One of My Favorite Things

I sat down (virtually via Skype) with my partner-in-crime, Happy Medic, to record another of our Crossover Show podcasts last night and before I knew it, his dulcet tones took me away.  Consequently, today’s post is going to be a short one, but I couldn’t let an amusing tale pass you by.

Today, I was driving northbound on Main St. when I saw a driver going southbound on the same street.  A quick look showed me he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt and he was on the cell phone to boot.  On go the lights, over goes the car.

MC: Do you know why I stopped you?

DW (Double Whammy): I was in the middle of transitioning to speakerphone.

MC: Well sir, it’s actually a hands free law, so you can’t hold the phone at all.  You are more than welcome to use the speakerphone so long as you’re not holding the phone.

DW: Oh. … Continue Reading

Starbucks and the Cell Phone Debacle

As is our usual morning tradition, a couple of the guys and I went to grab our morning coffee at StarPeet’s GrindHouse.  Yes, we get coffee.  Yes, we are working at the same time.  I don’t whine when my plumber or accountant drop in to pick up some caffeine.  What’s that?  They’re not at work?  Guess what…StarPeet’s is in my beat.  As is about to be exemplified…

We’re standing outside enjoying our cup o’ joe when I see a violation making its way into the parking lot.  The offense?  Talking on the cell phone whilst driving.  I motion to the driver with the international sign of hang up the phone.  Think of it as the inverted shaka with a downward motion.

The driver made eye contact with me and made her fatal mistake.  She. Kept. Talking.  My partner and I briefly looked at each other.  I resorted to a polite “Hang up the phone!” in the driver’s direction.  Nope.  She kept talking.  Now she was parked and getting out of the car.  On the phone.  Still.

Time to put on the SoulCrusher hat.  (We don’t have hats…but we have T-shirts and coffee mugs!) … Continue Reading

MC Gives You a Turn

Things have been a mite angst-ridden the past few days here at MCPD and for good reason.  The last couple days have taken their toll, if you’ve been paying attention.  While I take the day to be with my family, I thought it may be a good time to hear from my fellow bloggers and readers.

Now that summer is right around the corner (except in CA, apparently, where it freaking rained yesterday).  I thought it would be nice to give you all an opportunity to share some of your work with a potentially new audience.  Go back and look at your favorite blog post that you wrote this Spring.  What inspired you, entertained you, or made you proud? … Continue Reading

Another Loss for SFFD

I am saddened to report that Firefighter/Paramedic Anthony Valerio has passed after sustaining the injuries from Thursday’s tragic fire in the Diamond Heights district of San Francisco.

My heart and prayers go out to the men and women of the San Francisco Fire Department. Please know that we love you and support you. Be sure to reach out and talk to someone should you need it.

I have already been contacted by a number of different agencies about service arrangements. We will be there en masse to show our support.

Drowning Man Ignored by First Responders?

The other day on Twitter, I gave you two homework assignments.  If you’ve already read the following links, you get to move to the head of the class, brown-noser.  If not, don’t worry, there is still time!  First, read the media’s take here.  And here’s a bonus read I didn’t assign you.  Then, read Happy Medic’s take here.  Go ahead, I’m a patient guy.  I’ll go grab a beverage whilst I wait….

Back?  Excellent.

The media, in this case, was represented by Angela Hill with the Oakland Tribune.  Let me start by addressing Ms Hill.  You should be ashamed of yourself.  How is it that you can report on something like this and leave out some critical facts.  What facts you ask?  How about that the man was reportedly suicidal?  Think that may have played a part in this incident?  You bet it did.  Your column painted an unfair picture of a bunch of uncaring, apathetic louts that were either too scared or simply didn’t give enough of a shit to help this man.

I wonder if Ms Hill has ever fought a man in chest deep water.  I wonder if Ms Hill has ever tried to interact with an individual that is having seriously suicidal thoughts.  You know what Ms Hill didn’t include in her article?  Beside the obvious, I mean.  Any comments from “witnesses” about what the man in the water had said, if anything.    Did she interview police or dispatch about how first responders came to be notified of the man’s behavior?  Sounds like an unfortunately typical hatchet job by mainstream media. … Continue Reading

SFFD LODD

If you didn’t know what LODD was before now, consider yourself lucky.  LODD stands for Line Of Duty Death.

Earlier today, the San Francisco Fire Department lost, by all accounts, a fantastic Lieutenant in Vincent Perez.  Lt. Perez, along with Firefighter/Paramedic Tony Valerio (who is critically injured and fighting for his life), were battling a large house fire in the Diamond Heights district of San Francisco.  They, along with at least one other firefighter, were caught in a flash over.

As a reader in the comments has explained to me, a flashover is when everything in the room reaches its ignition temperature all at once.  I can only imagine it would equate to a massive ball of fire.

Lt. Perez succumbed to his injuries.  FF Valerio (at the time of this writing) is in an induced coma.  The third firefighter also suffered injuries, but is purportedly going to be okay. … Continue Reading

Shenanigans and Folderol Part II

Almost three months ago, I posted Shenanigans and Folderol.  Good news, friends!  Defcon has been re-raised to level 4.  I am reinstating all my previous content.  Some of you may be wondering a) What previous content? or b) Weren’t you writing a book?

If you asked “a”, you may surprised to learn that I’ve actually been blogging for three years and have 360 or so posts under my belt.  I took down the previous content by request (and a legit one at that) due to someone else’s ridiculous behavior that had less than nothing to do with yours truly.  Fortunately, that storm has passed and I feel comfortable re-releasing my previous posts.

Think of me as the Disney of blogging.  You know how they’ll release Bambi for like three and a half weeks, then yank it and “improve” it and then eighteen years later you get another crack at it?  Like that.  Speaking of which, I had to jump on YouTube to get the Zip-a-Dee Do-Da song.  Who can name the movie in which it originates?  Hint: Totally blatant racism, but with cartoons…so it’s cute.

If you asked “b” you are more than likely a delightful Canadian that has spent back breaking hours editing this stuff that, according to her, should be taken behind a wood shed and “beat down” for jumping tenses.  Well, to that I say, that will be painful wasn’t it?  Not to worry, dear.  It’s still in the works. … Continue Reading