If you've never been, it's a minimum security hotel... It's not, though -- no matter what the letters home say. I'm not supposed to say this, because it discourages those on the outside, but, even in the cushy hotel you are still under armed watch, you are still told when to get up, work, stand by your bed, sit on your bed, go to eat, and sleep. You also still don't have your family -- the bonds you build, if you are lucky enough to find a true friend instead of a backstabber trying to use you, are wonderful, but they don't replace your family.
You were here while he was here, but I don't think he was a mod any more. He's a very talented glass blower, and a very intelligent grower, who helped RIU become what it is. His bust was shit, but, even if it was legit, we're all here "together" and play at sticking together -- growing advice, trolling each other, talking about how our day is great or shitty, talking politics, talking about weed, and how "the man" sucks. But, all that talking doesn't mean shit if we don't step up when one of us gets nabbed for doing what we're all here, professing to do, or professing to be learning to do. Every single rep given for "feelings" and "friendship" are nothing but vapid internet narcissism, if we don't "rep" in real life, when a fellow grower needs it.
