Hook em' and Book em'!

Well, I hit the pavement running and haven't stopped! I started out riding with a young officer that has been with the department for 9 years. The one thing that I definitely need to get used to is getting up at 4am in the damn morning! I worked over 20 years from 3:30pm till 3:00am. I am so not used to the morning time but I have to say, it sure is great to be back out doing what I love.

I made my first drug arrest when I spotted a couple homies sitting in and around an abandoned car. I walked up and saw one of them slide something under the seat. You don't have to be out of police work for too long to remember that's a clue! I got him out of the car handcuffing him for my safety. As he is getting out of the car he tosses something back into the car. This would be clue #2. I snatched up the other guy just for him standing there looking stupid as if I was doing something illegal. When I start to handcuff him, he starts sweating profusely, this would be clue #3. I asked him if he had anything illegal on him, anything that would stick me or any bazookas? He of course said the proverbial “no”. When I start to pat him down for “Officer Safety” he starts squirming like he had ants in his pants. I'm feeling pretty good about myself now. Oh yea, hook em' and book em' baby! I pull out 7 small “Nickel” baggies of marijuana and about $300.00 dollars in the old 5's and 10's, shocking I know. So he was stuffed in the back with his partner in crime. A check of the car found more marijuana, scales and tons of baggies. He wasn't planning on selling of course, no, he's just a really organized pot head. I have to say I was pretty excited only because I was doing police work again and not sitting in a courtroom reading a book. They were released the next day on bond but I could careless cause they will be back another day.




The pace of the job is something that actually has been a welcomed relief from my days in the busiest zone in my old department. I would check on and the dispatcher would be holding 35 calls. Now, I might handle 35 calls in a week. The really great thing is that I work 2 days, off 2 days, work 2 days, off 3 days. I only work 2 weekends a month which still allows me to enjoy time with my sweet girl. We do work 12 hours but the time goes by pretty quick. I am learning their system fast I think. They have a very different computer reporting system that has been a bit troubling but I am getting used to it. They told me that I would probably have to go through the entire 14 week training program due to my 28 years of prior experience. I was told by the Chief that he was going to tell the Sheriff that they are wasting time training me and that they should just cut me loose because I do have so much experience. I am all for that but I'll tell you this, I am lost!!! I have never been in the area so it is unnerving trying to navigate. I am planning on buying the best GPS money can buy, so if any of my fellow bloggers can recommend a top notch system let me know!!!

Aza is just as beautiful as ever of course. She is taking great care of me making sure that my uniforms are clean everyday. I just can't brag enough about her, she's amazing! So I can't complain when it comes to my personal life, it rocks just like my girl...

We had a very sad case of a missing 7 year old little girl very close to here. This last Monday she was walking home ahead of her siblings and just disappeared. The thing that really disturbs me is 10 days prior a 5yr old child in the same small town, 2 blocks from where this little girl disappeared from was almost abducted by 3 people. The agency responsible for responding to that attempted abduction didn't warn the school or parents in the area so no one knew their children were at risk. The child was rescued by a passerby, a good Samaritan that got involved and stopped these sick bastards. I just feel that this should have been broadcast in the media letting everybody know that somebody was out there trying to snatch kids up.

At 4:15pm yesterday the Sheriff of that county held a news conference and broke the news that her body had been found in a Georgia landfill. Please tell me how somebody could murder child, throw her in a trash dumpster and go on about their day? What a sick society we live in guys!!! It's been said that the 3 suspected in the attempted abduction are not responsible for this recent abduction and murder. I just can't help but think if the citizens knew what had happened, this little girl might be alive today. This is not the 70's folks, there are sick, perverted people roaming the streets. Please take the time to take your children to school. Make a plan with your neighbors to be at the bus stops when they get off so these innocent children don't have to fight for their life. If your not doing this now, you need to start. Just imagine if it were your son or daughter missing. Please love and take care of your children, be a responsible parent and do the right thing. God Bless all of you and your children.

I'm Out And We'll Talk Later!!!

Back on the street and lovin' it!

