The Captain's Blog

Friday started a much needed long weekend.   My back has been on one of its silly pain ridden streaks again this week.  Friday topped it off with extreme pain in my ribs where they were broken in the ATV accident.  I had a couple spasms that almost brought tears.  I was glad when the day was over and I was able to stretch out on my bed.  That’s pretty much how I celebrated my Friday night.

I got up Saturday in much less pain.  I was bound and determined that I wasn’t going to sit in the house all day.  I headed to my usual Saturday haunt for lunch.  While I was there, I remembered that the funeral procession for Chief Phil Steele was going to be held at some point.  A quick glance at the newspaper confirmed the route and times.   I’d met Phil on more than one occassion and I know he was very well respected throughout the area as both as a member of the fire department and many EMS organizations.  That is what I would do… I would go stage myself along the route and record the procession.

I left Hogan’s Heroes about 12:05 PM.  I could easily get along the route in time for the 12:30 schedule.  I even had a spot in mind… The Knievel Cycle shop along Route 18.  It would provide an elevated position to shoot from with little obstruction.  I wasn’t the only one there.  Two other vehicles were already in position when I got there.  Big lot… No problem.  If you have never attended the funeral procession for a firefighter, medic or police office, I encourage you to do so.  It will give you insight into the type of special community these folks are a part of.

As I sat and waited for the procession to arrive, my thoughts wondered to a procession that I was part of.  Mark Pollock was a member of the local volunteer fire department at the same time I was.  He and his parents died when his own home caught fire.  I recall that day very very vividly.

Mark loved racing.  I hired him on as part of my security staff at Mercer Raceway Park.  We needed someone to direct cars where to park.  Once things settled down in the lots, he could watch the races.  The job was pretty thankless.  People often don’t follow direction so having the rest of the evening to wind down enjoying something you loved was a benefit.

Mark could always be counted on to show up.  He would even stop by my house just to make sure we were racing that day.  This particular Saturday morning I had gone to the track early.  Had I not, I would probably have heard the sirens and known what was going on as he lived just up the hill from me.  Mark hadn’t shown up that day.  He hadn’t called.  He didn’t answer my multiple attempts to call him.

My heart sunk when I found out later that afternoon that he had perrished along with his folks in the fire that morning.  I felt sick.  Here I was calling him, aggrevated that he hadn’t even called to say he wouldn’t be in.  I should have known something was wrong because it wasn’t like him to not let me know.

I wasn’t in the fire department at that time.  I hadn’t rejoined when I moved back to the area.  I felt that I needed to show how much Mark’s dedication meant to me… but how?  The thought clicked into my head immediately.  Mark loved racing.  He worked for the track.  I would ask the track owner if I could take the pace truck in the funeral procession.  She agreed immediately.  The truck was all nicely decaled with the track logo.  He would have appreciated the though I’m sure.

There is something that takes place at the funeral of an emergency services person that I didn’t know of at that time.  Its called “The Last Call”.  I carried a portable scanner for the race track so I could hear the different departments we worked with while at the track.  I took it with me in the pace truck that day so I had a ‘heads up’ on when the procession was moving, etc.  I never knew that choice would haunt me for the rest of my life.

The procession left town, went up the viaduct and out Wheatland Road, turning back up 718 to Route 18, stopping at the Shenango Township Fire Station (where Mark was a member at that time).  I was told there would be a special short ceramony there but hadn’t expected what I heard.

For those who don’t know, “The Last Call” is literally just that.  Over the county fire dispatch frequency,  Shenango’s pager tones were tripped and Mark was called to his final call.  Tears well up as I type this.  I cried as I watched Chief Phil’s procession go by yesterday, knowing that this was his “Last Call”.   Since that day in Mark’s procession, I have made it a point to attend processions when I can to honor that memory of Mark’s “Last Call”.

