History Changes...Or Does It?

In the winter of 1978 a storm hit Ohio unlike any storm I had ever seen.  The barometric pressure in Ohio was the lowest ever seen in the continental United States, except for during a hurricane.  I remember thinking that this was an event that I would remember for a long time.  It wasn't a typical snow storm, but a blizzard, the likes of which I had never seen before and haven't seen since, but would change my view of life and what was possible.

In March of 1981 I was at home sick from school.  I got a call from my mom telling me that President Reagan had been shot.  I turned on the news and watched the footage over an over again.  Shots rang out.  Four people, including the President, had been hit.  The news was sporadic and confusing.  Originally they reported that the President had not been hit, then that he had been hit.  Reports that press secretary James Brady had died were put out by the media, then retracted after realizing that Brady had not died.  Even before the days of 24 hour news coverage, the press were so quick to "get it first", that they sometimes reported inaccuracies.  I remember thinking that this was an historic event.  Something I had never seen before and hopefully would never see again, but would change my view of life and what people were capable of doing.

In May of 1981 I was at school when I saw a TV report that Pope John Paul II had been shot.  When I told my science teacher he laughed, thinking that I was joking.  Being in school, I did not see a lot of the initial news coverage, but remembered thinking that this was an historic event.  Something I'd never seen before and hopefully would never see again, but would change my view of life and what people were capable of doing.

In January of 1986 I was stationed at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, CA.  Just as we went on a break from class, one of the instructors entered in room and informed out instructor, in German, that the space shuttle had exploded.  I went to a room with a television and watched as they replayed the footage of the shuttle taking off and the words "Go with throttle up" were repeated.  As the shuttle exploded it was as if I'd been kicked in the stomach. After class that day I watched the replay on the news over and over.  I remember knowing that this was an historic event. Something I'd never seen before and hopefully would never see again, but would change my view of life, and what tragedies were possible.

In April of 1986 I was in the United States Army, stationed in West Germany.  I woke up a German radio station announcing that the United States had launched air strikes against Libya and bombed several targets.  I switched to the Armed Forces Network, sure that I had mistranslated what I'd heard.  I hadn't.  In the days and weeks following that event, U.S. service members and their families movements were limited.  There was a strict midnight curfew, and no organized formations or activities could take place outside of a secured facility.  I remember knowing that this was an historic event.  Something I hadn't seen before, but would change my view of life, and what my life as a soldier would be like.

The bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina, and many other historic events have occurred in my lifetime.  All of them left me changed in some way.  All of them left me knowing that things would somehow be different from here on out.

The most recent, of course, is the current situation we find ourselves in.  The COVID 19 Pandemic.  A time when much of the world has been told to stay at home, distance yourself from those you care about in the name of keeping yourself and those you care about safe.  There is currently a lot of disagreement about how the situation it being handled.  Did we go too far?  Are we going far enough?  Are people taking it seriously?  Are people taking it too seriously?  At the end of the day I don't think we'll truly know if we handled the situation correctly.  There will be a lot of finger pointing and a lot of political gamesmanship in the aftermath, just as there is now.  But to be sure...this is something I've never experienced before and will hopefully never have to experience again.  My view of the world is and will be forever changed.

2019 Wrap Up

Greetings to all in this holiday season!

As 2019 is coming to a close, I am, once again, able to focus on the many blessings in my life.  I’ve been fortunate in this past year to be able to do some more traveling.  I continue to meet people along the way who share some of my same passions and have had to opportunity to grow in those passions.

In the running world, 2019 brought me another new state in my quest to run a race in all 50 states.  This past spring I ran the “Run with the Cows” 5K in Kansas.  This brings me to 36 states in which I have run races, with four New England states still to run, eight western states, along with Alaska and Hawaii.  I have not yet made any running plans for 2020, but hope to get another state or two under my running shoes.

  

2019 also saw me continue my exploration of competitive ballroom dancing.  I traveled to Minneapolis in January to compete in the SnowBall Dancesport Challenge.  In February I had surgery, which kept me out of dance competitions for a while.  However, by mid-year I was back at it, competing in Nashville, Cincinnati, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Columbus.    While in Cincinnati I placed as one of the top ten students in the competition and won the Top Bronze Student Award for the second straight year.

