September 24, 2011

Fallen Axe Update!

After pulling the JK into the barn, we got talking about Jeeps.  And yes, how much I adore my Wrangler.  Then, a little light turned on inside my little pea brain.  A year ago today, is when we first brought home my 2010 Steel Blue Metallic Jeep Wrangler.  Can't believe it's been a year.  Quite a few changes have been made over the past year.  And this past week, there was another.

Long story short, Project Fallen Axe has some new shoes.  Tires that is.  And well, they're really not new either.  But to me they are.  Nate called to inform me about some used BFGoodrich Mud-Terrains, slightly used, for $100.  In 255/75/R17 none the less.  Exactly the size I wanted, for now.  Thanks to Corky's Tires in Cedarburg.

She's almost perfect.  Perhaps a few other minor details need to be added.  Still need a matching spare for starters.  Other than that, I'm at a loss.

Byrge

September 22, 2011

Damn Blanket

"Early in the morning, risin' to the street"

Ok, so I really wasn't singing Sublime, but it was early in the am and off we went.  Working some OT at 31's, call came in as difficulty breathing.  Sure was!

Guy was slouched over next to his bed.  Very dusky too.  Oh boy, thought we had a PNB.  Not quite, but close.  I've never seen that bad of respiratory distress.  Perhaps in the ICU, but never out in the field.  Anyway, after we placed him on the stair chair, we starting working towards the door of the bedroom.  Now the blanket that was underneath him kept getting caught up in the wheels.  Sounds mundane I know, but important here.  As I picked it up.....WHAM!!!  The guy was slouching so far over the side of the chair, we slammed his face right into the side of the wall.  Oops.  A few moments later we were downstairs and placing him on the cot.  And guess what, he was coming around.  Funny to think that maybe it was him getting his face planted into the wall the helped him wake up.  Positive note though is that he was making an impressive recover from when we first got there.

And right after this run, took another where a baby was just delivered.  Got there, and yep, kid was there.  Extremely hairy little boy.  Anyway, I'm guessing the dad wasn't medically trained because he told us that after the baby came, he was trying to pull the umbilical cord out.  Really pal?  Anyway, boss cut the cord, got things stabilized and then they were off.

Was nice to have two legit runs during the night.

Byrge

September 18, 2011

Nothing in the Tank

Got a few miles from home and felt like garbage.  I just had nothing in me for the morning ride.  Don't know why.  Body exhausted from being at Bally's the two previous days perhaps?  Anyway, westbound to Oak Leaf, south to Forest Home then returned home.  Still no heart rate monitor.  Would have been nice the last few days just to see.  Oh well.

9-17-11
0.58 minutes, 13.46 miles, 13.7 average

Byrge

September 17, 2011

Simple Plan

Did those guys have any idea that they might not go home that day?  I can't imagine.  Getting off the rig, looking up and seeing so much smoke bellowing out of those towers.  You just wonder.

Standing on the ground where so many people perished, was a humbling experience.  My wife and I were there to honor the fallen from ten years ago.  It was an emotional, but good trip.  At the church across from Ground Zero, there was a book where people could write in.  Sheri suggested that I not read it only because she caught a glimpse on one excerpt that stated "I miss you daddy."  Hearing that I could only think of our two children.

The plan is simple.  When I work at Luke's, short visit to Bally's prior.  Started yesterday.

9-16-11
five lap warmup
hammer curl
overhead db press
shoulder press
upright row
squat
leg extension
leg curl
arm curl
arm extension

Felt good yesterday, today legs are sore.

Byrge

September 15, 2011

Back at It!!

With no overtime available today, I made the best of it.

Been a few weeks since I've done any pushups.  Yeah, I guess I fell off that wagon and straight done a freakin' cliff.  Ever better is that I haven't seen the inside of Bally's in months.  At least I've been doing a little back at the firehouse though.  May not be much, but some. 

Well, after the trip to New York, things are going to change.  And it's starting today.

Two hours maybe.  That might have been my goal.  Discussed with my wife of how I can be a better firefighter while in the city.  Guess what, getting back into shape is just one of the many pieces of that puzzle.

9-15-11 1.50 minutes
five lap warmup
db bench
db fly
db single arm row
bench press
incline row
decline bench
calf raise
pectoral fly
lat pulldown
seated row
chest press
farmer's walk

I hate running, but know what good will come out of doing it...
- one mile timed - 9.51 minutes
- one mile with intervals timed - 8.26

Byrge

September 13, 2011

Tears in New York

How many times have you been asked?

What were you doing on the morning of September 11th, 2001?

The past few days have been quite emotional as we embarked out to New York City to honor those who lost their lives ten years ago.  Everywhere we saw signs of patriotism.  And signs of support. 


Look familiar?  How about Ecto-1 running out of this house?  Walking towards Ground Zero we just happen to come across this firehouse...Hook & Ladder 8 of the FDNY is actually stationed here.


It never crossed my mind while I was there to wonder how old the church was.  And on 9/11, it stood its ground as the world across the street came tumbling down all around.  Here are some tombstones just west of the front doors of St. Paul's Church.  I was offered to place a ribbon with a small, heartfelt note anywhere on the grounds that one day will be part of a quilt.


Took the boat ride to see The Statue of Liberty up close.  The city's size is impressive.  The tallest building in this photo is the new Tower 1 of the WTC, still under construction. 


Just inside the doors of FDNY's Engine 8, Ladder 2 and Battalion 8.  One of many memorials we saw that weekend.


Just around the corner from Engine 54, Ladder 4 and Battalion 9, now stands a memorial fountain with the names inscribed on the sides.  Spoke with one firefighter from this house and was told that they lost the whole Battalion that day.  Sad to say, I'm sure they weren't the only one.

Just a glimpse of our trip to New York.  I guess I'm not surprised how just a short visit could inspire someone to change things about themselves.  I pretty much did the day we arrived home.  Thank you New York.

Byrge

September 8, 2011

Travel Day

Take the good with the bad.

With the start of our vacation, we got to General Mitchell maybe a little earlier than we should have.  But we didn't care.  We were on our way to New York City.  Our "scheduled" departure time was 1244pm.  A two hour flight and boom, we would be in the Big Apple. 

Yeah, that all took a shit quickly.  We ended up waiting until almost 4pm til our flight actually took off.  Damn, we spent almost six hours in the airport.  Ahh, but soon we arrived.  I'll tell you something.  LaGuardia is no General Mitchell, that's for sure.  A very cramped airport right on the bay.  Seemed dirty too.  Oh well, grabbed our stuff then a cab and over to Jersey.  After checking in at the Holiday, found Houlihann's for our 9pm meal.  Burger and fries.

Hoping to get into NYC at 4pm and possibly see some sites turned into a very long travel day.  But it's gotten much better.  To be continued...

Byrge