I went about the rest of my afternoon the way I originally had planned.  I constantly flashed back to that day so many years ago.  I finally just gave up and drove home.  I needed to work on the video I had taken of the procession.  I didn’t want to just dump it up to the Internet.  It meant something special to me.  It represented someone special to a community and its EMS responders.  It took all evening, but just before midnight I was satisfied.

I pray that Chief Phil’s family will find comfort in the support of their community.  They can move forward knowing that he will not be forgotten.

~Curtis Farster

I’ve been home from vacation for two days.  My right leg and back are finally showing improvement.  The walking on Saturday night did me in.  Sunday, I rented a cart which was much better.  By the time we pulled out of the hotel to head home, my right leg was numb from my hip joint down.  I have been laying around with Tink and relaxing as much as possible.

Last night, I stayed at home for New Year’s Eve.  I figured I would fall asleep before the ball dropped but I didn’t.  I thought of Mom alot.  December 31st was her birthday.  The trip to Christmas Town would have been something she would have enjoyed greatly.  I ended up awake till about 1:30 am.

This morning Tink woke me up by climbing up on my side and begging for pets.  She is almost back to normal.  There are a couple little things she hasn’t done yet, but that’s probably only because the oppurtunity hasn’t presented itself.  It’s great to have her back.  She’s such a card.  For months, I’ve had all her spongey golf balls in one spot.  Tonight… I’m not sure I can find one of them without a search.  She played and played and played after I layed down last night.

I have mixed feelings about returning to work tomorrow.  I have a major project to get underway which should keep me busy.  I’m hoping for a change this year.  I’m not sure what that will be yet but I will work toward it as new directions unfold.  I’ve heard it said that “The best is yet to come”.   This past year didn’t unfold that way so I can only guess that yet is still the key word.

Onward we go into 2014.

~Cappy

Those of you that have been following along probably read the story of how my two aunts and uncle left from one location and Dad and I from here with no plans of meeting up with them until we got settled in at the hotel.  That’s them in the gold Jeep with its lights on. The caught up with us just before I-95… about eighty-eight miles from Williamsburg.

Dad and I left the hotel this morning around 8:30… ish.  I stopped and filled up the truck.  We stopped at Mickey D’s for breakfast.  We officially headed for home around 9:13 (texted Renee to tell her we were off).  I knew the drive home would take a bit longer.  We took a different route and I would have to stop more often to stretch my legs/back.

I stopped for lunch in Winchester, VA at the Sonic.  I’ve never eaten at one.  I wanted something different.  The portion was huge and the price wasn’t bad.  I haven’t eaten dinner tonight because I’m still full from the onion rings.  One of my friends on Facebook commented on my ‘check-in’ that he had worked near that Sonic in the past.  Interesting… another weird connection on this trip.

We picked up some flurries in Berkely Springs, Virginia.  It didn’t amount to anything.  We stopped at the Midway Service Plaza when we got to the PA turnpike.  From there, the snow increased steadily.  We crossed through the tunnel between Midway and New Stanton to come out into really hard snow and a couple inches on the ground.  The roads ran wet.  Crews were salting so the driving was fine.  We would hit snow off and on the rest of the trip home, but nothing as bad as that.

I dropped Dad off and helped him get his things inside.  I knew a little furry creature would be waiting when I got home.  Sure enough, I walked in the door to Tink trotting her way out to greet me.  She turned back to the living room to dig on her scratching pad.  She let a ‘MEOWWWW’.  I said “Did you just meow at me?”  (She is usually pretty quiet).  She again let out a happy meow and trotted over to give me many, many leg hugs.  She asked for food, so I paused from my unpacking to feed her.  She only ate a couple bites and then it was play time.  We played ball on the steps, chased the string and even monkeyed around with a gift bag one of my presents came in.

I got settled.  Tink followed me around like a puppy.  I came upstairs to work on this blog and upload pictures.  She has been in rubbing around my legs, crawing on my lap and walking on the desk and computer several times.

