Dagny

I just got off of work...as a waitress. Don't ask. I'm a paramedic, though, or at least I worked as one before I moved to Florida. Since I'm feeling beat down by my shift today, I think I'd like to tackle the cons of being an EMT/Paramedic. Probably the biggest for me was achieving all I could as a paramedic. I worked for several years and had treated a wide variety of patients. I mastered my skills and felt there was nowhere else to go in the field except for a supervisor position. And I really had no interest in that. There is little respect for EMT's...we're frequently forgotten and not recognized as readily as cops or firefighters. Everyone loves a firefighter. (Me too...they're hot in bunker gear and sweat, but that's another story) You will always have to take orders from a physician. While your flexibility in the field may be great, you will still have to call to cardiovert someone or push morphine or do the things you know damn well have to be done. Sometimes, you have to walk a newbie resident through your patient report and ask really nicely just to get the orders you need. At least, that's what New Orleans is like. If you work for a city service that isn't funded well, you may have to deal with lack of supplies. This means you have to be really creative about how to steal things (oops, I mean borrow) from the hospitals and other emt's just so you can do your job. The job requires heavy lifting and given the number of obese people in the world, your back will suffer. EMS is hard on the body long term. There is frequent abuse of the EMS system. This means you may have to transport the person who has a cold or the patient who has a hangnail. These people could care less about anyone else in the world, so don't even bother telling them that when they ride the ambulance to the hospital for total BS it leaves their neighbor without emergency assistance. They won't care. (this tends to lead to the high burnout rate among medics) Some people will hate you no matter what you do or say. Life threats are not necessarily uncommon. You may be hit, slapped, scratched, spit on, peed on, cursed at, or threatened. You may be shot at. If you're lucky, the cops might be able to back you up otherwise you and your partner watch each others backs. You cannot control where you are called to work. Sometimes you will deal with nasty mean patients, doctors, nurses, or bystanders. You may end up in a project at night or a prison or a luxury home. Actually, that's a pro for me...I love the variety. Ummm...one more con. Sometimes you work your ass off and your patients suffers and dies and you can't do anything about it. And you feel like crying or hitting something. That's when you need your partners, and sick humor, and an after work beer to celebrate life...or making it through the shift alive. (like on New Years Eve...dangerous) Okay, wait...now it sounds like I'm bitter about EMS. I'm not. I loved it and miss it. The money was okay, I lived a decent life and I had enough to do the things I loved. EMS can totally rock your world. It is high paced, exciting, and allows you to treat people without a doctor standing over your shoulder critiquing you. You will be autonomous, essentially. You will save lives and that will make you feel great. You will comfort the sick and sometimes people are really nice to you. Your partners will become like family. Once you drive away from your station, you are free to relax in the area you work. This can mean getting something to eat or drink, shopping, watching tv, sleeping, reading, whatever. You can't find that in any other job that I know of. EMS is fun and unlike anything I've ever done before. I loved every minute of it and would do it again if I could right now. It sure beats serving food to people for just above minimum wage.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{VIBES VIBES VIBES}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} This is such a bittersweet moment....I'm sorry that you lost your job and have to look for something else, but I am soooo happy that you can start exploring other options! Come to Florida and enjoy that severance and the warm weather while you figure out what you want to do next!

Only one Becks in me....not pissed, but feeling mellow! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Good question! I don't have school or work on Friday and I want to get these coach jumps done. Is anyone going to be in Sebastian on Friday or should I seek sky elsewhere? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Hey, man, I watched you cutaway on that jump. You had a lot of factors to deal with and I firmly believe that if you think that chopping is what needs to happen then it is the right thing to do. Maybe someone believes they could have landed it on their rear risers, who cares? YOU were flying, you were responsible for your life and you had to consider a number of factors that would be affecting your landing. I, for one, support your decision. I'm sorry that you never found your main, pc, and freebag. For what it's worth, people tried to chase them down for you. Those winds were crazy! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

My engagement ended in 1999 and I held onto the ring all that time feeling unsure what to do with it. Keep it until you know you can get rid of it without regret (as someone above stated). Now, here in 2003, I'm selling the ring because I want a rig more than anything and it will help me get there.

That is a scary jump. And let me preface this by stating that I probably have no business commenting due to my low low jump numbers. HOWEVER, If you felt like you should have chopped then you should have. Hesitation kills. Gut instinct can be a really good and reliable friend. Your friend might have been pissed about a reserve repack. But, I dare say he would have been more pissed if you'd bled all over his rig after bouncing. And I'd rather share a beer with my friend who had a successful cutaway then toast my friend blue skies forever. Very glad to hear you were able to work it out at a decent alti and make it to the ground intact!

