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Monday, May 8th, 2006
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9:03 pm - More fun to have with your computer
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From the post standard:
In Toronto, a hacker changed a message board for Canadian rail commuters to read that Prime Minister Stephen Harper eats babies...
Transit officials were able to halt the message AFTER FIVE DAYS...
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| Monday, July 18th, 2005
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9:05 pm - Things that go hup in the night
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So I knew it was going to be a bit of an odd day as soon as I walked down the hallway to booking. I could already hear a guy repeatedly saying one thing : "hup." Turned out to be a guy high on PCP. He was in one of the holding rooms, standing on the concrete bench with his shirt halfway over his head and kind of dancing around a bit.
Then I got the weird answers to the common interview questions. Do you live with anyone? I got responses of cats and dogs. Not sure my boss cares too much but I'll make sure to dispatch my co-worker who also volunteers with the SPCA. When making phone calls to confirm details, a grandma expressed that she was very concerned about those cats.
And at court we got a guy who couldn't hold up the rear of his pants while handcuffed, a guy accused of taking off his shoe to attack the victim with his sharpened toenail, and the usual 3 or 4 guys who just couldn't seem to grasp what the judge was saying no matter how simple she put it.
Weird.
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| Wednesday, June 29th, 2005
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8:36 pm - So yesterday at work...
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I had to try and interview people while a man (fortunately locked in another room, unfortunately one with a window) shouted in no uncertain terms about how he was going to make me his bitch. I mean, sure, maybe this kind of thing happens to Jocie, but probably not to Mark more than a couple of times.
I'm taking my new car on its first road trip. To Pittsburgh to visit Aaron Powers. Taking Friday off. I need this. Not because of screaming guy, I could care less, but I need some time out of Syracuse.
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| Thursday, June 9th, 2005
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7:42 pm - New Car!
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I got a new car! And I mean new. 2005 Toyota Corolla. Red. ABS was the main thing I was going for, cause it's saved my ass a number of times, but to get that ended up with lots of other nice features, including a 6-disc cd-changer. Lot's of family help, otherwise there's no way I'd have this good a ride.
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| Thursday, April 21st, 2005
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5:28 pm - You people have corrupted me
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I went to introduce myself to a probation officer today and I started to do that thing where I put the pinky seperate from the rest of the hand so we can do that stupid handshake where the pinky ends up on the other side. Mark knows what I'm talking about, because Mark's the one who fricking corrupted me. Of course, I suppose I've been the most fervent supporter of keeping the dumb tradition going, but that puts some of the blame on me so we'll ignore that.
Work's been going good. Boss is out of the office and things have not fallen down.
Can't remember if I mentioned it on this site or not. I've probably told most of the people who would read this anyway, but I'm getting a new to me car as a graduation present. Considering Scions, Civics, a Legacy, and the like. Want something reliable yet with a sporty feel and ABS. Accepting suggestions, comments, cash, etc.
current mood:  calm
current music: Gary Numan - Cars
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| Friday, April 1st, 2005
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7:47 pm - Today I learned how to break a man's elbows...
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If he's trying to choke me from in front. Of course, for practice purposes we hit on the arms instead of the elbows themselves. All part of our defensive tactics class at work. We did all the training that comes from a half day spent in a conference room and now I'm ready to go bust a crack house or something. Seriously though, it was good. I was the youngest one there, so I ended up being the volunteer for all the demonstrations. Some of these were demonstations of the type "When you do this, it really hurts the guy," but hey, I'm a good sport. Best part was when I played the bad guy and I took a step toward my co-worker Jeff, and Officer Glen Stone threw one are around my neck and pressed the other into my back. Immobilized me pretty quickly.
The afternoon was regular work. Although at lunch I ate my first hot dog from a street vendor of the season. Ate it outside on the County Court steps. Laughed at the Channel 3 guy trying to park the news van.
current mood: cheerful
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| Saturday, March 26th, 2005
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9:52 pm - It's just not safe to go anywhere anymore...
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From our very own Syracuse Post-standard, dated today:
"Portable Toilet Burns; Fire Called Suspicious"
A portable toilet melted to the ground Friday night after it was set on fire in a field near the Frank G. McCarthy School and Clary Math/Science Magnet School on Amidon Drive, Syracuse police said.
The Syracuse Fire Department reponded to the site about 9 pm, but the unit was a complete loss, said city police Lieutenant Joseph Cecile. The toilet was set up for construction workers. The fire is considered suspicious, Cecile said.
Anyone with information is asked to call city police at 442-5222.
That's the thing about being a police spokesman, you have to know how to calm the public when such tragedies occur.
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| Thursday, March 24th, 2005
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7:45 pm - "Jackson Jury looks at porn"
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I'm assuming this was for purposes of the trial.
A guy we interviewed at the jail had a 72 page rap sheet. Over 100 different charges (although only 2 felony convictions.) No, we did not recommend him for pre-trial.
Finally, the other day I was in my car listening to "Get Low" by Little John and the Eastside Boys, and the seats were actually shaking to the bass. Sweeeeeeeeeet.
