Noah here, back again.
4th of July pre-weekend! As you know we’re taking a break from the why because those get a little deep, as Morgan tells me. During my visit with Morgan, she also asked me about some of my favorite things. So, let’s chat…Noah’s favorite things to do while in prison
I will start with music because it’s my personal favorite, outside of visits that is.
In the federal system, we can purchase AM/FM radios and MP3 players.
My preference has changed over the years, although I still love a lot of the music I listened to when I came in, I have started to like pop and country music as well. The reason for the country music was when I was in Milan, Michigan, the only station I could get reception for in my cell was a country station. So every night for 17 months I would lay in bed at night and escape in the music and it grew on me.
The pop music didn’t start until I got to Yankton, SD working in food service. They would usually only play country music on the speaker system, but on the weekends they would either put on rock or pop, and the pop started to catch my ear.
Next thing you know I am starting to listen to 94.3 while I walk around the track and what do you know I can pick the station up from my new bed. Before you know it my MP3 is not only filled with the old favorites, but Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, and Demi Lovato.
I am not going to lie… it’s a little embarrassing when I get caught singing to Taylor Swift’s “Delicate” but at least Melrose and I will be interested in the same concerts when I get out. ha!
Now I am working in the warehouse in food service, and the basement is our domain and it is mandatory that 94.3 is playing at all times from the hours of 6-11am, and we come in and out throughout the day to pop out. The server where we buy music was very limited. When I first came in as it was only a year or so old, but it has very much improved over the years and they even have put on some of my hometown favorites, such as Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Mason Jennings, Prof, Aaron Espe, Aesop Rock, Desa, and P.O.S..
Next best thing to do in prison is incorporate reading time into your day. I was always able to convince myself I was too busy to do this on the outside, or it was just easier to walk to the movie instead of reading the book.
For me it works best either early in the morning before people are getting up, as I am an early riser, or stay up a little later on the weekends and read with the book light on in my bed.
During the day it’s just too much distraction for me living with 11 other individuals, I can’t wait to get home and have my own space with much less commotion. And just read.
Next, is nap time, everyone’s favorite childhood past time.
Whether it’s a 45-minute power nap or I can slip away for a couple of hours, I always wake up feeling better. As long it’s not too close to bed time, so it messes with my mandatory seven hours.
Other good ways to past time are picking up a new hobby, some being leather crafting, beading jewelry, crocheting, and drawing or painting.
I have only gotten involved with leather crafting so far, but I have a few friends that do the others, and the best part is you can give back to the people who have supported you along the way.
I have sent belts, wallets, and purses so far to Lars, Gavin, Jesse, Jamie, Coda, Mom, Melrose, and I am just getting started.
The other obvious is these activities are very time consuming and the days fly by when you get into the zone. Exercise has been another constant in my prison time, it is one of those prison stereotypes that everyone wants to obtain that “prison body”, but I have decided from the beginning that I will only do a routine that I can sustain outside of prison.
For me, that has been 3-4 workouts a week with leisure activities such as walking and intramural sports worked in.
That brings me to softball, my new found love. One that I am confident I will continue to participate in after my release, at least while both my knees still work. My confidence was shaken for a second tonight after I took a line drive one-hopper into my right calf, you can still see the imprint of the laces in my skin, ouch!
And the one sport I miss the most that they don’t offer in here… golf.
First thing I’m going to do when I get out? Golf and eat Chipotle.
From the inside,
Noah
