“May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.”


"This report is maybe 12-years-old. Parliament buried it, and it stayed buried till River dug it up. This is what they feared she knew. And they were right to fear because there's a whole universe of folk who are gonna know it, too. They're gonna see it. Somebody has to speak for these people. You all got on this boat for different reasons, but you all come to the same place. So now I'm asking more of you than I have before. Maybe all. Sure as I know anything I know this, they will try again. Maybe on another world, maybe on this very ground swept clean. A year from now, 10, they'll swing back to the belief that they can make people . . . better. And I do not hold to that. So no more running. I aim to misbehave." ~ Captain Malcom Reynolds

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

First ride

Since before he could walk, I've frequently let Jacob sit on my motorcycle with me in the backyard, just because he's always loved it so - he grins and laughs and asks to climb up on it when he can.

Today I changed out the battery & got it started to run for a bit, right as he came outside. And for the first time I got him up front with me while it was not only running, but we rode around the backyard in circles for a few minutes. I wish I had pictures, because he was SO thrilled - it was great!

Can't wait to do the same for Kyleigh.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Stupid human tricks

Still alive, just kicking the last of a long week & a bit of the flu.

On an important common-sense tip:

When withdrawing money from the ATM, make sure you actually pick up the cash before you go...

sure hope some stranger enjoyed their bonus day.

That's the kind of week it's been.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Woo hoo!

OK, by blogworld standards it ain't big, but I hit the old "100" mark on page visits at 11:43 this morning - thanks whoever it was! Hey, I'll tkae what I can get.

Posting light right now - Kyleigh is sick, so we're all living on little sleep from helping her out & I'm also teaching at the range this week, so I'm having to detail with that whole "daytime" thing I don't love.

Hope to be lucid soon with real content.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Blinded by the dark...

in one of this week's occurrences...

Ended up having to deal with a slightly off-her-meds woman the other night who decided to have her issues at 6am when everyone was getting off. Since the original call came in a bit more exciting we ran to it hoping to get my guy some experience on something good.

It was good alright.

I should have sensed the trend when she answered the door. In only panties. All 350+ pounds of her. If I'd had the slightest idea, I would have turned and run.

Anyway, after a five- minute fight to get her to at least pull a shirt on, we then went into the half-hour of figuring out what was actually going on. Then of course we have to arrest her due to the situation. Then we get to walk her down the hall and down the stairs.

That took 20 minutes for our queen of fitness and sobriety.

Then into the car for the ride - fortunately I had an emergency blanket left, so I wasn't completely scarred for life.

Finally we get to the jail & start that process. Which involved the deputies finding clothes for her, for the safety of both her and everyone else... plus trying to get her medically cleared & figure out how much help she needed separate from the criminal stuff... plus the normal dealing with an arrest at a shift change joy.

And the whole time she's acting like clothes are a burden, which amuses the other prisoners while we all have to deal with it.

Just another night in town.... what can you do.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Comment of the night

From the drunk in handcuffs to me:

"Do you think you're doing the Lord's work right now by arresting me?"

"No sir, I'm doing the County's work. But God told me it was ok."

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Tempus fugit

So the one day break stretched on... I need to figure out a good way to get some posts done during my work weeks I see, while still balancing family time, school, sleep and those other bits of fun...

Anyway, just a few brief things to remind myself, and then will post more tomorrow night when I'm off.

Working with a new recruit again, so it's slightly changed my nights - not for a full cycle hopefully, but enough to get him up to speed.

Some good arrests this week, story wise - mine and a few others. Including a winner for "things I didn't want to see".

And, I've been told by the friends that I finally won the quote of the week on my own, for the alarm call response "You guys go up front, I'll take care of the rear entry."

Just doing my best folks! Stay shiny.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

No personal post today

Today the third Navy SEAL from the East Coast teams was killed in Iraq this week, along with six others wounded. I won't be posting today out of reflection for these fallen warriors.

Godspeed brothers, and thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Inconceivable!

The unthinkable happened tonight...

Tried a new beer, and not only did it suck, I couldn't even TRY to drink more than one sip.

Rogue Brewery's "Half-E-Weizen" truely honestly sucked ass as far as I feel. They have some insane spice mixture going on, and I couldn't even stand it.

Honestly, I almost threw up. My recommendation (if your beer tastes are similar to mine in IPA's etc) is avoid it at all costs.

On another note, followed my own advice today and used some extra money to pick up a case of ammo to store. My goal is two more cases for each rifle & a case or so each on the pistols, then I'll feel comfortable with whatever political winds blow.

