Why Wouldn't They?

I just read that Boston EMS personnel OVERWHELMINGLY approved a new contract that included both alcohol and drug testing of personnel. I ask again, "Why wouldn't they?" I would not want to be working with an impaired partner EVER, nor would I expect them to work with me if I was impaired. Random drug and alcohol testing removes this concern for us. Are there impaired EMS, fire, and police out there? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Not many, but they are there. I've seen them, and in one case, briefly worked with one (I turned him in after he refused to clock out and go home.). I don't drink much to begin with, but I actually REFUSE to have alcohol within 24 hours of an anticipated shift. If I have been drinking within 12 hours of a call-in, then I decline it. Why? Patient safety, and more importantly, my own safety and that of my partner. I want to go home safe at the end of the day.

Way to go, Boston EMS! Way to go!!!

Rainy weather... and illness

Well, now that the rainy weather has made it to Northern CA, one other thing has made it here. The flu and other nasty bugs. I started feeling crappy yesterday, and today a sore throat has been creeping up on me, and I feel worse. That, and a fever. No other symptoms, so I am considering that this might be strep throat (bleh). If it is, then the fix is relatively easy: antibiotic therapy. If not, then it is more than likely a virus, and will have to run its course. My guess is, one way or the other, I will know by morning. I guess its good I don't have any planned patient contact until after Christmas. And at my day job, I can just hang a sign telling people I am sick, and avoid contact with others (well most of the time).

Back drinking more fluids... I now return you to your normal web browsing.

The Leader of the Band (1951-2007)

I was getting ready for work very early this morning, and was watching the news as I do just about every day, and found out that one of my favorite music artists, Dan Fogelberg, passed away from prostate cancer yesterday. I knew he had been battling it for a few years.

This talented artist's music influenced a lot of my thinking (and my choice of music) over the years. His gift of the ability to pass on incredible emotion in his music is one that many of his fans deeply appreciated. When I moved from home in 1984, I left the song, "The Leader of The Band" on the turntable at my father's house, with a note asking him to play it. I don't know if he did, but I do know that when I retrieved my music collection later from my father's house, that 45 was not in the collection (Do you still have it dad? If so, please keep it. I meant the thoughts in the song that day!). Here are the lyrics to that song, for those of you that may not recall it, or who have never heard it:

The Leader of The Band

An only child alone and wild

A cab'net maker's son

His hands were meant for diff'rent work

And his heart was known to none

He left his home

And went his lone and solitary way

And he gave to me a gift

I knowI never can repay

A quiet man of music

Denied a simpler fate

He tried to be a soldier once

But his music wouldn't wait

He earned his love thru' discipline

A thund'ring velvet hand

His gentle means of sculpting souls

Took me years to understand

The leader of the band is tired

And his eyes are growing old

But his blood runs thru' my instrument

And his song is in my soul

My life has been a poor attempt

To imitate the manI'm just a living legacy

To the leader of the band

My brother's lives were diff'rent

For they heard another call

One went to Chicago

And the other to St Paul

And I'm in Colorado

When I'm not in some hotel

Living out this life I've chose

And come to know so well

I thank you for the music

And your stories of the road

I thank you for the freedom

When it came my time to go

I thank you for the kindness

And the times when you got tough

And Papa I don't think I said

"I love you" near enough

The leader of the band is tired

And his eyes are growing old

But his blood runs thru' my instrument

And his song is in my soul

My life has been a poor attempt

To imitate the man

I'm just a living legacy

To the leader of the band

I am the living legacy

To the leader of the band

Goodbye, Dan.

And the word of the year is...

W00T


Yep. W00T. I've been using this word for YEARS. Contrary to popular belief, it didn't start with gamers. It started with hackers (the good ones, not the ones causing havoc). It moved into gaming, but it has been around for a LONG, LONG time.

For more info: http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=36196

To Death Valley and Back

Last weekend, I went to Death Valley (from Sacramento - long trip!) for a marathon that was being held out there. No, I didn't run in it. I was part of the EMS crew working the race. :-)

Anyhow, I thought I'd show you a pic of the ambulance I work on. The ironic thing? Even with that wild yellow color, we are invisible on the road to other drivers.

The next picture shows us up next to the rig. That's me on the left, Steve, and Amy. Steve is co-owner of the company.

We had a lot of fun working that event. They are a great crowd, and actually followed what we told them to do when they came to see us for care. I will be out there again in February for the next race.