Post Release Awareness

July 10, 2010

Today I had a discussion with a few other guys, who like myself have done prison time and been released. The main topic was the unexpected habits, social quirks and cultural adaptations of prison life that we discovered we had upon release. The following are ones we all shared.

In prison we all wear shower shoes (flip-flops) to, from and in the shower. It's a rarity that we aren't wearing some sort of footwear. Upon release, the was a difficult custom to break. It just felt awkward not wearing anything on my feet, whether in the shower or around the house.

In prison we hoard things, including soda bottles, napkins, plastic utensils, etc. It's a habit formed by often not being provided these necessary items by ADOC. It really sucks when you have no toilet paper in a time of need. After being released, I caught myself grabbing a handful of napkins and condiments at a fast-food place I was eating at.

In prison we are given 15 minutes to eat-sometimes less. After being released, I continued to wolf down meals. This proves embarrassing when you're done eating and your dinner companion enjoys their meal for 25 more minutes.

There are so many things that I noticed about myself, but one particular thing bothered me more than any other. Something that we, as human beings, spend a lifetime seeking out on a regular basis. Companionship. Friendships. Relationships. After years in prison, I found that I avoid socializing with new people. Most of the new friendships and even relationships I formed started online. Instead of hitting all of the Phoenix singles scene, I hit Arizona chatrooms. Admittedly single Arizona women can be found abundantly online, but it's unorthodox to forego the singles scene for singlearizonawomen.com or chatrooms. LOL

Have you witnessed or experienced any of these things post release from prison?

Two Roads

July 5, 2010

Slipping the needls into the vein in the crook of my elbow, the pain was minimal. Despite the dullness of it, from daily use, the pinch of the hypodermic syringe was inconsequential. My threshold for physical pain was high. Dangerously high. It was my emotional threshold for pain the was low.

Registering and plunging the syrupy mixture into my bloodstream, I didn't have to wait long before my mind and body felt the effects of the meth. I felt strong. I felt incredible. Even my vision seemed incredibly acute. The world around me seemed brighter and more vivid. I felt like I imagined everybody else in the world usually felt. I felt "normal". Or what I thought normal was.

I was fifteen years old. Still a kid, but doing things most adults wouldn't dare. I had been racing down an easy road to travel, that would prove later on in life to be tolling on me physically, emotionally and spiritually. I was out of control, speeding in the fast lane towards oblivion. And I was determined to continue into the darkness. Headlong and screaming out for help. Nobody heard. It's a still a road.

All of these years later, I've learned that that easy route wasn't the road I'd wanted or needed to get to my desired destination. That easy road has shown to be the hardest one to get off of and stay offof. The narrow road with lots of turns and bumps is the right road, that leads to my destination. A road which still has many obscure lanes that lead back onto the easy route. The key is to continue traveling forward. The easy route you'll never move onward on...

Old Sinners Tattoos

July 2, 2010

Woody and I have decided to go into business together. The lucrative business of tattooing. Professional tattooing. A professional tattoo studio.

Woody and I have recently been offered the most amazing, generous and invaluable opportunity in our lifetimes. The chance to own a successful tattoo shop started by one of the top ten tattoo artists in Arizona, as well as to apprentice under him.

Einstein (real name!) has worked in, managed, created and started up, from the ground up, some of the best shops in the state and has made a name for himself in the Arizona skin art scene. He is also a close personal friend of Woody and myself.

Einstein has offered to build us a professional tattoo shop from the ground up, manage it for a year and teach us all he can about the art, as well as the business. Free of charge! Woody and I will be responsible for the necessary capital and (Einstein will earn his income through his ink work) it'll be a partnership (Woody and I). It'll be a considerable investment for us, but the potential profits are awesome and it's the niche we need and want.

We've further discussed the future growth of the business and expanding the shop to include an art gallery, airbrushing, custom artwork on clothing and apparel and many other options.

I'm excited about this and ready to invest. What do you think about this opportunity?

More Inmate Art

July 11, 2010

From the blog administrator....the above illustrations are scans of original artwork Shannon sent to be posted. The top pic of the Geisha was done by Shannon in watercolor, and the three envelopes were done by a friend, Einstein. The top envelope done in graphite is particularly striking in its effects!

Dizzy Returns

July 1, 2010

Dizzy has returned from the hospital. After a week in ICU, kidney failure, water around his heart, pneumonia and tons of other problems, he has been put back in my cell. He was at the brink and now he's back. He's recovering and trying now. Death dodged him again. Maybe now he'll pick life.

We've talked extensively about what he did and why. I spoke my mind and he listened and was genuinely sorry. Now we are working on his problems. I will send him home in a couple of weeks with a bit more knowledge and strength to deal with things. He is a very intelligent and good-hearted guy. He can and wants to move past all of this. Please pray for him!

Incidently, he and I paint every evening now. It's relaxing, expressive and does a great job keeping him busy and positive. He's great at it, too!