunny. I ran at the Shollenberger park.
• Consecutive days: 8
• Cumulative miles since day off: 101
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful to God for helping my adjustment in society. When I read of the challenges that other people face as they return to society, I feel compelled to work harder so that I can spread this message of self reliance. I’m convinced that anyone can overcome, but it takes vision, discipline, and commitment. I’m grateful for the blessings I received through my journey.

Appointments:

Kristen Zaccor, Scot Zaccor, Andrew Landini, Brooks Knudson

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 6
Time I woke: 4:00 am
Journal of activities:

I had a very productive day today that began when I ironed my wife’s nursing outfit. After she left for the hospital, I ran to the park where I logged another half-marathon distance. I’d like to run longer, but I have too many responsibilities competing for my time. I spent the entire day writing for this new website that I’m developing.  I have an enormous workload ahead of me as I prepare for all of the activities that I launched. In less than two weeks I will begin teaching at San Francisco State University, and I must be ready.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 6:00 am until 8:30 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13.5
• Weather: Today turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day.
• Consecutive days: 7
• Cumulative miles since day off: 87.5
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful that I’m able to continue working to share all that I learned through the 26 years that I served in prison. I feel as though I’m doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing and I’m looking forward to building a career around the journey.

Appointments:

Today I spent the day working from home, alone. Carole was working.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 5
Time I woke: 3:30 am
Journal of activities:

I woke early to resume my working of writing the initial design for this new website that I’m building. My friend Tulio Cardozo is helping me. He served a lengthy prison sentence and educated himself in many ways, focusing on technology. Tulio has been really helpful in guiding me through a more effective use of the Internet. Since I did not have the budget to hire a high-end web design firm, Tulio has been working alongside me at a much lower rate, investing hundreds of hours to bring me more current with different media platforms that will expose my work to a wider audience. After driving Justin to the airport, I went for my run, then worked on the web design. In mid afternoon I received a wonderful visit from Mark Olson, a friend from high school. Mark built several successful businesses during the 26 years that I served. He read my book Earning Freedom, then reached out to me. We spoke about steps I must take to launch a speaking career. After Mark left, I worked with Tulio some more and then I went out to dinner with my close friend Lee Nobmann.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 7:30 until 10:00 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13.5
• Weather: I began my run around Shollenberger later today because I had to drive Justin to the airport. Sunny skies, warm temperatures.
• Consecutive days: 6
• Cumulative miles since day off: 74
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful for every second I have in the world. I’m working hard to build my business and I feel blessed to have so many opportunities.

Appointments:

Justin Paperny. Lee Nobmann.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 4
Time I woke: 3:30 am
Journal of activities:

This morning Justin and I began our run earlier because we had a busy schedule. He was scheduled to fly home to Los Angeles today. After our run, we completed more design work on the lesson plans we’ve been developing for our Straight-A Guide program. Then we drove to the studio in San Ramon to pick up some sample DVDs that we can distribute to prospective clients. Traffic resulted in us missing Justin’s flight. We worked a bit later into the evening. He is scheduled to fly out of Oakland tomorrow morning.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 5:00 am until 7:30 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13.5
• Weather: Justin and I began our run in the dark. We ran to Shollenberger park. The sun came up around 6:30 and we enjoyed a beautiful day.
• Consecutive days: 5
• Cumulative miles since day off: 60.5
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful to God for blessing me with strength and optimism for the future that I’m going to create. I ask for continued guidance that will lead to new opportunities.

Appointments:

Justin Paperny. Andrew Landini. Brooks Knuduson.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 3
Time I woke: 4:30 am
Journal of activities:

I began my morning by working on my social media platform. After posting on Facebook and responding to email messages, Justin and I went outside for an early morning run. We left the house at 5:30 and we ran until 8:00. Then I began working to develop my website. I received an invitation to participate in a panel discussion on HuffPostLive. Preparing for that segment took some time, as I had to configure my computer for the Google Hangout session. Since I had some trouble with my iMac, I switched to the MacBook Pro and all went well. Tulio Cardozo came by my house at noon. We worked together to begin building my new website platform, and we also filmed a video. I’m thrilled to have these opportunities opening to document my journey. Once I get everything set up and I learn how to use the technology more efficiently, I expect to make significant progress toward developing my brand.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 5:30 am to 8:00 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13.5
• Weather: I began when it was dark, but sun came up for a beautiful day. I ran with Justin at Schollenberger Park.
• Consecutive days: 4
• Cumulative miles since day off: 47
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m thankful that blessings continue to open for me. Justin and I are working to build a business around my journey. I asked God to guide me from the first days of my confinement and I’m thankful that I routinely found opportunities opening. I’m expecting those opportunities to continue opening now that I’m in society.

