Tis Gar Plen

From our trip to Washington DC several weeks ago

2008-07-23T14:21:00.001-05:00

"I heard Mr Booth open the door and tried to warn Abe, but it was just too late" advised eye-witness Ron King to the Metropolitan Police Force.

Actually, this was taken at Madame Tussauds, Washington D.C. the first evening we got into town. This was the first 'wax museum' I had ever visited where the guests were encouraged to act as part of the scene.

From their web site:

Have you ever wanted to kiss George W. Bush? Give Hillary Clinton a big ole hug? Or simply see if you were taller than George Washington? Well now there's a place in Washington D.C. where you can do it all - Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. The premier wax attraction gives visitors an interactive, full-sensory experience; they will be able to touch, see and hear major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington D.C. attraction. Located within walking distance of the National Mall and the White House, the attraction is located in the historic Woodies building with the entrance on the corner of 10th and F Streets.

I do my own stunts

2008-07-19T19:27:00.001-05:00

Wednesday morning while at work, I was trying to hurry around to complete the monthly back-up/recovery test for our Document Imaging server. I came in early, since one the admins I needed to work with was leaving his office just prior to 9am for a training session. When I got in at 7am, I started to complete all my tasks (deleted stuff) so that I could go down to the basement around 8:20 to meet with the various server admins for them to complete the recovery.

T-Shirt I should get

Sometime around 8:15-8:20 I headed to the basement, taking the stairs as I normally do. The stairs case is about 12-14 steps down to a landing, then make a u-turn to get to another 12-14 steps to complete one floor's descent. First set of stairs went fine, but the second half was a different matter that day. The last thing I remember is dragging my right (prosthetic) side heel on one of the top steps. I don't drag a heel on steps all the time, but it does happen occasionally. Normally I just grab the handrail, recover my balance and continue down the stairs. For some reason, this wasn't a normal day. The last thing I remember is missing the handrail and falling.

The following information has been told to me by co-workers:
Shortly before 9:00am someone entered the stairwell and found me laying at the bottom of the stairs face down. It looked like I had slid down the last few stairs, as my head and body were on the floor and my legs still up on the stairs (back bowed in half). I was unconscious but breathing. 911 was called and an ambulance requested. At some point in time, the EMTs rolled me over and put on a cervical collar (which I believe was about 2 sizes to small). One failed attempt at an IV was started in my right arm (pretty bruise shows exactly where they missed the vein).

The first thing I remember is a sharp needle poke to my left arm (successful IV started) and someone rubbing their knuckle in my sternum looking for a stimulus response (reaction to pain) while calling my name. As I was starting to come around, I was being packaged up on a back board and taken to the ambulance (the experience of going up the elevator is a blog post within itself).

Long story short (for the rest of the incident): Numerous x-rays and cat scan showed no broken bones. The ER doc advised I would get much more sore prior to getting better and he wasn't kidding. The next day it felt like I had been run over by a semi, then they backed up to see what they hit (rolling over me again) and then drove away (over me a third time). Being that Renee and the girls were still out of town (in Columbus Ohio seeing friends), my mom came up to take care of me. (we returned to Norman, since she was having work done at her place)

I need to see a chiropractor because I feel like a human question mark, and I may need to see someone about my left elbow as it has a real nice bruise and is extremely sore to the touch. However, considering the fact I took a header down a long flight of stairs and was found unconscious after an unknown length of time, I think I am a very lucky individual!

"Beautiful shooting star" will never have the same appeal

2008-07-07T09:53:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Princess

2008-07-02T10:10:00.001-05:00

18 years ago today I became a daddy. This happens to be the first birthday I haven't spend the day with her, but she is on a trip with her mom and sister. She didn't know until today that the trip included a detour to Niagara Falls today!

Today's birthday dinner will be enjoyed at the Top of the Falls Restaurant.

Note to Sarah: LOVE YA!

A study I wish I would have found years ago

2008-06-27T22:52:00.001-05:00

First off, I don't want to imply that being a police officer during the first 'season' of my marriage with Renee resulted in any negative or relationship-ruining circumstances. But, working odd hours, arriving home with tons of adrenaline still pumping through my veins and several other factors did provide some stressful moments.

While searching for new study materials for our evening time together, Renee ran across this study at FamilyLife.com:

Link: Protecting Your First Responder Marriage

DESCRIPTION:

Having a strong, healthy marriage isn't always easy. For police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, it can be grueling. Making the shift from "society guardian" to "family member" can be particularly demanding. FamilyLife understands the rigorous demands that are placed on first responder marriages, and has addressed them in this small group study.

You'll cover topics such as...
--The unique challenges faced in "first responder" marriages.

