homer simpson, firefighter

So, I dunno how I never saw this episode on its original air date, but I just watched a rerun of the Simpsons episode where Homer becomes a volunteer firefighter for a very brief, and crime-riddled, period of time. (Episode guide here.) In it, Homer and his gang get so used to people showering them with praise and prizes for doing their duty as VFD members that when the luck dries up, they start stealing things from the very houses and business they are fighting to save from burning up. Hilarious... but it also made me stop and think for a minute.

Other than meeting Emily and all of the time I get to spend with her, there's nothing more rewarding in my life than helping other people. I love the work that I do with Crescent Springs, as a firefighter, and as an EMT-trainee. I'm also thoroughly enjoying my training at the com center, because that's just another way I can help somebody in their time of need. It's kinda funny, really... I get almost a high when I feel like I have accomplished something. More than anything else I have ever done with my life, working in emergency services brings me so much immediate satisfaction, and so much happiness. I didn't really have a point in writing this post, other than to just express how happy I am that I have found an activity that allows me to help people. It's like the bumper sticker says... "Our finest hour begins with your worst."* I just really get a kick out of doing right by other people. And feeling needed. I guess that's it.... end of rant.



*or, more comically...... "Nobody ever called the fire department because they did something smart." LOL.

one year, new job, lions tigers and bears, oh my!

Well... I think this is the longest I've gone without posting - a whole month! Emmy and I celebrated our first year together at her apartment in nashville. We made our own sushi together and it was AWESOME! (We also found out that Emily is the only one who is allowed to roll sushi, since I messed it up...lol) I got Emmy a factory-integrated ipod adapter for her car, and she got us tickets to JEFF DUNHAM live in Louisville!! I can't wait to go see it with her!

In other big awesome news, I started my new job at the Hamilton County Communications Center at the end of June. I'm actually really enjoying my training there! I've started answering so-called "non-emergency" phone calls, even though a lot of them turn out to be medical and domestic calls that could have just as easily been 911 calls. It's been hard adjusting to waking up at 4:15 every morning, since I have to be at work at 5:45 for the morning briefing. Also, lunch at 10:30 or 11am is weird, but I'm slowly adjusting to all of it. I really like all of the people I work with, and I'm glad to keep learning new things every day.

OH! I almost forgot to write about 4th of July, which was....AWESOME! Fireworks and dinner and everything with Emmy's family - I felt so at home, and so welcome, it was probably one of the best nights of my entire life. Ellen (Emmy's Mom) makes the BEST hummus and salsa and vurkey burgers and everything...it was SOOOO yummy! Even better was that I got to spend like the whole weekend with Emmy - we cooked together, and watched tv together, and cuddled, and laughed, and went to the jcc and worked out and swam.... I don't think it could have been a more perfectly Emmy-full weekend! Did I mention FIREWORKS which were freakin AWESOME???!? Scott (Emmy's Dad) is just as much a pyro nut as I am!

Also, last night, I wrote my very first ever love letter to Emmy, and I mailed it today! I'm really excited for her to read it... I've never written one before... or received one. I just hope she likes it :) I feel all giddy and happy and excited. We're almost to our Year-and-a-month anniversary!! I love Emmy so so so so soooo much!

I know there are things I've forgotten to write about... Emmy will need to remind me or comment and tell me...hehe.

can't sleep

So, I can't sleep. I'm not even sure what I want to write about, I just kinda felt compelled to blog about all the stuff that's been going on. I graduated from Fire Academy back in May, and that was pretty sweet. I've been making fire runs whenever possible. Since I left OLLS, I've had a lot more freetime. I've pulled a few jobs with Vincent Lighting, and a couple of calls with the IATSE local. It's helped to pay the bills, but Mom and Dad have helped me out too. I hate money more than anything in the whole world. I wish I didn't have to work at all. However, in the world of work, there is some good news this month. I got the word that I have been officially hired at the Hamilton County Communication Center. I begin my 6-9 months of training on June 22nd. It's a way better gig than olls ever was. I'm starting at $17.33/hr, and there's tons of room for promotion and advancement. I'm both excited and very nervous.

