jPay Message #212

For the past few weeks, I've made a habit of setting aside 10-15 minutes each day to meditate, or at least try to. I've yet to achieve nirvana, but I've at least become more conscious about how I do, feel, and think about things. I'm starting to see the things that cause an unconscious reaction. … Continue reading jPay Message #212 →

jPay Message #211

I've mentioned before how the social conditions of prison incentivize the adoption of extremist religious positions: chomos become Bible thumpers, ex-crack heads turn into black supremacist Muslims, certain whites join the Odinists. As much as I've tried to go back to church, I quickly lapsed after a couple months. It just felt insincere; incarcerated convicts … Continue reading jPay Message #211 →

jPay Message #207

It was only a matter of time, but I finally tested positive for corona (along with 75% of the compound, including the staff). I only experienced symptoms for--literally--a day and a half before fully recovering. All I had was a pretty painful headache, like my sinuses were pressurized, and a fever, which were both largely … Continue reading jPay Message #207 →

jPay Message #202

Today at lunch, control center briefly rescinded our quarantine restrictions after three weeks of no (false) positive tests, only to reimpose them again at 4 o'clock count. Allegedly, someone who went home two days ago failed the re-entry test required of every parolee by testing positive for covid. At this point, I just think they're … Continue reading jPay Message #202 →

Books I Read Last Month (Oct2020)

A Flag For Sunrise - Robert StoneOuterbridge Reach - Robert StoneHeisenberg's War: The Secret History of the German Bomb - Thomas PowersWild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail - Cheryl StrayedThe Feast of Love - Charles BaxterThe Invisible Circus - Jennifer Egan Two of these books truly belong in last month's column … Continue reading Books I Read Last Month (Oct2020) →