DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.
Owning a home is a great... But with it come the problems of things breaking down. Major things, like the oil burner, I leave to the experts.. I don't know squat about oil burners, except how to prime it with oil after I run out. I run out because I don't keep track of how much I have. A simple enough thing to do.. But I don't. So I run out, get more and have to prime the pump before it will run again... Nothing unusual here...Probably many others like me do the same thing.
However, about a month ago our washing machine decided if was old enough to want a rest and it gave out. Not the motor or the clutch or the main innards of the machine... Just the agitator. Now, I am NOT a mechanic. Never really been mechanically inclined, but I ain't stupid. (personal opinion)
Seems the upper half of the agitator was no longer interested in turning, thus not allowing for a full wash load to be done. I had thought there were two clutches, one controlling the lower agitator and one the upper... Therefore, thought it out and came to the following conclusion. Need a new washer. I thought this way since calling a tech in to check the machine would probably run about $75... Then the cost of repair, whatever that might be just did not seem worth it if a new machine might cost about $350...
I had taken the agitator apart myself, (yes, I am not totally un-mechanically inclined) and found that parts that were supposed to move the upper agitator in the opposite direction of the lower, did not seem to be doing their job. Poof.. Reality time and I am thinkin ok... Get a new machine.
So Jay and I go to Lowe's to look for a new washer. While there, I look at the parts on the new machine that are not working on mine... Wow... Those little rubbery thingys... They put a brake on the agitator... hmmmm... Seems mine don't do that... Jay and I go back home and look again... We don't buy the new machine.
I go on the internet to Whirlpool.com... sure enough... The little rubber thingys are called dogs... (why???) they are my problem. I call around to various (about 6) appliance parts stores and find one that has the "agitator cam kit"... $24.99. I buy the kit, replace the old dogs with new and voila... My washer works again.. I am GOOD. Whew... Almost spent $350 unnecessarily.
On another note, two years ago I bought a Fiesta Bar-B-Q... Nice unremarkable dual burner model, simple, as my taste runs...(cheap too $99)... Well, the other night I cooked 42 thin sliced chicken cutlets. My kids and I love chicken cutlets. Jay showed me how cooking with less oil is better than cooking with more... Sorry... Off the track here... While at the butcher shop getting the cutlets, I also picked up 5 beautiful filet mignons...So Let's have those tonight... Not exactly. When I went to start the BBQ, found that the tray that holds the lava rocks over the burner was completely disintegrated, lava rocks (in pieces and covered in old food droppings broken and on the burner itself. The burner is even worse off, holes everywhere... Now... What to do... Well first off we cooked the filets in the oven broiler... Perfectly and were they good. Next day I set out looking for replacement parts for the BBQ.
Lowe's had a replacement burner, $19.95 but no tray for the lava rocks... That's a special order item for the Fiesta brand BBQ. I attempt to improvise, using another type of grid. No go.. Too big...I take it back and low and behold... They have a new fangled cover that goes over the burner to evenly distribute the heat, no lava rocks needed. Perfect. ($19.95) Now I've spent $40 plus dollars (tax included) to fix a $99 BBQ. Hmmmm something not right here... But it works... and I saved bout $50 not buying a new $99 BBQ. Call me Mr Fixit. See ya.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The World is Very Different Now....
DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.
Incoming President John F. Kennedy said those words in his inaugural address, January, 1961. "The world is very different now, for man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human suffering and all forms of human life."
If he only knew what was happening today.
On a local level I am simply amazed at the balls, chutzbah, nerve of some people. Especially those in the "volunteer" ambulance company located somewhere on Long Island, of which I am associated and ride emergency medical calls. As an EMT, I've been in the corps now, celebrating, well at this point I don't know if celebrating is the right word, my 20th year this year and seeing what our current officers and directors are doing to it hurts me and my community like all hell.
Somewhere, at sometime, someone said "ABSOLUTE POWER, CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY" How true.
