Ahhh...

It's nice to be home.

 

 

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Ahhh...

Wow!

Today was the last day of my training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness.
What an amazing place and excellent resource for first responders!

Today, I got to experience working in at a Mass Casualty Incident while wearing Level B and Level C protective clothing. My team got to decon the patients (manaquins) on scene. Then we got to survey the scene with detection equipment checking for chemical agents.
My regular job at work in Public Safety is sitting in chair for 8 or more hours a day answering the phone. This course exposed me to what the guys in the field might have to deal with when I send them out on a call.

The 2nd half of our day today was also conducted in Level C personal protection equipment. We got to into different rooms experiencing what it might be like to be exposed to nerve agents as a first responder checking out scenes-of-crime or a mass casualty incident requiring triage and decontamination.

All in all, this was an amazing week of training.
Thanks Federal Government (Department of Homeland Security) for having this available for first responders!

Wow!

Here I Am...

Well... Here I am.
In Anniston, Alabama for Incident Commander training.
I left Sunday, flying out of Evansville. My flight took off almost 2 hours late.
The Atlanta airport is... big. I think I took a wrong turn when I got there, and ended up walking probably 42 miles from the Delta gate to the South Baggage Claim area (which I think is actually right next to the Delta gate). Anywho, I walked down a ways following the signs directing me to the Baggage Claim area... then the signs stopped saying anything about Baggage. So I went back a ways and asked directions. The guy so back a few gates and go downstairs. I did. Then walked to the baggage claim area.
And walked.
And walked.
And walked... thinking, well it's gotta be the next one - surely these trains don't run to the baggage claim area.
And walked.
And walked.
And, rode the moving sidewalk a ways.
And walked.
And walked. And I'll bet these trains must go to the baggage claim area.
And walked.
And walked to a sign pointing back upstairs to the baggage claim area.
And walked upstairs to another sign pointing another set of stairs to the baggage claim area.
And walked.
And finally arrived at the baggage claim area where I stood for about 10 minutes watching the carousel the flight attendant had said our luggage would be on. It never showed up on that carousel.
So I checked in with my contact and went to the help desk. He said the flight I arrived on it usually takes an hour or an hour and a half for the baggage to make it from the plane to the carousel, because they only have one driver... I asked him (just to make sure) which carousel it would be on.
Turns out, not the one I was told.
I went back and quickly retrieved my luggage which was waiting for me on the correct carousel.
I checked back with my contact that was waiting for me (and all the other responders attending the training). She handed me a ticket for a meal from on the restaurants in the airport and told me to back no later than 4:15 pm because that's when the bus was leaving.
I got on the bus at 4 o'clock.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
...
The bus finally left at 6 o'clock.
We watched "RV" on the way to the training center, about an hour and a half away from Atlanta.
Once we got here Sunday night, we did some check-in paperwork and we're quickly sent to the dining hall to have dinner (which was supposed to have ended at 7:30 but they held it for us because that's when we arrived!).
Then I went to my room and went to bed.
Monday was lots of sitting in a seminar room listening to different people give us overviews of the knowledge and procedures we'd be using in the exercises Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday (today) was putting that knowledge to work in some exercises, and tomorrow is the final tabletop exercise putting everything from Monday and Tuesday together.
Thursday and Friday is a different course - Hand On Training!!! I get to put on Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and get gassed!! (that's actually Friday).
Then Saturday I'll fly home, pending any delayed flights - which I'm told is the norm at the Atlanta airport.

Woo.
Hoo.

Here I Am...

Back in a bit

Been awhile since we've written anything.

 

Since school started up again, we seem to be running constantly. Alexander and Elizabeth are both playing soccer this year - Rubi is volunteering her butt off, I've been working some really freaky schedules... And I just got over a cold/bad allergy-thing that had me feeling rotten.

 

Tomorrow I fly to Atlanta (and then drive to Anniston, Alabama) for a week of training provided the Department of Homeland Security (and on their dime!) at the Center for Domestic Preparedness. I'll have access to a community computer, but I'm not sure if I'll blog anything from there. 

 

Rubi will probably be quite busy (busier than usual) with me away for a week, so I guess we'll see you in a week!

 

Anybody know where we can get a brand-new Dodge Grand Caravan for cheap?

