A Good Week

The Sun Setting on the Bay

It has been a good week. In addition to being a productive week of school, it was an amazing weekend on the San Francisco Bay and at Home. It was very nice to see my parents and the dogs. I spend the day on the boat with Alex, Amy and my Folks. I have a fortunate life and I am very grateful for the opportunities I have. Yes, I have been working hard, but I am doing well.

It has been unusually hot for the fall season. Almost like the summer weather was delayed by unknown factors. Sometimes it feels like the weather gods are playing dice, hence why the weatherman can never really get it right. I drove home on Friday night to be there for the sail on Saturday. It was a clear, warm and windy on the bay. If you have ever sailed the bay, it is one of those few diamonds the bay has ever year. Amy and Alex had never been on the boat, so it was a perfect day for them. The trip getting there was a little longer than expected, I got lost in Oakland.

Alex, Amy and I on the Bow of the Boat

The Admiral instructing Amy how to be a coxswain

Sailing under the Golden Gate

The wind was blowing but it was warm enough for shorts. The dingy was perfect to relax on the bow and the scenery was nothing less of spectacular. We ended up going out beyond the Golden Gate Bridge and I was able to get some nice photographs. Alex and Amy did quite a job at the helm. The Admiral (Mother) and the Captain (Father) did their job of keeping all of us safe. As you can probably see from the photographs, it was a truly spectacular day.

Before I forget, the world needs to be introduced to “The Dancing Machine.” He is a very good friend of mine, the friend I have known the longest and one of the most incredible people I know. Jeff has been through a lot in his life, and has managed to be an inspiration to many. As you can see, he inspired this dance floor to get going.

The Dancing Machine showing the world how to have a good time.

Until I write again or hear from the world, have a wonderful week. More work ahead, but so much to look forward to.

PS: Happy Belated Birthday Timothy!

The Sacrifices of Training

In HS A-School we have the opportunity to partake in a long-standing medical practice of using hypodermic needles to help people manage their health. It dates back to the 1800 when the needle is believed to have officially invented. Although the basic design was experimented as early as the 1600’s. The only downside to this practice is that we have to have willing persons to volunteer their veins. Unfortunately, we are those willing volunteers. I have to admit that it has gotten easier. It still hurts when the needle goes in, but when done well it is tolerable.

Like most things I take this as an opportunity to see the bright side of the experience. What builds trust faster than allowing a shipmate to stick you with a needle, knowing they have never done it before? This is probably a trust exercise that no other A-School partakes in. I cannot deny a sense of appreciation … or something like that.

It has gone as well as it can. There have been some challenges and knowing the technique is not exactly being able to perform the technique. A short synopsis would be to take this needle, stick it through he skin, enter a vein and hold it still as you allow blood to flow through the needle in to your container or IV fluid to flow in, then remove it. Sounds easy?, be sure to miss arteries, nerves, tendons and muscles. I found myself apologizing to some shipmates for misses or unintended movement. Fortunately, the learning process goes both ways. Eventually we all learn.

Overall the week has been good. I saw Amy for a wonderful dinner in Oakland; the fog was amazing coming into the bay area, like a solid mass levitating above the bay and draping down to the ground. My friends Marc, Shannon and their beautiful children came up to visit. We had some wonderful sushi at a local restaurant and taught the children a little about racing at Scandia. I have fleet week to look forward to in October and the weeks are going by quickly. It is hard to believe that it has been five weeks since I started A-School. I have made some good friends and met some incredible people. This has been a great opportunity, and it only offers more in the weeks to come.

The Cimoli Boys and I

Alex on my Shoulders

Shannon, the Boys and I

Alexander, Benjamin and Timothy

Living the Dream ... A needle to the rear

Now I will look like a mad Scientist as I administer this shot ( Diabolical Laugh )


There are few jobs in the world in which you have the opportunity to volunteer to get a shot. When most people avoid shots like the plague, HS’s flock to them like they are the best thing since easy cheese. And like easy cheese, they carry a bittersweet tinge to them. Shots are not the most enjoyable thing, but a necessary task in the job of an HS.

On a side to maintain my own honor I have to give myself the dweeb award. Don’t ask me why I asked this question, I honestly have no idea. I managed to ask “We don’t have to cut ourselves for suture practice do we?” As you can probably guess, it got some good laughs and even though it was my thousands question, It is most likely my most memorable. Enough of that though.

The first week is complete and all has gone well. We have started shots, some reading, and much more hands on than EMT school was. I have managed to get a two shots in my arm, and one in my butt. The butt shot hurt the most; just because it was around so much muscle, the longest needle and the most uncomfortable It is a sacrifice I am willing to make. I am sure there are more to come, is all part of the learning process.

All in all I am doing well. There is much to learn still but everything is falling in to place. The faculty has shown they care and are willing to help us do what it take to get through this challenging course. The only thing for certain is that it will be a challenge. I hope all is well for those that read this, have a wonderful day.

PS: I would like to congratulate my parents on their 28th Anniversary. They have been incredible role models to learn from.

Before I forget.  A very significant event occurred on the same day as my parents anniversary.   As you can probably guess, it is the unfortunate events of 2001.  It is not the main reason I am in the Coast Guard today, but the reason I choose to become a part of Emergency Medicine. It is was a push for my desire to serve others and be there for them in their time of need.  Like any event it played a part in shaping who I am today, as it has for any person that lived through it.  I still remember what I was doing when I heard the news and I most likely always will.  I am proud of the man I am today and appreciate the freedoms that we share in this country.  My place may not be the front line in defending that freedom, but I play a role in the teamwork that gets the job done.  Therefore, as a teammate, I humbly thank those public servants such as soldiers, sailers, coast guardsmen firefighters and police officers.  Nor can I forget the people that make the job worth it, the people we protect and defend. 

Finally There

I am finally in HS A-School.  I have successfully made it through the EMT Class and got my National Certification.  I made a quick trip home to see the dogs for the first time in a month and saw the beautiful girlfriend as well.  The dogs were elated to see me as demonstrated by the circles and circles and circles done by Hobie.

I suppose the real work starts now.  Fifteen weeks remain of the this challenging course.  I don't know exactly what the greatest challenge will be, but I do know I will have to work hard.  Fortunately I have the support of my shipmates, family and friends.  Wish me luck, Until I write again, enjoy every moment.