Betsy and I had an amazing experience Saturday. We volunteered for UrbanShield 2012. I can't get the pictures from my phone to my computer, but here is a link.
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/crews-stage-attack-at-expo-center
This is a disaster training exercise for first responders and others, including various fire departments, the Texas National Guard, bomb squad, and SWAT.
We were advised to wear clothing that could be stained or cut off, and to wear swimwear under our clothes because we would be "decontaminated". We were also advised to bring a change of clothes, since decontamination involved getting wet. The clothing could be stained because they were applying "mulage", otherwise known as fake injuries, to some volunteers. We were also warned that we could be transported to various hospitals around the city.
We checked in about 11:30 that morning, and in that process, we were asked if we wanted to be "instigators". Hell yes! We are both nice people and were a little worried about acting mean and belligerent, as were most people in our group of 17.
The "attack" was scheduled to begin at 2:00, so we were given free lunch, and basically sat and waited for about an hour. During that time, we were watching the makeup artist applying the fake injuries. There was a blanket on the floor with body parts. We watched one person trying to put his own shoe on this fake leg. Another leg was charred bone to about mid-thigh, then burned meat down to the foot. It was surreal seeing people walking around carrying an arm or leg. You can see some of the fake injuries in the link.
Our group leader was a Texas National Guard member named "Collie". He is also a police officer in the Dallas area. He was kind of a bad-ass, not a big man, but VERY strong and beefy looking. He told us the officers were not allowed to have their guns during the exercise, but they were able to use their tasers, batons, and hand-cuffs. It was our choice how far we wanted to push these guys and girls. He said, "If the officer tells you to back up, do it. If he tells you to get on the ground, do it." This is the point that the officer is beginning to get serious and agitated. The purpose of our group was to agitate and instigate. Basically be the really obnoxious people that always appear in any large crowd. And, the officers didn't know that we were going to be doing this. Of course, the commanders knew, but the regular officers didn't know.
At 2:00 a bomb was supposed to go off, and we were told our job was to "storm the command post". "Be nosy, be obnoxious, ask a bunch of questions", etc. We also exited the building from a different door than the other volunteers. So, the bomb goes off. It was sounded like a big firecracker, no smoke, fire, or anything, and it was time to start acting. We walked through the building yelling "fire", asking what happened? There were 17 of us, so we were pretty loud, and the officers in the building looked very amused. We walked outside and headed toward the command post.
Betsy and I made it about 100 feet inside the yellow police tape and a cop car drove up with siren and lights flashing and stopped us. We were "arrested". He actually hand-cufffed us together. We kept talking and asking stupid questions, and he threatened to put us in the cop car if we didn't stop talking. We were actually kind of nervous, so we kept talking and asking questions, because this was supposed to be "pretend", although this SWAT guy didn't act like he was pretending. He finally took the hand-cuffs off, and thanked us for participating in the exercise. And of course, pointed us in the direction he wanted us to walk.
We gathered back with our group, and Collie told us to walk around the side and try to get all the way through the command post to the road behind it. And we did! Two of the guys took off running straight through, so we linked arms with another woman and just walked, stopping to look at things, talking like a bunch of old women. We were almost at the back of the command post and there was a group of TX Nat Guard guys having a meeting. The commander slyly walked up to us and said "don't go over to that tent and try to look inside", with a nod and a wink. So that's what we did. The regular officers looked amused, but they reluctantly stood up and blocked our entrance to the tent. A couple of other ones corralled us and escorted us out of the command post. As we were coming out, we got "arrested" again, by the same officer that hand-cuffed us the first time. He told us we weren't going to be cuffed, but go sit down and we were out of the exercise for the rest of the day. A few minutes later, Collie came and got us.
During this time, the National Guard had extended their tape, and had their people dressed in hazmat suits lined up along the "fence". So we spent several minutes "acting a fool" in front of them. We asked "Why are you wearing suits and we aren't? Should we have the suit too?" Another commander told us to not try to pose for pictures with any of the officers, (with a wink and a nod), so that's what we did.
