Computers, Rejections, Bobcats, Running In Circles

 Friday was Friday. It seems an age ago, this Sunday morning. There was group and I still mean to do a separate post on that. There was a trip to the property management company to get my post office box key that was lost and to Family Dollar for Coke Zero. I got back here around 3:00. I was in for the rest of the night. Did I start putting a “Chasing Ashes” chapter on Google Docs? I did start addressing envelopes while watching something on Tubi. Desperation Road? Not bad, if it leans heavy on having Mel Gibson in the cast when he is a minor character. The back started bothering me then.

I found the lost post office box key when I got up on Saturday. I still have not made it to the box. It has been that kind of week - I can't finish what I've started or start what needs to be done.

CC went into inpatient care. She told me she was going to do that on Thursday. I got a text on Friday that she had done it. She also made me the person to contact in emergencies.

Saturday morning, I overslept. What I did was head out around 10:30 to catch the bus. Off I went to FedEx to make copies, Jersey Mike's for a sandwich, Aldi's for some Coke Zero, and then back home. That took two hours. It also left my back feeling stiff again. Not much accomplished - envelopes stuffed, a little work on the chapter, dinner cooked, and email read.

That included emails about setting up the new computer. I thought it would be yesterday. Nope. These are the emails on the subject:

The software installation appointment with NCPTC is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2025 @ 11:00 a.m.  You should receive an email with instruction from the monitoring company to contact them at the specified date and time.  I will be out Thursday afternoon to pick up the old computer. 

 
Brent V. Witter 

Only that is not how NCPTC scheduled the thing:

This email message is to confirm that you have an appointment scheduled on  11-Dec-2025 at 09:30 AM (America/Indiana/Indianapolis GMT -05:00) Please review the instructions below. For assistance, please dial (855) 855-6278 Option 2. 

The back was enough of a problem that I took a muscle relaxer. The first time for that in months.

Some reading from Friday and/or Saturday

From Otis Redding to Booker T, Steve Cropper was a strong yet subtle force that shaped so many soul classics (The Guardian)

More than just Christmas everyday: Wizzard frontman Roy Wood’s 20 best songs – ranked! (The Guardian)

DoJ moves to eliminate sexual abuse protections for LGBTQ+ people in prisons - which seems just another marker of MAGA's indifference to people.

When the PO was up, I asked why he wouldn't approve a Mac (not that I wanted; I was being curious). Twice he said he couldn't tell me; it felt like I was pressing him for state secrets. However, I noticed something in the monitoring software company's email. They allow for the use of Mac's, but the System Integrity Protection needs to be changed for their access. I guess there is power in making the known obscure.

One thing put off was this post. It will be put off a bit longer. I will be going to church. I need to get ready, and I want to do a bit more work on the chapter. The neck is still a bother. Degenerative disks are not what I expected to put me down. So break here.

7:35 AM.

Monday morning.

I went to church.

Then I came home, worked on the "Chasing Ashes" chapter.

Got another email from my PO about the new computer:

Go ahead and follow what the company sent you.

Thank you. 

Brent V. Witter
Senior U.S. Probation Officer
SD/IN - Noblesville 

Napped.

I worked some more on the chapter.

Then finished the night by watching some of "Solder of Orange". 

I got this rejection for the latest version of "Agnes":

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to consider your work. Unfortunately, we don't feel it's a good fit for our journal.

Please keep in mind that opinions about writing are highly subjective, and just because a piece isn't right for us doesn’t mean it won’t be perfect for someone else.

Editorial Staff,  The Lascaux Review

This morning I am doing a separate post on redistricting.

Bobcat hunting season quickly hits limit interested me because I can remember when there were no bobcats in Indiana.

 ASYLUM STORIES rejected "The Revenger's Tale".

 Good morning,
Thank you for the opportunity to read your work.  I’m sorry to say that your story does not fit my current needs.  I wish you the best in finding a home for it.   
Yours,
Billy Ramone 

Okay, I have a post to write and work to start.

Have a good day.

sch