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.?

Blocked!

I am on Twitter a lot! I enjoy the Banter, the Bon Mots, the funny Observations etc... I follow a bunch of folks who are Interesting but recently found that one of them has Blocked me! Me? I can't quite get my head around that, I am one of the more innocuous people I know but obviously I caught someone the Wrong way. I formally Apologised to that person as a tweet & hope they read it but if they don't- Cie la Vie- Life goes on. I hope anyone who reads my blog is well, healthy and in Good Spirits as I am, perhaps because I am keeping myself busy & being mildly productive. If you would like to look me up on Twitter go to http://twitter.com/yknot

Eating a Carrot!

How did they catch me eating?

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.

Personalized Start Page

Personalized Start Page
Today's Moment of Zen. And an Apt discription of the world financial crisis by someone who was talking about something else entirely!

: "The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.
- Douglas Adams"

How catnip gets cats high

I like Catnip!

Pictures from the Puerto Rican Parade 6-14-2009

I had the honor of driving the ceremonial ambulance at the parade yesterday. A lot of fun was had by all! There must have been people 6-10 deep!

"Kuglebahn" Ball Machine - Video 1

Low Clearance 2''

I love the cat meowing at the end...

Left Turns Kill - More Proof

"Call 911" FDNY

Not that I'm a big fan of Rap, but I can't help respect these guys' efforts.

The two talking cats

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!

Coca-Cola: Encounter

I know this is a Coke ad- but it's certainly not the typical coke ad! It's Message is Beautiful and Enduring!

Turtle Rape Shoe

I warn you... this video is graphic!!!

A Tale of (Laundry) Woe.

First off, I'd like to Thank the many folks who Mingled over here. You Guys Rock! I Love to hear from a bunch of folks! I'm doing much Better, now that the Activia yogurt worked it's Magic.

I want to tell you my tale of Woe. I'm a caretaker in a Quaker Meeting House & have been so for the last 27 years! Along with the many pluses comes a big minus- I can't have a washer/dryer here. The building was never designed to have it and there isn't room for even an Apartment-style stacked model. I have to use the local laundromat. I end up wasting a good half-day there or, if Overtime is involved; paying the price for the convenience of Wash-Dry-Fold (currently $1.10/lb.) It gets Expensive Quickly. and because I ave limited time off, I use it a lot. I wish there were a better way to do this but Alas, I'm stuck.

How about all of you? How do you handle this? I'm told there may be something new that might help but I'm Skeptical until I see it work. If you want, check it out : http://tinyurl.com/awczm4 I guess we will see ( hopefully)

Why I'm not Hungry today...

( On a completely unrelated note: I really wish BLOGSPOT would fix the letter sizing button so I wouldn't have to Bold everything!!!)

I am completely not hungry today. I cannot ever remember a time that I have gone for more then a day without eating or feeling like I should eat. Perhaps that's the Norm for some, but not me; That is until I got a case of Extreme food poisoning!

I took my significant other to dinner at the Italian place her her job (she was on her dinner break) & we both had the same dish: Pasta with Bolognaise (meat) sauce. we both asked for & got roasted Garlic included. She ate about half her dinner and we doggie-bagged the rest so I wouldn't have to buy dinner the next day. I put the leftovers in the fridge & took it to work & had it for dinner. Boy was that a Mistake!!!

The next morning, I felt queasy when I got up. I remained in bed for 2-3 hours, sleeping fitfully. I got up to use the bathroom & preceded to vomit up about half of the dinner I consumed 14-16 hours before! I took an Imodium & returned to bed, until I had to get up for work. I really try not to call in sick & thought (Wrongly) that because of the extra rest, I would feel better when I started moving.

I got to work & less then 15 minutes later, managed to vomit all over the desk I had sat down at to await my partner! I signed out & went home, called my doctor and returned to bed. 3 hours later I awoke, achy chilled even under the blanket & shivering. I drove myself to the ER. The high point was when the registration clerk wouldn't get the Triage nurse until I had gotten my insurance cards out. I vomited into the nearest garbage can, clearing the Entire waiting Room (Yes, I am That Awesome) & said to her "I told you I was sick" I had an ER bed less than 1 minute later!

Tests & X-Rays later, I got the IV & meds that fixed me up, right as Rain! I slept soundly and have been symptom- free since. But, Not Hungry. I can't remember the last time I had Food Poisoning- never this bad!

