May 21, 2007

You can't teach an old dog...

I've been with my current employer coming up to 14 years in July, wow how the time has flown. In that time I have experienced many highs (and many lows), I've driven a pursuit car around a race track, been trained in pursuit management and obtained a licence to drive a police vehicle; fired handguns at the range; been a passenger in a twin engined plane flying over the city at dawn; sailed in a rescue boat with the marine unit on Lake Ontario; participated in the Mounted Unit's training by posing as a placard waving protester in a crowd - facing charging horses; worked with police dog services as they took down "bad guy" coppers wearing bite-suits; taken courses in everything from basic first aid to CBRN anti-terrorism; been on ride-alongs dressed in a bullet proof vest, in areas of the city where it simply isn't safe for a middle class white woman to walk after dark; worked as an acting supervisor and had access to areas and information that many people never get to see (or would want to see). I've received documentations, certifications, recommendations, citations and awards...

...but in all that time however I have shied away from one particular aspect of my job...training. For some "teaching" comes easily. I never felt I had the patience to train. I am too much of a perfectionist, impatient, nit-picking...I have no (zero, nada, zilch) tolerance for fools. I tried it once, close to 10 years ago...and I swore I would never do it again. With each new training class that came aboard I was asked if I would take a trainee...and each time I declined.

Until now.

My new trainee is a young man...late 20's to early 30's I'd guess, the standard "how old are you?" hasn't come up in conversation yet. He has gone through the standard 5 weeks of classroom training, and now has an additional 5 weeks with yours truly at his side, leading the way. We are currently on day 4...and either I have mellowed with age over the years, or perhaps this training lark isn't so bad after all, (Or perhaps I have just been blessed with a wonderfully talented trainee who is trying his darnedest), but I have yet to loose my temper, rip the keyboard from his shaking hands or drive home with a raging migraine. I'm trying to teach him the things that they can't teach in a classroom...how to read between the lines, how to listen to tone and hear what "isn't" being said, what questions to ask...and when...and how to use "life experience" to guide reactions and responses. Some of these things just can't be taught...you either "have it" or you don't. We had 6 trainees join us on platoon from the last training class in the winter...3 didn't make it through the 5 weeks with a trainer. From this last class we have received 5 trainees...already 1 of them could possibly be leaving us after only 4 days - thankfully (call me Mother Hen) it's not my trainee who is flunking.

By week 5 I may be ready to pull my hair out and deleting this post in disgust...but for now it's not that bad, not bad at all.

May 15, 2007

7 Deadly Sins (aka omg another meme)

Wrath
Who did you last get angry with? I get pissed off, annoyed, mildly miffed and royally ticked off... but rarely angry.
What is your weapon of choice? Oathkeeper with a mongoose enchant. :0)
Would you hit a member of the opposite sex? A loving "thwack" upside the head conveys so much. Forgotten anniversaries, birthdays, bah mitzvahs etc.
How about the same sex? Will there be hair pulling or mud involved? We might make a few quid.
Who was the last person who got really angry at you? Angry? At me?? *batts eyelashes innocently*
What is your pet peeve? Peeve free...other than spelling...oh and being late...poor language skills...oh and queue jumpers...ummm ...OK maybe not totally peeve free :0)
Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily? Christopher O'Toole - Roe-Farm Infants school - drop kicking my dolly down the playground...feels like only yesterday.

Sloth
What is one thing you're suppose to do daily that you haven't? Floss - I'm a walking ad for [bad] British Dentistry.
What is the latest you've ever woken up? 4pm (however I was working night shift at the time!)
Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't? My dentist...see above.
What is the last lame excuse that you made? Can't tell you as I will probably be using it again sometime soon.
Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through? Not much else to watch with no volume on pd11 at 4 in the morning.
How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock this morning? Zero (only set the alarm on dayshift).

Gluttony
What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?
I don't think Timmie's with 2 creams and 1 sweetner counts as "yuppie". Although Sally Struthers says I can feed a whole African village for $1.75 a day - so maybe it *is* overpriced.
Are you a meat eater?...*ahem*....
What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event? Who's counting? Who lost count? Guess I have to start over...
Are you comfortable with your drinking and eating habits? Paralytically comfy thanks! It''s all good.
Do you enjoy candy and sweets? I'm British...nuff said.
Which do you prefer: sweets, salty foods or spicy foods? See above.
Have you ever looked at a small house pet or child and thought, "lunch"? Only when I am dieting.

Greed
How many credit cards do you own?
1 - generally found curled in the fetal position and whimpering softly.
If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Can't get that BNL song out of my head now ...thanks a bunch!
Would you rather be rich or famous? Stinkingly, disgustingly, insanely, obscenely ...famous ...for being rich.
Would you accept a boring job if it meant that you would make megabucks? I don't believe the "two week notice" thing is actually carved in stone yanno...

