Reply ID: ivi6
7-10-18

Hey, John (UNCGuy4321).

Good to hear from you again. Sorry it took so long, but I was in the midst of those first couple of essays, "Oh, that's right." I was glad to finally come up with a subject to write about, and I still have a few more examples to share.

In answering your 6-17-18 message, let me just first point out how I really connected with your term, "...rawest form of human interaction..." The vast majority of these guys have definitely not been marinated, prepared, and cooked for any kind of real life. However, when you think about it, we can't really put that on them. After all, it's not the fault of the food but rather the cook (otherwise known as parents).

After going over your letter a few times, I figured I would go ahead and answer questions 2-5 first. I still need to do a little more homework regarding #1, and the last few lines of your paragraph. Homework: asking different guys of different backgrounds, of different ages. Not all of your questions deal with my personal opinion.

Regarding #2, my safety, you are sooo right about location. The other main factor, of course, is who you're amongst. It can change from every day, to weeks at a time that I even think about it, all on the account of one person. I'm quite sure my safety was in far more danger in the close-custody dorms I lived in for my first 16 years. However, I would gladly move back in there if it was my choice. If you think about it, I could make it happen. I could just simply go into another dorm, get caught, and get a DR for being in an unauthorized area. It's the kind of DR that would get my housing level raised from a 2 back up to 4. Hence I would be back where I want to be.

However, since I got put in this open-bay dorm, I have applied (and was found eligible) for two different forms of transfer. Only thing is, if I get in any trouble now, I no longer qualify for the transfers. The whole issue with safety is to just avoid trouble in the first place. I know that's rather easy for me because I just don't want to be around these people. So there's no temptation to hang out with my friends and get involved in any problems.

I also have another important issue going on for me, and I'm not afraid to use it to my advantage. It has gotten me protection, apologies, and even my property back to me a day after my locked had been busted into. I simply remind these guys that I have a natural life sentence, no wife, no kids, and, best of all, no case. So another murder charge on my record ain't gonna mean shit. What's going to happen to me? I'll be put in confinement by myself for a few years? My god, I'll have reached the ecstasy of prison life. Naturally, though, I would rather handle things in a more civilized manner. So I do a lot of avoiding people. But I'll admit it's nice knowing I've got something to fall back on.

#3, the things I miss the most: one of the main things I've noticed is my desire to be in motion. Like when driving cars, bicycle riding, rollerskating, nightime walks, and that weightless feeling of swimming. I guess I just really have a craving for movement. Maybe I should get on the mowing squad.

Flavor is another matter at hand. It's tough to explain the true loss you have to endure when it comes to this subject. It hadn't really dawned on me until there was some Jewish graduation get-together at the chapel, and the guests bought some homemade pizza (the kind of things that rarely happens anymore in Florida). Well, some guy brought a few pieces back to education with him and gave me one. I don't know how to explain it, but it opened my eyes once again to the fact that flavor can start at the tip of your teeth and continue all the way through to you stomach. That is something I truly miss.

#4 My most obvious change has been my outgoing attitude. I used to be the one trying to get attention, show off, talkative, and other things of that nature. However, now I'm pretty much a loner. Don't get me wrong, I will communicate with others. But they are usually the ones who start the conversation. Also, it's usually concerning a serious matter, like when I was teaching, or if someone has a question concerning some information on something that doesn't even apply to my interests. That's why I constantly remind you readers how much I enjoy your questions and comments. You are allowing me to have the chance at being the real me.

Then there is the other main change I've noticed since my incarceration. I forget what the scientific term is for it, so let me just describe it in laymen terms. It's called a three-inch receding hairline. I would like to say it doesn't bother me since I have no one in here to impress. However, if that were true, I would have never thought about it in the first place.

#5 Either I misstated something earlier or you misinterpreted something about me having a candy selling endeavor. My interest is in the mazes that I draw. I sent a couple to be put on display back around 8-5-16. However, to be able to really appreciate them, you need to get them printed and then solve them. Then you'll see what is so special about them. My main limitation is the fact that I have no connections out on the streets with which to conduct the business while I'm in here conducting the art.

Okay then, just give me a little more time regarding those other subjects. The informant that I used to rely on for a lot of help is no longer in my dorm (the guy's been down over 40 years). However, we still cross paths occasionally. Hope everything's going your way.

MAZE