She disappeared.  I went to find her.  Not downstairs.  Not in the spare bedroom.  All of a sudden a little fuzzy face pops up from behind my suitcase.  She had found the pants I had worn today and was curled up on the legs against the suitcase.  I laid down on the bed and gave her a scratch behind the ears.

I posted a couple pictures on Facebook showing a day time picture of a ride and a night time shot from a similar angle.  One of the responses I got was from the brother of one of my high school friends.  Lonnie is also a friend, though we haven’t seen each other in a long time.  It turns out he lives not far from Busch Gardens.  Oh.. and if the first two co-inky dinks weren’t enough.  Turns out, he was in the park at the same time we were on Saturday.  A small world just keeps getting smaller.

Guess who just got back up on my lap… I’ve got some photos to caption and edit so I best get back to it.

Busch Gardens “Christmas Town” 2013 Pictures

http://captcurt31.com/mygallery/thumbnails.php?album=57

That took longer than expected.  I had a cat that has never liked to be a lap cat suddenly lay down on my lap and demand being petted with both hands.  I now have pinholes in my left leg from her making dough.

~Cappy

SUNSHINE!!!!

Sunday morning started out kind of slow.  I  was sore and tired from all the walking around the park on Saturday night.  I’m glad I did Disney World a couple years ago when I could still walk the distance.  I hurt bad enough when we got back to the hotel I had to break out the heavy drugs.

The forecast called for rain Sunday morning… up to two inches of rain.  I left plans up in the air because I was so stiff and sore when I went to bed.  The only plan that was certain was an 11:15 meet up with the whole crew for breakfest/brunch.  I’ve been eating way more than I should so I knew I was going to try to limit myself at breakfast.

Samantha joined us again for brunch.  The rain poured down as we ate.  We all were following the forecast to see what the afternoon would  bring.  The Weather Channel was the first of my three weather apps to show clearing between 2 and 3 PM.  It looked like there was a shot to go back to the park to see more shows and hang out with Samantha a bit more.  We headed back to Barry and Renee’s place to hang out and see what the weather did.

Sure enough… The weather broke as predicted and we loaded up the vehicles to head back to the park.  I’ve learned a few things about outdoor entertainment venues from working at MRP (racetrack).  If you get a hard rain right before gates open, your crowd doesn’t come out.  The park was empty compared to Saturday.

I had decided to get an EVC (powered cart for those who missed the last blog) because I knew my back couldn’t take another day of walking.  Buschgardens is really nice because it sits in the woods.  The terrain is hilly and varying so it put extra stress on my back.  That’s ok.  We had a EVC parade.  My dad, uncle, one aunt and myself all had them.

We got to see most of the shows and to see Samantha dance a couple more times.  Dad and I ate in Italy behind the theater where Samantha’s show was.  I have to say that this was some of the best amusement park food I’ve had.  I also got a mug of hot chocolate before the show.  Mmmmmmm … was it good.

We closed down the park with Samantha.  She clocked out after her show.  I really wanted to ride the roller coaster that was open but dared not with my back already throbbing.  The seats are formed and I would have had to squash myself in.  Better to watch than end up in the emergency room.

All and All it was a great weekend.  Many many pictures await me on my camera card when I get home.  Dad and I are about ready to head for home. We took our time getting ready since the other end of the trip is familiar territory.

I have to sign off for now… I have a few miles of driving to do.

See ya at the other end!

~Cappy

We all met up at a place called Shorty’s Diner for breakfast/lunch.  The portions were huge.  I had a Western Omlet that could have made two breakfasts for me.  I took no prisoners and made it into one breakfast.  Oh… and McDonalds… Your sweet tea is only slightly sweet in comparison to the diner’s tea.  I forgot just how sweet sweet tea reallly is.

Samantha was able to join us for brunch.  She had to go back to the park so the rest of us came back to my hotel since it was the closest to the park.  We basically hung out for a couple hours until the park was to open.  The temperature was very mild and the sun was out, but I’m not sure it made it to the 60 degree mark they were calling for.