--Handling extraordinary relationship stress.
--Making marriage a priority.
--Improving communication.
--Adjusting from work atmosphere to a family culture.

And, as an added bonus, it was written by Chuck Douglas, a retired Oklahoma City police officer! I have no affiliations with FamilyLife, so I am not getting any kickbacks, free products, etc for writing this post (However, if FamilyLife or Mr. Douglas stumbles across this post and wants to send me something, that is up to them :-)

While I am on the subject of couples, how about a video from Dennis Rainey, the president of FamilyLife, explaining how couples that pray together every day have stronger relationships and families.:

Video: Why Couples Should Pray Together

(It can be viewed on GodTube, if you have trouble viewing this embedded video)

How to Make $$$ with Your Computer

2008-06-23T14:13:00.001-05:00

Finally! A guaranteed way to make $$$ with your computer - no strings attached!

That's right! You can makes lots of $$$$$ using the simple method described below. There is no secret to this method, it has been around for hundreds of years - before computers even existed! Read all about it below.

People have been making $$ this way for a long time - in fact, it is estimated that over $ 100 trillion has been made this way by hundreds of millions of people. Don't worry this is not complicated - everything is completely automated and you won't have to sink any money into it. Follow these simple steps and you are guaranteed to make $$$:

Take a look at the box below. Simply click your mouse cursor inside the box.

Now that your cursor is blinking inside the box, it is time to get to work:

Hold down the shift button on your keyboard.
While holding this button, locate the "4" key on the upper left-hand side of the keyboard.
Click the "4" key 3 times and take a look at the box above.

Congratulations! You have just made $$$! See how simple it was. To make lots of $$$, repeat the same steps. You can even try it on your favorite email program or word processor.

Had to upgrade my lawnmower

2008-06-20T23:16:00.001-05:00

If you will remember back a few years, I shared how I had bought a new rider mower on eBay:

Considering how busy I am, I needed to find a way to complete the yard work quicker. This would allow me some additional quality time with my family. As such, I decided to upgrade to a new power mower:

Up until a few days ago, my neighbors never asked to borrow my mower .... now they seem to line up at my door asking to use it. Go figure!!!

Time for a 'funny'

2008-06-19T11:32:00.001-05:00

As a person whose history includes 13 surgical procedures within a 2.5 year window, the below video/song really 'tickled my funny bone"

Enjoy:

AMATEUR TRANSPLANTS: Anesthetists Hymn

Link to video on YouTube, if it doesn't display above

Scott has been laid to rest

2008-06-15T19:37:00.001-05:00

It has been a long week and a half. Scott's body arrived Wednesday morning, was available for viewing Thursday and the funeral was Friday.

I was going to put together a post or two to share about the funeral and grave-side services, but a local LEO's wife did too good of a job not to link to (the posts include a huge amount of pictures):

Part 1: The Memorial Service

Part 2: The Procession

Part 3: The Final Resting Place

Part 4: Celebrating the Other Hero

(Thanks 5150wife!)

One thing I would like to add for Part 2 (The Procession):

The distance from the church to the cemetery is just over five (5) miles, and while there were crowds and crowds of people within the main area of town, there wasn't more than 100 feet between people on the outskirts of town, where they had to purposely drive to get there! The outpouring of people to show support for to the family was awe inspiring!

Additional links and an image to honor Scott Hagerty

2008-06-05T16:05:00.003-05:00

Local newspaper report on his death: Stw NewsPress

Blog post by his father-in-law: Old Sgt's Out "Post"

AP report, includes some extra info: KSWO 7news

Living his dream in Uganda: Stw NewsPress

The image to the left was taken during his time in Uganda.

I just can't quit hearing Tim McGraw's
"If You're Reading This" song
video here

A Fallen Friend

2008-06-04T07:53:00.002-05:00

With great sadness I use this blog to report the loss of another great man, one I greatly respected and had the honor of calling a friend: Major Scott Hagerty, US Army.

I received a call late last night advising me that Scott was kill in Afghanistan (no further details currently available). I have had the privilege of knowing Scott for about four years. During those years, he has been deployed to Iraq, Africa and Afghanistan.

Besides being missed by family and friends, he will also be missed by his fellow soldiers as well as those in the areas he has been deployed. Let me explain why:

Scott wasn't a front line 'grunt' that went around with firearms like is always shown in the media. While in Africa, he was the commander of Civil Affairs Team 412, a team whose mission included coordination with Ugandan leaders and the Uganda People’s Defense Force military to help carry out the government’s plan for recovery, development and peace. This initiative resettled displaced persons into villages where infrastructures have been restored. While there, civil affairs team members repaired 63 wells in Lira and Pader districts at a cost of $120,000, positively affecting 250,000 villagers.