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| Wednesday, March 2nd, 2005
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5:36 pm - Cops and Robbers
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Well, burglars anyway.
Local news, a pair of teenage burglars were caught by an off duty Clay Police Detective and his Sheriff's Deputy Fiance. Apparently the law enforcement couple went to a promotion ceremony and were on there way home. The detective knew these buildings had been getting hit by burglars, but it started to snow, and the detective knew his burglar usually struck on snowy nights. They went back to the buildings that had been hit, and sure enough, there were footprints leading inside. They caught the one kid after a "quarter mile chase" and the kid gave up his friend who'd been helping him. So at some point during the night, this guy said honey, I know we were heading home, but how'd you like to catch a burglar. And she said okay. I wish I could marry this gal.
Also it turns out one of my pre-trial guys is a former member of Onondaga County's most wanted. Admitedly he turned himself in, but still....
Oh, and I heard an album called Fade to Bluegrass. It's Metallica hits redone by bluegrass artists. It is oh so weird to hear bluegrass music as a guy rapidly sings "give me fuel give me fire give me that which i desire." I might buy this.
current mood: Sick of snow
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| Tuesday, February 15th, 2005
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9:07 pm - No soup for you
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I probably pissed off a guy in on felony charges today.
I went to interview him, and first he wasn't going to take the interview. Then he did. Only I couldn't figure out what the charges were exactly, cause one of the penal code numbers might have been put in slightly reversed, so I asked if there was a victim in the case, a standard question on harrassment charges and the like. I said the magic word. He stopped talking to me.
Then I go to court. The judge is all set to give him pre-trial. She asks me, has he been on pre-trial before. Because she wants to know, has he done well. I said that he had been on pre-trial, and there were no problems that I knew of, but that he was not very cooperative with me this morning.
And he got no pre-trial. Bail for him, man. And boy did that guy glare at me.
current mood:  tired
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| Monday, February 14th, 2005
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5:40 pm - Man, how many stories end with that old punchline...
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Heard this one at lunch with Bill and Chris. Chris is visiting one of his clients. Chris knows something's up, because once the guy hears probation, he's taking forever to come open the door. Chirs says to him, "Were you smoking weed?" The guy insists he wasn't. Chris asks again, and the guy still vehemently denies that he was smoking any weed.
But he has a blunt stuck behind his ear.
current mood: good
current music: Weezer, the green album
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| Friday, February 4th, 2005
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7:54 pm - Attica! Attica! Attica!
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So I went to the upper tiers of the jail to do some interviews. All by my lonesome. Was a bit nervous at first. I guess I was picturing like old prison movies. Probably didn't help that the only multi-tiered prison I've been in was Dannemora, an ancient super-max security. (Criminal justice like folks will note that I used the terms jail and prison properly)
Ended up going through just some short, empty hallways. Then the cell block's this big open room, with cells along the outside. Three or four inmates were in chairs watching TV. I went up to the officer (again, proper term) at the desk and told him who I was looking for. He went and got em one at a time. We talked in the cell block's small libary room. Easy job actually. I liked it.
Later, back at the ranch, I was interviewing a guy who was already on pre-trial release. Noticed he had weapon possession charges. Curious, I asked what the weapon was. He casually replied "A sawed off (shotgun, for you non-criminal justice types)." Okay, well, he's not my case.
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| Wednesday, February 2nd, 2005
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7:52 pm - Do not pass go, do not collect $200
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Busy day today, but in a great sort of way. Only problem was I had to be to work at 6:30.
Started off at the justice center. We have to interview the inmates to see who's good for pre-trial release. Today Priscilla and Mary did the interviews to show Kristen and me how to do them tomorrow. Nothing too hard. Similar to interviews we been doing already when they first come into the office. Jail food is slop. They fed them while we were there, they got a tiny milk, a bar or pastry of some kind that was dry, and what literally looked like gruel in water.
Then I went to court. Court's damned interesting. Lots going on, though lots to follow. I think I did alright, but I didn't have to recommend anybody. Priscilla started to recommend one guy, but he got released on his own recognizance. Judge gave us two guys we didn't recommend, but that just means we didn't want our specific name on a recomendation. Whatever the judges do is okay with us.
Best part of court: The judge was explaining an order of protection to a guy when he actually says to her "I don't care to listen." The deputy standing behind him jerked the guy by the cuffs, a couple inches into the air, and started marching him back to the cells. Judge called him back though and explained the order of protection, stating whether he cared to listen or not was his own business.
So then I went back to work, had a break, worked a few minutes more, had lunch, worked an hour and a half and went home. In other words, I barely had any time doing my normal work, which was great for a change. Then I was done with work at 2:30. There is no better feeling than knowing you are done with your work before almost anyone else. And it was almost warm for Syracuse. Like 34 degrees or something.
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| Monday, January 31st, 2005
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9:38 pm - Continued work
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The morning was busy. New month = new judge, and I think she's releasing more to pre-trial. Suddenly it was 1:00, lunch time, and I'd only stopped once, to use the facilities.