What?! Gimpy isn't limpy anymore! Yay! Glad to hear it's getting better...can't have my friends broken...that just wouldn't do! ***Now you just need to get your butt to TX and stow away in my truck for a road trip to the Holiday Boogie in Eloy. Hell, yeah, I do! *** Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I hate being in job limbo! That's what I consider the time between jobs and the time waiting for a layoff. Happened to me once and I moved afterwards. It turned out to be a good thing. I hope that's true for you as well! And, you're right about all the options available to you out there. Possibility abounds! ***I really need to take a week and think....so If I loose my job, I may be showing up at some nice warm DZ's in florida in the near future... Girl, if you end up in Florida you let me know!

These days when I want to get away from the "real" world, I drive to Sebastian. If I'm lucky, I might even get to skydive. Even though I only got one jump in this weekend, I wanted to say that it was one of the best weekends I've ever had at the DZ. I enjoyed meeting you all! So I just wanted to say a little something to everyone: Skybytch - You are amazing! The Drop Shop and the DZ wouldn't be the same without you. I feel like you are my mentor and my friend and I value that! Plus you have a completly smack-a-licious ass in Birdman Pantz! Wear them well... Skymama - You are so much fun to be around! You are such a dynamic person. I don't believe all that smack Brian keeps talking about you! Nightjumpr - The weather didn't cooperate, but your offer to help me through my A requirements was greatly appreciated. I only wish I could have gotten something (anything!) signed off of that card, but such is life. You gave me some great advice this weekend, thanks! (And, mea culpa for forgetting you in the original post!) SkymonkeyONE - I was lusting after that bike of yours, man....just thought you should know. Katiebear21 - Loved your video work and loved you! And you've got some mad skillz when it comes to the jello shot kiss pass. The111 - Your new rig looks sweet. Enjoy working your way towards 100! Aviatrr - You were the first dz.commer I ever met and one of my favorites! But I'm biased because you're an awesome guy and I realized that when I met you. Sunnydee123 - I cannot wait to jump with you one day! Thanks for the gear check in the plane. SkydiverBrian - I loved the shirt you wore on Sunday! Paramedic skydivers are damn cool... eeneR - Even though I didn't manage to get any closer to my A, I gained a friendship with you and that is way cooler (is that a word or did I make it up?). Can't wait to visit Chicago! I missed saying goodbye to you three : Stacy - My tent was humbled by yours. I'm still consoling it. Galen - I enjoyed meeting you! Jimbo - You are so much fun, dude! Come play in Florida more often. Oh, and my ass still hurts from your booty smack-ability! jceman and Lynn - It was great talking to you this weekend. Hope I didn't make you crazy while I pouted about being grounded! bendywendy - Amazing fireworks on Saturday! And those jello shots...yum! CanuckinUSA - You are such a hottie! Canada doesn't know what it's missing. Thanks for the landing pep talk! PLFking - I was really thrilled to add my signature to your logbook, thanks for including me! And I didn't see the PLF king PLF...what's that all about? bodypilot90 - Good to see you out there this weekend, too bad the beach jump didn't work out! Kolla - You rock! Thanks for the advice on the Wings container and canopies. Can't wait to get my demo on... Arlo - I so almost bought that helmet from you. Damn pretty navy Z1 that looked so good on me...damn high winds chasing me around Florida. How did I walk away??? JWVB - It is always good to see you on the dz! And, they're right...you're avatar doesn't reveal how cute you are in person! flyhi - Awesome pics of everyone...good job! Okay, I know this was long but at least my brain feels better now. I hope I didn't forget anyone! (EDIT - because, of course, I did forget someone!) Until we meet again, Missy

This weekend was really great for me, too! And I am sooo glad that I made the trip to Deland with you and eeneR. Besides the great company, it was cool to check out a completely new to me DZ and get a feel for the vibe there. I think I was spoiled by all the men holding doors for me...not that I'm complaining. And visiting PD and meeting Kate and Ari were very cool as well. Had fun watching your 12 way (or 10 way or 11 way or whatever it became ) form, too! I don't know if things happen for a reason, but it felt that way yesterday. Running late getting eeneR to the airport and her flight gets delayed...sweet! Deciding at the last minute to follow you to Deland and being there to help you get back home....awesome! I just have to assume that my being unable to jump despite my best efforts was meant to be, too. It definitely was a fun weekend!

Wendy, you are soooo right about those couches! Thanks for the offer! It'll be a lot easier for me to lay out a sleeping bag than erect a tent in the middle of the night. Cool, then I'll just go straight on to Hiram's...see you there!