Well it has been a long time coming but Big Daddy is back pounding the pavement!!! Yea baby, I'm putting bad guys in jail again! Yesterday was my first day back on the street. It started with the swearing in ceremony at 8am. Aza and her dad were there and that's all I cared about. We all walked into the Sheriffs office where I received and gave the oath. After that the Sheriff handed me my badge and said congratulations and welcome aboard. I was so pumped and excited. The best part of all for me really was that Aza pinned my badge on for me. I can tell you that I could only hope that some of you have a support system as good as I have. I just can't brag enough about her and words really aren't enough to fully understand the depth of love and respect I have for her and her dad. I call him dad because in my heart he is my dad. I go to him for advice and he has and always will be there for me and his daughter. I got a text from him later in the day that just simply said, “I'm so proud of you”. It doesn't matter how old you are those words meant everything to me. The really neat thing was that Aza said it to me as well just prior to that. Like I said, what an amazing support system.

So they left and I got the grand tour of the department. It is very organized and well put together. I had to laugh though, I walked around there for 2 hours and they hadn't given me any ammunition! I felt like Barney Fife for sure! I did finally get 48 rounds of 40 caliber ammo so I felt complete and ready to go.

The department had a policy on tattoos that if they were visible they had to be completely covered. Well I had no choice so I showed up with my entire right arm covered because I have a full sleeve (from the top of my shoulder to my wrist) tribal tattoo. When my F.T.O. showed up I noticed that he had a half sleeve and it was uncovered. I said, “Hey, how come you aren't covering your tat up?” That's when I heard those beautiful words!!! The Sheriff changed the policy. Wooo-hooo! Let em fly, so I did. I immediately hit it off with my F.T.O. He looks just like me, shaved head and tats. I got in his car which is a K9 unit. They have non aggressive K9's that are drug, bomb, etc. dogs which is cool. Of course as soon as I got in there that bastard starting passing some serious gas. This dog sh@t on me all day and laughed about it, so did his daddy. Whew it was bad, but God was it good to be the POLICE again. I had to laugh at my first call- a horse running loose! Are you kidding me really?!? Okay, so we didn't find lil horsey running around but hey, it was a call. We handled some domestics which are all about the same anywhere you are. Then the first alert tone came at about 1230, accident on the interstate, over turned van with serious injuries. Hell yea baby, lights and siren!!! Now its been awhile but I remembered how to yell and scream at stupid idiots that panic when they see a police car coming. So after sorting through a few F bombs we got there to find a van full of guys all cut up, bruised up and scraped up. Of course no one was wearing a seat belt. Making things even more of a pain in the butt, they were all Mexican and none of them spoke English. One of them had a right arm arterial bleed and massive blood loss. There were several paramedics there so no need to get bloody. I finally felt productive again and respected. We really only provided traffic control for the Highway Patrol but man did it feel good! We left that and handled a few more calls ending the day with me actually handling another crash but this time the at fault driver had a suspended license and a warrant. Jackpot! I get to put an ass in jail again! Man that was fantastic!!!

I was welcomed with opened arms by everyone. I was respected by command staff as well simply because they know that I have 28 years of experience. I was treated like a man again and not like somebody that just can't do any better or make it on the street. I know with time and learning their system I am gonna love it! The best part is I get to share it with my girl who is the love of my old ass life. I know I have a lot more days behind me than I do ahead of me but I sure am excited about sharing it with her and all of you again! I'm Out And We'll Talk Later!

I'm actually updating my blog!

Well I can't believe it but I am actually sitting down in front of my computer and composing a post.

Since my last post in January I am indeed alive and very well, of course please don't think that it has all been a bed of roses. I told you that I had plans of going to a smaller department. That has now evolved and taken shape however, it is not with the original choice as previously planned. I had to change that plan simply because of the greedy nasty ex living in that county. It was truly a great choice and one that I feel was right on time. I will be starting as a patrolman on October 5th and I am very excited. I went yesterday to get my identification card and a number of other necessities needed to do the job that I absolutely love. Aza went with me to get my uniforms sized and ordered. Thanks to her a size 38 in the waist does not fit anymore so I had to get a 40!!!!!!!!! I am not happy with that but boy do I love her cooking! Speaking of Aza, wow what a woman and best friend. It has been quite a year, she has been right there beside me supporting me all the way. It's such a great feeling to have unconditional love, respect and support from somebody that asks for nothing in return. Let me explain and share just one thing.