I am currently in second place among the Top Male Student Competitors in the Global Dancesport Series, while my instructor, Emily Mertens, is in second place in the Top Female Teacher category.  We set a goal to try to compete in all fourteen competitions that are part of that series.  To work towards that goal we will be competing again in Minneapolis in January.  Then in March we will compete in Las Vegas and Detroit.  April will take us to San Francisco and Los Angeles, then to Atlanta in May.  In June we will travel to Denver, then to New York City over the 4^th of July weekend.  We will finish off the series traveling to Nashville for the Volunteer State Dancesport competition in July.  I’m joined In the Top 5 by some amazing dancers from across the country, all who have been dancing competitively for several years.  It’s been fun meeting other competitors as I’ve traveled the country.

On the work front, things continue to grow at the Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center.  We currently dispatch for 3 police departments and 3 fire departments, in addition to handling all the 9-1-1 calls that come from those communities and cell phone 9-1-1 calls for the northwest side of Franklin County.  In July we will take on dispatching responsibilities for another city, handling both their police and fire department dispatching. Honestly, I’d be lying if I said that I was excited about taking on another city.  I have spent much of the past few years learning new cities and new ways of doing things.  But part of this job, like any job, is dealing with change.  So, I will deal with this change and embrace it.  The job can be stressful (hence the reason I run and dance) but it can also be rewarding.  It still takes a little piece of my soul every time I get that call from someone who has lost a loved a one.  But a piece of that is restored every time I am able to help someone or save a life.  I’ve got at least six more years before I can retire and the good still outweighs the bad, so I’m happy with the impact that I have.  Now if I could just get the chief to let me keep the beard….

  

2020 looks to continue to be an exciting year for me.  I hope it will be the same for you.  Here’s wishing you a joyous holiday season and many blessings for the New Year!

Chris

Why Emily and Ballroom Dance Experience?

I've told many people that there have been two times in my life when I've been lucky to have found "the best".  The reason I say "lucky" is because, going in to the situation I really knew nothing about what I was getting in to and did no true research.

The first situation was my current job.  I took the job as a public safety dispatcher with the City of Dublin, Ohio.  It didn't take very long for me to find out that, the department I work for is one of the top dispatching agencies in central Ohio.  The training is top notch, the department is among the best for its size in the United States and we continue to grow. 

The second situation was in who I found as a dance instructor.  I started my journey through ballroom dancing with some group lessons through the Dublin Rec. Center.  I didn't take classes here because of the instructor.  I didn't know the instructor.  I took these classes because I was employed be the City of Dublin, and the City of Dublin Rec Center offered the classes.  I know nothing about the world of ballroom dancing.  I knew so little in fact, that I actually thought I would never use what I learned in my lessons once my class was over.

I found that the ballroom dance community around central Ohio is much larger than I ever imagined.  I learned that there are U.S. and World Champion ballroom dancers who have made their homes right here in central Ohio.  I learned that one of the biggest ballroom dance competitions takes place every year in Columbus, Ohio.  As I came to learn more about the size and scope of this activity in central Ohio, I became more interested in doing more than just learning a few steps and moving on. 

I began asking Emily, my instructor in the Dublin Rec Center classes, for more information about private lessons and dancesport.  It was during these conversations that made me realize that I had found a good instructor.  Emily patiently explained the world of ballroom dance to me.  She helped me to understand the world of ballroom dancing and how ballroom dance competitions work.  That first conversation started very short with me asking a question before one of the group classes.  But I got lucky.  The other couples who were in the group class were all busy with other activities that day, so I had the class to myself.  Emily asked me what dance I wanted to work on and I continued asking questions about ballroom dance and what it would take to get involved in ballroom dance competitions.  For the next hour and fifteen minutes Emily continued to explain the process.  We talked about other students of her's who compete.  We talked about cost.  We talked about time.  We talked about the areas of the country where different styles of ballroom dance was stronger.  We talked about how Columbus had become so strong in the dance world.  We talked until the next class started.

After the next class, I still had questions.  I asked Emily some more and, what I thought was going to be a quick answer, turned in to another conversation that took well over an hour.  At one point during this conversation I apologized to Emily, as it was getting late and I was sure she had other things she would much rather be doing.  I offered to set a time with her when we could continue our discussion.  Emily's answer to me caused the light to go on with me.  Emily responded with, "No, that's ok.  We're going to have this conversation at some point.  So we might as well do it now rather than taking up one of your lessons."  I realized at that point that this woman, who makes her living teaching dance, was willing to spend a few hours of her own time to teach me about dance. 

