Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 70
Time I woke: 4:40
Journal of activities:

I’m working now to bring our products and services to market. I have not yet figured out a coherent strategy, or plan to reach into the marketplace. My expectations, I’m beginning to realize, have been somewhat unrealistic. I anticipated that I would find many willing people who worked in the corrections system to see the value of the Straight-A Guide. They would see our program as a resource to help at-risk populations transform their lives, or so I thought. We’ve created our products and we’re ready to offer services, but now what? I have to reach into the marketplace and find the way to attract prospective buyers. My work in the morning necessitated that I postpone my run. Carole and I ran in the afternoon, then she took me to the doctor so that he could assess to persistent injuries that have been causing me a lot of pain. The left ankle continues to bother me and I have another deep injury in my left shoulder.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 11:40
• Lenght of time: 1 hour
• Miles run today: 5
• Weather: Sunny, but cooler temperatures in Petaluma
• Consecutive days: 1
• Cumulative miles since day off: 5
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful that Carole and I enjoyed another day of working side by side.

Appointments:

Today Carole insisted that I go to the doctor, so I met Dr. Hamid for the first time.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 69
Time I woke: 4:30
Journal of activities:

This morning I woke and the swelling around my ankle remained. It meant another day without exercise. I would like to swim, but at this stage in my transition I cannot afford to join a gym. It isn’t only the cost, but I don’t want to take the time to use a gym membership. I run because I don’t need anything other than a strong will to begin. I have the will, but my body hasn’t yet recovered. I suppose this slow recovery time from injuries will continue to as I mature into my 50s. Perhaps I’ll have to stop exercising every day. I’ll have to reevaluate after this ankle heals. Today I spent the day writing in my office. I wrote an employee manual for the staffing company that I’m building with my friend Justin through the Michael G. Santos Foundation. Writing the manual was quite easy, as I found numerous templates online to help. I read through the manuals and made modifications. I also did some marketing work for our Straight-A Guide Program. I’m eager to begin a coordinated strategy to introduce our products and services into the marketplace.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: No exercise today
• Lenght of time: No exercise today
• Miles run today: 0
• Weather: Sunny, but cooler temperatures in Petaluma
• 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 that I was able to work side-by-side with my wife today in our home office.

Appointments:

I did not leave my residence today, nor did I meet with anyone other than my wife.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 68
Time I woke: 4:30 am
Journal of activities:

This morning I woke at the normal time that I schedule for running, but my ankle is still swollen. I really hoped that it would have healed by now. My wife tells me that I ran distances that were too far while I was still recovering from the injury. The pounding aggravated the injury, she said, and prohibited my ankle from healing well. I’m willing to postpone my running until Monday. That’s when I’ll resume the daily ritual that brings me so much peace. I spent the entire day catching up with my writing. I had to write a summary for this past Thursday’s course at SFSU and I had to do some writing for the foundation. The time has come for us to reach out into the marketplace and find orders.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: No exercise
• Lenght of time: No exercise
• Miles run today: 0
• Weather: Beautiful and sunny in Petaluma
• 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 that I have this wonderful home from which I can work every day. I feel extraordinarily blessed, but it comes with a sense of urgency to work harder.

Appointments:

Today I had dinner with my friend and mentor Lee Nobmann.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 67
Time I woke: 4:00 am
Journal of activities:

This morning I woke and Carole showed me the link that NBC Bay Area News posted to profile my story on Bay Area Proud. Garvin Thomas and his team really honored me by producing an extraordinary short film that narrated my efforts to reconcile with society. I felt really proud to watch the footage and I spent several hours in the morning sending links out to people who’ve been supporting my work for so long. I’m always striving to prove worthy of the support that I’ve received and this profile on NBC really authenticates the journey for me. I’m glad to have it. By eight I left my house for a long drive. I met Mario Maciel after I delivered the keynote speech in San Diego last week. He asked me to attend a retreat he was hosting for a gang prevention task force that he leads in the city of San Jose. I drove for nearly three hours to attend the conference and I enjoyed the privilege of meeting with leaders from the police force, the district attorney’s office, and community leaders who work together to build safer communities. I delivered a presentation and then returned home. My hopes are that I’ll be able to network with people who heard me speak and to spread our program to the city of San Jose.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: No exercise
• Lenght of time: No exercise
• Miles run today: 0
• Weather: Beautiful and sunny in San Jose
• 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 that God continues to open opportunities that bring more awareness to my work.