Buschgardens was the next stop.  Dad and my uncle got ECV’s (Electric Chair Vehicles) while the rest of us walked.  I took a slew of pictures which I will post when I get home.  The park is divided into different countries (Ireland, Italy, Germany, France etc).  Each country was decorated in theme of its national tradition.  We took a train ride to kill some time before Samantha’s first show.  The smaller rides were open, as well as, one roller coaster which I decided it was best not to ride due to my back.

The first round of Samantha’s show was still backlit by the sun.  We went back and saw the 9 o’clock show.  The pictures came out better because of the cleaner lighting.  It was great to see Samantha dance.  It’s very obvious that she enjoys it.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all say that about “Work”.

I don’t know how many miles I put on my boots yesterday.  We finished off the night with a ride on the sky tram.  I was able to get some distant shots of the lights throughout the park.  We ended up in France and strolled back through Ireland to the gate.  We opened the park and closed it.  My back was shot by the time we got to the gate.  I took Vicodin and Ibuprofin before bed.  Needless to say, I slept until about 4 am.  After that, I was in and out of sleep.

Not sure what the plans are for today.  It’s raining a bit.  The only thing on the agenda at this point is breakfast/lunch with the gang.  I thought about going over to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, but I’ll cross that bridge after breakfast.  I’m still sore.  Maybe we’ll go back to the park later and catch another show or two.  I will probably need one of the ECV’s myself today.

More to come…

~Cappy

First, let me start with an update from the last blog for those who didn’t catch my Facebook post.  I did just as I said I was going to do and reported the local Denny’s restaurant to Corporate Denny’s.  It took over a month but I finally got a hand written response in a card.  The card also included two certificates for a free Grand Slam with up to four items of our choice each.  It doesn’t make up for the sucky service or the manager’s attitude but at least someone was notified.

That whole incident got me paying attention to just how crass we have become as a society.  I have noticed that people are in such a hurry and unfocused that they don’t seem to care about other people in their vacinity.  Don’t get me wrong… There are still good people out there but we’re all in such a rush anymore that we don’t pay attention to each other on a daily basis unless something goes terribly wrong.

I’ve had people yell at me over parking spots at stores.  I’ve had people walk into me with shopping carts.  People stand talking on their phones in the middle of the isles at stores while others impatiently try to get past to get the lastest and greatest deal.  Is it really necessary to be inconsiderate to other folks just because you are in your own little world.

The holidays haven’t been the same since Mom passed.  This was her time of year.  She loved the holidays top to bottom.  She would plan skits and entertainment for the women’s group at the church.  She was like a little kid when it came to passing out the presents from under the tree.  This is one of the times of year I miss her the most.

I’ve never been a materialistic person.  The more commercial the holidays get… The more I resist celebrating.  This year Christmas stuff was out in the stores long before Halloween was even here yet.  Don’t get me wrong… I like to see the way people decorate, especially with the new technologies available today.  I just don’t have the need to get caught up in it all anymore.

We usually go to my Aunt’s on Thanksgiving.  We eat way more than any of us needs to and then take a nap and drive home.  This year, Dad and I did Thanksgiving a little differently.  The weather went sideways so he and I went to Golden Corral for Thanksgiving and then home.  It was a nice relaxing day.  There was no rushing two hours to another location or even dishes to do for that matter.  Christmas is going to be different this year as well.  Traditions are nice but sometimes its nice to break the chain and try something new.

I need the change to be honest.  Work has been a mess.  I don’t know where I belong.  Changes are happening that could be good or bad… Time will tell.  I’ve been on this bungee cord depression cycle… Really low one day then up the next.  Work has been a big driver in that.  I decided I will do what I can until such time as I find another job or maybe even a way to change careers.

We had a big project come down the pipe that was dropped on me.  I decided to run with it, if for no other reason than to prove to myself I still have some ‘smarts’ left in this large cranial cavity that sits on my shoulders.  There have been days that I feel like someone has stolen my knowledge and put sand up there.  Last week went pretty well and I felt pretty up by Friday afternoon.  Today, my mellon was mush and I couldn’t even get dates to fall in line the way I wanted.

