DAVE'S WORLD ~ BEHIND THE BARB-WIRE
ISSUE # 4 CHRISTMAS 2010
DECEMBER 24, 2010 Christmas Eve ~ 5:00 P.M. Texas Time ~ A Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to You ALL!
CORRECTION: In the past 3 Issues I've been putting the wrong web address where you can read all of the past Issues of Behind the Barb-Wire. The correct address is: http://www.facebook.com/daveburgess81 (I think/hope! If I am still wrong, maybe someone could let me know what the correct address is.)
PERSONAL NOTE: My longtime dear friend Kenny Croteau passed away on the 2nd of December 2010 from complications due to his Diabetes. Kenny was the first new friend I met when I first moved to Reno, Nevada back in 1974. We worked at the original Mustang Bridge Ranch cathouse together as "Bridgemen" (guards.) Back then the brothel had problems with law enforcement from the neighboring county trying to blow-up the bridge to the cathouse that crossed the Truckee river ten miles east of Reno between Washoe County where prostitution is illegal and Storey County where prostitution is legal. Over the years Kenny and I were also handy-men and did other odd jobs, and what ever else was needed around the brothel compound... We also built two complete new cathouses out in the "Valley of the Dolls" just off Interstate 80 East at EXIT 23 Nevada, MUSTANG Ranch #1 in 1976 and the TRIANGLE RIVER Ranch in 1983, later to be renamed MUSTANG #2. Kenny moved back to Oakland California in 1983, so he wasn't there when I built and opened my own brothel "The OLD BRIDGE RANCH" in September of 1984. But we remained close pals until he passed away this month. Kenny, you will be truly missed.
MEDICAL UPDATE: I've got all the pre-op tests done for my Hernia operation. (X-Rays, EKG, & Bloodwork) Now I have received a kite (note) from the "Health Care Administrator" here at F.C.I Bastrop. He Tells me that he has sent all the paperwork into the Regional office for final approval of funds. That went out on December 3rd. So we will see what happens.
LEGAL UPDATE: My "2255" motion was submitted to the court on or about the 11th of December. Because of the luck of the draw, I drew Judge Johnson as the judge to read and move on the motion. (By the way, Judge Johnson is the same judge who gave me my 15 year prison sentence) Many thanks to all who are making this "2255" happen. And thank you to Maria, Kate and the entire legal team working on my case. Also I know there are a lot of unknown folks working on my behalf on my case, but at this time I would like to say a special thanks to Sandy, Bill, Izzy, Troy, Flash, and Glen!
FEATURE: "A Day In The Life" My daily life here at F.C.I. Bastrop
Within a week of getting into the general population here at Bastrop, my counselor found me a job bussing tables at the chow-hall. That lasted for 3 days. I was lucky enough to meet another motorcycle enthusiast who helped me get the job that I now have and have kept for almost 18 months now. My official title is "P.M. Hobby-Craft Toolroom Orderly." P.M. means that I only work in the afternoon. So all of my mornings and evenings are free to sleep-in, go to the yard, further my education, and do volunteer work.
Speaking of education, I have been taking advantage of the Education Dept. here at F.C.I. Bastrop. As of this writing, I have Completed the "National Federation of Personal Trainers" course. (Just in case I want go to work in health club) I have also Completed the "Sound Mixing Board" Course. (Just in case I want to go to work in a recording Studio, or just in case I want to go on the road with the band). I have also Completed 3 Yoga classes, & 3 Spin classes. (stationary bicycle) Other classes I have completed are, Sports Injury Class, 9-Ball class, Basketball Free throw Class, Basketball dribbling Class, Football Class, Cribbage, Foosball, Ceramics, Pottery, and the Guitar Class.
I am also trained as a "Suicide Cadre Team Member," and I am on the F.C.I Bastrop Suicide Cadre Team. The cadre team consists of 15 members. A cadre member is a volunteer who looks after inmates who are having more then casual problems adjusting to life behind the barb-wire fence.