On July 17th I was at work and received a message from a co worker to call my attorney. This was 11am on a Friday. I called and was told that my greedy ass ex-wifes attorney filed a motion that was signed by a Judge stating that I was to pay him 5 thousand dollars by noon or turn myself into jail to serve a term of 180 days. I of course threw a fit but had to quickly compose myself. I immediately called Aza who in turn went right to work (she works best under pressure.) Within 45 minutes she had 5 thousand dollars waiting for me to pay that unethical bastard. I was floored by her offer but not surprised. I told her I wanted to go by my bank to see if they would give me the money so I didn't have to burden her with all that. Amazingly even though the ex has systematically attempted to destroy my credit, my bank came through for me and I paid the bastard. Now, here's where it gets unethical. Not only did I have to pay him 5k, he put in the order that I was to pay her another 1 thousand a month on top of the 3 thousand she already gets because he said that I was almost 17 thousand dollars in arrears from back bridge the gap alimony that I failed to pay. I was livid as was Aza. I immediately called the depository and was told that I owed absolutely nothing and had a zero balance. I called my attorney and am still waiting on a court date. Needless to say the nasty ex didn't get a penny. She was also supposed to give me the car back in February, I still haven't received it. We filed a Motion for Contempt. Why should I have to comply and she doesn't?!

The alimony is suppose to end this month but they took it out of my check again, so I am praying that it ends by my next check. I am so sick and tired of this woman that I could just throw up. Oh, I forgot she conned another dumbass like me to buy her a new car. She is driving a brand new 2009, while her daughter I am sure is driving my 2007, which I am going to trade as soon as I get it. So as you can see after all that my girl has been right by my side.

Aza has really kept me busy playing golf. I can safely say that I probably played over 50 rounds of golf this year. I am shooting in the low 80's now on a consistent basis and Aza is shooting in the 90's. I am so proud of her, she practices so hard and really tries to improve every round we play. I'll tell you what I absolutely love about her. I will get off work and come home to find her decked out in her golf gear looking adorable telling me to get dressed it's time to play some golf. I love that!

I had to put my dog to sleep that came with the property I live on. I cried like a baby. I was just devastated but it was time, she was 16 years old and very sick. Aza is a animal lover as you know and found a beautiful Shepherd/Collie mix that was chained up in the back of a yard for 4+ months, we went to see him and I fell in love the minute I saw him. He has fit right into the family. He is house broken, great with the kitties and is very handsome. So you can just see how happy he is that he has a solid home and people that love him.

Here's Gunny...

As far as the current job goes I have really enjoyed my time at the courthouse and really it was the right thing to do at the time. I have made tremendous contacts. I golf with Judges, go shrimping with State Attorneys at another Judges house which I took care of for 10 days while he and his wife were at their house in North Carolina. I have made wonderful friends that I hate to leave but it's just not for me. I am good at what I do and what I do is police work not sit around on my expanding butt behind closed doors everyday.

So I was playing golf with Aza a few days ago and my phone rang. I saw it was the other agencies number. I answered it and it was the Sheriff calling asking me if I was ready to come to work! I of course said yes, when and where. I had to do another physical and drug screen to be updated. I was at the golf course day before yesterday with Aza and the phone rang again. This time it was the Sergeant in charge of Human Resources. He said, “Are you ready to start work on October 5th?” I was ecstatic and accepted the job without hesitation. So I will be on the street again doing what I love best with a drama free home life. All I have to worry about is when the next day off is and where Aza booked our next tee time!

I will keep you posted on the progress.

I'm Out and We'll Talk Later!!!!

I think I am going to live!

Wow has this a very stressful couple of weeks here in the big city!!! First, I want to thank each and every one of you for your kind words and support for my recent post. I do have an update and will share that with you.

After the shock wore off I did make an appointment with my doctor the next day. I walked in, sat down and presented him with my lab results. He listened to my concerns and promptly said, “If you should get a fever it would be in your best interest to immediately go to the emergency room!” Needless to say, that sat me straight up in the chair! I asked him a ton of questions that were all answered with the deadliest most fatal things you could think of, he was presenting worst case senerios. I of course was numb thinking I am dying with cancer, aids, leukemia and everything else under the sun. I was told that I needed to get another blood test done asap so we could compare the two and find out what direction to go in. So, I left knowing absolutely nothing but was even more scared than when I went in. Aza was waiting on me and I of course shared the visit with her. She was very comforting as usual, suggesting all along that it was probably a mild viral infection but, in my mind I was dying.

