November 11 (Day 15)

Finally, I get the writing paper I’ve been waiting for (they ran out yesterday).  Today’s a holiday (Remembrance Day) so again I get to sleep in.  This I like.

Today I shaved.  We have to ask the guard for a razor (they keep them locked up because they fear we will take the blades out and make weapons or commit suicide).  The guard who passed me the razor put on a rubber glove before picking it up.  We are not given gloves.  I guess that means that he is concerned about catching a disease, but it doesn’t matter if one of us does.  Moe says the gloves are so [that] we won’t catch the guards’ diseases.  I’ll go with that explanation.  It’s also hard to get a good look at yourself in the mirror because the mirror is not your normal glass mirror.  It’s a piece of shiny metal bolted to the wall.  Things are different in here.  I also notice there are no electrical outlets in the cells (and light switches are outside too).  Also, the light itself is enclosed in a heavy casing, I suppose this is so we will not try to electrocute ourselves.  It seems they don’t have much confidence in the inmate’s willingness to survive this ordeal.

I spoke to Wayne N. on the phone last night.  He’s doing OK.  He tells me that Freddy offered to let him come to morning group at the house.  I think I will talk to Freddy about this option for myself and incorporate it into my plans.  I will discuss it with my lawyer if she shows up today.

Chicken legs for supper tonight; I think there is a repeating pattern to these meals.  Further investigation is warranted.

My lawyer didn’t show up today so most of the day was spent playing Risk.  Twice so far, I have lost.  Third time lucky, I hope.

November 12 (Day 16)

Just another day here, most of it spent playing Risk (secret mission version).  I have lost every game so far, but I get enjoyment from just confusing the other guys.  I act as a world terrorist, unpredictable.  No one understands my strategy.  No one understands me.  Poor me.

My lawyer didn’t show up again today.  I just have to hope for tomorrow, as I don’t want everything left to the last minute (again).  Andre got some good news from her yesterday.  It seems there is more evidence against him than he thought (he is suspected of burglarizing the Post Office in Morell).  He has been asking questions about policies and conditions in Springhill, a Federal Institution in Nova Scotia.  He seems to be getting mentally prepared for it.  I hope he is found not guilty, but it is out of my control.  His trial is in Souris, and I may attend if I’m out.

I’ve been unable to make any phone calls today, as it is Thursday.  Because Thursday is a visiting day, we cannot make calls, except to a lawyer.  Those are the rules and it is not in my power to change them.  Acceptance (page 449 of the big book).  I would like to talk to Freddy and find out when he will be out to see me.

I have confirmed that there is a regular pattern to the meals here.  They go in a two week cycle.  Today, we had the same meals as we did on Thursday Oct. 29, the day after I came in.  I am making up my own meal schedule so I will know what to expect.  From this I will be able to determine how much junk food to order from the canteen.  My survival is important.  A man cannot live on slop alone.