Have you gotten this sick recently?

BTW: Kitty also got sick as well, so I know it was the food- she didn't have as severe symptoms but then again, she didn't eat as much.

If I Made a Commercial for Trader Joe's

Mingle!

WOW! I've never had this many folks reading my blog! This mingling stuff works! Now if only I don't get laid off... but I guess Time will tell.

I went to PA to work with my watch/clock guy & was happy to work but kind of disturbed to see that the city he is in (York, Pa- where they make the barbells) has a real & ongoing problem with drugs (Crack) & it's always attendant problem, prostitution. To say the locals are disturbed is putting it mildly. The Mayor & council seem not to want to take any action but it's not going to take very long before the Taxpayers are going to run out of patience with their ineptitude and demand they do something!That and the number of half-way houses that are around.

York is a beautiful, clean city within easy distance of Baltimore, MD and has a lot of Gorgeous building stock- Stop by & take a look- I am impressed & I think you will be too! I'd move there if I didn't have to work for NYC but the commute... I'm sure that they will fix it an it will get big when folks discover it's Obvious charms.

Layoffs!

Now that I have your Attention, I have to say that FDNY cutting Ambulance tours in order to save a few bucks is Madness! Ambulances don't Cost money, they Save Money! Transporting the Ill and Injured makes insurance money for the city! and getting folks to where they can be helped gets them on their feet & back to work faster! AAARRRRGGGGHHH!

Thanks!

I'd like to thank all the commenters! It's nice to know there are a few folks listening out there. I've been off for a few days, twittering, cleaning & shopping. Paying the bills may not be Glam. but I've made a real effort to pay off most of my outstanding debt and "clear the deck" for saving for a new car. I think it's do-able, given my habits of working crazy OT and small footprint living. What Motivates You these days?

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.

Four Hands Guitar

Now That's Entertainment!

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.

Merry Christmas Everyone! Happy Holidays with Peace on Earth & Goodwill to All! May the New Year bring you Peace and Prosperity!

A Rant about Twitter...

I like Twitter! it's kind of the Cotton Candy of the Internet(s); easy to use & many us us actually get to communicate regularly with Other bloggers we follow. I really have enjoyed exchanging Bon Mots with thewino, kimsnotebook, borneochica,theenglishrose & several more that I've found while I was there.

My Problem with Twitter is the bunch of "people" who are signing on to follow my updates. I always get notified when someone starts following me & when I check them out, they literally follow Thousands of people. I don't understand it- No one can possibly follow that number of folks 7 the only thing I can come up with is some sort of marketing effort- which turns me right off.What do you think?

Lulajze Jezuniu - Sungha Jung

I hope anyone who listens to this will remember that Love knows no Borders.

Broccoli Kitten LOVES Broccoli!

(Beatles) Blackbird - Sungha Jung

Seriously, This kid is Great! Watch 7 see if you don't agree.

10 Ways You Shoot Yourself in the Foot in the Workplace

Air - Sungha Jung

WOW! Just wow.

SIRA: Diabetes Prevention and Treatment

This opened my eyes and I think it will open yours as well! it's very long but I urge you to watch it- especially if you are overweight or have any type of diabetes or know anyone who has it!

The Alphabet of Life

An Oldy but a Goodie. There are No Words...

I've been Tweeting up a Storm...

Sorry I've kinda been MIA. I've been using Twitter and neglecting my author instincts. On this feast of Sowen, let us remember that while the Harvest has been god, it only remains so through vigilance. If you don't understand- good!, neither do I! anyway, if you join twitter, my name there is Yknot, so Yknot follow along?

Sicky.

Oh, what a time to get sick. The weather is changing, It's my first day back to work and I woke up this morning after a full night's sleep feeling I had just unloaded a Semi full of machine parts by hand. That & a Runny nose completes this all-too-sad picture. Screw it. I'm going out for Breakfast this morning and at least try to enjoy some of today. Stay tuned for all the Gory Details...

Canon in D - Sungha Jung

Japanese kit clock

This clock is part of a magazine in Japan that every month send it's subscribers a different model. It's name roughly translates as: Toys for Adults or Science for adults. The clock is Volume 8 and is available from kinokuniya bookstore or online (Google them) Cost is approx. $27-28. You're Welcome.

amazing clock in andorra

If a Dog barks in the Woods and no one is around to hear it, Did the Dog bark at all?

