Nutty Bars and Kool-Aid

Hello avid readers! Sorry for the long lapse in posts, I hope someone is still reading :)

An update in my life. Trucking was put on a temporary hold for me. I had my final court date on December 22nd. I was going in and didn't know what to expect. My hope was for not much in fines and 40 days in Lake county Jail and the all important suspended imposition. I was first on the list of 4 others in the court room. I had asked a few friends to come and support me and three showed up on my side and to lighten the mood were chanting "Let Chase free!" before everything got underway.

My attorney and I step through the swinging doors up to the table and in front of the mics and judge. My life was in his hands. We got underway immediately and started going over my case. Stomach churning and heart racing, the judge started with reading off my charges; said he read the packet I had put together, including references from 10 relatives, employers and other people in my life.

Still wishing I owned a time machine, my palms started to sweat as the judge continued. "It looks like you're a good guy with a promising future who got off track." I could have kissed the judge! I was glad that the report we gave him gave him a good representation of who I was as a person and how I was already changing for the better. He continued and I continued to hold my breath.

"I'm going to grant you suspended imposition," I had to hold myself back from hugging him, "you're fines will be in the amount of $2,000 and will have to sit 5 days in Lake County Jail." I did a double take and about fell over. "You will report in at 1pm on the 27th." At this point I had to do a mental recap. Not only did I get my suspended imposition, I only have to spend 5 days in jail AND it starts after Christmas! THANK GOD! I get to spend Christmas at home with my family. I was on cloud nine.

Christmas came and went and the 27th came far to fast. I walked up to the jail house and tugged on the door. Locked. I thought maybe they wouldn't take me, but just for the heck of it, I better ring the buzzer. "Hello?" I asked. "Hello." responded a voice in the box. I didn't know exactly what to say so settled on "Chase Anderton here, checking in for 5 days." I said it like I was checking into a hotel.

They let me in and looked through the stuff I brought with and shook their heads no to almost everything. My books were ok.

In regards to Jail:
I spent 5 days in a cell that looked like this.
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It's hard to explain but, the whole thing was shaped like a square separated in the middle. In the back were two rooms each with bunks on each wall and a toilet in the middle. In the front was a metal table and a shower. Each day we woke up at 7:30 to cereal, peanut butter and jelly and orange juice. At noon we had a hot lunch from Sunshine with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. Then at 5pm we got a sandwich, chips and milk. Then at 11pm lights went out and we all got in bed. A metal slab with a 2in cushin. I was never comfortable enough to fall asleep, only too tired to stay awake.

I got out today and am safe and sound at home. I got home had a cream soda, took a shower, shaved and now need a nap. I met a lot of interesting people in 5 days, but I need to get some much needed sleep and I'll tell you all about them in my next post.