The Dark Side

Hey Folks,
there's another topic I'm going to cover today, it holds a lot of meaning for me for reasons that will become obvious in this post further down as you read.

Mental illness, it has a lot of stigma surrounding it. People think you're crazy, unstable, a loose cannon. They want to take your firearms from you, they want you to be locked away in a hospital somewhere and not have to deal with you. Above all they want to be able to pretend that you don't exist. This is the kind of society we've developed into, where if the scars you carry around with you are mental and not physical you are not as worth their time. Now i know a lot of you are probably saying "but Burnout! we have all these wonderful programs to help veterans, to help first responders, things are changing!" sure, sure they are. However! there is far too much that is still not being accomplished, we still need to change our core concepts and beliefs surrounding what a mental illness actually means to a person's future and remove the stigma surrounding it before we have actually begun to accomplish true change. It's all well and good to create a few programs so everyone can pat themselves on the back and have a 'feel good' moment, but when you're immediately ostracized  for using those programs when someone finds out, you haven't succeeded in doing anything actually worthwhile.

Now, onto the other topic, one I've been playing around with for a while about whether i'd actually discuss it here on my site or not, i finally caved and decided it might be healthy to share a little about myself and my recent less well known experiences.

PTSD, Shell Shock, Combat Exhaustion...there are many names for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Despite all these names, it is still the ultimate mental illness in many people's eyes right? we've all seen the movies and tv shows that use this. what are some of the main common themes we see between all of these ways Hollywood portrays it?

1) Only combat veterans suffer from this disorder. every single show has that one veteran who suffers from PTSD.

2) PTSD sufferers are always flying into a rage, losing it, and attacking people on impulse

3) Those with PTSD are always alcoholics easily found in the corner of a bar, silently drinking alone

4) If you did not see combat you don't actually have PTSD and are using it to game the system/garner sympathy/or con people in any other way

Let me preface what I'm about to say with stating how completely inaccurate all these themes are, the concepts were formed from a fraction of those who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress and yes some are like this. Not everyone who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress however acts in this way. Now, on to the meat of this post:

I'm a younger adult. (not yet in my 30s)

I look like I have my shit together .

I have healthy relationships.

I have at least 5 different groups or volunteer services I spend my free time with, a full time job, 3 part time jobs, and bills to pay which I manage to accomplish and still have free time.

I'm the person in the group of friends no one bats an eye at, the 'perfectly normal' one among everyone.

I'm suicidal.

I have tried to kill myself at least four separate times in six months at the point that I am writing this.

I have breakdowns in public, and find somewhere to hide while i shake uncontrollably and cry.

I can't get out of bed some days

I hide from others as I'm constantly terrified of strangers, or friends, family, and co-workers seeing what lurks behind the mask I wear daily

I have PTSD.

I discovered this late last year, as I'm writing this it brings back memories multiple painful mistakes I made in that time period while I battled with the darkness tearing through my mind. I started to realize there was an issue when I would have constant thoughts about hurting myself, and wishing someone would cause harm to me so I didn't have to walk around on this planet any longer. I would wake up in cold sweats, several times I woke up screaming from the nightmares I was experiencing. I found myself unable to drive down certain streets or past houses where I had run certain calls, or else I would experience feelings of dread, and sometimes the memory of what I had witnessed and the patient who I treated would hit me and cause me to have a panic attack that would leave me debilitated and crippled for days. I would have days where I was completely emotionally blunted, frankly, I didn't care about others' feelings as some days I simply wasn't experiencing any myself. I have been found on ground pressing my hands to my ears to try to stop the overwhelming sound of voices screaming inside my head, as images of patients whose lives I failed to save floated around in front of me in my mind. I finally went and sought help after multiple instances that were telling me there was clearly an issue that i could not fix by being my own stubborn self. I was finally diagnosed with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, As a result of childhood traumas being compounded by my experiences as a Firefighter and EMT.

