I've been back inside a few times since i paroled. Most recently, i was in Cook County talking to some brothers in a writing program. I remember the sound of the bars closing and it still shook me. Today i filmed my first scene for a new show. I had to put on prison greens and sit at those metal tables. Sitting on the yard with the weights and "COs" watching, all i could think was "look at how far you've come." It looks the same, but the circumstances are extremely different. It's not what it looks like, it's what it IS. I also decided today to stop lowering my expectations trying to protect myself from disappointment. I expect amazing things to happen in my life. I'm important. Meet Hassan Nawaz/Arif Negassi. #forlifeabc