I was standing in front of the coffee machine yesterday waiting for my cup, and Tony comes by and says that he really likes the way that I read during the AA meetings. I tell him that I appreciate that, and it fills me with pride to know that someone is at least paying attention, even if I always read the same section of the Big Book of AA every week. Every meeting, the leader introduces each speaker this way: "I've asked so and so to read blah blah blah." Well, when I was introduced, Brian changed it somewhat: "I've asked Ron, The Governor, to read The 12 Traditions," and the room erupted in cheering. I've talked about it before, about how I read The 12 Traditions as fast as possible, with voice projected outwards in a way that just grabs everyone's attention. I continue this up until the last line, at which point I completely stop upon getting to the tradition about "placing principles..."

And then everyone chimes in simultaneously to complete my sentence: "...above personality." Then more raucous cheering follows, with some fellows actually giving me a standing ovation. At first, I was really shy about it, getting back to my seat with a roll of eyes, but lately I've been just clasping my hands together and shaking them by my head, like I just won some sort of award. The moment is small, but the moment is mine, and that makes it wonderful.

It's kind of strange that I'd be such a vocal public speaker, given my reserved personality. No, really. I only start to open up once I start to feel comfortable with the people around me, and it's a testament to how institutionalized I've become here in Camarillo. Even Officer Vazquez, during a head count, asked how much time I had left, which is something the officers only ask if they feel that you've been there an unseasonably long time. I replied 54 days, to which she said, "Holy crap." Holy crap indeed.