Photo proof

A couple of pictures from the class, as promised.


This one was an absolute blast. We were put into a bullet-proof vest (normal cop type, not ceramic plates), a MOLLE vest, and another vest, masked, and blindfolded. We were given an M4 airsoft rifle, and then timed as we negotiated a maze that'd make any fire academy proud.

After locating our medical supplies in the maze, we had to climb into the box and intubate the patient. This would be when the picture was taken.





This picture was taken earlier in the week while learning new ways to cover open ground while approaching a building.

Class Completed

Another class has come and gone. Once again, I'm sore, bruised, worn out, and lovin' it.

I won't go into too much detail, but I will ALWAYS recommend this course to anyone acting as a tactical medic, or anyone on a swat team. You will learn the intubation, IV, and suturing skills(and more), but you will also learn movements and practice some other things.

I don't have an exact count, but I took a few airsoft rounds, and have some nasty bruises from some of them. I have scrapes all over from getting tangled in thorns this morning during a scenario. My abs are so freakin sore from trying to cross a river on a rope with only a harness and a carabiner (no pulley's here, unfortunately). I'm gonna crash hard as soon as I finish writing this.

It'll be a few days at least, but as soon as I get the pictures, I'll toss up a couple. The stuff we got into was too much fun not to share at least part of.

The class was geared towards making us better so we can help out and step up as adjunct instructors. It was also trying out a new format and new set of scenarios and rules for future classes. Everything seemed pretty successful.

The first 3 days of class were early morning until late night. Thursday started at 10am, and finished Friday around 7am. A few of us went to eat afterwards. I was home, in bed, asleep, by 10am. I woke up shortly after 5.


By the way, any police officers or firefighters out there with a K9 that can track want to come to the class to help on one of the days? Your K9 will get to track at least 1 person and we promise a challenge.

Email me for more info on the class or if your K9 tracks and you're interested.

away for a week

Sorry folks, I'm attending more tactical medic training all week. Hopefully will be returning to my "normal" lack of posting soon.

Assuming I can get a pic of me doing something without revealing who or where, I may throe up a pic soon.

Blue Ridge Parkway Trip

I'm a slacker, I know. Here's a couple of pictures from my trip last weekend.


This one was taken at the Tanbark Ridge Overlook, obviously. It had started to rain, so we stopped to put on rain gear. Or just a jacket in my case (I'd grabbed the wrong pants and they're a couple sizes too small). I snapped the picture just before hopping back on the bike and leaving.




This one was taken on the way up, at the Richland Balsam Mountain Overlook. It's the highest point on the entire 469 mile parkway. With a backdrop like that, I can only wish I had a better camera.

Motorcop and 2WheelTerror...eat your hearts out!

In case you're wondering about the bag strapped onto the back seat, I decided to pack everything into the bag and not in the saddlebags. The reasoning was that it'd be easier to carry my clothes and all into the hotel. It worked out great.

On the way home I crammed everything into the bags though, bad weather was in our forecast.

When we first hit the road, it was nice out. The longer we rode, we got into the clouds, literally. I was a bit worried, I'll admit it. I was following fairly close behind my dad and visibility was around 100'.

After 45 minutes in the clouds, I was more than excited to be out of them after passing through another tunnel.

We stopped at Mount Piscah for lunch. The view! Holy hell it was awesome!! Apparently, I lost a highway peg somewhere between Little Switzerland and Mount Piscah, because that sucker was GONE when we got ready to leave. Oh well, it was loose before and I guess I didn't get it tight enough after all. I've already got the new pegs, skulls. The bike has skulls all over, both in actual HD parts, and all over the paint job.

The only problem I had on the trip, other than a severe case of numb-butt while racing bad weather home, was a HUA driver less than 3 miles from home.

I'm cruising along, feet propped up on top of the crash bars. This charger (I think) wanted to change into our lane from the left, but me and dad were too far along for him to get over. So he tries to come into the lane directly alongside me. I held my lane and opened the throttle a bit more to help him get the idea that he wasn't gonna fit ahead of or with me.

He slowed down just enough to not hit me as he got behind me, then changed to the lane to my right and was quite obviously cussing me out, and my dad once he was alongside him, all the while with his window down.

Not that I could hear him over my own pipes.

He took an exit ramp and as I looked over, he was still cussing me out. I try not to let road rage get to me, but when he flipped me off I couldn't help but do the first thing that came to mind.

It's so much more fun to signal to someone that they're a retard than to flip them off. Sticking your tongue out works too. It's such a silly move and their responses vary from shock to fury.

Acting a fool in traffic (especially around motorcycles) is such an idiotic and childish move, it's not even worthy of a middle finger.



Of course, don't get me started on the HUA crotch-rocket bikers. I can think of a few I'd love to strangle.

2 days

18 tunnels (twice)

552 miles

6,047 ft elevation

At least 16 hours on 2 wheels


Went on an overnight ride with my dad this weekend. The main point of the trip was heading up the Blue Ridge Parkway, and spending the night in Little Switzerland. It was my first long trip and my first overnight trip out on the harley. I've got a few pictures I'll try to post in the next couple of days.


The highlight of the trip (other than the views), was this conversation between me and a drunk guy at the bar last night.

Drunk Guy: So, tell me what it's like to ride on the back of a bike.

Me: I dunno, I'm on my own bike.

The guy's jaw hit the floor and it was obvious he realized he'd just taken a bite out of his shoe, even in his drunken stupor. I thought his wife was going to fall off her stool laughing. My dad thought it was pretty damn funny too.

Happy 4th of July

Grass Fire

Not really too much to it. There was power out to 2 buildings nearby, and I would wager that the electrical box started the fire.

No damage other than to some nearby bushes and a lot of pinestraw. The fire was close to a concrete parking deck, but there was little threat of exposure problems there.

We dropped an 1 3/4" handline and easily put the fire out and drenched everything with tank water. Right as the last bit of fire was put out, radio called us and said the caller just called back and said we passed the fire. Ummm, no, we just finished putting it out.

It was funny when it happened at least.

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In other news, I've got nearly a week off from work. I'll be working half a shift as payback for a friend soon. Then, working a 48 hour shift the first of next week, I'll be paid back in a couple weeks so I can attend another class.

I've spent my offdays so far staying at a friend's house. She had surgery and I've been keeping an eye on her/keeping her company/just being here for moral support. I've also been out to the barn to work with my knucklehead horse. I finally learned how to properly lunge him, and we have some work to do!