-Thanks to the highland Laird for this arrangement. I'd like to get one with a cat!

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.

Off to Saugerties- The Garlic is calling Me!

We are off to the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival! Although it s wet today, I'm sure we will have a great Garlicky time-We always do! I love harvest festivals! If you're local, the weather is supposed to clear tomorrow, stop by and say Hi, just don't get too close- I might have Garlic on my breath, but, come to think of it, so will everyone else so I may not stand out. BTW: the guy whose face is printed on the scarecrow is Bob Yerina, a garlic farmer and Great Guy who shows everyone how to braid- just look for the sign.

Tell Her This- Del Amitri

More from Julia Nunes. For someone doing all her own backup work, she Good!

Now THAT''s the Dog I'd want!

Run Sofia, Run!

From the NY Daily News:

Hero EMT slain in love triangle
; girlfriend's ex sought
BY OREN YANIV, TAMER EL-GHOBASHY and SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Updated Monday, September 15th 2008, 7:57 AM

Jason Ruiz
A hero paramedic who once jumped onto the subway tracks to rescue a stricken woman was stabbed to death early Sunday, cops and relatives said.
Police have arrested the woman's enraged ex-boyfriend, Enrique Pizarro, 25, at about 11:30 p.m. Pizarro was charged with murder and possession of a weapon.
Jason Ruiz, 30, an FDNY emergency medical technician with a long record of bravery, answered a knock on the door of the woman's Sunset Park, Brooklyn, apartment about 1:30 a.m.
The woman's ex-boyfriend immediately started arguing with the pair and pulled a knife.
The suspect stabbed Ruiz, whose father is a retired police detective, twice in the chest and ran off, cops said.
"I heard the screams," said Mario Velazquez, 40, a neighbor. "When the [victim] screamed, somebody ran off."
Ruiz was taken to Lutheran Medical Center but died an hour after the stabbing, cops said.
"It was an unfortunate tragedy," said Ruiz's cousin Carlos Pantoja, 33.
Ruiz's girlfriend had been "harassed" by her ex-boyfriend recently, family members said. Cops said they knew the suspect's identity and were hunting him.
Ruiz, a paramedic for four years, was mourned by fellow emergency medical technicians as a fallen hero.
They hung his uniform at their office at Woodhull Hospital in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Flowers surrounded Ruiz's helmet. Candles sat by his overalls.
"He would do anything for anybody," said EMT Yvonne Aparicio, 30.
"The department is saddened by his loss," said FDNY spokesman Jim Long. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
In July, Ruiz was recognized for rescuing a woman who had suffered a seizure and fell onto the subway tracks at Marcy and Myrtle Aves in Brooklyn, Long said.
Ruiz and his partner, Juan Rios, jumped onto the tracks without waiting for the power to shut off, pulled the woman to safety and provided emergency care.
"He was the first one on the tracks doing what he was trained to do," said Rios, 27.
He was awarded a medal for "meritorious acts" in 2006 and 2007.
"He was very loyal," said the sister of Ruiz's girlfriend, who asked not to be named. "He was a good guy."

Funeral details will follow. Jason, shield #3805 will be Missed...R.I.P. Brother
His attacker turned himself in and he was arraigned earlier tonight.

Matt Damon Speaks my mind on:Sarah Palin

9/11

I will be staying home today. I normally would go to one of the services or ceremonies that will be held but today I feel that remembering in private is my best option. I ask any of you who see this to say a prayer for all the victims of 9/11.

Henry "Hank" Eck, Requiescat In Pace

Hank Eck, along with his son Ken, were the Friday crew for S.O.A.C., my volunteer corps for I believe the better part of Five years. Hank and I were the day tour and his son would take over in the evening I rode from 7am to midnight. Hank had retired from the Phone company and in addition to having been the Chief of the local fire department, he was active in his retirees association (the Pioneers), the ambulance and other groups. He was a tall, Funny and Hard Working guy who cared about people & was ( and still is) My Inspiration for what it is to be a Great Partner! He passed away yesterday at age 82. Words are insufficient to describe my sense of Loss.