A volunteer from a different group walked up and asked if we were the "vomitors, or the pee-ers". We told him we were the "agitators". He walked off and a few minutes later, he was acting really sick and trying to get help from the people in haz-mat suits. So, we walked over and starting talking a lot to them, asking stupid questions, telling the girl that was attempting to help him, "oooo, isn't he cute? What's wrong? Can we help? What are you doing?"
Collie gathered us together and said we did a good job, but the officers did a better job, and we were done for the day, but, as a group we could walk around and see what else was happening. We were near the building watching the fire trucks driving in. Ladder Truck 17, was being set up as the decontamination hose. They were putting the ladder up, and attaching a fire hose to the end to make a "shower" to walk through. Our group got a request from the assistant coordinator to try to keep the water from getting turned on. We were supposed to go in groups of two or three, and try to simply touch Ladder Truck 17. Betsy and I made it. We touched the front bumper. We were going to try to sit on the bumper, but, the fireman corralled us again, and escorted us away from the truck.
We re-grouped and Collie told us all to link arms, all 17 of us, and walk toward the fire trucks to see how far we would get. We linked arms and started walking and yelling, like protesters would. We didn't get very far when a guy in a hazmat suit put his arms out and blocked four of us. The other 13 made it a little further, but not by much. That was the last thing we did as instigators.
We had a lot of fun, since it was only pretend. It is not often that you get to act like a total fool, with no repercussions. We also learned that if a major disaster does occur, you are basically on your own. The "wounded and dead" were left sitting for at least 45 minutes, without any assistance. Try to take care of yourself, and go away from the crowd.
I must say the officers did a really good job against us. Hopefully the exercise helped them learn a thing or two. And we got a free t-shirt.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Public Land
I should probably write these posts on paper and try to compose a beautiful essay, but, that is not my style. I tend to write just what I'm feeling, when I'm feeling it. So, I apologize if this post isn't beautiful, or doesn't make sense, or has errors. I am reading Ernest Hemingway In Our Time, published in 1925 and not only is it beautifully written, he writes a lot of short sentences. I'm going to stop stressing over my sentences. They don't have to be three feet long to be good, right?
I stayed at a campground in Wyoming that was actually bordered by Colorado. I could see cars stopping on the freeway to take pictures of the "Welcome to Wyoming" sign. Yes, unfortunately the campground was that close to the freeway. The campground was adequate. Not much investment in landscaping or entertainment, but there was clean showers, electricity, water, etc.
This campground was on a working bison ranch. I was in the mood to get closer to nature, so I asked a gentleman worker if I could walk along the fence line, out towards the small hill not far away. He said no because it was private property and "the owner wouldn't take kindly to that." I walked to the fence and noticed that a barbed wire fence was surrounding the campground (except for the opening for cars). On the other side of our fence was where the horses were penned in at night, and the other side of the horse's fence was where the bison were penned overnight. It struck me that the human beings were penned in just like the animals. AND we were paying to stay there. I am not going to compare us to bison because they are raised to be eaten, and obviously, we are not. However, the horses are a different story. All they do is work. There is no freedom, and not much choice. They work until they are too old, or not strong enough, or not able to compete with younger stronger horses. I cannot see how this is much different than how we live. Fenced in and working until we are too old.
I didn't like Wyoming after that and drove straight through the state only stopping to eat and nap. I'm not blaming Wyoming. I'm sure every state is the same.
I eventually made it to Mt. St. Helens, which is "public land" meaning it is owned by the government, which means it is ours. It is not privately owned, which means we do not need an individuals permission to enter. Of course there are rules, and costs. There has to be rules for public safety reasons, just as there has to be a cost to cover expenses. Mt. St. Helens National Park is a fifty mile drive on a two lane highway. Most of the drive is not public land. This land was replanted after the eruption. And it is beautiful. When you reach the park though, the scenery is strikingly different. The government choose not to replant and let the earth heal naturally, without human intervention, the way earth is supposed to be. I have tried to write about how much this affected me, but have not yet been able to express it in words. The museum gives a very good description of the eruption, so I felt like I sort of understood what happened. To see the destruction and the natural renewal of the earth touched me all the way to my soul. I am able to move, albeit slowly and painfully, past John's death after seeing Mt. St. Helens. If this had been private land, my experience would have been vastly different.
