Saturday, June 14th
Beautiful 78 degree day, but windy 20 mph gusts. Should be another week of low 70’s which is nice as lower temps keep the wind down. After a normal morning of writing and reading , we had the final Kairos from 12-3. After such an inspirational Memorial day weekend, they’re having trouble with the BOP staff finding a way to have weekly bible study, Can’t do in the Unit or chow hall(too noisy) can’t do Education or Religious Services (as every other religion will want the same thing and not enough staff), so not sure what they will work out. Heaven forbid this was discussed upfront! Attendance has dwindled in half as well which is disappointing but I guess shouldn’t’ be, as these are inmates:)
Went outside at 6:30 pm, but they cleared the yard in a panic 20 minutes later. Not sure what happened,probably someone reported a drone, as they didn’t clear the movie as they would have done for violence.
On the good news front, after not being able to listen to TV this past month(dead batteries in my radio which they don’t sell anymore as they want us to buy new rechargeable radios or tablets), my cell mate had an old wind up radio he lent me, so at least something until I get a tablet after my 90 day probation….
Sunday, June 15th
Well, quite the month with both my birthday and Fathers day in prison. At least was outside 3.5 hours today which was a nice change. The first 2 hours with Derek, where we did a few laps and then just sat discussing our book and ABT overall as an enterprise. We’ve been thinking about how to integrate trucking programs into our business plan, and landed on a three step approach- i)trucking school classes to learn to drive and get a license, ii) school for maintenance training partnership, and of course iii) freight brokerage and driving trucks. One more thing to add to the business plan!
Been struggling with minor congestion and minor sore throat that’s been going around, just can’t seem to shake it.
Monday, June 16th
Well, one month down, two to go on my email suspension:) It hasn’t been as bad as I originally thought, just harder to stay in touch with friends and I burn my phone minutes up quicker, that’s for sure.
Long term inmates say its important to have a routine to make the days go quicker, and that its important to change it up from time to time. Well I just changed my morning from staying in the Unit and reading /writing to moving to the Library at 7:30 am until 10:15. 6:15- 10:15 in the morning is my most productive time, so I picked up an hour of productivity by not spending it on a shower/quiet reading during census count from 8-9 as they don’t do count at the library. I shower/read now 10:15-11:15 just before lunch. Sometimes they call lunch early so I miss it, but I like having law library and printer access as well during my mornings.
Had a record mail day for once! Caught up on all newspapers-3, 3 books(Mitch Rapp-yahoo!) and legal mail- now that’s a minor miracle.
Tuesday, 6/17th
Hallelujah! At lunch at what we call the mainline, outside the chow hall, there is a row of guards and some staff each day, in case an inmate wants to speak to them. Turns out today was the head of Medical, so I went up to him and explained my doctors letter etc. He took my name and ID, and said he would bring me down to his office no later than next Monday, in 6 days. Bureaucratic or not, at least I can have an audience and self advocate!
My injunction to force treatment and movement to camp are typed finally. Now I can get my legal review from the team.
Saw the Bob Marley movie tonight. Hadn’t realized the political/crime issues back in he 60’s and 70’s, but quite a story, plus great music. Hard to believe he died 40 years ago. Watching the poverty there where he grew up ,even the schools, made me think how much nicer even this old prison and outside yard are. Now that’s perspective….
Thursday, June 19th
Today is Juneteenth, my little granddaughters birthday, 2 years old!! Happy Birthday sweetie!! If she’s lucky, or probably in her eyes unlucky, she may have a new little brother/sister today! Wouldn’t that be fun:)
To my shock, when I called my granddaughter to wish her a Happy Birthday I learned she has a new little sister, born yesterday, Wednesday at 8:30 pm, 3.5 hours before both having the same birthday on Juneteenth! It’s so cool having a new grandchild, just made me feel good all day long. What an answer to prayer- healthy Mom and Baby! Thank you Lord!
Back to reality, today is my second time missing commissary since suspension. Definitely a pain and inconvenience.
My partner’s son and wife are also having their first baby, and had a gender reveal tonight. It’s a boy, which will be fun for them, I’m so happy for them as well!
Nothing new on my hearing aids, shocker. If I don’t hear from Medical by Monday I will start my BP-9,which is next step in medical appeal process, Also mailed off my 19 page draft injunction to legal team. 20 stamps for certified!! Fortunately I had them:)
I really miss the sense of accomplishment not being able to type my journals and blog posts and sending them to get posted. For now, I just hand write and save them. Can’t even imagine how far behind I will be in mid August doing an email every 15 minutes at a time then waiting 15 minutes more!
With the draft injunction behind me, all I’m focusing on is my appeal and my cellmates appeal, plus writing chapters for the book.
Friday, 6/20
Minor step for mankind! On my way to lunch, the assistant Medical Director helping me on my hearing aids was standing there. He’s made progress on my hearing aids, sounds like I will be shipping them out next week. I decided to ask about my medical letter, explained my frustration, and he agreed to remind the Director that he promised a meeting no later than Monday. I told him about the cop outs I’d been electronically sending, he apologized and said their Inbox was a mess and nothing is getting through. Well at least he’s open about it, I’d rather hear its incompetence than intentional indifference! A legal term I recently learned:)
Solid workout day, walked the track 9-10 just to get exercise and blood flowing and had a god track/weight session from 6-7:30. Heard there was supposed to be some violence in the Yard last nigh, thankfully not big enough to lockdown or any of that nonsense.
Chatting with my daughter last evening, who just moved to San Diego with her boyfriend and is renting a beautiful home together. So funny to hear them learn about cleaning, ants, meeting gossipy neighbors,all the same stuff we all went through at some point. She was face timing with her brother/sister in law earlier and saw the little baby which made me happy to hear!
Praying for Liberty and Freedom and to see my Family and friends soon! BJ
