Managed to find the last DUI of the work year last night (since tonight I'll be working for the 1st - scheduling magic) - so felt good about that. I'll post more on it this coming break when I can sit down longer.
Tonight will be the magic of "urban fireworks" when all my little thugs go outside to shoot their guns in the air...
plus domestics, drunks and all the normal fun. Just another New Year's in the city.
I hope your nights are safer, and have a Happy New Year.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Plan view
Today's entry is a bit late, since my last call of the night showed up right at the end of the shift and kept us late...
One of the hardest things to teach new officers is to look around at the little stuff on calls - getting past just the weapons, people and all that, but seeing the stuff people leave lying right in plain sight.
This was a perfect example - a simple domestic incident, which could have been 5 minutes in and out. Instead, having seen the obvious crack pipe & tools sitting on the kitchen table, we end up doing a search warrant on the whole place. Two people with drug charges later, CPS called because they're using and selling right around the poor six month old kid, and some good info for our narcotics guys.
All from a little bit of extra work and time.
One of the hardest things to teach new officers is to look around at the little stuff on calls - getting past just the weapons, people and all that, but seeing the stuff people leave lying right in plain sight.
This was a perfect example - a simple domestic incident, which could have been 5 minutes in and out. Instead, having seen the obvious crack pipe & tools sitting on the kitchen table, we end up doing a search warrant on the whole place. Two people with drug charges later, CPS called because they're using and selling right around the poor six month old kid, and some good info for our narcotics guys.
All from a little bit of extra work and time.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Where it came from...
Figured a quick note was in order, as to the name of my blog.
I came to Firefly/Serenity late in the game, having been hinted that way by some friends and various net posts I read sometime in 2006. But I was instantly hooked. Not only was this good sci-fi (for which my weakness goes back 30+years), it was great simple storytelling. Good and evil, the grey lines that sometimes blur each, and all that stuff. Plus, hell, it's a Traveller game come to life! There are plenty of other new and old sci-fi shows I like, on the rare occasions I do watch TV, but this one has won a place in my heart.
Thus the choice of the quote. I certainly won't claim Mal to be the perfect representation of my character in any sense - each of them has their own aspect. But the quote sums up a Libertarian, free-loving, western feel that reminds me of all I truly believe. I don't know if Josh Whedon intended for all his future fans to embrace it as such, but I certainly have.
So, while it isn't always my first color choice, I am a Browncoat in spirit, and I dream of a ship and crew so fine. Some of you will get this, others won't but it's worth the saying.
I came to Firefly/Serenity late in the game, having been hinted that way by some friends and various net posts I read sometime in 2006. But I was instantly hooked. Not only was this good sci-fi (for which my weakness goes back 30+years), it was great simple storytelling. Good and evil, the grey lines that sometimes blur each, and all that stuff. Plus, hell, it's a Traveller game come to life! There are plenty of other new and old sci-fi shows I like, on the rare occasions I do watch TV, but this one has won a place in my heart.
Thus the choice of the quote. I certainly won't claim Mal to be the perfect representation of my character in any sense - each of them has their own aspect. But the quote sums up a Libertarian, free-loving, western feel that reminds me of all I truly believe. I don't know if Josh Whedon intended for all his future fans to embrace it as such, but I certainly have.
So, while it isn't always my first color choice, I am a Browncoat in spirit, and I dream of a ship and crew so fine. Some of you will get this, others won't but it's worth the saying.
Other junk
OK, a few other rants from today, plus some assorted crap.
Presuming everyone I know has gone grocery shopping at least ONCE in their lives...
WTF is up with the store having only 1 checkout lane open at 3pm on a Friday, holiday weekend afternoon? Thank you very much for making a 10 minute trip last an hour...
Which was pretty much the tone of my whole day. The bank - 30 minutes waiting for the one person who could help me with my card. Picking stuff up from the lab? Extra time while they sorted crap. Stop for insurance paperwork, and they've changed the forms requiring an extra trip. Hell, the fastest trip was the aforementioned Circuit City run, which I figured would take longer.
