Blogher10: A 1st Timers' view

Well, the Ecological disaster in the gulf is supposedly contained, after 85 days. For those of you with a statistical bent, the amount of oil actually released into the gulf will never be known- BP will put out a number, but can you really believe a company that initially says that the release was 5,000 barrels per day, but upon looking at the camera feed was more in the range of 60,000 barrels per day; the amount is Enormous! Only Time will tell how badly we are all screwed- but make No Mistake, we are all Screwed!

I was able to attend a Very Small Part of Blogher10 in NYC. I thought I wouldn't be able to go at all, but then that particular weekend opened up for me & after asking several folks on Twitter (yknot.twitter.com) I posted that I'd like to obtain a Cocktail ticket, with the intention of trying to meet some of the folks that post on Twitter. @justheather of Inexpensively.com came through with her husband's ticket(he couldn't attend) The following are some of my observations.

You really need to attend the whole conference! This Cannot be denied! I knew that there was a lot I might be interested in checking out, but the schedule is Extensive! I only saw things from the vantage point of someone on the edges. You gotta be In it to Win it,& There's a Lot of Great Stuff going on!

Be Sure to arrange to meetup with folks you follow/stalk/ are Twitter/Facebook buddies with. I'm not a guy who gets a lot of Social Anxiety- I work in a Ghetto & there are many occasions when I'm not in a familiar environment. That said, I didn't make any arrangements & when I showed up- I was Alone, in the middle of a crowd! I showed up after work at about 10:30pm on Friday night. Until I saw a post by @schmutzie at around 12:30 that indicated she was in the same bar & Direct Messaged her; The only person who spoke to me was the Bartender!
-By The Way- Big Hugs to @schmutzie,@palinode & @lod (laid off Dad) for being the Great Canadian Bloggers & people they are. I'm not sure if laidoffdad is a Canadian, but he's certainly in Good Company!

I showed up Saturday afternoon (Unfortunately, as soon as I thought I could go for the Whole weekend, I was Mandated by the job for Saturday evening& Night & Sunday evening & night, due to Call Volume) I walked around the art exhibit met the self-described "kissame mob"-
@missbritt
@mrbritt
@avitable
I then ran into @herbadmother & volunteered for Tutu duty for her son Tanner (tutusfortanner)

"Do I make you Horny? O.K. Nauseous, but it's a start..."

I ran into @sarcasticmomLC, who took this shot (I think) I wandered around for awhile, but, as expected for a guy dressed in a tutu, was alone again. My day considerably Improved after I went back to the bar & DM a few folks who were Twittering.

The Awesome @thecaffeinatrix came down for a drink & we hit it off. Apparently, she knows everybody! So all of a Sudden a lot of people came over to talk. I met @looneytunes, dead on her feet & the last person I met was someone I follow regularly: @borneochica, at around 1:30am She's a Great Writer and we exchanged some chit-chat. That made my night!

There are still some folks I would have loved to meet, but circumstances prevented it:
@faiqua
@neilochka
@grace134
@theweirdgirl
????????
I know that using Twitter handles is Geeky, but that's how I know these folks!

It is also Weird that,I know things about many of these folks, but don't actually know them! I know for Instance, that @borneochica is vexed by a Wonky drier at home that she can't seem to get fixed. I know she likes to run & is very fit & while she speaks passable German, she's slowly learning the Swiss dialect. Yet,While I think we could have a sit down & a good conversation (a distinct pleasure in this world), I didn't feel like I should invite myself along when they (the women)went to get food (and I was also Tired & had a 45min. drive in front of me)

I picked up the car and drove out through the city streets, using my "Street eye" to pick out all the details, the hookers in the blocks around the Hustler Club, using their phones as a cover to scan the traffic, then smiling & beckoning, the restaurant workers sharing a cigarette (or a joint) out the kitchen door, the "rocks" scanning the area around the park for the Unwary,all a part of NYC.I have a lot of Unconventional knowledge, built up over time. I don't normally blog about it- perhaps I should. I am reticent to disclose other peoples' affairs. I think it's bad karma. but maybe I can work on changing enough of it to matter, while still holding the Truth clear. I'll let you know...

The Culture of Corruption and it's Price

We have all watched in Horror, the developing Environmental Disaster that is happening in the Gulf Coast. If we are Lucky, the last-ditch, Containment methods will work and we will just have destroyed one of the Worlds' Great Areas for Generations. but what makes me Angry, what makes me feel Hopeless about all this is IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED!!!