Afternoon was at least a little slower, though still busy till the last couple hours. Because the experienced people came in early to take the people over to the jail that were doing the interviews there, I ended up minding the store by myself for the last half hour, and for the last couple hours only with one other newbie. The building didn't fall down, so... Nah, really it was a pretty good day. Needed that lunch break though.
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| Wednesday, January 26th, 2005
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7:50 pm - Awww, puppy love...
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One of our pre-trial people had to be switched to another worker because rumor had it he had a crush on the person he was assigned to. I won't tell you who, but there may be a clue somewhere in here. Anyway, he's definitely moved a few steps up from his last alleged love interest, but then I guess he'd have to.
On a less delighful note: You know, it does not bother me that you're a raging alcholic and you're also hooked on every drug that anybody ever offered you. But it does depress me a little when you're so bad you report to me on the sauce. Please don't do that. It's just not smart, for one thing.
I wonder how often I've listed my current mood the way I did today.
current mood: tired
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| Monday, January 24th, 2005
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10:02 pm - It's just what I've always wanted!
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When you listen to probations officers talk, you hear some good ones. First on the list of great excuses I heard today comes from a guy caught with a large amount of crack: But I was going to a party and these were just gifts.
I often find myself asking that of my host. Is there anything I can bring? Soda? Chips? Crack?
The second excuse: but I didn't steal the big screen plasma TV, I just helped him push it down the street.
Strange phenomena, when I am having a good day I find that I like to listen to really cheesy music and sing along. Also, the happier I get the weirder I act. Magnified by 10 if I'm drinking, but that's another story.
I LOVE MY CAR STEREO!!! You know you have good speakers when you suddenly realize that there is indeed, some bass in the background of the song "Our House." Not a lot, but it's definitely there. Of course I just admitted to listening to Our House, but hey, that's proper cheesy eighties. Only it was on the oldies station :(
current mood: cheerful
current music: "Our House" by some band
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| Tuesday, January 18th, 2005
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5:07 pm - Oh, how could I forget...
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Those of you who keep up with Syracuse news may be aware that a while ago a man was arrrested in Syracuse for having sex with his mother in law's dog. Maybe commonplace in more rural areas, but interesting news here in Syracuse. Well, he's on pre-trial release. No, I was not blessed enought to be assigned this case. But I have heard all the jokes. Of course, I'm sure you can find them yourself online. I'm sure all you have to do is go to google, type in "syracuse man has sex with dog" and the guys from animal cops will bust down your front door and charge you with possession of doggie porn. I also might just have made it so that when you do a search for "sex with dog" this site comes up. I'm sure this will increase my site traffic ten fold (new quarterly total hits: 10).
Anyway, most of the jokes were suggested conditions for his pre-trial release. 2 of my favorites:
Has to register with the SPCA
Can't watch Lassie movies
Feel free to submit your own to the comments bar, where they will sit ignored for the duration of livejournal.com.
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| Tuesday, January 11th, 2005
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5:56 pm - My health plan can kick your health plan's ass
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Well, maybe not Jocie's. And come to think of it, I wonder about Mark's. I dunno. All I know is County Health Plans kick ass. Dad looked at my health plan and said to look for job openings he'd qualify for. Only problem is health benefits don't kick in till May.
Two days of work now. First day was paperwork and information in the morning, with a little pointless introduction stuff thrown in. Also, I signed an oath to uphold the constitution and fufill the duties of probation assistant to the best of my ability. Really. After lunch we trained on our computers for our real job.
Today we started off by getting fingerprinted, then we were told about the rules and suggested procedures, all of which were told to us because previous people did in fact violate them (example rule: do not have sex with your clients). The fingerprinting reminded me of the times that I fingerprinted people for our fingerprints class at Canton. Only of course I was slower by a factor of infinity and completely incompetent.
Tomorrow I seem to be leaping in headfirst a bit. One of my pretrial guys is already coming in for an appointment. One who does not really speak English all that much. We're supposed to be bringing in a translater, but still... Hmmm.... Well, in theory I would probably have people helping me out. Wish me luck with that.
current mood: Constitution Upholding
current music: Dylan- Like a Rolling Stone
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| Wednesday, December 29th, 2004
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4:04 pm - WOO
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I have a job! It's contigent permanant, but hey, I'll take it. There's a guy who's on long term disability and he's got till like July or so to come back.
So I'll be a probation assistant for Onondaga County Probation. I start on January 10th. Probation assistant is the official state title though. I'll really be working with the pre-trial release program. Basically we see who's a good candidate for pre-trial release, tell the judge, and then if there's any keeping track of them that has to be done, then that person would check in by phone with me.
The process as I understand it: Someone gets arrested. I look at their rap sheet. Assuming it isn't huge, I look at other things, like do they have a job, family tying them to the area, etc. I talk to them, and make phone calls and try to confirm the information. If I give them the recommendation, I just give a quick yes in court. So basically I'll be working at the probation department, the jail, and the court. Wish me luck.
current mood: chipper
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| Tuesday, December 7th, 2004
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8:31 pm
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