Life goes on, and so does Facebook....

Well it's been about a week since my shooting. I was planning on staying out of work until the new year but I'm getting ancy (sp???). I need to get back into the swing of things, so I think I'll head back in tomorrow night (Monday).

On other fronts I signed up on Facebook the other day at the behest of a friend of mine. It's interesting, but I keep getting all these dam invites to be friends with people I don't really know, and don't care to. I know we work at the same place but that doesn't mean I want to hang out on-line with you. I've been very selective as to who I let on. I get about a million damn e-mails from folks to be their friends. No thanks.

A final word, my old college friend Matt Shindell got engaged, and I just want to say: WAY TO GO MATT!!! Y'all can check Matt out on his blog at http://matthewshindell.com/blog/. Matt is writer and poet. You can see his stuff on his site. He's very good. I remember going to one of his readings back in the day. He's got talent. He's also on Facebook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas time is here...

Merry Christmas all!!!! It is 7:30 am on Christmas Eve and I am getting ready to leave and go Christmas shopping for my wife. I know, I know, nothing like waiting til the very last minute. However, I have some very good excuses. I've been working my tail off the last few weeks to make enough money to pay for Christmas, and I haven't had the time to get out and get stuff. Also, I just got paid, and I find that store owners are much more inclined to allow you to leave their establishment after you actually pay for the item as opposed to just taking it. Finally, as some of you may have heard, I was involved in a shooting the other day while on duty. I'm fine but the bad guy wasn't so lucky, or maybe he was. He's still alive, but he's paralyzed in his right leg. Lesson learned? Don't bring a B.B. gun to a gun fight with the police who have REAL guns!!!

Anyway, I've been a bit busy with all that. So, now I've finally got some free time and I'm going to go get my better half some things she needs and wants. I love her very much, and she deserves the best. She's already done the shopping for me and Winston. She also made a bunch of homemade apple butter that I took into work on Sunday night and gave out to my fellow employees. She's become very resourceful lately, and has really gotten into this whole green thing. She has also really gotten into trying to learn how to make homemade canning items like jams, apple butter, dried fruits, etc.... I really like it. The food taste sooooo much better than what you would buy at the store. Maybe it's all the love she puts into each item.

Well as I said I was involved in a shooting. I'll give you the Reader's Digest version of what occurred. While working on Sunday night into Monday morning we had a armed robbery call come out at about 1:30 a.m. As they kept updating the call it turned out it was a home invasion where the suspect, who was armed with a gun, kidnapped one of the victims, and stole his car too (carjacking). They gave a lookout of the vehicle, and I headed over to crack town to see if I could find the car in the hood.

At about 1:46 a.m. I found the truck coming out of the hood. It turned right in front of me. I attempted to pull the truck over but the bad guy had other plans, and the chase was on. I chased him down the road, then into a subdivision. He finally bailed out and turned toward me. I saw that he was wearing all black, had a mask on his face, and gloves on. I thought he was going to start shooting me before I could get out of the car. That really pissed me off, because I felt totally helpless, and vulnerable. However, chuckle head decided to run for it. One of his many mistakes that night.

I had already determined that if he confronted me or ran I would shoot him. For those of you not familiar with policing this is called "the fleeing felon rule". What this means is that if someone commits a violent felony (murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, etc...) then we as police officers have the right/obligation to use deadly force to stop the individual if they run because they pose a significant danger to the rest of the general public, and there is a likelihood he could harm others if not stopped.

Anyway, he turned and ran. As he did so I got out of my car yelled for him to stop, he didn't comply with my orders and continued to run. I then fired two shots. They were high and over his head (not on purpose, just poor aim). I then thought "calm down, relax, breath, and aim". I aimed at the only part of him I could see, his white underwear sticking up, and fired. Apparently I was right on target. The guy dropped right where he stood. My bullet slammed into his lower back on the right side. It smashed his L3 vertebrae, severed some nerves, and tore into his femoral artery. Fortunately for him the bullet stopped in his artery. By doing so it plugged it up and kept him from bleeding to death on scene.

At his feet was what appeared to be a large frame Colt .45 pistol. Closer examination found it to be a B.B. gun. On his belt he had a large Ka-Bar style fighting knife. He was also wearing white latex gloves, the bandanna as a mask, and all black. He had tied six people up at the victim's house, and kidnapped one. He will most likely spend the rest of his life in prison, and if he does ever get out he won't be running from the police again. I was told he currently has some movement in his left leg, but his right leg is paralyzed.

