A christmas classic....

Seeing that it's almost December and Christmas time, here's one of the classic movies that I enjoy to watch(even when they have a marathon on tv, LOL). Enjoy...

I was tagged again....LOL

A few days ago, Linda from "Are We There Yet?" tagged me with a Meme, that unfortunately I had missed. Thankfully Linda noticed that I was behind the 8 ball on this and reminded me of such a tag. So here you go Linda. ;-)

Unfortunately(or maybe fortunately, because I happen to not have any books at home), I read this Meme at work. Now other than phone books, list of phone numbers, zetron codes, and computer programs, the closest "reasonable" book for this Meme was the Quinebaug Valley Dispatch resource binder, which was in a roll out drawer behind me. Page 46 happened to fall on the last page of a list of Chief's contact information, and I'm quite sure they wouldn't want me to publish such information over the world wide web. However, the next was a letter from February 1, 2000.

This was two months after the Worcester Cold Storage Fire, in which six City of Worcester firefighters became lost, trapped, and eventually perished in the maze like building, looking for "reported" trapped homeless people, that had fled un-noticed, before the fire department arrived. The events of that horrible night, led to a national recognition of what firefighters do, and re-established firefighting as one of the most dangerous, yet heroic professions to the public. After this incident, fire departments from all over the nation took a step back to re-evaluate firefighting proceedures, and ways to prevent such tragic events from happening again.

This led many departments to re-enforce the "two in-two out" rules, along with developing safety and survival classes, and the concept of "F.A.S.T." or "R.I.T." teams. FAST or RIT teams are a group of firefighters, that are specifically committed to firefighter rescue, should any "mayday" be called on the fireground. They are not to be used for ventilation, extinguishment, or overhaul operations. They are to sit near the command post in front of the building, and stand fast with their equipment. Some departments do allow a few members(depending on the amount of personel available) to take a "360" of the building, and commandeer any available ground ladders to make secondary means of egress from the building. Meaning, while most personel on the fireground are busy doing other things, FAST/RIT members will go around and put up ground ladders at windows, on every side of the building(if it is more than one story).

Anyways, enough babble. Here's the Meme.

Memo from: Town of Plainfield FAST team.

Starting with the 5th sentence.

"For example, a structure fire in the Village of Plainfield, may result in a response from Plainfield Fire, Moosup Fire, and Central Village Fire. If a FAST team is required, the Atwood Hose Fire FAST team members will be requested, and the team will be filled out with other FAST team members on scene, along with the group from Station 96(Atwood Hose) if needed. Each department will handle the FAST deployment differently on a call by call basis, depentant on alarm response, time of day, and personnel available on scene."

Plainfield was one of the first towns in Northeastern Connecticut to develop and train certain members of their four "village" departments in FAST/RIT team tactics. Now, several years later, just about every town in Connecticut has a department with certified FAST/RIT members. I found it intersting reading this, and looking back at how one event can affect an entire profession. Thanks for tagging me Linda!!

Two good movies....

So over this past weekend, Hayleigh and myself were able to take in two movies that we both enjoyed, one in the theatre and one on DVD. On Friday afternoon, I went and picked Hayleigh up after school for the weekend, and I had promised her last weekend I had her, that I'd treat her out to the movie "Bolt."



When I picked her up, she had forgotten all about it, so I figured I'd trick her and asked her if she was hungry, to which she said "yeah, kinda." So I asked her if she wanted to go to Olive Garden or Ruby Tuesdays. At first she said Olive Garden, as she loves their bread sticks and food as much as I do. So I started driving towards Waterford, where the closest Olive Garden is, and also happens to have the Waterford Regal Cinemas. (I knew which ever cinema we went to, it wouldn't be starting till after 4pm)

