Today was my training day for the SCOTT air pac (face mask with air tank) for use in emergency/hazmat situations. Training it self sounded like fun but the day started out on an unfortunate note when upon getting to the car I noticed our license plate was missing. Grr. I was planning on getting NYC plates for the car really soon anyway so it wasn’t a huge issue, just an extra hassle having to go down to the 104 precinct and fill out a report. But because I had to be in training at 7 that had to wait.
The training it self was really cool. Guy gave us a short lecture and showed us all the parts of the tank and frame, then we went to the building next door and practiced on our own tank and mask set ups. Having never used an air tank before it was an interesting experience. After learning how to assemble, put on, use, and take off our tanks a few times we had a mini test (which is secret so as not to spoil it for anyone else 
) and then they had us all line up, in the full gear, and go outside. The wanted to see how we would do when we got our heart rate and breathing rates up, as they likely would be in an emergency, so they had us play some volley ball. Now just picture if you will 15 or so chemists and cops, in full face masks and air tanks outside trying to play volley ball. Good times. We then got fit tested and issued our own full face masks that can hook up to the air tanks, sadly I have to bring it to work, damn it! I want a gas mask at home, has millions of uses 
Hopefully I will get to go back for the week long hazmat training at some point, given the work I will be doing in the chem unknown/explosive unit it probably couldn’t hurt.
But all that matters now is that it’s Friday and for once I am not working Saturday! The girl and I don’t have any major plans so far, maybe a movie or something similar. Will be nice just to have a whole weekend to our selves.
Killer Bunnies »« Fire Car.
Saw this…well partial car…parked along side Forest park on Woodhaven Blvd. Must of happened some time over the weekend because I know it wasn’t there Friday. I really like the second picture which is of the engine, or rather what is left of it. Must of been a pretty hot fire given how melted even the wires in there are.
I knew throwing my old digital camera in my bag would pay off with some cool picts sooner or later.
Extra air…missing plates… »« Books!
Why do both Meg and I have to be so damn literate? After getting home from work today I decided to finally tackle our bookcases. We have three right now, all basically full, along with books on the bed headboard and…well everywhere else around the appt. To I took a deep breath and pulled everything down off the shelves until the entire living room floor was covered about 3-4 books deep. Slowly buy surely I sorted and was re-shelved everything…well almost everything…I did put together a book barn box for the next time we head up to CT. I really should put more in there but…well as you can tell from the number we both have, neither Meg or I can stand to part with our books. Looks like next up will be replacing the small bookcase with yet another tall 5 shelf unit from Ikea.
I truly dread the day we every have to move… :-/
Fire Car. »« Congratulations!
While talking to my mom last night I happened to look out the window and saw this:
I am no bird expert but I believe it is a hawk of some sort. It is hard to see in the picture but that is a pigeon he/she is chowing down on. I got to watch for a good 10 minutes or so before he/she grabbed the remains of its lunch and flew off.
Now granted the bird was across the way from me but even that far you could tell that it was a BIG bird. Hope our neighbor keeps an eye on her little yappy dog when she goes out to walk it, probably looks like a perfect hawk sized snack to my feathered friend her!
Congratulations! »« RIP Mr. Wizard
So ok the big news is that Meg and I are now officially engaged!
We just got back from our little romantic overnight trip up to Howe Caverns. We got the sweetheart package which gives you a room in the motel for the night with complementary fudge and champaign and an after hours “lantern tour” of the cave. So yesterday we drove up and had dinner at the restaurant they have up there, which was excellent. Then we met up with our tour guide and the 4 other couples and went down into the cave. The first leg of the trip they did with the lights on so you could actually see everything. Being geeks we both were loving the rock formations and stuff there was to see down there. After the walking part you get into a boat and they float you down the underground stream. Once you reach the end it’s at this point the lantern portion comes in. The guide gave us candle lanterns and killed the lights. After bringing us back to the boat dock he said we were free to make our own way back (there is a path so you can’t really get lost) by candle light. We walked along and when we got back to the area they called “the bridal altar” which is a raised platform that has a white stone heart set in the floor. It was at this point, standing on the heart in the dark with candle lanterns, that I took out the ring and asked Meg to marry me. (awww) I would of done the one knee thing but it was pitch black but for the candles, with a wet stone floor and I didn’t want to end up slipping and going head first into a rock wall.
Well needless to say she said Yes and now we are officially engaged! Though the most common comment so far has been “it’s about time”. But we are happy. No date set or anything like that, but we are in no rush!
We are back home now, and plan to just use the rest of the weekend to relax. I think we have had enough excitement for one weekend!
RIP Mr. Wizard »« As seen from the J train…
See on Jamaica ave on my way home:
Bridge/subway = 10 foot 4 inches
Tractor Trailer truck = um…higher than that!
When I was passing there were 2 cops trying to stop traffic to let the truck back down the road to a point somewhere where it could turn around.
Jamaica ave never fails to entertain, thats all I can say.
Cat cam »« Memorial Day Weekend
