- Teddy Roosavelt
Ah, the best laid plans of mice and men, how they sometimes go awray. Nothing like a little mis-quoted Shakespear to express oneself. And real quickly, before we get going, it is "theirs but to do and die" not "do or die". It is from "Charge of the Light Brigade", a great poem and one of the most misquoted pieces of litereature out there. Ok, we'll save the rest of my language/literature rants for another day, back to the story.
As I was saying about rodents and such, I had planned to go down to Phoenix last weekend, see Gurg, call Reneee, see the doctor, etc. Then we got a dispatch. To Northern California. But the funny thing was, we didn't know where, they just told us to start driving and call North Ops when we hit the border. Sounded a bit fishy to me, but what do I know. So call we did and they didn't yet have a plan for us, so we were told to call when we hit Reno. So I managed to convince my engine captain to drive the US 395 road up the east side of the Sierra Nevada, one of my favorite drives in the country and scene both of an infamous mountain climbing/road trip after high school with Gurg, and my migration to norther Cali when I first began my fire career. So needless to say I was boring the shit out of my crew with my reminising. We stayed the second night on the road in Reno, where I learned to play black jack and failed to learn how to play craps. Anyway, after driving 3 days (and a quick "lunch" side trip into Yosemite) we arrived at the fire camp, a sprawling afair home to about 1300 fire fighters. With these camps, what was once a vacant field in a matter of a day or two becomes a small town with its own security, supply, water, showers, laundry, mess, mechanic, fuels supply, etc. So we spent about 3 days on the 4000 acre Sims fire, and when it was controlled they sent us home. 3 more days of driving, but with nights in Reno and Vegas. Oh yeah baby, you can bet I played some black jack. Now although I finished the trip down abut $35, $100 of that came in about 15 minutes at the craps table, so in black jaclk I came out ahead. Plus, I know I spent at least $35 in tips to the dealers and cocktail waitresses. Now figure all the dozens of free drinks, and I see it as breaking even, learning alot while having fun, and drinking for free on the house. Not a bad trip, considering the government was paying for room and meals. So I had a descent dispatch, made some descent overtime, had fun gambling, but missed calling Renee (I did leave a message on her cell, from a pay phone in Lone Pine, CA), missed hanging with Gurg (sent a postcard), and had to reschedule the doctor. And I missed the Chris Ledoux/Clay Walker concert this last friday to. But that's the way it goes. The real bummer is that Mel heard I was out on dispatch and didn't figure I'd be back to meet her on her way through town on the 9th, so changed her itinerary and instead was 300 miles away when I got home. Can't blame her though, after living with/dating a firefighter for years she knew that the odds of me returning in time were pretty slim under normal circumstances. I didn't even expect to make it and was standing in line for the phone (1 phone, 1300 firefighters, *&^%$!!) to tell her I wouldn't be able to make it when I heard we were being de-mobilized the next day. So once again, any sort of finality or closure or goodbye is avoided, though this time to our mutual regret. But as she said on the phone this morning, it might be better this way; it just menas we get to make plans to see each other again some time. I don't know about better, but it will have to do for now.
" But on you will go though the weather be foul, on you will go though your enemies prowl, on your will go though the Hakken-Kraks howl. Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak." Some old Doc Seuss for ya till next time. Jared
Something happened. Well, several things actually. First, I got two days off. In a row. This hasn't happened since early May, and it felt nice! Seond, I arrived home at an almost empty house. Mel was gone, Nic was gone, and in there place were two empty rooms and some unidentified tupperware in the fridge. So that was weird, but kinda nice having my room all to myself. Third, I went out to the bars and at Charly's was a cool funk band and I no sooner walked in and bellied up to the bar before turning around and seeing a gorgeous girl sitting next to me. I asked her to dance, which we did, and being new to this whole "single" thing and fairly inexperianced with meeting random people at bars, I was astounded when we ended up talking and dancing all night, and at evening's end she gave me her number, on the inside of a matchbook cover no less. So that was neet. Then (fourth) I went climbing in Sedona on Sunday and did a super cool spire out side of town. All was well until the gal I was climbing with took a big ( we're talking like 40 feet) whipper near the top of the second to last pitch. She was shaky and banged up, but in good condition considering the massive fall she had taken. We climbed another pitch, and ended up bailing about 25 feet below the summit due to weather concerns, time, and her condition. But a rad climb overall. Fifth, and less exciting but still cool I got some film developed with awesome fire pictures, which now that I can set up my computer and scaner hopefully I'll be able to post before long. And lastly (and maybe bestly) I bought a ticket to the Bahamas. On Hooters Air. Yes that's right Hooters Air. Only catch is that the flight leaves from South Carolina, so you know what that means: road trip. Now those that know me know I harbor a secret Jimmy BUffett fantasy which involves living in a sailboat and sailing all around the islands. While time and travel (and money) restrictions will lilkely prevent this from turning into the full fledged deal, I look at it as a trial run. You know, see the country, learn how to sail, buy a boat (hey, you never know...) . At any rate, I don't plan on disapearing just yet, or at least no more than I currently do. Till next time, keep the wind in your sails and your lime in the beer. J
Yesterday I said goodbye. Sort of. We never were that great at making anything resembling a clean break; she doesn't leave for 3-4 days and then will be back on the 8th of August to visit friends, and I had to be up early this morning precluding some sort of definative point of farewell. So instead we stalled yet again and said goodnight rather than goodbye. I do entertain hopes, as does she that while this is a significant end of an epoch sort of deal, it will not be the end of ouir friendship and association. Truth be told, we are better friends now than we have been in probably a year, possibly more.
And not to be overshadowed too much, a good friend and good tenant is moving out this week to, Nic Hageman is off to pursue adventures in Hawaii for a few months, though we all hope he'll be back in Flag this winter.
Fire season moves steadily onward, now in the throes of the monsoon and all the associated lightning. With up to 20 or 30 incidents per day on the forest and one or more for my engine alone, that is alot of fires to name. While generally named for geographical features near the fire, you can only have so many Turkey fires, or Ridge fires. Actually you can only use each name once per season, that is why this year we have chosen a Star Wars theme; so far I have been on the Skywalker fire, the Yoda fire, and the Darth fire, with other engines also joining in with Wookie, Jedi, and Ewok to name but a few. To suggest a name, or to say hi in general, send me an email! Until then "May the roof over our heads never fall in, and the friends beneath it never fall out."
J