Luckily before we reached the highway(headed south), she realized we'd be farther from Putnam, and abruptly changed her mind to Ruby Tuesdays, which is in Lisbon, and closer to Putnam. So we hopped on the highway headed north to Lisbon, and I pulled into Lisbon Landing and turned towards the movie theatre. It was around 3:30, and the regular movie didn't start till 4:40, but I noticed "Bolt" in 3-D was on at 4pm! Now the last 3-D movie I can recall watching was one when I was a child, and honestly, I don't remember what movie it was. I figured what the heck, and we watched the 3-D version, with glasses and all. I was pleasantly surprised, not only with the sound quality of Lisbon's 3-D movie "room", but the visual quality was superb. The movie was light hearted, funny for both kids and adults, and action packed. Hayleigh loved it, and we hit Ruby Tuesdays afterward, even though Hayleigh and I pecked through a medium popcorn and large soda at the movie.

The second movie was one that Hayleigh's mom had taken her to, in the movie theatre on a weekend I didn't have her several months ago. As I've mentioned before, during my weekends with Hayleigh, we tend to spend time with my best friend Rene and his family, which Hayleigh is best friends with Rene's daughter Megan. Well, Saturday evening Rene's wife had picked up "Wall-E" on DVD.



This was Hayleigh's second time seeing it, but you couldn't have told the difference as it seemed she was seeing it for the first time. This movie was also very cute, funny for both kids and adults alike, and keep our attention the whole time. It was action packed also, but it also had a plot that made you think what the future would be like with a lazy, computer aided society. So, if there's any two movies that I would suggest to anyone out there, check out "Bolt" and "Wall-E", you're bound to enjoy them both. I'm still working on catching a movie I've wanted to see for quite some time, as "Tropical Thunder" is coming out on DVD, and I didn't get a chance to catch it in the theatres.



I tend to enjoy Ben Stiller movies, as he has a dumb-witted sense of humor, simillar to Monty Python and the Holy Grail, quite possibly the best movie ever made!!! LOL

I really haven't had anything interesting lately to post on. So in keeping with a Scot feel, I had been looking through a website dedicated to traditional Scottish folk songs and I located a few that my Grandmother used to sign to me when I was a "weean." It's funny how I didn't remember them till I heard them tonight. I can remember my Grandma singing these to me with her Scottish braugh(not sure if that's the right word I'm looking for, but anyways). Enjoy....

I Love a Lassie


A Wee Doech An-Doris


Ye Banks and Braes O'Bonnie Doon


Also this Robbie Burns poem has been turned into song many times. The best version I've heard was sung by Julie London, but I didn't want to pay for it. I couldn't find a free download or a decent youtube video. This youtube video looks like it was copied by a camcorder at the Tom O'Shanter Experience Theatre in Alloway, which my Aunt Irene took me to during my trip in 2007. Thought it was pretty funny that I found it on here.

Comin Thro' the Rye


Julie London's version

http://www.imeem.com/people/po6ckpv/music/wDZBaBK2/julie_london_comin_thro_the_rye/

Another busy weekend...

Alright?! So, I know I usually end up posting on a Monday sometimes to update what the weekend was like. Today being Sunday, I'm going to be bold and daring and make a post before the weekend's over! (I know, I can hear the OOOH's and AHHH's, lol)

I'll start with Thursday night, which technically is my Friday midnight shift, which I turned into a double by picking up an open shift for that next morning. I got out Friday afternoon and went over to Rene's house to drop off my paintball equipment for Saturday morning, then proceeded to go home and go to bed. I awoke this morning, bright eyed and chipper, and after stopping at Dunkin Donuts for a coffee, I made my way to the firehouse. Rene offered to drive, so we made a pit stop, picking up Corey(one of our members), and made our way down to Voluntown.

Why were we going to Voluntown, you may ask? Well, several months ago, my dispatch partner, along with members of his department, Moosup Fire Department, and the Plainfield Police Department decided to have a friendly game of paintball. Where, you might ask? Well, they searched around and could have very well played in some one's back yard, but wait... They found a company in Voluntown who has 3 paintball fields, and rents equipment. So, Travis and I planned another event for November 15th. I had posted it at the fire department for interested members to sign up, which some people did, but most either couldn't go, or backed out. So today, it was just the three of us from East Putnam.

