[Hands]

He's got himself in quite a mess. Anyhow.... he posted this one a few of his boards...and sent it to me in email...and, he just wants to tell of a lesson he learned in hopes to prevent anyone else from making the same mistake.

Here's his story....

IT’LL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME RIGHT? WRONG





Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you couldn’t watch the sunrises and sunsets from your duck or deer blind? Not being able to smell the sweet musky smell of the marsh or woods? The smell and feel of a wet dog and or being able to hug them? Maybe your not like me and live alone and the dogs are your life, maybe it’s not being able to hug your wife/husband or your kids?



Thursday started off great only having to work a half day then a picnic party at the park with a couple hundred people I work with. Also I had four days off for the holiday and had plans of hunting Doves and Grouse over that time.



Things went good lots of hamburgers and hot dog, tater salad, beans and of course beer. Weather didn’t cooperate though it was windy and fairly cold for Sept. but lots of people to shoot the breeze with.After three or four hours of BSin’ and sipping beers it was time to head for home to start the long weekend. I had about a ¼ mile walk to the car and was figuring I felt pretty good had a buzz but nothing that seemed too bad. The big problem came after I was on the road, turned on the heater and started my drive home. Things get fuzzy after that for a while till I look in the mirrorand there are the flashing lights of a Washington State Patrol behind me. As soon as I stepped out of the car and the fresh air hit me I knew I was introuble. The heat had kicked in the alcohol and I knew it, I was drunk and really felt it. I was asked to step behind the car too do the test which I couldn’t even think about passing.



This is the beginning of where being embarrassed and humiliation and finding out just how STUPID I was starts. Most of us might know someone that has been busted for DUI but probably don’t know all that is fixing to happen and what it’s really going to cost all the way around.



First off I’m handcuffed behind my back (and they hurt, take my word for it) then put in the back of the troopers car and the seat is a hard plastic and my glasses won’t stay up on my nose and I can’t adjust them. As I look out the back window of the patrol car I watch my car being towed off. I am taken to the county jail where it now gets worse. All my stuff is taken and recorded and put into a box now I have to strip and change into the county jail orange jump suit. Now I get to be fingerprinted and pictures taken plus given the breath test which I can’t pass(point 1 something). Next I’m taken to my cell. Now this is nothing like what you see on TV, there is no weight room or a court yard where they take you out side for some exercise. The room is only about four good steps in any direction and made out of cinder blocks. A small window in the door but I did have a cell on the outer part of the station so there was a small window looking out, but to see out I had to stand on the bed to see out and not much to see. I grab a book from the library before I go in and then they shut the door and you hear the click as it locks behind you. I knew it was going to be along time now no matter what. In the room you have a small table with a small round seat (it not comfortable to sit on and read the book). The bed is alittle over 6 feet long and under 3 wide. The thin mattress is covered with plastic and so is the pillow. I am given a pillow case two sheets and a light and a wool blanket (I am thankful of that blanket caused it seemed prettycold). In the corner is a stainless steel sink and toilet. The light will dimbut does not go out.



I am now starting my jail time and my heart races and very high anxiety has set in so I try to read. The next 24 hours are the worse time of my life, if you think your duck or deer blind seems small after a few hoursl et me tell you it ain’t. For the next almost 24 hours I read and paced and try to sleep which I never was able to do cause every time I shut my eyes my heart would race so no sleep and try to find some position comfortable enough to read. You are only let out for short time when they bring you some chow then back in and that sound of that lock clicking shut again. This is not worse part but just the start of more to come.



I finally get to go to court before the Judge. I consider myself lucky because I have lived in the state for 30 years and only had one ticket for improper lane travel (no turn signal) I am given 364 days of jailtime and fined 2500 dollars of this 362 days are suspended and all but 1200+dollars of the fine, two years of supervised probation and three years unsupervised. I also get to go thru alcohol rehab. On the 17th I get to go back and spend 2 more days in lock up and I feel the anxiety sets in evertime I think about this. By the time I get out I figure I’ll have read acouple more books read and probably be able to tell you how many blocks make up the room.



Guess what I’m still not done, today I get to go get my car out of impoundment and I have no idea what that will cost, plus I haven’t got to talk to my insurance company either and for sure that’s going to be EXPENSIVE ! And in a little bit I start using my vacation time getting my car and going to see the Probation Officer and I’m sure I’ll have to use more before I’m done.. Time that should have been for going goose hunting with my dogs.



All said and done I am very THANKFUL that the trooper got me off the road before I wreck my car or even worse hurt or KILLED some one for mybeing so STUPID.



I am going to be posting this on several hunting sites I visit plus one of the Sgt. I work with wants a copy for his young troops to read and I’m sending a copy to the 1st Sgt. I also encourageand OK anyone that know someone like me that needs to read this to pass it on or post on any other sites. If a couple of people are like me and read this then stop to think what will happen if you get caught driving while under the influence it’s worth it to me to show the whole internet world just what a Jacka$$ and how STUPID I was it’s worth it if they stop and THINK before getting behind the wheel.



Now, I took out his name. And, I hope no one is quick to judge....he knows he did wrong, that's why he is trying to get this message out. This is also the first time he was ever in trouble, so keep that in mind.
Talked to him a few moments ago on the phone....and, his story of what may happen doesn't end with what he wrote.

Maybe he did make a mistake. But, this woke him up, and he decided never to drink again. And, he is a good man, trust me on that.

So, I helped him get his message out.

And, no one was harmed, and he is being "punished" for his mistake, so I hope you can think of him in prayer because this is really hurting him. In many ways.

Anyway....he's a good friend of mine...and, I'm kinda worried about him.

[Paymaster]

Hands: I will send up a Prayer for your Bud. May God Bless.

[Mongojoe]

Hands, that was a good post... I do underatand ... and hope now that he has seen what could lie ahead, he has learned from this and that his life will only improve.