A device called an Acoustic Switch, when properly implanted at the bottom of an oil pumping line can be remotely triggered to close off a leak or failure in the pipeline. They cost about $500,000 a switch, no small number for a piece of equipment, but in comparison to the cost of doing nothing-CHEAP!!! The use of the Switch is NOT REQUIRED by recommendation of the Minerals Management Service, who found: "acoustic systems are not recommended because they tend to be very costly." Not Surprisingly, this is an agency filled with Bush Cheney appointments, mostly from the very industries they "Monitor" I wonder if anyone who is either in the Underwriting Industry, the Management of these Companies or their stockholders wish they had installed those switches today...

The Bottom Line is the Hard Truth that No One can effectively be Trusted to Monitor themselves. The Same off- Balance Partnerships that did Enron in are still Legal, fought for by the accounting Industry themselves, The Heads of the Banks Knew that the Sub-Prime Mortgage Crisis was developing, but were making too much money to care & Big Oil & Big Mining has Proven that they will cut Any Corner!

It is especially Telling that, in it's message to it's stockholders that the Massey Energy staed that they were not insured for the loss of production but were insured from workers' claims. They also said that they would recover all the Equipment from the mine and move it to another site, saving the company a significant expense...

Blogger, Why do you make it SO Difficult to get any Help?

To those Brave few of you following me, you may have noticed that I stopped putting Headlines and different type on my Blog. This is NOT my Doing! this is the Hot Mess that is Blogger, who apparently decided one fine day that I somehow wasn't "Worthy" of such "luxuries" and just removed the settings, so I can't change type styles, size or much else...

I can't either find an answer to my question of how to fix this or even where to send a question! It isn't listed under "help" If I don't get some HELP with making this Blog work, I'm Jumping Ship & taking my Blog Elsewhere! Be Prepared if I announce this in the near Future. and, if by some MAJIC someone at Blogger sees this- I'd call my Boss over & Strongly Suggest he/she gets me some HELP ASAP!

Birds. Why did it Have to be Birds!

I awoke this morning to the sounds of Rain and flapping wings! Immediately sensing that the Angel of Death had come, I said "Go make yourself a cup of Coffee." then looked. A bird had flown through the open window and was sitting on my Armiore! I was Bummed, birds don't even like coffee & refuse to make it & I had to get up & get it back outside! I opened the door to the bedroom & the front door & using a blanket & pillow, I scared the shit out of the bird until he/she/? flew out. Now I'm cleaning up the birdshit. True Story.

Today's Thought: I'm not the One you would Choose, I'm just the One who Cares!

Hoarding, American Pickers and the fine Art of Actually Helping Someone rather then Helping Yourself...

A & E has some great programs. I like Hoarders, Intervention and their newest program American Pickers. After watching several episodes however, it has come to my attention that these guys are a couple of Greedy Bastards who look for Hoarders, gain their trust , then try to walk off with as much merchandice as they can- usually ripping off the person they "befriended" They revel in finding stuff the person put away many years' ago & give them some low-ball figure, then go & sell the stuff at Top price & laugh all the way to the Bank!

I want,instead of that model of bad behavior, to look at Hoarders. While those folks are Extreme, the show just doesn't tape them & go home. ?They send in Professional Therapists & Organizers to help before, during & After. They Pay to clean out the houses & for subsequent therapy. I consider that both responsible & reasonable. Remember, with any luck, we will all get old- which way do we want to be treated? Below, I copied a posting from one of the show's Organizers & hope you'll taks a quick look at it.

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The experts say...
"Many hoarders live alone and face mental illness or disorders. Because of this, by the time they are in the court system, there is an assumption that they are not able to care for themselves or their finances and belongings. The court then assigns a conservator and while understandable � it is completely overwhelming, sad and frightening for the hoarder."

- Dorothy Breininger


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Help For Hoarders: Ten Small Steps
If you want to help the hoarder you need to remove the threat of being judgemental - instead look at situation from their point of view. Every hoarder feels that their collection, clutter, trash is valuable - nearly every disintegrated book and newspaper circular is viewed by a hoarder as though it were a "diamond in the rough."

1-"Trust is essential." When they know that WE know all this trash and clutter represents their identity, they are less defensive and are able to relax and trust us so that we can help them.


2-Don't throw anything away without the persons approval.


3-Excavate one tiny area at a time - one tabletop, one corner, one drawer, one shelf in the medicine cabinet.