Pride
What's one thing that you have done that you're most proud of?
Learned to dress myself.
What's one thing you have done that your parents are most proud of? Learned to dress myself.
What thing would you like to accomplish late in your life? Still be able to dress myself.
Do you get annoyed by coming in second place? Nah, everyone loves the underdog.
Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors? Racing against the under-5's in an egg and spoon race isn't as easy as it looks yanno....they cheat!
Have you ever cheated to get a better score? ....for the last time ...it was cold medication, not steroids...
What did you do today that you're proud of? Got up before noon.

Lust
How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies, family, strippers, locker rooms)?
Does it still count if the lights were off at the time? Cuz that's a whole new batch of therapy sessions.
How many people have seen you naked (not counting physicians, doctors, family, locker rooms, or when you were a young child)? See above.
Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a person of your chosen sex during a normal conversation? What kind of lefty liberal phrase is "your chosen sex"??
What is your favorite body part of a person of your gender choice? Is it too late to add "political correctness" to my pet peeve list above??
Have you ever had sexual encounters (including kissing/making out) with multiple persons? At the same time? Can you be more specific? Are you meaning an innocent 12yr old game of "spin the bottle" or are we getting all "alternative" with our "chosen sex" or "gender of choice" people???
Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute? Phew...finally a question I can answer.... NOPE.

Envy
What item of your friends would you most want to have for your own?
I want a coloured voice tube. *pout*
Who would you want to go on "Trading Spaces" with? Someone with good taste and excellent decorating skills. :0)
If you could be anyone who existed in the world, who would you be? Me. :0)
Have you ever been cheated on? Yes...word to the wise never play Monopoly with J.M. as the banker.
Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own? I always thought wings would be a nice touch.
What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself? The ability to resist doing surveys like this?

What deadly sin...
Do you do the most often?
See "gluttony"
Do you do the least often? See "lust"
Is your favorite to act on? All of the above.

May 13, 2007

ptd

Still a long ways to go... here's my progress to date (ptd).

December 2006.

DSC01598

May 12th, 2007

sue1

May 9, 2007

Checking in

I haven't posted much recently...frankly because there has been bugger all to tell to be honest. My life seems to be a roller-coaster at best and we are currently just doing that slow chug-chug to the top of the next big dip.

Life is just ticking along. Work is going well (I am on midnights this week...and to be honest my biggest challenge is figure out which day of the week it is when I wake up).

Starting this coming Sunday night we have 5 new trainees coming to the shift...and I have been strong armed into taking one of them. I've trained before...and hated it. Some people are born trainers/teachers, with the patience of Job himself. That however doesn't describe me. My one foray as a trainer several years ago was beyond stressful and I swore blind I would never do it again...however.... there is a promotional process due to start in the next year...and one of the "prerequisites" for promotion is that I have to have been an active trainer. Ergo if I plan on applying then I had best train a few calltakers. I feel sorry for my trainee...and hope the years have mellowed me a little that we can get through the next 5 weeks together intact and still on speaking terms at the end of it (unlike my last trainee).

The diet is still going strong, down a total of 43lbs now and working out every day - I'm still on track to meet my goal for Labour Day (first weekend of September) - so I am just ploughing on and loving the results so far.

From a "love life" perspective...h'mmmm. I am still seeing my little Irish cop from work - and he does make me smile - but I sense a certain "cooling off" period with him, so we will see where it goes. He's off to the States (DC) this weekend for the Police Memorial and then will be on leave for approximately 3 weeks, touring around, visiting cop friends, drinking copious amounts of beer etc. before finally making it back home to Canada. We'll see how things go whilst he is gone. Blogging about it period generally is the kiss of death on any of my relationships!

The boy is doing well (when I see him!) He's working hard, loving his new car and has quite the active social life. So far he hasn't met up with his father again, and has no immediate plans to do so - they seem to be content with the occasional email message or chatting on Facebook.

Spring has definitely sprung here in Southern Ontario...going from snow flurries and below zero temperatures just 2 weeks ago...to high 20's and our first Smog Alert of the year just yesterday. I am also sporting my first sunburn of the summer...pass the aloe.

May 1, 2007

One of those darned "meme" things....

Nicked shamelessly from Kevin C. (who is a twisted little kilt wearing freak...but a good egg all the same). :0)

1) Are your parents married or divorced? Ummmm...dead? (Which could be the considered the same as married).

2) Are you a vegetarian? No, but I did vote Liberal in the last election.

3) Do you believe in Heaven? Yes, and it's called "Cadbury's Dairy Milk".

4) Have you ever come close to dying? Probably, but not in a freaky "Final Destination" kinda way.

5) What jewelery do you wear 24/7? Rings, chains, earrings - too feckin' lazy to take it all off at night.

6) Favourite time of day? Shift change.

7) Do you eat the stems off broccoli? Bring on the french onion dip and I will demonstrate.

8) Do you wear makeup? Only on days that I don't want to scare small children.

9) Ever have plastic surgery? Do I "look" like I have ever had plastic surgery? C'mon! I'd be feckin' rich from suing his ass if that's the case.

10) Do you colour your hair? If I did I'd pick something nicer than "carrot red".

11) What do you wear to bed? Depends on the occasion. ;0)

12) Have you ever done anything illegal? Possibly filling out this "meme".

