Return from Morgantown

At 6:45 AM one day last week I sat in a holding cell in the Reception and Discharge area at FCI, Morgantown dressed in prison issue "out" clothes.  The other inmate leaving that day was slapping on some sort of noxious cologne in preparation for a day's worth of bus travel to a halfway house somewhere in Virginia.  His "people" sent in over sized pants, a FUBU jersey, amazing basketball shoes, and one of those CC Sabathia-style ball caps which is worn askew.  When it was time to go I was relieved that my fellow former inmate, cologne-and-all, got into a BOP SUV for a ride to the bus stop.  I walked, outside, up to the front gate where the BSL magically appeared brandishing Starbucks and kisses.  Delicious!

Within half and hour we were in a Morgantown hotel room where I reunited with my two beautiful kids and grandson who was born December 23d.  You might imagine that my heart was bursting and you'd be right.

After a motel shower and a quick change into my clothes we returned to OurTown.  Almost from the moment of arrival our home was filled with food, love, and blessings.

In the few days since, it's been chaotic.  I met with my employer to review paperwork necessary for submission to the OurState Supreme Court secondary to reemployment; I've had coffee with my old friends at the S'bucks; I've been to half a dozen AA meetings;  and, I met with my accountant (who if I had listened to him in the first place, none of this would have happened!)--oh, by the way I filed my 2010 tax returns. And I met with my probation officer, Ms. W. 

All of this is by way of saying, I'm back.  As soon as I catch my breath I'll begin posting again.  Until the OurState Supremes issue my permission letter I am in a waiting mode to return to work, and so I have some time on my hands.  At least initially I plan to devote myself to telling you all about my incarceration.  My prison sentence was ONLY 5 months, but let me assure you the experience was--how should I say this....lumpy sounds like an accurate descriptor.   There are other appropriate adjectives, but I'll save those for later. 

Several people asked me how it felt to be released. After mulling this over it occurred to me that release was like walking through a wall.  On one side there is this surreal dimension on the otherside a normal reality--from a dream (and not a very good dream) back into consciousness.  Back at Morgantown I left behind some wonderful people who will be in that surreal-reality for years to come.  Returning I regained the physical reality of my family and friends.  So this is a promise to tell you some remarkable stories about the prison industrial complex, my adventures, and resume Bad Lawyer over the coming days. 

I'm so glad to be home.