4-Sort before discarding anything. It's hard to relinquish one scarf, but less hard to get rid of 20 out of 40.


5-Donate items instead of throwing them away, since it's a comfort to know they can find a good home with someone else.


6-Make contact face-to-face and use a soft, gentle approach and let the hoarder tell his/her story.


7-Treat the hoarder with respect and dignity -- remain calm and factual but caring and supportive.


8-Evaluate the situation for safety then refer the hoarder for medical and mental health evaluation.


9-Go slowly and expect gradual changes and be sure to involve the hoarder in seeking solutions.


10-Avoid being critical or judgmental about the hoarder's environment.


Present ideas for behavior modification - for example: Don't buy a book unless you spend half an hour with it in the bookstore. For every book acquired, relinquish two books that you've already identified as dispensable.

I love it when...
I have the day off
It is snowing.
Kitty is Purring.
The fire is burning.
The wine is Chilled & opened.
The meal was Superb.
& you can guess what starts to happen next!

"I believe universal health care is, quite simply, right. It is a moral imperative. I cannot enjoy health coverage and turn to my neighbor and tell him he doesn’t deserve it. A nation is a mutual undertaking. In a democracy, we set out together to do what we believe is good for the commonwealth. That means voluntarily subjecting ourselves to the rule of law, taxation, military service, the guaranteeing of rights to minorities, and so on. That is a cheap price to pay."
— Roger Ebert’s Journal: I’m safe on board. Pull up the life rope

Some Remarks about a new NBC TV series: TRAUMA and a completely unrelated note about BLOGGER.

I went to see Julie & Julia today at a matinee. I highly recommend it. It's a chick flick to be sure, but Good! What I'd like to say a few words about is the Ad for the upcoming NBC TV series Trauma. First, marketing your TV series in a movie theatre feels too much like the very TV commercials everyone HATES!!! Bad Move! Second, about the previews, I've been in the TRAUMA game for much of my Adult life, both as a volunteer & as a working Professional. Some Observations:
-If I am ever in the middle of exploding cars without Gear- I'm in the Wrong Place!
-I actually have been in the middle of a gunfight & I can tell you: I was in the Wrong Place!
-running away with a patient in one hand, shielding my face with my (short sleeved shirt) hand as the Glass is Flying=Wrong Place!

Many folks think EMS is like that & almost nothing is further from the Truth! & as you know if you are reading this blog-this truth is free! It has all the boring parts of every job I've ever had, bad bosses, bad partners, too many hours, BS up the Wazoo etc... I've also had (& have) Great Partners, Great Bosses and I've gotten to do a Lot of things most other people never will! My Objection is that kids are going to see this & think: WOW! That's the job for me!

-Trust me when I say this: WE DON'T NEED YAHOO'S OUT IN THE STREETS!!! Have I done some Cool shit? Yes! Will I in the future? Seems Reasonable. but as you work here long enough, the real message should be: I want to do my job to the BEST of my Ability. I also want to go home, intact, at the end of the day. I don't want to Trade my Life for someone else's OR get so injured that I will have to Retire early & live, in pain, the rest of my life.

Like it or not, There are 3 rules in EMS that are Universal:
Rule #1- PROTECT YOURSELF!
Rule #2- PROTECT YOUR PARTNER!
Rule #3- PROTECT YOUR PATIENT -if doing so won't involve breaking Rules 1 or 2!

I will NOT stand in between you & whomever trying to Kill you! I won't let my partner do it either! If I can Grab you & Go- That's what I'm doing! If you want to leap off the GW Bridge and I can't Talk you out of it, you will be leaping by Yourself! I have a deep and Abiding Love of Life! and I don't want to give it away!

I have appropriate Protective Gear and I WEAR IT! You only have had to be in the middle of only 1 car wreak, protecting yourself & patient from flying glass as the Fire Department cuts the car to extricate you and have to take Multiple showers afterward to get all the slivers of Glass out/ away from your skin to learn that lesson! No Joke!

*********************Comment about/ to Blogger*************************************

Why is it that I can't change the size of my fonts? I so Totally enjoy seeing everyone else do it and supposedly I can when I post but those buttons don't work! And compounding the Problem, is your Absolutely Piss-Poor help site! I can't find my issue in the FAQ and I can't find who to ask! So I have Resorted to Blogging about it in order to GET YOUR ATTENTION!!! Fix the Problem(s) O.K.?