But on positive notes. Bought a couple of good standards on the beer list (Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Richmond Brewery's IPA) just to spoil myself tonight. Have the niece and nephews in for a visit, which is fun - they're growing so fast it scares me as to mine, and they love both Jacob and Kyleigh.
Played with the GPS I got for my wife when I was driving around - actually pretty incredible how far the technology has come. I remember the old systems we used 10 years ago in the service, black & white displays of coordinates and headings & that was it... these new things cost a tenth of the price and do a hundred times more. Will love seeing what comes next.
And, in one of the other stunningly enjoyable, yet small things from life... read a new (to me) Andrew Vachss novel tonight (Mask Market, for those who follow him). That was probably one of the things I missed most doing the school stuff last term, was the chance to read for simple pleasure. In the past two weeks since the semester ended I've finished 4 books I had waiting, and looking at the pending pile savoring what comes next... one of the things which helped influence my courseload decision for the future actually.
So my goal, for now, is to post at least 3 days a week (with one of them being during the work-week, just so I'm not doing it all on break). Again, as in the past, hoping it will wake my muse up, toss a bucket of cold water on her, and remind her where the desk, inkpot and paper are...
Hope a few of you enjoy.
Presuming everyone I know has gone grocery shopping at least ONCE in their lives...
WTF is up with the store having only 1 checkout lane open at 3pm on a Friday, holiday weekend afternoon? Thank you very much for making a 10 minute trip last an hour...
Which was pretty much the tone of my whole day. The bank - 30 minutes waiting for the one person who could help me with my card. Picking stuff up from the lab? Extra time while they sorted crap. Stop for insurance paperwork, and they've changed the forms requiring an extra trip. Hell, the fastest trip was the aforementioned Circuit City run, which I figured would take longer.
But on positive notes. Bought a couple of good standards on the beer list (Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Richmond Brewery's IPA) just to spoil myself tonight. Have the niece and nephews in for a visit, which is fun - they're growing so fast it scares me as to mine, and they love both Jacob and Kyleigh.
Played with the GPS I got for my wife when I was driving around - actually pretty incredible how far the technology has come. I remember the old systems we used 10 years ago in the service, black & white displays of coordinates and headings & that was it... these new things cost a tenth of the price and do a hundred times more. Will love seeing what comes next.
And, in one of the other stunningly enjoyable, yet small things from life... read a new (to me) Andrew Vachss novel tonight (Mask Market, for those who follow him). That was probably one of the things I missed most doing the school stuff last term, was the chance to read for simple pleasure. In the past two weeks since the semester ended I've finished 4 books I had waiting, and looking at the pending pile savoring what comes next... one of the things which helped influence my courseload decision for the future actually.
So my goal, for now, is to post at least 3 days a week (with one of them being during the work-week, just so I'm not doing it all on break). Again, as in the past, hoping it will wake my muse up, toss a bucket of cold water on her, and remind her where the desk, inkpot and paper are...
Hope a few of you enjoy.
What a waste
So, on a cheesy gaming review...
I was at Circuit City today on a quick errand, and saw a "Battlestar Galactica" shooter in the new games pile (by Sierra Online) ... hmm, I figured I could use some mindless diversion, and picked it up.
What. A. Complete. Fucking. Waste.
Graphics and game are at right about early to mid 90's technology, the user controls suck ass and I feel like I should be putting a quarter in ever time it starts, plus ordering a pizza and coke for 5 dollars.
I was completely prepared for a plotless, blow-things-up game - hell, that's what I wanted. But this thing is just so user-unfriendly it isn't funny.
It gets a week on the computer and if I don't like it more, delete time...
So that's the game review. Other post to follow.
I was at Circuit City today on a quick errand, and saw a "Battlestar Galactica" shooter in the new games pile (by Sierra Online) ... hmm, I figured I could use some mindless diversion, and picked it up.