 

 

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Back in a bit

Something that I did not know.

Elizabeth knows all the words to Joan Jett's I Love Rock And Roll, as well as We Will Rock You. I can only assume she learned it by osmosis, having the parents that she does.

Also? If you turn off that particular mashup mid-song, she will get terribly annoyed.

Something that I did not know.

Whee! It's music genre whiplash!

Last night I was sitting in a huge church listening to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers. Heavenly music. They're so, so amazing and so talented, and just sing incredible praise and worship. They did songs from their new CD, called I'm Amazed. (If you've heard it, Hallelujah Anyway was my favorite. What a fun song!)

Tonight I'm sitting at the puter listening to a mashup of Love Shack and Superfreak (with the occasional "Hammer Time!" thrown in.).

Whee! It's music genre whiplash!

Oh, and?

SciFi Channel - you're on notice!!

Cancel Stargate SG1? What were they thinking?!

Oh, and?

Oy!

Driving in to work yesterday, I stopped to grab a sandwich for my dinner. When I came out, my car wouldn't start! (Understand, we've had it back from the shop for about a month and that cost us a pretty penny.) So I hoofed it the last mile to work.

This morning I had towed to a shop. This afternoon, on my to work, the shop called and said my car was ready to be picked up - it was just loose battery cables and I just owed them for the tow (yay!).

 

Now I have to hunt down the guy who put the batter in last time and have a word with him.

 

Oh wait - that was me....

 

 

Oy!

Kaitlyn's Promise.

Kaitlyn is the daughter of an internet friend.

www.kaitlynspromise.com

Kaitlyn's Promise.

Sheesh

We've been crazybusy lately.

 

Alexander and Elizabeth are both playing soccer now - Elizabeth through school and Alexander through a league.

Both had their first game of the season today. Both won!! (Even though Alexander's league technically doesn't keep score - it's a teaching league for little kids). They each have practice during the week also, sometimes on the same day at the same time at different fields.  Alexander had only made it to two practices before this game today, and he did really well in spite of that - I was so proud of him!  I didn't get to see Elizabeth's game because I was at Alexander's - but from what she's told me, she had a great game too!

 

Catherine officially starts pre-K this coming Tuesday. She's really excited about it. She's had to go twice in the past week, once for 15 minutes (actually that was a parent-teacher meeting), and once for an hour to get used to the teacher and classroom. She was old enough for her Kindergarten immunization shots, and the doctor gave her the choice of getting them now or next summer and Catherine decided to get them now. She didn't cry at all!! Just said "owow" a few times. 

 

Rubi is helping out at "Light Company" every Wednesday after school - it's a program at our church for school kids to come and have worship time, and different elective classes like art, music, crafts, acting, etc. and afterwards.

 

I've had a stupid schedule at work that has really messed with our scheduling - plus Rubi has work too in the mornings during the week.

 

Plus all the normal running hither and yon, and we're ready for a break.

 

 

Sheesh

Astonishing Sixteen!

MCF brings us another "Astonishing Test"!

 

1) What's your worst and/or funniest drinking experience? If you never drink, it can be about someone you know, and if you don't know anyone, move on to the next question.
Rubi gets sleepy after one drink. I usually just have a sip of hers.  All of this inebriation occurs about once a year.

 

2) Inspired by some of the insect images I've seen lately at B13's and Unspace, what are some of your more horrific encounters with the insect world?
All of my encounters with the insect world are horrific! Yesterday I was mowing my parents lawn and on the side of their yard barn was this (in my estimation) huge spider crawling along a web.  It's legs were all drawn together to crawl along the web, but if they had been spread out, the thing probably would have been about 4 inches around. It had a huge body that was a bright brown, almost rust color. The back part of it's body (thorax?) was probably 3/4 of an inch around or more.  It was nasty! Also, last week, we had a run in with a Goa'uld at my in-laws house. Apparently masquerading as a hickory horned devil. It was nasty looking also - but just a caterpillar.

 

3) How would your life differ if you woke up one morning with no arms?
I'd probably have slept better.  Arms seems to always get in the way while I'm trying to sleep.