Decency is all too Overlooked. Hank was a Decent man, concerned with the welfare of others and always ready to lend a hand. When there was Trouble-there was Hank! Humility is Disparaged. Hank was self effacing. Manners are almost missing in public today. Hank really was a Gentleman. It wasn't an act, like it seems to be for so many others. He will be Missed.

That Green Gentleman, PATD cover

YaY! Julia is Back! If you haven't heard her, check her ouit on Youtube under jaaaaaaa Love the Uke

Sunday's Video:Retarded Policeman #17

Ordinarily, I like discussing EMS, but this guy has a whole series of these that really are a scream! Enjoy!

Pico and Sepulveda

More Cowbell!

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.

Lazy Summer Sunday Pics: Beacon Showboat "Pirates"

My oldest (and best-est) friend Vicki and I were supposed to meet last night and she told me about a show/ performance happening in her town of Beacon. I came up with kitty and we took the above pics of their fantastic boats, part raft, with a working steamboat and alternative fuel engines. They remind me (probably on purpose) of the movie Waterworld. They were supposed to set sail at 8 pm, but Vicki got caught up in other obligations and I had to leave early as my Leiut. called me to fill in in a pinch (hey, money's Money) if I couldn't enjoy checking out the performance with my friend(s) I ought to go make some as the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival is coming up at the end of September in Saugerties and I need money for hotel and garlic (YUM!)

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?

One, two, three, Go! - Belanova HQ (Video Official)

Erik Mongrain: Check him out!

AirTap. Reminds me of the california Guitar Trio.

Today was a Good Day!

I snuggled, I walked peacably in the sunshine, I treated nearly everyone I met well, I was witty and urbane, I looked ahead and saw myself overcoming much of what keeps me (and most of us) down, was considerate of both myself and others and generally have nothing to apologise for!

The YES dance

Fun! and Funny!

Hands Thrown Up « Culinary Couture

One from Lemmonex:
Hands Thrown Up « Culinary Couture: "Tuna Salad without a Name
Lemmonex Original
1/4 cup low fat mayo
1 1/2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (or dijon)
3- 6 oz. cans tuna (in water)
1- 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed
1 stalk celery, diced
3 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
Salt and pepper
Mix together mayo and mustard in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and stir together to combine. Let chill in fridge so flavors mix for about an hour before eating, but ideally overnight."

Strange Paper.

I found this and think it's the strangest paper I've seen in a while. Who thought of this and actually went through all the trouble of having it printed up?

More Pics...

Lately I've gone a little snap-happy with my digital camera. I should post to flickr or some other service but I'm always afraid that my pics will get used without my permission. Do you know anything about this? If so, Please let me know. Thanks for looking!

View of the City: L.I.E., Queens, 6 am

I just finished Overtime in Queens & was on my way home when I stopped and snapped this pic. Mornings are great dfor pics if you're not as tired as I was. Good Shot 'tho

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!

Acknowledgement of Copyright (s)to Owner onFlickr.com

Just Full of Ideas... or it....

Well, it's been another banner week at my house. The laptop I re-installed Windoze on suddenly went dark and wouldn't start up, so I took it to Geek Squad and they pronounced the motherboard had fried. Here are my choices:

-Get a new laptop ($600.-1,000.)

-Repair this one ($500. approx.) Note- late model Toshiba running centrino duo processor and windoZe visa capable 'tho running XP on it. very lightly used and compatible with many current laptops sold today)

- See if Toshiba would take a look & perhaps replace the Motherboard for me ( abut a year out of warranty) because of defect in motherboard.

-Go Finhing.

What would You do?

Hot Enough for Ya?

Sorry about not actually posting, I've been busy driving myself to the poorhouse (mine) all the while working OT and trying to keep my head on straight. I lent my laptop to a fellow church member and he managed to delete a system file, so I had to dump and reinstall Windoze WITHOUT a recovery disk! try that sometime... I've been taking a lot of pictures and will be posting them to flickr-I think- I like their stuff. I'll put in a link when I'm done. I'm just now installing the A/C that has been wrapped in plastic in the shed and trying it out beforehand so if it needs fixing, I'll do it BEFORE I put it in! (Yes, I AM a genius- 'cause I've done it before!) Hope you are all keeping your Cool and Those of you at Blogher this weekend are busy getting your drink on- Mommy needs a cocktail! Cheers!

