Tuna Melt

Dinner time once again.  What will we make this time?  Hmm....

2 cans of Starkist tuna
1/2 cup mayo
1-1/2 tablespoons pickle relish
1/2 chopped onion
4 slices of cheese
8 slices of bread
Goya adobo seasoning to taste
paprika to taste

Mix tuna, mayo, pickle relish, onion and seasoning in a bowl.  Butter outsides of slices of bread and place on griddle.  Add slices of cheese and top with tuna mixture to cover bread.  Place other bread slice on top and grill to golden brown on both sides.

Made these this evening for the first time.  Really simple to make, especially with kids running around the house.  Served with Mac N Cheese and nacho cheese chips.  Quite the "cheesy" dinner.  Definitely do this one again.

Byrge

Day One

First day on the truck went well.  Went over the truck and most of the tools that we carry.  Took six runs.  A few false alarms on one lady who fell down in her apartment.  We walked in with many tools because we assumed that we would have to force a door.  Luckily, there was a Knox box that we were able to use to gain entry. 

With some help from the Captain, I was able to change over my front piece to Truck 14.  So shiny and red and new.  Can't wait to get that thing a little charred up.  It's too clean right now.

Byrge

Tricolor Salsa

one red pepper - finely diced
one yellow pepper - finely diced
one serrano chili pepper - take out seeds and finely dice
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons minced shallots (green onion)
1-1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.  Variation - add 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil instead of the cilantro.  Great with Tostitos Artisan Roasted Garlic and Black Bean chips.  Enjoy.

Byrge

Many Days

It's been 715 days since I received my Engine 31 badge from a buddy at graduation.  I've seen and learned quite a bit working on the engine.  Now time for a change.  Switching over to Truck 14 on Monday.  Can't wait.

Savannah,

The day that Chris handed me an Engine 31 badge, you found yourself in a little trouble.  Nothing major.  Just the fact that mommy hand to take you out of my graduation because you were bleeding from the mouth.  I really don't know what happened, but I recall watching mommy carry you out the side door.  And you were not a happy camper...

But that was almost two years ago.  And since then, you've grown into this little girl.  At times, like a little princess too.  Like how you sleep with so many blankets wrapped around you.  Lately, you've been making mommy and I very proud by learning to use the "tool-l-et" like a big girl.  Sometimes, without asking, you'll run in there and take care of business.  I'll come in to check and with a big smile you say "I go potty!"   
Being at the firehouse at nights can be rough because of how much I miss playing with you and Reed.  But each night I'm home, I enjoy our little time it's just the two of us.  From playing with your puzzles or reading a book, it's one of the highlights of my day.  And soon, I think mommy and I will be upgrading you into a bigger bed.  And possibly changing your room.  Which means no more rocking chair.  You see, your room still has that baby feel to it.  You're a big girl now.  You deserve something more.

Love Daddy!!

Last day at 31's..

What a great day of eats.  BLT's for lunch and pizza for dinner.  Add in those damn peanut butter cups and suddenly I'm in need of a larger set of pants.  Oh wait!!  I have sweats upstairs.  Problem solved.

Took our average of 6 or 7 calls.  Smoke assignment over on 9th.  Opened an apartment door and found a pit bull wanting to come out and say hello.  "Be a good boy, be a good boy, be good boy" crossed my mind as we entered referring to the dog.  He was thankfully.  Anyway, found some burnt hot dogs left on the stove.  A bitter smoke that charged up the whole apartment and hallway too.  Last run came in just before 600am.  Small car accident that took out an electric pole.  No major damage or injuries.  Back in Engine 31 one more time. 

Byrge

Oberon Design

Oberon Design Nook Tablet Cover - Hokusai Wave

Twenty-nine different print options with three colors per made the hardest decision just which one to choose.  And I was a little timid on spending the $67 for the case.  Perhaps that's why it was difficult to select just which one. 

My case arrived yesterday, coming all the way from Santa Rosa, California.  And as I opened the package up, I was quite pleased with the contents.  The leather was much thicker than I anticipated.  And now, when I'm using the Nook Tablet as an actually e-reader, I almost feel like I'm holding onto a hard cover book.  And honestly, that was my biggest concern with the Nook tablet.  It almost felt too fragile without it.  Now, I don't have to worry about that.

A very pleased customer with another made in America product.

  

Byrge

Glazed Chicken Wings

12 bone in chicken wings

1/2 cup of honey

1/2 cup of BBQ sauce

1/2 cup of soy sauce

Mix ingredients together in a bowl then marinate wings for at least 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and place wings in a glass pan, either 9x9 or 13x9, and bake for 60 minutes.  Flip wings at 30 minutes.  Enjoy.

Byrge

Mayhem

You may not know him by name, but he stands for Mayhem on the All State Insurance commercials. His real name is Dean Winters. Well, with that, we had a run earlier today that could have been portrayed in one of those commercials. Was quite unique.