10 Things I'd like to say to People

1. I'm here to help you!
2. Getting angry with me for asking questions to get the information I need to fill out the paperwork isn't helping you.
3. I mind my business, but please don't do anything -illegal -stupid or both in front of me; I don't want to have to testify about it in court or get caught in the middle of a "Jackpot".
4. Don't let my white skin fool you. I don't care what race, religion, age, sexual orientation you are-we all feel Pain & we all bleed the same color: red & that means I want to treat you, transport you to a place where you can get the help you need & keep you alive through the whole thing.
5. I've been at this game for most of my Adult life, please try not telling me how to do my job.
6. I respect your wishes for the right to Die with Dignity- Please talk to your family and Doctor and have the M.O.L.S.T.-(Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) paperwork AT YOUR BEDSIDE! Frame it if you must. By Law, I have to start resuscitating you if it isn't there & once I start, I can't stop.
7. If you can't remember the names of your medications & you take a lot of them, Write them down! Many of the drugs given in EMS react badly to other medications. None of us want to kill you while trying to save you!
8. I don't want your money, jewelery or stuff. If it comes with you, it will be turned over to the hospital clerk. I want to earn my own money & I can buy my own stuff.
9. If I am doing CPR, breathing for your loved one or your wife in Labor and in Trouble, we are going to the closest hospital. Save Lives First-everything else is 2nd.
10. Drivers: When I am driving with the lights and Sirens on-MOVE TO THE RIGHT OR OUT OF THE WAY!!!!! Pulling in front of me so you can be "forced" through the light (Cabbies-you Know who you are!) or trying to pull in right behind me so you can go faster than the other traffic is both Stupid and Dangerous.

Well, So much for Regular Posting...

I am a Worm, I have NO excuse! I've been busier than sh*t & I have Twittered much more than I should! Blame me for swine flu, Somilaian Pirates, Global Warming, Whatever... This Week's Bad Joke is: 50 people die of Swine Flu & everyone is wearing a mask but millions of People die of AIDS & no one wears Condoms!

Blogging. Sometimes a Pleasure; Sometimes a Pain.

I've been Twittering up a storm! it is nice talking (in a SMS way) with some of the folks whose blogs I read but I realize that posting in my own blog also is required. I've been trying to recover from a cold/flu/virus that really laid me out. It has only retracted slowly & I'm monitoring it., but talking about it bores even me! I'd like to ask you a question: Is anybody there? I see that some folks visit but I rarely get comments and I'd like to know for my own head. Please let me know.

When do you know when it's time to let Go...?

Friends, I've known this person for 25 + years. I was there when he got engaged, married and at many other great events that have happened in his life. For the past year or so, I've called him steadily, on Birthdays, Christmas and when one of his parents died, I took some time off, drove up & helped him out by doing some needed work for him. I just don't hear from him & it occurred to me today that unless he starts making some sort of effort to continue our friendship, then it's Over. I wish I could point to something I did/didn't say or do, but I can't. Has this ever happened to you? What (if anything) did you do/not do? I'd like to know.

New Year. What's your position?

I'm not making any Resolutions this year. I've lost interest on making myself promises that I don't fully intend on keeping. I recognise that, for some folks this is a motivational technique that works- just not for me. How do you approach this? I will accomplish the Goals I have set for myself this year & I won't fail. or I will but I will make the effort.

Christmas. The Sequel.

So, I worked all christmas in order to give a Young EMT time with her new fiance & family (You can only be Young & in Love once) & she is supposed to repay me by working today. I've made plans to spend the morning with kitty, opening the Presents I have been studiously ignoring on my Coffee table, then going upstate to see my BFF Vicki and give her daughter her Christmas gifts I was told she will go wild over- Personally, I never saw the allure of Hannah Montana, but then again, I'm nowhere near young. The only person I didn't get anything for is Mom, but only because I take her out on a regular basis & make sure she wants for nothing.

I know the Economic Crisis is affecting many Folks, both here & around the World. We put our Trust in (Supposedly) Better educated & Savvy individuals and are now paying the Price for that mistake. There are just as many Thieves, Liars & Cheats among the Educated Class (maybe even more) than there is in the population as a whole. Your future really is in your own hands, at least as far as financial is concerned. Imaging if this country had actually bought into Bush's plan to invest part of Social Security in the Stock Market?