I’ve been feeling kind of off for a while now.  I don’t know if I’ve got something going on healthwise or if its just the flailing depression.  I know my sugar has been higher than it should be.  I had five weeks of a nasty sinus bug that made its rounds at work.  Just don’t feel like I’m getting caught up with myself at all.

Last night, I slept terrible.  The last time I saw on the clock was 2:40 AM.  I fell asleep sometime after that but it wasn’t restfull.  I ended up waking up from a wierd dream that had me in a sweat.  I rarely dream about work, but this was definately work related.

I was sitting at my desk when I heard an odd creaking noise from the server room (doors are right beside my desk).  I knew something wasn’t right but tried to disregard it.  Another noise… then another… Something was definately wrong.  I got up and opened the door.  I took a few steps in as the lights kicked on.  Suddenly, there was a rush of air and a loud crashing noise.  When everything stopped, I was pinned under the drop ceiling.

Pain was shooting through my right thigh.  Something had pierced my stomach.  My left arm was pinned down and throbbing fiercely.  I could feel the warm sensation of blood pooling near my leg and arm.  I tried to move my left arm enough to reach my iPhone which was clipped on my belt.  Pain fired and a burning sensation shot through me.  I realized, that as the ceiling fell, the wiring from the lights must have shorted against the ceiling track. I was not only bleeding but I was apparently being shocked as well.

One of the guys finally came through the door.  I screamed to him not to touch the track.  The next thing I knew I was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.  They stabilized me there and then flew me to Cleveland.  The piece of track that had pierced my gut had not only caused organ damage but had been driven clear back against my spine.  It stopped only when it hit bone causing a couple of vertabrae to shatter and leaving my already trashed back in very delicate condition. Doctors told me that I would only gain about eighty percent of my strength back because of the huge incision they had to make to repair the damage.  Any further gains would only be through surgery.  Therapy was painful.  I think that’s what woke me up.

I frequently remember my dreams but they are usually not nightmarish in nature.  I’m not sure how to classify this one.  I wasn’t scared when I woke up.  It was more like I could feel the pain and stress therapy was causing.  I know… I’m a weird one.

Speaking of pain…  As I left work today, I heard them paging both the Service Desk Manager and my boss repeatedly on the intercom.  I thought that a bit odd, since when I left my desk, they were both in my boss’s office.  I got off the elevator and turned toward the front door.  I immediately felt a sense of urgency.  I was told someone had slipped an fallen on the ice.  I looked out through the glass to see a group of people standing around someone on the ground.  911 had been called.

They asked me what to do.  I’ve had a bit of first aid exposure from working as Head of Security at the race track but I don’t claim to be an EMT or Medic.  I got out to where he’d fallen.  He said he felt fine but his wife said he was unresponsive with his eyes open immediately after the fall.  He couldn’t remember falling.  I noticed he was not fully coherent either, at first.  We covered him up and kept him still while waiting for the ambulance.  He said he felt fine and wanted to get up but I assured him that wouldn’t be a good idea.  He had a good sense of humor.  Apparently, they are going to Florida over the holidays.  His wife told him he wouldn’t get out of going that easily.  I said “Nah… He’s a snow bunny.  He’d rather go skiing instead of the warm beach.”  He laughed a bit.

I get very concerned when someone hits their head, especially when they say they can’t remember something or they lose consciouness.  Dad’s fishing buddy and neighbor died a couple of days after hitting his head when he fell in our driveway.  The brain is a very powerful organ but does not take well to being slammed around inside its container.  This guy was going to the hospital if I had to take him myself.

I helped get him on the board and then the gurney.  We lifted him into the ambulance.  Yes folks… I heard you in the background telling me not to lift him because of my back.  This was not a small individual and I intentionally positioned myself at his feet for the lift.

