_Blog Post Written July, 2009
For the last 2 weeks I was held hostage in my cell and forced to survive on bologna and cheese sandwiches...but it's not quite as bad as it sounds. Food issues aside, I generally enjoy the downtime because it gives me a chance to really relax and decompress. Most people have to pay big money for that type of total escape...no phones, no emails, no distractions, and no responsibilities. I was able to read ALL the books and magazines that have been accumulating under my desk over the past few months without being hurried or distracted. There was even plenty of time for me to pursue my artistic endeavors which recently expanded from music to drawing....that's right, I said drawing. As most of you know I've been unable, or rather unwilling to attempt, to draw anything more than simple stick figures...until now. Seems that I had a breakthrough of sorts and found a new hobby that I'm compelled to explore. I'll let you know how it goes...

While I was on my retreat I was thinking about how many people never get an opportunity to actually sit down and "do nothing". Even when we sit back to relax we begin thinking about what needs to be done next. Our vacations are most often quite hectic since there are so many things that we want to squeeze into that 1 or 2 weeks that we're away from work and our normal responsibilities. A buddy of mine and I often joke about how "jail-time" should be mandatory for all adults- just like they do with military service in some countries. The idea is that everyone should get a chance to experience this "lifestyle" in order to better appreciate the lives they normally lead. Only problem is that when you only have say 30 days to be confined your focus remains almost exclusively on your "out date" as you count down to your release. There's no realistic way to experience the perspective of someone in my situation, or similar, and that's truly unfortunate. I certainly didn't have the same appreciation, love and respect for all of you, my family, friends and loved ones while I was out there running around like a madman as I do now. "Everything is exactly how it is supposed to be right at this moment."

The typing is a little rusty and I've got a few things to take care of now that we're back to "business as 'unusual" around here so give me a few days to get up and running. I promise that I will try to write all of you much more frequently and consistently. PLEASE feel free to send me pictures of your summer festivities and vacations because the Christmas photos on my board are all looking a bit out of place. I hope that each of you are enjoying these fleeting days of summer with family and good friends...Wish that I could be there with you...Much Health, Love Happiness....A