I have been in intensive counseling for more than six months at this point, and am more stable than I was at that period of my life, I still have moments from the above, but they are far less frequent than before I sought help. The support I've experienced from my group of friends has been incredible as they guide me and keep an eye on me when i'm in public (I struggle heavily with being around groups of people some days, i can start to shake and if I don't step out of the situation I will have a full blown panic attack). I have a fantastic counselor who has been helping me talk through my experiences and take away the power they hold over me. Above all, I've been able after several months to return to my full speed self. The problem with this situation however, is that I cannot tell my employers, I cannot put it on an official record, I cannot be an advocate for others to come forward. Why is that? because if I do, my entire career is in jeopardy. Remember that discussion from above about the stigma surrounding PTSD? it exists doubly so in the Armed Forces and First Responder community. if I came forward and admitted I have this issue, then i would have a high chance of being black balled everywhere simply based on the misconceptions others hold regarding this disorder. The main issue being that those who do not have this disorder think our actions are from anger, when in actuality it's from intense fear. That adrenaline rush you experience when you are in a situation where your life may be in danger? it's like walking around with your body and mind set to that level permanently.

The way I describe it is having anxiety cranked up to 11 (yes, i just made a Spinal Tap reference in a serious post). That's a very simplified version of what this feels like, but its something people understand when I try to explain it to them. This isn't easy to live with, but I live with it, and I don't want to lose the career I love, to a disorder caused by the career I love (oh irony). Thus, I continue to hide this from others for the most part and pretend everything is ok. I'm able to perform my job effectively, in fact I feel sometimes it's made me a stronger person for this line of work, I'm able to have relationships, and i'm able to go out in public without hitting a bottle of alcohol. I have many issues I still need to work on, but I won't be giving up any time soon.
Thank you all if you read through this entire post, I'm aware it was heavy stuff. I'll try to write a more cheery topic next week.

stay safe folks, it's a crazy world out there
-Burnout


Song of the week: G- Eazy Me Myself and I

Rough Time

I'll dive right into it with this post. Death. The word many people cringe at, they avoid it if at all possible, spend their lives in pursuit of ways to live longer and healthier. It's a part of me I've found difficult to switch off an insight into, when you spend most days around those in pain, the dying, the recently and the not so recently deceased it seems that you gain a different perspective on life then. Ever see a little kid crying in the grocery store, tugging at their mom or dad's clothes while the parent looks irriated? It bothers you doesn't it, all that noise? To me, sometimes that's the most beautiful sound in the world. A screaming kid is one that is still breathing, one that will have more moments and has a future ahead of them. The old person who aggravates you at the store taking their time putting down groceries or walking the aisle, what I see is one less person I will pronounce dead that day, one less body to stumble upon when the neighbor calls saying they haven't seen their friend in a few days. I find myself seeing a significant amount of the darkness in recent times, and they say that when you peer into it for too long, it stares back at you. However, it seems that in some ways I've been given a beautiful gift, I appreciate the mundane for I have seen chaos, I appreciate love for I have experienced hate and rage, for all the things I see at work I have been given an opposite appreciation of everyday life. So, death, that thing we all try to avoid, to those who spend their waking moments surrounded by it, in some ways we have been given a gift of understanding to what is truly important in this life.

To all who've taken the time to read my jumbled thoughts in my posts, some worse than others...thank you for continuing to follow me. 

-Burnout 

Song of the week: Through It All by From Ashes To New

Finally back!

Where do I even begin folks...I've been gone for so long it's not even funny. I switched jobs, got a promotion, and I work critical care EMS, graveyard shift in a significantly high crime city. It's been insane for me, I've lost brother firefighters who were killed on calls, and I've lost family members. I know that I've neglected to be posting and I apologize to everyone who followed me for so long. But I'm back! And I'm gonna try to be around as much as I can, I have plenty of stories to share I've accrued and hopefully they still catch your interest. Once again if you'd like to ask me any questions just click on my username and send me an email, I'll answer your questions on here.
More to come...
-Burnout
song of the week: Back in Black, AC/DC

'Stayin Alive'

Run some wild calls lately, done some odd things, and been teaching a LOT of brand new members the ropes and how to handle themselves on calls...
here's just a few things I've said on calls lately that have gotten me in a little trouble...

"oh s***" (in reference to a patient's condition)

"Partner, to patient strapped onto stretcher: don't worry ma'am we haven't dropped anyone yet today
Me: but you are our first patient"

Patient: My chest hurts!!
Me: uhhh yea (looks at his wife) that's gonna happen when you do CPR on someone who's still talking to you.


