1970 Cuda...on Steroids!!

1970 Barracuda

Just flipped on HD Theater, only to find one of my favorite cars I've ever seen on TV or in person being built on Rides.  Damn I love that car!

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely a Jeep man, but still have a passion for things of beauty like this.  I can only dream.

Byrge

Sunday Routine?

Morning started off like most others at 31's.  Came in, got my gear on the rig, checked over the EMS equipment and made sure everything else on the engine was squared away.  Just a normal start to the day. 

Having about 16 months out in the field now, I have gotten a good feel for a typical day at 31's.  A few runs during the day, and almost one after midnight.  But every once in a while, the locals in Lincoln Heights surprises me.  And yesterday was one of those days.

We were doing it!  We took a couple runs before the big one came in.  And I wish I meant big one as a large inferno.  Nope.  Call comes in as a "fell now stuck in porch."  Upon arrival, we find an extremely large man with a good cut to his leg...stuck.  We needed some help because there was no way we could handle this guy alone.  Turned into a HURT and Bariatric Response.  Was pretty interesting.  12's crew came in and took care of business.  They were able to extract him from the rotten porch and with the help of 10-12 guys, used a modified 4x8 to carry him to the cot.  It was an impressive run to have that good of coordination between everyone involved.

After that, we spent the afternoon helping some other folks out.  Babysat a guy who smoked some K2, but before we got back to 31's, dispatched sent us to a...wait for it....yep, a house fire on 25th and Lincoln.  Sweet!  We saddled up and flew down the avenue to supply Engine 23's.  Took a 2nd line off but didn't do anything with it.  We went up to the 2nd floor and pulled some walls.  The funny thing about this run is that dispatch stated there were multiple callers and person/people jumping from the second floor.  I saw the guy that jumped.  Wow.  He looked shitfaced.  And as I suspected, I found out he was.  My uneducated guess is that he fell asleep smoking on the couch.  Oh well.

The best part?  The night didn't even start yet.  Took a few more and then hit the pillow around 11pm.  Got a few hours of sleep.  Until we met Mickey.  After her, we got back to back garage fires off of 6th street.  Neither one was special, both fairly small.  Anyway, we finally got back to quarters and in bed shortly before 5am.

Like they told me coming out of the academy.  "31's, you'll see a little bit of everything."  Yesterday, we certainly did.  Looking forward to what's next.  Hopefully not another 700lb plus man though.

Byrge

Look Who's Two!

Another memorable day.

June 25th, 2011

Savannah,

It may seem somewhat redundant, but it feels like just yesterday we were celebrating your first birthday.  And now, you're two.  I was a little concerned with the weather the morning of your party.  Quite a heavy downpour it was.  But soon, the sun came out, your cousins Max and Cole arrived and off you went.  From playing on your new gift...the Little Tike's Rock and Slide play set to splashing water off over the place from the bottled water tub.  You got your grandma pretty good too.  I placed the tub just outside of the garage, and "BAM!"  You slammed your hand hard into the water that it looked like a fountain spurting out of the tub.  With her back towards it, your grandma got showered.  It was a well executed plan.  And of course, we all laughed.  Soon your party was coming to a close and after receiving numerous strollers, countless clothes and even a Woody doll from Dustin, we had to say goodbye.  After getting back from taking your grandpa home, I peeked in your room where you slept peacefully.  

Just a glimpse on your second birthday...

Love Daddy!   

Boys' Doing Alright

"Peanuts, $4!"

We couldn't stop laughing.  Carlos placed one of the vendors signs just below his belt and kept yelling out "peanuts, $4!"  With his accent, "peanuts" sounded more like....well, use your imagination.  Was quite hilarious.

Was our 2nd time participating in the annual Brewer game with 31's.  We had some laughs and some heartaches too.  Brewer's didn't play very well and lost to Tampa Bay 8-4.  On the flip side, it was nice to see John and the Lt.  Was the first time I've seen the Lt since the morning of the Lincoln Ave fire.  He looked a little older with a full goatee, but otherwise good.  Up and moving around.  Being one of my lead instructors at the academy, I was pleased to see how well he was doing.

Byrge

Where'd You Go?

This post is for you my little man.  I previously said I would write you and I don't want to be a father that is known to have empty promises.