What about OIL? Before this whole business happened, didn't all the "experts" say that the World demand was driving up the price? Where did the "World Demand" go? Did China & India & Japan really stop needing OIL? OR WAS IT ALL A BIG SHELL GAME, DESIGNED, PLANNED & EXECUTED BY BIG OIL, THIS GOVERNMENT & IT'S OIL MEN IN OFFICE IN CAHOOTS WITH THE OIL PRODUCING NATIONS? Oil is now trading at just over $34/barrel- that means gas should be selling at approx. $ .94/Gallon? Why isn't it? Why is home heating oil still at it's Highest prices ever? I'll tell you why since no one else will- THE OIL COMPANIES ARE STILL RIPPING US OFF & GEORGE BUSH & THIS GOVERNMENT IS STILL PROTECTING THEM! Notice you don't hear either Democrats or Republicans calling the companies to task now & Now is when they NEED to be called on their Ripping off the Public!!! Let me know what you think, if you want.

A Fabulous Weekend, followed by...

I will post pictures as soon as my lazy butt gets in gear but I was self-Indulgent yesterday and only finished a few things.


I don't know how everyone is taking the news but I only have One Question: Why is it that fixing Social Security, which provides for and Protects most citizens "too expensive" to fix but Wall Street shows us their Absolute Incompetence and we are ready to pony up 770 Billion in order to "temporarily fix" their problems? Remember, these folks are the ones who say they "are the experts" What, exactly are they expert at? Will taking their "bad debt" really make everything better or just allow them to Dump their financial "shit" on us and continue on their Merry Way?

The Romans had a solution for this: the Jubilee year, where all debt was cancelled- public and private so everyone started with a clean slate. I'm Certain it wouldn't occur to anyone to do this so I'm throwing it out there. No one can miss out on Profits, can they? Is Forgiveness really possible? This Whole "Crisis" feels like a Shell Game; a 3 card Monty of a thing. and this president (and John Mc Cain) wants us to put part of out Social Security into This Swamp? Chile did this and people Lost 15-20% of their deposits in fees, assessments etc...

If Wall Street wants a Bail-out, We want Social Security fixed for the foreseeable future- let That be their cost and I would agree. but then again, what do I know? I'm only a regular guy.

I'm Feelin' it Friday.

I think I must suck at blogs! That's O.K. I guess. Not everyone can be good at everything. I directed a couple of friends to my book review and other posts & no one commented. Perhaps that's telling me something. Or not. I wish the Truth were prettier, more fun or attractive, in some way but I'll stick with it. I'm also sure that working 80 hours this week isn't the most conducive to Reflection, Perspective whatever. The only thing that's working is that I'm not fearful about money and it's a Good feeling, but, like Happiness, fleeting.

Book Review: Black Flies

*I want to start off by stating that I don't know the Author. I looked at his picture in the back and it doesn't "ring any bells" I have no interest, financial or otherwise in this book, other then the fact that I worked through this period for Health & Hospitals as NYC*EMS and FDNY-EMS, after the takeover in 1996 I worked in the Bronx during most of this period but I did Overtime shifts in Harlem, Bellevue and elsewhere (all over the place) in the 5 boros. It might even be possible that I worked with the author, though I have no memory of it.

I saw this book in Barnes and Noble and after reading the subject material, bought it. It is set during my first 10 years "on the job" so I'm familiar. Also, much of what we all went through remains unwritten and who knows, I might have a book in me one day but Anyway...

Right before Graduating the EMS Academy, I remember one of my instructors, Ray Simons, saying " You will be a different person after working in this job for a year. What you see, say and do will stay with you." He was right then and remains right today (he is in our Counselling Services Unit -CSU after retiring) This is one of the many stories of that process of change.

Working the streets is a real "meat grinder" and in between dealing with your partners, the public, the supervisors and all the Overtime you're forced to work, both to make the financial nut and keep enough Ambulances - or Busses on the streets it can and does eat you up inside. There are many sights, sounds and smells you can never forget. Seeing Evil on the TV is one thing- dealing with it (and it's effects)up close and personal is a completely different thing! Cops, firemen and other "professional rescuers" all have this in differing ways. Many drink, fool around, work and focus way too much on the job to the detriment of their family, friends and most importantly, themselves. Burnout is a Bitch and occurs a Lot! Ever wonder why the Divorce rate is so hi? I don't.

