It’s been a full day since I gave up the mantle as President of the San Diego Press Club and I’ve had time to reflect and write my memoirs.

It was a crisp morning and I woke feeling tired yet buoyant, as though a weight both physical and psychic had been lifted from my shoulders.  When the dog and I went for our walk, I was struck by the quiet.  No one was clamoring around to get a word with me, take a picture or ask for an opinion.  We walked quickly but I breathed in the fresh air and felt exhilarated. Still, there is a certain sense of a loss of purpose and direction that is both foreign and liberating.

Yes it was odd going out to the car and having to drive myself.  Out of habit I sat in the back seat and when I realized no one was coming to drive I moved somewhat sheepishly to the front.  There were very few phone messages to return and much of the day was spent just gathering up mementos.

The real work of collating my papers will start soon, though much of it is already in order.  I was fairly meticulous through my term in keeping things in a binder.  Twelve meeting agendas with my handwritten notes will provide guidance to some future administration.  Today was for reflecting a little and also looking ahead, searching for a new mission.  The work of fundraising to construct the presidential library shelf will start soon enough.