Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Letters from the Inside, Thomas Bart Whitaker, #1
Whitaker was recently on Oprah. That is how I heard about him. Since watching him on the show and learning about his father's book about forgiving him for hiring someone to kill his whole family, I have researched him more & decided to write to him. He is currently on Death Row in Texas.
You may want to read about him so I suggest a quick Google for "Bart Whitaker."
To note, I never write supporting these inmates. I don't offer any opinions to them at all about their crimes and do not mention them. I write a very bland letter discussing general topics like the weather, current events, etc.
Also, he has a really well-written blog at: Minutes Before Six.
Here is his first letter to me:
Dear Miss K:
Thank you very much for your kind letter, which I received last night. It is always nice to receive positive correspondence, which acts as a sort of counterbalance to the missives from the Jesus freaks. I am afraid that I have developed some rather thick callouses in regards to this whole pen-pal thing, but your letter bypassed my normal aversions. I suppose the primary reason for this is that I've never really spoken with a "real" writer before, [ed.: I never told him I was a "writer." I merely said I had a column in a NY paper for a short period and enjoy blogging myself.] and only a fool passes up an opportunity to learn from the knowledgeable. I am a mewling, stinky infant in the world of writing, in other words. I think your card's photograph was actually rather endearing [ed.: I sent him a card in which I am wearing a black and white striped dress standing against a black and white striped wall.] Also shows you have a sense of humour, and I liked the metaphor. I, too, always seem to wear stripes at right angles to the world around me. Not sure if that was your intent, but I rather liked it.
Ah, Oprah, Oprah...a fat cow by any other name, etc., etc. The media and their descent into gross sensationalim is a rather sore topic for me, Kelly. One day, someone will address some of the real issues in my case, instead of reaching onlly for the low hanging fruit. Anyways, Columbia, huh? [ed.: I told him about my recent application process.] You must be quite brilliant, for that is not a place for those with normal intellects. Non-fiction is what interests you? What sort of themes would you prefer to write a book about? What do you do in Public Relations? I would, indeed, enjoy reading some of the articles you have wrtiten for the newspaper. That must be an incredible thing, to see your words given life like that. In a place like NYC, no less. I have been there on vacation, naturally. Tried not to be the annoying, gawking country yokel that seemed to infest all of the normal tourist magents. Went to some decent clubs, got stupid in that way all 20-somethings are knows for. Where in the City do you live? I hope the 20-questions routine does not offend you... I'm a curious person by nature. Just tell me to mind my own business if I cross a line.
You asked about my arm, and, alas, it is still royally f--ed, to use the appropriate medical terminology. I've badgered theminto a second operation, scheduled for sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. Maybe Igor et.al. will get it right this time. I am still looking for an attorney willing to help me sue these Republican wankers, but no luck so far. If there is some dealy in my future responses, it is due to this, and this alone.
Well, I never really know how far to go in these introductory letters. I hope this finds you well, and I want to thank you again for the kind words. That means more than I could ever put into words. Until next time.
Yours,
Thomas
***Another interesting thing to note is that a huge #3 was stamped on the envelope.
I will try to get this letter and Susan Smith's scanned as both of their handwriting is very distinctive.
You may want to read about him so I suggest a quick Google for "Bart Whitaker."
To note, I never write supporting these inmates. I don't offer any opinions to them at all about their crimes and do not mention them. I write a very bland letter discussing general topics like the weather, current events, etc.
Also, he has a really well-written blog at: Minutes Before Six.
Here is his first letter to me:
Dear Miss K:
Thank you very much for your kind letter, which I received last night. It is always nice to receive positive correspondence, which acts as a sort of counterbalance to the missives from the Jesus freaks. I am afraid that I have developed some rather thick callouses in regards to this whole pen-pal thing, but your letter bypassed my normal aversions. I suppose the primary reason for this is that I've never really spoken with a "real" writer before, [ed.: I never told him I was a "writer." I merely said I had a column in a NY paper for a short period and enjoy blogging myself.] and only a fool passes up an opportunity to learn from the knowledgeable. I am a mewling, stinky infant in the world of writing, in other words. I think your card's photograph was actually rather endearing [ed.: I sent him a card in which I am wearing a black and white striped dress standing against a black and white striped wall.] Also shows you have a sense of humour, and I liked the metaphor. I, too, always seem to wear stripes at right angles to the world around me. Not sure if that was your intent, but I rather liked it.