13) Can you roll your tongue? Around what?

14) Do you tweeze your eyebrows? Tweeze, pluck, wax...and then pencil them back in again? Nope :0)

16) Do you believe in abortions? No, they are figments of my imagination like fairies and pixies - duh.

17) Your Future child's name? I was thinking of adopting one of those kids off the telly - I think they come pre-named...like Cabbage Patch dolls.

19) Do you snore? Like a freaking freight train.

20) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? Any place with a 5-star rating and a half decent lounge singer.

21) Do you sleep with stuffed animals? Savannah's a wee bit pudgey...but I don't think she's stuffed.

22) If you won the lottery, what would you do first? Collect and deposit the cheque. (Obviously)

23) Gold or silver? Gooooooooooooold (credit to "Goldmember")

24) Hamburger or hot dog? This sounds like a B platoon bbq. Ummmm...hamburger please :0) wiv lettuce, tomato, a little onion, ketchup, mouse-turd, and relish...or if you have any of that Lick's "Guk" that would be good too. :0)

25) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chocolate digestives (with a cuppa tea for dunkin').

26) City, beach or country? Beach - preferably a British seaside resort, complete with deckchairs, seagulls...and the tempting waft of the chippy up on the promenade.

27) What was the last thing you touched? The keyboard (ha! thought you'd get me to say something incriminating didn't you?)

28) Where did you eat last? On pd16.

29) When's the last time you cried? 2 seconds after I started this meme.

30) Do you read blogs? Hell yes. Right bloody nosey parker I am, eh?

31) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex? Sure...costume parties are a blast!

32) Ever been involved with the police? Yeah, buncha freaks :0) hehehe

33) What's your favourite shampoo? Pantene...their conditioners rock too.

34) Do you talk in your sleep? I've never been awake to hear ;0)

35) Ocean or pool? Both! Waterbaby alert!

36) What's your favourite song at the moment? TBA - know the tune damned if I know what it's called! LOL

37) What's your favourite colour(s)? blue 'n' green...oh and black...ummmm....and ...feck, just give me the whole crayon box will ya?

38) Window seat or aisle? Window...I write rude slogans in the condensation.

39) Ever met anyone famous? Political figures sure...but no rock stars or movie stars.

40) Do you feel that you've had a truly successful life? They'll write books about it!

41) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? twirl, suck 'n' slurp :0) - dead classy me!

42) Barbara Walters or Oprah? The big "O". Bra size guru extraordinaire.

43) Basketball or Football? Proper English football! (and it's NOT called soccer!)

44) How long do your showers last? 'til the hot water runs out.

45) Automatic or do you drive a stick shift? Automatic...would love to learn stick though.

46) Cake or ice cream? Cake - preferably something chocolate and devilishly decadent.

47) Are you self-conscious? I can be at times...and other times I really don't give a flying fart.

48) Have you ever drank so much you threw up? *hic* I have had a direct line to God on the great white telephone on previous occasions, this is true.

49) Have you ever given money to homeless people? Homeless? Like that "Shakey Woman" scam artist in downtown Toronto? Who drives a BMW and lives in a fancy condo with a flat screen tv? Hell no!

50) Have you ever been in love? Yep - I'm a softy.

51) Where do you wish you were? In an English pub having a ploughman's lunch. Dunno if the ploughman would be too impressed though. :0)

52) Are you wearing socks? Yup, black ones...not very exciting is it? But at least they are clean.

53) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? Yup.

54) Can you tango? Ummmm....the dance, nope...the soft drink, sure!

55) Last gift you received? A travel mug...well it wasn't a gift actually, I have to return it at some point, but inside was a gift (nice hot cuppa tea)...oh, and a packet of Walker's Cheese and Onion crisps. (drooool). No, the crisps weren't in the travel mug too, they'd get soggy like that, silly.

56) Last sport you played? Put the unit on the detail (police version of pin the tail...) :0)

57) Things you spend a lot of money on? Petrol. Feckin' $1.05 a litre for gawd's sakes.

58) Where do you live? In my own little world at times.

59) Where were you born? Gawd is this thing ever going to be over? I am ready to cry again. I was born in Chatham...there...satisfied? Questions, questions, questions...forever asking questions.

60) Last wedding attended? L-o-n-g time ago (15 plus years maybe?) Been to more than my fair share of funerals lately. Guess the weddings will start up once our kids start getting hitched.

61) Favourite fast food restaurant? Wendy's/Lick's.

62) What did you do last weekend? Worked, went to the gym, played tennis - lol

63) Most hated food(s)? Brussels.

64) What's your least favourite chores? cleaning the oven, cleaning out the fridge, cleaning the litter box ...ok ....maybe just "cleaning" in general.

65) Can you sing? Yes, (you didn't ask how well though). :0)

66) Last person you text messaged? A tennis pro.

67) Last place you went on holiday? Cuba

68) Favourite regular drink? Tea/Coffee/and various alcohol related beverages :0)

69) what's a good question for 69? Ummmmm...Do you? lol

70) Favourite day of the year? Any day that I can have a good laugh with good friends. :0)