I told myself I wasn’t going to get on the internet right after they announced the winner because I did not want to see all the complaining and sheer stupidity of people, but I did, and this is what I saw on my facebook page:

“Thanks to all the useless, free loading, pro-abortion gays. You selected the WORST choice. Your lack of education on ANY topic of the election was obviously warped. Thanks. Thanks again” 

I’m just not going to start in about this and this person. 

Do you have any brain cells at all?

Alabama Fire College Weekend!

This past weekend was simply and overwhelmingly just AMAZING. The ride down, hanging out with my brothers and best friends, class, late night Waffle house runs, spending time together, it was fantastic. I love those guys with all that I am. 

Alabama Fire College Weekend is my absolute favorite time of the year because you get hundreds of people who think and have the same willingness and passion for serving and helping others, just like you. I can walk up to anyone there and not feel the least bit strange talking to them even if I never have before. Its one big family.

I took the Basic Rope Rescue class. I am terrible at knots and learning all of the lowering and raising rigs which can get very in depth. But this class turned out to be a lot more enjoyable and fun then I thought it would be. Our instructor was amazing. He was head of the rescue team for one of the largest departments in the state for over thirty years. He was also one of the most patient and ready to help people I have ever met (which was great for me in this class because I am fairly hopeless at rope). We only had about 10 people in our class, but it was a very wide range of people from all over the state. I don't think anyone knew each other going into the start of class. Most of the first day was classroom and looking at rigs and equipment on power points and tying some basic knots. But at the end of the day we got harnessed up and went out to the tower to repel. In rope rescue, as in all aspects of being in the fire service, you work as a team the entire time. To go over the edge, everyone had to climb over about a 4 foot guard rail at the top of the tower.  We had this one lady in class who was very short statured. Her shorter legs compounded with nerves of repelling for the first time made it hard for her to get over the edge. However, everyone was right there for her with encouraging words, "We've got you, you aren't going anywhere little lady" and "You've got this. This is the only hard part, the rest is cake." Some of the larger guys helped pick her up to help her get to the other side of the rail, and we all clapped when she made it safely to the ground. The second day we did raises and lowers and everyone was more than willing to get strapped up to go over the edge. It was a fantastic class. By the end of yesterday we had all become friends and were joking and laughing with everyone. 

Its things like this that make me love what I have decided to do with my life

.

 I am finally coming to terms with one of the things I have been struggling with most recently.
I have been working out pretty hard, sometimes twice a day, or adding some type of outdoor activity along with a workout. And I am really starting to see results and they are good, I am getting a lot stronger. However, I am coming to accept that I will never be skinny. One, I just am not built for it. I am kinda shaped like a boy as in I gain muscle really easily when I work out, versus getting slender. Two, there was never a "skinny" firefighter. At least not one that excels at his or her job. Intellectually, I KNOW that I have to eat enough to fuel my body to function with all of the training and exercise I have been doing. I know that I will not be able to help lift the heavy equipment we use in rescues as an EMT or a firefighter if I am not eating enough to be able to gain the muscle to do so.  I also know that I have an incredibly disciplined and healthy diet for someone my age and I should be proud. So, this is me sucking it up and trying to be okay with getting a little bulky if it means I will be good at what I want to do

From time to time I like to list things that are making me happy, so here goes:

sugar snap peas and apple slices ( the snack of the great AEMTS)
large comfy flannels to sleep in
pumpkin flavored everything
open windows
new trucks
my dog
coffee
crushed ice
my new friend and gym bud
my brother and his cute girlfriend (iowneencur they are precious)
anti-inflammatory meds
school
poetry




Here are some pictures I had forgotten about that might brighten your day (they did mine at least)


Jacob doing a flip (obvious success)

Elyse's attempt (the ground won)

I believe that even if I gave it my best effort, I could never be a party-er. I've had this insomnia thing going on for about a week now and it is killing me. I like my nine to ten o'clock bedtimes with 2-4 hour naps if time allows.
I mean, people actually go out and are active ALL night, dancing, actually doing stuff and talking to people. Maybe I just don't like people enough for that.


Tonight, my tactic, up until right now, has been laying in bed and only thinking the word 'sleep.'
SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP
Needless to say, I am not asleep. And its almost one. AGAIN.

Remembering

I don’t cry easily. I am not scared by much. But every year on this day, especially the last few years, I bawl like a baby. Anytime I read or hear about people who willingly walk into something where they know there is a very great chance they will not come back out, has my utmost respect, gratitude, and thanks.

411 emergency personnel died this day eleven years ago. Those people left behind wives, husbands, sons and daughters, and mothers and fathers to selflessly attempt to rescue as many as they could from seemingly hopeless situations. 343 firefighters lost their lives on that day. As a firefighter, you know from the get-go that you are not guaranteed your next shift, even though no one truly likes to talk about it. Although equally as bad, this was not just one man lost, this was truckload after truckload, department after department,  of brave soldiers selflessly marching into probably the closest thing to hell anyone has ever seen.

It is on days like today when I wish I could wrap my arms around all of my brothers and sisters in the fire, ems, and police services and thank them for what they do everyday.   Today, especially those of the FDNY and NYPD who lost family members, whether they were bound by blood or by brotherhood.

I have never been more proud of the career path I have chosen than on days like today.

The number one thing I am thankful for this weekends is Mary Beth.

And Jesus, for putting her into my life.