Saturday, January 25th
Nice to know we can be in our Unit for a couple days instead of going outside again. This will be my weekend to catchup on typing – 2 journals, book report, and blog. Plus tomorrow 2 big NFL games:)
Today is the beginning of a week’s weather in the 50’s with showers some days. Lord knows So Cal needs it, so bring it on. Last couple years its been like that- sunny till February, then rain for 2-3 months which is why the reservoirs are full, except of course in Palisades!
Given some rain showers, I’m making today a total catchup day. Cleaned our cell, washed my tennis shoes(takes 3 days to dry), even caught an hour nap! My cell mate scored a green pepper and onion the other day, and we know dinner tonight was gross, so we made a carnitas/beef sausage rice bowl with veggies cooked 30 minutes in our steamer. Fantastic is all I can say:) Of course its all relative!
At 5 watched TV till 7. Channel surfing at 5, I stumbled onto Bill Mahar on CNN, apparently his show on MAX from Friday evening plays with commercials. My girlfriend/partner and I always enjoyed watching this together. So happy I get to see again, most of the guys watch as well. Then we had Jimmy Faila on FOX, he is a comedian and funny as heck as well. Nice to have some comic relief! Typed on/off all day and night, pretty productive over all.
My brother and sister in law always spoil me with books, and just received 2 more. We finished Mitch Rapp series, so now Brad Thor is the author and his character, Scott Harvath the secret agent saving the world! So started tonight, so blessed to have them!
Sunday, January 26th
Hit the computer at 6:15 typing and proof reading away. Feels good to get kind of caught up.
Yesterday learned more about the Feds arresting 3 guards. Appears has been a lot of complaints over the years to the hotline when guys get stripped naked etc. Nothing officially communicated by the media or prison officials , but feels a little like Dublin and what happened at that women’s prison. Interestingly, just this past week a guy a few cells down said same thing happened to him, but most of us didn’t really believe him. But now sounds like could be legit and we encouraged him to report it to the hotline which he did. Crazy….
Once in awhile I enjoy our weekend extra morning lockdown from 9:30-11. Especially Sunday mornings when I’m not at the library. Its a trade off as I like peace and quiet and being productive all Sunday morning in the library as well. But since we’re outside all day right now, or in the library so much during the week, its more than enough. So today did my bible/devotional reading,the words really spoke to me, most I already know, but sometimes lose focus on. Today was about remembering Colossians 1:27, specifically “Christ in you” through he Holy Spirit. What comfort that brings knowing God loves us so much he works through the Spirit to speak and help us if we allow Him. Really helped me process on seeking His will knowing He’s part of me!
12-7 was NFL playoffs, with some typing in-between and a lockdown. Computers were down/up all day, so 7-10 was sitting in my cell reading my new Brad Thor book!
Monday January 27th
A little rain all weekend, about .25 inches and here comes the fog. So lockdown till 9:30, which was fine as I just write at my locker or did my quiet bible reading. Since we had to go outside, they had us bring our stuff at 10, go to chow, then outside. Swung by medical to drop off my hearing aids to be mailed for repair, but the Assistant Director who seems to be the only one there who can ship, wasn’t there even though he told me to swing by then:)
So went outside 10:45-1, turned out to be a beautiful sunny 60 degree day, no wind. I was totally surprised, but not complaining. Just walked the track the whole time as I’d been inside all weekend due to the rain and all my typing and to get over my cold once and for all!
Library 1-3, trying to finish copying Jorge’s BP-9 copies so he can file it, but line was too long so need to comeback in the morning. Started doing research on one sentence being eligible and one not for FSA credits. A lot of case law taking BOP’s side, will definitely need a unique argument!
Lockdown /chow, a little TV, then typing /reading from 6:30-10.
Interesting to note the guards behavior since last weeks Fed raid. Way more mellow right now, much less ticky/tacky stuff. Will see how long it lasts!
Tomorrow is commissary, hope we don’t have to drag our groceries around all day since we’re outside again. Got lucky last time, odds of two for two not great:) Sort of like the odds of Buffalo being Kansas City:)
Tuesday, January 28th
No fog surprisingly, on schedule, so off to library 7:30-10:30. Productive getting Jorge’s BP-9 copied, 4 sets, no minor feat with the guard criticizing everyone for copying other peoples stuff etc. Also got my cellmates copies made of his docket and sentencing order. He is sending originals home and keeping a copy. When one transfers locations its a minor miracle for your stuff to ever show up, so best to have a copy somewhere. Makes the airlines baggage transfer look perfect:) Shocker, I know.
Also re read all 10 blog posts on the BOP I’ve done, as I’m framing the next ten topics. Kind of feel like I’m doing Pam Bondi’s work for her:) I really wish I could figure out how to get these in front of her as I’d like to use my time here to help!
10:30 hit medical on the way to chow-no luck finding the Assistant Director again. So chow, outside till 12 walking the track, then back to library 12:30-2.