So on the way down to Voluntown, my alpha-pager goes off from work, saying that there was an open shift tonight for the midnight shift. I immediately figured out that it was a call out, due to the fact that one of our dispatchers, who is a deputy chief in Scotland, was reported injured in a fire truck crash overnight, while responding to another town for a house fire. Thankfully, from what I heard, he's doing ok, aside from a leg injury. So I figured, what the heck, I already picked up a day shift tomorrow, I might as well pick up the night shift if it hadn't already been taken. So I called work and got the shift. Meanwhile, we pull into the paintball company's parking lot, after veering off the path two different times, and start to get geared up.

Well, we had an absolute blast! They had a conventional "speed ball" course which looked like the ones that you see on ESPN, a non-conventional "speed ball" course, which had things like port-a-potties, washing machines, tires, and barricades. And they also had a wooded course that was around 4 acres, loaded with forts, foxholes, trenches, and even had a camper and mobile home that could be used as shelters/sniper spots/death traps...LOL

So East Putnam Fire, Central Village Fire, Moosup Fire, and Plainfield Police had a great time(men playing like boys) from 10am to around 3pm. Before our last game, three cars full of kids pull up with their parents for a birthday party. One of the Plainfield cops knew the father of one of the kids, so he asked if the kids wanted to play the police officers and firefighters in our last game of paintball. They agreed. So around 12 adults decked out in camouflage went walking into the woods, preparing to fight 12 ten year olds wearing bright colored outfits. You would think we had the advantage, but the little buggers put up a good fight, not to mention one of those kids took me out with a come-out-of-no-where shot to the love handle! Talk about pain after running through the woods for several hours in rain soaked clothing! The kids put up a good battle, but we won with 4 people left.

So we packed up all our equipment, and began the drive home. We dropped Corey off at his house, and then drove to Thompson to get some gas, as it was only $2.09 a gallon there. We then went to the firehouse so I could grab my truck and go home. I was getting ready to go home to bed to rest up for work tonight, when the power at the firehouse went out for around 30 seconds. Minutes later a car pulled into the driveway, stating that a transformer was exploding and arching all over by Wal-mart, so I called work and told them to start a call for service, and we responded with ET-179. Come to find out, the homeowner that lives next to the telephone pole had already called the power company, and there was no more apparent problem safety wise, so we returned to the station. I was getting ready to leave for home again, when I was told the Chief was coming to the station and I had to wait for him because my 6 month probation was up last Thursday. Chief showed up, issued me my department plate, key, and blue light permit, and I scurried home to hit the sack.

So there you have it, my weekend so far. Good thing I slept, because apparently the evening shift was bombarded with calls from the rain storm, and so far we've had nothing on the midnight shift(knock on wood). But either way, I'm here till 4pm, and then I come back in for 12:30am for my regular "Monday" night shift. Also, I'm working Thanksgiving Day, because I'd rather work and get Holiday pay then just have a day off and stuff my face with food. I'm just looking forward to the overtime and holiday pay next pay period, when I can really pay some bills and do some Christmas shopping!!

Ah Wee Scottish post for today...

Clan MacFarlane Poem

by Poet Dottie Walters

Our haunted souls remind us
of battle cries long gone.
From Highlands skided with melodies
of Scotland's bravest song.

"Loch Sloy! Loch Sloy!" they cried it
or whispered as they bled.
And if they could not rise again,
it blessed the noble dead.

We proclaimed it as a triumph;
We moaned it when we fell;
We thought it meant "You won it!"
And "Get up again!" as well.

We searched to find it's meaning
at Clan MacFarlane's home.
"Loch Sloy!" means "Springtime's comin!"
no matter where ye roam.

Whenever trouble hits ye,
let it roll past til it's fled.
Then rise and knock ye'r dirt off.
"Springtime's comin!" Just ahead!

We smiled, we strange new moderns,
to realize it's true.
"Loch Sloy!" means "Springtime's Comin!"
Hope is just ahead. We knew....


also...