Simon's Cat 'TV Dinner'

The new Simon's cat!

Why Youtube Sucks!

I really like Youtube. at times, it can be awesome, exposing you to Great Folks, Like Julia Nunes (LOOK BELOW!),Paperlilies,etc... but then comes the IT SUCKS! moment! Here I am, trying to add a comment: Ladies & Gentlemen, I give you Julia Nunes,Appearing at the Knitting Factory,NYC on July 12th. A pretty innocuous comment, don't you think? Well, Youtube WOULD NOT LET ME ADD THIS!!! I was turned down over a dozen times! It would only post as it did. Check Julia out on Youtube: jaaaaaaa and she's on Itunes.

Flagpole Sitta?

Happy Birthday America & Me....Especially Me...Yay Me!!!

Friends,Bloggers and fellow Countryfolk, Once again it's my Birthday! A wild celebration of massive proportions! I know you will all be enjoying this day almost as much as I will (who doesn't love a 3 day weekend?) Please feel free to revel in the moment-I will! My chopper is well on the way to being fixed, My personal life is satisfying and low Drama- except for the kitten-My health is good, Overall, it's been a Pretty Good Year. ( Forgive the Reference- I enjoy Tori Amos &No, for the record want to be a boy today and every other day!)I hope it's been the same (or better) for you as well.

What's Next? No one can say with certainty, other than we will most likely elect a Democrat to the White House, The Economy will slow further as prices rise, the real estate market will soften further as the full extant of the World Credit Crisis becomes fully visible, ( I can't speak with surety about where you are but the real estate here is Overvalued) The Oil companies are colluding with this Administration and OPEC to keep the prices high ( This is where the Chickens have Come Home to Roost- NEVER elect an Oil Man-EVER! ) Face it Folks, we are in a Recession that will not end soon.

THANK YOU REPUBLICANS! Your Over-riding HATE of Democracy, Love of Money & Power and willingness to send everyone Else's son and Daughter to die while yours stay safe at home and work on their tan (or degree) Directly put us here!You say it's Government that's the problem- No, YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!!!

Enough said for one day...

Why your paperwork doesn't arrive...

Don't Try This at Home!

That HAD to hurt!

Jeff Dunham - Achmed the Dead Terrorist

My Bud Andy sent me this. Funny!

Another Idiot gives me Money!

I like O.T. I've never said anything different. The fact that I'm on my 3rd consecutive double shift is neither my first nor my last. However, this shift is different. I'm replacing someone who has gotten themselves into such a well of trouble that I don't hold their chances high of ever getting out of it. I didn't wish them ill and hope they can prevail but in the meantime, I will be covering their tour for the foreseeable future. Good, (sort of) I have to put a couple of things on hold but I will be paying off the bills faster.

Get Friendly With the G-Spot!

Information we all NEED TO KNOW!!!

Being Bad.

We recently got wireless here in the station and since my partner is running late, I decided to be bad and blog. I've worked 3 back-to-back 16 hour days and am due for another tomorrow. Lucky for me I have a wash-dry & fold service or I'd be doomed! I hate this heat! Asthmatics, Infants, the Elderly and the drunk-all are extra sensitive to this. Oh, and Addicts too. There's nothing that says summer like climbing 6 flights of stairs to deal with an OD on the roof. or carrying one down so that they can get to the ER and walk out.

My question to you is this: Now that we finally have the two major candidates, Why would you vote for either of them? While I confess that I'm a Dyed-in-the-Wool, Yellow dog Democrat, I can't say that I'm Overly impressed with Obama; Mc Cain seems ready for Retirement, not Presidency. Would you look at a third-party? Again, Inquiring minds want to know.

I need more Time.

I don't know about you but I need more time to do all the things I want. There isn't enough hours in the day for everything. Perhaps I need to be more efficient but somewhere along the line I think I've gotten about as efficient as I can be; and am comfortable with. How efficient are you? I think Women are FAR more efficient then Men, as a Whole but that's a Generalization. Inquiring Mind(s) want to know.

The curse of the Digital Camera.

