Friday, June 7
Hallelujah! Finally gave the BP8 form to my counselor. We agreed to give medical 3 weeks to respond though he wasn’t sure they even would. I’ll ask for a BP9 form in 2 weeks to begin working on it. That one goes to the Warden, and he gets 3 weeks as well. Meanwhile I’ll be prepared with attorneys on the legal front to get a court order if needed, and it will be based on everything I’ve experienced so far medical wise.
Finished 3 more chapters on the book, and Derek has some chapters finished as well. We’ll trade Monday and review each others work. I’m doing personal excellence/goals related chapters, and Derek is doing Career/Vocational chapters for the next section.
There is definitely a huge staff shortage of guards/correctional officers. Our guard Thursday night usually works, 6 pm to 6 am, but they kept him a bunch of extra hours on Friday. Poor guy was a zombie. combined with our counselor being a guard Monday, we’ve heard they are 62% staff level which seems reality. In my view, all they need to do is quit keeping people here longer than they should and 62% would be 82%!!
Since Kairos over Memorial day weekend, I feel a calm and peace I haven’t felt here till now. I hope its not the calm before the storm:) Part of it is I don’t have stress trying to finish legal stuff. All my appeal research is done, as is my work on that silly incident/email suspension rebuttal(total waste of time) and now the injunction. Plus with filing the BP 8 appealing my lack of medical treatment, other than doing a BP-9 in 3 weeks. So I have a lot more time, let alone no email/computer gives me another 1-2 hours a day!
Maybe since I have so much more time, I don’t feel pressure to do something to a deadline. Or maybe its the peace that comes with being in God’s word more and more and reading so many related books. Whatever it is, I have have lots more patience, much less judging, and less stress than maybe forever!
On the good news front, sounds like Baby #2 is close for my son and daughter in-law in Florida, and i can’t wait to hear if its a boy or girl. Honestly I really don’t care, my prayers are all about both mom and baby being 100% healthy!!
Sunday, June 10th
Productive day I’d say! 7:30- 9 in the library working on the book, 9:30-12 lockdwon and lunch,12-2 outside walking and studying Spanish on a gorgeous day, 2-3 a Spanish lesson,3:30-6 lockdown and dinner, 6-7:30 workout in the Yard. Finished with reading, just started “Killing Kennedy” which was really informative and well written.
Derek was kind enough to spend time reviewing my injunction, which should be mailed to my attorney by end of week. The case law is so clear on my medical issues, will be interesting to see how the Warden handles this.
Was really nice to be outside twice on both days this weekend. Really makes a difference exercise wise. During the week we only get once/day as 2 units(400 guys) are always outside due to the fire sprinkler replacement project, and they won’t let the rest of us outside between 8am -3 pm, so that just leaves evening all summer weekdays. Not sure why because we’re all outside during the weekend. Knowing our luck, our unit will be outside all August during the hottest month, but at least we’ll have a good tan:)
Monday, June 11
Looking forward to a productive week! I have 3 main priorities:
* Finish/mail my medical legal filing to my attorneys
* Appeal legal call with my team Wednesday
* Daily writing in the book
Fill in time with studying Spanish and daily 1-2 hours on my cell mates appeal. Set aside his drug dealing history, it sure feels to me he had an illegal search warrant based on what most courts rule. Just as in my case, it always comes down to the judge, just like it did for him!
Writing this book is quite interesting. I’ve never done this before, so the process is all new to me. My biggest surprise has been how when I write a few chapters and edit them, I think they’re done. But then new content or ideas keep raising their head, and I keep going back to add/make changes etc.. At this pace we might never be done:)
Actually, though our goal is to have all the intro/foreword chapters done, Section One as Personal Excellence(6 chapters) and Career/Vocational(6-7 chapters) close to being done by the need of this week. That will leave personal financial planning, community network, and self improvement. I’m sure by the time we write those, the chapters we finish this week will need major updates and so the circle goes:)
Productive day overall. Worked on all three priorities above today plus another Spanish lesson. Been a slow start on Spanish with all the male/female nouns and adjectives logic(or illogic:)), but now getting into sentences and conversation around days and months. On thing is for sure, skip a few days and it goes bye bye!
Tuesday, June 12
Quite the legal week seems like. Derek and I worked quite a bit on my complaint and injunction fir my medical treatment, and I’m typing so we can put onto the court form and regular mail my legal team.
Same with my appeal. Have a call with the legal team Wednesday, so reviewing all my prep work from April(20 pages of email) so its fresh in my mind.
Took a day off from the Yard to recharge my aching body as well:)
Wednesday, June 13
Wow that was one busy day! Had my legal team call at 9-10. People would laugh if they saw the table I used with the phone. First of all its in a hallway/entryway to the unit’s case manager/counselor 2 offices. On the table are two big boxes of toilet paper, a phone with a cord stretched as far as possible from the nearby office, and 2 cans of previously opened paint sitting on the floor(probably forever:)). Of course no where to put any papers:) I can tell the legal team is focused and passionate, and I like what they are thinking about. First of August should be a draft. Other 2 defendants are filing as well, though mine will be overarching the entire case.
Rest of day spent on book, and medical legal complaint. Got a decent haircut, and Derek and I exchanged 5-6 chapters for editing. Making progress! Good workout from 5-6,om/off typing my legal till 8(don’t ask me how:))
Thursday, June 14 and Friday, June 15
Both days pretty similar so combining. Derek gave me a book he loves to give people, Success Principles, by Jack Canfield. Derek’s personal favorite self help/motivational book. The author also did Chicken Soup for the Soul and many others. Reminds me how I used to give people books all the time as well. Being in prison, and even writing a book, I haven’t wanted to think or plan on the future, set goals, all that stuff other than just get out and get home! Sometimes all that planning seems so futile. But after a few chapters, its definitely stimulating my thinking that’s for sure.
Speaking of books, we’ve landed on a name, “A Better Tomorrow”. Hopefully its not taken and we can get domains etc.. Spent the last couple days editing each others work, which wasn’t too extensive, and pulling our list of 30 people or so to send a letter seeking their help and involvement. Sunday we are getting our picture taken outside with the “Lompoc” sign in the background, so we can use it in the book. Amazing what a few stamps will buy you:)
On Friday I got Medical Departments reply to my BP-8 that I filed a week ago. As typical, a bunch of CYA- willing to help, supposedly scheduled me this past week(not), need to follow policy and contact my doctor to have test results delivered in sealed envelope( thought that’s what we did in March!). Anyway counselor gave me a BP-9 which is my project for next week. Fortunately a lot of what I need is in the injunction filing I’ve been preparing, so will copy/paste on the copier, not my PC:)
Praying for Liberty and Freedom and to see my Family and Friends soon! BJ