Ah, Oprah, Oprah...a fat cow by any other name, etc., etc. The media and their descent into gross sensationalim is a rather sore topic for me, Kelly. One day, someone will address some of the real issues in my case, instead of reaching onlly for the low hanging fruit. Anyways, Columbia, huh? [ed.: I told him about my recent application process.] You must be quite brilliant, for that is not a place for those with normal intellects. Non-fiction is what interests you? What sort of themes would you prefer to write a book about? What do you do in Public Relations? I would, indeed, enjoy reading some of the articles you have wrtiten for the newspaper. That must be an incredible thing, to see your words given life like that. In a place like NYC, no less. I have been there on vacation, naturally. Tried not to be the annoying, gawking country yokel that seemed to infest all of the normal tourist magents. Went to some decent clubs, got stupid in that way all 20-somethings are knows for. Where in the City do you live? I hope the 20-questions routine does not offend you... I'm a curious person by nature. Just tell me to mind my own business if I cross a line.
You asked about my arm, and, alas, it is still royally f--ed, to use the appropriate medical terminology. I've badgered theminto a second operation, scheduled for sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. Maybe Igor et.al. will get it right this time. I am still looking for an attorney willing to help me sue these Republican wankers, but no luck so far. If there is some dealy in my future responses, it is due to this, and this alone.
Well, I never really know how far to go in these introductory letters. I hope this finds you well, and I want to thank you again for the kind words. That means more than I could ever put into words. Until next time.
Yours,
Thomas
***Another interesting thing to note is that a huge #3 was stamped on the envelope.
I will try to get this letter and Susan Smith's scanned as both of their handwriting is very distinctive.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Letter Count So Far
Two letters from Michael Swango.
One letter from Susan Smith.
One letter from Thomas Whitaker
One letter from Richard Allen Davis
Three letters from Raffaello Follieri (These letters will not be posted in type publicly.)
One letter from Susan Smith.
One letter from Thomas Whitaker
One letter from Richard Allen Davis
Three letters from Raffaello Follieri (These letters will not be posted in type publicly.)
Letters from the Inside, Follieri, #3
[Handwritten]
Dear Kelly,
It's great to hear from you again! Thank you for the card and the various articles you enclosed. I actually used to have a dog that looked just like Mini! your articles were very entertaining for me. So entertaining I shared them with some of the other guys who also got a kick out of them.
Thankfully it has warmed up here, so that has been nice. Not nice like tropical, but I guess I could imagine a few palm trees and a beach... I'm just glad it's been above zero! I sure do miss New York, Kelly, this place has some lousy accomodations :-) let me know if you agree. Check out www.boop.gov and see for yourself.! :-)
Anyway, keep that flow of articles coming my way! Hearing from you definitely helps make this time easier to deal with! I look forward to hearing from you soon and give my best to Mini too.
Take care,
Raffaello
Dear Kelly,
It's great to hear from you again! Thank you for the card and the various articles you enclosed. I actually used to have a dog that looked just like Mini! your articles were very entertaining for me. So entertaining I shared them with some of the other guys who also got a kick out of them.
Thankfully it has warmed up here, so that has been nice. Not nice like tropical, but I guess I could imagine a few palm trees and a beach... I'm just glad it's been above zero! I sure do miss New York, Kelly, this place has some lousy accomodations :-) let me know if you agree. Check out www.boop.gov and see for yourself.! :-)
Anyway, keep that flow of articles coming my way! Hearing from you definitely helps make this time easier to deal with! I look forward to hearing from you soon and give my best to Mini too.
Take care,
Raffaello
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Letters from the Inside, Susan Smith, #1
Letters from the Inside, Susan Smith, #1 2/12/2009
This letter is from Susan Smith. I will have it scanned so you can see the handwriting shortly.
Dear Kelly,
Hi! How are you? Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I LOVE the card!! It's really cool that picture is of you. You're very pretty & you seem really hip. :-) Like I'd imagine someone from NY would be.
Do you live in a house or apartment? I live in a nice 9'X10' "suite" with 2 other women. It's not too bad, since I get along w/both of them. I've been fortunate over the years to have decent roommates, though living alone would be great, too.
I work in education as a math tutor. I teach Pre-GED mat to the women here who are working towards earning their GED. It's a rewarding job and one I enjoy most days. Some days are stressful and I want to scream, but the good outweighs the bad. It's pretty awesome @ the graduation ceremony when you witness them receive their GED paper. I always cry. They have one ceremony a year in September.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going to the gym, listening to music, and watching t.v. I'm reading The Shack right now. I like all sorts of books. Mostly the "off-the-wall" books. I just read a great book by Wally Lamb called This Much I Know is True and I'm going to read his newest one next: The Hour I First Believed.
