You seem like a thoroughly interesting person, or at least, a person with a good taste in music. Red Hot Chili Peppers kick ass, and the Fray ... brilliant. Saw em live in Sydney last year, and they definitely don't dissapoint.
I'm not much of a chess player, though not for the lack of trying. I think the problem with my game is that I seldom play aggressively. I guess it's a case of "You'll lose every fight you run away from" ... not bold enough to make the moves that count when they count. I've had a fair bit of fun just screwing around with different ways to play though. A friend and I got an idea off the internet to superglue down the pieces onto a cheap chessboard and smuggle it onto a roller coaster. The on-ride photo missed the board and it turned out as a colossal waste of time and money, but there you have it.
I'm also fairly keen on maths and science, and I hope that even though you've been in prison since 16/17 that you've managed to keep your interest alive. I've always thought about how prison would actually be like. Does being incarcerated give you the time, resources and drive to actually do something? Or does it just grind away at you over time? Can you get a high school equivalent or some something along those lines while you're in there? Must be hard to maintain any motivation to work hard at something if you're stuck somewhere 24/7, and if you have, congratulations. If not, ah well, you're probably better off than half the people our age anyway. I keep seeing news reports of all the unemployment in America at the moment ... it's pretty f***ed up to think that regardless of how hard you try, there just aren't any jobs out there.
Thank you for the poetry, I really enjoyed "Reflections". "Because of You" is filled with some good advice I needed to hear right now as well. Much appreciated, keep writing!
I'll have to see Legends of the Fall, too, and not just because Brad Pitt is in it. =) It's got some beautiful music.
Take care, looking forward to hearing more about your life.
I found this post to be very interesting. Just a quick comment on the tax saving issue. I actually have no problem with our tax being spent to provide proper -- I hope -- health care for inmates.
You mentioned that they should place you "in a care facility that is humane and economically sound." I'd like to hear more about pros and cons of your current care facility, if possible.
who knew all you needed was a blog for outlet...lol! i am learning so much more about your life and what you encounter on a daily basis...well said big brother...well said :)
Thank you for writing. I'm glad you did. I'm curious what you think of rehabilitation in the Ohio prison system. Is prison set up for you to succeed in the long run, or is it a type of college for criminals?
It's interesting that you say prison becomes 'normal' to someone who has been locked up for a number of years. Do you remember, or how would you describe who you were before being incarcerated...over time did you notice a change? How does the outside world look to you?
Can't imagine what holiday's are like in Luke but I hope you had a good Thanksgiving ;)
Very well written! I agree with your thoughts on this one, and it's made me think about the issue a lot. I was actually just discussing whether capital punishment was justified this evening, so it was lucky I read this post. =)
Please write more, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on other matters as well!
Thanks for your excellent words, Oppolo. I am a writer, and I would be interested in corresponding with you. Is it possible for you to post an address where you can receive mail? Chrishmael
Hey Johnnie, I've really been enjoying your blog entries and I hope you keep making more. I can tell you've lived a hard life but you've gained a great deal of wisdom and learned a lot more about life than most people ever will and it's good to hear your thoughts and ideas.
I know how you feel about the family situation, my family is like that too I don't really hear from them anymore. I noticed when I used to work at this hospital that older patients would get visitors at first but then less and less at time went on. I think that's just how families are sometimes. Your first instinct is to get angry at them and although that anger is justified in the long run I think it just drives a wedge more and more between you.
All throughout history people have tried to build walls to keep people away like the great wall of China, the Berlin wall, the U.S., Mexico border, and the Korean DMZ but no matter how big or powerfull the wall is it always fails. I think this is because walling people off doesn't solve anything and is an unhealthy attitude to have whether that wall is mental or physical. Sorry if this was depressing to read, but I feel like any news even if it's bad brings us all a little closer together.
Thanks for your Shout Out! I only saw it today, and it quite surprised me. It's very interesting to hear more about your ideas for reform.
Have you shared these ideas with other people? It'd be great to know what you thought the chances of these reforms are. I've no idea, for example, whether having some health care is something gangs already do some of the time, or never.
You ask my own opinion - I guess I'd say that reform doesn't come all at once but rather in gradual changes.
I'm afraid I don't have so much to add myself -- I'm just a student at college!
RSS
You seem like a thoroughly interesting person, or at least, a person with a good taste in music. Red Hot Chili Peppers kick ass, and the Fray ... brilliant. Saw em live in Sydney last year, and they definitely don't dissapoint.
I'm not much of a chess player, though not for the lack of trying. I think the problem with my game is that I seldom play aggressively. I guess it's a case of "You'll lose every fight you run away from" ... not bold enough to make the moves that count when they count. I've had a fair bit of fun just screwing around with different ways to play though. A friend and I got an idea off the internet to superglue down the pieces onto a cheap chessboard and smuggle it onto a roller coaster. The on-ride photo missed the board and it turned out as a colossal waste of time and money, but there you have it.
I'm also fairly keen on maths and science, and I hope that even though you've been in prison since 16/17 that you've managed to keep your interest alive. I've always thought about how prison would actually be like. Does being incarcerated give you the time, resources and drive to actually do something? Or does it just grind away at you over time? Can you get a high school equivalent or some something along those lines while you're in there? Must be hard to maintain any motivation to work hard at something if you're stuck somewhere 24/7, and if you have, congratulations. If not, ah well, you're probably better off than half the people our age anyway. I keep seeing news reports of all the unemployment in America at the moment ... it's pretty f***ed up to think that regardless of how hard you try, there just aren't any jobs out there.
Anyways, enough rambling. Enjoy life;
-Alex
I'll have to see Legends of the Fall, too, and not just because Brad Pitt is in it. =) It's got some beautiful music.
Take care, looking forward to hearing more about your life.
You mentioned that they should place you "in a care facility that is humane and economically sound." I'd like to hear more about pros and cons of your current care facility, if possible.
Thanks for writing on this topic.
Thank you for writing. I'm glad you did. I'm curious what you think of rehabilitation in the Ohio prison system. Is prison set up for you to succeed in the long run, or is it a type of college for criminals?
It's interesting that you say prison becomes 'normal' to someone who has been locked up for a number of years. Do you remember, or how would you describe who you were before being incarcerated...over time did you notice a change? How does the outside world look to you?
Can't imagine what holiday's are like in Luke but I hope you had a good Thanksgiving ;)
NB
Please write more, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on other matters as well!
Chrishmael
I know how you feel about the family situation, my family is like that too I don't really hear from them anymore. I noticed when I used to work at this hospital that older patients would get visitors at first but then less and less at time went on. I think that's just how families are sometimes. Your first instinct is to get angry at them and although that anger is justified in the long run I think it just drives a wedge more and more between you.
All throughout history people have tried to build walls to keep people away like the great wall of China, the Berlin wall, the U.S., Mexico border, and the Korean DMZ but no matter how big or powerfull the wall is it always fails. I think this is because walling people off doesn't solve anything and is an unhealthy attitude to have whether that wall is mental or physical. Sorry if this was depressing to read, but I feel like any news even if it's bad brings us all a little closer together.
Thanks for your Shout Out! I only saw it today, and it quite surprised me. It's very interesting to hear more about your ideas for reform.
Have you shared these ideas with other people? It'd be great to know what you thought the chances of these reforms are. I've no idea, for example, whether having some health care is something gangs already do some of the time, or never.
You ask my own opinion - I guess I'd say that reform doesn't come all at once but rather in gradual changes.
I'm afraid I don't have so much to add myself -- I'm just a student at college!
Best,
Squishles