I read about this challenge today. Which means I am a day behind, but hey. It's a leap year, I get an extra day, it all works out, right? I just like the idea of writing to people, and the thought of sending letters out to people I have been thinking "gee, I should write to X", can now be... "Oh, I have this challenge, who can I write to, oh yeah, X!"
The other day, one of my friends asked how my book was going. I have several pages written, and showed her. She looked confused, and said, but it's handwritten. I said that yes, I transcribe it onto disk later. Yeah, she said, but it takes so long to write that way.
I guess I never thought writing was about speed. (Just ask most of my school teachers...)
Anywho, I figure I will see if I can get some letters to people. If you would like me to write to you, send your regular/classic/snail address to: rencatus AT yahoo DOT com. I would be happy to drop you a (handwritten) line!
Elsewhere...
I was at my shift at the substation, and this gent came in wanting a welfare check on a family member. I called dispatch to send a deputy out to talk to him. While we were waiting, he started saying that he hoped the deputy could find said family member. (Oh, great...)
I very carefully said that a welfare check usually implied that one has some idea where the person IS. He then said something to the effect that it shouldn't be that hard to find her, and discussed some ways HE thought that it could happen. Several that were questionable, one or two I suspect were illegal.
I responded that while he had some... interesting ideas, that Law Enforcement did have some limitations on what they could do. I kid you not, he responded:
"But they do that on TV all the time!"
Yoiks!
Showing posts with label SO shift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SO shift. Show all posts
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The conversation.
I was sitting at the desk for my shift, reading a book, as the computer died. (You know, if I was more superstitious, I might be worried about this. Fortune would have it, the person before said it was acting up for her...) I heard the bing, bing, bing of the front door, and looked up, standing and putting on my "professional attitude".
May I help you?
The man smiled, almost shyly, and then piped up, showing me a flyer. I am wanting to learn how to get the book for the boating class. I smiled. This was going to be easy. I reached below the desk and pulled out one of the manuals we hand out.
He wiped his cottony hair from his forehead, and then looked a bit befuddled. Can I take a class? Or is it online? I would like to take it online. I told him about the different methods he could use, and pointed out the phone number on the flyer where he could call the State Marine Board if he need more information.
He fiddled with a shirt button. Opened the book. Then he looked at me, and said, you know, I haven't ridden in a boat for years. My wife has been sick for almost 8 years. She just passed away.
I murmured my condolences. He nodded, sniffed a bit, wiped his hair back again, then said, you know, she was a wonderful woman, even if she did say I had rocks in my head. I chuckled. He started looking through the book. He asked how to find the test. I explained it had a review in the book, not a test, and showed him the pages. He glanced at it and saw the question, "Port is the _____ side of the boat." He harrumphed, and said, never could remember which is which. I piped up, port left red.
Hmm?
The short ones are together, so it's port left red. The other is starboard right green. He nodded, smiling. My wife did memory things like that. His eyes were filled with tears. I said, well, that wasn't my idea, my Daddy taught me that one, Navy man. He nodded, then started talking about some other things in the book.
Then he would drift back to his wife. Things she'd said, (encouraging him to go to a group, rather than stay home all the time), pictures, (from a picture when they were wed, to one a short time before she died), and the fact he was just lost without her.
My professional manner was starting to get a bit sniffly here, folks. I told him that he was getting out, if he was going to go boating, and he agreed, and asked a few more boating questions. Then he drifted back to his wife, and telling about a simple dessert he'd made of a muffin with jelly he had made for her, and then he was short of crying again.
I didn't know what to add, so I just listened. He talked, seeming to look... Lighter than he had. This went on for some time, until another person came in, and I very carefully touched the old man's hand. Sir, I am more than willing to talk more if you'd like, but I need to help this other gentleman. He looked surprised, Oh! I will just go, then.
But he didn't. I helped the other gentleman with a problem, which was quickly solved with a phone call to dispatch, and the young man left.
The older man stepped back, and sighed. You know, I started a sentence, and my wife would finish it. We had 66 years and 9 months together. I winked, and said, well, that makes me a puppy, I've only been married 20 years. He looked surprised, then smiled. Yep.
Then he talked some more, about living through good times and bad, and how he missed her. I told him that of course he did, no one could be together that long and not hurt. He told me he had some male friends that he would talk to that had lost wives as well, and that they told him it would take a while. I agreed.
He then started talking a bit about the book again. Then with a final wipe of his hair, he smiled, and said, Thank you so much miss, I needed some help. Thanks for this, holding up the book. Then he walked out, wishing me a good day. I looked at the clock, and realized he'd been there for 2 1/2 hours, talking.
I hope I helped him have a good day, too.
Husband got a big hug when I got home. And I am still a bit sniffly. Stupid allergies... Ahem.
May I help you?
The man smiled, almost shyly, and then piped up, showing me a flyer. I am wanting to learn how to get the book for the boating class. I smiled. This was going to be easy. I reached below the desk and pulled out one of the manuals we hand out.
He wiped his cottony hair from his forehead, and then looked a bit befuddled. Can I take a class? Or is it online? I would like to take it online. I told him about the different methods he could use, and pointed out the phone number on the flyer where he could call the State Marine Board if he need more information.
He fiddled with a shirt button. Opened the book. Then he looked at me, and said, you know, I haven't ridden in a boat for years. My wife has been sick for almost 8 years. She just passed away.
I murmured my condolences. He nodded, sniffed a bit, wiped his hair back again, then said, you know, she was a wonderful woman, even if she did say I had rocks in my head. I chuckled. He started looking through the book. He asked how to find the test. I explained it had a review in the book, not a test, and showed him the pages. He glanced at it and saw the question, "Port is the _____ side of the boat." He harrumphed, and said, never could remember which is which. I piped up, port left red.
Hmm?
The short ones are together, so it's port left red. The other is starboard right green. He nodded, smiling. My wife did memory things like that. His eyes were filled with tears. I said, well, that wasn't my idea, my Daddy taught me that one, Navy man. He nodded, then started talking about some other things in the book.
Then he would drift back to his wife. Things she'd said, (encouraging him to go to a group, rather than stay home all the time), pictures, (from a picture when they were wed, to one a short time before she died), and the fact he was just lost without her.
My professional manner was starting to get a bit sniffly here, folks. I told him that he was getting out, if he was going to go boating, and he agreed, and asked a few more boating questions. Then he drifted back to his wife, and telling about a simple dessert he'd made of a muffin with jelly he had made for her, and then he was short of crying again.
I didn't know what to add, so I just listened. He talked, seeming to look... Lighter than he had. This went on for some time, until another person came in, and I very carefully touched the old man's hand. Sir, I am more than willing to talk more if you'd like, but I need to help this other gentleman. He looked surprised, Oh! I will just go, then.
But he didn't. I helped the other gentleman with a problem, which was quickly solved with a phone call to dispatch, and the young man left.
The older man stepped back, and sighed. You know, I started a sentence, and my wife would finish it. We had 66 years and 9 months together. I winked, and said, well, that makes me a puppy, I've only been married 20 years. He looked surprised, then smiled. Yep.
Then he talked some more, about living through good times and bad, and how he missed her. I told him that of course he did, no one could be together that long and not hurt. He told me he had some male friends that he would talk to that had lost wives as well, and that they told him it would take a while. I agreed.
He then started talking a bit about the book again. Then with a final wipe of his hair, he smiled, and said, Thank you so much miss, I needed some help. Thanks for this, holding up the book. Then he walked out, wishing me a good day. I looked at the clock, and realized he'd been there for 2 1/2 hours, talking.
I hope I helped him have a good day, too.
Husband got a big hug when I got home. And I am still a bit sniffly. Stupid allergies... Ahem.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Grrroooooaaaan! What did I do NOW???
So, perhaps you have noticed I haven't been on of late much. Read, no blogs for a while. Well, I took the advice of all of you that said I should "empty my cache", and I asked Husband how to do that. (Right after I asked him what it was, but I digress...) So, he explained, and I emptied.
I think I emptied the whole d*** computer! I don't know what happened after I did that, but NOTHING would work right, I couldn't get my email, I couldn't log in to my own Blogger account, I had a horrible time getting on the Internet (unless I used Google Chrome... ??? And that was iffy), so I was busy the last little bit trying to get my poor bucket o' bits back to (some sort of) normal. I have my mail back up, I am now working on Blogger, so if you are reading this, I hopefully solved part of the problem, at any rate, I was able to sign in and save my blog.
Then I will hopefully be able to comment on everyone's blog again, which was the POINT of the exercise! (eye roll inserted here!)
Unfortunately, this is where Husband's starting to make noises about me getting a new computer. I am hoping that isn't going to be the case. I like this computer, and what I am saving for at the moment is for a shelter for critters, not bits and bites storage. But, as we all know, we make plans and the Universe holds its sides laughing...
The chicks are doing well, Husband put a big ol' block in front of the door of the hen house, so they won't run outside without Mom. We have a stray cat here now... I seem to have the Devil's own luck with felines around here. However, said feline hasn't strayed into the hen house, and I have a feeling, if Taurus would get a hold of him, he would be short one tail, and maybe 2 lives, so I am not really concerned.
Yet.
I got out the scythe, and cut some of thejungle tall grass in the garden area. It's down enough that maybe I can get out the weed burner and take care of the rest of it... Right now though, I don't think even THAT super torch will do too much, it is June 1st tomorrow, and it is 50-60's, and raining. This area, that is SPRING weather. Early spring. I still have all of my plants in the greenhouse. I am afraid if I plant them, they will just rot! Weather is amazing...
I have been getting set up with what things I will be doing as a Sheriff's Office Ambassador, and I think I mentioned one will be fishing. I guess they have a group thing called Cast with a Cop. Children who are in foster care, and have never fished, get to go out and have a fishing day. We help with the worm insertion on the hook (or whatever they will use), and we get to clean fish for the kids. (Or, I suppose, release, if they don't want to keep said fish.) So, I am wondering, I am supposed to be in "uniform" for this. Do you think they will supply an apron or some such so I won't manage to get fishy goo on my clothes? Let's just say, I would like to have my outfit not have Ode du Fishgut as the leading smell...
I thought I would be fishing twice (!), the second, however, would be more on the order of handing out safety info to people. That seems like it would be fun in its own way. People watching is a cool sport, in and of itself. And I guess there is several other events that I might be helping with, as time goes on. So, I guess I will tell you more... As time goes on!
Have to share, I was at the substation, and one of the deputies, a Sgt., who always tries to be big ol' cop guy, had a visitor. It was his 2 year old grandson. I told him who was there, and he walks out all big ol' cop, then sees grandson.
He leans way over, makes a big kissy face, and says, "How's my Booboo?!!??!?" He then scoops up said grandson for the 'grand tour' of the office, which for some strange reason, stopped immediately upon sighting of cookies... After a cookie break, Grandpa gave grandson a whistle. Mom decided whistle was going into HER pocket, so there would be no surprise blasts in the car.
Meanwhile, Grandpa was chatting away, holding grandson up on his chest. Grandson discovered Grandpa's microphone on his shoulder. This lead to some exceedinly dextorous moves by Grandpa to nearly simultaniously: turn off the radio, take the mike from grandson, and scoot him out of arm's reach of same, all while asking if he'd give Grandpa a kiss. (Grandson did...)
After they'd left, I noticed that Sgt. was sort of a cross between big ol' cop and goofy Grandpa. (But he did remember to turn his radio back on...) It's fun to see when the guys there can slip into just "people" mode.
Especially when there are little ones involved, since it usually makes the biggest and baddest into the fluffiest and goofiest!
I think I emptied the whole d*** computer! I don't know what happened after I did that, but NOTHING would work right, I couldn't get my email, I couldn't log in to my own Blogger account, I had a horrible time getting on the Internet (unless I used Google Chrome... ??? And that was iffy), so I was busy the last little bit trying to get my poor bucket o' bits back to (some sort of) normal. I have my mail back up, I am now working on Blogger, so if you are reading this, I hopefully solved part of the problem, at any rate, I was able to sign in and save my blog.
Then I will hopefully be able to comment on everyone's blog again, which was the POINT of the exercise! (eye roll inserted here!)
Unfortunately, this is where Husband's starting to make noises about me getting a new computer. I am hoping that isn't going to be the case. I like this computer, and what I am saving for at the moment is for a shelter for critters, not bits and bites storage. But, as we all know, we make plans and the Universe holds its sides laughing...
The chicks are doing well, Husband put a big ol' block in front of the door of the hen house, so they won't run outside without Mom. We have a stray cat here now... I seem to have the Devil's own luck with felines around here. However, said feline hasn't strayed into the hen house, and I have a feeling, if Taurus would get a hold of him, he would be short one tail, and maybe 2 lives, so I am not really concerned.
Yet.
I got out the scythe, and cut some of the
I have been getting set up with what things I will be doing as a Sheriff's Office Ambassador, and I think I mentioned one will be fishing. I guess they have a group thing called Cast with a Cop. Children who are in foster care, and have never fished, get to go out and have a fishing day. We help with the worm insertion on the hook (or whatever they will use), and we get to clean fish for the kids. (Or, I suppose, release, if they don't want to keep said fish.) So, I am wondering, I am supposed to be in "uniform" for this. Do you think they will supply an apron or some such so I won't manage to get fishy goo on my clothes? Let's just say, I would like to have my outfit not have Ode du Fishgut as the leading smell...
I thought I would be fishing twice (!), the second, however, would be more on the order of handing out safety info to people. That seems like it would be fun in its own way. People watching is a cool sport, in and of itself. And I guess there is several other events that I might be helping with, as time goes on. So, I guess I will tell you more... As time goes on!
Have to share, I was at the substation, and one of the deputies, a Sgt., who always tries to be big ol' cop guy, had a visitor. It was his 2 year old grandson. I told him who was there, and he walks out all big ol' cop, then sees grandson.
He leans way over, makes a big kissy face, and says, "How's my Booboo?!!??!?" He then scoops up said grandson for the 'grand tour' of the office, which for some strange reason, stopped immediately upon sighting of cookies... After a cookie break, Grandpa gave grandson a whistle. Mom decided whistle was going into HER pocket, so there would be no surprise blasts in the car.
Meanwhile, Grandpa was chatting away, holding grandson up on his chest. Grandson discovered Grandpa's microphone on his shoulder. This lead to some exceedinly dextorous moves by Grandpa to nearly simultaniously: turn off the radio, take the mike from grandson, and scoot him out of arm's reach of same, all while asking if he'd give Grandpa a kiss. (Grandson did...)
After they'd left, I noticed that Sgt. was sort of a cross between big ol' cop and goofy Grandpa. (But he did remember to turn his radio back on...) It's fun to see when the guys there can slip into just "people" mode.
Especially when there are little ones involved, since it usually makes the biggest and baddest into the fluffiest and goofiest!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sorry, Jerry Garcia...
"What a long, strange road it's been."
The last two days have been... Well, they have been a royal pain in the butt. Interesting in only the Chinese curse sense of the word.
I had a performance at a school almost on the border between Oregon and Washington. (I do Renaissance history performaces for schools.) This is about a 3 hour drive, give or take. I did manage to con, uh, vince the other performer to drive through the metro areas, I don't do that well...
We did the performance all right, except that about halfway through, I choked on my own saliva, and had to leave the poor guy all alone for a bit, while I tried to regain my breathing skills. Somehow, sounding like I am going to hack up a hairball, and turning purple, wasn't part of my agenda. He did alright, and after a glass of water and a cough drop, I managed to get through the rest of the performance unscathed...
Until I got back to my truck, and realized I'd left my cell phone somewhere. I searched, the guy I was with searched, we tried calling my cell phone.
Nothing.
I borrowed his phone, and promptly figured out I am stuck in the late 90's. It was an Android. I didn't even know how to start it. Once it was on, I think I managed to have it turn to 'sleep' mode because I took so long to work out what to do. I managed to make a call to Husband, to call Mom, and let them both know I was okay, just couldn't find the blasted phone.
Or...
I thought I had.
I checked in the Starbucky's that we'd been by, they hadn't had one turned in. (They also have extremely limited tea selections. I guess that's why it's a coffee house, huh?) I thanked them, and after convincing the guy I was with I needed to leave, (he'd forgotten I still had about 2 hours left to get home), I took off.
It rained buckets. I was behind a semi. At Rush Hour. I 'ate soup' for most of the trip home. And decided to skip the rest areas so I didn't have to try getting on and off the freeway. So I stopped at Mom's, as I really had to pee. She hadn't received the message, and was worried. I told her that Husband should have called, I had left him a message. Called Husband from Mom's, and he was worried, he hadn't received the message.
Joy of technology. May it long receive a one finger salute...
I managed to get home, and at the door, Husband told me the message that I had left AT 4:30 had just arrived at 6 or a little after, right after my call. That helped. Yeeeaaah...
I was so tired and furious, and just generally wound up, that I couldn't settle down. The head of the group I perform for called by the end of the evening to let me know the school called, they had my phone. (I still can't figure out why they didn't call with my phone, I have several things titled "Mom" "Home", etc, that they could have more directly contacted me. Eh.) So, with the help of the guy I performed with, and the group head, I may get my phone back Saturday or Monday.
So I went to bed disgusted, and woke up the next morning. And felt like my head was going to blow off. I had a sinus headache as big as the national debt, and twice as ugly. I didn't exercise. Even putting on my shoes was a challenge, because when my head went as low as my shoulders, my brain pulsed. And not in a good way. So my usual Wednesday blog was a non-starter. I did not do a whole bunch. I even had to fight with the copier at the substation. I just figured I must have had really, REALLY bad tech karma, for some reason.
On the bright side, I did end up losing .6 of a pound. That was about the only real big plus for the day.
When I worked at the substation on Wednesday, there was a call out for ambulance and deputies at a road near my house. One of the deputies was filling out paperwork, and was called directly from dispatch, please go help, it's a mess. After a quick "be safe" from me, he went out.
I came home without incident. Husband met me at the door, "Did you hear about the big accident at Xity-x Road?" I told him I had, and saw a deputy have to leave quick time to help.
"I'll bet. The chippers that we have been getting truckloads from? One of the guys had just gotten down from the bucket truck, when a dually truck hit the chip truck from behind, doing about 55." (Nothing like 1 degree of separation!)
It was a mess, the dually driver had to go to the hospital. None of the chipper guys were hurt. Badly shaken, but not hurt. The truck was a mess, the trailer was pushed in almost 2 feet. They still don't know if the guy had fallen asleep, drunk, what have you, but they did know he is a local, and had passed the chippers several times in the last few days, so he was (or should have been) aware of them being there.
The last two days have been... Well, they have been a royal pain in the butt. Interesting in only the Chinese curse sense of the word.
I had a performance at a school almost on the border between Oregon and Washington. (I do Renaissance history performaces for schools.) This is about a 3 hour drive, give or take. I did manage to con, uh, vince the other performer to drive through the metro areas, I don't do that well...
We did the performance all right, except that about halfway through, I choked on my own saliva, and had to leave the poor guy all alone for a bit, while I tried to regain my breathing skills. Somehow, sounding like I am going to hack up a hairball, and turning purple, wasn't part of my agenda. He did alright, and after a glass of water and a cough drop, I managed to get through the rest of the performance unscathed...
Until I got back to my truck, and realized I'd left my cell phone somewhere. I searched, the guy I was with searched, we tried calling my cell phone.
Nothing.
I borrowed his phone, and promptly figured out I am stuck in the late 90's. It was an Android. I didn't even know how to start it. Once it was on, I think I managed to have it turn to 'sleep' mode because I took so long to work out what to do. I managed to make a call to Husband, to call Mom, and let them both know I was okay, just couldn't find the blasted phone.
Or...
I thought I had.
I checked in the Starbucky's that we'd been by, they hadn't had one turned in. (They also have extremely limited tea selections. I guess that's why it's a coffee house, huh?) I thanked them, and after convincing the guy I was with I needed to leave, (he'd forgotten I still had about 2 hours left to get home), I took off.
It rained buckets. I was behind a semi. At Rush Hour. I 'ate soup' for most of the trip home. And decided to skip the rest areas so I didn't have to try getting on and off the freeway. So I stopped at Mom's, as I really had to pee. She hadn't received the message, and was worried. I told her that Husband should have called, I had left him a message. Called Husband from Mom's, and he was worried, he hadn't received the message.
Joy of technology. May it long receive a one finger salute...
I managed to get home, and at the door, Husband told me the message that I had left AT 4:30 had just arrived at 6 or a little after, right after my call. That helped. Yeeeaaah...
I was so tired and furious, and just generally wound up, that I couldn't settle down. The head of the group I perform for called by the end of the evening to let me know the school called, they had my phone. (I still can't figure out why they didn't call with my phone, I have several things titled "Mom" "Home", etc, that they could have more directly contacted me. Eh.) So, with the help of the guy I performed with, and the group head, I may get my phone back Saturday or Monday.
So I went to bed disgusted, and woke up the next morning. And felt like my head was going to blow off. I had a sinus headache as big as the national debt, and twice as ugly. I didn't exercise. Even putting on my shoes was a challenge, because when my head went as low as my shoulders, my brain pulsed. And not in a good way. So my usual Wednesday blog was a non-starter. I did not do a whole bunch. I even had to fight with the copier at the substation. I just figured I must have had really, REALLY bad tech karma, for some reason.
On the bright side, I did end up losing .6 of a pound. That was about the only real big plus for the day.
When I worked at the substation on Wednesday, there was a call out for ambulance and deputies at a road near my house. One of the deputies was filling out paperwork, and was called directly from dispatch, please go help, it's a mess. After a quick "be safe" from me, he went out.
I came home without incident. Husband met me at the door, "Did you hear about the big accident at Xity-x Road?" I told him I had, and saw a deputy have to leave quick time to help.
"I'll bet. The chippers that we have been getting truckloads from? One of the guys had just gotten down from the bucket truck, when a dually truck hit the chip truck from behind, doing about 55." (Nothing like 1 degree of separation!)
It was a mess, the dually driver had to go to the hospital. None of the chipper guys were hurt. Badly shaken, but not hurt. The truck was a mess, the trailer was pushed in almost 2 feet. They still don't know if the guy had fallen asleep, drunk, what have you, but they did know he is a local, and had passed the chippers several times in the last few days, so he was (or should have been) aware of them being there.
Wow.
Well, here is the fruits of the chipper's labor (Rudee in picture for scale.) This isn't even all of it, we used a big bit for the chicken house. So they have been busy. ( I don't know if the broken truck was able to unload, but it sounded like it was pretty much a mess, might not even have been drivable, from what I heard, so I never was able to see the end result. Which probably was a good thing, all things considered.)
And see? All the chips have made the chicken house great to walk through, and all the chickens have nice, clean feet again! (They don't seem really impressed. The llamas, either. I don't care. They look better, I am not tracking mud so much, and it's much dryer in the hen house.
So I am desperately hoping that the next few days are without incident. I am laying low, knitting a bunting for a friend that is preggers. (Yeah, I started a new project, this one doesn't count. Grin.) So I will show you pictures once I am beyond 12 rows of stockinette stitch.
Oh, and my Mom has started reading my blog pretty regularly, and loves to read all your comments, as well as my musings. So, (blatant beg) leave a comment! Say hi, even! ; )
I hope to catch up on everyone's blogs, now that it doesn't feel like someone stuck a blow torch in my ear...
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Timing? What's that?
In the great scheme of things... I am doing okay, time wise, except I keep getting people saying, I would like you to do X, then don't give me a time.
I half expect to have everyone want me to be available on one day, for a 3 hour period, or some equally stupid thing. On the bright side, I finally dropped one volunteer job I had been doing for about, uh, 12+ years, possibly as long as 15. Getting sort of tired of it. I just felt someone else could do the job, why must I? And, amazingly enough, not one, but two people stepped up to do the job!
W00t!
At the substation, doing my receptionist bit for the deputies again. Had this gent come in, and ask me if the email for a particular deputy was correct. After a bit of futzing about, I was able to double check it, and it was. He then asked if he could phone said deputy directly. I said no, but gave him the voice mail that we are supposed to give out. (Volunteers are not to give out direct numbers unless told to by said deputy.) Then the gent asks if said deputy is on duty today. After a quick check, yes, he should be on, this evening.
After a long pause, he glared at me, and said, "You know, I have been trying to get a hold of him for two days. Maybe I should do something bad so that he will show up immediately..." I didn't say a word. I just used the you are saying something stupid, I will wait until your brain reboots look that I have found to be effective. If I had been in the mood, I should have said what I was thinking, "Gee, maybe some people ARE doing something bad, and that's why he can't just jump on your request." But I decided to just keep my mouth shut.
He did get the hint, from my glare, and blushed slightly, mumbled, "maybe not...", then left. (Am I good, or what?) ;)
(Don't answer that...)
I am pleased to say scale day was one pound down. Getting back to exercising actually helps! (Today, especially. I had no motivation. If it weren't for Rudee, I might have gone back to bed. It was that bad...)
So. Other than our house and the biggest part of our property smells like a forest with the compost, all is pretty much is as usual.
And for some of the comments I don't know if I got to:
John... about the socks. Email me, "rencatus at yahoo dawt com", let me know what you are thinking of.
Bon Bon. Here is the lead in about the cougar from my blog. Feel free to peruse...
http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougar.html
http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougar-cougar-cougar-cougar-oh-and.html
http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougars-end-warning-some-graphic-pics.html
If I missed anyone else... Um. I guess you can always leave a comment?
(sheepish grin)
I half expect to have everyone want me to be available on one day, for a 3 hour period, or some equally stupid thing. On the bright side, I finally dropped one volunteer job I had been doing for about, uh, 12+ years, possibly as long as 15. Getting sort of tired of it. I just felt someone else could do the job, why must I? And, amazingly enough, not one, but two people stepped up to do the job!
W00t!
At the substation, doing my receptionist bit for the deputies again. Had this gent come in, and ask me if the email for a particular deputy was correct. After a bit of futzing about, I was able to double check it, and it was. He then asked if he could phone said deputy directly. I said no, but gave him the voice mail that we are supposed to give out. (Volunteers are not to give out direct numbers unless told to by said deputy.) Then the gent asks if said deputy is on duty today. After a quick check, yes, he should be on, this evening.
After a long pause, he glared at me, and said, "You know, I have been trying to get a hold of him for two days. Maybe I should do something bad so that he will show up immediately..." I didn't say a word. I just used the you are saying something stupid, I will wait until your brain reboots look that I have found to be effective. If I had been in the mood, I should have said what I was thinking, "Gee, maybe some people ARE doing something bad, and that's why he can't just jump on your request." But I decided to just keep my mouth shut.
He did get the hint, from my glare, and blushed slightly, mumbled, "maybe not...", then left. (Am I good, or what?) ;)
(Don't answer that...)
I am pleased to say scale day was one pound down. Getting back to exercising actually helps! (Today, especially. I had no motivation. If it weren't for Rudee, I might have gone back to bed. It was that bad...)
So. Other than our house and the biggest part of our property smells like a forest with the compost, all is pretty much is as usual.
And for some of the comments I don't know if I got to:
John... about the socks. Email me, "rencatus at yahoo dawt com", let me know what you are thinking of.
Bon Bon. Here is the lead in about the cougar from my blog. Feel free to peruse...
http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougar.html
http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougar-cougar-cougar-cougar-oh-and.html
http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougars-end-warning-some-graphic-pics.html
If I missed anyone else... Um. I guess you can always leave a comment?
(sheepish grin)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Nobody told me there would be days like this... (Thank you, John Lennon for the title.)
I won't dump too much on the ol' blog, but people talk about Mondays being a bad day. For WHATEVER unknown reason, today was my Monday...
I awoke to my ankle trying to see how many nerves it could activate, pain wise. Deciding that sleep was a waste of effort I just got up. Stumbled on the bedcovers. Managed to get into the bathroom, without breaking me, or any thing else. Gained a blinkin' pound! And I was a good kid this week! As the LOLcats say "DO. NOT. WANT."
I walked, and it was SO cold. I think Husband said it was 17 degrees F, (I gather that is about -8, for you C people, either measure translates to BRRR!!!), and I was actually having a hard time getting my walking done, I guess I didn't realize that when it's that cold, it can hurt to breathe when you aren't used to it. Plus the added attraction of ice on the path, oh, joy...
So, I get myself together, and get ready to go into the substation, and I get down the road about 2 miles, have to turn around and go home to get my purse! I ended up calling, to let my "boss" know I was going to be late, she was worried it was because of the ice. I told her no, it was because today was... interesting. She did even offer to let me skip, but I figured I was packed and ready to go, so I went.
So, here I am at the substation, I haven't destroyed anything, I only labelled one envelope upside down, and I am starting to figure out how Pandora works, so I am getting music that is to my taste. And the wather is warming up, so the day is sort of improving.
I guess...
************************************************
Yesterday I made a deputy blush, it was cool!
I don't think they realized I'd arrived, and were discussing Thanksgiving. One asked the other, "You have duty on Thanksgiving?"
"No, I'm off."
"You have any plans?"
"Not yet."
" Oh, your wife hasn't decided what you're doing over Thanksgiving?"
For some reason this cracked me up, and I burst out laughing. Next thing I know, there is a very, VERY pink deputy peeking around the barrier, with a sheepish grin. I waved him away, and went back to what I was doing.
Amazing how the topic suddenly turned to snow tires and an upcoming meeting...
; D
(Husband found a bunch of new-to-me guitar books while we were cleaning out the closet. Is that a sign I better start again, or what?)
I awoke to my ankle trying to see how many nerves it could activate, pain wise. Deciding that sleep was a waste of effort I just got up. Stumbled on the bedcovers. Managed to get into the bathroom, without breaking me, or any thing else. Gained a blinkin' pound! And I was a good kid this week! As the LOLcats say "DO. NOT. WANT."
I walked, and it was SO cold. I think Husband said it was 17 degrees F, (I gather that is about -8, for you C people, either measure translates to BRRR!!!), and I was actually having a hard time getting my walking done, I guess I didn't realize that when it's that cold, it can hurt to breathe when you aren't used to it. Plus the added attraction of ice on the path, oh, joy...
So, I get myself together, and get ready to go into the substation, and I get down the road about 2 miles, have to turn around and go home to get my purse! I ended up calling, to let my "boss" know I was going to be late, she was worried it was because of the ice. I told her no, it was because today was... interesting. She did even offer to let me skip, but I figured I was packed and ready to go, so I went.
So, here I am at the substation, I haven't destroyed anything, I only labelled one envelope upside down, and I am starting to figure out how Pandora works, so I am getting music that is to my taste. And the wather is warming up, so the day is sort of improving.
I guess...
************************************************
Yesterday I made a deputy blush, it was cool!
I don't think they realized I'd arrived, and were discussing Thanksgiving. One asked the other, "You have duty on Thanksgiving?"
"No, I'm off."
"You have any plans?"
"Not yet."
" Oh, your wife hasn't decided what you're doing over Thanksgiving?"
For some reason this cracked me up, and I burst out laughing. Next thing I know, there is a very, VERY pink deputy peeking around the barrier, with a sheepish grin. I waved him away, and went back to what I was doing.
Amazing how the topic suddenly turned to snow tires and an upcoming meeting...
; D
(Husband found a bunch of new-to-me guitar books while we were cleaning out the closet. Is that a sign I better start again, or what?)
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Cop Shop, and what I can talk about.
Due to an agreement I have to sign, I can't really discuss specifics when I am doing my bit here at the substation. (It's not as glamorous as it sounds, I just can't discuss what people talk about, as it could affect convictions... So, keeping one's mouth shut is a must. Surprisingly, this isn't all that hard.)
But there are some I can talk about...
The lady that came in wearing shorts on her head. And the deputy that talked to her didn't even blink. When I asked him about it, he just replied cryptically, that isn't the weirdest thing I've seen... (Which really makes me wonder what he HAS seen...)
A gent that came in wanting to know how to contact... the FBI. My 'curious kitten' button was pushed, but you DON'T ask why. Just get the info. Found it, (we are about 2 hours + from the nearest FBI office, if you are interested), and gave him the info. AND HE WALKED OUT. Not fair! Of course, now I have fodder for some wonderful fiction on that he was reporting a Ponzi scheme, or that it was some international fraud that he had info on, or, or, or... (But still wish I knew what he wanted it for...)
Trailers have dozens of spots where you can find the identification number. And you can get rather dirty trying to find it. A wise deputy suggested, perhaps looking up the manufacturer online, and getting them to tell where they'd hidden the number could alleviate dirty uniforms in the future... (Glad I didn't have to do that. Rain and mud can make a green uniform brown very quickly!)
We have a Brand Inspector. And I still am not sure if it's a him, or a her, as the name is "Kim". Since I have a question about a brand for a story I'm writing, perhaps I should call and find out!
Giving a small child a Junior Deputy sticker badge to entertain him while his mother is busy is fine, but you really have to pay attention to what they do with the sticker before the child leaves, or you end up scraping a sticker off the door for the next half hour. The lower, have to kneel into a squat, part of the door...
Quite a few deputies can eat like starving teenage boys. And it's amazing how they zero in on the substation when the volunteers have potlucks...
I am always amazed with people's attitudes about the deputies. I hear about the 'big, bad lawman (or woman)' thing, and how they have no sense of humor, grouchy, etc.. But then the deputies deal with people who come in with a chip on their shoulder, ready to fight, or just with an "Stupid Cop" attitude, what do they expect? I have had to deal with this, as well. I told one of the deputies, they either pay attention to the 'volunteer' on my right pocket, or the star on the left, and neither one is helpful, at times. He chuckled, and said that wasn't uncommon. He also had noticed that I tried to be unfailingly polite to a person that was unfailingly rude to me. He reminded me that I didn't have to deal with someone in that way. If there is a problem, I could just ask for a deputy, and tell the person I was not going to deal with them until they settle down and behave.
Wow.
I don't know what my expression revealed at that point, but he looked at me, then said, however, there ARE limits...
Awww... Shuckydarn!
Deputies have very interesting stories. When they are telling one another about various items, bet your bottom dollar, however, they are paying attention to who is around and listening. They were discussing a new police car that was being talked about as a future replacement, eventually, for some of the cars now. I listened, then looked it up online. One of the deputies walked by my desk, and bellowed to the back, "YEAH, SHE LOOKED IT UP!!", making me blush and squawk, simultaneously, and all the deputies crack up. I noticed that the deputies have been quite good about letting me see info on what they do (when they can), how they do it, and so on. I even met the newest police dog. (He is such a cutie, and thinks I am the world's best leaning post, just like my dog Rudee. Rudee, however, was very jealous and vacuumed me thoroughly when I came home that day.) I think they are happy to share what they can, if you show you are interested.
In truth, I have found deputies in specific, and the different police I've dealt with in general, to be... Human.
Astounding, ain't it?
Some are jovial, some serious, some... unique. Some need some time off... Or something. But they do what they need to do, they put in the time (sometimes they put in overtime) with a lot of effort and (most of the time) humor, compassion, or seriousness, as the situation calls for.
Case in point. A woman came in, and airily told me she "needed a deputy, and wasn't going to talk to me". I told her I at least need to have a general idea of the topic to let the deputy know what he was dealing with. She sniffed, and said, "Drugs", in a tone of voice that implied I wouldn't know a drug if I ate it. I went in back, and let the deputy on duty know, he had a twinkle in his eye, and said, come up and watch. I followed him up. He made a grand gesture of putting his elbows on the desk, putting his head on his hands so he was eye level with the lady and said, loudly, "Sooooo, drugs! Buying or selling?"
After she finished gasping, and I stopped laughing, she settled down, and was actually quite friendly, and he was able to get the information he needed. And I was amused the rest of the day...
I have become the local fount of information for people, this has led to some unique conversations with deputies. For example, you can handcuff a one armed person. Or someone in a wheelchair. Why that I have these questions come up is beyond me, but I get 'em, and most of the time, I can find a deputy that will give me an answer, if not busy. I draw the line at asking deputies about bathroom 'stuff', however, I figure, if someone is THAT interested in the subject of toilets and toilet-ry, well, they can ask a deputy up close and personally.
I will even get one for them...
But there are some I can talk about...
The lady that came in wearing shorts on her head. And the deputy that talked to her didn't even blink. When I asked him about it, he just replied cryptically, that isn't the weirdest thing I've seen... (Which really makes me wonder what he HAS seen...)
A gent that came in wanting to know how to contact... the FBI. My 'curious kitten' button was pushed, but you DON'T ask why. Just get the info. Found it, (we are about 2 hours + from the nearest FBI office, if you are interested), and gave him the info. AND HE WALKED OUT. Not fair! Of course, now I have fodder for some wonderful fiction on that he was reporting a Ponzi scheme, or that it was some international fraud that he had info on, or, or, or... (But still wish I knew what he wanted it for...)
Trailers have dozens of spots where you can find the identification number. And you can get rather dirty trying to find it. A wise deputy suggested, perhaps looking up the manufacturer online, and getting them to tell where they'd hidden the number could alleviate dirty uniforms in the future... (Glad I didn't have to do that. Rain and mud can make a green uniform brown very quickly!)
We have a Brand Inspector. And I still am not sure if it's a him, or a her, as the name is "Kim". Since I have a question about a brand for a story I'm writing, perhaps I should call and find out!
Giving a small child a Junior Deputy sticker badge to entertain him while his mother is busy is fine, but you really have to pay attention to what they do with the sticker before the child leaves, or you end up scraping a sticker off the door for the next half hour. The lower, have to kneel into a squat, part of the door...
Quite a few deputies can eat like starving teenage boys. And it's amazing how they zero in on the substation when the volunteers have potlucks...
I am always amazed with people's attitudes about the deputies. I hear about the 'big, bad lawman (or woman)' thing, and how they have no sense of humor, grouchy, etc.. But then the deputies deal with people who come in with a chip on their shoulder, ready to fight, or just with an "Stupid Cop" attitude, what do they expect? I have had to deal with this, as well. I told one of the deputies, they either pay attention to the 'volunteer' on my right pocket, or the star on the left, and neither one is helpful, at times. He chuckled, and said that wasn't uncommon. He also had noticed that I tried to be unfailingly polite to a person that was unfailingly rude to me. He reminded me that I didn't have to deal with someone in that way. If there is a problem, I could just ask for a deputy, and tell the person I was not going to deal with them until they settle down and behave.
Wow.
I don't know what my expression revealed at that point, but he looked at me, then said, however, there ARE limits...
Awww... Shuckydarn!
Deputies have very interesting stories. When they are telling one another about various items, bet your bottom dollar, however, they are paying attention to who is around and listening. They were discussing a new police car that was being talked about as a future replacement, eventually, for some of the cars now. I listened, then looked it up online. One of the deputies walked by my desk, and bellowed to the back, "YEAH, SHE LOOKED IT UP!!", making me blush and squawk, simultaneously, and all the deputies crack up. I noticed that the deputies have been quite good about letting me see info on what they do (when they can), how they do it, and so on. I even met the newest police dog. (He is such a cutie, and thinks I am the world's best leaning post, just like my dog Rudee. Rudee, however, was very jealous and vacuumed me thoroughly when I came home that day.) I think they are happy to share what they can, if you show you are interested.
In truth, I have found deputies in specific, and the different police I've dealt with in general, to be... Human.
Astounding, ain't it?
Some are jovial, some serious, some... unique. Some need some time off... Or something. But they do what they need to do, they put in the time (sometimes they put in overtime) with a lot of effort and (most of the time) humor, compassion, or seriousness, as the situation calls for.
Case in point. A woman came in, and airily told me she "needed a deputy, and wasn't going to talk to me". I told her I at least need to have a general idea of the topic to let the deputy know what he was dealing with. She sniffed, and said, "Drugs", in a tone of voice that implied I wouldn't know a drug if I ate it. I went in back, and let the deputy on duty know, he had a twinkle in his eye, and said, come up and watch. I followed him up. He made a grand gesture of putting his elbows on the desk, putting his head on his hands so he was eye level with the lady and said, loudly, "Sooooo, drugs! Buying or selling?"
After she finished gasping, and I stopped laughing, she settled down, and was actually quite friendly, and he was able to get the information he needed. And I was amused the rest of the day...
I have become the local fount of information for people, this has led to some unique conversations with deputies. For example, you can handcuff a one armed person. Or someone in a wheelchair. Why that I have these questions come up is beyond me, but I get 'em, and most of the time, I can find a deputy that will give me an answer, if not busy. I draw the line at asking deputies about bathroom 'stuff', however, I figure, if someone is THAT interested in the subject of toilets and toilet-ry, well, they can ask a deputy up close and personally.
I will even get one for them...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Number 9. Number 9. Number 9...
Finally back on track. Yay!
Lost 2.2 pounds.
Not quite as achy, did more moving, (I won't call it exercising exactly... I go with my Dad to car show swap meets and offered to ''mule" his purchases, in a wagon. Well, let's just say he found a LOT of things, and I actually had to have help getting the wagon moving in one case, he'd put so much stuff in it, and we were on dirt, rather than concrete, that it sank!), and trying to really pay attention to how much I ate, as we had several social things going on...
Portion, portion, portion. I found that at potlucks, if I take a teaspoon full of things, no one comments, I look like I have a full plate, and I still can try things with not so much guilt about blowing the diet.
I had to give away some peanuts a friend brought over. I thought, oh, good snack, not sugary, etc., etc... Then came to the realization that Dry Roasted Salted Peanuts are my personal non-chocolate Kryptonite. Couldn't stay out of them. Husband doesn't like them, so I gave them to another friend, who likes them, and has much better self control... And I won't look like a water balloon.
So, I did volunteering yesterday, and had a woman come in with a request for a uniform, for a play. There was discussion, and after some phone calls, we finally convinced her that making the performer look like a cowboy, with a badge, and some props, was enough. One of the deputies walked in, and she saw he had on green, with a ball cap, and said he looked like a Forest Service guy, not a Sheriff! I chuckled, and we gave her some Junior Deputy Badge Stickers, we figured on stage, no one would know the difference. She was somewhat releaved, but wasn't sure about getting the stuff together in time.
Oh, when do you need it?
Tommorow night, when the play opens...
(Good Luck!!)
Lost 2.2 pounds.
Not quite as achy, did more moving, (I won't call it exercising exactly... I go with my Dad to car show swap meets and offered to ''mule" his purchases, in a wagon. Well, let's just say he found a LOT of things, and I actually had to have help getting the wagon moving in one case, he'd put so much stuff in it, and we were on dirt, rather than concrete, that it sank!), and trying to really pay attention to how much I ate, as we had several social things going on...
Portion, portion, portion. I found that at potlucks, if I take a teaspoon full of things, no one comments, I look like I have a full plate, and I still can try things with not so much guilt about blowing the diet.
I had to give away some peanuts a friend brought over. I thought, oh, good snack, not sugary, etc., etc... Then came to the realization that Dry Roasted Salted Peanuts are my personal non-chocolate Kryptonite. Couldn't stay out of them. Husband doesn't like them, so I gave them to another friend, who likes them, and has much better self control... And I won't look like a water balloon.
So, I did volunteering yesterday, and had a woman come in with a request for a uniform, for a play. There was discussion, and after some phone calls, we finally convinced her that making the performer look like a cowboy, with a badge, and some props, was enough. One of the deputies walked in, and she saw he had on green, with a ball cap, and said he looked like a Forest Service guy, not a Sheriff! I chuckled, and we gave her some Junior Deputy Badge Stickers, we figured on stage, no one would know the difference. She was somewhat releaved, but wasn't sure about getting the stuff together in time.
Oh, when do you need it?
Tommorow night, when the play opens...
(Good Luck!!)
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