 

4) Born in the mid 1970s, a lot of the classic rock I've heard used as jingles for beer, trucks, and other appropriate products was my first exposure to those songs. Do you think some of these songs were ruined by becoming advertising elements? What songs from your formative years could you see being sampled for commercials some day, and for what sort of products?

My formative years were really the 80's, even though I was born in `73. So most of those songs have already been reused, remade, rehashed, remixed, and regurgitated.

 

SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: I started blogging on October 13th, 2004. Last year some of you may recall my Best Blog Party Party, guest posts, year in review, and revealing photos. What sort of things should I do for this year's Cloakfest?

Have a Revealing Blog Party Test with Photos.

 

 

Astonishing Sixteen!

Friday Memes

1. When you were a kid heading to school, what did you most look forward to?
Making it home in time to watch my favorite cartoons.

 

2. What was your favorite subject?
Going Home.

 

3. Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Mrs. Glover - she was fun.

 

4. What did you like the least about school?
Going there.

Great example to set for my kids, I know... in retrospect - I really value my educational experience through 8th grade, and wish I had paid attention more to my Biblical studies.

 

Name 3 things that you are wearing today.
Blue Jeans, Polo Shirt, Athletic Shoes.

 

Who was the last person you hugged?
Rubi, before I left for work.

 

What do you like to order from your favorite fast food place?
Fast food.

 

What time of day do you usually feel most energized?
After my nap.

 

Using the letters in your first name, write a sentence.
Kids Eat Very Interesting Nutrients.

 

1. When is the last time you dressed inappropriately for a situation?
Well, there was that time I wore clothes in the shower....

 

2. How many friends do you have?
One really good friend and many acquaintances.

 

3. Are you running on time today?
Am I ever?

 

4. Do you use bleach on your laundry?
When required.

 

5. What are your thoughts on guns?
What kind of guns? Squirt guns? Paintball guns? Glue guns? Air guns? Staple guns? "Real" guns? Guns N' Roses? Hired guns? Stun guns? Toy guns? Jet'n'sGuns? Machine guns? The Guns of Navarone? Young guns? Young guns 2? Cows with Guns? Nail Guns?

 

 

 

Friday Memes

Me?

Maybe...

My Personality

Neuroticism	60
Extraversion	38
Openness To Experience	6
Agreeableness	23
Conscientiousness	56

Test Yourself Compare Yourself View Full Report

Me?

Take the test

My score on The Firefly / Serenity Test:


BRILLIANT!!!
(You scored 94%!)

JOSS IS OUR MASTER!!! You did Brilliantly!!! I'm so impressed...

Link: The Firefly / Serenity Test

Take the test

I Have To Push Chris Pike A Lot

Rubi showed me this video this afternoon.
I doubled over laughing!

I Have To Push Chris Pike A Lot

Yet Another Meme

1. My roommate and I once: Nothing. I've never had a roommate.

2. Never in my life have I: Been drunk.

3. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile is: My wife and kids.

4. High school was: Four years long and ended 15 years ago.

5. When I’m nervous: I pray.

6. The last time I cried was: I can't remember the last time I cried.

7. If I were to get married right now, my groomsmen would be: confused, because I'm already married.

8. Would you rather run naked through a crowded place or have someone e-mail your deepest secret to all your friends? Neither thankyouverymuch.

9. My hair: Is thick, and brown.

10. When I was 5: I loved to read.

11. Last Christmas: Rubi got me an mp3 player I had been wanting. Turns out, when you have a short commute and like to listen to really long podcasts, mp3 players aren't good for that. A CD player is much better. I returned the mp3 player after awhile and got a portable cd player and I LOVE it!

12. When I turn my head left: I reach for the phone that I have to answer. 

13. I should be: anything but this - I'm at work!!

14. When I look down I see: A black keyboard that could use a good cleaning.

15.The craziest recent event was: During our family devotion time last night, my youngest daughter was playing with her "Mr. Lion", and seemed to be abusing the poor thing in a quite rude way.  Rubi and I could hardly keep from laughing, until I was closing in prayer, and Rubi and I both lost it and started laughing.  All three kids just looked at us like we were crazy.

