Pay It Forward

After roaming through the mall tonight, and observing mankind exhibiting less than admirable behavior during a high-stress time (Ho, Ho, Ho? ) and not being terribly impressed with said behavior, I'd like to offer up some thoughts based on the philosophy of "Pay it Forward".

The concept is simple......simple acts of unexpected and unneccessary kindness; to complete strangers, to friends, to family.

My parents raised me to be a mindful, respectful and polite person. My mother is a genteel soul. I can't recall a single time when she raised her voice above a normal speaking tone (except for that one time when my sisters and I accidentally set the garage on fire, but that's another story for another time. I blame my sisters, they're older and I was impressionable and easily led :)). We were taught to say "thank you" and "please" and "pardon me". I can remember being grounded for behaving rudely. Where has the gentility gone in this world? Where have good manners gone?

Rather than bemoan the lost art of civility, I think I'd rather focus my time and attention on being a better person and "paying it forward" when the opportunity arises.

I had a moment in CVS tonight which demonstrates how simple it can be to walk with dignity and decency. I was standing in a fairly long line of customers waiting for my turn at the register, and an elderly gentleman a few customers in front of me stepped out of line to get a pack of gum...in a moment the line "closed" and as he turned around to step back in line he realized that his place had been lost. I watched him walk back to the end of the line, and thought to myself....Nope, I refuse to join the selfish mindlessness...so when my turn came up to cash out, I turned around and told him to go ahead of me. He hesitated for a minute, then smiled and took my place...and I don't care if I lost a popularity contest with the other customers or not,it was the right thing to do. Right before he walked out of the store,he touched my sleeve and said "Have a nice Christmas, and thank you". I smiled to myself all the way back to my car. And yes, it does feel that good doing something nice for someone else.

Hold a door open for someone struggling to juggle a stroller.... let someone cut in front of you in traffic....smile and say "thank you" , and mean it...... pay the toll for the car behind you, just for the hell of it...donate your time or money to a charity......be mindful that someone else is struggling harder than you are, and may have less to be thankful for than you do, and pay it forward all the time, not just at Christmas.

This Christmas and all year round, I'm grateful for my family, my friends, my job, my health and my life. Pay it forward--every day.

--
When you have given nothing, ask for nothing.

Almost got me!

So I went for a haircut Friday, my day off! Got back to my place, changed into some sleepy clothes and was about to take a nap... gotta wash my hair first... so I do... then reach for the towel and OUCH! I slip my finger across the edge on the lil flap on top of the roll of TP! It hurt, but not too bad! I was drying my hair... and felt something running down my face, yup, blood! So I look at my finger and man now its throbbin! So I grab a washcloth and applied pressure and yelled! Then I started feelin it throb and felt a lil woozie, so I called John and he came to my room, took a look, and while we rinsed it out, we agreed I needed stitches! Off to the TMC (tactical medical center). A tetanus shot, few shots of liadocaine and 5 stitches ( I think) and I am back to fighting fire and saving lives! I forgot my camera, but had my phone that's why the pics are not that great... but hey, I did get pics! Not to worry... i am recovering well, and got up to run the morning after! I figure if the TP roll didn't get me... they may try a plunger or something next! I'll be ready!

Training Day

The Engine Company snuck out to do a lil hose training... "T-Walls" present a unique obstacle as the lads found out last night during a structural exercise... so they headed out to perfect their technique today. Can't knock them for training! And you know I love to do that! We tried a few different loads, and of course in the end, it was left up to the guys that pull the lines! We all learned a lil something something and had some fun! Shoulda seen the shock in their eyes when I put on my gloves and pulled some hose! They have lots to learn about me, as I do them too!!

2 A-Days - stayin fit, stayin alive

I think MTV did a show called 2 a days, about a football team... The deal is, we have an awesome gym right here in the station! So... I started doing two a day workouts! I missed out on sooo much while in Afghanistan, I gotta catch up! John is hard at it too... he is trying to get ready for his

R & R... I think the surf is callin!

Some of the guys go to the base gym , but I am content here! I am told the FD was asked not to participate in some of the sporting events here cause they kept winning everything! The didn't even give them a trophy for the last softball tournament they won! HA Playas are gonna play, and haters is gonna hate!

Anyway, even though we are a long way apart, our BFF lifestyle of good living, good fun and some good fitness is still the same! Gotta get up at 5 to get that first workout in! Later! D

Two of the BFF's reunite!

It's on now! Finally, after traveling half way across the world, to 5 countries (went to UAE twice! it counts!) I have finally made it to the spot where two of the BFF's will call home for a bit!
I arrived at Udairi this morning! Stood in the rain for abot 45 minutes to get a badge, but.. it's all worth it! Stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way and showed up with a few dozen for the guys! Now Pope tried not to eat one, but they were calling his name!
We are back at it... and it's going to be an awesome time! I don't want to bore you with details that John has already provided us, but man, after the last month that I had... this place is just incredible! Trucks are in great shape, the station is nice... and the base, well, lets just say there is plenty to keep us busy!
As I am sure you assumed, there will be loads more pictures! So keep your eyes out! Later from Kuwait!

Last Move

This is it! About to head North to Udari... I will be working with John in a few hours! It's been a long trip. Funny how much I learned in the matter of a month. I had no clue about the 'company way', but after being left on my own to fend for 35 others, with no support and no direction, I found a way. there were people I didn't really care for, didn't know well enough to recommend them for jobs, but I did it. I went out on a limb and it's paying dividends already. While in the Air Force, it was easy for me to call in a favor to get someone an assignment, or out of a jam... I knew so many people, but here... well, lets say that it's hard to call in favors when you don't know people, or they don't owe you anything.
On Thanksgiving day, 3 people still didn't have jobs... and they were going to be called in by HR to tell them they were going home (Open ended contract). Well, lots of phone calls and using other peoples names did the trick, cause we all have jobs!
I learned that no matter where you go, Fire Fighters are Fire Fighters, and will help a brother out when they need it! So... lesson here... keep taking care of those you can... cause you don't know when you are going to have to reach out to someone for a hand one day! PEACE! miss you guys! D

The Maltese Cross

The Maltese cross is known around the world as a symbol of the fire
service. It is often seen painted on fire trucks, on the clothing of
firefighters, depicted on firefighters' badges, and is quite often the
chosen design of firefighter tattoos. So where did the Maltese cross come
from, and how did it get to be known as a symbol of the fire service? The
Badge of a Fire Fighter is the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a symbol
of protection and a badge of honor. Its story is hundreds of years old.


When a courageous band of crusaders known as Knights of St. John fought the
Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encountered a new weapon
unknown to European warriors. It was a simple, but horrible device of war.
It wrought excruciating pain and agonizing death upon the brave fighters
for the cross. The Saracens weapon was fire. As the crusaders advanced on
the walls of the city, they were struck by glass bombs containing naphtha.
When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens
hurled a flaming torch into their midst. Hundreds of the knights were
burned alive; others risked their lives to save their brothers-in-arms from
dying painful, fiery deaths.

Thus, these men became our first Fire Fighters and the first of a long list
of courageous Fire Fighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow
crusaders who awarded each hero a badge of honor-a cross similar to the one
fire fighters wear today. Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to
four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the
cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is your
symbol of protection. It means that the Fire Fighter who wears this cross
is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed
their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a
Fire Fighter's badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage...a
ladder rung away from death.