This was supposed to have been posted last week, but for whatever reason it did not. The most likely cause was that I was still pretty sick when I came home and I simply screwed it up. As I still am just getting to the point where I feel like messing with my camera and the blog, I'm just going to go ahead and publish the following. Keep in mind that it was written on Aug 13.
*******
I'm not going to get creative with this, I'm just going to spill it. For the last seven days, I have been in the hospital, suffering from bilateral pulmonary embolisms.
It sucked, plain and simple. Friends who saw me in the initial stages of the event were shocked at how bad it screwed me up. It hurt like nothing else that I have ever felt and it scared the living shit out of my family. It was a bad time to be me.
Though not completely out of the woods, I am doing well enough to be released. For that and many other things I am grateful. I am surprised at the level of support that I received from my friends and from the department, it is truly humbling and it brings tears to my eyes.
I have plenty to say about this, but much of it would bore you and frankly, I just want to kick back for a little while. Thanks for your continued reading, I'll have more in a few days.
Schmoe
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Despicable
My kids are pretty much grown. As a result, I don't see too many kids movies any more. Apparently, there is one out now titled Despicable Me 2. I haven't seen it, nor have I seen Despicable Me. (though it would be an appropriate title for my auto-biography)
Despicable Me is an animated movie and contain a set of characters known as minions. I have no idea what they do or what they are about other than they are minions.
Hitler had his minions, Stalin had his. Apparently, someone in Despicable Me 2 has minions as well.
Now, the City of Yucaipa CA has been invaded by minions.
Some unknown artist has noticed that the physique of a minion is not unlike that of a fire hydrant and has dressed several hydrants in Yucaipa accordingly. Even I, uncreative and unobservant creature that I am, can see a resemblance.
According to The San Bernardino Sun, the reaction in the community has been mostly positive. Residents, the Po-Po and at least one fire captain were interviewed and all responded more or less the same - cute, as long as it doesn't interfere with operation during a fire.
A rep from the water district was a little more concerned, stating that the clothing used to turn the hydrants into minions might conceal the color coding painted on the hydrant to denote available water pressure.
I find that to be an odd statement, as none of the hydrants pictured in the Sun appeared to be color coded at all. Also, I would have though the rep from the water would have known that color coding on hydrants denotes flow (gpm) not pressure.
Personally, I think it is kind of cool, but I don't think the practice of placing anything on a hydrant is an especially good idea -it kind of sets a bad precedent.
Many agencies have a policy regarding the customization of hydrants, but there is usually a procedure to follow ensuring that the hydrant remains functional and properly marked. I'm just guessin' that gloves cable tied to the stems and caps wouldn't be within most policies.
For the full S.B. Sun article on the matter, CLICK HERE.
Now, I just want to find out how to get an army of my own minions. Of course they would only be used for good and not evil. Well, maybe for a little evil.
Thanks for reading,
Schmoe
Despicable Me is an animated movie and contain a set of characters known as minions. I have no idea what they do or what they are about other than they are minions.
Photo kyped from www.fanpop.com
Hitler had his minions, Stalin had his. Apparently, someone in Despicable Me 2 has minions as well.
Now, the City of Yucaipa CA has been invaded by minions.
Photo by Rick Sforza, San Bernardino Sun Times
Some unknown artist has noticed that the physique of a minion is not unlike that of a fire hydrant and has dressed several hydrants in Yucaipa accordingly. Even I, uncreative and unobservant creature that I am, can see a resemblance.
According to The San Bernardino Sun, the reaction in the community has been mostly positive. Residents, the Po-Po and at least one fire captain were interviewed and all responded more or less the same - cute, as long as it doesn't interfere with operation during a fire.
A rep from the water district was a little more concerned, stating that the clothing used to turn the hydrants into minions might conceal the color coding painted on the hydrant to denote available water pressure.
I find that to be an odd statement, as none of the hydrants pictured in the Sun appeared to be color coded at all. Also, I would have though the rep from the water would have known that color coding on hydrants denotes flow (gpm) not pressure.
Personally, I think it is kind of cool, but I don't think the practice of placing anything on a hydrant is an especially good idea -it kind of sets a bad precedent.
Many agencies have a policy regarding the customization of hydrants, but there is usually a procedure to follow ensuring that the hydrant remains functional and properly marked. I'm just guessin' that gloves cable tied to the stems and caps wouldn't be within most policies.
For the full S.B. Sun article on the matter, CLICK HERE.
Now, I just want to find out how to get an army of my own minions. Of course they would only be used for good and not evil. Well, maybe for a little evil.
Thanks for reading,
Schmoe
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Images Of...
...sorrow, honor, respect and brotherhood. The images below are from the Ramp Ceremony for fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots Christopher MacKenzie and Kevin Woyjeck.
The two hotshots were returned to Southern California on July 10, 2013 via a California Air National Guard C-130J aircraft. MacKenzie and Woyjeck were two of nineteen Granite Mountain Hotshots who were killed while fighting the Yarnell Fire in central Arizona on June 30, 2013.
The Ramp Ceremony was held at Los Alamitios Joint Forces Training Base in Southern California. It was attended by the families of the fallen, firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel from throughout California and by a grateful and grieving public.
Click on the images for higher quality photos.
Honor Guard members escort the casket of Christopher MacKenzie past the
The two hotshots were returned to Southern California on July 10, 2013 via a California Air National Guard C-130J aircraft. MacKenzie and Woyjeck were two of nineteen Granite Mountain Hotshots who were killed while fighting the Yarnell Fire in central Arizona on June 30, 2013.
The Ramp Ceremony was held at Los Alamitios Joint Forces Training Base in Southern California. It was attended by the families of the fallen, firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel from throughout California and by a grateful and grieving public.
Click on the images for higher quality photos.
Members of the City of Corona CA Fire Dept. Honor Guard prepare for the
Ramp Ceremony.
Honor Guard members from Fire Depts. throughout CA prepare for the
Ramp Ceremony.
Honor Guard members from Fire Depts. throughout CA prepare for the
Ramp Ceremony.
Honor Guard members from Fire Depts. throughout CA prepare for the
Ramp Ceremony.
Lone Cub Scout In A Sea Of Blue
Firefighters, members of the Armed Forces and Honor Guards stand by to
receive the bodies of Christopher MacKenzie and Kevin Woyjeck.
Honor Guard Members carry the casket of Christopher MacKenzie off of
the aircraft, past saluting aircrew members.
"Sea of Blue" during the Ramp Ceremony.
Honor Guard Members carry the casket of Kevin Woyjeck off of
the aircraft, past saluting aircrew members.
Honor Guard members escort the casket of Kevin Woyjeck past the
"Sea of Blue" during the Ramp Ceremony.
Honor Guard members escort the casket of Kevin Woyjeck past members
of the Armed Forces during the Ramp Ceremony.
Patriot Guard Riders and other motorcycle organizations salute as the hearses
prepare to depart the Los Alamitos Joint Training Base.
Honor Guard member surveys the scene as the hearses prepare to depart the
Ramp Ceremony.
****
The Ramp Ceremony. It's not about politicians, speeches or proselytizing. It's about honoring the fallen, showing respect to the families of the fallen and honoring the traditions and sacrifices of those who have gone before us. Primarily a military ceremony, it was adapted for this occasion. The efforts of the military, the organizations involved and of honor guard members from throughout the state all came together to pull this off. It was a solemn ceremony that honored the two fallen firefighters perfectly.
I am honored just to have attended.
Thanks for reading,
Schmoe
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