It seems, having the headaches of being in a leadership position in the corps are outweighed by the benefits. You see the Chief and Assistant Chief get vehicles to use while they are in office. One uses the car for ambulance calls which is proper and correct, and the other uses the vehicle for more personal business than professional. The Assistant says answering emergency calls is not the priority and substantiates the use of the vehicle stating, "I do a lot of "administrative" work". Yeah right... O.K.
As in any organization, ours is a Not-For-Profit corporation, we have by-laws and rules and regulations. Well presently, all of them are being bent to the benefit and pleasure of our officers. One by-law promises a "fair and impartial hearing" should charges be brought against a member for any offense. But what is to be done, when one is charged and NOT given the benefit of a "fair and impartial hearing"?.
Our corps attorney offers us his " opinions" but rarely quotes the law. In one such case part of the law was quoted, "NYS state law dictates, that officers in a corporation cannot be disciplined for carrying our the official roles as officers", however our attorney told us only part of the law... left out was the last part of the above sentence, he left out "as long as they are acting in good faith". (found that out, surfing on the internet myself...) Well our officers recently acted, but NOT (in my opinion) "in good faith" . So what is to be done.
I'm rambling here...It's early in the morning and I've got another case of bronchitis and cannot sleep properly. I awoke thinking about the garbage going on in the ambulance corps and just had to write.
Anyway... Our elections for the coming year's officers are held in March and elected officers and directors take office on April first. How appropriate, April Fools Day they take office. As some people are slightly immoral, if you are interested in remaining in office, what do you do to assure that? You eliminate all those members you feel may not vote for you or run against you. Right? Well, unconfirmed rumor has it that it seems that of approximately 60 regular, voting members in the corps, there was concern that suddenly 29 were to have been eliminated from the priviledge of voting this year for one bogus reason or another.
As for me, I was advised that the seven (7) FEMA certificates of training I submitted during the year are astonishingly (but not surprisingly) missing! Therefore, I am told I cannot vote. Oops, I kept copies and resubmitted them to one of the officers, so whew... now I can vote. Others are not so lucky. They are being run off simply because they do not agree with the officers and have no recourse. Lame excuses, such as not enough committee work, or no doctors note when unable to ride due to injury or illness. Petty stuff but good enough for the officers to say you cannot vote. In good standing in November but not in January.
Discrimination is rampant. One member (not well liked by the officers) submitted a request for a copy of the tape recording of the hearing she attended regarding charges against her. She also requested to see her personnel file. She was told to have an attorney request that information and was denied access to her file. That same night, I verbally asked (and I'm not well liked by the officers either) to see my personnel file and was immediately granted access. Is this not discrimination? I believe it is, and unfortunately again, the courts will have to decide. And believe me... it'll probably come to that.
As an agency of a municipality, our corps is subject to The Freedom of Information Law or FOIL. But some of our officers, one in particular, think otherwise stating "we don't have to give them nothin" The big E goes up on the board people... Error, error, error.
In addition to this silly sh*t ... oops, stuff going on... One member (4-5 years in the corps) was thrown out of the organization without ANY hearing at all. He received a letter, from the board of officers, stating that the board of officers would be meeting on a particular evening to discuss the charges against him, but the letter was in no way asking, requiring or making it mandatory for him to attend. So they found him guilty on all charges, in absentia. And still no recourse (internally). But since it is a crime to deny someone their civil and constitutional rights, the courts will have to decide the final outcome. Again, time will tell... How unfortunate it has come to this. What will happen to the corps? Who knows. Anyway I'm goin back to sleep. Wish us luck.
Incoming President John F. Kennedy said those words in his inaugural address, January, 1961. "The world is very different now, for man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human suffering and all forms of human life."
If he only knew what was happening today.
On a local level I am simply amazed at the balls, chutzbah, nerve of some people. Especially those in the "volunteer" ambulance company located somewhere on Long Island, of which I am associated and ride emergency medical calls. As an EMT, I've been in the corps now, celebrating, well at this point I don't know if celebrating is the right word, my 20th year this year and seeing what our current officers and directors are doing to it hurts me and my community like all hell.