I am sure it is not easy for anyone in prison, but a few guys get so depressed around here because of being away from family or inmates who have families who seem to have disowned them because they are in prison. These guys sometimes just want to end it all, and we cadre members try to look after them... For me, I do it because I have been blessed with a very supportive family as well as friends who have stayed by me throughout this entire nightmare, and who are doing everything in their powers to make my stay in prison as bearable as possible. You ALL know who you are I thank you and love you ALL! So while I am in prison I feel compelled to give back some of the blessings I receive on a daily basis.
Also even though I think I sing like a dog with my paw caught in a bear-trap, I still sing every Sunday in the Prison Choir. I also sing a band. We play and sing for all the holiday events here in the Gym. (Just call me Mr. Show-Biz!)
When I was in the "world," I never really liked to read, but since I have been locked-up, I have learned to appreciate a good book. I like to read the classics. I also like Westerns and Fantasies.
Also I would like to thank Glen, Anjali, Big Daddy Mule & Shani, and my cousin Steve for all the monthly magazines. I also receive "The Edina Sentinel" newspaper thanks to Echo M. who is a writer for that newspaper.
I do not watch t.v. (well, except for "Friday Night Lights," when it was on) But I do listen to the radio sometimes. (Hip-Hop makes me home sick. Don't ask me why...)
At this time I would like to recognize everyone who has sent me Christmas cards this Holiday season as of this writing. If you sent me a card and do not see your name, it is probably because the prison mail-room is slow this time of year. I will add your name in the next Issue. (By the way, just to let you all know, the mailroom hates me, I got the most Christmas in this place!)
MY CHRISTMAS CARD THANK YOU LIST: Rebecca & Leza somewhere on the Slopes at Lake Tahoe, ~ Anjali down in the Bijou ~ Shawna C. & Daniella & The VW Vixens in the Big Valley of Merced Co. Cali. ~ K.S. Jorden of Menlo Park Cali. ~ Doc Cornish in Byesville, ~ Michele in Jamestown Cali. ~ Kathy out on South Wells Ave. ~ Cheri in Adams Il. ~ The Nomadic Mates DOWN UNDER in Australia, ~ Glen out on the Jersey Shore, ~ Crazytrain & Suzie in Cambridge Ontario, ~ Christine in Bartlett Il. ~ My Brothers in Northants England, ~ SuzieQ & Family in Massapeque Park New York, ~ Bones & Suga Bear from P.A. ~ By Brother Giuseppe NYC hangin' out somewhere in the Roman Empire, ~ My Brothers in Sweden, ~ My Brother Ray-Ray & Desiree & the kids, ~ My Brother Big Daddy Phil & Shani & Devin in the backwoods of Fern-tucky Nevada, ~ all of my Henry Street Brothers, ~ my Brother Cisco, Shannon, Tim, & my Brother Bobby & Debbie Durt in East Oak-Town ~ My Brother Eddie, Chrissy, & lil' Daisy May in East-O, My Regina Brothers in the Great White North, ~ My Connecticut Nomad Brothers, & My Rhode Island Brothers from two of the 13 original colonies ~ My Northants Brothers across the pond in England, ~ My Myrtle Beach Brothers, ~ Artist Lila in the South West, ~ My Brother Tramp & Izzy in London, ~ My Arizona Nomad Brothers, ~ My HAMCO Brothers, ~ The Road Scholars News, ~ My Wessex Brothers, ~ Uncle Hammer & Aunt Yvonne & All the Pratt City Eagles down Alabama way, ~ Bill V. in Kansas City, ~ Bill B. sunny in San Diego, ~ Victoria Marie Fern from Pittsburgh California, ~ All of my Brothers In Denmark, ~ Daniella from Rome New York, ~ My Boston Brothers, ~ My Brothers over in Oulu Finland, and also My Brothers in Carelia Finland, ~ My Virginia Nomad Brothers, ~ My West Crew Brothers in Wales, ~ April B. from Virginia Beach, ~ Roger C. from Oshawa Ont, ~ My Dad Big-Jim, Laurie, James, Marina, Joseph, & Toby in 4-Oaks, ... and ? ...again thank you all
MY WEB-SITE: www.facebook.com/daveburgess81
MY SNAIL-MAIL ADDRESS:
DAVID BURGESS 41278-048
F.C.I. BASTROP
P.O. BOX 1010
BASTROP, TX. 78602
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