But Scott did more than the official work reported in this "Defend America" article. In his 'personal time', he adopted an orphanage. Mind you, not a single orphan, but an entire orphanage! While in Africa, his communications with home didn't include requests for personal comfort items, but instead listed items for a poorly supplied orphanage in his area. Our church had the honor of sending box after box of supplies so that Scott could share a some of our country's "wealth" with those who needed it. Scott wasn't big on asking for himself, but he was huge on helping others. For this reason, Scott will be missed by even those he was sent to protect/serve.

The only comfort during this time is knowing that Scott is currently basking in the glory of his personal Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. One day many of his family and friends will be there with Scott. It is my hope that you (yes, you ... the one currently reading this blog entry) will be there with us as well. If you have questions, email me!

From the article linked above

Capt. Scott Hagerty, Civil Affairs Team 412 commander, mingles with local villagers after the Acholpii Lapono PS well dedication in Uganda recently.

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Evelyn Rodriguez

Outrage in Oregon!

2008-06-03T07:45:00.001-05:00

Obama's campaign staff members, while organizing a May 18 rally in Portland, OR had porta-potties placed directly on top of the Portland Police Memorial, which honors the agency's 25 fallen police officers. When initially quizzed about the incident, the staff members claimed the toilets were placed on the memorial for safety reasons to accommodate wheelchair access. If you will see in the photo below, there appears to be plenty of other areas that would have provided stability for the porta-potties and proper access for ADA needs.

Additional information:

After being notified of the incident, Obama campaign officials sent an apology letter to Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer, and the Portland Police Association, calling it an unintentional error.

This appears to be conflicting information, as the original report advises the placement was done intentionally (for safety reasons) and the apology mentions it was unintentional.

This photo by Officer Thomas Brennan shows the porta-potties

setup on the police memorial, with its flag still at half mast.

Link to original story

Link to report of apology

Written Friday evening ...

2008-05-31T12:05:00.001-05:00

.... but should be posted Saturday mid-day.

Blogger implemented 'scheduled' posting earlier this month, so that an entry can be authored one day but wait to be published until a later date/time. This would work good for when you need to post an entry but know you won't be near a computer, or if you are going to be on vacation but still want new stuff appearing on your blog.

I use Windows Live Writer for my posting client, and there is an option at the bottom of the client window to input the date/time for the post. I have set that to show 5/31/2008 12:05 PM as the time this post is to be published.

Now to sit back and see if everything proceeds as planned.....

A few more pictures from our trip

2008-05-30T17:46:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

In the past week

2008-05-28T14:24:00.001-05:00

For some reason, the software on my trusty little PDA decided it didn't want to connect with Blogger to post any additional information after it uploaded the Treasury Dept image. That image was taken our first evening in Washington DC, as Sarah and I did a little walk around near our hotel.

Quick overview of the week:

While we were in the Blue Room of the White House tour, Marine One landed just outside the window and we saw President Bush get on and fly away. Just before he got on the helicopter, he stopped and waved toward the building.
While we were on the tour of the Capital building, we ran into Senator Inhofe. His office was responsible for arraigning our White House, Capitol, Bureau of Engraving & Printing and National Archives tours. He was nice enough to stop and chat with our group from Oklahoma for about 25 minutes. (Oh, John Kerry walked by when we were chatting with Inhofe)
Met Bob Dole at the World War II memorial on Sunday. Just as we were getting there, the nurse from the famous "sailor kissing nurse" image from WWII was being introduced to him (Sarah got a picture of them together). Renee took a picture of the girls and I with Bob Dole with Sarah's camera, but here is one I took of the Bob Dole and the girls with my PDA:
We attended the National Memorial Day Concert hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise on the Capital lawn Sunday evening.
Watched the National Memorial Day Parade at the corner of Constitution Ave and 12th Street.
We visited (in no particular order, not a complete list):
The Korea War Memorial,
The WWII memorial,
The Lincoln Memorial,
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial,
The Library of Congress,
The National Archives,
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing,
The Holocaust Memorial,
Several of the Smithsonian museums,
The Capital,
The house where Lincoln died,
The Ford Theater (which was closed for renovations).
Walked past the Washington Monument several times
Arlington Cemetery (visiting JFK's grave and eternal flame site and was
present for the changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns
The Old Post Office Tower
The Navy Memorial
When we were in the Rotunda viewing the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, I took a few pictures of the murals on the walls. The mural to the right of the Constitution, name appropriately "Constitution Mural" by Barry Faulkner had one particular individual within the murals stood out from all the rest to me:

The amputee depicted in the image to the left is Gouverneur Morris from Pennsylvania.
According to Wikipedia:
Morris had a wooden leg as a result of an accident that occurred while he was climbing onto a carriage without anyone tending to the horses, which suddenly took off, catching his left leg in one of the carriage wheels on May 14, 1780. Physicians told Morris that they had no choice but to remove the leg below the knee

After I have a chance to go through the pictures taken by both Sarah and I, and we all have a chance to recover from the trip, I will post additional information about our fun in DC.

treasury-dept

2008-05-21T17:25:00.001-05:00

Our hotel in Washington DC is four blocks from the Treasury Department, which is only a block or two from the White House & Washington Monument!

My Graduate

2008-05-18T23:15:00.001-05:00

Don't Taze Me Bro

2008-05-15T17:00:00.001-05:00

Remember the guy getting tasered at the John Kerry speech?

Here is a little 'mash up' of that and MC Hammer:

Found in my in-box. Author unknown to me.

2008-05-07T07:41:00.001-05:00

I am subscribed to humor mailing list. The below story was recently received via that list:

Subject: Gas Pains
One Man's Good Fight

I went grocery shopping recently while not being altogether sure that course of action was a wise one. You see, the previous evening I had prepared and consumed a massive quantity of my patented "You're definitely going to $h!t yourself" chili. Tasty stuff, albeit hot to the point of being painful, which comes with a written guarantee from me that if you eat the next day both of your a$$ cheeks WILL fall off.

Here's the thing. I had awakened that morning, and even after two cups of coffee (and all of you know what I mean) nothing happened. No "Watson's Movement 2." Despite habanera peppers swimming their way through my intestinal tract, I appeared to be unable to create the usual morning symphony referred to by my next door neighbors as thunder and lightning.

Knowing that a time of reckoning had to come, yet not sure of just when, I bravely set off for the market; a local Wal-Mart grocery store that I often haunt in search of tasty tidbits.

Upon entering the store at first all seemed normal. I selected a cart and began pushing it about dropping items in for purchase. It wasn't until I was at the opposite end of the store from the restrooms that the pain hit me. Oh, don't look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about. I'm referring to that "Uh oh, gotta go" pain that always seems to hit us at the wrong time. The thing is, this pain was different.

The habaneras in the chili from the night before were staging a revolt. In a mad rush for freedom they bullied their way through the small intestines, forcing their way into the large intestines, and before I could take one step in the direction of the restrooms which would bring sweet relief, it happened. The peppers fired a warning shot.

There I stood, alone in the spice and baking aisle, suddenly enveloped in a noxious cloud the likes of which has never before been recorded. I was afraid to move for fear that more of this vile odor might escape me. Slowly, oh so slowly, the pressure seemed to leave the lower part of my body, and I began to move up the aisle and out of it, just as an elderly woman turned into it.

I don't know what made me do it, but I stopped to see what her reaction would be to the malodorous effluvium that refused to dissipate, as she walked into it unsuspecting. Have you ever been torn in two different directions emotionally? Here's what I mean, and I'm sure some of you at least will be able to relate.

I could've warned that poor woman but didn't. I simply watched as she walked into an invisible, and apparently indestructible, wall of odor so terrible that all she could do before gathering her senses and running, was to stand there blinking and waving her arms about her head as though trying to ward off angry bees. This, of course, made me feel terrible, but then made me laugh. Mistake.

Here's the thing. When you laugh, it's hard to keep things "clamped down", if you know what I mean. With each new guffaw an explosive issue burst forth from my nether region. Some were so loud and echoing that I was later told a few folks in other aisles had ducked, fearing that someone was robbing the store and firing off a shotgun.

Suddenly things were no longer funny. IT was coming, and I raced off through the store towards the restrooms, laying down a cloud the whole way, praying that I'd make it before the grand mal assplosion took place.

Luck was on my side. Just in the nick of time I got to the john, began the inevitable "Oh my God", floating above the toilet seat because my ass is burning SO BAD, purging. One poor fellow walked in while I was in the middle of what is the true meaning of "Shock and Awe." He made a gagging sound, and disgustedly said, "Sonofabitch!", then quickly left.

Once finished I left the restroom, reacquired my partially filled cart intending to carry on with my shopping when a store employee approached me and said, "Sir, you might want to step outside for a few minutes. It appears some prankster set off a stink bomb in the store. The manager is going to run the vent fans on high for a minute or two which ought to take care of the problem."

