Blessing in Disguise?

Week #1 at the new job is now history, and I believe I made one hell of an impression on these people. Because I have advanced electrical, electronics, mechanical, fabrication, and all manner of shop skills there is not much they have to teach me about the basics. Unlike previous employees I was told about that had to be shown the minute details of how to do EVERYTHING! I only need to learn specific procedures particular to the machinery I am working on. But show me once and I got it as evidenced by my activities late last week when the guy I was shadowing was tied up on Thursday and off on Friday. Earlier in the week, I did get to see and help with resealing a leaking hydraulic cylinder, which I had never done before. I also got to have a couple of one-on-one conversations with my new boss as we get to know each other personally. As always, I show up 15 minutes early; put my lunch in the refrigerator, and otherwise get ready to start work. I punch in promptly at 8:00 AM and get busy and finish my morning coffee while working. Unlike the FD, I get a regular undisturbed 1/2 hour off the clock lunch break and before I know it, it's lunch time. Afterwards, I punch back in, go right back to work and the afternoon goes by fast. At 4:30 PM I punch out and don't have to be concerned with work until the next morning. My co-workers and boss have said several times how appreciative they are for what I am able to do for them, and my boss has big plans for me to be an integral part of the operation. Getting canned from the FD is turning out to be a great thing and I only needed 3 weeks unemployment so I have not depleted my potential (hopefully never needed) future benefits by running them out. I did have a good chuckle to myself, too. According to the schedule, I was supposed to be on duty yesterday at the FD with the big Nor'Easter that is hitting New England this weekend. That would have meant being held over for the storm continuing into today. I had the scanner on yesterday and was listening to them get the shit kicked out of them with tons of tree & wires down as well as the normal 911 responses in between. As I said in the previous post; FUCK `EM!! They made a decision and they are gonna live with it. The schadenfreude is absolutely delicious, although it will probably be short lived.

Part of my job requires me to be proficient with operating the different models of our machines. This is so that after we get it ready for delivery, it can be fully tested and any last minute adjustments, calibrations, or operating issues can be addressed. When I get to a pause in work for whatever reason, I am encouraged to go grab the keys and controller for a ready machine and operate it. Folks... trust me when I tell you... this is total play time! These machines are the most awesome (and expensive) R/C toys you could imagine. They are built so that they cannot "hurt themselves" relative to the machine itself. They will not operate on steep angles or in an order/manner that cause damage. Sensors and software are preset to limits and will stop the operation at that limit. That said, the machines do not know about the powerline or obstruction an idiot operator is about to contact or crash into. Overloading the personnel weight limits will also prevent the machine from operating. I had previously operated the machines outside in the open yard, but Friday I operated one inside the shop in the high bay, simulating the type of work I used to do in telecom/IT that required using these machines. I had to maneuver it up and over and around obstructions safely, and then bring it back to ground level. Believe me that was both a challenge and fun.

I have a 30 day waiting period for health insurance and a 90 day waiting period to get into the 401K. When my new 401K is opened, I will immediately CONFISCATE and rollover all the money in the FD 401K for "seed money" in the new account. My new employer actually offers a small match, but I will gladly take it! I withdrew some money already because of the delay in getting unemployment but since it all came through the money is just sitting in the bank. I have started allocating some of it to buy tools and a new roll-away tool cabinet. I went shopping yesterday just to look, but came across a deal I could not pass up. A Husky 42" wide roll-away and chest for $598. It was the floor model (so a bit dusty) from a special promotion (no longer available at that price) and in a special color of Army OD Green with black trim. The regular price of $798 is what now shows at Home Depot online. With my military discount it came to $538. Sweet!! The guys at the Pro-Desk disconnected the section joiners and helped me load it in my Highlander in two pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tools lying on the right of the top shelf are a couple of electrical tools I was getting as well. I was sick of carrying them around at that point and did buy them. This thing has lots of great features for that price, too. Hydraulic cylinders to lift the top cover, a built in powerstrip and USB/USB-C chargers, separate locks for top and bottom, and ball bearing rail soft close drawers.

I had a short term job in aviation back in 2017, and right before getting laid off (long & shitty story) I bought a smaller, less featured roll-away and chest at Harbor Freight for almost the same amount of money I paid yesterday. I never unboxed it because I was getting a bad vibe from the job. It was returned for a full refund after my fears came true. The price is I why I jumped on this deal yesterday. I will leave it in my Highlander and talk to my boss about putting in the shop empty for now, then discuss whether I fill on company time or come back after hours. He is there until 7 (sometimes 8) every night and I don't mind coming back after running home to take care of the dogs, doing it on my time if I have to. I still need to buy more all metric tools (my wife does not understand the concept of multiple sets of tools for different purposes) because these will stay at the shop locked up. She reminded me I have all this stuff in the garage roll-away why do I need duplicates? Can't you just bring the garage roll-away to work and then bring home the tools you need when you work on the cars? Ugh.😒 I will just do what I need to do and not explain it to her any further.