I had to work the next week and I will tell you that I was in no way myself. It showed in every aspect of my life. Poor Aza was doing everything that she could think of to make me laugh, keep me busy, or just take my mind off what was going on. She took me golfing, to the movies, rode the motorcycle all over and visited a few friends. It really did help so I am so grateful for her efforts. The day finally came which was last friday when I could break away to get my lab work done. I took off from work and flew out there as quickly as I could to get it done and over with. I was relieved that I at least went; which I can tell you was an acomplishment for me. I am the worlds worst when it comes to doctor visits. As mentioned in my pervious post, I can only attribute this to my parents. I took them each to their appointments when they were both diagnosed with terminal cancer, in both cases their illnesses started with low white blood cell counts. Of course I had to go through the weekend and all the way till Wednesday to finally get my report back. I called my doctors office and was told that I was going to live another day! My blood count went from 2.4 to 7.8 which was well above normal. I was ecstatic and called Aza pronto. She was so relieved and happy, she even threw in a laughing “I told ya so!”.

I am desperately trying to change my way of thinking in regards to the above. I learned that things aren't always as bad as they may appear. I will tell you that my aversion to doctors is not cured but I really would like to try. Aza has gotten me into something that I can tell you I would have never have even considered, Yoga! I love it!!! Ok guy's don't even think about laughing at me. If you haven't tried this, please try it. I was skeptical myself but after one 30 minute session that night I slept the best that I have slept in a long time. So, before you think I am a fruit cake try it!

I can tell you that I can only hope that each of you have somebody in your life that cares about you. I have the best support system that anyone could ask for. If it had not been for Aza, her dad and all of your prayers I question whether I would have even gone back. I did “man up” and thankfully it all worked out. Once again, thank you I really do appreciate all of your kind supportive thoughts and hope that if you should ever need anything you wouldn't hesitate to ask.

I'm Out And We''ll Talk Later!

A long overdue update and prayer request

I really can not believe it has been so long since I have actually posted something on my blog. So much has happened, I’ll try to keep it condensed. We’ll start at Christmas…

Christmas was an absolute blast with Aza and her dad. She got me all of the safety equipment needed for my motorcycle, which I thought was incredible. I have never felt so cared for in my long 48 years of living. I thought when I bought my bike that I would be a macho biker and not get or need a windshield. So for 7 years I was one macho mo fo- with one heck of a neck ache! Since I retired and only have my bike to ride things have changed a bit. I am not so macho anymore. Aza bought me a Memphis Shades windshield as well as the lowers. In all spending a cool $400.00 dollars. I was so appreciative. I now wonder how in the world I went without this important piece of equipment. I used to have neck issues while riding, that almost completely went away. I have almost no resistance at 70 and 75 miles per hour on the highway. What a relief, thanks to my girl. She also bought the worlds loudest motorcycle horn. This horn almost sounds like a darn train horn, it is amazing and a great addition for safety. So basically she absolutely hooked me up, which I so appreciate. She is the best!

That huge surprise I was talking about in my last post? Well, we had an unexpected visitor on Christmas Eve. We were sitting on the couch and I thought I heard footsteps climbing the stairs on my deck. I look up and who do I see?, the future ex! Yep, that's right, big bag of crazy herself showed up at my house with a card in her hand. I was dumb founded and without words. I got up to open the door and she handed me the card and walked off saying “Just thought you should have this”. I again just stood there in shock. What a set of nuts! This woman has bled me dry, tried to make me look like a piece of dog shit in court and is still trying to accomplish this feat. The card was basically written using my step grandson as a pawn telling me he cries for me every night. I was not happy because she knows how much I love this child. Anyway, her disgusting attempt to guilt me back into her life didn't work. What it boils down to is this, she didn’t get awarded permanent alimony along with every penny I’ve earned for the last 27 years so she’s pissed. She figured she could show up, kiss ass and have me on my knees begging for her back. Hahahaha! Not likely you nut job! I have absolutely no reason to go back to living under that type of stress. So see ya!

I felt so sorry for Aza, I got a frantic phone call from her on New Years Eve around 10:30pm. She wanted to know if I had any connections in a nearby county. The reason, her nephew was killed in a traffic crash- he was only 20 years old. Oh I felt so sorry for her but as always she was and has been a pillar of strength and brought the entire family through this incredibly difficult time. God Bless her, she‘s been through so much but still keeps her head on straight!

Aza and I decided back in December that for the New Year aside from our regular local games we wanted to play a different golf course once a month for 12 months. It has to be a course that neither of us has played and it has to be outside of our city. She started a photo album and will put together pictures of each game at each new course. We started our first course for January in Deland Florida. “Victoria Hills” was absolutely beautiful and so much fun! She shot a fantastic score for only playing the game for only 7 months. We had a great time after as well. I got to meet some of her friends that live in central Florida and we all had dinner. We haven't decided where our February game will be.