16. If I were a character on “Friends”: I’d be Gunther. Or maybe Marcel. 

17. There is no number 17.

18. My favorite aunt is: Rose I guess - because she's the only one I really know.

19. I have a hard time understanding: Why FOX canceled Firefly!!!

20. One time at a family gathering: Rubi's mom cooked a delicious meal - wait, that's every family gathering!

21. You know I like you if: I speak to you.

22. If I won an award, the first person I’d thank: whomever I won the award from.

23. Take my advice: With a grain of salt.

24. My ideal breakfast is: Buffet!!!

25. If you visit my home town: Be prepared to be bored.

26. Sometime soon I plan to visit: My bed for sleep.. I abhor 3rd shift!!

27. If you spend the night at my house: I'll let you clean it up.

28. I’d stop my wedding if: The minister was Joey Tribbiani.

29. The world could do without: Memes this long.... sheesh!

30. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: uh... no thank you. I 'd rather not.

31. The most recent thing I’ve bought myself is: A pair of jeans and a bag of socks last night - woo hoo! Oh wait, and two comic books today.

32. The most recent thing someone else bought for me is: I'm sure Rubi bought me something recently, but I can't remember what. It's 4 o'clock in the morning and I want to sleep!!

33. My favorite red head is: Rubi when she had a dye job. But if that doesn't count: Allison Hannigan.

34. My favorite brunette is: My beautiful wife!

35. My car must have a sign on it that reads: Will break down at the most inconvenient time and when my owner can't afford to get me fixed!

36. The last time I was drunk: Was NEVER!

37. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds: Dragons or Griffins. As long as they're good guys and not evil creatures.

38. I shouldn’t have been: Awake yesterday when I should have been sleeping!

39. I should have: Slept more before work today.

40. Last night I: Had a ton of work to do, and didn't get it all finished.

41. There’s this girl I know who: Is beautiful but would never admit it (Say "hi" Rubi!).

42: I don’t know: What that means.

43. A better name for me would be: Miss Nose-in-a-Book

44. If I ever go back to school: I'd try for a masters degree, or take a bunch of Biblical courses.

45. How many days until my birthday? It was 5 days ago.

46. One dead celebrity I wish I’d met is: no one. Don't care to meet celebrities.

47. I’ve lived at my current address since: June of 2000.

48. I’ve been told I look like: My dad, this guy at our old church, "someone I know"...

49. If I could have any car, it would be: An H3.

50. If I got a new cat tomorrow, I would name it: Something fun, but I like to meet the animal before naming it. Unless we get a yappy dog, then I want to name it Fizzgig.

 

Meme taken from Mommybrain.

Yet Another Meme

SEQUELS-THE MEME

Movie Sequel: If you could have a sequel to any movie you wanted, what movie would it be?
Duh! Serenity! Take me out into the black!

Book Sequel: If you could have a sequel to any book you wanted, what book would it be?
I'd love a sequel to Isaac Asimov's "Foundation and Earth" - or any continuation of his Robots/Foundation universe anywhere in the timeline (iBooks had 4 novels set in that universe, written by a different author - they weren't bad).

TV Remake: If you could remake an old TV show, which would you choose?
Remakes?  Hmmm.... Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Or that show with the Sleestacks.

TV Adaptation: If you could turn one movie into a TV show, or one TV show into a movie, what would you choose?
Can I turn Serenity back into a TV show?  No?  Howsabouts adapting Stargate SG1 into an SG1 movie series (with the same actors)? Wait, they're thinking about doing that.  Oooh! I know, let's turn the cartoon Gargoyles into a movie series! Or Transformers! (Wait, they're already doing that...)

Or maybe that show with the Sleestacks.

Hollywood Bites Book: If you could pick one book to be adapted into a movie or TV show, which would it be?
The novelization version of "Kingdom Come" from DC Comics. Set in the future, all - and I mean all - of the DC heroes come out of retirement to kick the collective bottoms of the new breed of supers that are fast running the planet into the ground (with some behind the scenes scheming as well). It's an all-out war. Batman is really old and very fragile, Supes and Wonder Woman hook up at the end in a great scene set in a superhero-themed restaurant with an surprise announcement to Bats (but he's got it figured out already, of course - he's the worlds greatest detective!)

 

Or maybe the Star Trek DS9 series of novels set after the end of the TV show...

 

Or the Firefly comics.

 

 

Meme taken from E.E. Knight.

 

SEQUELS-THE MEME