The hourly rate range for the posting on Indeed.com was listed at $20 to $35 per hour. They asked me what I wanted to start at. I told them I would like to get what I was getting per hour at the FD, to which they agreed. I now have the potential to make so much more way faster than I ever would at the FD. If I keep up at the level I am at now I see a pay raise coming sooner than later. 

A New Chapter of Life Has Begun

At 06:00 on Tuesday August 25th, I was handed my walking papers and told to clean out my locker at the FD and go. The underlying reason isn't important (yes, I fucked up, but IMHO it DID NOT warrant summary termination) but I was terminated anyway because without any union representation the usual contractual steps of verbal warning, written warning, suspension, THEN termination were not in existence. But I have a feeling after my booting it won't be long before the remainder of the work force thinks "there but for the Grace of God go I" and has the IAFF in there. Then the FD corporation will get their just due in forced labor rates, shift assignments, raises, REAL benefits, and all the other stuff unions force upon companies. Fuckers will get what they deserve for sure. I have purged my phone of all FD contacts which means the call blocking app I use will send everyone that might call directly to VM. I will not step foot on any FD property for any reason. I was supposed to run a training session in October and did several maintenance items that no one had yet been cross-trained on. Not my problem. The corporation made decisions that they are going to have to live with forever. 

On the other hand; I no longer have to work 24 hour shifts, I sleep in my own bed every night, no packing 3 meals for every shift, get awakened in the middle of the night, getting my ass physically kicked on structure fires, working shitty/sloppy brush fires, or have to deal with morons and dead people. My firefighting credentials belong to me and are good for life if I were to decide to use them again. My current EMT certification is still good for over a year. My CDL was recently renewed and my DOT Medical Card is good until March. 

I had already updated my resume' and profile on Indeed.com and had been casually looking for something better. I logged right on and started filling applications for jobs that I could put my non-FD skillset to good use. On Monday August 31st I got a phone call inviting me to an interview for an application I filled out on Friday the 28th. The appointment was set up for 3PM on Tuesday September 1st. The interview lasted 2+ hours and went really well. He asked me when I would be able to start and I told him the 21st since I had a couple of scheduled obligations. They told me there was one other applicant they did want to interview that had rescheduled twice before, but I was a really strong candidate. The shop manager told me he would be in touch in a couple of days.

Apparently the other candidate blew them off a third time, because on the afternoon of Wednesday September 2nd I received a phone call from the shop manager I interviewed with giving me a verbal offer that the job was mine if I still wanted it. Of course I told him yes. He told me the HR person would be in touch with the next steps and then to get together to fill out the normal employment paperwork. The woman from HR contacted me on Thursday September 3rd by email to introduce herself and that more would be forthcoming.

On Thursday September 10th I received an email from HR with a scanned copy of my offer letter to sign and scan to send back, and a few tasks to do like filling out an online application for a criminal background check and driving record inquiry. I also sent her scanned copies of my ID and I-9 documentation. She responded back with appreciation for the fact we are ahead of the game.

Today was my face to face meeting with the woman from HR. I filled out all the standard employment paperwork; I-9, W-4, CT W-4, bank direct deposit info, receipt of the company handbook, etc. I am scheduled to start on Monday the 21st at 8AM but I will be there early as usual. Also, on nice days I will get to ride "The Beast" to and from work because all I need to carry is a small cooler with my lunch, not all the crap I needed to carry for a 24 hour duty tour. The commute is about 10 miles one way.

From this whole situation came some frank discussions with my wife about our future in reference to retirement. It comes down to this; we are not selling the house and leaving the state to retire together. SHE WILL NOT GO, PERIOD. Retirement will mean collecting full SSI and continuing to work until I call it quits. Unlike firefighting, I will be able to do this particular job for a long time. However, as she already knew and I re-stated, if something happens to her, in the middle of her funeral arrangements I will hold a giant moving sale, list the house as-is, and be out of here so fast no one in town will realize it until after I am gone and no one has seen me for a while.

 

 

I blog and shit poast on X from behind a VPN using a nom de guerre. For the obvious reasons of SafeSECS I will not divulge the new company name, location, what I will be doing, or the FD I just left. The current political climate has fully half of the people that are immature little babies, total freaks, or the mentally ill that are triggered all the way to violence and murder because they don't agree with me or my views.

