C-Spine Humor

Something that most people outside of EMS aren't normally aware of is that each EMS agency purchases spine boards, and usually marks their agency on it. Not that they ever get it back (Some do - Raley Field got theirs back one time in the last 8 years). We even had one from the Los Angeles area at one time (400+ miles from Sacramento).

I got a little bored at work the other day, and was cleaning up the office a bit, when I noticed that our most recent board acquisition was from Vacaville F.D. They have a nice sense of humor! Their board reads "Stolen From Vacaville Fire":


BTW, if anyone finds the Sacramento Rivercats board, let me know! I'll come get it and trade you! We suspect it is a trophy on someone's wall.

Jonny's First Birthday Cake!

Jonny's first birthday was on Tuesday. Due to work schedules, we finally held Jonny's "party" tonight. Well, sort of. It was just David, Candace, Mike, Karen (Mike's GF), Diana, Colin (Diana's BF), myself, and of course, the birthday boy himself! A "micro" party, of sorts.

I gave him his birthday present from me earlier, a baby piano (that 4 key model). He LOVES it! He sat there for a half-hour playing it. Imagine both hands on 4 keys. Now, think Beethoven's 5th! It was great!

So, tonight we got together to sing him "Happy Birthday". Diana made a carrot cake (No nuts in or on it), with cream cheese icing. We got a short of Jonny sans cake:


And then we gave him his piece of cake, and sang to him! He stuck his fingers in the icing, and sat there opening and closing his hands feeling the sticky frosting. Then, he tasted it... "Oooh!!!" is the best description to his response.

Then, he dug in...



















Doesn't he look cute?

He decimated that cake! And conditioned his skin at the same time!













HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY JONNY!

Memorial Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Each year, I reflect on those who served and died in order to keep us safe. They sacrificed their lives so that mine and everyone else's lives can go on.

There seems to be confusion among some people (particularly those in their 20's and younger) regarding Memorial Day. This is a day of remembrance for those who died in service, not for everyone in service. That day is Armed Forces Day, as well as Veteran's Day.

There is a website, http://www.remember.gov , that I invite all of you to visit.

I found this poem over there, and the song that follows:

“ Last Monday in May”©

By

John T. Bird

We pause to remember those who died

With so much courage, so much pride

They’ll never come back, yet memories endure

To remind us of freedom: fragile, pure

We’re worthy of their sacrifice if we pause each day

Not just on the last Monday in May

This is an incredible song, if you have never heard it before, it can elicit strong emotion. It still does in me today:

http://www.remember.gov/moment/documents/OnThisDay-SaraEvans.mp3

Please remember to pray for those who fell protecting us and others. And for their families. With the war in Iraq, those families affected by the death of a servicemember need your prayers and thoughts.

Bike To Work Day

Today is National Bike To Work Day. I stopped driving my car to light rail, and now bike at least a few miles each morning and evening. I am working up to biking directly to light rail, or maybe taking the bus to the American River bike trail and riding that in to work each day. Two nice side effects: I am getting more fit and I am not paying for gas!

Also, how do you feel about your cell company? According to this article: http://ct.techrepublic.com.com/clicks?t=38571596-5b48ed050c8885e94d8de8216bc63c5c-bf&s=5&fs=0 , and the poll associated with it (n=275), most people feel that they are"Fine-Print, Nickel and Dime Money Grubbers":

Thar Be Whales In West Sacramento!

Anyone remember Humphrey, the humpback whale? In 1985 (and 1988), he made it up the Sacramento river to Rio Vista (a little north of there, actually) in his wanderings. Well, it seems a few more humpback whales have been wandering from the ocean, made it into San Francisco Bay, and into the Sacramento river! A few days ago, they were spotted in Rio Vista, near the Delta, and yesterday evening, in WEST SACRAMENTO! 79 miles from the Pacific Ocean!

It appears to be a mother and her calf. The mother has something attached to her, possibly a crabber's net. But it doesn't seem to be slowing her down. They are both just swimming along in the river, about 3 miles from the Port of Sacramento. They can't get any further, however. There is a lock that won't allow them further into the river. Now, it is a matter of turning them around and going back out to sea. They are also trying to figure out how to get that net off the mother also.

Sac Metro Fuel Cell car?

Yep, I saw it while on Light Rail last week. It sure turned my head! It is a car, made by Daimler-Chrysler, and yes, it has lights and siren. It is just cute! And odd...




It is NOT a fire truck! It is considered a "Support Vehicle", meaning a higher-up fire official will use it to get to a fire, presumably for management duties. It does turn heads!

Updates

OK... Its been a while since I posted. I have been sooooo busy, you would not believe it! Let's see, where do I start?

On April 19th, David and I went out and brought Diana and Jonny back to California. Things were getting worse and worse every day for them. Jon was acting increasingly more bizarre, also refusing to see Jonny (except for the day before we came back, ironically enough). I strongly suspect he is using meth or coke right now. His color was horrible (yellow, including his sclera - the whites of his eyes). He damn near ran over my feet when leaving Diana's apartment. We were all becoming more concerned that he would be physically violent (as if mental and emotional wasn't enough). We were so relieved when we got back here!

Diana and Jonny are doing well. Jonny is walking EVERYWHERE! He turns 1 on May 22nd! Diana is working, and looking for better work, while getting back in school to earn her degree. I know all of this is so hard on her, but she is doing the right things for her and Jonny.

I started bike riding to and from work. I can't ride anywhere near all the way (yet), but I am working on it! I ride at least 5 TRUE MILES per day (over hill and dale, so-to-speak). Some days, it is as much as 20 miles (whew!). The cost of gas is just too much, and I need the exercise. I was a little bummed at my WW Weigh-in last Saturday, as I had gained weight. But my pants are looser, and muscle weighs more than fat. I am hopeful that I will see a loss this week at the scale.

Financially, things are not good. It cost quite a bit to get Diana and Jonny back here, and honestly, it was money I can't afford. And diapers, etc add to the cost. Diana is working, but it isn't much right now (Which is why she is looking for better). I am trying to figure this all out, but frankly, I need more money or less expenses. All my reserves are gone. For those of you I have helped in the past, please considering returning the favor. We really need the help. I don't often ask for help, but this is rough right now. Many of you know I work more than one job (I have 4, actually. All but one are VERY part-time, and intermittent), so you know I try to do things myself.