June 14th, 2011

Good evening my little monster.  How you have changed so much the last few weeks.  For a while, you mother and I thought that you would be like me and take your time with things.  Well, we thought wrong.  Last week while in Las Vegas, your grandmother informed us that you started crawling.  Really?  You couldn't wait until we got home?  Oh well.  I'm not upset.  But now, when I'm at home with you and Savannah, I'll place you on the living room rug and leave you to play with your toys.  I'll leave the room for maybe three minutes and then "poof!" you disappear.  The funny thing about all this is that almost every time, I'll find you in between the chair and a half and the bay window. 

You know what else, you're almost eight months and still not sleeping through the night!!  Yet you surprised me again.  It was about 4am and you were upset.  Crawling out of bed, I found myself stumbling into your room.  And there you were.  Sitting up and as you glanced over at me, I swear, I haven't seen that big of a grin from you since you were born.  I just smiled, picked you up and gave you a bottle.  What a nice start to the day.  An early day at that.

Love,

Daddy

Well, almost midnight here at 31's.  I guess I should try and get some sleep.

A Letter to Savannah

It was needed.  With my feet up and head on a few pillows, I was recovering from a typical night in Vegas.  Yep, much drinking involved.  So we had the TV on and we're relaxing before we headed out for another night out on the town.  So what caught my eye was a commercial that depicted a child's events as they grew up using YouTube.  Both pictures and videos.  But was most unique of all was each one was written as if a letter to this child.  My wife and I both agreed how great of an idea that was.  So here today, I'm going to try and accomplish something similar.

June 12th, 2011

Good Afternoon Savannah,

How you amaze me sometimes is unbelievable.  Your mom and I came back from Las Vegas yesterday and when we walked into the house, you were still napping.  It was a good thing too because we were both hungry and brought home some Taco Bell.  But soon you woke up, and cracked open your door.  You saw us then smiled ear to ear.  You came over and gave us both a big hug.  It was nice to see that.  Also, you woke up smiling and not upset.  It was a wonderful welcome home.  

Then last night at Leif's graduation party, you and I played bags for a little bit.  One of your first tosses, you threw the bag overhand and made it in the hole.  But, after I applauded your effort, most of your other tosses involved you climbing onto the board and just shoving the bags into the center hole.  Then as we were saying goodbye to everyone, you were nothing but a ham.  Smiling and giggling, but better yet, you kept whispering and acting all silly.  Like I said, you amaze me sometimes.

Today I'm at the firehouse, and I look forward to seeing you in the morning.  Hopefully, I'll be able to put your birthday gift together.  The Little Tikes Rock Climber and Slide.  Happy early birthday.

Love,

Daddy

And no Reed, I didn't forget about you.  You'll soon receive a letter from me as well.

MFD Close Call

This past Friday, guys from Engine 31, my firehouse, were dispatched to a reported house fire on 15th and Lincoln Ave.  Upon arrival, police officers informed them that there were children trapped in the attic.  Right now I don't have any more details until what happened next. 

As the company was working in the attic, a door was opened and a flashover occurred, burning both Lt. Schutte and firefighter Kokalj.  Caught on video shows both individuals falling out of the burning structure through a front window.  "I was burning up."  At one time, they both thought that there 3rd firefighter was dead.  Fortunately he wasn't and was able to make it out another way.  Sitting here now, I just thank the Lord that they were able to get out alive.

The badge shown above is one used for firefighter memorial deaths.  Again, I thank God that the city of Milwaukee did not have to have this image posted anywhere because of this past Friday's fire.  This is the first time during my short career that guys I work so close to were in such danger.  What would I have done?  How would I have reacted?  I really don't know.  I guess that's why we put so much trust in one another to not let anything happen.  I mean, this was the crew that came in that morning and relieved me.  Kokolj brought in donuts for everyone.  It was a nice start to the day.  But I'm also glad that it had a decent ending.  No black badge to be seen.

Byrge

2011 Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2011.  Walked into 31's and was greeted by a bare chested man, who just happen to be my Captain.  "Matthew Byrge," he said, followed by "Or should I say HEO Byrge."

Yep, acted as the HEO this past holiday.  Was a pretty busy day, at least around meal times.  Took three runs while trying to eat lunch, followed by an afternoon lull.  Then once the evening hit and we were about to sit down and eat, again, we took three more runs.  Really?  It happens more often than not to Greg when he cooks.  Seems like half the time he's the chef for the day, we do not get a chance to sit down and eat peacefully.  Oh well, that's part of the job.  Kind of funny though.

Got the call last night that I'd be going to Truck 13 today.  Enthused by going up that way knowning that Engine 24 / Truck 13 is one of the engine houses I wouldn't mind working at once the next picking comes around.  Anyway, got to work and was bumped over to the engine.  Whatever.

Byrge