Whew!!!

   Guys, I am so sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of months. I know some of you may have nearly lost the will to live without my nonsensical, mildly amusing antics, but my schedule has been brutal. I just got back from my European tour last week. I was on the road with a hard core band, they're from Canada you wouldn't know them, and I just didn't have time to write. Don't expect to read the details of my tour; it would not be appropriate.
   I promised a write-up about my trip to the Rockies back in October, and I still intend to post that. I have a draft; I just need an editor to proof it so I don't look like a tard. So listen, I'm not gonna make any promises or tell you when I'll post again. I don't want that kind of pressure on me. I'll link it to FB so you won't miss a thing.
   Merry Christmas!!! That's right, I said Merry Christmas. I said that because I celebrate Christmas. If you do not, more power to you and happy whatever you celebrate, but I say Merry Christmas.   

The Last Five Minutes

   I am working on a lengthy blog detailing my adventures in the Rocky Mountains, but in the mean time I want to throw something out there. Have you ever noticed when you are on a plane that people usually only talk to each other in the last five minutes? Why is that? It's kind of sad how society has become so isolated and unsociable. People don't want to initiate a conversation up front and risk having to talk to you the whole ride, but they don't want to be remembered as a total doucher, so they figure ... if I talk to them the last five minutes, and they'll remember me as a friendly person. I don't want to be that guy, so I try to talk to the person in the first five minutes. Hey, where ya goin? What do you do? It's just small talk, but this could create amazing opportunities. What if the guy next to you turns out to be the CEO of a huge company and in your talk he discovers that you have a certain quality his company needs? Never mind the fact that the CEO is in coach where I usually sit. I'm just saying, what if?
   I'm not advocated that you talk the person's ear off, but why not open a dialogue which can be opened and closed civilly at any time? Next time you're on a plane, or train, or any means of public transportation talk to those around you. You may be surprised at who you meet.

Travel, Travel, Travel

   What a month! I will have visited three places I have never been, all in just under a month. First it was Savannah. You may be thinking what everyone thinks ... YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO SAVANNAH? BUT YOU LIVE IN GEORGIA! I know. It was a cool little town, and it is where Meg and I spent out first anniversary. We will go back.
   Just this past weekend, Meg and I visited Baltimore for her best friend's wedding. Another great town that I can't wait to visit again. Talk about crabs (not those kind). Blue, king, snow, crab dip, crab cakes, crab cakes, crab cakes. Crabs everywhere. The inner harbor is where we spend most of our time. It was easy to walk everywhere and see many attractions. We got to tour the USS Torsk, a WWII submarine. I cannot imagine sending a week on that thing let alone months. I have several things I couldn't do due to time constraints. I will visit Camden Yards next time.  
   My next adventure will take me to Grand Junction Colorado where I'll be ascending to approximately 8,ooo feet on horseback to look for Rocky Mountain Elk. Unfortunately I won't be behind the trigger. I will be assisting with some videography, but the experience will be awesome! I'll get back you'uns soon.  

Bird boasts new BLOG title but winds up on the 10-day DL

   Holy swollen knee batman! The only good thing that came out of our softball loss tonight is the new title of my blog. It certainly wasn't the ball that almost decapitated my patella, or the one that could have broken my jaw, or the one I just said F--- it to and watched go into center field. I know it wasn't the 17-4 shellacking we took, so yup ... it was the new title.  I have to thank the man who created the new title, Mr. Andy Lane. One of G'nnett's finest! I have to give the team some credit though ... we are getting a little better. We definitely had some fun.
    Who wants to bet on how big my left knee is by morning? It begs the question, is the pain and potential for serious injury worth it? I think so. I never want to use the, "I'm gettin' to old for this," saying (at least not until I'm 30). I love playing competitive sports and can't imagine going too long without playing softball or baseball or ping pong. Bruises will heal, and muscles will recover. As long as no one looses an eye ball, we're doing all right. That's right, I said eyeball. Big deal, wanna fight about it? 

Battle of the Badges

Yesterday the fire department softball team played in the 1st annual Battle of the Badges tournament. It was a best of three tournament played at Coolray Field between us, the fire department, and the police department. Playing on the field was bad ass. It made me wish I could go back in time and try harder to make it in baseball. The games were really good games. PD took the first game 12-10. In the second game, the FD turned it on and beat the Po-Po 12-9. That took us to the rubber match ... game 3. The game stayed close. The lead changed a few times, but in the end there can only be one winner. PD made a valiant effort in the bottom of the 7th, but FD would emerge victorious 9-8. It was a great day to play some ball.  