That conversation, and several since then, let me know that I have found an instructor who is passionate about her craft.  That conversation, and several since then, let me know that I have found an instructor who is passionate about teaching her craft.   That conversation, and several since then, let me know that found an instructor who wants to pass on her passion for her craft to her students.  That conversation, and several since then, let me know that I have found an instructor who teaches the art of dance, and not just the steps. That conversation, and several since then, let me know that I have found an instructor who concerned, not only with teaching her students to dance, but with their overall well being.

When I made the decision to take my dance journey to a different level, I didn't shop around for instructors.  I found myself fortunate enough to have come in to contact with an instructor who was intelligent, passionate, and had a teaching style that worked well with my learning style.  I found an instructor who cares about her students.  I found an instructor whose passion for dancing comes through and is contagious. 

None of this is meant to say that other instructors don't have this same passion.  I've seen and worked with other instructors from central Ohio as well as from other parts of the country.  The reason ballroom dancing is so successful in central Ohio is because of the entire dance community.  Any student looking for an instructor has a choice of talented, passionate people.  For me, I've found the instructor that I will stick with.

Dancing My Way Through Dispatching.

In 1997 I was approached by a friend who was a police officer for the Dublin Police Dept. in Dublin, OH.  My friend told me that they were hiring dispatchers and he thought it might be a job I'd be good at.  I applied for the job, went through the extensive testing, interview and background process, and was hired.  I started my new career January 23, 1998.  I completed a training program that was about 3-4 months long, teaching me how to dispatch police, fire and EMS, how to handle the calls, and how to deal with true life and death emergencies.  The job of a public safety dispatcher is considered one of the most stressful jobs out there.  I quickly found out why. Taking the call from the screaming parent who couldn't find her missing child, keeping up with officers in a high speed pursuit and having that pursuit end with officers having to fire shots at a person in order to stop that person from killing them, calming the caller who came home to find that her significant other had hung herself.  These were just a few of the incidents I dealt with in my first few months on the job.

Twenty years later and I still work at the same place.  The difference is that now, instead of handling one police dept. and one fire dept., we dispatch for three cities.  Instead of handling a couple of hundred 9-1-1 calls each month, we handle over 100 every day.  With the growth in the use of cell phones the stress of the job has increased.  Finding a caller who has called 9-1-1 on his/her cell phone is not an easy task if the caller does not know where he/she is.  The one or two phone calls we used to get about a single incident has now become 10 or more phone calls.  Technology changes in the last twenty years also mean that the capabilities of the 9-1-1 system are stretched.  Now we receive text messages to 9-1-1.  Soon people will be able to send photos and videos to 9-1-1.  While those can be good, they also bring more challenges.  All of this amounts to making, what was a stressful job, increasingly more and more stressful.

In addition to the stress of doing the job, I have spent many years training others to do the job.  I also serve as part of the FOP Critical Response Team.  So, when that extraordinary incident happens, I get called.  I've talked to responders and dispatchers after they lost a co-worker in the line of duty.  I've talked to the dispatchers who took the call from the parent when the child died.  I've listened to responders recount how they did everything they knew to do to help...but the situation didn't turn out the way it should have.

So after more than 20 years of doing this job, how is it that I do not have serious health issues?  Stress has been proven to compromise the body's immune system, but I haven't called in sick to work in over two years.  Stress is supposed to increase your blood pressure, but mine has stayed normal or even lower than the norm.

Two activities that I participate in have been instrumental in helping me deal with the stress of life and the stress of work.  Running and ballroom dancing.  I'm not a fast runner, but I enjoy the activity.  I'm currently working on my goal to run a race in all 50 States.  So far, I've got 34 States completed with two new States planned in October and another planned for February.

Ballroom Dancing has helped more than most can imagine.  The opportunity to take my mind off of the day and focus on the music and steps.  The opportunity to focus on my technique doesn't allow me to dwell on the bad.  The opportunity to socialize with others, whether that is my instructor, other students, or other professional dancers, the conversation is not about my work. 