Somewhere, at sometime, someone said "ABSOLUTE POWER, CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY" How true.
It seems, having the headaches of being in a leadership position in the corps are outweighed by the benefits. You see the Chief and Assistant Chief get vehicles to use while they are in office. One uses the car for ambulance calls which is proper and correct, and the other uses the vehicle for more personal business than professional. The Assistant says answering emergency calls is not the priority and substantiates the use of the vehicle stating, "I do a lot of "administrative" work". Yeah right... O.K.
As in any organization, ours is a Not-For-Profit corporation, we have by-laws and rules and regulations. Well presently, all of them are being bent to the benefit and pleasure of our officers. One by-law promises a "fair and impartial hearing" should charges be brought against a member for any offense. But what is to be done, when one is charged and NOT given the benefit of a "fair and impartial hearing"?.
Our corps attorney offers us his " opinions" but rarely quotes the law. In one such case part of the law was quoted, "NYS state law dictates, that officers in a corporation cannot be disciplined for carrying our the official roles as officers", however our attorney told us only part of the law... left out was the last part of the above sentence, he left out "as long as they are acting in good faith". (found that out, surfing on the internet myself...) Well our officers recently acted, but NOT (in my opinion) "in good faith" . So what is to be done.
I'm rambling here...It's early in the morning and I've got another case of bronchitis and cannot sleep properly. I awoke thinking about the garbage going on in the ambulance corps and just had to write.
Anyway... Our elections for the coming year's officers are held in March and elected officers and directors take office on April first. How appropriate, April Fools Day they take office. As some people are slightly immoral, if you are interested in remaining in office, what do you do to assure that? You eliminate all those members you feel may not vote for you or run against you. Right? Well, unconfirmed rumor has it that it seems that of approximately 60 regular, voting members in the corps, there was concern that suddenly 29 were to have been eliminated from the priviledge of voting this year for one bogus reason or another.
As for me, I was advised that the seven (7) FEMA certificates of training I submitted during the year are astonishingly (but not surprisingly) missing! Therefore, I am told I cannot vote. Oops, I kept copies and resubmitted them to one of the officers, so whew... now I can vote. Others are not so lucky. They are being run off simply because they do not agree with the officers and have no recourse. Lame excuses, such as not enough committee work, or no doctors note when unable to ride due to injury or illness. Petty stuff but good enough for the officers to say you cannot vote. In good standing in November but not in January.
Discrimination is rampant. One member (not well liked by the officers) submitted a request for a copy of the tape recording of the hearing she attended regarding charges against her. She also requested to see her personnel file. She was told to have an attorney request that information and was denied access to her file. That same night, I verbally asked (and I'm not well liked by the officers either) to see my personnel file and was immediately granted access. Is this not discrimination? I believe it is, and unfortunately again, the courts will have to decide. And believe me... it'll probably come to that.
As an agency of a municipality, our corps is subject to The Freedom of Information Law or FOIL. But some of our officers, one in particular, think otherwise stating "we don't have to give them nothin" The big E goes up on the board people... Error, error, error.
In addition to this silly sh*t ... oops, stuff going on... One member (4-5 years in the corps) was thrown out of the organization without ANY hearing at all. He received a letter, from the board of officers, stating that the board of officers would be meeting on a particular evening to discuss the charges against him, but the letter was in no way asking, requiring or making it mandatory for him to attend. So they found him guilty on all charges, in absentia. And still no recourse (internally). But since it is a crime to deny someone their civil and constitutional rights, the courts will have to decide the final outcome. Again, time will tell... How unfortunate it has come to this. What will happen to the corps? Who knows. Anyway I'm goin back to sleep. Wish us luck.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
My son the Captain...
DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.
