Jam Packed, Part Deux

We're back to get caught up blogging about our November thus far. It's Sunday morning, which for me has been evolving into an early get-up, a pot of coffee, and some kind of vegetable activity (computer or TV). If the Flames played Saturday night, chances are I've taped it and want to watch before it gets too stale (thanks to Anne and Ray for the VCR!). Well, not this week -- CBC showed Edmonton finally, probably a relief for those fans after three straight Saturdays of the Flames. Even the Oilers fans ought to be tossed a bone now and then.

Bethany is doing great -- we did a double this past week of a midwife visit and a prenatal class on the same day. Our kid is kicking strong. For a moment she thought the head had 'dropped', but hadn't stayed that way -- that means the head has plunked down into her pelvic bone, which is sort of like the on deck circle. It took pressure off her innards, temporarily relieving the shortened breath and heartburn. Alas, the little one has resumed the routine of boots, punches and headbutts, suggesting the drop was only wishful thinking on her part. Bethy's heartburn is back and worse than ever, particularly at bedtime. But that seems to be the worst of our issues, which is good. Easy for me to type.

I'm very proud of my wife. She has great discipline and determination, which I think makes her a natural at this pregnancy thing. She does heaps of reading and is probably in the top few percent of pregnant ladies in terms of being informed. We've also watched some DVDs and listened to many podcasts (more my speed) which have served to back up our desire for a natural childbirth. One particular show, called The Business of Being Born, looks at the sorry state of affairs in U.S. health care, where births are often run with one eye on the clock and an overarching concern for liability and the bottom line. Thank goodness we live here and can opt for midwife care as part of our provincial medical coverage.

My big events of the month have been a pair of firefighter training courses. I have a buddy on the department, Jeremy -- we joined at the same time early this year (Bethany too, but she had to bow out for obvious reasons). The two of us were booked into these classes in Comox months back, and the time had finally arrived on the 7th-8th. Jeremy and I wound up as a pairing and got to work together on a number of drills: searches and fires in the concrete two-story burn house, car fire, propane tank fire, dumpster fire. It was all done with the very capable instructors looking over our shoulders and talking us through everything. The following weekend, we were back for a one day session focused on self survival and firefighter rescue -- that one was INTENSE, just as billed. We learned how to crawl through a tangle of wires, bust through walls as an escape tactic, package and drag a downed firefighter, lower ourselves out a window too high to jump from, and a move called the Denver Drill designed to get an unconscious firefighter out a window. Many of these tactics have been developed in response to something that went horribly wrong that in hindsight was in some way preventable, like the Denver Drill and the wire crawl. The big exercise they ran us through at the end of that one-day class is perhaps the most physically demanding thing I've ever done.

All this training is done in full turnout gear and 'on-air', simulating a real life scenario as closely as possible. Safe to say these conditions are light years away from what it's really like under stress, but it was a terrific foundation from which to build our future education as firefighters. This stuff isn't cheap -- it costs our department/local taxpayers big bucks to send people on these courses, so it's taken very seriously. It was sobering, informative, inspiring and fun all at the same time. Jeremy and I earned our carabiners, and some certificates to go on the wall of fame at the Hall. Feels great to get up to speed with some of the others training-wise, though it will take plenty of time and practice to gain the experience they have.

The evening of that same Saturday I attended that survival class was a big island fundraiser 'Denman's Got Talent'. Honestly, I completely forgot about it until we'd driven back on-island and I saw the sign. Bethany and I took part with a song she wrote and played at one of the open mics a few months back. I'd since put a bass part to it, and we now make it a duet of sorts. She was pumped about playing the grand piano at the Community Hall, and boy did it sound great. We did a nice job on the tune, and were rewarded with a great ovation and lots of comments from the audience made up of many friends and familiar faces. The place was packed! Several hundred islanders were treated to a wide range of talents and styles -- music, dance, comedy, kids entertainment. It was yet another of those special nights typical of this tight-knit, supportive community.

Nov. 11 was another notable occasion of course. The ceremony was held at the Senior's Hall, which is a nice community asset comprised of a dining space and a large gym. Attendance was good, though not a whole lot of youth were present. Bethany played Taps wonderfully -- no small feat given her reduced lung capacity these days! Sounds like she has an annual Remembrance Day gig. There were maybe a half dozen vets there, and they were given the appropriate recognition.

There was actually a legion set up here on Denman in 1949, spearheaded by Marcus Isbister (he of one of the pioneer families who settled here -- the Isbisters continue to thrive). The Legion membership dwindled as its members passed, and decided to dissolve in 2000. The closing ceremony was held on May 27th, and wouldn't you know it, Mr. Isbister passed away that very same day. (I gleaned this info from My Ain Folk, the local history book by Jim Kirk -- another long time Denman fixture).

Other stuff: I've been working some days with Michael and Kathy on the construction of their house -- will do a blog entry about that project soon. No ferry work in three weeks now. Bethany has a baby shower at home today, and in Victoria next week. I've made Skype contact with both Mom and Grandma Dot recently -- that technology will be invaluable once the baby arrives. I would encourage all who wish to have face-to-faces with our family to become active on Skype! We saw a movie last night, The Man Who Stares At Goats -- decent show, I would recommend it. Great cast, wacky subject matter. It was easily the best thing showing at the Courtenay four-plex, among teen vampire crap and CGI disaster crap.

Until next time, keep fit and have fun!