To a patient who came up swinging at us after we administered Narcan (the wonderful anti-opiate)
Me: i swear if you don't stop moving, i'm gonna knock your ass out again!

after dealing with a PCP patient that took quite a few of us and police officers to pin down and cuff, as we carried the patient downstairs who was screaming like a banshee
Me (muttered to myself but apparently a little too loud): this is like the exact opening of the movie Quarantine
*everyone stops and stares at me*

and finally onto a brief story!

I recently had a very fortunate turnout on a call, as i was preparing to leave for the night from the station and get some sleep, just as i reached the doors to the outside i hear
" alert, medical box 111-1...alert medical box 111-1 engine 123, engine 134, medic 125, medic 135, supervisor 1...respond to 1479 spring drive for a cardiac arrest... **yr old patient, reported not conscious and not breathing, respond on alpha. Time now is 22:30" naturally i drop my bags, grab my gear, and climb on the engine as i was one of the few firefighters with medical certifications available to jump on the engine at the moment. As we fly down the road towards the house with our medic unit leading a convoy of flashing lights and sirens, i snap on a pair of gloves and close my eyes for a second to mentally prepare for another bad outcome, then as soon as i closed them, we came screeching to a halt. I jumped off our engine, ran and grabbed the oxygen bag off our medic and hustled inside right behind my officer, made my way downstairs to a patient with no pulse and fixed pupils. I immediately notified dispatch that we had a confirmed cardiac arrest and were beginning CPR, and began to do chest compressions as my fellow firefighters and the medic crew made their way downstairs...i finished up my first round and swapped with the firefighter who was 'ventilating' the patient with a bag valve mask, this continued for several minutes until we were told by the AED to stand clear and shock the patient, we did so, then i swapped again and performed another set of compressions, at which point the AED announced "stand clear...analyzing heart rhythm...check for pulse" i reached down to check the carotid artery and...
"Lt. We got a pulse!"
sure enough, we had a strong carotid and radial pulse, we then carried the patient to a stretcher and hauled to the hospital, when we left the patient was already beginning to breathe on their own again.

This was great news for me and frankly a real boost, knowing that this person would most likely be able to walk out of the hospital and return to their family, it's exactly why i do this, and even though some of the situations i deal with can be awful, i love the job.
a quote from a fellow first responder that always has stuck in my head, is "our today, for other's tomorrow"
well thanks for holding on and waiting for my next post everyone, y'all have been great to follow me for so long, i appreciate all my fans! feel free to post up on here, and i'll be creating an email soon so fans can reach me and ask any questions they may have.

--Burnout

Song of the Week: The Mighty Fall- Fallout Boy

Bariatrics

Hey folks!

I've been laying low recently and making sure i didn't put too much strain on myself, as i hurt my back while dealing with a nearly 500 lb patient that had an abnormally high blood sugar level. The patient was naked, had defecated on himself, and was wedged in-between his toilet and bathtub. Alas besides that there is not much interesting that has gone on in the life of Burnout currently...except that I am now single again, that's right everyone, the missus and i split. It's a shame however there will be others that come along, i'll keep my hopes up.
To all my loyal followers who read these, thanks, you all rock!

--Burnout

Song of the Week: Oh Miah by Blackmill

Seatbelts

People who know me are aware that i am a BIG proponent of the wearing of seat-belts, i wear them in the back of the engine and medic units, i wear them in my POV (personally owned vehicle), and no one is allowed in any vehicle i am driving if they won't wear one. This zeal of mine was recently reinforced from a wreck i worked on the highway just a few days ago, two teenagers were driving down the interstate when the right rear tire blew out, causing them to swerve across the highway into a ditch, and then roll their vehicle about 5 times at 80 miles per hour. I responded from station in our engine fully expecting to be working a traumatic cardiac arrest and yet when i arrived on scene both patients had self-extricated from the car and were able to sign refusals, and walk away with just minor cuts and bruises. After inspecting the car, i had little doubt that had they not been wearing their seat-belts it would have been a MUCH different turnout to the story. Most likely one if not both of these teenagers would have been ejected from the car, and would have suffered severe internal and external injuries. If surviving a vehicle rollover at highway speeds in a compact car is not enough of an incentive to wear your seat-belt, i honestly do not know what to tell you...seat-belts save lives folks, please buckle up before you hit the road, so that maybe you won't find yourself laying on my stretcher later on.
(should i get the clearance from my company to upload a picture of the car i will update this post with it, so my viewers can see just how effective the safety features in new cars are, if actually used by occupants)

That's my rant for this time...feel free to post up with questions or requests to hear my opinion on anything, should the mood strike you all.

