I was just thinking

And I am dead serious, that T.I. knows probably as well as any former incarcerated person, what the prison system is like, and how it affects an individual's life.

After watching this video and seeing the comment about the album name changing from "King Uncaged" to "No Mercy," I recalled hearing on the radio that T.I., after recently being released from prison, is going to be put back in because of some weapon charges or some violation of probation, something along those lines.  The report indicated that he pleaded not to be sent back to prison after just getting out, but it seemed the judge wasn't having any of that.  That, at least, is the impression I got from that story.  I'll have to check my sources later.

Anyhow, as involved as I've become in the prisoner reentry campaign that will be starting up foreal at the end of this year, it made me think that T.I. could really lend some knowledge and visibility to this kind of campaign.  The more radical end of the anti-prison movement is the prison abolition side, with important folks like Angela Davis and Ruth Wilson Gilmore, and awesome orgs like Critical Resistance and perhaps on a less explicitly abolitionist platform, the ACLU, at the forefront.  It would be great if he could lend his experiences and thoughts on the prison system to the movement; although I could see how T.I. may not be considered the most "reputable" of representatives, I say fuck it - this movement would be all about the people and families and their cause anyway.

Who knows if he has really been thinking about his experiences in this way, but then even better, because it can become a 2 way educational opportunity.

Just some thoughts that may not turn into action at this point, but I think it's something to consider if T.I. ever gets wind of this kind of work and decides he's interesting in lending a helping hand.

Great quote on prisons.

From the Real Cost of Prisons Weblog, on article titled, "Final Call: Report: Modern-Day Debtors' Prisons Devastating the Poor" --

According to Kurt Kaaekuahiwi, an intern with Critical Resistance, the definite intent of debtors' prisons is to keep people within the system, but resources should be put into educational or job training programs within prisons to help those men and women re-entering secure jobs once they are released.


“We have to divest from policing, divest from incarceration, and divest from prison expansion. Obviously, these monies that are being appropriated are through the general fund, which is from our tax dollars, and being used to further criminalize, stigmatize, and keep us trapped in the system, but that money is not used to support our needs of affordable housing or job opportunities,” he said.

Really now

I feel so disconnected from everything LSAT, because whereas LSAT blogs are analyzing the October LSAT and fellow friends are rejoicing in their completion of the test, I, a score cancel-ee, still have the December test to look towards.

I am eagerly awaiting a post on the December LSAT and maybe a few words of encouragement in that department.  But considering the non-popularity of that particular test administering, I doubt there will be much of that, if any at all.

There's so much to think about when it comes to that test, and mostly I have to stay away from putting myself down for not being able to pull it together by October.  I would have needed a 20 point score increase, and I just couldn't do it.  I'm halfway there and hoping I can manage 10 more in the next 2 months.

In any case, I just have to keep reminding myself that my future is riding on those 3 precious numbers that make up my score, and if it is anything less than a 1, a 7, and a 0, then I'm probably screwed.

So. Overdue.

There are a million things I've been wanting to write about, but things have been so incredibly crazy the past 6 months or so that I haven't had the time or the energy to sit down and hash it out.

I'm not going to be able to do it now either, which is a bummer, but I guess I can force some of it out and see where this post takes me.

On a happy note, Dok has finally made it over, which has been, well, in adventure, in so many words.  But I'm happy to be able to share all of my joyous and sad times with him now.  We can struggle together, and it's a good feeling.

I am now full-time at work!  We had our huge conference in September and although it was the craziest week of my entire life (working 12-17 hour days everyday, for 7 days), our tiny staff pulled off a huge success and it was the best feeling ever.  I guess we staff in LA were also rewarded, as we're both full time here now.  It's exactly what I had wanted and hoped for, but thought could never happen.  It feels good to love your job.  I'm learning so much, becoming connected to some good people, and all in all, feeling fulfilled with the time I am putting into this mini-career.  It's definitely not a radical environment, but it provides me with exposure to some people and places I never would have met or seen otherwise.

LSATs are and will always be, a struggle.  I took the October test, but due to illness ended up canceling.  It was a tough decision, but I guess just as well...I wasn't where I wanted to be score-wise anyway.  Going to see if I can pull it back together and retake in December, hopefully with a 10 point score increase!  We can dream, right?

Taiko has also been a toughie...for more reasons than one that I won't enumerate here, but all I can say is that I hope it gets better soon.  If it continues to stress me out...well, I hate to say it, but I just might have to rule it out as a continued activity, because there are already a million things on my plate.

Prison re-entry work has been on and off when I can find the time, but I have entered myself into the program/campaign as a more involved volunteer.  I hope that I can keep it up, but it really is discouraging with everything that I know I already have to do.  What is great about this involvement is that it is only twice monthly, and doesn't demand any more than I can give.  Now if only to really be strict about what I can ACTUALLY give, rather than what I want to give.  That's definitely, without a doubt, the hardest part.  I think though, if I can really stick with it, I could gain a lot of perspective and of course, build a good resume and a good cause for myself to believe in.  I miss the Progressive sphere, and this is my outlet.  Without it I'd probably be lost.

Currently reading my first Bell Hooks book, upon Aya's recommendation, on Feminism.  She is the most amazing progressive-minded writer you will ever read.  Clear, concise, and so down.  It's amazing how much of a wealth of knowledge her writings hold.  Also helps me stay connected and remain critical about the world around me.

Speaking of which, the intersection of progressivism and US-Japan relations (think: global issues) has really been taunting my mind lately.  I still haven't been able to articulate to myself what all of that really means for me, but I suppose only time will tell.  Taking the critical progressive lens into work has been an interesting challenge - one I haven't yet been able to tackle fully, but one, I hope, with time, will enable me to emerge out of this experience an even more sharply-minded person.

Going to study with sister on Friday, which will be fun, and then seeing Aya and Jason on Saturday for PHANTOM OF THE OPERA!!!  So excited!!!!