Tactical Communication

What would you rate the world if it were a movie? G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17, X or XXX? This was how my class was started today. It's sad that the majority of the class voted "R" and unfortunate that we think so poorly about the world. But, its true, evil is out there, contaminating the minds of humanity. I think at times we choose what type of rating we live in by the choice of our lifestyle. One of the instructors gave a great example, he said, at home with his kids it's "G", but at work its "X". I picked "X" for the world, mainly because of the lack of morals, values, discipline, responsibility and unhappiness people display. It was an interesting discussion that led into how to communicate with people. 

The fun part of the class was getting to practice our communication skills on pulling someone over. I learned a few fun ways to persuade people. It's all about what you say and how you say it. Fun times!

Good Furtune

Long day today. Woke up at 5:30AM for physical training and had lecture from 9:00AM-6:00Pm. The instructor giving the lecture was so monotone, it was hard to look interested, let alone stay awake. I lost count the amount of coffee I drank. Later in the afternoon, when the tired eyed class got a little break, I went to refill my coffee mug and someone was kind enough to set out some fortune cookies. My fortune, just what I needed,

"Learning to shrug is the beginning of wisdom."

Oh, how simple life would be if wisdom was gained by a shrug!

The real deal

I woke up this morning at 5:30AM for the first P.T (physical training). All the cadets met at the grinder to line up. The grinder is a small parking lot that hasn't been repaved in 30-40 years. Every morning and afternoon the cadets meet at the grinder for line-up where we do 20 push-ups (morning and afternoon). The lot is so torn up that when we complete push-ups everyones hands have impressions of large pebbles on the palms of their hands. Hence the name the "grinder." I have a sneaky plan to go to Home Depot to buy a large broom to discreetly brush away all the rubble. For P.T this morning we took a small field trip to Monterey Peninsula College. We did some stretching, took our first look at the weight room and then did a timed mile and a half run. I felt pretty good on the run, I went a 10:13! 

We got back to the Asilomar Mott training grounds at 8:30AM.  9:45AM we were back at the grinder for the first uniform exception and recital of the States Mission Statement and the first part of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. I had a perfecto uniform but a not so perfect Mission Statement. I some how managed to repeat myself, don't ask how, I said the right thing twice and didn't notice. All the cadets have ten green cards and when you do something wrong you get a card pulled. Well, I had a card pulled, for the not so perfect Mission. I was so upset about not getting the Mission right that it took quit a while for me to gather my thoughts for the Code of Ethics. I had the longest pauses while reciting the Code that I didn't think I'd ever get through it... but I did! Ehhh!

one more thing

I forgot to mention on my last blog that last week the cadets were given an assignment to think of a motto for our group. The motto will be said after class everyday and be put on a t-shirt. On Thursday we turned in our ideas and they were written up on the black board and voted on. And guess what... mine won. So the new motto for my class is:

"Heart of Gold, Strength of a Bear"

The Beginning

I made it through the first week. It wasn't bad, just a lot of sitting and filling out paper work. Such as health benefits, retirement, joining the union and many other tedious forms. The instructors are all helpful and have positive attitudes. Their not yelling in our faces or belittling anyone. They want to see everyone succeed. Of course they have high expectations and there are some structured rules all the cadets need to follow. The cadets in my training group are great! Everyone has some amazing talent to bring to the group. It's been a thrill getting to know each person. There are 42 of us. 8 of those Lifeguards and the rest Rangers. Out of those 42 three of them are women. My room-mate is a sweet mother of three. She could probably kick the governors buns. She does some sort of mixed marshal arts and is fantastic at it. This week I also found out that I will be working in Huntington Beach! So when I graduate I'll be going back home with the family! 

It's been a little surreal. It is gorgeous here. Lots of trees and wild life. I was actually close to hitting a deer on Tuesday. The ocean is walkable distance and is beautiful. The food is delicious, I've had to start cutting the meals in half and skip out on desert, just to avoid gaining 20 pounds in 6 months. 

Overall the week has been smooth. Only 27 more weeks to go!

It took balls...

and a whole lot of humiliation. I finally purchased the last part of my uniform. A jock strap. Yup, you read right, I need one of those things for something I don't have. I uncomfortably spent about 15 minutes in an athletic store staring at all the different types of jocks. When I picked out what I thought was right I went to the register and the sales associate (which I was acquaintances with) said no returns. I nodded understandably but was hesitant to buy because I didn't know if it was the right one. Bashfully, I told her it was for me and showed her the description of what I needed

She laughed and said "you really have to wear one of those?" 

"Yeah" I replied.

Like myself she didn't know too much about jock straps either so she asked another female worker who also didn't know much. The only guy who new what I needed was on lunch break so she took the jock strap description to the guy and he told her I  had the wrong one andhe explained what I needed. When she came back from the break room she walked me back to the jock wall and grabbed what I needed. 

Belt Loop Bloop

Yesterday, while admiring my belt I had the urge to try it on. Why I didn't try it on earlier I don't know. As I tightened the belt to the last hole I found the belt to be to big. Not just I little big, about five inches between my bellybutton and the belt big! Oh no. I ordered the belt online so it would be impossible to exchange the belt before I leave. Panicked I  looked for a leather repair shop. Luckily I found one about two miles from my house. The hole in the wall store was dark inside with an aroma of cigarette smoke and leather. I set my belt on the counter and mercifully asked the man with the stained black hands and missing finger nails if he could fix my belt without it looking altered. The Leather Man took my measurements and evaluated the belt. Because the belt has wording that is supposed to be centered on the back it took a while for him to calculate where to cut. Once the Leather Man figured it out he told me it could be done and added "don't lose any weight or you'll have to buy a new belt." I pick up my belt on friday. I sure hope it turns out. 

Where to work?

In the mail today came the available spots for me to work. 

There is one spot in Ventura, one in Monterey, four in Huntington and two in Santa Cruz. 

I have to choose 1-8, one being my first option. All spots sound desirable to me. What do you think? Place your vote on the right.

And the grand total is...

$988.81. Yup, I almost spent a grand on my uniforms. Reimbursement you ask? A little, I'll get $600 from the state. But, I still need to buy my class "A's" which will cost about $600.

I bought four shirts, three pairs of pants, boots, a jacket and a belt.

You might find me wearing this belt off duty because it's the best part of the uniform. It has the state bear and poppies on it and says "State of California".