Former President George W. Bush just wants to be a good neighbor and contribute to his community.

Eight months after he and his wife, Laura, traded the White House for a home in Dallas' Preston Hollow neighborhood, Bush told sports talk show host Norm Hitzges of KTCK/1310 AM "The Ticket" that he's embracing the next chapter of his life.

He's working on memoirs, planning a presidential library and enjoying a less hectic life, he said in the interview. On Sunday night, he sat next to legendary broadcaster John Madden and watched the first regular-season NFL game ever played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

And for the record, Bush said doesn't want to be the commissioner of Major League Baseball or even an owner (again) of the Texas Rangers. His new title, he said, is "retired guy."

"My place in the world is out of the spotlight," he said in the interview Monday morning. "I am going to meld back into society and try to contribute to the community.

"I'm through with that phase in my life. I'm happy to be . . . an active citizen of the Metroplex."

A few of his remarks during the radio interview:

Memoirs: Bush said he's taking a different approach and will focus on 12 decisions he made as president. But he's not yet "in a selling mode," he said, adding, "I haven't finished it yet." He expects the book to be out in a year.

President Barack Obama: Bush said he told his successor that he would not criticize the work he does in office. "I didn't like it when other former presidents criticized me," he said. "I believe he needs a chance to make the decisions he believes are necessary. He's going to find there are a lot of opinions out there."

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