I've retold the story about a hundred times so far. Believe it or not it helps to talk about it. I was really shaken up the night it happened. I've been a cop for almost ten years and have never shot anyone, much less shoot at anyone. It is a flood of emotions, and a huge adrenaline dump. I couldn't sleep until about 8:00 p.m. later that night. It was all very surreal. I think I'm OK now, and I feel that without a doubt I did the right thing. I also think that if confronted with the same situation again I would do the same thing. As a police officer I know that there is always a chance I may have to use my weapon. That's why we have them. And on any day and at any time you be called to use deadly force. You just aren't ready when it actually happens. It was only few days from Christmas, and all I was thinking was that I had one more night to work before I would be off for three days to spend Christmas with my family. It never crossed my mind that I would shoot someone that night.

Well that is my story. If any of you have any questions feel free to ask. Me and my wife are fine. Winston thinks it's cool which the psychiatrist said was normal. Just know that me and my fellow officers are out there during all hours every day making you safe from the evil that lurks around the corner. ---- Focker out.

Our weekend...

This weekend was my weekend off; however, being the parent of a 9 yo we were extremely busy with stuff to do. Friday I took Winston to his sparing class for karate. He loves it. Saturday was really hectic, we had Winston's footbal trophy party at Stars and Strikes (a local bowling alley/game room/laser tag place). I've attached photos of Winston with his trophy. It is HUGE!!! He then bowled, and he and I played some video games. We then had his Karate banquet that night. Mom & Pop (that's Jennifer's parents) came up for that. It was a good time.

Sunday I worked a late notice off duty job sitting on the interstate in my patrol car with my blue lights on following a lane striping truck. I had to be there at 9 am but then wait till 11 am to start because we had to wait for the road to warm up enough before they could start.

Monday was the most fun. We decided to take a family trip to the World of Coke located in downtown Atlanta. It was a really neat place. If you're from Georgia, or have ever visited, then you know how BIG Coke is down here. If you go out to eat and want a drink you ask for a Coke, even if you want a Sprite. It's all Coke. Anyway, it's pretty much just a giant museum with a mini 4-D movie and a tasting area where you can try sodas from all over the world. The 4-D movie was Winston's favorite. And I have to admit Jennifer and I liked it too. after seeing it once we circled back through to see it a second time!!! We also got to see all the different coke products from around the world. Finally we had the opportunity to taste those products. There were some very intersting flavors. Some countries had soda's that were extremely sweet!!! Others had some that only mildly sweetened. The worst was a drink from Italy called "Beverly". It was by far that absolute worst tasting drink I have ever touched to my tounge. I needed water to wash my mouth out afterwards. I don't know what kind of taste buds they have, but if that is any clue than I'll stay away. YUCK!!!

After our wonderful tour of all that is Coke we ate at Jennifer's favorite hole in the wall resturant across from City Hall, "EATS". I have to admit that it is pretty darn good too. They serve jerk chicken, lima beans, collards greens (GROSS), cornbread, and other southern treats. The menu is actually very small. You can choose from either jerk chicken, meat loaf, or pasta. All for a small amount of money. It is actually a really good deal. You can feed a family of 3 (US) for under $25. And you get a lot of food for the money. It was a good day. Well that's about as much as I've written in a LONG time. Now I need to get ready to go to work. I have attached some photos below of our weekend. Enoy.

Jennifer and Winston doing there goofy pose.

My self portrait of us before going to see the Coke 4-D movie "Finding the Secret Formula". Check out the stylish 3-D glasses!!!

Me tasting the Italian drink "Beverly"!!! A picture speaks a thousand words.

We're sitting on a Coke couch. Apparently this couch was used as the sitting area on "American Idol 4". Cariie Underwood sat on it. I'll never wash my butt again!!!

Our photo with the polar bear at the World of Coke.

It's almot as big as he is!!!

Winston and his new football trophy.

I'm Back!!!

Yes yes, it's true. I'm back to writing. My beautiful wonderful wife, whose blog you can read at www.waiting4news99.blogspot.com, has been getting on to me for not writing on my blog since the election. I have no excuses except that I've just been lazy. It is now two days after Thanksgiving, and I am gearing up for working a lot of overtime at the mall for the Christmas holidays.

We had my in-laws (Mom, Pop, and Uncle Bryan) over as well as my brother and sister-in-law (Michael and Amy). My wife made a turkey, green bean casserole, dressing with gravy. I made two buttermilk pies (if you've never had them before they are GREAT), and a sweet potato souffle. It all went off without a hitch, which in it's self was quite surprising. We had a great time. Even Winston told me the next day that he had a really good day. He loves his uncles!!! Bryan is cool because he knows all about video games, whereas Michael is cool because even though he's 44 he act's like he's about 10.