Appointments:

Today I met with Mario Maciel and his team of community leaders who participate in the city of San Jose’s gang task force.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 66
Time I woke: 4:00 am
Journal of activities:

This morning I woke with considerable pain in my ankle. It’s very troublesome to me. More than three weeks passed since I sprained my ankle. Although I’ve been able to run relatively long distances, the pain has remained with me. My wife convinced me that I should take a few days off from the track entirely. I used the extra time at my computer this morning to prepare for the class that I would teach later this afternoon. I knew that tonight’s class would be a long lecture, as I intended to help the students understand prison orientations and the staff hierarchy. I created a full powerpoint to guide me through the lecture. Then, for the final portion of the class, I designed a series of group exercises that would help the students understand the types of decisions related to the system of corrections. Carole accompanied me to class today, and I was happy to have her company. While  I taught the class, NBC Bay Area News broadcasted a story about my journey. I looked forward to seeing the story in the morning, when it would be available on the web.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: No exercise
• Lenght of time: No exercise
• Miles run today: 0
• Weather: Beautiful and sunny in Petaluma
• 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 for every morning that I wake beside my beautiful wife, and I enjoy beginning each morning by telling her how much she means to me.

Appointments:

Today I met with my students at San Francisco State University.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 65
Time I woke: 3:00 a.m.
Journal of activities:

I woke with a lot of enthusiasm about the presentation scheduled for me to deliver to students at UC Berkeley. Carole and I printed out some flyers that we would pass out to the crowd, then we went for a short run. We only ran seven miles, which meant that we could run the entire distance together. We then returned home, got ready, and then made a final checklist to ensure that I had everything necessary for the presentation. We drove to Berkeley early so that we could park and set up.  Carole and I enjoyed lunch at one of the restaurants set up for college students. I didn’t want to eat much, so I ordered a salad and Carole ordered a turkey sandwich. We walked around the campus until the video and photography team showed up. I commissioned the group because I wanted to build some film footage that would authentic my services as a speaker. Garvin Thomas, the journalist from NBC’s Bay Area News also showed up. At 4:00 pm the film crew wired me for audio and I took the stage at 4:10. I really enjoy speaking to large groups and we had about 500 people in the audience today. I look forward to seeing the film footage, but my friend Tulio Cardozo took several pictures while I spoke that captured the moment.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 6:30 am
• Lenght of time: 1 hour
• Miles run today: 7
• Weather: beautiful and sunny in Petaluma
• Consecutive days: 6
• Cumulative miles since day off: 69
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m thankful to God for blessing me with so many opportunities to create meaning from my lengthy journey through prison.

Appointments:

Today I met with my sister, Julie, her friend Kristi, and hundreds of people at UC Berkeley.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 64
Time I woke: 4:40 am
Journal of activities:

I woke this morning knowing that I had to finalize preparations for my speech at UC Berkeley. My speech is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Early this morning I searched for more images on the Internet to make an effective presentation. I wanted the students to follow along with the lecture, and graphics always help to hold their attention. When the sky began to lighten I left my house to run, and Carole joined me for the final 75 minutes. I really enjoy exercising with her. The busy schedule she keeps with school and work means that we don’t get to exercise together everyday, so I really appreciate her company when she can join me. After we concluded our run, we got dressed and drove to the bank. I’m having to establish credit in society, and the only way of establishing financial credit is by borrowing money. The quarter century that I served in prison meant that I walked out with a credit score of zero. To begin building it, I set some of my savings aside into an account that would guarantee a loan. I had to return to the bank again today to finalize those loan documents. In the afternoon, I spent some time with my friend Lee Nobmann, showing him the new commercial we created and discussing my marketing plans going forward. We’re going to have dinner together on Saturday.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 6:20
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13
• Weather: Beautiful and sunny in Petaluma
• Consecutive days: 5
• Cumulative miles since day off: 62
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

Every day I thank God for blessing me with Carole. She is magnificent as my wife and partner, bringing an abundance of joy to my life.

