Saturday, May 3rd
Finally able to have a very productive day typing all morning, got all my handwritten pages for my medical injunction typed so tomorrow I can print and edit. Whether I’m successful with this court filing or not, at least it will encapsulate my entire medical experience here trying to get treatment for my issues and will be documented for the record. That might be helpful for either a compassionate release filing or if the BOP starts putting older inmates wo have significant medical issues on home confinement.
Went outside 12-2, had our “white” only meet and greet. Cold and windy, but I got track workout in and some weights. Still power typed rest of evening, felt good getting almost caught up:)
Sunday, May 4th
Excited to get to library for a productive morning at 8. NOT!! The jerk of a guard there, some old grumpy guard who must be part time and really should retire, decided inmates should be at the Library at 7 or not come if they want to skip the 9:30-11 count. Not sure who made him King for a Day to change the rules, but it doesn’t matter as you can’t complain to anyone without likely further retribution anyway. When I gave him my ID at 8, having been warned about his new rule and that he was being a jerk, sure enough he said “too late”. He had the audacity to ask me why I signed up for outcount if I don’t show up at 7. So I explained I only need 4 hours today. His reply, “doesn’t matter you’re not staying”. So I said a big Thank You and went to my table. Wish I’d told him half the time I come at 7 and there’s no guard anyways, so I come back at 8. So much for my productivity… I’m sure that’s important to him:)
Actually made good progress on my medical injunction anyways. Just not much on blog or ABT book. Have to do during this next week I guess. No email since its been down since yesterday for some reason.
Good church service today, got outside 2-3 though pretty windy still. Rest of evening same as always-TV, reading, typing.
Monday, May 5th
Nice to have a normal day without drama, and its Cinco de Mayo day! So we got a Mexican inmate band playing in the Yard 12-3 on a beautiful 70 degree day, slight breeze.
Took advantage of the morning to get an my injunction typed on email and exhibits organized before a real typist places it on a court form. Up to 25 exhibits, will be thick package to mail that’s for sure:) My goal is to be all set by Sunday so I can hand off to my typist guy tp put on court filing form. Will be 15+/- typed pages, double spread plus the exhibits. Not sure how much that will cost to mail, my guess is $20. Next few days will focus on pardon paperwork.
When I was walking the track this weekend, I was thinking about how positive thinking impacts things like my appeal outcome. I continue to be at peace about that, and positive thinking and God’s word point me in visioning about a positive outcome and what that looks like. I know the odds are low, so need to be realistic, but this time feels different thaw when going through trial process. Yesterday reading one of my devotionals was about God of the Fresh Start. Lots of examples in the Bible, but this one was 2 Chronicles 33:13 “When he (King of Judah) prayed to Him,the Lord was moved. Then God brought him back to Jerusalem where he did his best to rule in peace and serve God, unlike before”. The message of God meeting us in grace that we probably don’t deserve and renewing us with the self giving love He poured out at the cross is the type of encouraging message I see over and over in the Bible.
Was nice to get back into my hard workout routine, 1-2 on the track and 6:30-8 on the weights and some more track. Beautiful evening always helps. Seems Monday evenings are always busy 8-9:30 pm for me inside the Unit, between getting laundry ready for the bin,mailing things, email etc. Tonight especially as I was also tying to watch the NBA game #1 with Denver , making the game winner with 2 seconds left. Just like the Knicks did earlier that evening in OT!
Tuesday, May 6th
Wow, two normal days in a row! Certainly doesn’t happen often thats for sure! Still writing and cranking on both my medical injunction and pardon stuff this morning. During my quiet reading time, 8:15-9, read another encouraging devotional titled ” God Hears”. The message was really about persistent prayers that seem to go unanswered, despite His message in Romans 12:19-21 ” being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”. I realize we never know His timing, as clearly evidenced in our lives and in the book of Job for example. But that doesn’t mean His timing isn’t best, even if we don’t agree at the time. Hindsight is 20/20 after His timing is revealed.
At 9 packed up and went to the Library so I could spread-out a bit. Plus brought copies of my blog and journals, as I’m mentoring the guy from Long Beach(red laser guy) to begin doing both himself through Prison Professors. Of course he didn’t show up:) Turns out wasn’t his fault, apparently he go pulled into his case managers office to sign paper to begin his halfway house process, as he only has 4 months left.
Wanted to go out 1-2 but the move at 12-1 didn’t happen till 12:40 for some random reason, so didn’t get out till 2-3. Another beautiful afternoon. Went back out 5-6:30 to finish my workout and skipped dinner. Thankfully nice and warm as well!
Wednesday, May 7th
I am really enjoying my schedule tweak this week, I’ve started to break my morning by working in the Unit till 9, and then heading to the library for the quiet room to spread things out, and use a printer as needed.
As to the medical injunction, looks like it will end up being 20 pages double spaced, and about 20 exhibits. I dread the thought of making 4 copies and mailing from here. I was hoping to finish writing this week, but now looks like next week. Not a big deal as I’ve waited this long:)
Today, Nestor, who I helped awhile ago to try and become eligible for First Step Act approached me again. He wanted to do two things- 1) appeal his FSA issue to the courts to get a year off his sentence and 2) file with the courts to get a 2 point reduction and get resentenced to a shorter time. His goal being to get 3 years in total reduction between the two, or from 12 to 9 years. He knows he will be deported at the end, so he just wants to do it sooner rif he can. Told him I’d start in a week after done typing on my medical project.
Beautiful afternoon for a workout, so did my entire routine 1-3 this afternoon. Three days in a row of hard workouts, and I’m feeling it! Combined with a week of no commissary carbs/food remaining in my locker should be a healthy week:) I intentionally buy one bag of granola and 2 candy bars to last a week, so the second week is low carb. Works well until commissary is rescheduled for 3 weeks then its brutal:)
Thursday, May 8th
Fog/no fog that was the beginning today. For once things ran smoothly and no fog delay or lockdown. Continued to review my medical injunction, getting my 20 exhibits organized so copies can be made. Pretty well used up my morning till chow. 12-2 was Threshold class. Entering month 5 of class! Slowly but surely… Today we finished the second workbook on Relationships and Personal Responsibility, writing a journal page and one “SMART” goal. We went around the room for the entire class where each of us took 5 minutes to share. The teacher asked me to go last to “bring it home”. I kind of cheated as my very first blog a year ago was on responsibility, so I used that for the most part:) Next week I will share the three SMART goals we have written so far, one a day. Ended class with getting a new workbook focused on “Personal Growth”. Two more months around July 4th we should be done!
2-3 got a short haircut since I would not have enough time to get outside. Did get out 6:30-7:30 for a good walk on the track really intended to skip weights today after 4 days in a row anyways.
Friday, May 9th
Clear skies, should be hottest day of the year so far!! 81! Setting aside my medical injunction till Sunday where I can spread out all the exhibits and copy, then transition back to pardon work product.
Got outside 1-2 and 6-7:30 all the exercise I wanted without getting fried:)
This week both my kids are busy living their lives. My daughter and fiance are wedding venue shopping with her future in-laws. My son and his family in Portland visiting his ailing grandmother and seeing his Aunt and Uncle, cousins, and mom plus friends. Busy busy weekend! Very happy for both of them! Just wish I could be with my daughter helping and enjoying the process….
Praying for Freedom and Liberty and to see my Family and Friends soon! BJ
