Story-filled weekend

Just working at a private ambulance company lends itself to interesting stories, no matter what the day. It also means that many different personalities of people will be interacting, and inevitably clashing. Like this weekend. I wish that some people would just know their place and role. In the EMS world, seniority, following rules and "putting your time in" are huge aspects to how the system flows. I've been in it only for 3 years, but that's enough at the particular place at which I work to have a little bit of seniority and clout. But that doesn't mean that people will listen to you, or not just think for themselves (even though some people should just let other people do all the thinking. They'll get their panties in a twist if they try to think too much...). Lapses in communication (i.e. not listening to your senior partner, i.e. ME) can make for a confusing (and at times, dangerous) situation when it comes to the things we do. This weekend wasn't dangerous, but when certain people try to butt their cocky heads into a role that they're not supposed to be playing, they may end up getting their ass kicked by higher-ups. Translation: my partner on Saturday is young and cocky, and tried to act like he knew more than he actually did during one call (not to mention he always tried to steal the damn microphone away from me-- big mistake, Kiddo). Because of this, he and I ended up getting in an argument, but ultimately I don't think he believed he did anything wrong. Well, an attitude like his just shows that he is not ready to move up to a more senior role, and if he thinks he is ready, he is sadly mistaken. Just hang in there, Junior-- your time will come. In the meantime, let you partner be in charge, and just step the hell back.

Flight for Life is cool. It's unfortunate that it has to exist in the first place, but when it lands in a field a block from your house, it's kind of neat. Although, according to my dad, if you're in the shower when it flies over your house, it feels like it's going to land right in the tub with you! Good call, Mom (i.e. #1 Ambulance Chaser Extraordinaire).

I don't like cleaning up puke from my just-cleaned bathroom. Especially when I reeeeaallly have to pee! Word of advice: If your husband hosts a bachelor party and the bachelor stays at your house, make sure he confines his emesis to the toilet, and not the tub, shower curtain, wall, floor... and if there is a mess, make your husband clean it up, no matter how late he is for his EMT refresher! Those boys owe me. ¡Mucho!

31 days

So, we leave a month from today. Crazy. I'm excited, but at the same time worried. The past week has put into perspective how quickly life can be changed, and because of that I've become a little un-excited about going "down south."

Don't take for granted the times you have with loved ones. It's easy to say "oh I'll call them back tomorrow, I don't feel like it right now," (and we all know how stellar I am at returning phone calls...). But when you want to call that person back and they're not there, you'll realize how important it is to return those phone calls, as hard as it may be, and as tired as you may be. Sometimes death can be a huge suprise, but it can also, in an odd way, be a blessing that teaches you what is important and should take priority in your life.

So, in 31 days I leave for 17 days to make "pilgrimage" of sorts back down to Ecuador and Peru. As much as I want to stay and not miss out on things here, I know that I will need even more to go and do this for myself. Forget that it's costing a lot more than what we originally budgeted. I need to tell myself what I've been telling Michael all along: "I promise it's worth it!" Just got to get down 5 more pounds, otherwise I will be a "Dead Woman" on that Pass... :)

Thank God it's not a Loon

I was walking into work today, and I heard a goose call. So I look up, expecting to see it flying overhead, but no. It was on the roof of the Medical College looking particularly confused. Must have been some water up there that it thought was a lake. Who knows. It was pretty funny. Good thing it doesn't need hundreds of feet of water on which to take off like a loon...that could be a problem...

Just checked: Obama's still up, this time by 102 delegates. Keep it up!

Bull Dogs

Went to the Comedy Cafe on Friday night with friends-- it was a great show! Darren Carter was the headliner and he was totally hilarious. Probably the best overall show I'd seen there yet.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty low-key: I slept in on Saturday and nursed a lovely hangover for most of the day. Went to the grocery stores, then I made a Mexican pork dish for dinner that turned out really delicious. I totally passed out on the couch at like 10.

Sunday-- what sucky weather! I think that the world is coming to an end. Has anyone ever seen "The Day After Tomorrow"? That's how I feel these days... But I ended up getting out for a little while for a walk with the dog. Um, yeah. It was the most dangerous and wet walk ever! If you were watching me you would probably have been laughing hysterically because here was this moron walking an incredibly hyper dog on pure ice... not smart! I swear I slipped and was like "whoah!" about 50 times. My pants were wet all the way up to the knee. Then we found this bull dog that was out running around free, so I was trying to go door-to-door to find who it belonged to. Trying to control my already neurotic dog while on ice while trying to coax a bull dog to follow me while he's distracted playing with my dog is not easy... Scotch is getting a bath today because he has crusted bull dog slobber all over his fur. Hey, at least we got the dog home safely!

All Wisconsinites get out and vote tomorrow! We need to get those votes out for Obama!! Fired up, ready for change. Focker, out.

Railroad Train Pajamas

Last night: The dog had been in his kennel all day, so he was pretty wriled up when I got home (and Skip was working at the hospital, so he hadn't had a chance to get the pup out for exercise). So I came home, and took the dog out with me while I shoveled the 300 feet of snow that has piled up over the past month. Anyways, there's so much snow that Scotch appeared up over half of the fence-- that was a sight! (See pictures). I had no choice but to put him in his kennel while I went to band. Band was boring, as it often is. Wish it was more of a challenge. Not to mention it took me 45 minutes to get there, which sucked. I got home from band, and wanted to punch out to get up early in the morning so I could work out. The dog obviously had other plans. I think I passed out for about 20 mins, then I woke up to Scotch barking to go outside. So I let him out, then put him in his kennel because he was acting like a maniac. He barked and barked and barked, until Skip got home from work, then he was really wide awake. Then Skip left to go down to the fire house. I think by the time the monster actually fell asleep it was about 12:30. So much for working out in the early morning.



Today: So, I ended up getting up around 6:30 (felt like the middle of either a 24 at Meda-Care or freshman year at Augie during pledging), and got moving. I stopped at the bank before work at 7:30, and it took me 45 freaking minutes to get to work! This is why: 1.) I was driving Skip's car (a.k.a. The Death Wagon), and I slid into a snowbank. Wonderful. 2.) It was 7:30 on a road that has a high school at one end and a junior high on the other. I have never seen such morons dropping their kids off at the worst places ever-- like the middle of the street. Not safe, and not smart. Gotta love Wisconsin, "eh"? Great. 3.) The roads suck from the aforementioned 300 feet of snow. Awesome. Then when I finally got to work I had two cups of coffee, which I never do-- so not only was I crabby, but I was juiced and crabby. Great combination!



The day has gone a little bit better since then, but let's just hope the dog does not keep me up tonight, otherwise I will have a very unpleasant Valentine's Day...

Here goes...

Hello!

I always feel like my mind is going a mile a minute, so I thought I would start up a blog to get some of those thoughts out! I've always known that I get my thoughts out better in writing, anyways. I hope I'll be able to provide interesting insight to the things that go on around me, and provide all of you with an opportunity to see the world how I do.

--Ellen D :)