When I started writing this it was really just for me, as kind of a "writing exercise" I guess, but mostly because I couldn't stop thinking about my "ideal first day back." A day that is pretty simple, just spent with family and friends doing things I haven't done in awhile. I realized however there isn't a uniform ideal first day for me, and although the day described here would be nice, any day is ideal. I have to thank God for just being out of jail. So even if my first day out I get diarrhea, and my eyebrows fall out, and I somehow gain 206 pounds within hours, it'd still be the ideal first day back because I'd be with my family.
I didn't write this the way I write entries because it wasn't going to be an entry. I refer to myself in the third person. It'd be great if we could make this my first day back, but I'm grateful to just be getting out. So check it out.
*****
Without getting into too much detail of the feelings he experienced or the dialogue that took place during that first day of his return to freedom, there was a sort of "record" kept of the events that took place. No times are specified, nor does this go into any heavy effort to explain the reasoning for certain choices made. It simply gives a broad overview of what was done on Monday the 19th of January 2009.
He awoke while it was still dark out as he had grown accustomed to doing in jail. Once he realized he was, in fact, no longer in jail he went back to sleep for a few more hours. He awoke again and enjoyed a breakfast prepared at home of five scrambled eggs with a can of tuna and grated cheese mixed in. Two pieces of whole wheat toast that was burned the way he likes it. Four pieces of bacon, also extra crispy to his preference. A glass of vitamin D milk and a glass of orange juice.
Feeling quite full they all decided to take a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Afterward, he departed from the home of his parents en route to the probation department field office located on Orangewood and State College to meet with his probation officer. This is required within the
first 72 hours following any release from jail. After his meeting, he and his company proceeded to the Artist's Village in downtown Santa Ana, so that he could look in one of his favorite stores (A.A.) for a new pair of pants. He purchased a pair of purple acid-wash jeans in wait 32 because he didn't get them for Christmas (obviously, since he was in jail) and wanted them very much. He and his company surveyed some of the various art exhibits and galleries in the immediate surrounding area before making their way out of Santa Ana.
From there, they debated whether to journey farther south towards the beach or to stay more
inland and save the beach for another day. They went north on Tustin Ave. into Orange where they had lunch at Chipotle at the Village shopping plaza. There he had a chicken burrito with black beans, cheese, rice, and a Sprite to drink. Afterward they proceeded to enjoy a leisurely walk through the mall where he purchased a new pair of Vans slip-ons. Next, they stopped at a favorite thrift store in Orange where he purchased some interesting vintage clothing items, second hand books, and hand weights. The group moved on. They stopped at the Cold Stone Creamery on La Palma and Imperial to get some ice cream before returning back to his parents home to rest and relax before the night's activities. He had a medium-sized cup of half part sweet cream ice cream and half part cake batter ice cream with toffee peanuts and Oreos added into it. He was unable to finish even half of it.
Once they arrived back at his parents home, he put the rest of his ice cream in the freezer and did a small workout before showering and changing clothes. He called some friends he had not yet spoken to from his parents house phone to make them aware of his return and express his desire to meet up with them later on that night at a pre-determined destination. Ready to go, he and his company left his parents residence to begin the night's activities.
On their way they stopped to get some dinner at In-N-Out. He had a 4x4 plain with cheese, a milk, and a side order of fries to share between them. From there they went to Tustin and Chapman to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting located at a spot called "The Other Place." After sharing and enjoying the meeting, and taking a chip that symbolizes 120 days clean and sober, he and his posse left for a nearby Starbuck's coffee location at the Orange Circle. They drank coffee and made phone calls to friends instructing them where to meet next.
They left Starbuck's and drove down Glassell to Kraemer and then right on La Palma and right again on Ocean Circle to meet friends at the Concourse Bowling Alley. He enjoyed the company of friends he had not seen in quite some time while at The Concourse. And after all of his friends had arrived and they devised a plan of where to go next, they proceeded to head on out. After many laughs and stories and smiles and hugs, he heads home exhausted from his first big full day back in society. Once back at his parents house he quietly winds down in the living room with some wheat toast, apple sauce, and milk while watching television. He then lays down in a real bed, with a real mattress, and real pillows and blankets, and sleeps the sleep of a tired and content free man.
He awoke while it was still dark out as he had grown accustomed to doing in jail. Once he realized he was, in fact, no longer in jail he went back to sleep for a few more hours. He awoke again and enjoyed a breakfast prepared at home of five scrambled eggs with a can of tuna and grated cheese mixed in. Two pieces of whole wheat toast that was burned the way he likes it. Four pieces of bacon, also extra crispy to his preference. A glass of vitamin D milk and a glass of orange juice.
Feeling quite full they all decided to take a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Afterward, he departed from the home of his parents en route to the probation department field office located on Orangewood and State College to meet with his probation officer. This is required within the
first 72 hours following any release from jail. After his meeting, he and his company proceeded to the Artist's Village in downtown Santa Ana, so that he could look in one of his favorite stores (A.A.) for a new pair of pants. He purchased a pair of purple acid-wash jeans in wait 32 because he didn't get them for Christmas (obviously, since he was in jail) and wanted them very much. He and his company surveyed some of the various art exhibits and galleries in the immediate surrounding area before making their way out of Santa Ana.From there, they debated whether to journey farther south towards the beach or to stay more
inland and save the beach for another day. They went north on Tustin Ave. into Orange where they had lunch at Chipotle at the Village shopping plaza. There he had a chicken burrito with black beans, cheese, rice, and a Sprite to drink. Afterward they proceeded to enjoy a leisurely walk through the mall where he purchased a new pair of Vans slip-ons. Next, they stopped at a favorite thrift store in Orange where he purchased some interesting vintage clothing items, second hand books, and hand weights. The group moved on. They stopped at the Cold Stone Creamery on La Palma and Imperial to get some ice cream before returning back to his parents home to rest and relax before the night's activities. He had a medium-sized cup of half part sweet cream ice cream and half part cake batter ice cream with toffee peanuts and Oreos added into it. He was unable to finish even half of it.Once they arrived back at his parents home, he put the rest of his ice cream in the freezer and did a small workout before showering and changing clothes. He called some friends he had not yet spoken to from his parents house phone to make them aware of his return and express his desire to meet up with them later on that night at a pre-determined destination. Ready to go, he and his company left his parents residence to begin the night's activities.
On their way they stopped to get some dinner at In-N-Out. He had a 4x4 plain with cheese, a milk, and a side order of fries to share between them. From there they went to Tustin and Chapman to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting located at a spot called "The Other Place." After sharing and enjoying the meeting, and taking a chip that symbolizes 120 days clean and sober, he and his posse left for a nearby Starbuck's coffee location at the Orange Circle. They drank coffee and made phone calls to friends instructing them where to meet next.
They left Starbuck's and drove down Glassell to Kraemer and then right on La Palma and right again on Ocean Circle to meet friends at the Concourse Bowling Alley. He enjoyed the company of friends he had not seen in quite some time while at The Concourse. And after all of his friends had arrived and they devised a plan of where to go next, they proceeded to head on out. After many laughs and stories and smiles and hugs, he heads home exhausted from his first big full day back in society. Once back at his parents house he quietly winds down in the living room with some wheat toast, apple sauce, and milk while watching television. He then lays down in a real bed, with a real mattress, and real pillows and blankets, and sleeps the sleep of a tired and content free man.
1 comment:
hey it's beckie again...your blog post just made me hungry haha
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