Whenever I hear or read this, it reminds me of my childhood. Every time the family got together, whether it was during Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July, or simple cookouts and get-to-gethers, my Grandma would always say this before we ate. It brings a lot of good memories back to mind, puts a smile on my face, and brings tear to my eye. I miss her soooooooooo much... Love you Gram!!

A Selkirk Grace
by Robbie Burns

Some hae meat,... and cannot eat.
Some cannot eat,... that want it:
But we hae meat,... and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.

"Now batting......the left fielder....#39.....Mike....Greenwell..."

So tonight I was flipping through the tv channels after Dancing with the Stars ended, in an attempt to find something to watch, and I came across the 2008 Red Sox Hall of Fame inductions on NESN. Unfortunately, I only caught half of the show, as DWTS runs to 9:30, and the HOF show started at 9pm. The thing that bugs me even more is the fact that I missed my most favorite baseball player ever, whom I haven't seen in years.


Maurice (Mo) Vaughn


Along with Maurice (Mo) Vaughn, who was our "Big Papi" before David Ortiz hit Boston, Mike Greenwell was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.


Mike Greenwell, my favorite of all time!!

"The Gator", good ole' #39, was the one player that really caught my attention when I was a kid, and solidified my heart in Red Sox Nation. He came up from the minor league Pawtucket Red Soxs, back in the fall of 1986 and played well enough to earn the full time spot in 1987. Greenwell, along with center fielder Ellis Burks, and shortstop Jody Reed were the new, young faces of the BoSox that year, and had me glued to the television set every game I could watch. I believe it was in 1988, that he had an incredible year, in which I feel he should have won the American League Most Valuable Player, but he was overlooked by Major League Baseball, and they picked the steroid freak, Jose Canseco!!


Mike, you totally got jipped!!


Sadly, the front office felt in the 1990's that they could let Greenwell(Japan), Burks(San Fran), Reed(San Diego), and Vaughn(Anahiem) go over the years. Everyone knows that Red Sox fans tend to get attached to certain players, and the ones I've mentioned were some of the many players that I became attached to over the years. But then again, if it hadn't of happened, we wouldn't have seen the other players come up through the minor league system, or get traded for over the years, that we became attached to also. We would have never seen Manny in Left, Nomar at short, and many other players that came to replace our one time favorite players. Hopefully, the Red Sox Nation will one day induct another one of my favorite players who wore "Red Sox" on their chest, to the HOF, John Valentin, who was an awesome middle infielder, who went over to third base so that Nomar Garciaparra could play shortstop. Valentin was another well balanced, productive player who gave it his all throughout each and every year he put on the uniform.


John Valentin #13

Oh.....wait, and how about Trot Nixon, "the Dirt Dawg", and...never mind, my list could go on and on and on of my favorites.


The Dirt Dawg, Trot Nixon... #7

That's when you know you're a Sox fan, when you can recall many, many players who kept you glued to that ball game on tv!

Congratulations Mike and Mo!!

Why is it, that I can have a sleep deprived weekend, yet not be able to take a nap before work, and when I get to work, I'm wide awake?!! The usual Monday morning rides home are always interesting to say the least, as the weekend was spent adjusting back to regular hours, then Sunday nights are the first day(or night) back. There have been times where I'm sure people have called the State Police during my three exit trip up the highway, reporting what looks like to be a drunk driver, lol. Winter is good though, as I crank the car radio and roll the windows down.

This weekend, Hayleigh and I had a great time. Friday night, we went out to eat and the movies with the Bates'. We took our kids to see Madagascar 2, Escape to Africa, which I thought was okay(I dozed off for 5 minutes near the end). Personally, I think the penguins made the whole movie, but the girls absolutely loved every bit of it. Then Saturday morning, I took her back down to Norwich for her "Nutcracker" practice, then dance class. We then came home for a bit, and after a call from the Bates', we went up to their house to hang out, play Nintendo Wii, and then watched the iCarly movie on the Disney channel, complete with hot fudge sundaes! We didn't make it back home till almost 11pm, and she basically passed out on the ride home.