I thought about that the whole way home.  I hope he is ok.  I also thought “Dummy… You should have had someone go get the salt from by the front door and salt the work area so we could get some traction when we lifted.”  Hindsight … I guess…  We used the ice to our advantage and slid him to clear pavement before lifting.

I worry all the time about falling on the ice.  With my back the way it is, one good slip and I’m in hospital land.  If you seem me walking weird across the ice/snow, I’m just trying to make sure I have footing before I transfer weight to my lead foot.

So that’s pretty much how my week has gone so far… What day is this again?  Oh yeah… Monday.  🙁

I’m going to go try to get some sleep tonight.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day.  (Six meetings after lunch… I doubt it.)

G’night.

~Cappy

Tonight, Dad and I went out to eat.  We didn’t want to go to the usual haunts, so we decided to go to the Denny’s on East State Street in Hermitage.  The menu isn’t the same as the other fast food joints so it would be different.

We arrived at about 5:30 ish.  It took as a few minutes to be seated because most of the wait staff was carrying chairs into the party room.  Note, that at that point no customers could be seen in the party room.  We talked as the waitress brought our drinks.  As we were ordering, Brother Ron and his family came in.  They were seated at a table diagonal to ours but with a different waitress.  It was 5:45 pm.  I know this because I sent him a silly text about who they let in the restaurant (time stamped).   Their waitress took their order promptly.

Two gentlemen were seated right after us and right beside us.  They ordered food to go.  We had the same waitress.  They actually ordered before we did.  About 10 minutes or so went by.  Ron’s clan got their meals and began eating.  After about 20 minutes, I sent Ron another text saying that our food must have been held up because Dad ordered seasoned fries or was that “Next Summer” Fries.  25 minutes… Still no meals.  We only ordered burgers and fries.  Hmmmm.  The two gentlemen next to us got up and went to the counter, picked up and paid for a bag of to go food and left.

By this time, I’m starting to worry that Dad’s surgar might drop because he’s already taken his Insulin.  The waitress hasn’t even stopped by to check if we’re ok or say sorry for the delay or anything of the sort.  Our waitress finally appears carrying a to go bag.  She says to the other waitress, “Did thos two black guys leave?”  The other waitress reply “Yes.”  To which our waitress set the to go bag up on the drink island and trotted back to the kitchen.  She reemerged with our dinners.  I told Dad “These better not be cold.”  Sure enough… the fries were less than warm.  I broke a piece of bacon off my bacon/cheeseburger… It was cold.  I broke a piece of burger off.  It was lukewarm.  Dad’s was the same.

I went up to the counter and requested the manager.  He came out.  I explained that we had waited 30 + minutes for our food and it came out cold.  He immediately copped an attitude and proclaimed that he had been cooking all evening because of a party in the back.  I called him on that one.  I said something to the effect of “Then how did my friend’s family of 4 have their order taken after ours and got their food quickly.”  He again quipped that he was doing what he could because of the party in the back.  I said “So you aren’t going to do anything about this?”  I turned to Dad and said “Come on Dad.  We’ll go to McDonalds.”  I turned back to the manager let him know that we would not be paying for any of this.  Our waitress just stood their with an unconcerned look on her face.  As we left, I told the manager that I would report him to corporate Denny’s.  I did just that when I got home.  Don’t mess with me when it comes to dealing with mother ship companies.  It’s what I do all day… everyday.

I’ve had customer service training and I know the restaurant business isn’t easy.  All he would have had to do is say something to the effect of “Let me go make you new burgers. I’ll bring them right out.”  I would have been happy and considered it an adequate resolution.  I would have even paid the bill.  Between his attitude and complete lack of effort, I”m taking this one to the top.  I demanded written apology from the manager when I filed my complaint.

Denny’s at 2079 East State Street, Hermitage PA is now on my ROLR list… Restaurant Of Last Resort unless I get my apology.  A few free meals probably wouldn’t hurt either.

~End of Rant~

… This is going to be posted on their Facebook and Twitter as well.

~Cappy