Call for a car fire comes in, on southbound I43. As we enter off of Becher, we notice a large plume of smoke up ahead. We pull up and a black four door midsized sedan is burning up pretty good. We use the trash line off the front and take care of business. Moments later, the fire is out. But here's the funny part.

In front of the drivers car was a truck with a trailer that looked like someone was planning on moving. What had happened is a mattress fell off the trailer and got wedged underneath the front wheels of the sedan and caught fire. Mayhem commercial first came to mind when I heard of this. And better yet, the car was a rental. Which the driver actually did take out the additional insurance.

Like many other runs we go on, you just can't make up this stuff. Here's hoping for a quiet evening.

Byrge

55th and North Ave

About eight blocks away, I could see the cloud of smoke that engulfed the area around 55th and North.  Let's just say I got a clear view from the officers seat. 

We staged and then meet up with the IC for orders. Chief asked who the boss was and I reluctantly raised my hand and responded "Acting."  Operations was going defensive and with that, he asked us to replace a small handline on the A-side of the building with a big one.  So we grabbed a 2 1/2 inch line off of 13's and got it in play.  With all the lines operating, the IC then asked us to supply 34's.  This building was getting pounded with water.  So much, that the basement was almost completely filled.  There were two aerial master streams, and at least two big lines flowing.  Dave and I, working a big line in the front, were getting pounded with the putrid smoke that was bellowing out.  Reminded me of getting smoked out at the academy.  Eyes were burning, and so watered up.  Only this time, I probably should have been masked up.  Still fun though.

Suddenly, my helmet goes flying and I get punched in the chest and pushed back about 10-12 feet.  Quickly I realized that it was an aerial's master stream that took me out and like a turtle on its back, I saw that I was still in the stream's path.  I scrambled to my feet and ducked behind Truck 9.  Did a quick self assessment, making sure I was alright.  Shortly, the ISO came over and asked who got hit.  With a quick laugh, I acknowledged that it was myself and informed him that I was ok.  After a little while, Truck 13's HEO came over and asked who got it?  Replying with a smirk, "Me!  I already got my year on.  I got the whole getting wet thing." 

"Not by me."

"Well, take that one off you book then!" I joked.

In due time, companies were finally able to re-enter the building.  We assisted checking for hot spots on the second floor along with dumping more water into the basement.  Before long, I overheard the IC state that he wanted the building taken down on the fact that there was still fire somewhere.  Either in the basement or just below the first floor that we could not get to.

We were released a while later.  Happy to go home, and somewhat satisfied how I performed as an Acting Lt. for the day.  Arriving back to 11's, it was after 8am.  Finished up a few loose ends then took off in my mighty blue JK.

Byrge

Who's the Boss?

Walked into 11's expecting another mediocre day in Bay View. What I was not expecting was to be asked to act as the Lt. for the day. Long story short, I excepted the generous offer of $3 for sodas for the day from a truckman to sit in the front seat of Engine 11.

Not too much going on in Bay View as the day progressed. Took our first squad run early in the afternoon. Then, nothing until we transferred into 21's quarters around 9pm. After returning some 45 minutes later, I was tired and got ready to turn in for the night. Perhaps another squad run, maybe two, but nothing else is what I was expecting for the night. Ha! Little did I know.

Took another squad run around 2am. Nothing special. We got back to quarters, finished the report and crawled into bed. "Damn it!" I thought as I heard the printer going off again. But no tones. Another transfer, this time to 32's. Was almost 3am.

As we pulled up to 32's we heard a call for a 2nd Alarm from North Ave command. We didn't get a foot out of the rig when dispatch notified us to respond to the fire on 55th and North Ave. Off we went.

More to follow...

Byrge

Nook Part Two

I'm pleased. In an earlier post, I was disappointed with my Nook Tablet that I wasn't able to post on my blog. Well guess what? I've found a way! With some more tinkering on Blogger's site, I discovered that it was just a simple change from "Compose" to "Edit HTML." How lovely.

And just the other day, I viewed a movie for the first time on my Nook Tablet. Was enjoyable with my only complaint would be to have a little more volume. But hey, I'm still finding my way around this damn thing. Again, very satisfied with my purchase so far. Even ordered a leather cover from California. Custom made in America. Should be a week or so before I see that. Pictures to be added upon arrival. Soon.

Byrge

Changes

With a new year comes hopes that changes can be made. That perhaps one can change how they once were. Sometimes, old habits are difficult to over come. But with help, hope and the right mindset, one can change. I, like many others, want to change certain aspects about myself. Easier said than done. But with determination, changes can be done.

The past few days have been difficult. I speak of changes, and my family was hit with a large, unexpected one. Our day care decided to close its doors for good and gave us only a twelve hour notice. Quite concerning considering my wife and I both believed that Children's Creative Corner would be part our of kids childhood until elementary school began. We were wrong. Suddenly, we're scrambling to find a new daycare.  Long story short, we found one that our kids will hopefully enjoy. With our kids best interest in mind, we believe that Innovation Station will be the right choice for them. They start Tuesday. Fingers crossed for the biggest change yet for our little monsters.

Byrge