While I was on the road, I didn't always stay at campgrounds. I sometimes slept in casino parking lots, Wal-Mart parking lots, truck stops, and even rest areas. I began to feel like all of this land is ours/mine. We all have the right to live here. We do not have to pay to sleep. I ate wild blackberries in Washington, so we technically don't even have to pay to eat, but we do. We pay, we work so we can pay.
I eventually made it to the Grand Canyon, another government owned, "public land". Just in case you don't know, the Grand Canyon has been carved by water from various creeks and the Colorado River since the beginning of, well, I guess, water. Up-river, there is a dam. A man-made dam. The whole time I was in the park (for three and a half days), I kept thinking what would the canyon look like if that dam was not there. Why do humans insist on controlling every single goddamn thing? (No pun intended.) The fact that this portion of the canyon is owned by the people, by the United States, means it will be protected from greed. It will continue to be there for our children's children to experience.
I bought a book of essays about Mt. St. Helens and it has obviously touched other people's soul. The same with the Grand Canyon. I have a book of essays from there too. It has obviously touched other people's soul.
As soon as I figure out how, I'm going to make a digital photo montage set to the music of Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land. Because this land IS our land. There is a very delicate balance between us controlling it, and us killing it.
I stayed at a campground in Wyoming that was actually bordered by Colorado. I could see cars stopping on the freeway to take pictures of the "Welcome to Wyoming" sign. Yes, unfortunately the campground was that close to the freeway. The campground was adequate. Not much investment in landscaping or entertainment, but there was clean showers, electricity, water, etc.
This campground was on a working bison ranch. I was in the mood to get closer to nature, so I asked a gentleman worker if I could walk along the fence line, out towards the small hill not far away. He said no because it was private property and "the owner wouldn't take kindly to that." I walked to the fence and noticed that a barbed wire fence was surrounding the campground (except for the opening for cars). On the other side of our fence was where the horses were penned in at night, and the other side of the horse's fence was where the bison were penned overnight. It struck me that the human beings were penned in just like the animals. AND we were paying to stay there. I am not going to compare us to bison because they are raised to be eaten, and obviously, we are not. However, the horses are a different story. All they do is work. There is no freedom, and not much choice. They work until they are too old, or not strong enough, or not able to compete with younger stronger horses. I cannot see how this is much different than how we live. Fenced in and working until we are too old.
I didn't like Wyoming after that and drove straight through the state only stopping to eat and nap. I'm not blaming Wyoming. I'm sure every state is the same.
I eventually made it to Mt. St. Helens, which is "public land" meaning it is owned by the government, which means it is ours. It is not privately owned, which means we do not need an individuals permission to enter. Of course there are rules, and costs. There has to be rules for public safety reasons, just as there has to be a cost to cover expenses. Mt. St. Helens National Park is a fifty mile drive on a two lane highway. Most of the drive is not public land. This land was replanted after the eruption. And it is beautiful. When you reach the park though, the scenery is strikingly different. The government choose not to replant and let the earth heal naturally, without human intervention, the way earth is supposed to be. I have tried to write about how much this affected me, but have not yet been able to express it in words. The museum gives a very good description of the eruption, so I felt like I sort of understood what happened. To see the destruction and the natural renewal of the earth touched me all the way to my soul. I am able to move, albeit slowly and painfully, past John's death after seeing Mt. St. Helens. If this had been private land, my experience would have been vastly different.