What do you do in your spare time? I visited New York in Sept. '94. I saw 2 shows on Broadway, Grease & The Beauty and the Beast. Both were awesome! I went to Central Park, shopped at Macy's, ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, and went to the Rockefeller Center. I had a great time and will never forget it.
I see my mum ever other week-end and I talk to her twice a week. She's my rock and best friend. I see & talk to other family & friends, too, but my mom us the most faithful. She is coming this weekend and bringing my grandmother with her. Tell me more about your family. Do you have any brothers or sisters? I have 2 older brothers: Michael, 47 and Scotty, 46. They are only 13 months apart & then I came alone 9 years later. A surprise! :-) I'm not real close to them, but we're always there for each other.
I'm not sure what else to write about, so I'm going to close here. First letters are hard to write. Thank you again for writing. You seem to be very genuine. Take carea nd I'll be waiting to hear from you again.
Love,
Susan
This letter is from Susan Smith. I will have it scanned so you can see the handwriting shortly.
Dear Kelly,
Hi! How are you? Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I LOVE the card!! It's really cool that picture is of you. You're very pretty & you seem really hip. :-) Like I'd imagine someone from NY would be.
Do you live in a house or apartment? I live in a nice 9'X10' "suite" with 2 other women. It's not too bad, since I get along w/both of them. I've been fortunate over the years to have decent roommates, though living alone would be great, too.
I work in education as a math tutor. I teach Pre-GED mat to the women here who are working towards earning their GED. It's a rewarding job and one I enjoy most days. Some days are stressful and I want to scream, but the good outweighs the bad. It's pretty awesome @ the graduation ceremony when you witness them receive their GED paper. I always cry. They have one ceremony a year in September.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going to the gym, listening to music, and watching t.v. I'm reading The Shack right now. I like all sorts of books. Mostly the "off-the-wall" books. I just read a great book by Wally Lamb called This Much I Know is True and I'm going to read his newest one next: The Hour I First Believed.
What do you do in your spare time? I visited New York in Sept. '94. I saw 2 shows on Broadway, Grease & The Beauty and the Beast. Both were awesome! I went to Central Park, shopped at Macy's, ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, and went to the Rockefeller Center. I had a great time and will never forget it.
I see my mum ever other week-end and I talk to her twice a week. She's my rock and best friend. I see & talk to other family & friends, too, but my mom us the most faithful. She is coming this weekend and bringing my grandmother with her. Tell me more about your family. Do you have any brothers or sisters? I have 2 older brothers: Michael, 47 and Scotty, 46. They are only 13 months apart & then I came alone 9 years later. A surprise! :-) I'm not real close to them, but we're always there for each other.
I'm not sure what else to write about, so I'm going to close here. First letters are hard to write. Thank you again for writing. You seem to be very genuine. Take carea nd I'll be waiting to hear from you again.
Love,
Susan
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Letters from the Inside, Raffaello Follieri, #2
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for writing me and sending me the article you wrote. Regarding pictures, articles, letters, etc...you can send me any kind of the above as long as there are no obscene photos. That is the main restriction. Otherwise, all the articles you discussed are acceptable for me to receive.
Additionally, typewritten letters are acceptable... (see, your letter made it to me just fine.)
I have been to some of the places you mentioned...they are beautiful. It is very cold here also...check out the weather online. It's below zero here a lot of the time and snows daily. I would like to be on a boat in Italy...baoting is one of my favorite pastimes.
Please feel free to send me the other stories you mentioned. I look forward to reading them!
Best Regards,
Raffaello
Thank you for writing me and sending me the article you wrote. Regarding pictures, articles, letters, etc...you can send me any kind of the above as long as there are no obscene photos. That is the main restriction. Otherwise, all the articles you discussed are acceptable for me to receive.
Additionally, typewritten letters are acceptable... (see, your letter made it to me just fine.)
I have been to some of the places you mentioned...they are beautiful. It is very cold here also...check out the weather online. It's below zero here a lot of the time and snows daily. I would like to be on a boat in Italy...baoting is one of my favorite pastimes.
Please feel free to send me the other stories you mentioned. I look forward to reading them!
Best Regards,
Raffaello