Better Working Conditions

I have been absolutely miserable at work for more than a year. I dreaded going in for every shift because of the rampant nepotism and toxic work atmosphere. I felt as though I had a target on my back and stayed out of sight at the station with very little interaction with the leadership. Add to that the difficult calls I have had recently and I was angry and dour in and out of work. It didn't take much to set me off.

That has all changed with the change in leadership. I have been given additional responsibilities and tasks and actually thanked and praised for just doing my job and for doing extra stuff. The nepotism is gone and the progeny's "authority" is now been reigned in. The schedule is going to change from a topsy-turvy clusterfuck to a work week with regularly scheduled duty days, and as senior FF/EMT I get first choice of days. There are also plans in the works to get rid of the age-out bylaw that has currently short-circuited my retirement plan. A couple of my co-workers (Millenials) aren't too happy but they just need to adjust and buck up. I talked about it with my wife last night and she agreed I have been an angry prick lately but things are getting better simply because of my work environment. I will be on shift this coming Friday and while it is still a work day I would rather be off, I am not dreading it. 

Therapy of Words

Writing this was actually therapeutic and has helped me move on from the extraordinary sadness I have felt for the past few days. It's like I transferred all that sadness into a computer file. This was an on the job injury and my wounds are healing pretty quickly. It did ruin my perfect record of never being transported in an ambulance as a patient. They called an additional ambulance from the next town over to the scene for me. Those guys were great. As is normal for animal bites I am doing a 7 day regimen of antibiotics and the dog in question was up to date on his rabies. I really don't feel like writing out the incident details again.... I've written it enough times on the reports. 😒 

 

July 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM… A conversation overheard in Heaven

 

GOD: Welcome to Heaven my dear little dog Ash.

Ash: It’s…. It’s… It’s so beautiful! Can I have a cookie?

GOD: You will have all the cookies you want for all of Eternity.

Ash: Why am I here?

GOD: You were badly hurt in a terrible accident and I called to you.

Ash: I REMEMBER!! There was a mean man that was there with my master. I remember I bit him because I was scared and didn’t know why. I’ll bet that man is real mad at me!

GOD: No, he’s not mad at all. And he is not a mean man. His name is XXXXXX, he loves animals, and has four dogs of his own. He was just there trying to help you and your master and now is very sad. Look for yourself.

Ash: God, why is he so sad?

GOD: Because you were so badly hurt and died alone in the rain. It makes him think of his own dogs and how much he loves them and wants to keep them safe forever.

Ash: But…. he didn’t even know me and was only there for a few minutes. Besides that, I bit him…. TWICE!

GOD: That does not matter to the man at all. His injuries are not concerning him, and he understands it was all because you were hurt and scared. He believes there is no such thing as a bad dog, just bad people or bad situations that only make dogs seem bad. What is important to him is that you are now safe here with me in Heaven.

Ash: Now I am a little sad.

GOD: Why is that my precious little boy?

Ash: Because I am sorry for biting that man and wish I could have known him.

GOD: You will get your chance someday when he comes here.

 

Originally posted 7-21-26 16:12. The RSS feed was not posting promptly.

Are You F-ing Kidding Me!!!!

I was on a 24 duty tour yesterday, ending at 6 AM this morning. At 21:43 last night while getting ready to watch the local 10 o'clock news and turn in, I get a phone call from my wife. She hit a deer on the state highway just inside the town line about 7 miles from home. I told her I would call the Chief to see if I could come get her and call her back to let her know. I ended up taking our service truck out to the accident scene once the wrecker was there and state police said she could leave. On my arrival, it was pretty evident her little RAV-4 is no more. HERE WE GO AGAIN!! Another totaled vehicle to be replaced. 😠I brought her and the dog home and returned to duty pretty quick.

We will be heading over to the wrecker station to retrieve the rest of her stuff and make arrangements to get it to the Toyota body shop for a proper estimate. She wants another one and since we can't swing another car loan (I haven't even made the first payment on "Black Betty" yet) we'll dip into our retirement savings and combined with what we get for her RAV-4, just pay for it outright. Not something I want to do, but a catastrophic medical emergency requiring long term care could wipe it all out anyway, so we might as well use it. When we both officially retire, we'll continue working at least part time and our social security will mostly cover our monthly expenses, so our retirement investments are for the extras in life.

Progress on "Black Betty"

Yeaterday, I had a 10:15 AM appointment at the Kommiecticut DMV office to renew my CDL. Unlike non-CDL drivers that can renew at the local AAA office and get a license good for 8 years, I have to go to a full service DMV office and my license is only good for 4 years. 