--Burnout

Song of the Week: Born to Rise by Redlight King

That One Call...

Every first responder has that one call, or that one day that shakes them sooner or later, something that even the strongest of people are thrown through a loop from. Earlier this week my significant other had one of these days... in 6 hours she had three patients die on her, a two year old went into cardiac arrest and they were unable to get a pulse back, and then later in the day she responded to a car wreck where the mother of two children was pronounced on scene, and she worked a 26 day old baby all the way to the hospital that was in full cardiac arrest as well. Seeing her later, i knew she was shook up, what's amazing though to me, even though i do the same thing when i have a rough day of calls, is that she was able to take a deep breath, look at me, and then tell me she hadn't lost her faith in what she does. Her perspective is still the same as it was, that if she hadn't been there they would have passed away anyway, and at least she did all she could to try and bring them back. This is something many people don't understand about how we manage to get through such a stressful situation, we believe in what we are doing, we know that we cannot save everyone but at least we can do our best for every single person we treat.
I quoted to her the movie Serenity today, when she promised me she hadn't lost faith in herself and that there is a reason these things happen...(she is not religious).
The quote was "It does not matter what you believe in, as long as you believe in SOMETHING" I try to never forget this as to do what we do i think you need to have faith in something, anything, to get through such difficult times.
And i have to give her credit, she is one of the strongest people i know, it's good to have someone you trust to have your back as a first responder...

-Burnout

Song of the Week: Pompeii by Bastille

Angel Dust

There's not much more of an "Oh S***" moment in EMS i've had recently than receiving a call for an unconscious overdose, we arrive on scene and start prepping to inject the person with Naloxone (otherwise known as Narcan) when several police officers step into the room and the crew from an engine that was dispatched as well, and tell us to be careful if he stirs before we inject him. Why? because this person's drug of choice according to relatives was PCP, thankfully yours truly did not get put through a window by a crazed drug addict, the call was handled well and we all got to go home safely. PCP will always be a drug that puts me on edge if i am dealing with someone who has consumed it in some manner, simply because of the rage it causes and the lack of pain the person feels while under its' effects.

On a separate note, please pray for Houston Fire Department and the family members who lost 4 firefighters recently on a 5 alarm building fire, it's heartbreaking to hear of so many in one day, at one incident, make the ultimate sacrifice.

--Burnout

Song of the Week: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- In Like The Rose

Why?

Well this will be a short post, it is centered around a Facebook group called 911: you can't make this stuff up. Feel free to check them out, tell them i sent you, maybe they'll appreciate the extra traffic. Specifically i felt that this photograph of theirs (all due credit to the Facebook group and the owner in particular) embodies exactly why first responders do what they do...while this one is centered around firefighters, the words ring just as true for all those who go running towards the apparatus, racing to a call in a police cruiser, when those tones go out and they are dispatched. We do it because someone needs our help, and we'll be damned if we let anything get in the way of that. On a related note, keep the victims and first responders and military personnel who were at the Boston Marathon in your thoughts and wish them all the best, they certainly need it.

--Burnout

Song of the Week: Hurt by Johnny Cash
(someone please warn me if i start repeating songs occasionally, i may forget what i have used before)

Falling by the wayside

Wow...it's amazing how many people have dropped out of one of my fire department courses already, about a 30% dropout rate so far, and we are expected to lose several more by next week. I guess this line of work just isn't for everyone... As for interesting things that have occurred so far? I am in the process of driver training for the ambulances at my fire company, once i am approved to start i plan on hitting the ground running and getting cleared as an EVO (emergency vehicle operator) as soon as possible... look for videos in the future on fire calls as i try to figure out this crazy helmet camera i was given for my turnout gear!

See y'all around, hopefully not in the back of my ambulance...