While I was on the road, I didn't always stay at campgrounds. I sometimes slept in casino parking lots, Wal-Mart parking lots, truck stops, and even rest areas. I began to feel like all of this land is ours/mine. We all have the right to live here. We do not have to pay to sleep. I ate wild blackberries in Washington, so we technically don't even have to pay to eat, but we do. We pay, we work so we can pay.
I eventually made it to the Grand Canyon, another government owned, "public land". Just in case you don't know, the Grand Canyon has been carved by water from various creeks and the Colorado River since the beginning of, well, I guess, water. Up-river, there is a dam. A man-made dam. The whole time I was in the park (for three and a half days), I kept thinking what would the canyon look like if that dam was not there. Why do humans insist on controlling every single goddamn thing? (No pun intended.) The fact that this portion of the canyon is owned by the people, by the United States, means it will be protected from greed. It will continue to be there for our children's children to experience.
I bought a book of essays about Mt. St. Helens and it has obviously touched other people's soul. The same with the Grand Canyon. I have a book of essays from there too. It has obviously touched other people's soul.
As soon as I figure out how, I'm going to make a digital photo montage set to the music of Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land. Because this land IS our land. There is a very delicate balance between us controlling it, and us killing it.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Chinatown San Francisco
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinatown,_San_Francisco
Jes and I took a day to explore Chinatown. The Autumn Moon Festival was going on and it was a Saturday, so the crowds were quite large. It was good to see that most of the people out and about that day were actually Chinese. I was thinking the festival was just a tourist thing, but apparently it wasn't. The booths were geared toward Chinese, for example, the movies/videos were in Chinese, no English movies. I am not very familiar with Chinese culture, so I didn't really know the importance or relevance of items in most of the booths.
It was very interesting walking through the grocery stores, and the store featuring cookware was quite amazing. We didn't even bother going into the stores whose targeted customers are American. All in all, I would say it was a good way to take a glimpse into the Chinese culture.
There is a story behind this picture taken from the balcony. Jes and I were hungry and were thinking we would eat some "festival" food, but that wasn't easy to find. So, we were walking by a doorway, and there was a lady inviting us to go upstairs to her restaurant. She had a menu for us to look at, so we decided to give it a try. Climbing the stairs with apprehension, we were pleasantly surprised to see a very clean, well lit, crowded dining room. And the food was very good! I am not adventurous with food, so beef and broccoli was my choice, and Jes chose fried rice. I may forever be spoiled by freshly cooked Chinese food.
Here is the cookware store.
And what in the hell is this? It was in the grocery store.
Jes and I took a day to explore Chinatown. The Autumn Moon Festival was going on and it was a Saturday, so the crowds were quite large. It was good to see that most of the people out and about that day were actually Chinese. I was thinking the festival was just a tourist thing, but apparently it wasn't. The booths were geared toward Chinese, for example, the movies/videos were in Chinese, no English movies. I am not very familiar with Chinese culture, so I didn't really know the importance or relevance of items in most of the booths.
It was very interesting walking through the grocery stores, and the store featuring cookware was quite amazing. We didn't even bother going into the stores whose targeted customers are American. All in all, I would say it was a good way to take a glimpse into the Chinese culture.
There is a story behind this picture taken from the balcony. Jes and I were hungry and were thinking we would eat some "festival" food, but that wasn't easy to find. So, we were walking by a doorway, and there was a lady inviting us to go upstairs to her restaurant. She had a menu for us to look at, so we decided to give it a try. Climbing the stairs with apprehension, we were pleasantly surprised to see a very clean, well lit, crowded dining room. And the food was very good! I am not adventurous with food, so beef and broccoli was my choice, and Jes chose fried rice. I may forever be spoiled by freshly cooked Chinese food.
Here is the cookware store.
And what in the hell is this? It was in the grocery store.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Hermes Craftsmen
Our last day in San Francisco, we chose to go to Union Square and China Town. Jes had been saying that if we see the store Forever 21, she would like to go in. We come up from the underground train station, and boom, there is a TWO story Forever 21! So, that starts the day off right.