I've been seeing Emily as much as possible, too. I don't like being away from her. We were both hoping to have the whole summer together, but I think we are making it work. What blows my mind is that our 1-year anniversary is coming up. I can't believe how fast our first year together has gone by. On one hand, I feel like I've known Emmy forever and ever, and on the other hand, this year has gone by in the blink of an eye. Emily makes everything good for me. When we are together, even just talking on the phone for five minutes a couple times a day, everything is right in the world. There's only one more school term to make it through before we are back together in the same city for good. I took Emmy to the Indy 500 on our annual trip with Tommy and Milena and crew. It was really nice to have a fun day like that with Emmy next to me the whole time.

I guess I just wanted to blog a little bit tonight because I feel all twitchy. I've never been out of work for this long, and even though I have a confirmed starting date, it just makes me uncomfortable to be sitting around on my butt so much. I wish that VLS or IATSE had at least a little bit more work for me in the meantime. I'm going to go to Nashville and visit my Emmy again this week, so we can celebrate our 1-year anniversary together, and then next week I'm going to Pittsburgh to see my folks for a little bit before I start at the Com Center. I just wish there was more to *do* other than fun stuff, cleaning up, and working out a few times a week. It makes me nervous just sitting around like this.

I guess that's it... I know this wasn't my most eloquently written post, but I just wanted to clear my head a little bit.

Happy 11 Months Poohbear!

Happy 11 Month Anniversary, Poohbear!

I can't believe we're already so close to our year anniversary! I feel like time has just flown by for these short 11 months, but at the same time, I feel like I have known you forever, and that's how I know we were meant to be together! I love you so much, and it means so much to me that you are supporting me in all this career-changing, fire-training, everything stuff.

I love you, and I am looking forward to our year anniversary, and many many more months and years after that!

oh hey... remember me?

Oh... hi Blog! It's been a while, huh? I guess I kinda got caught up in the real world (and, to be honest, in microblogging on twitter) instead of posting here. Lots has happened...

The biggest news, I suppose, is that I finally reached my limit of bullshit and screaming and being berated and getting kicked in the metaphorical balls all the time, and I quit my job at On Location. I have a few freelance gigs lined up, but I am hoping that the position with Hamilton County Dispatch (which yes, I realize I have not mentioned here at all because I didn't want Jim and Amy to read about) pans out. Basically it pays a fair amount more money (not a ton more, but enough to make life better, and it has no Jim and no Amy, which of course makes life MUCH better.)

I got to visit Emmy in Nashville for a short visit, and now she is home for almost the whole month of May! We have of course availed ourselves of lots of cuddling time, and I got to have a couple of dinners over at her family's place so far. It's so good to have my baby back in town with me, it just makes my world complete again. Even better, our familys will finally get to meet next week. We are gonna have a fun dinner at Bucca diBeppo so everybody can meet and say hi and see who these people we've all been talking about for so long are!

In fire-related news, I have ONE class left in Fire Academy - this thursday we take the written IFSAC FF1 exam, and then the 4 practical stations for the academy course. Then on monday the 11th, is GRADUATION! Hopefully the next night, Tuesday the 12th, I will be voted in as a member at Crescent Springs, following the completion of recruit class. I'm really looking forward to that. I've learned so much (but I know it's NOTHING compared to what I have yet to learn) but more importantly, I've gotten to know the folks over there, and I've really started to feel welcome. I've been making runs (when I can) and learning where everything is on the trucks, and I am slowly becoming accustomed to all of our SOPs so I know what to do and what to look for when we arrive on-scene.

Lots of good things in my life right now, the best of which is that Emmy is HOME and can be in my arms again! Hopefully lots more good things to come soon...

happy 10 months, poohbear!

Happy 10 Month anniversary, Poohbear!

You are the most gorgeous, perfect girlfriend I could ever ask for!
Every day that we spend together, I learn more about you, about me, and about us. It means so much to me that you don't hide anything from me, and you really do genuinely care about me. I know I'm not the most level-headed, or easy-going guy all the time, but you take me as I am, faults and all. Not only do you love me as much as I love you, but your family has welcomed me with open arms. I have never felt happier, or more in love, than I do right now. And every single day I fall more in love with you.

Happy 10 Months, Poohbear... I look forward to many, many more!

I'm shaving my head for cancer!

I've joined the Crescent Springs Fire Department team for St. Baldrick's to shave my head for cancer! If you'd like to help me fundraise for this event, click the link below! Besides being for a good cause, I am also doing this in honor of my Gramma, Myrna Rosenstein, who is a breast cancer survivor.

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.php?ParticipantKey=2009-345665#

Thanks for all your support - be sure to be on the lookout for funny bald pictures after the event!

Much Love,
Dave