What. A. Complete. Fucking. Waste.
Graphics and game are at right about early to mid 90's technology, the user controls suck ass and I feel like I should be putting a quarter in ever time it starts, plus ordering a pizza and coke for 5 dollars.
I was completely prepared for a plotless, blow-things-up game - hell, that's what I wanted. But this thing is just so user-unfriendly it isn't funny.
It gets a week on the computer and if I don't like it more, delete time...
So that's the game review. Other post to follow.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Update, as it were...
This is intended more for some of the MySpace friends, but will add here as well...
I'm enjoying the break from school between semesters. While I am glad I got a big chunk out of the way last time, a full-time schedule along with work and family just beat me down way too much, mentally and emotionally. I am proud that I pulled good grades out of it as well though. Anyway, next term it's only two classes, so I'll have a bit more time for some of my other interests!
The holidays went well enough this year. Had my mother in for a visit, which is always interesting (in all senses of the word), but we managed with only one bit of major drama. I worked for a chunk of it as well, which made it easier on me even if it left my wife to handle the brunt of things (unfortunately). But we did all get some good family time, which will be good down the road and minimize resentment.
Some potentially interesting developments at work I expect in the next few weeks, so look forward to that post... I've also made some very nice arrests just continuing my normal patterns - some good DUI's, plus a couple of other nice things that will send bad guys to jail. Had a fun call today, with a defense attorney trying to play some games from an arrest, and was able to shut them down right away - always a good feeling to be ahead of the game.
Both of the children are doing great. Jacob is just far too incredibly smart for his own good, and seems to know it! He's still doing great with his little sister as well - now if I can just get him to ease up on a few other areas! Kyleigh is growing already - hard to believe but dang! She's sleeping well, eating fine and healthy and happy, so all my prayers are answered...
Managed a date night out tonight - hard to believe but true! Went and saw "National Treasure Book of Secrets" - not as good as the first one, but still entertaining and a great family movie. Heck, I just enjoyed seeing something that didn't have silly songs attached to cartoon characters - living with a two year old has been affecting me!
So that's the VERY brief summary of things... I'll expand on a topic tomorrow & work from there.
I'm enjoying the break from school between semesters. While I am glad I got a big chunk out of the way last time, a full-time schedule along with work and family just beat me down way too much, mentally and emotionally. I am proud that I pulled good grades out of it as well though. Anyway, next term it's only two classes, so I'll have a bit more time for some of my other interests!
The holidays went well enough this year. Had my mother in for a visit, which is always interesting (in all senses of the word), but we managed with only one bit of major drama. I worked for a chunk of it as well, which made it easier on me even if it left my wife to handle the brunt of things (unfortunately). But we did all get some good family time, which will be good down the road and minimize resentment.
Some potentially interesting developments at work I expect in the next few weeks, so look forward to that post... I've also made some very nice arrests just continuing my normal patterns - some good DUI's, plus a couple of other nice things that will send bad guys to jail. Had a fun call today, with a defense attorney trying to play some games from an arrest, and was able to shut them down right away - always a good feeling to be ahead of the game.
Both of the children are doing great. Jacob is just far too incredibly smart for his own good, and seems to know it! He's still doing great with his little sister as well - now if I can just get him to ease up on a few other areas! Kyleigh is growing already - hard to believe but dang! She's sleeping well, eating fine and healthy and happy, so all my prayers are answered...
Managed a date night out tonight - hard to believe but true! Went and saw "National Treasure Book of Secrets" - not as good as the first one, but still entertaining and a great family movie. Heck, I just enjoyed seeing something that didn't have silly songs attached to cartoon characters - living with a two year old has been affecting me!
So that's the VERY brief summary of things... I'll expand on a topic tomorrow & work from there.
linky love
OK folks, I want to add the links of the ones who have inspired, amused, entertained, educated and generally made me wish I could write worth a crap. Without knowing HTML, is there any easy way?
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