We were on the way to see a Frank Lloyd Wright building. Here is the link to the building, but I didn't take any pictures of it out of respect of the new owners. Just to say though, it was freaking amazing!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V._C._Morris_Gift_Shop
Anyway, on our way to the FLW building, we passed the actual Union Square (which seem to be a city block with no buildings, more like parks), and we saw this big white tent. It looked like a tent you see outdoors where really ritzy parties are going on. We could see the title "Festival Des Metiers", as well as the security dressed in black suits outside every opening. We figured it was probably some invitation only sort of event, but, decided to go check it out anyway. And guess what! It was open to the public and FREE!!!! The craftsmen were demonstrating their craft. The first "stall" we saw was a man hand sewing a leather purse. There was a watch maker, silk screen printer, glass etcher, etc. Some of them had interpreters because they only spoke French. They were not selling anything, and we couldn't afford it if they were, but it kind of made us realize why some things really are expensive and worth it.
This picture is of the carpet, on the floor of the tent.
Silk Scarves, and they were demonstrating the technique.
I was going to post more pictures, but this internet is going WAY TO SLOW!! Patience was a virtue of John's, not mine.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
What, No Pictures?
Yes, unfortunately my camera broke. It was fairly old, just a simple point-and-shoot. I recently bought an SD card that had some letters behind it, and my camera was so old it couldn't use this new fangled kind of card. So, I'm not surprised that it finally gave out. The bad news is that now I need a new one! My plan is to go to the Grand Canyon, and I absolutely CANNOT go there without a camera!
I have also been unable to find internet service, and haven't been able to keep up with this blog, (or my political postings on Facebook). I figured out that Home Depot has public internet, so I am in there parking lot using their internet. I don't feel right about sitting here too long, so I'm not going to do a good post with pretty pictures now.
But, just to let yall know what has been going on, I am in Bullhead City, AZ. It has the most perfect weather! 100s in the day, 70s at night. It is in the desert, so no humidity, and it usually has a little breeze. As long as I am in the shade, it is just about perfect. I am staying at Camp Davis, which is a county park just below the Davis Dam on the Colorado River. Yesterday, September 29 (yes, the end of September) I was in my bathing suit sitting by the river in the sun! I went into the water and it was so f-ing cold, it took me probably 30 minutes to finally get all the way in.
I have to find someplace to do my laundry today, so hopefully I can get internet and electricity to post some more pictures and entertaining stories.
Thank you all for reading my blog!
I have also been unable to find internet service, and haven't been able to keep up with this blog, (or my political postings on Facebook). I figured out that Home Depot has public internet, so I am in there parking lot using their internet. I don't feel right about sitting here too long, so I'm not going to do a good post with pretty pictures now.
But, just to let yall know what has been going on, I am in Bullhead City, AZ. It has the most perfect weather! 100s in the day, 70s at night. It is in the desert, so no humidity, and it usually has a little breeze. As long as I am in the shade, it is just about perfect. I am staying at Camp Davis, which is a county park just below the Davis Dam on the Colorado River. Yesterday, September 29 (yes, the end of September) I was in my bathing suit sitting by the river in the sun! I went into the water and it was so f-ing cold, it took me probably 30 minutes to finally get all the way in.
I have to find someplace to do my laundry today, so hopefully I can get internet and electricity to post some more pictures and entertaining stories.
Thank you all for reading my blog!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Painted Ladies
Everyone has heard of the "Painted Ladies" in San Francisco. We actually found them to be a little disappointing. They really were not anymore impressive than the rest of the houses we have seen. They definitely look better in the postcards. Having said that, it was worth going to because we got to get out the tourist section of SF and into where the "real" people live. And the houses were very pretty.
This brown house was around the corner, and I thought it was hideous. It looks like it could be the setting for a Stephen King novel.
We walked quite a bit yesterday. We went to a little neighborhood pizza place for lunch (which was delicious, the best food so far), then walked up the the Haight/Ashbury area. A few hippie stores, a lot of head shops, and cool graffiti.
I'm not sure I would want to live here. There is just so much movement and noise, hustle and bustle, sights and sounds, everything stimulates the senses. I would bet the residents have never experienced total darkness, or silence.
Well now, I just sound like one big Negative Nellie.
This brown house was around the corner, and I thought it was hideous. It looks like it could be the setting for a Stephen King novel.
We walked quite a bit yesterday. We went to a little neighborhood pizza place for lunch (which was delicious, the best food so far), then walked up the the Haight/Ashbury area. A few hippie stores, a lot of head shops, and cool graffiti.
I'm not sure I would want to live here. There is just so much movement and noise, hustle and bustle, sights and sounds, everything stimulates the senses. I would bet the residents have never experienced total darkness, or silence.
Well now, I just sound like one big Negative Nellie.
San Franciso City Hall
You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.
My 22-year-old child. Anyway, here is what the statue is about.
Our plan yesterday was to start our day by going to see the "Painted Ladies", so the closest train station took us by the Symphony, the Opera House, the Library, and City Hall. Because I had to pee, we went into City Hall, through security, which had to physically search our purses, and we had to walk through a security scanner. But, I really needed to pee, so we submitted to our invasion of privacy (thank you 9/11 terrorist). Anyway, what a gem we found! There was a bride outside, and we thought that was cool, until we went inside. I think we saw 10 brides in all. We saw the judge that was officiating and even witnessed one wedding! The weddings were not in an out-of-the-way office, they were in an open area at the top of the staircase. We felt a little bad about watching a stranger's wedding, but decided, what the hell, they chose to get married in public, so we hung around and watched a little while. It was funny the difference in people. One bride was wearing a long white coat over black pants, there were a couple of the traditional gowns, big, flowing, with trains, there was one in just a cocktail dress, and one couple was wearing their street clothes. There was one old lady in black lace, but she had a really pretty bouquet. I guess since Prop 8, there were no same sex weddings.
In the picture below, see the people behind Jes, with the cameras. That is where the weddings were being performed.
To the left of the bottom of the staircase, there was a Zumba class going on. It was at least behind closed doors.
After sticking our noses into these brides business, we went outside and found a place to sit (near an ash tray) to plan our walking route. A group of people came out of City Hall and said "Light it up" and started smoking pot. Right out in the open, on government property, in broad daylight. Do I sound shocked?
Interesting place, San Francisco.
My 22-year-old child. Anyway, here is what the statue is about.
Our plan yesterday was to start our day by going to see the "Painted Ladies", so the closest train station took us by the Symphony, the Opera House, the Library, and City Hall. Because I had to pee, we went into City Hall, through security, which had to physically search our purses, and we had to walk through a security scanner. But, I really needed to pee, so we submitted to our invasion of privacy (thank you 9/11 terrorist). Anyway, what a gem we found! There was a bride outside, and we thought that was cool, until we went inside. I think we saw 10 brides in all. We saw the judge that was officiating and even witnessed one wedding! The weddings were not in an out-of-the-way office, they were in an open area at the top of the staircase. We felt a little bad about watching a stranger's wedding, but decided, what the hell, they chose to get married in public, so we hung around and watched a little while. It was funny the difference in people. One bride was wearing a long white coat over black pants, there were a couple of the traditional gowns, big, flowing, with trains, there was one in just a cocktail dress, and one couple was wearing their street clothes. There was one old lady in black lace, but she had a really pretty bouquet. I guess since Prop 8, there were no same sex weddings.
In the picture below, see the people behind Jes, with the cameras. That is where the weddings were being performed.
To the left of the bottom of the staircase, there was a Zumba class going on. It was at least behind closed doors.
After sticking our noses into these brides business, we went outside and found a place to sit (near an ash tray) to plan our walking route. A group of people came out of City Hall and said "Light it up" and started smoking pot. Right out in the open, on government property, in broad daylight. Do I sound shocked?
Interesting place, San Francisco.
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