Glad to hear the weather is looking good! Someone mentioned that it may be windy this weekend, does anyone know what the story is on that? (hoping, hoping, hoping for the weather to play nice!) EDIT: See that's what I get for missing page 26 of this thread. What can I do to appease the weather gods??? Guess I'll be bringing my bike in case I get stuck on weather hold. Oh, for anyone who is going to be tenting it on Friday night (especially if you're trying to sleep around midnight), I'm going to just apologize now. I bought a tent (cheap, but hopefully it'll work) and I can't get to Sebastian before midnight due to work. Sooo, it looks like I'll be trying to set the thing up around then using the headlights on my jeep to see. I'm not sure what's going to be louder...the tent as I set it up or me cussing at it. If I wake anyone up, sorry, but I'll make it up - come share a beer with me! Looking forward to meeting you all and having an awesome weekend!

I'm living in South Florida right now...and before that, Louisiana...and before that, Alabama....and before that, Mississippi. Does that count as a "real southerner"? (wait, I was a military brat, is anyone gonna discriminate since I'm a later-in-life southerner? I know what grits are...that should count for something, right? ) Oh, and I did read the rest of the post. Someone...anyone....stop the madness! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Wow, the family keeps getting bigger in each picture! Great pics! Makes me miss my nieces. They get big fast, don't they? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Now, THERE is a perfect example of comfort food! Anyway, for a cheap camera it turned out a nice quality pic....looks like a good buy! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

You know I'm interested! BUT, I just submitted availability to work (did I mention I found a job?) and, of course, I said I was available those days. Hmm...maybe I can fix that so I can take the course. Any way to get a deal on the gear rental for the series of jumps? The cost is killing me... Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I demo'd the gunner and it is extremely quiet. I loved it on the ride up for the short amount of time that I wore it and during freefall, but under canopy I felt like it was too quiet. So I demo'd the aviator and I liked that even better. It cut the noise down for most of the jump, but allowed me to hear better under canopy. While no one has had to yell to (or AT) me, yet, I want to know that I can hear them...even while blocking excess noise. And, contrary to popular belief, I am not planning on buying the Aviator JUST because that red pattern looks so damn cool! (Hmmm....Lisa, I may need to demo that helmet again this weekend....you know, to test it for .... ummm....noise level....right, that's it! ) Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

I think this is a great statement! I messed up my knee when I insisted on attempting to stand a landing during AFF after a very poor (read: miserable) landing approach. It hurt and the jury is still out on whether or not I'll need surgery to repair the mistake I made, but I learned a really important lesson about making a PLF when it's necessary. And, given the nature of most of my landings (one stand-up out of 22 jumps), I can say that I'm getting a lot better at PLFing. Perfect that first and then worry about standing up...unless everything went well and you can stand it up...if that's the case, then go for it. Learning to skydive is kind of like learning to walk as a toddler...you're gonna have to fall to learn how to stand. Just do it right so can get up, dust yourself off, and manifest for the next load! Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Sweet carving job on that pumpkin! And the costumes look awesome! Who is on the far left in the group picture? (Oh, and Vic dressed as a fairy has me ROTFLMAO!) It's *almost* Wednesday!!! I am soooo looking forward to this weekend!

Definitely share your pics! I don't know how you do it, I'm practically putting on body armour to roll over six inch drops when I'm mountain biking. Oops, sorry, apparently I'm not allowed to call it mountain biking since I ride in South Florida! Seems there are actual mountains or something out there somewhere...who knew? Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Now I don't feel so bad that I couldn't make it to Sebastian over the weekend...even though it's fun to watch everyone jump in squirrely winds! Oh! And where are the pics of the award winning carved pumpkin????

Oh yea!!!! I need a good weekend of fun and nig noggery...... Can I hear an amen for that?! WOOHOO!!! Sweet, sweet Monday...I just passed my physiology exam (did better than I expected, too!) AND I start my new job today!

Call manifest! Wendy is da bomb, as are all the other cool manifest ladies, and they'll fill you in on the dz camping policy. There is a sign that says all campsites or campers or something like that must be registered at the manifest, but I'm not aware of having to reserve space. There's a lot of available space....well, maybe not so much if there are a lot of those special, two story, pool in back, everything but the kitchen sink condo-tents ()! Seriously, though, no worries, mate...you won't get turned away at the door. (or parking lot...whatever the case may be!) Take me, I am the drug; take me, I am hallucinogenic. -Salvador Dali

Just so you know, I was being facetious about biking being safer than skydiving...