Also, KVAR FINALLY has released their short stock with a trapdoor for the milled receiver AK's, so got that on order. And tax money should be in within two weeks, so I can get the Noveske upper I've been waiting on. Reviews on both to follow.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Quote of the Week

For those not in public safety, one of the oldest games among cops and other public safety workers is seeing what sort of things you can say on the radio and get away with... a stupid little thing, but we enjoy it.

Joe is our winner this week. Right on the air last night, following a bit of a windstorm, he whips out this wonder, when asking for public works to come deal with a fallen tree:

"Well, it's not very thick, it's just pretty long."

Yep, you can imagine the computer messages flying back and forth after that one!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

First Visit

Today got cut short from training, due to the little man's first visit to the ER.

While at the park Jacob managed to full-bore into a picnic table & put a lovely gash in the side of his head. Fortunately he's ok, just a few stitches to hold things together. He did great also - I was so proud of him throughout it all! Think mom was more worked up than he was.

Honestly, as much as he runs around and has no fear, I'm surprised it took this long.

But that drive from the next county over to the hospital was one of the longest in my life, and I prayed the whole way...

Considering a new addition

I honestly have sworn off any new handguns until I get the rifle collection up to par - been telling people that for the past year, don't need any, etc. etc. etc.

Well, last month at the range saw an absolutely lovely S&W Model 19. Which reminded me how much I wanted one of those about 15 years ago and passed on the chance. And since then it's been going in and out of my mind...

Then what does Marko do today - but go and show me another great example of this one.

Sigh... looks like I'll be making an excuse next month if I can find one.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Back in the groove

*cue horrible attempt to dance*

OK, last night was finally somewhat productive, and I felt like I got some of my touch back. Started out with a nice little suspended catch with a couple of other things - he got to go home on a summons for winning the honesty award with me, as opposed to playing games and bs'ing me. I do tend to appreciate that.

Then had a lovely little DUI - the guy pretty much did everything he could to get my attention and arrest him, short of driving up to my car with handcuffs already on... It would have gone a lot faster, except that last night was drunk and stupid night (might have had something to do with a certain sporting event), so the jail was a bit backed up... Still not complaining, and nice to feel like I know what I'm doing again.

Only took a mid-length nap when I got home, since I have to be up all day tomorrow - I counterbalanced it though by a trip to the grocery store and some careful shopping. Since the weather was nice and warm today I fired up the grill, got a 2" thick ribeye and put a lovely selection of dry spices on it for a rub, and reminded myself why I love cooking outdoors. I can think of worse meals during the middle of the week.

Depleted Cranium has an interesting discussion of the environmental movement up here... worth reading and considering no matter what your viewpoint.

Off to do some schoolwork, see what random thoughts I can scramble together for this next paper.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Good one

Over at The Fatal Funnel there is a list of ways to pass the time on the midnight shift...

I'm jealous, I don't get to have nearly as much fun - how do I get teh interwebs in my car!

Kids asleep, time to blog surf before work tonight. Catch you folks tomorrow.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

...

Frak, it's cold! I mean, not bitter outside, but dang inside the house and office it isn't fun. Crappy old insulation and a lazy person (me) who is slow in getting house projects done. I'm going to have to get a blanket for my feet I guess, since the socks ain't helping!

On the other hand...

My goddaughter and her family came to visit today, which was fun for all involved - although it did put Jacob into full madness mode, which led to a few rough moments for him. But the kids all enjoyed themselves and that's what counts. He also won the quote of the day award, for when we're all sitting at the dinner table:

"Amanda and I are going up to sleep in my bed now."
followed by gales of laughter, and the poor kids had no reason why.

I swear, I don't teach him this stuff - right now I'm being accused of it being genetic though!

**

I made a fresh batch of venison/buffalo chili for the visit, which everyone agreed turned out right nice. Along with some cornbread of course - and yet again, I'm reminded why I love the cast iron cookware for such things. Somehow it just helps it all come together better.

Off to do some more school reading, and then enjoy some sushi and a beer or three. Ya'all have fun now.

Friday, February 1, 2008

another night, another brief entry

Came home on Wednesday morning to find my keyboard and mouse dead. *sigh* So much for that Microsoft product. Then Wednesday night was full of a long meeting (3 hours that could have been done in 30 minutes), plus had a night of running around with a new recruit on calls that took time but weren't overly productive. So it wasn't until today I could run out and pick up replacements for both.

Went back to Logitech - so far pleased with the new choices, except that I had to get a wired Trackball instead of my preferred wireless. Unfortunately it isn't playing nice on a few things, so think I'll have to tweak it tomorrow - have a feeling it's a confusion between wired & wireless products working at the same time, but we'll see.

Still nothing great at work worth sharing - the dry spell continues but I have hopes for February turning out well if I can dig into the right things.

On the other hand, my children gave me incredible smiles and laughter today, and I have a life I never dreamed of... so I certainly am not complaining!