VINCE

1800 hours. I’m sitting next to my bunk, facing a window that is letting in the most beautiful feeling I’ve had in a while: Sunlight.  Spring has sprung.  Soon we will be spending a large portion of our days outside.  The work they have us doing can be tough, but everything seems a little better when I’m outside.  I’m ready to….

Not sure why I didn’t finish my thought there.  Sometimes we just have to drop what we’re doing and go.

Today we moved the wood pile we created last week to a different spot for no other reason other than work as punishment.  Two hours I went back and forth with loads of wood.  I’m going to be a beast when I get out of here.

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Ms. Maertz:

Every letter or card we send out has to be started with Mr, Mrs, Ms, etc.  Just policy.

Today I ran 3.3 miles.  I couldn’t believe it.  I’m pretty much the worst in my squad at running, but they were all cheering me on.  I am really good at marching.  You will get to see that at my graduation…assuming all goes well.  September 9th.

Today two new squads came from Moose Lake, so we’re not rookies anymore!

If you do know exactly or approximately the end date of your 6 month ban, be ready to send in another visitor form so you are approved to come to my graduation ceremony.  I keep hearing people talk about staff at Moose Lake banning people for minor issues.  I don’t get it, but I’m not there anymore.

I hope my writing is still entertaining enough for people to want to read.

Love,

Vince

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[ANNE: I worry that, now Vince is doing well and appears to be on the road to a shiny happy life, people will get bored with the blog. Aren’t horror stories more entertaining?  Then I remind myself that Vince is a real person, not a character in a fictional narrative. I wish he would write more about his inner processes, or philosophize like I do, but he is not me.

It also doesn’t take me long to recall that the real test starts once Vince is released.  Right now, his food, shelter, and clothing are provided.  No bills.  No liquor stores or bars.  No music with drug references.  No women, and all the potential relationship stuff could go with them.  When he’s released, it will be with the clothes on his back and about $400, and every landlord and potential employer asking, “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?”  So on second thought, I’ll try to appreciate the present, positive moments.]