Too much happening since my last post... but my son Jay, my sailing son finally came home from the Pride of Baltimore in late July... Jay had made up his mind to take a course and sit for his captains ticket... Well the course is very expensive... and so Jay decided to study on his own... and did he ever... day in and day out for two weeks straight... It ain't easy stuff.. Jay went to Boston for the testing... And he passed... And now has his Captain's Ticket... Congratulations Jay !! WTG... I am so proud of all my kids.... More later... byeeeee
Too much happening since my last post... but my son Jay, my sailing son finally came home from the Pride of Baltimore in late July... Jay had made up his mind to take a course and sit for his captains ticket... Well the course is very expensive... and so Jay decided to study on his own... and did he ever... day in and day out for two weeks straight... It ain't easy stuff.. Jay went to Boston for the testing... And he passed... And now has his Captain's Ticket... Congratulations Jay !! WTG... I am so proud of all my kids.... More later... byeeeee
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Oh yes... The Pride is back... The Pride II of course..
DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.
Wow... no posts since February... Life does move along quickly sometimes...
In this edition of "This is My Life.." My son Jay arrived back in the states aboard the Pride of Baltimore II. The Pride is a tall ship, the "good will" ambassador of the State of Maryland, USA... He arrived April 30, 2006 at the inner harbor in Baltimore. We (his siblings and I) met him at the dock. It was a long trip from Long Island in the wee hours of 4/30/06, but we were there on time with time to spare...
Here the pride comes in, sails already down but with cannon blasting. Jay worked the cannons. Other ships in the harbor also blasted cannon in salute and still others blasted their air horns constantly. There was even a fire boat to welcome the Pride home.
The big story behind this particular ship is the fact that this past September 5th, the Pride II was caught in a squall off the coast of France. (I believe 2 squalls, actually...) During same, the rigging gave way and the ship was dismasted. This means the masts cracked and fell... harrowing from the stories told... Miraculous in that none of the 12 people on deck or the 6 people below was killed or injured. With skill and commitment, the captain was able to limp the Pride to Saint Nazaire, a port city in Western France. Repairs would have to be made there...and the crew, was befriended by a local family. Some of the crew flew home, and replacements arrived in January of 2006, my son Jay among them.
From January to the middle of March, the crew and repairman worked on the Pride. A local family, headed by a man with many "friends" helped the Pride's crew and even provided connections for needed work and dinners for the shipmates. Jay became friendly with the family. (see photo below)
Jay with 3 members of the family that befriended him (he played piano with the daughter, and trumpet with the son)
I'm at work as I write this and there may be an alarm coming in... so... will write more about this later... bye
Wow... no posts since February... Life does move along quickly sometimes...
In this edition of "This is My Life.." My son Jay arrived back in the states aboard the Pride of Baltimore II. The Pride is a tall ship, the "good will" ambassador of the State of Maryland, USA... He arrived April 30, 2006 at the inner harbor in Baltimore. We (his siblings and I) met him at the dock. It was a long trip from Long Island in the wee hours of 4/30/06, but we were there on time with time to spare...
Here the pride comes in, sails already down but with cannon blasting. Jay worked the cannons. Other ships in the harbor also blasted cannon in salute and still others blasted their air horns constantly. There was even a fire boat to welcome the Pride home.
The big story behind this particular ship is the fact that this past September 5th, the Pride II was caught in a squall off the coast of France. (I believe 2 squalls, actually...) During same, the rigging gave way and the ship was dismasted. This means the masts cracked and fell... harrowing from the stories told... Miraculous in that none of the 12 people on deck or the 6 people below was killed or injured. With skill and commitment, the captain was able to limp the Pride to Saint Nazaire, a port city in Western France. Repairs would have to be made there...and the crew, was befriended by a local family. Some of the crew flew home, and replacements arrived in January of 2006, my son Jay among them.
From January to the middle of March, the crew and repairman worked on the Pride. A local family, headed by a man with many "friends" helped the Pride's crew and even provided connections for needed work and dinners for the shipmates. Jay became friendly with the family. (see photo below)
Jay with 3 members of the family that befriended him (he played piano with the daughter, and trumpet with the son)
I'm at work as I write this and there may be an alarm coming in... so... will write more about this later... bye
Thursday, February 23, 2006
A Month Later and I F*cked up Again!!
DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.
I don't know why I write here... I am very inconsistent. While hoping things would get better... all they do is get worse... And in this case, I'm the cause... My son Dan, recently returned home from his second friggin deployment to Iraq, celebrated (not) his 25th birthday on the 21st.
Being the "perfect" father that I am did not even get him a birthday cake... We were going to go out to dinner on the evening of his birthday (I got that night off by switching work dates with an associate from work) but when the evening came, Dan did not feel like going... so we didn't. To compound the situation, I forgot(neglected) to get Dan a birthday cake or a proper birthday card... Nice goin Dad...
Well I really am at a loss. I am just not functioning like I should. I used to be good at surprise parties and special events and such... now I just f*ck up too often. Maybe things will improve in time... only time will tell... mean while need to get Dan a cake and right away... later....
I don't know why I write here... I am very inconsistent. While hoping things would get better... all they do is get worse... And in this case, I'm the cause... My son Dan, recently returned home from his second friggin deployment to Iraq, celebrated (not) his 25th birthday on the 21st.
Being the "perfect" father that I am did not even get him a birthday cake... We were going to go out to dinner on the evening of his birthday (I got that night off by switching work dates with an associate from work) but when the evening came, Dan did not feel like going... so we didn't. To compound the situation, I forgot(neglected) to get Dan a birthday cake or a proper birthday card... Nice goin Dad...
Well I really am at a loss. I am just not functioning like I should. I used to be good at surprise parties and special events and such... now I just f*ck up too often. Maybe things will improve in time... only time will tell... mean while need to get Dan a cake and right away... later....
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Time Flies.... Just throw the clock out the window and see....
DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.
I must have some type of allergy... I'm stuffy and sneezy too long for it to be a cold... At first I thought is was Jays new kitten he brought home from Erie because every time I touch it... My eyes get watery and I get stuffy... But it now happens when I'm away from the kitten as well... Who knows... probably just old age setting in... Anyway, Advil Cold & Sinus tablets and Afrin Nasal Spray (both in generic brand) have helped.
My shed in the back yard, built by me alone in 1985 was in a terrible state of disrepair. Animals of every description (that is of local origin) ate away at the flakeboard side to get inside for the winters... Lots of my precious (junk by some peoples standards) was destroyed in the process. Since he came home from sailing on tall ships, my eldest son, Jay, now working construction with his friend Freddy decided the walls of the shed should be replaced. Good idea... We can throw out the damaged old junk and put in some new junk... Cool....
Well, after investigating the shed, Jay decided I would be better off totally demolishing the old shed and building a new one from the base on up. "Should only be about $600 Pop"... He said.... Well, $1,200 later the shed is nearly finished. Now don't get me wrong, the old shed was roomy (10' x 10' and 10' side walls to a barn peak) and had a 2/3 loft, but the new one is even better. Still 10' x 10' and 10' side walls with an a frame peak, has a full loft with purchased but still not installed pull down stair case to the loft. Neato...
The front of the shed has double doors, 37" wide each and I'll be able to store my "junk" securely... It is presently wrapped in tyvek and has ice and waterproof material on the roof. Next, eventually, will come the roofing shingles and vinyl siding... This was all supposed to be done before Jay left to go sailing again but I'm happy he got as much done as he did... (his girlfriend Casey helped enormously) My daughter Rachel and I put down a new wood floor over the old one and I've painted it (to seal the wood) with primer and when the weather warms a little.... Will do a second coat with a latex enamel paint.
Once the shed is finished I'll have to empty the garage... Throw out lots of "stuff" and put a lot of what is presently in the garage, in the shed. The whole purpose of the re-construction of the shed. Actually the real reason was needing a good secure place for storing personal belongings her kids have accumulated while living away at college and since rooms in the house have been re-delegated in usage. Well... Now we'll have it...
I'm working out more (physically). I bought a Gazelle exercise machine awhile back, but with the house in a state of flux, with moving rooms around, had no place to keep it set up. Now I have room for it in my room and I use it 3 - 4 times a week. Supposed to do a 20 minute workout each time, but with my borderline COPD, need to work up to that. For now each workout is about 9 - 11 minutes in duration... Will have to increase that if I want to see any results...
Running for Chief of an ambulance company somewhere in Suffolk County again ...(March 2006) wish me luck... This group really needs some change in leadership again.... Not sure I'm it, but what we have now has to go... Nuff said on that account...
Still working nights dispatching for a close by fire district...and that works well for me...After getting some sleep in the morning... have a lot of the day to myself...
OK... soon will try to post some picks of current events for all to see. Till then... Imagine...
I must have some type of allergy... I'm stuffy and sneezy too long for it to be a cold... At first I thought is was Jays new kitten he brought home from Erie because every time I touch it... My eyes get watery and I get stuffy... But it now happens when I'm away from the kitten as well... Who knows... probably just old age setting in... Anyway, Advil Cold & Sinus tablets and Afrin Nasal Spray (both in generic brand) have helped.
My shed in the back yard, built by me alone in 1985 was in a terrible state of disrepair. Animals of every description (that is of local origin) ate away at the flakeboard side to get inside for the winters... Lots of my precious (junk by some peoples standards) was destroyed in the process. Since he came home from sailing on tall ships, my eldest son, Jay, now working construction with his friend Freddy decided the walls of the shed should be replaced. Good idea... We can throw out the damaged old junk and put in some new junk... Cool....
Well, after investigating the shed, Jay decided I would be better off totally demolishing the old shed and building a new one from the base on up. "Should only be about $600 Pop"... He said.... Well, $1,200 later the shed is nearly finished. Now don't get me wrong, the old shed was roomy (10' x 10' and 10' side walls to a barn peak) and had a 2/3 loft, but the new one is even better. Still 10' x 10' and 10' side walls with an a frame peak, has a full loft with purchased but still not installed pull down stair case to the loft. Neato...
The front of the shed has double doors, 37" wide each and I'll be able to store my "junk" securely... It is presently wrapped in tyvek and has ice and waterproof material on the roof. Next, eventually, will come the roofing shingles and vinyl siding... This was all supposed to be done before Jay left to go sailing again but I'm happy he got as much done as he did... (his girlfriend Casey helped enormously) My daughter Rachel and I put down a new wood floor over the old one and I've painted it (to seal the wood) with primer and when the weather warms a little.... Will do a second coat with a latex enamel paint.
Once the shed is finished I'll have to empty the garage... Throw out lots of "stuff" and put a lot of what is presently in the garage, in the shed. The whole purpose of the re-construction of the shed. Actually the real reason was needing a good secure place for storing personal belongings her kids have accumulated while living away at college and since rooms in the house have been re-delegated in usage. Well... Now we'll have it...
I'm working out more (physically). I bought a Gazelle exercise machine awhile back, but with the house in a state of flux, with moving rooms around, had no place to keep it set up. Now I have room for it in my room and I use it 3 - 4 times a week. Supposed to do a 20 minute workout each time, but with my borderline COPD, need to work up to that. For now each workout is about 9 - 11 minutes in duration... Will have to increase that if I want to see any results...
Running for Chief of an ambulance company somewhere in Suffolk County again ...(March 2006) wish me luck... This group really needs some change in leadership again.... Not sure I'm it, but what we have now has to go... Nuff said on that account...
Still working nights dispatching for a close by fire district...and that works well for me...After getting some sleep in the morning... have a lot of the day to myself...
OK... soon will try to post some picks of current events for all to see. Till then... Imagine...
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Been two months now.....
DISCLAIMER: The images and writing contained in this blog are the thoughts and opinions of the blogger. Obviously, all names have been left out to protect both the innocent and the guilty. Thank heavens for the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution which allows presentation of my own feelings and opinions. There are those that feel I have violated privacy or confidences, however, with no names mentioned, attachment can only be made by inference. If by chance you don't agree with what is written here, or, feel you don't like what you have read, stop reading and don't bother coming back.
Well, it's been two months since my last post. Lots has happened. But this post will be happily submitted regarding the home-coming of my Marine Son Cpl. Dan. It was a wild scene at Camp Lejeune's Court House Bay housing complex when the Marines of the 4th Amphibian Assault Battalion, H & S, 2nd and 3rd platoons returned from their second deployment in Iraq. Families, friends and fellow Marines were on hand to welcome everyone home.
We arrived at Jacksonville, NC (just outside Camp LeJeune) the day before the Marines arrived and we set up (along with all the other parents and families) miles of welcome home banners. It was truly a site to see.
(click on the photo to enlarge then hit back button to return here)
The arrow points to our banners, the big yellow one and the white one between the American Flag and the Marine Corps Flag, both of which (flags) we brought with us. The Marine welcoming committee set up a huge tent and supplied the families with refreshments (pizza and sodas). Jay took video pictures with my Kodak digital camera. He stood up on the balcony to get a good view when the busses arrived and yelled like hell as soon as he saw his brother, Dan, get off the bus.
After we hugged Dan (Rachel and I) Dan ran to hug Jay, who at the same time ran down from the balcony. With tears of joy, the two brothers hugged and held on for quite awhile.
As soon as the Marines were released, we took Dan back to our hotel to "freshen up" and then out to dinner at his favorite restaurant, The Texas Roadhouse. Dan had his last resturant meal there before leaving in January and his first upon return... fitting...no?
We had a fine time, ate and drank well and then went back to the hotel to rest and talk and talk and talk. It was great seeing him home again. Everyone commented how much Dan and I look alike... I see it too...
On the left is me as a USMC Sgt (circa 1973) and Dan (taken at this years Marine Corps ball, more on that later)
Well, he's home...For awhile anyway... He's fixed up his room to his liking ( I think) and is now taking a long deserved rest. None of us know what the future holds...But we hope it's not another trip back to the sand-box. Later...
Well, it's been two months since my last post. Lots has happened. But this post will be happily submitted regarding the home-coming of my Marine Son Cpl. Dan. It was a wild scene at Camp Lejeune's Court House Bay housing complex when the Marines of the 4th Amphibian Assault Battalion, H & S, 2nd and 3rd platoons returned from their second deployment in Iraq. Families, friends and fellow Marines were on hand to welcome everyone home.
We arrived at Jacksonville, NC (just outside Camp LeJeune) the day before the Marines arrived and we set up (along with all the other parents and families) miles of welcome home banners. It was truly a site to see.
(click on the photo to enlarge then hit back button to return here)The arrow points to our banners, the big yellow one and the white one between the American Flag and the Marine Corps Flag, both of which (flags) we brought with us. The Marine welcoming committee set up a huge tent and supplied the families with refreshments (pizza and sodas). Jay took video pictures with my Kodak digital camera. He stood up on the balcony to get a good view when the busses arrived and yelled like hell as soon as he saw his brother, Dan, get off the bus.
After we hugged Dan (Rachel and I) Dan ran to hug Jay, who at the same time ran down from the balcony. With tears of joy, the two brothers hugged and held on for quite awhile.
As soon as the Marines were released, we took Dan back to our hotel to "freshen up" and then out to dinner at his favorite restaurant, The Texas Roadhouse. Dan had his last resturant meal there before leaving in January and his first upon return... fitting...no?
We had a fine time, ate and drank well and then went back to the hotel to rest and talk and talk and talk. It was great seeing him home again. Everyone commented how much Dan and I look alike... I see it too...
On the left is me as a USMC Sgt (circa 1973) and Dan (taken at this years Marine Corps ball, more on that later)
Well, he's home...For awhile anyway... He's fixed up his room to his liking ( I think) and is now taking a long deserved rest. None of us know what the future holds...But we hope it's not another trip back to the sand-box. Later...
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