Got the first part over with

I am happy to report that after much stress and headache, I was able to successfully pass my AEMT skills testing.  Yay me.

Now of course this is only the first step.  Once National Registry validates the test results (which would take about a week), I will get my authorization to test to take the cognitive exam, which is a 135-question computer based test taken at PearsonVUE testing center.  There is one here in Vegas, but there is often a long wait for a spot since they do other testing as well.  If worse comes to worse, I can head down to Bullhead City to their center at the local community college.  Some folks in my class have went up to St. George, UT to do their test to save time.  For now I'll wait and see what comes up.

On the agenda for today: vehicle extrication class starting up today, and will conclude tomorrow.  So I will get to take out my frustrations on a junker vehicle using a Halligan tool and the Jaws of Life 😈

...oh and before I forget, this week is National EMS Week, so take time to thank your friendly neighborhood ambulance or rescue crew.

The home stretch

Finished up last class this week, just need to do the online final this weekend.  Then skills testing on Tuesday morning...am hoping things will go well.

Happy Mother's Day

For those who are truly saints and have had to put up with a lot from your offspring, may this day be a great one for you all.

My own mom has passed on over 5 years ago, but I still think of her every day.

Meanwhile, I attended an event here at Sunrise Hospital for the organization Carry The Load as they currently do a 4,000 mile walk from Seattle, WA to Dallas, TX to commemorate those whom have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and to put the real meaning back into the Memorial Day holiday.
In addition, me and my fellow first responders and those who are veterans were honored by the chief medical officer of Sunrise with special challenge coins.  That was special and a little humbling to me, but am proud to have been honored in retrospect.

Now I get to tackle cleaning out the refrigerator, fun fun :-)

EDIT 5/18 - some pics from the event:

Been away from here too long

Sorry for the decided lack of posts over the last few months, but I've had a lot of stuff to plow through.

For starters, I am about finished up with doing the Advanced EMT course being taught at Guardian, with the psychomotor testing happening in less than 2 weeks.  It's pretty much a review of the same things covered during the original EMT course, with the added provisions of IV therapy, pharmacology, and how to use those as part of your treatment regimen.

In addition, I have had to deal with some family issues that are still not quite fully resolved yet, but am hopeful I can conclude those soon.

Finally, after hearing about the benefits of using the new messaging service Gab from Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man blog, I decided to sign up since it doesn't restrict what you want to say, unlike Twitter.  You can follow me at @desertratNV for any wild things I decide to throw out there.

Hopefully more soon!

The Lonely Libertarian: When you wake up after a 3 day drunk

ROFLMAO!!



The Lonely Libertarian: When you wake up after a 3 day drunk

And now it begins

Now we got a new leader of the free world in the White House.

Time to see if he lives up to what he has promised.

I do expect some backsliding as he does need to work with both Congress and the Supreme Court to keep power balanced and there will be some pushback on some of his stated goals, but let's see where we go from here.

Change is coming

...on Friday ;-)

At 1200 Eastern Time on Friday, January 20, Donald Trump will become our 45th President of the United States.  Much wailing and gnashing of teeth are to be expected by the liberals who so really wanted their candidate to win, but I expect that to settle down shortly.

Trump does have a lot of work to convince people that he is the right man to lead our nation.  While I didn't vote for either him or the Hilde-beast (Gary Johnson got mine and my dad's vote this year), he did win the election fair and square (and remember, back in 2000 there was a lot of flack about Bush jr not having a clear mandate since he lost the popular vote as well) and we need to give the man a chance to prove himself.

Meanwhile on the home front, some changes that will hopefully be coming:

1. Starting in February I will be taking the Advanced EMT course via the agency I am working for as an EMT.  I was thankful that the owner was willing to work with me on paying the course cost...in short I will be working it off, which I believe is a fair deal all around.
2. This week I expect to be rid of the garage I am renting here at the complex I am staying at, which is necessary as my rent has gone up about 60 bucks a month and I can't really afford to keep it any longer.  All the stuff that is in there will be down in the storage unit at the property.
3. With any luck, my dad should be able to get back to driving and be able to get things finished up at his property, which is now essentially complete and livable.  Only a few minor things need to be done, namely getting the awning installed and setting up propane service for the heater and stove.
4. This year thanks to my boss, I should be able to get into decent shape, thanks to his girlfriend, who works as a fitness trainer and is willing to help guide me into a good fitness program which should help improve my stamina and drop some more pounds along the way.  The agency I work for has a decent gym set up and combined with using the fitness center here I should be good to go.  Will keep you posted on that.

Let's all have a good year, stay safe, and have fun.