Nuts and Bolts

So, this was written on March 3, 2013, however, the letter landed elsewhere for a bit and just arrived today.  Although this is a bit dated, I wanted to be sure to share it with you! 

A quick update of the facts.....

On Wednesday, February 27th I was called out of my dorm and asked to head to the property sergeant's office.  When I arrived, there was also a captain present.  I walked in and was addressed as J.J.

My name is not J.J. and DOC is quick to remind you that even more-so than a name, you are referred to as a number.  So once I heard J.J. thrown at me then it registered that instead of me being under the gun, once again the Jailbird had come under question.  

Most will recall that the Jailbird was recently investigated at my last prison.  They too didn't fully understand the whole blog thing.  So an investigation from the Tallahassee office was called in to look over the blog.  Making sure my contributions of art and my writings about my life behind bars violated no rules of DOC. 

A security evaluation was performed first and foremost.  They came to my confinement cell the day they cleared that part of their investigation to let me know that part was OK.  Then the small stuff... things like you can't openly pen pal in Florida prisons.  Which is not done on Jailbird. 

Once all their questions were answered, a clean bill of health was given to the Jailbird.  Their investigation ended with "Any mail leaving institutions becomes property of receiving party..."  There is only one stipulation....if my writings were sent to a publisher for a profit then that would violate a rule in Chapter 33.602-207.

My art and life encounters are freely given to my childhood friend and family with no profit intended.  I talk to you for free.

Each time I'm transferred to a new prison all my files are moved with me.  Just like my medical and dental records, I'm quite sure that the outcome of my last investigation of the Jailbird blog also came with me to this prison.  So, instead of trying to explain to the property sergeant, the captain, and the mail lady that I'm simply a writer and artist, I came to confinement while they sort it out.

A few weeks back I was looking at my life.  Here I am trying to make it back home to my family.  To the people who love me.  Right now, I live in their world.  Where I have no control.  I barely have any say-so.  Basically, I'm always dead wrong.

They say an empty can rattles the most.  I'll say I do some rattling, but seems plenty of people are listening.  Even if all they're doing is investigating me.

As always, there is no charge to hear this can rattle.

I just wouldn't feel right charging anyone a dime to take a look into my life.  Talk is cheap and this is free.  Thanks for your time.....