I think I mentioned I may process with a smaller surrounding department. I decided to turn the application in to start the process. They told me to go get my physical and blood work done, so I did only to get a very scary and unnerving result. They told me that my white blood count was very low and to follow up with my primary care doctor. I of course was mad as hell but really more freaked completely out. Thank God again for my girl she has been my source of calm. I do not do the doctor thing. I honestly have in my own mind a significant fear of getting results of blood work etc. I know this developed because of all that I went through with my parents. Every time I took them they came back with terminal conditions. I just can not seem to shake that experience. So after all that I am going to follow up tomorrow so please keep me in your prayers! I will let you know.

So I am sorry for not posting, I have just had a lot on my mind as well as a lot going on. I will most definitely try a bit harder to keep all of you posted. I still am waiting on the judge to sign off on my divorce. This has been since Oct 16th!! Geez are you kidding me!?

I'm Out And We'll Talk Later!

Merry Christmas To All My Fellow Bloggers!

I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you may celebrate.

It has been a very fast paced year filled with a ton of emotions, oddities, surprises (a HUGE one today!) and other life altering moments. The one thing that I can honestly say that hasn't changed is my love for my very best friend in the world Aza and her family. The other is the warm and caring thoughts that I have for each of you that I have come to know through my blog. I sincerely hope that this is a special Christmas and most all, a very prosperous New Year!

Here's a picture of the Christmas tree that Aza and I put up.





God Bless you all! I've got a surprising update coming after Christmas but for now, I'm Out And We'll Talk Later!

Updates all around

Well we made it through the first big holiday of the season just fine. Turkey day was a big success, of course Aza did all the cooking which was fantastic. She wanted me to ask a few of the guys I work with that don't have any real family to come over for the day. I thought that was a very sweet thing to do. Aside from a few friends outside of work, I asked four guys that I work with to come and they happily accepted. One of the guys brought his mother, which I was certainly fine with. I was pretty concerned when they got to my house, the first thing she did when she rolled up was freak completely out when she saw my 15 year old dog! She started screaming how scared she was of dogs so I had to convince her that the dog was perfectly harmless. After all that she finally agreed to come in the yard, only to ask the question “Do you have any more animals?” Oh geez lady are you kidding me!? Yes I replied, a chicken, 2 squirrels and 3 cats. She almost fell out screaming that she was afraid of all animals. I was thinking, "ok lady you just need to pack up and leave", but being the nice guy that I am I once again reassured her that all would be good. So, she finally walked in the door and I think had the time of her life after meeting Aza. Of course who doesn't? All that said I think it was a great success, Aza was phenomenal to everyone that came. She was a great hostess and they were all full as ticks when they left. Mission accomplished, big thanks to my Aza!

We have been taking a lot of trips on the bike. We just recently went to Daytona this last Saturday with a few friends of mine from work. Aza called a friend of hers that she hasn't seen in quite awhile and she ended up meeting us down there. When I met her I swear I thought Aza was there in double. This girl was just as crazy as Aza and wild as a buck! We had a great time. I bought some stuff for my bike at J&P Cycles. We also went to the Daytona Harley Davidson shop which was absolutely amazing. I walked out of there drooling and dying to buy a Harley but common sense and Aza prevailed. I rode my bike back to the ghetto with sadness in my heart but that's ok one day (very soon I hope) I will own a Harley.

In other news I got an interesting phone call from a good friend of mine a couple of weeks ago. He was a Lieutenant with my department, retiring early to go into the construction business when it was booming. Well needless to say it was not a great move. He is now working for a department near our city. He said that the Sheriff is wanting to hire retired officers with experience and my name came up. Since that call he’s called back every other day basically begging me to put in the application. The Sheriff has told him that he wants to restructure in the very near future, wanting some experience in his administration. I would make rank incredibly fast. So now I am faced with the decision do I go or do I stay. I am praying about it and talking it over with Aza who is in full support regardless of my decision. I will keep you posted.

We have a big occasion coming up on the 19th, Aza will celebrate a birthday. She is so deserving of so many wonderful things because she puts up with all my B.S. I am going to try and make it a great day for her. If you get a chance drop in to her blog and wish her a big ol happy birthday.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday and an even better new year!! I'm Out And We'll Talk Later!