To Act...or Not to Act

Probably a Dispatcher's worst nightmare.
Citizen calls and reports an officer in trouble.

You know where he is, you know someone is close, but it still doesn't keep your heart from plummenting to your toes.

But thankfully, this is not one of those which ends badly, everyone will go home at the end of shift, and in one piece.

Thank you public for doing the right thing this time. If only there were more who would act instead of turning a blind eye.

Rational/irrational...

Has anyone ever tried to reason with an irrational pissed off person? I understand that generally in this business most people aren't really being rational to start with but, there's always that chance that they are at least in full control of their mental faculties.

My question is, how does one handle an individual who is not in full control mentally, i.e. dementia or Alzheimer's and try to explain to them that there's nothing we can do?

Had a dear old gentleman last night who posed just such a challenge. He's in his 70's, a Vietnam vet and has dementia. He was understandably irate, yet he wasn't capable of being allowed to do what he wanted. I had no answers for him and it broke my heart just a little. But, it also made me think, can I handle that part of being a police officer? Can I make those calls with full faith that I'm making the right decision? It's something to ponder for me definitely.

I'm heading into days off, everyone stay safe and keep up the good work!

The white elephant.

Sometimes I like to combine metaphors. Emperors clothes and white elephants, things that need addressing but everyone ignores. Somewhere a power that be in our department decided there was a need for twice monthly meetings. I'm all for this if they would actually accomplish something. Otherwise the troublemakers continue to cause trouble and the followers still follow and the peacemakers still keeping getting their butts handed to them. It's a vicious cycle. Until yesterday.

I have more faith in my Lieutenant than ever before, sad I know. But maybe things may be changing for the better. It's going to be an interesting journey because I know he will be held to his word and I wonder if he's prepared for the consequences.

Determination

Some days I would love to just throw in the towel; tell college "I'm out, I've had enough".

The 12 hour shifts coupled with 5 days a week of classes which equal days of little to no sleep has definitely taken a toll on me, both physically and mentally. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however I don't know if April 20th can get here soon enough! After that, only 18 hours left to knock out then I can check off that Bachelor's degree from my bucket list.

I know, I'm mid-20's and have a bucket list, stranger things happen :)

It's early March, spring is starting to make an appearance, as are tornados.
So everyone out there, get your emergency kits together, don't forget batteries, water, (toliet paper)... you know, all the essentials!

Tell me again...

How do some people manage to survive infanthood?

I'm not a fan of Daylight Savings Time, mostly because I sleep during the day, but if it gives people to reason to ask more dumb questions then I'm game.

Friendly townsfolk: Can I ask you a question?
Friendly Dispatcher: Of course.
Friendly townsfolk: Will the time change change if we have school on Monday?
Friendly Dispatcher: ..... I don't believe it will affect it at all.
Friendly townsfolk: Okay, thank you.

Hmm...

Enchilada Recipe

It's sad...I needed to post an update so I could add a recipe :)

For the sauce, depending on the size or amount, 10 and less should be as follows:

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1-2 Cans of Rotel Diced Tomatos and Green Chiles (drained)
1/2 Cup of Sour Cream
Combine this in a bowl and season generously with your choice of seasonings.
I normally use, Chili Powder, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Garlic Powder, Tony Chachere's Blackening Spice or Creole Spice, Salt and Pepper.

For the chicken, I tend to cook it a little differently. I take a large pot and fill with hot tap water, (think dishwater too hot)
I then add 1/2 cup of chicken broth and the aforementioned seasonings to the water, let the water set for a few minutes, it shouldn't ever boil, then add your frozen chicken breasts to the water. This sounds unusual, but they don't get tough and they absorb all the seasonings.

When they are fully cooked, remove and let cool. When cool, shred and wrap in your choice of flour or corn tortillas, sprinkle with leftover chicken, some cheese, pour the sauce over, layer with more cheese and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Telepathy

I'm not a mindreader, people.

Get over it :)