Appointments:

Today I worked with Justin from my home. In the late morning Christine, my probation officer stopped by for an in-home visit. Tulio Cardozo came by my house and we filmed a video also. We worked on developing website.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 2
Time I woke: 4:30 am
Journal of activities:

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 5:00 am until 7:30 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13.5
• Weather: I began before sun rise, but I finished the run in bright sunshine.
• Consecutive days: 2
• Cumulative miles since day off: 3
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful to God for the many blessings in my life. Liberty feels surreal, as if I’m the danger of confinement still looms ahead. I thank God for getting me to this point and I ask for the wisdom to navigate my way through the challenges ahead.

Appointments:

I picked up Justin at the Santa Rosa Airport. I stopped by the federal building in Santa Rosa to provide a urine sample to probation. Justin and I drove to Stockton. We met with members of the Ceasefire organization to make a presentation on a jobs-training program. Then we met with Michael Tubbs and Jerron Jordan. We then met with Billy Johnson to discuss transitional housing.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 1
Time I woke: 4:30 am
Journal of activities:

For the first time, Carole and I woke together in a hotel. I dressed in my running gear and headed out the door before 5:00 am. I ran on the clean sidewalks of San Ramon near Bishop Ranch. At 6:00 I ran back toward the hotel, so that Carole could join me for the final six miles of my run. At 7:30 we returned to the hotel and I dressed into a blue suit. We drove to SRV Studios so that I could film a commercial for the Straight-A Guide reentry program that I’m getting ready to begin selling. For the first time, Carole watched me perform in front of the camera.

 

After filming the commercial, Carole and I drove back to Petaluma. We stopped at our house to unpack, then we drove to Santa Rosa so that we could meet with Christine Butera-Ortiz, my federal probation officer. Since Carole would have to endure my time on supervised release, I wanted her with me so that she would understand all of the conditions of my release. We both listened as Christine told us about the process.  She did not have any specific instructions concerning my release but recited some of the standard conditions. Then I responded to a series of standard questions that Christine would use as an assessment tool that would determine my supervision needs.

 

Following our meeting with Christine, Carole and I drove into Petaluma and stopped by a card shop. We purchased greeting cards for the Nobmann family to express our appreciation for the generous support they gave during my year on community confinement. We dined together at Cucina Paradiso, an Italian restaurant. Following dinner, we went for ice cream dessert at a local restaurant.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 5:00 am until 7:30 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 14
• Weather: I began before sun rise, but I finished the run in bright sunshine.
• Consecutive days: 2
• Cumulative miles since day off: 20
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

This morning I woke and I thanked God for liberty. I didn’t know how my life would change going forward, but I felt grateful to wake without the clunky bracelet that had been strapped to my ankle for the past six months. I asked God to strengthen my spirits and my confidence as I transitioned into the world, and I expressed gratitude for the many blessings in my life.

Appointments:

Today I met with the men at SRV studio, including Andrew Landini, Brooks Knudson, and Steve Chriest. Later, in the afternoon, Carole and I met with Christine Butera Ortiz, my federal probation officer. In the evening we met with the Nobmann family for dinner.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 0
Time I woke: 3:30 am
Journal of activities:

I woke this morning at 3:30 to complete my final day of imprisonment. 9,499 days have passed since my arrest on August 11, 1987. Carole and I wanted to leave our house and drive to the San Francisco halfway house early. Unfortunately, Melody, the case manager who presided over me during my time on home confinement would not allow us to leave until 5:00 am.

 
Carole and I waited until 5:00 am, then we drove to the halfway house and I parked the car in the Ellis O’Farell Parking Garage near Union Square. Carole and I walked to the Hilton Hotel and I left her in the lobby. I then walked to the halfway house at 111 Taylor Street. My case manager made me wait for a while. At 6:30 I accompanied Melody to her office and she handed me a pair of scissors. I clipped off the ankle bracelet that had been monitoring my movement for the past 180 days. She gave me a package of forms that I did not read, and my time as a federal prisoner had finally come to an end.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
• Lenght of time: 1 hour
• Miles run today: 6
• Weather: Sunny, but I exercised indoors in hotel fitness room at San Ramon Hyatt.
• Consecutive days: 1
• Cumulative miles since day off: 6
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m thankful to God for guiding me through each of the 9,499 days that I served in prison. My life is richer because of the protection I felt through each day. Now I am off to a new start. I’m grateful for every opportunity that has come my way, and I ask for God’s continuing guidance.

Appointments:

Seth Chazin, attorney; Andrew Landini, Steve Chriest, Brooks Knudsen of SRV Studios; Eileen and John Bosch

Links to publications: