Well, occasionally my work day is interrupted by an ERT call out as was the case on the 29th, my first day back to work. I was on a grader, thankfully far away from the hustle
and bustle of the valley pit, when a frantic radio transmission came
from the blasting foreman. A stemming truck (they fill the drilled holes
with blasting crush) had overturned and the blaster was stuck inside.
I was thankfully quite close and dropped my grader into eighth gear and rip snorted my way down there. Turns out I was the second member to respond, the first having assumed Incident Command as such was manning the radio. After ensuring no fuel leaks/hazards
I scurried up the underside of the overturned big assed truck to find the foreman already up there, holding the passengers side door open for me. About 10 feet below me, shaking and bleeding a little was the blaster. It was an odd sensation, you train for these things, do all the necessary first aid courses and the like; but it's infinitely different with a real life human subject. I was worried about how to squeeze myself down there without touching him, as this could very well have been a spinal patient. Not rushing in is something they drill into us, so I managed to spot foot and hand holds To get me safely to him without fucking up and falling on him or something horrible like that. Needless to say, got there safely and found myself standing on the unbroken (unreal) drivers side glass and when standing - looking out the windshield as if it were a full length mirror. I began to assess the blaster, noting he had great discomfort in his back and abdomen, bit of blood in the mouth, but thankfully feeling in all extremities. Stabilized the neck as best I could on my own and wondered how the hell we'd get him out. This truck is essentially a semi cab if this helps with the visual btw. I didn't have to wonder that for long. Our wonderful team was beginning to arrive in swarms, and quickly, both windscreens were removed, their divider was cut out with a reciprocating saw, I was given O2 and a spinal collar for the patient, and had another first aider in the cab with me. Blaster man was really going into shock at this point - he was kinda white and clammy when I arrived, and was getting greyer by the minute. He also came close to losing consciousness a few times before we got the 02 to him. Like I said earlier, your training only goes so far, it's truly surreal to be with someone minutes after something like this happens. None the less, shortly thereafter he was extracted from the truck, packaged according to possible spinal injury protocol and on his way to Kamloops. Thankfully, he was later released with no apparent major injuries. All of this, from call out to ambulatory took about 28 min. Felt like days, but wow - quite the experience. Reminds you that accidents can happen anywhere, anytime. It appears this one was due to a mechanical failure. Makes me proud to work with such dedicated, professional volunteer ERT members who seem to handle anything thrown at us with a swift, safe grace.

My albums of this year. before you all start in on me, I now Mr. Steven's album is a bit older, but it's new to me. And if there is a sadder love song than his Casimir Pulaski Day I ain't heard it.

Ok, I've been observing this for some time and it's been long enough. I, as you know tend to drive more than most people. In my travels I've been seeing more and more Subarus on the road and I've come to the conclusion that the twits who drive these blocky beasts are the worst drivers on the highways and biways of our great nation. I know it's a little rough to group together shitty drivers into a specific brand - but I notice it more and more; just yesterday I was cut off and given the business (unneccesary throwing of rocks) for absolutely no good reason. Seems the driver of that ugly wagon just HAD to get into that lane despite the fact he continued along for another four km before again going back into the empty lane to doddle on his way. Anhow, I've decided I hat Subarus and all those who drive em. Thoughts?

Rest in Peace you crazy MoFo. James Brown, dead this Xmas morning. 1933-2006. RIP.

Um - the book is a rip off big time. Too bad the movie didn't attempt stealing some good shit as well. The character developement blew, the acting kinda sucked, and the way over the top score actually made me laugh aloud at very inappropriate times. On a good note, I saw it with lovely company, on cheap night, and the Canucks lost anyway. So I wasn't missing much there. I still want a dragon though. Man the shit I could inflict on the world if only I had a dragon!!! I'd want mine to have a better voice over though, god - the more I think of it; wow - this was one bad flick.

Ok, time to be happier - a movie all about the 'spinner' for big tobacco who battles senators and the Nation's lawmakers all while trying to impress his impressionable young son. This movie was brilliant, Thank you for Filming! Aaron Eckhart is unknown to me, but he nailed this role. The clever eyes, constantly tring to work a spin; I was a believer. The young fella playing his boy made you feel for the 'torn between battling bitter parents' kinda kid. Sam Elliot as the Marlboro man was genius, and as usual Maria Bello just kinda made me admire cougs all the more. Toss in Rob Lowe, Katie Holmes, William H Macy and Robert Duvall and you've got one hell of a cast. Not just that, but a script, a cinemtogrophar, direction and major production value. Can't say enough, loved it - rent it soon. Witty beyond belief.

Well, this'll be a short post. Pirates of the Carribean II was well - OK. I think I'm being generous actually here, this film just didn't do it for me. There'll be no Oscar nomination this time round for dear old Mr. Depp. Bill Nighy and his CGI character Davy Jones did rock, and I do have very lustful thoughts about the willowy Ms. Knightley; but it just ain't enough to save this dribble. On a related note, apart from Ronin, I cannot think of a film Jonathan Pryce has ever been in that I've enjoyed. he pissed me off so many years back with all those snotty Lexus ads, that I think there may be no forgiving him.

Now this is just laugh out loud funny. Will Ferrell is a genius I've finally realized. It took me a few years to get past the excruciating head bopping club goer dude on SNL when that show started to really shit the bed. (On a SNL related topic - search 'Dick in a box' on YouTube for a Justin Timberlake laugh fest). Ferrell's come a long way baby. Think Elf. Regardless, back to the film. I was a little unsure going in, but wow - the redneck love of Nascar comes through with ferocity in this film. His two snot nosed brats are so good you want to reach through the screen and strangle the little fuckers. His nemesis, a study of Sigreud - or is it Roy, is played beatifully by Sasha Baron Cohen as the stereotypical Snotty, gay as the day is long Frenchman. His scenes with Andy Richter steal the film. Best line - something along the lines of 'Pleas god, let her be 18.' The 'Grace' scene at the dinner table is worth the rental price all on its own. Me Likee.

Alrighty then kids, Knew I needed to get something or other blogged up here today, and decided instead of spewing a Holiday Cheer type rant; that I'd review some films I've seen lately. I attempted to blog all of these reviews into one post, but alas - no luck. It's either to big, or I'm an apple illiterate buffon. My money goes with the latter. Alas, one film, one post = lots of room for you all to rant, disagree, praise (yeah - likely) or spit venom like the Cobras and Asps you all are. Happy Ho Ho's!

I've decided Miss Scarlett is the Goddess extrordinaire to bless the planet. I remember having a bit of a crush on the gravelly voice kid in Ghost World. How she's come along...wowsers. If you can take Woody Allen, as I sometimes can (note the sometimes, neurotic antics can only go so far) check out Scoop. Cute film, and chock o block full of Scarlett! Not to mention Ian McShane being the superstar he is.

Hmm, perhaps this is why I felt on the verge of respiratory collapse while visiting Havana. I thought is was all the Lada's and 1950's American Iron; but no - apparently it was the diesel burning, exhaust belching Soviet Era tanks. Seen here celebrating the 50th anninversay of Castro's return from exile, sailing in from Mexico aboard a yacht with 80 plus rebels (a few survived and made it to the the mountains where they fought guerilla warfare against the government. In 1959, Fidel, Raol, Che and the lads finally succeeded. That's my history lesson for the day.) Said tanks are undoubtedly creating more potholes that no-one will bother to pave in downtown Havana. Anyone who has seen the Cuban capital will tell you that this once Utopian Spanish Colonial inspired city will take your breath away one moment, and leave you on the verge of tears the next. If only the people had no idea about how the outside world lives, Fidel's idea would work. However, that just isn't the case; they want and want and want. Granted they are the best educated, fed and looked after (healthcare) of all the third world folks. All that comes at a price. Long live Fidel, my ass. And here's hoping you're next Raol. Wonder if this blog will slow my next entry to Cuba? Oh yeah, they won't know about it.