AM in the PM: Week Two

Last night Karl arrived at Anger Managementat 6:05 pm, there were train delays on the 2/3. The group had already started. Karl dressed way down this time, black sweat shirt, red ski cap and work boots. Blend Karl! Blend! The guys that got there early were rewarded with "Cup-O-Soup", the microwavable treat. Karl signed in and took off his jacket just as the older cuban gentleman was about to speak.

"I wasted 24 years of my life in jail. I shouldn't have killed that man." He said. The rest affirmed and exchanged comments back and forth. The councelor, Mr. L----, got the conversation back on track. "So what do you think is the best thing you got in your life now?" "Freedom, I hated being in jail" replied el señor.

The group topic was, "The Best and Worst thing in Your Life Now." It's operates a bit like SNL's Coffee Talk but with better moderation for new and repeat parolees.

They took turns around the room. The same guy from last week with the red sweater kept saying "Oh, man I don't wanna be here!" Red got a few time-outs. More men showed up, there were a toal of 18 angry parolees (Angry Druid included) by 6:30. The next guy spoke.

Worst: "I've always been angry, even as a child."
Best: "I'm proud to be independant, I don't need no one in my life."
Comment Exchange: "If you don't need no one, what are you doing here then?"
Reply: "They make me come here! I gotta be here cuz I have to be here."

He also claimed that his other good attribute was that he is well spoken. The exchange got a bit out of hand with rambling comments. For most of these men, this is a safe place to speak freely... without fear of getting stabbed in the head with a skiff fashioned from a stolen toothbrush. The Best/Worst forum picked up speed. Then it was my turn and I had nothing to say really, but I had to participate, I am required to do so.

Worst: "Somehow I've missed out, on that pot of gold."

That's right, I quoted the band Styx (Come Sail Away).

Best: "I'm a very pro-active positive person."

Mr. L--- focused on me "What do yo mean by missed out?" I paused and then babbled mindlessly. "Like I'm stuck? You know like one of you said earlier about being stuck. I kinda feel stuck. I'm behind on rent and taxes and I don't know when I'll be able catch up." Mr. L---- asked "So how do you feel about that?" "Like I keep falling behind?" I replied. I really had nothing more to add, just ackward silence. I hoped it would end there, but it went on.

Comment Exchange 1:
"What does that mean?"
"I mean I'll catch up, I have faith."
'No, I mean 'pro-aaa-kiv' what does that mean?"
"Proactive? It means actively resolving a problem."
"Oh."
"What kind of place you got then?"
"A one-bedroom."
"Damn!"

Comment Exchange 2:
"For the 99 percent of us that have been in jail... this Anger Mangement is just BULLSHIT. They made me make drawings at the last program and I all needed was a job! I got a resume, man!"

Guess that "99 percent" comment was meant for me, the 1-percent probationee. I was glad to let him take the floor. Time flew by quickly after that and it was now 7:05 pm. It's funny how the answer to confrontation for most people in the group is "beat him up first, cuz you know he desverved it." One guy confessed that he beat a man right into the ER because "[sic] he wuz actin' all stooopid an' shit, an' it pissed me off!" He seemed proud of the beating.

Another guy asked if he saw that it was wrong, because it was what put him in jail for five years. His replied that he'd do it again. News flash! Avoid this guy in the men's room line. Do not make eye contact!

The clean cut guy responsed with "And if you get busted and they catch you with rock or a weapon or something, they send you right back in jail!" That was expressed as a complaint, not a life lesson to be shared with the group.

Epilogue
What is the point of having me contribute? A lot of these guys need serious help adjusting to a pedestrian life after years in prison and/or getting off crack. I must be the only person in the group that hasn't smoked "rock" or shot up. I've killed many an Orc and a few Orges, but never a man or a tree.

I guess giving these angry men regularity and a safe place to network can't hurt. A few said they'd help teh other find work when they are done with AM. I suspect that Karft Cheese N' Crackers will not be served at AM, that little red spread-stick might be a potential wapon.

I wil not quote Styx or any other rock band again.

12 - 2= 10 AM evening sessions