Still Here

Hey Everyone, If you came across this blog in hopes to learn about Antarctica Life, Welcome.
I'm not sure about what else I'll be posting here in the future, as you know, life is always too busy. Enjoy the older posts about Antarctica, The Antarctica Fire Department and my time there. If I feel inspired maybe I'll post some stuff up here. Otherwise consider this a time capsule of sorts I suppose.

To catch you up with my life: I'm still on Engine 3, I work for Cataldo, now on the side, and Engine 3 is still the busiest engine in Newton with over 2200 calls last year (2013). I miss my time in Antarctica and I hope someday to go back. 

Vas up

So I've been working for about a month or so. And it has been really awesome. I don't know if I can express how happy I really am, so take my word for it. It is great to finally be settled in a full time job, as much fun as being a contract worker down south was. Working in Newton is great for many reasons, I like working in a familiar area and the group of guys on my shift are really awesome. I don't know the future of this blog, I know I mention this often. I think that is because in this day and age of technology and the way the media works that having a blog is slightly dangerous for public service people.

Not to go off on a rant, but I have noticed how the public and the media are defiantly double edged. Especially the media, I think it is because the business that they are in is so cut throat. I think that in Boston, this is really relevant. Especially when Boston FD was going for a contract negotiations, the media were quick to criticize every little move that the Department made. I never thought that it was quite as cut throat, but I guess that is life. Oh well. So because of this, I will have to think more carefully before I post anything...no different from my time at Pole, I suppose.

But enough of that. I'll give you guys the general update. I work on Engine 3, which is the busiest engine in Newton.We have been running a decent amount of calls, and I am learning, which is always exciting. No major fires or pranks yet. So we'll see...I also enrolled into a Fire Science Program at Middlesex Community College, I figure it would be good to have. So That is pretty much everything that is going on. I'll now spend the rest of the post explaining these photos. Take Care.



Our Ambulance service is contracted out to these guys. Ironically or maybe coincidentally, they are my other jobs rival. Unfortunately Action didn't win the bid for Newton, back in the day. That would have been good for me. But like I've said in the past, it doesn't matter what uniform these guys wear...Everywhere are the same clowns just different circus. No offense Action or Cattle-do...But it is nice to work with these guys and dispel any rumors that often plague the ambulance industry.




Here is another shot of the Engine. It is a little old, but it gets the job done. Newton is going to be going for Pierce Fire Engines from now on, so this E-One is a rarity. Not bad though. I do enjoy it. It isn't as loud as the Pierces that we had in Antarctica with the dog house engine in the passenger/crew cab.

Photos

Here are some photos of what I'm doing, maybe I'll post some reflections someday soon, for those of you who are still reading

Engi3ne Station 3

So I graduate Friday from this 12 week program at the Brookline Fire Academy. I'm excited to be finally done. While I'm sure not many are reading this blog, as I haven't really updated. I figure I'd place this up here just to pass on the word to people I'm not connected via email or facespace. I'll be working Station 3-Engine 3 in Newton starting Sunday. The station is in Newton Center, and it is the busiest station in the city of Newton. I'm excited. Our class of 22 are all graduating, 13 of them going to Brookline, 1 to Norwood, and 8 to Newton. It has been fun and I think we are all eager to get out and start work. Take Care everyone. I'll upload photos from my graduation later.

Updates, plugs and the future...

So once again I am here to update the general world...and maybe my followers(?). Sorry for the lack of updates, I'll cover that towards the end of this post..

Lets Follow the bullet points shall we?

Newton FD: I am officially hired and start next week.

WHOA, not bad. I've been on the list for 4 years and its very surreal that I'm actually going to be working with them. The application process was not too bad, though the psych test was interesting. But I proved to them that I am crazy enough to run into burning buildings. I didn't care much for the guy giving the tests. I'll be looking forward to talking to the other cadets and seeing if they have the same opinion of him as I do. I start next week, then I'm off to the Brookline Fire Academy on the 10th. Should be a fun deal.

General Update: It is good to be back in the United States, though I do miss my ice friends. And also how simple the ice life was. But I've been doing my best to re-adjust to this "post-ice, pre-real world life". I've also been spending money, so if the economy improves...consider it on me.


The Future: Notice how I wrote this slightly out of order from the title of this entry...yea I'm sly like that.

So I'm not sure on the future of this blog. I haven't decided if I want to post things while I'm going through the academy...and what-not. I think about this often so until I make up my mind...I'll keep it open and online. So really it is going to be no different than it currently is; updates from time to time, and maybe a change in its overall mission. I mean I am long since post ice, and I don't plan on going to Iraq/Middle East on a contract job, so you can forget that possible chapter. So stand by to stand by...we'll see what the future has in for this blog.

Plugs:
Since my blog's own future is up in the air...you should spend some time to read these blogs. They are blogs of my wicked good friends, so feel free to bring some traffic there:

http://241fire.blogspot.com/2010/04/washing-my-hands.html

-This is Corey Walsh's Blog, he is currently on the ice...spending the winter on the FD. He is a local Mass boy, and on the Fire Department...so I think you guys can enjoy his blog as well.

http://apeacecorpstale.blogspot.com/

-This is Aliya's Blog...she is going in the Peace Corps in Ghana for the next two years. While it is hard to say how often it will be updated. She is really intelligent, well spoken and no doubt her experience will be rich.

http://gentlepup.blogspot.com/

-This is the blog of my former Captain, my first year on the ice. Matt Shields has a decent blog that I often visit. He lives in Alaska and he is a major Saints fan...It is hard to write a blurb on what his blog is about...but I say it is a good read.

http://web.me.com/meganonefive/LiveItUp/Welcome.html

-This is Megan's Blog...she and I worked together at the South Pole. She hasn't updated her blog recently...ahem! But she has some great photos up there, so if you aren't sick of NPX (South Pole Stuff) you can stop by and visit.

Now if you want a plug...I'll edit this and place you in this list of All-Stars.

I hope you all enjoyed this post. Feel free to comment or email me. If you have HBO you should check out "Treme", its an amazing series that I am getting hooked on. Stay Safe and Take Care y'all.

Quick update

Hey y'all. I've been back in Mass for the past two weeks...just to catch you all up: I interviewed and was offered a position on Newton Fire! I just have to take a Physical test and a psychological test this month. So yea, I've been running around a lot catching up with everyone. That is the tough part, but I'm doing my best. I'll keep you all posted and have a cool closing Antarctica chapter of my life up here wicked soon. Take care and stay safe y'all!

short movie

This is a short clip movie that I made when I got bored on my last night at the Pole (aka NPX)
Enjoy...I made this in like 2 hours, yay Communications Major!

Okay...for some reason blogger video crashed...so here is the youtube version:



and the youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLZ1W-G5004

Hopefully this works now...