I will be posting pictures of the EMS Memorial and Bike Ride but they won't be mine. Somehow, my digital camera decided to re-format my card at some point during the weekend, so I lost All my beautiful pictures! I'm counting on a couple of other folks there to send me their pics. I had a Great time, made some new friends and bought a watch. I really do enjoy sleeping in my own bed however. Roanoke is a beautiful typically American Small town., but a good 40-50% of it's downtown is dead and has remained so for the past few years'. A drive through it's centre square will show you at least a dozen Large and many more smaller buildings Empty from floor to ceiling. They don't even post available signs. The public seems resigned to this state of affairs.

That the city of Roanoke could say to the EMS community that it can't seem to find a permanent home for the Memorial, forcing the National Board to look elsewhere while this is happening is SHAMEFUL!!! they seem happy enough to take our money when we show up each year, and my guess is that we pump about 1/2 a million + into the local economy that weekend. Well, their shortsightedness is forcing the Memorial to move elsewhere. For my sake, I hope it's Washington,D.C.

I'm off like a Prom Dress!

I will be leaving for Roanoke, VA. tomorrow to attend (like I do every year) the national EMS Memorial service. I almost always have a good time and I hope you do as well. I'll try to post a few pics and such when I get back. Ciao!

What's Your Motivation?

I was perusing the other blog sites last night and I came across a post for gooseberried that made me think. What motivates us? what gets you out of bed in the morning. Is it bills? kids?Fame? Fortune? The chance to show everyone you have a bitchin' rack? (I'm quoting here!) I don't usually ask myself that question. Maybe I should more. "An unexamined life..." and all that. Perhaps I need to further motivate myself to "put things Right" whatever the hell that means. I wonder, does revealing your motivation(s) make them more effective or just let everyone know that you're a doofus instead of just thinking it? I need a cup of tea and a little me time to figure it out. I don't know if theres' a Point to any of this but I'll put it out there: What's your motivation? does it change or is it the same each time?

The Sun is shining,the Birds are singing & I have to finish cleaning my house if I want to go enjoy it!

That's the thing with Projects, they have to be completed before you can move on. I finished building the Japanese-inspired sliding wall/doors in the dining room and it looks great! I also took the rug up, cleaned the floor and put a thick Bokara down. I think I'll need a pad but it all looks Right but now I have to gt all the furniture back by myself. Hopefully I can go for another long walk along the river this afternoon. How's Your day going?

Some Words of Wisdom.

And now for something Completely Different...

I see the videos went over like the proverbial lead balloon, so it's back to actual words. I have enjoyed sleeping in my own bed all night and not being awakened for Stupidity. I've enjoyed puttering around my house, I Haven't enjoyed spending a lot more money than I'm used to but it's all Good-I think. I saw Iron Man-Definitely a movie to check out if you like Action and Humor. Mothers' day sucked- Mom was too sick to see me but we made a date for her and I to meet up for lunch this week. Curiously, I've been thinking of my own Mortality- not in a depressing way but more of a rational,: "I'd better make sure that my will is up-to-date and certain things are labeled" sort of way- funny, I don't feel sick, it just came to me.

Kitty is being Nice to me as I've bought her a lot of little gifts and taken her out to eat- she and I made dinner together the other night and snuggled. I like snuggling- I know it sounds....Metro sexual of me to admit to it but it's true nonetheless. I hope you are all well and are having a good time as well.

Bathtime in Clerkenwell

A perfect song for a sunny day!

Happy MILF Day!

I've been finding so many stupid/fun/insane/great videos that I just can't help but share them! My Bad!

The Love Guru

From the Sublime to. . .

Regina Spektor - Long brown hair

Why I Love Regina Specktor.

A Time for Joy!

The FD Cardiologist gave me a week & a half off and will probably send me back two weeks from now. Yay Me! I feel Good and the weather is Perfect: not too cold and windy, not too hot & sticky! Not that I've a lack for things to do but you can only putter around the house so much when it's this Gorgeous outside! I plan on taking a lot of long, rambling walks, finishing projects, seeing my patient and knowledgeable time sensei and ENJOYING LIFE!!! Who'd a thunk it?

A Week of Waiting (or how to keep the Beat)

I was relaxing on tuesday when a series of events happened that told me I needed to get my pacemaker checked as my heart rate was Very low (32bpm) I checked into the ER was admitted and spent the rest of the week waiting as 3 different sets of doctors worked out putting a new one in. I may not have mentioned this before, but yes, I have a pacemaker. When I underwent open heart surgery, they cut the electrical connection between the top and bottom of my heart ( the perkunjie fibers) necessitating a pacemaker. I shoulda brought a book!