That of course set me off again, causing residual gases to escape me. The employee took one sniff, jumped back pulling his shirt up to cover his nose and, pointing at me in an accusing manner shouted, "IT'S YOU!", then ran off returning moments later with the manager. I was unceremoniously escorted from the premises and asked none too kindly not to return.

Home again without having shopped, I realized that there was nothing to eat but leftover chili, so I consumed two more bowls. The next day I went to shop at Albertson's. I can't say anymore about that because we are in court over the whole matter. Bastards claim they're going to have to repaint the store..

She R a GradU8 ...

2008-04-30T18:35:00.001-05:00

... and we are so proud!

Mobile post sent by osumailguy using Utterz. Replies. mp3

Wonder if I could put one outside of my office?

2008-04-25T07:46:00.001-05:00

A device named the Mosquito has been developed that emits a shrill, piercing noise audible only to teens and young adults is being installed in various areas of the United States. I wonder if I could get one for near my office. I wouldn't leave it on all the time, just when the hall rats decide to stand outside my office door and have long, heated conversations about anything and everything on their cellphones.

For more information, see this CNN story

2008-04-19T19:14:00.001-05:00

First test of Utterz

Mobile post sent by osumailguy using Utterz. Replies. mp3

"Gary England Drinking Game"

2008-04-10T10:44:00.001-05:00

If you are not from Oklahoma, or never visited Oklahoma during stormy-weather seasons, this post really won't mean anything to you. However, if you are from around here, you will understand the humor behind the Gary England Drinking Game.

This isn't an original game invented by yours truly (me), as you can find it online several places like here, here, here & here (the last is my favorite due to the comments added within the game). I will share the game here, and provide a few comments at the end, as to why certain pieces are personal favorites.

GARY ENGLAND DRINKING GAME:

Pregame

1. Everyone selects a storm chaser other than Val Castor*. Every time Gary talks to your storm chaser, you take one drink. Take two drinks every time we see footage from your storm chaser. Take four drinks if your storm chaser says "tornado on the ground."

2. Everyone selects a county other than Pottawatomie County**. Every time Gary mentions your county, you take one drink. Take two drinks every time we see footage from your county. Take four drinks if a tornado touches down in your county.

One drink

1. Take one drink every time Gary says the following:

2. When Gary gives a list of counties, take one drink for every county in the list.

3. Take one drink every time Gary interrupts a program.

Take one drink if Gary says "You're not missing any of [program name]."

Take one drink when Gary says "We'll keep you advised."

Two drinks

1. Take two drinks every time Gary says the following:

"Baseball-sized hail" | "Waterloo Road" | "Pottawatomie County" | "Deer Creek High School"

2. Take two drinks every time Gary mentions the following towns:

3. Take two drinks every time Gary talks to Val Castor.

Three drinks

1. Take three drinks if we see footage from Val Castor.

2. Take three drinks if we see footage from Pottawatomie County.

3. Take three drinks if Gary mentions the following:

1. Take four drinks if Ranger 9 must land to refuel.

2. Take four drinks if Gary issues his own tornado warning, not recognized by the NWS or says the following:

"Will someone please answer that phone?" | "Do you see power flashes?"

3. Take four drinks if a shirt-less tornado victim is interviewed.

Finish your drink

1. Finish your drink if someone uses the word tornado as a verb or if Gary mentions the nearest cross streets to you.

2. If Gary says "We've lost Val," pour a little out for your homies and finish your drink.

===============================================

Comments:

* Val Castor lives in my hometown. Sarah has been babysitting for him lately when he and his wife go "storm chasing". Yesterday was a long day for them.

** Pottawatomie County is where Renee grew up. They are very used to hearing Gary England mention their county and home-town.

Believe me, if you play this game to its fullest, it is a good thing that one of the safest places to be during a tornado is a bathroom .... as your bladder will be filling quite rapidly!

Personal Note: This drinking game doesn't have to be done with alcoholic beverages, which is very nice for a recovered alcoholic.

To page this person, press 5

2008-04-09T08:16:00.001-05:00

I have always had my cellular service with Cingular (the new AT&T, whatever name that multi-personality company currently uses). When an inbound call goes to voice mail, the first thing the caller would always hear is "To page this person, press 5...". What the heck is that about? If I wanted to page them, I would have sent a text message!

I was playing around with my voicemail settings and found that option to be called cut-thru paging, and it can be turned off. To deactivate this 'feature', once you call your voice mail, use the following options:

- 4 (personal)

- 2 (administrative)

- 7 (cut thru paging)

- 2 (turn it off)

Now, when callers go to my voice mail, they no longer will receive a prompting to page me.

In case you were wondering

2008-04-02T06:04:00.001-06:00

Polar Foils is an anagram for April Fools