James Fox (IPP Yoga Teacher) talk with ex-inmate Patrick Seymore

James (gray shirt) with his Yoga Class. Photo by Larry Sultan

I went into the city last Thursday and while there met with Patrick. We met near his house in the Western Addition, two blocks from where a young man had been shot and killed the night before. Although we've talked by phone I hadn't seen Patrick for about two years.

He's big - having put on about 25-30 lbs since his days in H-Unit - but he looks good. Still has the clean shaven head. Anyway, he got in my car and asked if I didn't mind taking him on a run to Safeway and Popeye's to pick up some groceries and 'wings' for his mother and 3 year old son whom he lives with. While in the car he got a call on his cell. It was a conference call between him, his sponsor and a trainer for the phone services program he is involved in. They do weekly support calls to help out their independent representatives and he didn't want to miss it. The whole time we were in Safeway Patrick was on the call doing his thing. He stayed on the phone while†shopping, checking out,†buying his $45 Muni bus pass, and as we walked over to Popeye's. Then while we were standing in Popeye's another cell phone was ringing, but we were the only ones there. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out another cell, and smiling says to me, "this is my private line, the other is for business." His mother wanted to add something to her order. Finally, as we're walking back out to the car he completes the conference call and said to me, "sorry but I had to take that call. I'm really trying to get my own thing off the ground and they give us regular support. They call every week."

We drove back to his apartment where he dropped off the chicken and groceries and we then headed over to the lower Haight to have a meal together. As we were pulling up to park there were a group of men hanging out on the sidewalk and one of them saw Patrick in my car and yelled at him. Patrick rolled down the window and jokingly shouted back at him, "who you talking at, punk? As he got out of the car the guy says, "Hey man what's goin on?" Patrick exchanged greetings with him and we carried on down the block. As we approached the corner there was a guy with crutches leaning up against the Walgreen's. When Patrick saw him he said, "hey Bobby, how you doin' man?" They hugged each other and talked a bit then we headed on. "I grew up with that dude," said Patrick, "he's had a real rough time. Can't kick it." Patrick must be about 40 but Bobby looked like he's about 65. I said to Patrick, "you sure know a lot of folks on the street. Have you been hanging out around here?" He said, "naw, I used to but I'm too busy for that shit. Besides these boys are stuck in a dark hole."

That kind of sums it up about Patrick. After two years of paroling from the Success Dorm,†he's fighting hard to stay free and to be his own man. As he told me over dinner, he's working three jobs to make ends meet and care for his mother and son. His main gig is as a caseworker for Glide Memorial Church's residence facility where he works providing services for single parent families, mentally compromised residents and addicts. He told me he does everything he can for his people, but he won't chase after them. He says he focuses on the people who are really trying to make a change. Earlier this year he got into selling the phone services through 'AC', I think. He does this on the side to gradually build his own business. He says it's a slow growth but promising and was looking forward to going to a sales meeting in Vegas over the coming weekend. And, at least one weekend a month he works security for music festivals that are happening around No. California.

We talked about how difficult it can be to keep going, maintaining a positive attitude. He said he doesn't feel like he's getting ahead but he is covering his base. He's busy from sunrise to sunset. After work he's helping out with his mother and son. He said it helps not being in a relationship with a woman so he can keep things simple and not get distracted from his goals. He'd like to buy a house out of the city and live on his own. As our meal went on Patrick relaxed more and more and talked about how important it was for him to take care of himself. He goes to the gym every morning at 6:00 AM before going to Glide at 8:30 to start work. He says working out really helps him deal with stress and frustration. He's also been trying to incorporate meditation back into his life, at least 15 minutes a day.

I really appreciated spending time with Patrick. I got a lot out of being with him. He sends his best to you. He still has that great laugh which comes easy to him. He's kind of a gentle giant who's really determined to make something out of his life regardless of the circumstances.† I really respect that and will do whatever I can personally to support him.

James Fox.