-Burnout


Song of the Week: Fury Oh Fury By Nico Vega

Hysteria in Schools

Let me just dive right in to my rant; Has anyone else thought about how ridiculously over-reactive schools are nowadays? it is understandable to be more vigilant after recent events, but there comes a point when we are just inhibiting and punishing children's attempts to grow, experiment, and learn to adapt and react appropriately to their environment. I speak about this as lately i have seen that a child in Maryland was suspended for BITING A PASTRY INTO THE SHAPE OF A FIREARM, REALLY?! among other things kids lately have been suspended or warned about playing tag, and bringing a hello kitty toy gun that blows bubbles to school. Now the worst of these offenders would be a school in Florida that suspended two teenagers for several days, when they intervened in what could have been a lethal encounter on their school bus. Another student aimed a .22 caliber handgun at someone's head while on their school bus, and these two brave teenager tackled the suspect and disarmed him, possibly saving a life. The school system deemed it necessary to suspend them because it is their policy to apparently suspend anyone involved in a violent incident... reading such idiotic words gave me a head rush.
Rant over.
I'd like to hear my readers thoughts on this...

--Burnout

Long Night...

Nothing quite like getting puked on, coated in blood and bleach, and run with less than two hours of sleep for more than 6 emergency calls in a 24 hour span... Just another day in the life of a firefighter.




Song of the Week: Kitten Air by Scott and Brendo

Cardiac Arrest

Hello All! just want to post this up so you don't think i have forgotten about you, my faithful followers.

It has been an interesting past month with me working mostly on my medic unit, i have run at least calls for 10 strokes that were legitimate strokes and not another issue, and have run quite a few car wrecks as well. ( I have taken a sabbatical from my law enforcement volunteering to build my resume on the fire side, i will continue to post stories of my law enforcement experiences as stories that i recall pop into my head, if you're interested in my fire stories as well let me know!)

I have been absent due to me recently assisting with a cardiac arrest of a pediatric patient, there is just something about seeing a child with so much ahead of them in life pass away that bothers me significantly. After seeing this i slowed down a little and stopped working calls for a few days in order to properly manage myself and work through it, i am no good protecting others and performing life saving treatment if i'm not squared away mentally and emotionally. I am comfortable saying now though that i am back on my game and ready to get back to doing what i do best.

Hope Y'all have had a good start to 2013, and please...do not call 911 because you got your fancy SUV stuck in less than a foot of mud...


--Burnout

Song of the Week: We Are by Hollywood Undead

Insulting your Medics...

Folks, it is never a good idea to insult your medical providers after they have just pulled you out of a multi vehicle wreck and are transporting you to a Level I trauma center... saying our driver drives like a grandmother and insulting me and an experienced paramedic who are working on bandaging your injuries, managing your pain level, and splinting your injured arm might make the difference between us attempting to gently roll up the sleeve on your very expensive jacket to inspect your arm visually before we splint it, or just cutting through said jacket with trauma shears.

In other news...

I ask you to keep the members of one of my Fire Companies in your thoughts and prayers, in the last few weeks one of our larger apparatus was involved in a serious car wreck which injured several members, and another member recently passed away in an unrelated incident.


Song of the Week: Perfect Life by Red

Sandy Hook

I thought it appropriate to be respectful and wait at least a week before posting again out of regard for the tragedy at Sandy Hook. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims and their families as they deal with this tough time, and for the Fire EMS and Law enforcement personnel who witnessed the horrific scene and must investigate it to discover the motives behind such an act.

I ask to all to not jump on the media band wagon, do your own research regarding these laws your politicians want to put in place. I found it totally disgusting that people such as Mayor Bloomberg were already attempting to turn this massacre as a justification for gun grabbing and getting on the airwaves before even all the victims were buried...

Out of respect for the families i will not debate my opinion regarding this tragedy at all, it is not appropriate to use 6-8 year olds deaths as political rhetoric, especially so soon.

To all, it may be difficult with this event so fresh in our minds still but i wish everyone a Merry Christmas, I and other first responders will be doing what we do best even though it's holiday season, stay safe, lock your doors, and pray for a White Christmas this year.

for this post i decided to end it with a quote in addition to the regular song of the week...
" Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first" - Mark Twain


Song of the week: Ain't no Reason Brett Dennen

Medical Provider

Officially passed my course to become an Emergency Medical Provider in my state and now have my card in hand. Looks like i'm moving up in the world...

On another note:

When on midnight patrol with an officer working the rural area of our jurisdiction, we came upon an extremely low hanging tree branch over the road. The officer then, i kid you not, pulls over, turns on his lights and pulls a hacksaw from the backseat and proceeds to cut this two and a half inch or so tree branch off the tree and toss it on the side of the road.