 View from home. It was awesome playing on a top notch field. Even if it was softball.

Here's a team shot before the game. Me on the back row, far right.

They put our picture and name up on the jumbotron. That was sweet.

Me making the bellsouth call to the bullpen.

Chillin' in the dugout

I got to meet Larry Wachs from the Regular Guys Show.

And finally ... the trophy. 

"Scotch, scotch, scotch, down to my belly ..."

A week or so ago, I wrote about smoking cigars. I don't smoke them often, but when I do I smoke good ones. The same goes for whiskey. Aside from a Jack & Coke every now and then, when I drink whiskey I prefer it straight up and top shelf. Sometimes middle shelf will do. Some of my favorites are Single Barrel Jack (bourbon), Crown Royal (Canadian), Jamison (Irish whiskey), Chivas Regal, and Macallan 12 ( both Scotch). This weekend I tried five whiskeys that I have never had. Cheap? No. Please forgive me for not giving detailed descriptions of how they taste. I'm a rookie whiskey connoisseur.

The first thing I tried was The Glenlivet 12 years. I had two because it was that good.

 
Saturday evening I tried two different whiskeys. J&B and Dewar's White Label. I wasn't crazy about J&B, but Dewars was pretty good on the rocks.

Sunday night I tried a new bourbon on the market from the makers of Makers Mark. Makers 46. This came highly recommended by a fellow whiskey drinker. This tasted like the original Makers Mark but a bit smoother. Smoother even though it's 94 proof. Excellent drink. I had it again Sunday.

The cherry on the pie, the icing on the cake, the blue ribbon winner was the Macallan 18. This was similar to the 12 year old version, but this had more of a kick. It finished very nice though. It wasn't what I was expecting, but good. I had to pay to experience this delight. About $50 to be exact, but it was worth it. 

Conferences

Today is Meg and my first wedding anniversary. I am bummed that she is not here with me right now, but we had a good time while she was here with me. Where amI? I am at an EMS conference in Savannah until Tuesday. What does one do at an EMS conference you might ask. Drink. Everyone drinks a lot. Haha, just kidding, but not really. I love coming to these conferences because I get to mingle with folks from my profession that I only see once a year. I get to hear great lectures from nationally renowned speakers. Still, it sucks to not be with Megs. It's only a couple of days.  

Rum. Rumpelstiltskin?

   I may have a new sippin' rum. Captain Morgan Private Stock. Since I was introduced to Ron Zacapa and Ron Botran, two fine Central American rums, I have been quite a rum elitist. The only problem with these two rums is they are hard to find around here. I typically only get a bottle of these when my father-in-law goes to Guatemala. Captain Morgan Private stock gives these two exotic rums a run for their money. It has a bite, but then it's oh so smooth. It has a sweet taste too which some drinkers may not enjoy, but I enjoy a touch of sweet if I'm not mixing it with anything. 
   This rum is the standard 40% alcohol, but the other night it sure as hell felt like more. I had what would equal about three shots, and I was out (I did also have a beer and two glasses of wine). Meg had about one shot on top of a couple glasses of wine and she was lit. I must reiterate, this rum is not for mixing folks. That would be a waste of good rum. Have I given up on Zacapa and Botran? Heck no, but in between Danny's trips to Central America, this will do just fine.

 

Boringness

   I'm not obsessed with blogging or anything, but I feel like I should blog about something since I haven't blogged since Saturday. So ... what does someone blog about when they've had a boring week? I could blog about my anniversary since it's coming up Sunday, but my lovely wife has this whole anniversary week theme; I don't want to steal her thunder. I would blog about work, but my current position as an instructor does not yield many exciting adventures. So let me tell you about my inability to deal with boringness.
   I know so many people that LOVE doing nothing. Sitting around watching TV or napping suits them just fine, but I fidget if I have nothing to do for more than an hour. Where did I get this characteristic? I don't think I was always like this, but I was a busy body as a kid I guess. I was always playing ball, or capture the flag, or something until bedtime. I blame it on my job. My current position as an instructor, although not as exciting as fighting fire, is extremely busy. I am non-stop from 0600 until 1700, and my day is typically planned out minute-by-minute. I am so use to having things to do all the time that when I don't, I have a difficult time adjusting.
   I have been getting better. Now that two of my favorite shows are back (House & Always Sunny), there are at least two nights a week that I do nothing but watch TV. I put my computer down (except during commercials) and chill out. Anyone have any suggestions?  

