Moms and Giant Rabbits

So, Mom's condition has gotten worse. We shall see what the next few days bring. Here's a little reason why I write this. Back when I was in 6th grade and was sick, mom took me to the doctor.
On the way home there was this guy with an old plate camera and darkbox to develop film in in front of the DQ along with a giant rabbit. So, we stopped for ice cream and pictures. We found this picture when we were cleaning out the family house when we had to move her to assisted living. I've been carrying this picture with me every day since. It's a reminder of who she is and why I am who I am.

Blogroll Additions

So, I have a couple blogroll additions.

Top of the Chain, A man with opposeable thumbs

and

Keep Texas Zombie Free

TotCh left a nice comment and led me on through the rabbit hole to KTZF. Gotta say I like the way these guys think.

The inmates are running the asylum

So, I'm in Austin visiting and on the news this morning was a report that the Austin Fire Chief had ordered that Fire Engines responding to emergencies could not exceed the speed limit and must come to a complete stop at all intersections. The firefighters union was fighting this and had won some concessions. Is this person INSANE? Their reasoning is that, it is for the safety of the public to prevent accidents while responding to emergencies. I will admit that this does happen but it is a rare thing. Most emergency vehicle operators follow state law which requires that they exercise due regard when running code. Most are even better than that and are actively looking for the idiots out there who are too self absorbed to be bothered to move out of the way safely. While there are some exceptions and collisions do occur due to the EVO not paying adequate attention or more likely some dumbass not yeilding when they should because they are more important that anything the emergency vehicle may be up to, the answer is not to make the emergency vehicles slow down and stop.

This would be like banning lawful gun ownership because someone may have an accident with them or some dumbass does something stupid and shoots someone else.

Oh, wait, never mind.

It would be like modifying cops guns to have stupid heavy trigger pulls like the old double action revolvers they used to carry instead of training the officers to keep their finger off the trigger till they are ready to shoot.

Oh, wait, never mind.

Todays mini rant brought to you by the words "dumbass" and "oh, wait, never mind."

Having operated emergency vehicles, namely Fire Engines and Ambulances, since 1980, I can say with all authority that this has got to be one of the stupidest over reactions I have ever run across. Austin Fire is staffed with some of the most professional and safest operators out there and they have a very good program of training new operators so the idea that they have to limit them in their response to "protect the public" is just insane.

Of People Past and History

12 years ago this week, my Mom called me in the middle of the night to tell me that they just admitted my Dad to ICU. Colon Cancer caught too late and Chemo had torn him up. He passed that morning. My sister just called to say they were admitting my Mom to ICU. Stupid high fever and low O2 Sat of unknown cause. This is not good Deja vu. Gotta go home and pack.

FRIDAY AM UPDATE:
Drove over this morning. She's still in PCU/Isolation. Double Pneumonia with another currently unknown infection. They're doing all kinds of bloodwork to try and identify. Meanwhile, she's resting and we are sitting around in gowns and gloves waiting.

SATURDAY AM UPDATE:
So, Isolation is over. They are no longer worried that she is infectious. It is amazing what two days of O2, IV Antibiotics and Steroids can do for someone. She's still not anywhere near getting out but not anywhere near critical either. More tests and x-rays and we'll see how today goes.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
One step forward two steps back. She regressed last night and they are trying to get a line started again. SubClavian or a PIC since normal sticks are just blowing out. Main reason they really want to get this line established is that they are now working on Congestive Heart Failure! Cardiologist should be in in the morning when they do an echo cardiogram. I probably should not have left and come back home.

Range Goodness

Yesterday was Beyond the Basics. As an added treat, we had Dave Re of DR Performance (IPSC Grand Master) out to help. He brought along with him some of his poker card practice decks. This is a set of playing cards that have practice drills on them so you can randomly select drills to work on. That way you do not focus too much on stuff you are good at and avoid stuff you should really be practicing. It also adds some randomness to your practice to make it more interesting and help you learn and ingrain skills better. I picked up a set and have looked through them but have not had a chance to go out and practice with them yet. Give m a break I just got them yesterday after teaching all day. I have to say I am looking forward to going out and trying them. The drills look interesting and simple enough to setup and may even help get me back into competing instead of just teaching.

We shall see ..............

Random Aircraft Sightings

So, at lunchtime this beautiful YAK 18 showed up at the airport. At quitting time they were moving it and tying it down for the night. My cell phone picture does not do it justice. Especially the paint. This thing glows!

Hold the Pig Steady - Part DUEX

So, it has been asked about what is inappropriate and to whom. Well, the short answer is me! No overt hate racism, rape, anti-cop, etc., is the road I will not let this go down.

There are some good entries and another on the way. Can't wait to see what else pops up.

So, go there and put in your entry. Even if it is not a complete song but just a few lines. Play off something someone else has already started and carry on with an idea or thread.

Monster Hunter International

Just to let y'all know, I am a huge fan of not only MHI but Larry's past writings on THR. MHI is definitely in the top tier of my book collection. To qualify that last statement, here is a picture of one of the five bookshelves in the library at casa de gungeek. Yes that is a Monster book of Monsters on the shelf above the MHI books. It's misbeHaven's!

So, if you haven't already, GO BUY THE BOOK! This is one story that will suck you in and not let go till you are through it. Then it will beckon you back when you least expect it. If you want an autographed copy, go to Larry's site and order one from him directly.

Hold the Pig Steady

In honor of Larry Correia and the published release of Monster Hunter International, with Larry's blessing, I am having a contest to write the words to "Hold the Pig Steady". Prizes to include, Eternal Glory and MHI Lore Fame. A group effort may work as people can feed off each others creative juices. So, run free in comments and let's have a good time with this. I have a band lined up to perform the song as well as composers for the music, just need words. Larry has final rights to approve the finished product so it needs to kick in the end.

ROCK ON!

EDIT TO UPDATE:
If you think the voices in your head are telling you to write something that might be inappropriate, send them to me directly. john at krtraining dot com and I will have a look. Anything in comments that IS inappropriate will get deleted.

UPDATED UPDATE:
see part DUEX for more on the inappropriate.