When I got home, I installed the "Obama Switch" eliminator module and the roof racks. For as much of the interior panels I had to remove to access the back of the Auto-Start-Stop cancel button behind the dash, everything simply unsnaps with the exception of one 10mm retainer bolt. It all came apart and went back together easily making the whole process take about 10 minutes. The module works as promised and the few times I've driven it, I smile every time I see the orange dash indicator come on at startup reminding me that my engine will stay running until I turn the key off. I stopped and had some lunch.

The roof racks took considerably longer but they went up on the roof just fine. It was a pain in the ass to have to go from side to side to get everything evenly lined up and tightened down. Doing the install in the heat of the afternoon wasn't too pleasant either. I now need to get some new mounts for my Yakima "Hull Raiser" kayak saddles to fit on my new aero style roof rack bars. $32.06 a piece from etrailer.com and I will need four.

Yesterday my "in channel" vent shades from WeatherTech arrived and they were installed this morning before it got hot out. We've already had these on her RAV-4 and they install easy and work great. I had them all installed in about 1/2 hour. The windows are supposed to remain fully up for 48 hours for everything to seat properly. After that I will need to reset the auto window up/down to accommodate the extra material in the window channel. On my Tundra which had large upper door frames, I opted for the exterior glue on version from Ventishades. The top of the Highlander door frame is very narrow and has a chrome strip trim piece, so in channel works and looks best. I got the matte finish instead of the shiny version and really like the look. The next part of my order from WeatherTech are the windshield sun shades for the Highlander and Rav-4. Hopefully they come before Monday when I work again so I can use it while parked in the sun behind the firehouse. When I got in my vehicle to come home yesterday it was hot as balls in there when I started it up.

Accessories On Order

The first road trip Friday the 3rd up to MA and back went great. My wife liked the way it rode and so did I. Very comfortable and the A/C is super cold. My taste in music she doesn't really care for, but hey, driver's choice! At least I didn't play the Death Metal I sometimes use as a stress reliever. 

I've ordered some much needed items for "Black Betty." I finished setting her up the way I want and putting some important on-hand gear on board...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1). Portable UHF fire radio

2). 1st Responder Med Bag

3). Brush fire clothes, boots, and helmet

4). Binoculars 

5). 5 lb ABC fire extinguisher (in cargo under floor trunk)

6). Doggy seat protector mat (also in cargo under floor trunk to keep the extinguisher from moving around) 

7). Small OD Green G.I. tool bag that allows me to fix almost anything 

8). Hearing protection ear muffs

9). Hi-Vis orange safety vest

10). Horse lead, dog slip over leash, collapsible water bowls (animal rescue)

11). Folding camp chair (for spending nice days on FD duty sitting out in the bays or other outdoor events)

12). Golf umbrella 

I have the majority of this stuff in the back seat area, leaving the cargo area completely open. If I need to carry passengers I'll toss it all in the cargo area. For a road trip, though, the majority of items will be removed and left home. There is lots of other stuff I put in the glove box and console like eyeglass cleaning wipes, eyeglass case, FD badge & ID, energy bars, etc.

 

The stuff currently on order...

1). The "Obama Switch" (Auto Stop-Start) override module with memory (Amazon)

2). After-market aerodynamic roof rack bars with increased capacity over OEM (Amazon)

3). WeatherTech channel fit window vent shades/rain guards

4). WeatherTech windshield sunshade and carry bag (also bought one for my wife's RAV-4)

 

I hate modern car nannies, but none more than that fucking Obama Switch, turning my vehicle into a golf cart that shuts off when I stop and restarts when I want to go. The amount of gas it "saves" and pollution it prevents is minuscule, but it beats the shit out of your starter and A/C compressor, and probably the fuel system and engine components. What if it doesn't restart... then what? The module I bought was $22.80 and remembers the last press of the cancellation button and re-activates upon starting every time. If... IF I decided I did want to use that feature, a press of the button turns it back on permanently until I turn it back off. But no more forgetting to cancel it until the first time the vehicle shuts off on me. It is guaranteed not to interfere with any diagnostic or safety systems, but can easily be removed in the event I have some kind of issue that requires dealer service so they don't find it and void my extended warranty.

I am holding off on purchasing the Toyota OEM Class III 2" tow receiver until I get my finances back in order. The vehicle is rated for 5000 pound towing capacity which is way more then I will currently use. I can get the receiver from ToyotaPartsDeal.com for $412.45 and install it myself. I have already downloaded and read the 10 page installation manual so I will definitely save myself some dough on a pretty easy but involved installation. IMHO, what makes it involved is trimming and fitting the underside body covers and installing the new bumper fascia covers. I'll easily have it done in one session and nothing seems to be rusted in place like it was when I rebuilt Big Red.