Why smoke cigars?

   There are many reasons to smoke cigars, and depending on who you ask, they may be very different. For some, they grave the taste and the essence of the cigar. Others may simply be feeding a need for tobacco. For some cigar smokers, it is simply an excuse to do nothing; it is an excuse to sit around with good friends and shoot the shit. I fall into that category.
   Don't get me wrong, I like GOOD cigars. I would not consider myself a cigar aficionado by any stretch of the imagination, but I grew out of my Swisher Sweet and Black & Mild phase long ago. I want something enjoyable, and I'll spend $6 to $10 for a quality cigar. I want a good taste and pleasant aroma, but smoking a cigar gives me time to just sit down and chill out. The size of the cigar dictates how long I'm going to chill out. Sometimes I enjoy sitting by myself with a cigar and class of bourbon, but more often than not I enjoy a cigar while hanging out with good people and close friends.
   The golf course is a great place to hang out with good friends and smoke good cigars (and drink good beer when I don't care about the score), but sitting out behind the fire station or around a camp fire is where it's at my friend. You can learn so much about people while smoking cigars and talking about random things. Heck, with a nice long cigar you can solve all the world's problems. It is amazing how many new and good ideas I have heard about things while sitting around smoking. I think smoking a cigar puts everybody in the same frame of mind. Not with opinions necessarily, but everyone seems to be a little more open to thoughts and ideas. Everyone is more relaxed and easy going. Everyone is doing the same thing ... nothing. Just sitting around smoking a cigar and enjoying each others company. I am not encouraging anyone to pick up a bad habit, if that's what you call smoking one or two a month, but for those who need an excuse to take a break, walk into your local cigar shop and have them recommend one.

Show 'em the Big Red Truck

Today I visited my niece's pre-school to talk about being a fireman. For the past three years I have been teaching eighteen through thirty year-old adults, so it was a drastic change to talk to 4 year-old kids. Although some of the adults act like kids. I caught myself more than once speaking over their little heads about technical aspects of the job. It is important to remember when conducting PR's for little kids, just show them the big red truck and put on your firefighting gear.  The stop, drop, and roll routine is a smash too!

"Sounds like somebody has a case of the Mondays..."

   Well I sure as hell do! First of all, who likes getting up to go to work on Monday? At 0445??? At least I enjoy my job. Secondly, I feel like crap. I guess even my super immune system cannot withstand everything. Thirdly and most significantly, what a sh---y weekend for Atlanta sports fans. Braves LOST, Falcons LOST, Georgia Tech LOST (not that I care much about that), and worst of all, the DAWGS LOST!!! What's up with that? I was really looking forward to gloating about UGA's superiority to all the Tech fans I know. I did have a great time in Columbia though. It was my first UGA away game, and it was ... different. Although I had a great time, I certainly wished we were in Athens.
   Traffic in Columbia was terrible. We didn't have time to park and tailgate which may have been a contributing factor to the loss. I mean, tradition is tradition and we broke it. The stadium was nice. Our seats were as far up as you could go, section 507, row 43, (literally, if you went any further up you'd have a 200 - 300 foot drop), but we still had a great view. We saw every play that the Cocks made, and every tackle the Dawgs missed. That's not fair. It's early in the season. The fans were slightly obnoxious, but honestly UGA fans can be way more obnoxious to opponents. At least the Braves get a few chances to set things right this week.

Here's to the week getting better! Go DAWGS! Go Braves! 

Drinkin' Alone

   There is nothing wrong with drinking alone!!! I just finished running for an hour, and I feel like I deserve it. I think it was like 5 miles or something. Sidney Marcus to Peidmont to Peachtree to Lenox to Buford Hwy. So I am sitting on the back deck listening to iTunes, missing my wife, smoking an amazing cuban cigar, and drinking some top shelf Central American rum, and it is a b.e.a.utiful evening. I have to go to bed soon though, because I am getting up early to go Columbia, SC for the game with my best bud. I hope the DAWGS spank the COCKS. Haha, I said cock. I actually said spank the cocks.