You have to develop a "thicker skin", a sense of purpose that will allow you to function in the middle of Chaos, a professional (and detached) demeanor, get rid of whatever preconceived notions you've got and Focus. You also have to learn to Cope, to leave the job, at the job when you go home, to remember to relax and re-charge your "batteries" so things like Patience, Compassion Humor, Love and Friendship have a place in Your Life. Believe me when I tell you this: Keeping your Head on Straight is a full-time job! Otherwise Burnout is not only Likely, it's inevitable. At times, the turnover rate in my job was higher then Mc Donalds! Even now, after the city acknowledging and trying to change it; the average EMT only stays for 3 years, the Average Paramedic:5 years.

Many of the stories of job and descriptions of places feel right on and were similar to what I've gone through. The actual process I assume was changed for dramatic (or legal) reasons. As for Partners: there are as many "types" and flavors as there are people. I recognize some of the "types" he presented but as you go on, all of you change- I can tell you that some of the folks I didn't like or didn't like me when I first got there turned out to be Great Partners and Friends as a result of shared experiences. Attitude and Approach are Important. So's keeping a Sense of Humor. And B.S-ing in the After-hours clubs ,parking lots bars,night clubs and other spots with Partners, the cops, firemen etc...

There was a mini epidemic of job-related suicides during this period. The last incident was last year when someone killed himself outside of the EMS Academy. We have struggled with this mightily.

That all said; the book is dark, like the job can be but it is not at all an accurate reflection of the EMS that I've come to know. Then again, I've lasted 15 years and am still Positive ( I kind of feel like saying my experience isn't the norm and isn't necessarily what others will go through-"past performance doesn't guarantee future results") but I'm not the Poster child for "normalcy"- whatever that is and don't want to be either! A good, quick read but keep in mind that it IS a novel with the flavor of NYC*EMS- not a mirror. I look forward to reading something else by the Author. I also hope that if this was his experience- he's Happier now and has gained some Perspective with time.

Enough with the writing- I'm going to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and take a walk.

Something to Think About on this fine Sunday afternoon...

I was asked the other day how many of us who worked jobs most/all of our lives and have pensions/ social security / savings/investments built up are going to fare against the millions of folks who never worked long enough to qualify/ lost their good paying job and have lost/spent their pension/never had a "good" job (hello Walmart employees!) went to prison etc... I wish I had an easy answer for this but I don't. There are many for whom the "net" has large holes. Sure, social security will "pick up" some of these but how we deal with now is going to have a Huge impact later on, as the "baby boom" reaches retirement.

There are going to be A LOT of Unhappy people! I also expect there is going to be rampant elderly abuse, scams and even outright murder! So I ask the other 2-5 people who actually look at my blog: How do You think we should be looking at or handling this situation? Where should we start and who should we be asking?

2008 NYC*EMS BBQ

Today, a group of those of us who worked "back in the days" of NYC * EMS got together for a BBQ in a park in Harlem. Many of the older folks you see in the picture are truly legends in the EMS community. No, at first glance you wouldn't think so but some of these folks drove Cadillac and "bread box" ambulances, brought their own jumper cables to hook up & use the siren during the time when the city wouldn't allow ambulances to have them, wore the white uniforms and pea coats of hospital attendants. These were some of the First Paramedics in New York City, Viet Nam vets, The folks who would walk up 27 flights of stairs and carry down a patient when the elevator didn't work. There's a Lot more I could say about them, all True but I don't want to Bore you. Many of these folks have forgotten more about EMS then many today know.

As a group of (mostly) retirees, it was quite interesting to hear what they had been up to. They mostly have kept busy, doing everything from becoming Physician Assistants, teaching High school, going into Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs, owning businesses and houses. A few are still bearing the Heavy Price for their participation in 9/11 with recurring illnesses, PTSD, that limits them to living far from most folks and being stressed by being there at the BBQ; even knowing that they wanted to be there to Catch up with Old Partners and Friends. Some couldn't make it, their Cancer, their Asthma too severe. All were missed. We also took a moment to Remember those of us who had passed on this year. Many stories were told, much food was consumed, much Fun was had getting together.

Those of us still working talked about the status of our Contract Negotiations with the city, where we were & who we were working with, and how we were getting on. EMS is a Thankless Job. I am certainly not the first to say this, nor will I be the last. The people who do this come from Many different backgrounds but we share in the Rescuer personality: We like to help Others so much that we do this job for Far less then many others would, put up with a Lot of BS while doing it and for some of us, doing this gives us injuries and illnesses that are Permanent. We have also found Family and Life-long Friends here, experiences Bonding us. I feel Proud to be a part of this group. I am not in this picture as I had to take pictures for many others but next year, I will be in it!