The cooler air has finally arrived……no more triple-digit temperatures.
Since rain was predicted in the forecast for today, I went ahead and mowed a lawn last evening. It was strange, though, because it was in the upper 90’s, but it really wasn’t that bad for me. Of course, the lawn was small and there was not much to weed eat. That makes a big difference. My lawn is still more weeds then grass. My front yard needs a little bit of a trim, but I am not that concerned about my backyard. I just know I am ready for some rain.
As you may recall, I had an accident two Sunday’s ago where I got hit in the head with a hood latch and had to have 4 stitches. Well, the healing process took place and last evening, Karla and I went back to Southwest Medical ER to have the stitches removed. While we waited in the waiting room for my name to be called, I figured out real quickly why I don’t like ER waiting rooms. There are people coughing, spitting, sputtering, groaning and spreading germs. Some of these people looked like they were dying and some of them looked “interesting.” Many of them dressed like some do when they go to Wal-Mart…..in their pajamas…clothes that did not match, dirty clothes that were stained, hair all messed up…and just plain nasty. I reminded Karla not to breathe through her mouth while we waited……otherwise, she may catch something from someone in the waiting room. There were also kids talking loud, screaming and throwing fits (again….like at Wal-Mart).
Even though I was just there to have stitches removed, I still had to go through all the paperwork all over again. It wasn’t too bad, though. We got there at 7:15 pm and left at 7:45 pm. It took the doctor a whopping 5 minutes to remove the stitches. He said the wound had healed very well and that everything was looking great. I was so ready to leave the hospital. The reason the clientele in Southwest Medical Center is so diverse is because the area around the hospital is occupied by many Hispanics and may low-income people. You know, I was always told you only go to the ER when it’s a matter of life, or death. If you break a bone, cut yourself, get shot, or sprain something…then you go to the ER. Most people use it like a doctor’s office. If they have a stomach ache, the runs, the flu…..or if their kid is constipated, or has strep throat, they come to the ER when they should be going to an after-hours clinic instead. I truly believe that if the only thing emergency rooms handled were actual emergencies, they would not be as full.
In other news……September has already proved to be a busy month for me. Three weeks ago, my boss’s position was opened up for others to submit applications for. You see, he is retiring in about 8 days, so they have to find someone to fill his position. It’s a position I have wanted for a long time, so I updated my resume’ and submitted my application, A couple of weeks ago, I was screened in and went through my first interview. It has been over 20 years since I have been through an interview, so I was rather rusty. I thought it went well, but I evidently did not answer the questions to the approval of the personnel office because I did not get called back for a second interview. One thing I did the week before my first interview was to put everything in God’s hands. I told God if it was His Will for me to get the job, then it would happen. If not, then I would be satisfied and continue on.
It was a shock to everyone that I did not get chosen for the second interview. I have the most experience, etc., and many of my co-workers and friends knew that, but for some reason, I did not make the cut. I was surprised at first and a little disappointed, but I got over it quick. The job is very stressful and there is lots to do. I just figured God knew I would not be able to handle all the stress that was going to come with the job, so he allowed me to get bypassed. I know He has something better for me, so I will try to have the patience of Job….and wait. I still have my job, I still have lots of friends where I work and I know how to do my job effectively. I am proud of my accomplishments and look forward to continuing to work as a dispatcher in this office.
Another area where I have stayed busy is with REACT. So far, every weekend in September is booked with an event. Last weekend was the Piedmont Founders Day Parade and this weekend is the Renaissance Run in Midwest City. Plus, after the Ren Run, I have a family reunion to attend at Regional park in MW City. Tomorrow also starts the first day of the State Fair of Oklahoma. Once again, I will be working in the Safety center, assisting the police department with booking people into the makeshift jail. The ones who get drunk, start fights, use drugs, or get caught with weapons, or commit other crimes at the fair, will get the privilege of seeing me. I will be there this Friday and Saturday night and the next Friday and Saturday night. Most of the good stuff happens after 10 pm…that’s when we start seeing the officers bringing suspects in.
Tomorrow evening is our monthly CFAAA meeting. We have tomorrow’s meeting and the meeting in October…and then elections in November. Since I have already served two terms as President, I am not eligible to serve in an office for the upcoming year. Our by-laws state we can only hold an office for two consecutive years….and then take a year off before we can hold another office. I have to wait until 2013 to run again. That’s fine with me because I am tired. I am ready to give up the Presidency and be a regular member for a while. Sometimes it is better to be a follower than a leader. I don’t mind being a leader in a few areas, but I am a better follower……and there is not as much stress when you are a follower. Plus, I don’t like confrontations and I don’t like controversy……the two things you normally run into when you are a leader, or in charge. I like to make people happy, but when you are a leader, you are going to make some people unhappy. So, I will take the year off as an officer in the CFAAA and continue to maintain our website and take pictures for our website and newsletter.
Ok, my rant is over with. I leave the office at 3 pm this afternoon so I can go by Leon’s Radio shop and get my REACT two-way radio swapped out. There are 5 different repeaters our radios work off of and for some reason, I am unable to connect with the Edmond or OKC repeater. We think it is in my radio, so they are going to exchange my radio for me.
http://www.centralokreact.org/
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/OCFD_Citizens_Fire_Academy_Alumni_Association
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