Remember to take a moment tomorrow!!! All gave some, some gave all.
  

Never Forget

   On the morning of September 11, 2001, the United States experienced it’s worst terrorist attack in history. Four planes took off with 265 people who would never see their families again. American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93. At 0845 hours Flight 11 crashed into the North Trade Tower. Eighteen minutes later, Flight 175 crashed into the South Trade Tower. At 0940 hours flight 77 crashed into the west side of the pentagon, and at 1007 hours Flight 93 crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after the passengers fought back against the terrorists. The South Tower collapsed at 0959 hours, the North Tower at 1028 hours, and Tower 7 collapsed at 1720 hours. A section of the Pentagon collapsed at 1010 hours. 

   President Bush and the US armed forces acted swiftly, but nothing will take back the actions of the radical Islamic faction. 2976 innocent civilians lost their lives including 343 FDNY firefighters and paramedics, 23 NYPD officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers.

   Tomorrow marks the 9^th anniversary of that faithful day. Think back to the weeks and months after the attacks. Think how united we were as a country as we mourned together. In front of every house waved the US flag. In my lifetime, I cannot think of any other time where people were more proud to be an American. How proud we were to prove that nothing could beat us down. We rose up and proved that no one anywhere can take our liberty. It brought out the best of us at the worst time in our lives.

   Tomorrow, take a moment to reflect on the men and women who died. Think about the civilians who were working to provide for their families. Think about the bravest of the brave that died in an effort to save others. And think about those serving our country to keep us safe and prevent anything like this from happening again.

Never forget. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. For more details and statistics, please visit the links below.

            

References:

http://www.numberof.net/number-of-deaths-on-911-2/

http://nymag.com/news/articles/wtc/1year/numbers.htm

http://www.patriotresource.com/wtc/timeline/sept11b.html

Back Roads

   Do you ever take back roads just to do something different? Sometimes I just get the urge to go another way. Maybe it's a little longer, but it's different scenery so it can make the drive seem shorter. Plus I mix it up so no one can predict my travel pattern, and this keeps me safe from any potential ambushes.
   How 'bout this ... do you ever take a road that you have no idea where it goes? I have never done that, but I always think, "where does that go?" One day, when I have absolutely nothing to do, I will try that. Of course it would be more fun if you are somewhere unfamiliar. I mean, it's not going to work if you are in your home town and know every road. Duh.

Be safe in your travels! 

Return from the Wild!

   Three nights in the wild South Carolina woods, and I am home unharmed. I realize some of you wonder how that is possible. Surviving the rough KOA camp grounds of Anderson, SC. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy. HA!
   Hardly what you'd call "roughin' it." Air mattresses, electricity, shower facilities, free WiFi, but what a great time. How can sitting around a campfire hanging out with friends and family not be? Especially when you throw in some good whiskey (whisky) and a great Cuban cigar.
   I also discovered a new beer, which is now my favorite. Wolters Pilsener Premium. I found this beer at Tower liquor store on Peidmont Rd. for $5!!! Unbelievable, right? I assumed it would be nasty at $5 for a sixer, but man was I wrong. I am not a beer connoisseur, so don't expect a fab right-up describing the taste. I would describe it like Miller Light with more flavor. No bitter after taste and it goes down so so easy. As for the cigar ... a beautiful Trinidad which I snuck across the Canadian border last year.
   All in all, a great trip. Spent some time by the pool, spent some time on a boat, spent all weekend with the person I want to spend all my time with.

For some great picture of our adventure, visit my beautiful wife's blog.  

Are you a "checklist" person?