Appointments:

I had to return to the Wells Fargo Bank today to sign more documents related to a loan I received. I also spent some time with my friend and mentor, Lee Nobmann.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 63
Time I woke: 4:30 am
Journal of activities:

On Wednesday I’m scheduled to speak at Wheeler Auditorium at UC Berkeley. I’ve retained a film crew to record the event. My sister and some friends are also coming to the university to watch my presentation on activism. With that big event in mind, I’m spending a lot of time preparing. I’ve made a PowerPoint of graphic images that will help the audience follow along. My speech is pretty well prepared, but I keep tweaking it in my mind as I think about ways to deliver the message with more power. I am determined to inspire the audience to act, to take action in this need to unravel America’s commitment to mass incarceration. As I ran another half marathon this morning, I thought through the lines that I would use and ran through the speech in my mind. Carole joined me for the final hour of my run. I returned to work from my home office, doing the best that I could to prepare for what could be the speech to launch my career. The students at UC Berkeley have a history of launching social movements, and I’m hoping to ignite the Berkeley passion on Wednesday.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 6:30 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13
• Weather: Beautiful and sunny in Petaluma
• Consecutive days: 4
• Cumulative miles since day off: 49
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful that God blesses me with good health and an abundance of opportunities to build a new life after my release from prison.

Appointments:

Today I went to the bank with my wife to sign some loan documents, but other than that I was alone working in my office.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 62
Time I woke: 4:30 am
Journal of activities:

I’m working on couple of projects that require me to write a lot. After returning from my exercise session I spent some time reviewing papers that I received from my students. Then I spent several hours writing a lengthy document in preparation for a workshop that students at Stanford Law School are sponsoring. The workshop is about transformative justice, and I’ll play a role of helping law students understand the complications associated with being arrested, going through the prison system, and then returning to society. I wrote more than 2,000 words today on the project, which now has be tired. It’s only 7:15 in the evening and I’m ready for bed.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 6:30 am
• Lenght of time: 2.5 hours
• Miles run today: 13
• Weather: Beautiful and sunny in Petaluma
• Consecutive days: 3
• Cumulative miles since day off: 36
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m so thankful that I’m able to spend time working on projects that have meaning to my life and to build a career that I love.

Appointments:

Today I did not meet with anyone other than my wife.

Links to publications:

Days since my release from 26 years in prison: 61
Time I woke: 4:00 am
Journal of activities:

This morning I woke early to send email messages to people I met at the Violence Prevention Conference in San Diego. At 5:00 am I walked down to the fitness room and ran on the treadmill until I logged 10 miles. Then I walked outside to the swimming pool and I swam for another 30 minutes. I really enjoy swimming and I’m glad that I could enjoy the water this morning. After the swim, Carole and I returned to the room to begin packing. We checked out of the hotel and then took a cab to the San Diego airport. We ate some overpriced food at an airport restaurant, then boarded our flight back to San Francisco. It felt wonderful to come home, and I felt great about the entire weekend. Justin and I made some great contacts that we expect will lead to future purchase orders or new relationships. During the evening I worked on grading papers for school.

Exercise Routine-

• Time: 5:00 am
• Lenght of time: 2 hours
• Miles run today: 10
• Weather: Beautiful and sunny in San Diego
• Consecutive days: 2
• Cumulative miles since day off: 23
• Pushups today: 0
• Cumulative pushups for month: 0
• Annual marathon tally: 6

Gratitude prayer:

I’m grateful to have enjoyed a special trip to San Diego with my lovely wife Carole and to have met so many influential leaders who are determined to build safer communities.

Appointments:

I spent the entire day with my wife, Carole.

Links to publications: