July 19

I haven’t been writing the past few days because my light has been out since Friday and I couldn’t get it fixed till today, Monday.  Just 2 philips screws but it couldn’t be done on the weekend.  I got a lot of time outside on the weekend, four hours a day.  It was really hot out.

Today I had my parole hearing and I was successful, to everyone’s surprise.  [Guard 2] was even betting against me.  I think all the guards were shocked.  Verna put in a good word for me, it looks like they want me out of here.  It didn’t look to me like I was going to get it.  Dave Faithful put in a bad review of the drug program (“questionable motivation”) and they really focused on that.  But I guess that I gave the right answers cause I’m a-getting out on August 2. 

It’s been a long time coming but I can see the end now.  Jimmy and I talked in church tonight.  He’s going to set me up good, as soon as I’m out.  He expects to get five years now.  If I stick around for the winter, I should be able to amass a pile of cash …

Charlene M. is in here.  We’ve been talking to her at the A. Meetings.  I always thought she was kinda scummy, but she is alright, nice to talk to.  I might be able to set her up this summer too, and her friends.  Lots of opportunity out there.  If they hadn’t put me in jail, I might have gone straight!

 July 20

The fact that I’m getting out soon is starting to sink in, I’m getting a wee bit excited.  Its been a long time since I’ve been free and there’s so much out there to see and do … only 36 more meals … it looks like all the staff (and inmates) are shocked that I got parole.  I caused a lot of shit in here and I think they just wanted me out … mum and dad and the kids were in this evening for the barbeque.  [My daughter] was really happy as usual.  Her and [my son] get along well.  Maybe we should have had more kids.  [Pauline] couldn’t get in.  I was disappointed about that.  I think she really wanted to come in too …

Jeff drew a picture of the kids for me.  He did a really good job.  He could make money as an artist.  Jimmy is going to be going away for sure now.  They have new evidence that his friend’s house was bugged.  He expects to get five years, should be out in ten months though.  He’s offered to set me up with his connections.  I think that’s an offer I can’t refuse.  I’m very nervous about him making phone calls from here though.  But I’ll make a lot of money if I can get it all worked out.  I’ll just have to be extra careful…. I won’t miss this jail, but I think I will miss some of the guys.  It hasn’t been that bad here.  It wouldn’t have bothered me too much if my parole had been turned down.

This afternoon John and I were going out to the bullpen with our blankets to lay in the sun.  Gordie asked us if we were allowed to take the blankets outside – we’ve been doing it for two weeks and it has never been mentioned before.  While we were out they had a meeting and decided that blankets are no longer allowed outside.  Just another senseless decision to show how fucked up this place is.

 July 21

Its been pretty much an uneventful day.  No conflicts or quarrels with the staff.  Leroy MacDonald was in to speak at the AA meeting.  He was a good speaker, most of them suck but once in a while you get a good one.  I put up a nine month chip for myself and a five year chip (63 months) for Zeke.  Just eleven more sleeps and thirty three more meals left to go.