   Don't you hate that feeling that you are forgetting something? I'm making a checklist for our camping trip this weekend at Lake Hartwell as I do for most trips or adventures, and I can't help but thinking I am going to get there and realize I have forgotten something. I know I'm ridiculous ... I should just relax. I guess it's my meticulous nature or my OCD, but I am a "checklist" person.  I get physically anxious thinking about things not being perfect. I walked around REI yesterday for an hour wondering what do I need, what do I have - getting more and more frustrated.
   The biggest problem I have with organizing my camping gear is it's all spread out between our apartment, my parents house, and my friends house so it is difficult for me to assess what I have and what I need to buy. Man how I want a house so I can keep all my stuff in one location. This disorganization is very frightening. Not to mention my boat which is sitting in my uncle's garage.
   I like things to be perfect. I like to have a plan. I like things to be neat and clean. So where did I get my need for perfection? My anal-retentiveness? I would have to say I get a lot of it from my father. When I was growing up my dad put a lot of planning into things. I remember when we use to go to the lake we would spend all morning checking out the boat and getting things together. He would get so frustrated if we got there and things weren't perfect, and I am the same way.  He pays close attention to details so everything goes smoothly without a hitch. Although this can be annoying to some, I think this mentality has helped me in my professional life as well as personally. "Do it right the first time and you won't have to do it again."
   I grew up in a very clean, organized home. Now-a-days, if things aren't clean and tidy around me I have a hard time thinking and getting organized. My mother kept things so clean growing up, and I took that for granite. It took getting married and getting out on my own to realize that. Just ask my wife ... I am always cleaning and picking up to the point of annoyance.
   So between my need for a well thought out plan and perfection, and my need for cleanliness, I consider myself a "checklist" kind of person. Are you a "checklist person? What does being a "checklist" person mean to you?

  

Utah and Vermont

   My wife and I played a game tonight. How many states can you name in 6 minutes? It sounds easier than it is. Of course I boldly stated, "I can name all 50." Boy was I wrong. I did come close though. 48 out of 50. F---ing Utah and Vermont. How is it that a grown, college educated adult cannot name all 50 states? Isn't that something we learned in 6th grade? I mean, I could not only name the states back then, I could name the capital too. AND ... the capital of every country in the world! I guess it's true. If you don't use it, you loose it.
   If you are wondering where we got the idea for the game, it was from the TV show, "Friends." Those of you who follow my wife's blog might know how she is obsessed with that show. That's a whole different blog though.

Stories from the Fire House

   I know I said I would try not to blog about work, but this is one of those cool stories that I have to tell. The more I think about it, work makes up a huge part of my life, so naturally I have a lot of stories from work. I have a good one today.
   When a couple of the guys from the previous shift went to their cars this morning, they found that their cars had been broken into. Who rips off firemen??? A total douche-bag, that's who. One of the guys was lucky and had nothing in his truck to steal, but the other guy had a nice camera stolen. The police were called and the investigation began. Fortunately, there are cameras all around the station and the jack ass not only walked in front of two of them, he looked directly at them giving us a very good description. It seemed like something you'd see on "World's Dumbest Criminals." We watched the video footage for an hour. It was kind of creepy realizing how bold criminals are. This guy saw the cameras and didn't seem to care. He checked out every car and even walked to the front of the station and looked inside. He was seen on camera at 1:30 am, 3 am, and again at 6 am.
   As the police went out searching for any sign of the suspect, they were called to a home invasion around 10 am. Since the suspect fit the description, all the guys here at the station were very interested in the call. We switched our radios to the police frequency and listened as an officer engaged the suspect in a foot chase right down the road from the station. We all ran outside hoping the chase would head our way, but the police nabbed him without our assistance. We were mildly disappointed that we didn't get a chance to exact a little of our own justice. I mean he did rip off two of our own.
   We were called to the scene where they caught him since PD had to taze the suspect, and we did get to witness PD rough the guy up for resisting. The suspect eventually confessed to the crimes and showed PD where the stolen goods were. It was cool to see justice served and our co-workers property returned. Damn fine police work. 
   This may not be the kind of story you'd expect to hear about a day at the fire house, but it was very exciting and unique for us. That's one of the best things about this job ... you never know what to expect when you come to work.

Me ... a blogger?

I know, I know ... those who know me would not in a million years expect me to blog, but I have been encouraged relentlessly by another blogger to give it a try. "What do I write about," I ask. "What ever comes to mind ... random things," she says. I certainly do have plenty of random thoughts zipping through the ol' noggin, so here I am. I plan on sharing my random thoughts, opinions, and cool activities. Now that I turned my twin beds in to bunk-beds, I have so much more room for activities. My biggest concern is that I will find myself blogging about nothing but work, but I am going to try to keep the topics off work unless it's something totally cool. If you feel the urge to advertise on my blog spot, let me know cause I plan on getting rich off this s--t like Perez Hilton.