June 27, 2011
Dear Mom,
How are you all? Happy and reasonably stress-free, hopefully. I'm just sitting here trying to catch a weather report on my semi-functional radio, and just got a late notice from the law library. They claim that a form was checked out to me and I still have it. Actually, what happened is, well, I'm sure you don't need a long explanation, but in short, I could get a D-R.
Could be I've attracted attention of those at the level of the warden (or higher). If so, it was my mistake and I'll have to abide by the consequences. I don't believe much will become of it. I've written the librarian a message that will hopefully exonerate me. I worded it carefully so as not to betray my actual feelings about the inmates working as clerks. I was initially given the form, which I thought was a mistake because it had someone else's name on it, so I returned it.
Upon receiving my request for another form, the same one was brought to me with the explanation that it wouldn't matter if there was a name on it because I didn't actually send that form in outbound mail. Longer shorter, I copied what I needed from it and quickly returned it to the clerk, asking him to be sure to mark that I'd returned the form to prevent just this thing from happening. I've had numerous visits from the law library clerks but never saw this guy again. I strongly suspect malfeasance and moral turpitude.
I just reread what I've put down thus far and reached a significant conclusion: I've got way too narrow of a focus, being here like I am. I mean, I'm doing better than most of the world, and I still want to complain! Nature of the beast, I guess. The dimensions of the possible catastrophe have not necessarily faded, but viewed in the light of reason, they've retreated. It works out to about the same, either way.
I hand-washed some towels, pillow case, etc., this morning and was immediately struck by how much work it is. I've got my pillow case slowly starting to get back to the way it looked before the laundry got hold of it, I think/hope. It looked really rough before. Anyhow, they are coming back in and shattering the quiet now. Still nothing on the visitation forms. It is still too soon to realistically expect a response, but stranger stuff has occurred.
J. is ever the bright spot. He told me he heard from a formal memo that no longer is the D.O.C. giving a check for $100 to re-establish prisoners as solid citizens upon their release. It has now dropped to $50. I'll come back to what I think of the accuracy of the rumour in a moment. I don't care if they keep it all...just point me to the door! Now, about the truth of that as yet unsubstantiated rumour; it sounds like just another item taken from inmate.com. I wouldn't be surprised if good ole Rick pulls a dilly out of the state. He's like the ultimate puppeteer, and I'll bet he's got at least part of the money he's cut from the budget in his pocket. I don't think he will get re-elected. That's my view from the cheap seats.
I do believe our evening repast in on the way, and illumination is waning...we restrict ourselves to mostly natural lighting in this cell, and I've stated my views for the benefit of posterity (if redundantly). I'll close now, with a request for some stamped envelopes, please and thank you. Oh, the property management guy just delivered the first order of books. Thank you. I need to get ready to shower.
Much love,
James
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