As long as I’m feeling sorry for myself (’tis the season) and missing various things (like folks I haven’t talked to in a long time), I might as well whine about something else. When I left my old department for the one I’m currently working for, I had worked on the bomb squad for five years. I don’t regret leaving for the new department; I think it was the best move.

But I really miss working on a bomb squad.

My current department doesn’t have one. I think it should, given that in the year and a half I’ve worked there I’ve responded (without the proper equipment) to 2 bomb threats, 2 hoax devices, and three actual devices. Money, of course, is a big consideration. It takes around $250,000 to equip a small bomb squad, not to mention salary and training costs. This is a small county, with limited resources.

But I still miss working on a bomb squad. It’s a challenge, trying to figure out what’s in a given package, how it was designed, and how to render it safe; without being able to directly see inside it or even touch it. It’s a mental challenge, as well as a physical one; the suit weighs 80 pounds and wearing it for even short periods of time is exhausting.

But I really miss it.

‘Cause I need a vacation. Taught a 2-day radar class and three defensive driving classes in addition to creating a teenage driver safety program over the last two weeks; and today I get one day off before working 4 12-hour days. Then a week off for xmas. Perfect excuse to spend some money on myself, right?

Well, not exactly, because the realities of owning a new bike are coming home; need $130 for that all important first service (around $230 if a valve adjustment is needed). Plus running out to get a torque wrench and a 22mm and 24mm socket for adjusting the chain, which has stretched amazingly in the first 600 miles. I don’t mind doing service myself, but I’d rather the dealer do the first service- haven’t bought a service manual yet (another $60).

Well. Maybe I can squeeze some cash out of CT, who had me working on his website while everything else. Humph.

…with a lot of people I know. Reading Timber’s reply to my ‘blog post made me think about all the folks I haven’t talked to in a long time… Coyote, Timber and Fox, Smash, Pinky and Bow, Wontalla, both Dreamwolf’s, Rowan… the list goes on. If any of you are reading this… I miss you folks, and hope you are doing well…

Started getting a sore throat on the ride back from Orlando, which developed into one of those persistant but low-grade cold-like things that never makes you miserable enough to justify taking sick leave, but hangs on enough to annoy you. I taught a basic radar class yesterday and today, and all the talking hasn’t helped my throat any… and I’m supposed to teach a defensive driving class tomorrow. Not looking forward to that.

And the county had another fatal accident yesterday, just down from the traffic office, ironically enough. I don’t know what number that is for the year, but it’s probably too many no matter how you look at it.