The actual procedure took about an hour and a half but it was 2 days before they did it. I don't mind missing a little work (my Lt. does 'tho) and now that I've spent the first night sleeping in my own bed my shoulder has a baseball-sized swelling that hurts like the Dickens & of course, being the Genius I am I forgot to ask for Pain Relief. Thank G*d I have some APAP/Codene from dental work!

Observations:
-Most hospital personnel don't have much of a sense of Humor. I had a white board across from me with the date the words: Your Nurse is________ and Your Care Partner is______ of course, the first chance I got I filled in the blanks with Elsewhere & Busy, Starsky & Hutch, Having a Moment & Taking a Break, etc... Each & every time one of them noticed, they immediately erased it!

- TV and Cable suck ( to be honest, I had that opinion going in)

- Most hospital personnel (other than the Doctor) don't care if you're sleeping, it's 4am etc... if they have to get an EKG they won't bother themselves to do it while you are awake! I DON'T like being awakened for blood work- come when I'm conscious!

-Most of the Doctors I saw were different ones from the practice, leading me to believe that saying you have a doctor is misleading. Although they know why you are there and what you need, I can't help but get the Impersonal feeling.

Anyway, I'm going to take a couple of days off, relax and hope the swelling goes down. Hope you are ALL doing better then I am!

Hey! Get your hands out of my Pants!

So, following a grueling week of working like a nut, I decided It was a bit too much work to (get up at 5am & drive 4 hours) to go see my sensei - we have a date monday anyway and spent yesterday visiting friends, going Garage sailing ( yes, i know-saleing- it just doesn't look right) and relaxing. I scored a bunch of stuff-it's still sitting in my car mostly cause I came home, expecting to go back out & see a movie but decided to finish a book I had started but didn't complete (Small Favor by Jim butcher) Escapist- Yes, but along with the other reading it's like candy for the mind.

I'd love to comment about all the other stuff swirling around me these days, I've been a busy bee and there's a lot to talk about if I could, but unfortunately it is Premature to talk about Litigation prior to my filing it. Let's just leave it at: I'm living an Interesting life- hopefully I won't have to but you all know the name of that tune. The Union locals' elections process went well and that brings a smile to my face as so many can't get it Right as evidenced by all the newspaper articles.

Happy St. Georges' Day!

It's the national holiday for the English people. Yay! Don't ask me why I'm cheering, perhaps it's because I know a few Great folks from that Green & Pleasant land and hope to visit one day.

Mark Watin, R.I.P.

It is with a heavy heart that I report the death of my friend and co-worker, Mark. By all the reports,he died in his sleep and was found by his girlfriend of several years. He was a Legend in the NYC*EMS community as "the Teflon Tech" There are many who have both Great and Terrible things to say about the man. I hope that they can find it in their hearts to Forgive him, as I have. I Know he helped me at the One time I needed his kind of advice more than Anyone. While I won't dwell on the negatives as I don't speak ill of the dead, He is subject to the Law of the Prophets, as are we all. He will be missed.

Simon's Cat 'Cat Man Do'

Another.

Simon's Cat 'Let Me In!'

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

New Idea!

Anyone who might know detailmedic IRL or can contact her, please ask why she password-protected her site and to contact me. My info is in my profile. Thanks!

Well, There's a First time for everything. . .

I got locked out of a blog. Boy, I didn't expect that! I put a post up about how the FDNY is on a hiring free-for-all and when I come back to the blog, they password-protected it and locked me out! it says I should contact the blog owner to ask permission but who knows how to do that? I certainly don't. Perhaps it's in error but I'll see if it clears up or not.

Anyone know how to go ask a blog owner for permission onto their blog when you don't know them?

The award for the Most done this week goes to...?

I got in two OT shifts, finished the nominations process, volunteered for Ambulance duty.gave a brief but complete report, lost an Ebay auction at the very last minute (they sniped me!) did a lot of organizing,did a major shop and generally made myself useful this week. Now if I could only exercise more often, eat well and make sure I had more Me time... but then again, there always room for improvement!

I'M GOING BACK TO BED!