Got lots of little stuff done at library, amazing ow much time things take here. Will be 4 1/2 hours in the library today, and not that much to show for it:) Headed outside 2-3 for a workout at least. Rest of the day was after lockdown /chow was TV and typing till 8:30, reading until lights out at 10.
Wednesday, January 29th
Commissary Day! Plus outside all day. We headed outside to the Yard at 7:45. At 8-9 went to commissary. Since we couldn’t go to our Unit to drop off commissary bags(2 laundry bags 40 lbs. each) got to lug them 1/4 mile outside to keep until 3 when we came back inside and lug them back 🙂
Library 12-2 then back outside 2-3. Really cooled down, so no gym clothes today. At 3 lugged everything back, that was special! After lockdown/chow typing and TV. That terrible plane/helicopter accident in Washington DC came on TV at 6:30 when it happened. So Sad.
Thursday, January 30th
I was dreading getting out of bed today, as today all of us had to move one cell over to the right. They did this six months ago for “security reasons”. Besides the hassle, at 6:30 am you try and move next door, but they can’t move as the cell next to them hasn’t moved. Combine that hassle with guys getting a smaller cell, or much smaller lockers and temps flare, lack of anger management at its best. Incredible. Literally we have the TV’s on with 100% of them showing the crash in DC, which one would think would help keep things in perspective. Oh no, its all about anger, threatening fights about something or other, all because they’re not happy about something/where they moved. One white guy, who recently accepted Christ and I’ve helped with lots of mentoring, lost his S*** as he was given a cell that previously had 2 sex offenders in it. Been here 8 years, about to get out in 2 months and obviously never took the time to address his anger management issues. So sad.
Ironically I’m writing a post about how time based sentences are worthless from a rehab perspective without engaging performance testing to achieve “acceptable levels” to be released or continue under supervise release. Time based alone is worthless, just promotes laziness and sitting around playing cards and watching TV. That’s why my earlier blog about needing a “military type high school” approach with discipline, measuring achievement often is needed. Otherwise time based baby sitting sentences just create what pathetic situation we have now.
At least we didn’t have to go outside today:) I had a callout at 12 to chapel. No idea what about, turns out it was my first First Step Act class Threshold. A 6 month, two hour/week class “a personal program allows you to address major life challenges with the help of your own religious tradition and personal values”. About 20 guys, the teacher is from the outside, an Episcopalian Deacon and college professor from Santa Barbara. He volunteered with Kairos last Memorial Day weekend so I got to know him a little bit back then. I’ll be dropping AA/psychology class as its same time and this a class for FSA credits, not just a productive activity.
After class had a 2-3 workout in the yard then lockdown/chow. Pretty much TV, reading, little email rest of the evening. Surprisingly got pretty organized in the new cell. Its painted white, so brighter which is nice. Seems a bit warmer as well. The major downside is its almost parallel with the TV’s so hard to watch through the little door window. Good thing football is pretty much over:)
On the Lend a Hand front, finally got Jorge’s BP-9 handed in. I sure hope it works so he can get back to his daughter, but this process is usually low probability. The only redeeming light is one of the Assistant Warden’s suggested he reapply after his first request was turned down. Another guy, Santos , I helped connect with his public defender to get an update on his appeal, as he doesn’t speak English so I helped interpret:) He’s also trying to get his gun charge dropped as it wasn’t part of his arrest , though he pled otherwise, not understanding what he was pleading to. Looks like its a in process and he should hear more in 60 days. Also helping Mike get 140 days FSA credit fore his time in transit between BOP facilities but stuck at Victorville for 140 days. BOP has an outdated policy stating you have to be at a designated facility to earn credits, but the courts say that’s not the law, but the policy hasn’t been updated in years. These outdated policies create so much needless work for BOP employees and frustration for inmates , all for nothing really. Had to tell another young man with 20 year term his attorney screwed up his plea deal. He had 2 charges, one eligible for credit and one not, but when he pled, his attorney allowed them to be combined into one charge and one sentence, rather than 2 separate charges and sentences. Impossible now to challenge getting FSA credit for one when they’re combined like that. Amazing how many attorney’s do not understand or not care about FSA credits when they do plea agreements, or how prosecutors take advantage of it.
Friday, January 31
Light load to the library at 7:30,as planning to spend most of the day outside. At 9 went outside thinking I’d see the Unit of 200 +/- out there, but several were coming inside. Sure enough we weren’t kicked out today! Since I was outside anyways, I hit the track for an hour, crisp but sunny weather!
Came in at 10 with everyone, chow then typing. Then outside 12-3 – great 2 hour workout plus an hour of Bocce ball. Four hours outside today, and I felt good but a little tired:)
Just before going out at 12, one of my “Mexican chefs” had a bunch of extra deep fried burritos to get rid of. I really didn’t want any, but he insisted. Big mistake. While tasty, didn’t sit well all afternoon outside and evening:) Brutal!
Evening was pretty much reading and three cycles of typing and waiting. One of the guys has his “gold mining and logging” shows on, so basically no TV, so I can go to movie or read, I skipped TV, though I’ll try the movie tomorrow.
Praying for Liberty and Freedom and to see my Family and Friends soon! BJ