I am looking forward to Christmas especially since I have off Dec. 23, 24, 25, and 26th!!!! I can't wait.

So that's all I have to say for now. I will check back in later to give up dates as to what's going on here. Again you can always go to my wife's blog (see above) because she is much better about writing and updating her blog than I am.

It's an Obamanation...

Well it has come to pass that we (USA) have elected our first black president. I think there is too much being made of this. It seems people are to eager to jump on the ban wagon or bring up the race card. The news keeps saying this is amazing that our country was ready to make a black man president. I think we've been willing to do that for several years now. It's only that now someone more acceptable than Jesse Jackson has run. I personally did not vote for Obama, nor would I whatever his race. I simply don't agree with his political views. I am quite surprised that the country would vote for such a left leaning candidate. I could understand more if he was more moderate, but nope, they went to the extreme. I can only say that I will be praying that God directs him in a more moderate path otherwise I fear it will get very ugly. I am actually happy that he won, although I voted for McCain, because I think Obama being president will definitely shake the country to its core. He will either be a great success or a miserable failure. I hope he's a great success for all our sakes. Only time will tell. As long as he stays away from restricting the Bill of Rights and our Constitutional Amendments, and he doesn't end up taxing all us middle income people to help support his universal healthcare programs or his welfare for the illegal immigrants, then I guess I won't have much of a problem with him. However, I don't think he'll be able to. So be prepared to unroll your prayer carpet and face Mecca, because it may no longer be "In God We Trust" but rather "In Allah We Trust".

The Blue Blade...

I was thinking about a poem I read in 7th grade today. It has stuck with me all these years, but I never could remember the whole poem. However, with the internet it seems almost all things are possible. I simply googled part of the poem and viola up came the poem. So here it is for all to enjoy.

Opportunity

by Edward Rowland Sill

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords Shocked upon swords and shields.
A prince’s bannerWavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle’s edge, And thought, “Had I a sword of keener steel
That blue blade that the king’s son bears, — but this Blunt thing!” —
he snapt and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king’s son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shoutLifted afresh, he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.

My wife is a...

My wife is annoying me right now. I love her dearly, but sometimes she's a real doorknob. I love you Jennifer!!!!

Gnomes...

Step #5. The end result.

Step #4. Start shaping the hat.

Step #3. The face and beard complete.

Step #2. Starting the face.

Step #1. The piece of wood.

I have recently gotten into wood carving, and showed a picture of one of the first gnomes I carved. Now I have taken additional photos of a gnome I carved the other day. I documented it from beginning to end. As I have only recently began to teach myself to carve I only know how to carve gnomes. I am still working on my "artistic" ability and skill. I had actually began carving several months ago, but then sliced open my right index finger. It was a rather deep cut, and I probably should have gotten stitches but didn't. Anyway, I was a bit gun shy (or knife shy in the case) and quit carving for a bit. I have just recently gotten back into it. I hope to learn to make more, and keep all my fingers attached too! Let me know what you think.

Another Day in paradise...

Today was rather dreary. It was cold and rainy all day. I made Winston (my 9 yoa son) get up and took him with me to do chores. The first thing we did was go to the county annex building and do a bit of early voting. On that note let me just say that I cast my ballot, however pointless it may be, to keep socialism out of America. I hope it works. I let Winston see how the voting process works, and then we discussed the election over some wonderful chinese food. I told him there were quite a few people that will be voting for Obama simply because he is black, and for no other reason. I also told him that there are people that won't vote for him for the same reason. I explained that both groups are wrong for voting based on that principle alone. We discussed how skin color is just that color, and that you should judge men by their acts and deeds, not because they look a certain way. He told me it was just the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover". I felt fairly good about our discussion because I think he actually understood it all. He's a smart kid.
Anyway, I'm still trying to get in touch with old friends. So far I've only been able to reach one. It seems to be much more difficult than I thought it would be. But a lot of that is because I'm not to computer savy. I'll be posting some photo's of me and my family, as well as some of my hobbies. I hope you enjoy.

To new beginings, and old friends...

Well I'm making another attempt at starting my own blog. I'm still not very computer savy, nor do I really care to be. However, I have recently had a strong desire to make contacts with old friends that I have lost touch with. I figure that if anyone wanted to try and find me then I might as well make it easier for them to do so. I hope that those of you who want to reconnect do so, and those that don't don't. Here is to new beginings on starting a new blog, and to old friends I hope to see again. ....Caio