I was hoping that she'd sleep in, but it was back up a 8:30 for us. We eventually made our way back to Rene's house, where the girls went off and played like we were chopped liver. So Rene and I ended up spending much of the afternoon raking four truckloads of leaves out of his front yard, while the girls played on the swing set, etc. We ate supper, and got a late start heading back to Norwich to get her home. After dropping her off, it was back to my house for me and I tried to take a nap before work. I couldn't sleep a wink, as I was too worried about becoming unconscious, and oversleeping before work. Now I'm here at work, thought maybe I could get a few minutes of shut-eye, but I'm wide awake now. Hopefully I can successfully navigate my car home in the morning before hitting the pillow and passing out!!

Oh, BTW, here is a pic that my ex-wife gave me from Hayleigh's school Halloween party they had, the day after Halloween. Unfortunately, my camera's batteries were dead, but the ex managed to take some great pics. Sadly, she doesn't download her pictures to a computer so she could email them, instead she has one of those camera/photo docking printer. I'm hoping to get some more pics from that night...

Indescribable.....

How do you sum up a description for one of the most historic nights in our lifetime? Obviously I'm ecstatic about the events that took place tonight, and I can't help but feel that things will "change" for the good in this country. I'm inspired, I'm happy, I'm hopeful, and most of all, I'm proud to be an American.





I can't help but feel that government will change as we know it for the good, that our country and our lives will prosper, this Middle East war will soon come to an end, and our relationships with other countries will improve. Hell, we just made a huge leap in history....




and quite frankly, I feel Indescribable..

Will today make American History??...

I'm having one of those days where you can't think of anything generic to post about. Tonight's been an extremely slow shift covering Northeaster Connecticut(I think the phone has rang twice!!), so I while I was surfing myspace, my music player started playing an "old" song(well, older, from the 80's) which was Michael Jackson's P.Y.T. Now don't go and get the wrong idea thinking that I'm one of those huge fans of what he turned out to be after his pyrotechnic accident. More so, his record "Thriller" came out when I was young, and it was one of the biggest records ever released, so of course I've come to like that record and the music he released before it.



Well that lead to me trying to remember if youtube had his video for that song, as it did that annoying thing and got stuck in my head. I occasionally like to go to youtube and watch some of the old videos from MTV and VH1 that people post of older, popular songs. Well, come to find out Michael never made a video for P.Y.T.(pretty young thing), but it lead me to find a video that I forgot about. Occasionally when I can't find anything on tv I'll channel surf, and I ended up catching a show on MTV called Randy Jackson's America's Best Dance Crew. Myself being 6'3" and clumsy like an ox, I can't dance, but I caught glimps of a dance team that I enjoyed call Jabbawockees, who just so happened to dance to a remix of that song. So I spent a few hours watching dance videos on youtube to pass the time.



I apologize for the poor video quality, but it's the only one from the tv performance...

Right now it's 5 a.m., the phones still haven't rang, and the morning news has come on, covering the elections today. I'm glad the long political process is finally coming to an end, and I'm sure I don't have to remind anyone who I'm voting for. So when I get out of work this morning, the first thing I'm doing is driving to the Recreation Park building in town to cast my vote. Hopefully the line is low and I'll be able to get in and get out so I can go to bed and get some rest, but I'm thinking I may have to spend some time in line as they are saying that a record 90-95% of the population is expected to vote today. I can say that I feel exactly like what Obama/Biden has been saying lately. That "We do not want to get over-confident with all the polls saying we're going to win", and that "We're hopeful, and that we can hopefully relax when the last vote is counted." Like them, I'm going to try not to get my hopes up too high, until the results come in saying it's either going to be a landslide or closer than they thought, but a part of me is hoping that American history will be changed tonight. Therefore, during our monthly fire department truck check and department meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m., I'll be checking the tv in the day room throughout the night...