May 292015
 

I just returned home from my prison volunteer trip.  The banquet was most enjoyable, but tainted with some bad news.  The inside President of our group is in the bucket for a dirty UA.  That wi8ll translate to less cooperation from officials, as we try to implement additional services.  One of my guys is getting out in August,  His son committed suicide over issues completely unrelated to his release.  That will put him under major pressure.  I would greatly appreciate your thoughts, wishes and prayers for both, please.  I haven’t even unpacked yet, and I hear a bed calling my name.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:27 (average 4:43).  To do it, click here.  How did you do?

TC on the bus:

TCBus

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  15 Responses to “Personal Update–5/29/2015”

  1. 3:30  TomCat gave me more than just a chipped ear on this puzzle.

    • 2:45  Puddy Tat has already started chewing on the mutt's ear and he hasn't been declared the winner yet! Isn't it just a tad on the grainy side?

      I'm sorry to hear about the situations your two guys find themselves in.  I sincerely hope that the one whose son committed suicide does not blame himself for not being more readily available to help his son.  As the other one, I hope he comes to understand just how many people he has let down.  I know what a "UA" is, but what is a "dirty" UA?

      Cartoon — Dude, do you ever look bedraggled!  Too much partying at the banquet?

      • Sending thoughts and prayers to your guys, especially the 2 you mention.  BTW, do you ever hear from your Critter?  I do so hope he is doing well since he was released.

      • Having just read Nameless' post, it is obvious I didn't know what a "UA" was.  I was thinkling it was an unauthorised absence.  But his description makes much more sense.

    • 3:21 The doggie is a statue, TC. Don't try to take a bite out of him. Or, is it too late already?

      Sorry to hear about the problems at the prison. Glad the banquet was a success though. Get some well-deserved rest.

    • I'm not gonna eat that dawg!  Jist practicing fpr today's edible dawg!

       

      No word from Critter.

  2. TC lookin' a bit ruffed and knackered… from the last three days…
    Most likely in the comfort of your cushy bed by now… lol.

  3. Oh, TC! So sorry to hear of your friend’s loss! And then to have one of your guys come up with a bad UA puts some real pressure on you.
    My thoughts, prayers, good wishes, and good vibes are with you and your guys! You look like you need a good rest! Just know that I am pulling for you and your guys!
    Take care and a rest, while you can!
    Peace, love and hugs from me to you and your guys!

  4. 3:30 average down to 4:33.  I'll spare you the food joke today.

    I cannot tell you how sorry I am about your guy's son's suicide.  You mention unrelated issues, which may help a little, although having in the past attempted suicide myself, I would guess that issues are probably the least of it.  When one's entire soul/spirit feels like one gaping open wound, one would likely not recognize an actual issue of it came to the door and showed ID.  I wouldn't have.  there was nothing in my universe but pain.  I am just lucky to be here now.

    Your inside President's dirty UA is also terribly sad.  It will affect far more people for far longer than he could imagine, I am sure.  It will be a real PITA for you (I do recommend Kentucky jelly over Vaseline).  I expect I speak for everyone when I say please feel free to bitch to us over specific roadblocks as they arise, and let us know whether you'd like brainstorming or just need to complain.

    In the picture you look very much like "Valentine, chatte squelettique, affamée" on the French language click-to-donate site, although she's a girl.  I had to look it up.  But I hope you grabbed a bite on the way to bed.  I intend to.

  5. Just to be clear, am I safe in assuming that a "dirty UA" mean a urinalysis that revealed use of drugs?

     

  6. I am sending good thoughts and wishes to you and your guy.  get some rest.

    Poor Kitty, he is exhausted.  It has been a long time since I took a bus trip, but I remember how exhausting they are.

  7. So sorry to hear about your two chaps TC – very stressful.  Hope you recover from the long bus trip soon, and from all the effort it took too. Prayers for all….

  8. Glad you made it home all in one piece, TomCat, although a little worse from wear, by the looks of it. Make sure that you get enough sleep to get your battery full recharged again before going the full stretch again, won't you.

    I'm not clear on what a dirty UA is, but if he fauled up a drugs test, then this will undoubtedly have implications for his position as inside President and will have jeopardized any good relations your group has with officilas. Normally I would suggest bringing this up at the next group and have him and all the other guys discuss his actions, their implications for the rest of them and how to go about it. If the decide he no longer is a reliable President, then it's their call and not yours, and they can decide to start procedures to have him replaced(?). But you won't be going back for another two months, because you have no ride, will you, TomCat? Is there any one else with the same report with your guys who can step in for once?

    For the guy who's going to be released in August and whose son just killed himself, I'd try to get some extra counseling. Any parent feels guilty about a child's suicide, no matter what situation they are in and every parent needs some help to get through that and accept it for what it is: a state of complete and utter hopelessness often brought on by depression and on which medication, therapy, understanding and love had little or no effect. Your guy may also benefit from some longer or extra contact with family members who go through the same process; they could make him see that it had nothing to do with him being incarcerated and an earlier release would not have made a difference. I do hope officials will give him room to mourn and bureaucracy will let him do the same when he gets out.

  9. Thanks everyone.  A dirty UA is a urinalysis that reveals drug use.  The Persident is no longer President and will not even level 2 custody for at least six months.  Before then, he will not even be allowed to attend a meeting.  I told the new President that, if he follows suit, he'll get to wear one of my O2 bottles internally.

    I ate dinner with the gent whose son committed suicide, so that I could offer support.  All things considered, he's taking it as well as anyone could.

    Thanks for your prayers and support.

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