When i asked why the hell he keeps a hacksaw in his trunk he replied "cause the city maintenance guys ain't gonna do it, and we're out  in the countryside anyways"

While this was hilarious to watch the rural end is quite boring especially on a 10pm-6am shift, i prefer to run in the areas where every officer keeps a patrol rifle in their trunk and every call requires lights and sirens. Around other areas that morning were reports of shots fired and car pursuits while we sat relaxing and surfing the web...

Meanwhile...
 My Fire Company has been running fire calls like no other as of recently, we have so far worked in the past two weeks a fatal house fire, 6 other dwelling fires of sorts, and 3 significant car wrecks which all required transport to the nearest Level I trauma center (the highest level of care) and we have nearly lost a piece of fire apparatus several times to idiotic drivers when we are backing our pieces back into the station. It seems that an engine or a large SUV or pick-up truck with it's lights on is not a cue to stop your car and allow them to maneuver but to instead floor it past them, nearly severely injuring the driver of the fire vehicle in the process...

Song of the Week: Call You Out- Flyleaf

Gun Bills

As some of you may have been able to guess by now based on my earlier rants, i am a staunch supporter of gun rights, and the ability to carry a handgun, concealed or open by the the general public.

I have seen too many times where someone who was stabbed, shot, mugged, raped, who could have  averted this and put one more bad guy in the ground by simply being able to carry a handgun and being proficient in its use.

It irks me when i hear people argue for stronger gun laws after mass shootings such as Aurora, or Oakland. These men set out on a mission to kill as many innocents as possible, it is highly unlikely that tougher penalties and more guns being illegal would stop someone who is hell bent on mass murder. The only people it really hobbles are the people wishing to own a gun for collection,hunting, sport shooting, or home and public defense.
(important to note also is that every modern mass shooting has either occurred in a specific building that bans carry of firearms by the general public such as Aurora, or in a state or city that heavily restricts or outright bans concealed or open carry by civilians. If you are able to find of any mass shooting in the US recently that proves this wrong, please let me know, regardless the overwhelming majority fit in the category i stated above)

This is why the ridiculous attempt to jump start the Assault Weapons Ban bill again bothers me so much, it's as if they think in general also that the majority of crimes are committed with AR-15s and M1 garands and Saiga semi auto shotguns. Less than one percent of all crimes are committed with these firearms, the overwhelming majority are handguns, which are already reasonably regulated in the first place to keep felons and the mentally ill from owning them, while still making it possible for the general public to exercise their second amendment rights by owning them.

So there is my little rant for the day, after reading several stupid articles on the topic i felt the need to express my feelings.

Y'all have a good one, drive safe and please...don't call 911 at 430 in the morning because your CO2 detector is sounding, and you just forgot to change the batteries...

--Burnout

Training

i realize i've been absent a while, i've been quite busy lately due to numerous training courses i am taking for my fire company and the plentiful calls that have been run, be back soon with stories from my company and soon more stories of patrol again.
Till then, take care, drive safe, and please don't call 911 after 11pm for a stubbed toe...

Burnout

That Special Someone

Well it's official, Burnout has found a special someone!


now some of you may be asking "Oh Burnout, you're such a cynical, bitter and sarcastic human being! what besides a demon from the depths of hell could possibly like you!"

first, to that i say blow it out your A**, and second, the lovely missus happens to be just as cynical and bitter a human being as me, and actually rivals me in some areas.

Folks, it's never too late to find someone you care about so even if this doesn't end well we sure as hell are gonna have good times before it's over


Burnout

Song of the Week: Blind Man- Black Stone Cherry

Fire Activity

As some of you may be aware, in my spare time i am not just a volunteer for law enforcement... I also happen to be a volunteer firefighter, which brings a whole new set of frustrations and difficulties.
While on a call of a vehicle that had flipped on the road, i pulled the short straw and got stuck on traffic detail  as the state troopers got cozy in their vehicles. It is STUNNING to me how drivers see at least five flares, and a fire engine, an ambulance, several state troopers and a tow truck all with their lights on and blocking the entire road on top of which a firefighter in reflective bunker gear and waving a flashlight to signal them that the road is closed (me) they still roll up and say "hey can i get through here?" as if we are just gonna move our vehicles out of the way, or that because he asked suddenly the road will widen enough for him to fit his vehicle by...
*sigh* sometimes i just can't understand what people are thinking.

Song of the Week: Enemies by Shinedown