….among things that are not cool to do.

It’s not cool to text a coworker and let them know that your brand new partner just hit a pole with your even newer ambulance at the local ER.

Even if more people than you can count have hit the same yellow pole, including yourself and several folks you respect the hell out of.

I’m sorry, Boy Wonder.  I unintentionally threw you under the bus.

I know I told you this, several times, in fact, don’t let that diminish my message.  It’s damn near a right of passage to hit a post at this ER.  It’s REALLY okay.

What was not ok was me telling anyone about it before you had the chance.  What happens in the truck stays in the truck and all that.

I failed you in that respect, and I’m sorry.

A good man died tonight.

I realize that dying is a part of living.  We’re all going to die.  Some sooner than we should.  Some way sooner than we should.

And then there are the ones that linger on.

Suffering.  In constant tremendous pain.  Their minds confused to the point where they can’t recognize a picture of their spouse of 53 years, their five grown children or any of their 7 Grandchildren.  Or the fact that they served proudly in the US Army for years, earning a rack of ribbons that impressed most “lifers”. He had no memory of working a farm for more years than I had been alive, or the fact that he was one of the people that no one dared speak negatively of.  He was a good man.  He was one of the great ones.  And he was reduced to more or less laying in state in a hospital bed.

Alive, but not really living.

Why would anyone want to prolong that?  Even for a few minutes.  Do I wish his Granddaughter could have made it there in time to say “Goodbye”?  Yes.  But not if it meant that he had live one second more in the pain he was in.  Not even for a second.

I’m just glad his Granddaughter understood.

How you know you’re at a Volunteer Fire Department (family) Christmas party…

Well, for one thing, there are boots.  With Christmas lights and shrubbery growing out of them.

You find it almost impossible to pry your kids off of the firetruck.

Your little ones get a little suspicious that Santa Claus sounds awfully familiar….

…And some really big dude crushes Pseudo Dad Santa, all while Mrs. Claus smiles on.

Thank you, Anonymous Township Fire Department for including us in your Christmas Party.

We had a great time, don’t let the look on the kiddo’s faces fool ya!  (I can only attribute it to acute sugar overload.)

You shouldn’t have to deal with.

You don’t have to deal with someone twisting your words into something inappropriate, once, twice, or repeatedly,  while at work.  Or anywhere.

That’s it, plain and simple.

And a female can be just as guilty as a male, so don’t bother leaving me a comment saying that women do it too.

Before you say something stupid, think about what you’re saying.  If you wouldn’t want your child to have to hear it, then perhaps you should just keep it to yourself.

Just saying.

Be safe out there.

Or something.

A former partner of mine is writing a paper on burnout in EMS and is asking for some folks to take a survey for it.  If anyone out there would be so kind to help her out, here’s the link to visit the survey.

Thanks so much everyone ;)

I feel like I’m playing a constant game of catch up.  Between school, life and everything else I feel like I’m barely treading water.

My son informed me today that a little girl in his class called him an a**hole.  Keep in mind that he’s in 4th grade at a good school.  Apparently he’s being picked on again.  Looks like I’m going to have to lace my boots up and go have a little talk with the staff there.  It’s been going on for a week and I had no idea.

I’m a chapter behind in school.  Took a test today that I should have nailed and barely squeaked by with an 80%.  Bonus:  It was on Airway and Pulmonology.  Kind of important, yeah?

My bills are behind.  “Due to the economy…” I haven’t been able to pull more than a 20 hour week at Family Owned EMS in the last two months.  Which is okay if you can afford to only work 20 hours a week at minimum wage.  Unfortunately, I can’t live a life of leisure.  There are no money for bon bon’s and soap operas.

I really need to get some clinical time in.  Life happens.  The car who I’ve affectionately nicknamed something I can’t repeat, even on an EMS blog  blew it’s engine.  I still owe money on it(!).  Kind of hard to commit to clinical time when you don’t know how you’re going to get there.  It’s been resolved now, so finally I get to… catch up.

I haven’t been able to write nearly as much as I’d like.  Writing being my own little outlet, this leaves me a very cranky girl.  Not only have I not had time to write, I haven’t had time to read!  I have well over 70 blogs in google reader.  I think I’ve read five posts in the last two weeks, and not many more in the two weeks before that.  I miss it.  I miss reading about how everyone’s doing!

That all being said, things are definitely looking up.

I’m starting a new job tomorrow.  My first shift with a brand new medic.  (Did I mention I’m going to have a regular partner again???  YAY!)  Instead of working 4-8 hours five days a week I’ll be on an ABC shift.  24 on, 48 off.  That will free up some of my days to be around more for the people who really count.

And good God am I geeked. It’s a new company, a good group of people, and it’s run by someone who really knows the business.

I’m proud to be a part of it.

Okay, I’m babbling.  What’cha all up to?