This way of relieving stress really came to light for me last February.  At the time all of Central Ohio Law Enforcement was reeling after two local police officers were shot and killed during a domestic dispute.  Emily, my dance instructor, asked me a question that surprised me somewhat.  She asked, "When you've had a really stressful day like this, what do you want me to do in your lessons?"  That question surprised me a bit. After all, what else would I be expecting my dance instructor to do, but to teach me to dance.  But this was the point when I realized that learning to dance is the side effect I get from my time in the studio.  The purpose of my time in the studio is much more than that.  Sometimes it's to shake off the funk of the day.  Sometimes it's to focus on something enjoyable.  Sometimes it's simply to laugh a little.  Even when the day hasn't been stressful, banking some enjoyment and exercise is also beneficial. 

We all have those life issues.  No one has a stress free life.  The question is, how do we deal with that stress.  For me, it's running and dancing.  What is it for you?

Do We See Ourselves As Others See Us?

Recently I asked several people to answer two questions for me.  The people represent different parts of my life.  Some were friends, some co-workers, some supervisors, some family.  The main reason I asked the questions was to find out if I really saw myself the way others see me.  The questions I asked were: What do you think is my greatest strength?  and What do you see as my greatest weakness?

Without revealing who said what, here were the answers I got from those who responded:

Strengths:
"Honesty is huge.  But for you I would say it is your determination. Look at your life. From weight loss to running now to dancing. So for me I would say determination."

"Self Awareness"

"People skills. You always think outside of the box, you never jump to conclusions, you form your own opinion, you strive to help people succeed..."

"The courage to try new things."

"Kindness"

"Loyalty, compassion, caring, faith, focus"

"Your ability to see the positive and your ability to play devil's advocate."

"I would say that your greatest strength is that you are caring and kind."

"You are an inspiration to others because you work hard to go after what you want without caring what everyone else thinks. You are also kind."

"If you're applying for the job of a dance partner, I'd say it's your great memory and ability to quickly apply/incorporate what you've been taught.  I think you are a great listener, and that you care about people. You are loyal and willing to take risks."

"Your passion and enthusiasm in everything you do."

"Dedication. You are dedicated to your friends, co-workers and anything you put your mind to."

"Loyalty."

"Your humor and wit. You think fast on your feet and even find ways of keeping things tastefully lighthearted. Things don't seem to bother you much, or you appear to brush things off easily."

Weaknesses:
"You give in and tend to conform. You are non-confrontational and, at times, it has allowed people to use you."

"Consistency/Diligence"

"All the OT you work.  Just say no"

"Being more open with others."

"Being so kind often means you allow yourself to be taken advantage of."

"Socially timid, introvert, quietness"

"Holding back something you should say or do because of a fear that it will negatively impact what that person thinks of you."

"I would honestly have to say that I have not seen your weakness."

"Your kindness is also a weakness because it makes it difficult for you to make tough choices because of how it will affect someone."

"Can't think of weaknesses. I am a very guarded person...so don't allow you to relax and show your whole self with me."

"Passiveness/Lack of Self Confidence. It keeps you from unlocking everything you're capable of accomplishing."

"Sometimes you care too much for what others may think."

"Too nice."

"You seem closed off a lot. Keeping your personal business to yourself is a good asset, but when people feel distanced from you, it can be a hinderance. It seems like you set yourself as a priority, which is great, but it also pushes others out. I understand if you're just being guarded or protective, but it can be perceived as 'an attitude'."

Apart of trying to see if I view myself as others do, another reason for this was to see if I am able to accept the good things people think of me without trying to somehow minimize it, while also accepting the negative things people think of me without becoming upset or defensive.  

Interestingly, as I looked at all of the results, I had two thoughts.  One thought was that, yes, I can see these traits in myself, both the positive and the negative.  The second thought was when I realized that, for the most part, I only asked people who I am fairly sure see me in a positive light.  But that's not true.  Several people didn't answer the questions when asked.  Some, I think, view me in a positive light.  Some however, are more neutral or even negative in the way they view me as a person.  So my "greatest weaknesses" in the light of those who do view me in a positive light, tend more towards the positive.  If most see my greatest weakness as being "too nice" then is that really a weakness?  

I would have liked to have heard more from some others.  But I've also realized something else.  What matters is not really what people think of me.  What really matters is what I know to be the truth.  John G. Bennet said, "Since we tend to see ourselves primarily in the light of our intentions, which are invisible to others, while we see others mainly in the light of their actions, which are all that's visible to us, we have a situation in which misunderstanding and injustice are the order of the day."  

So I ask this of those who know me, I'm not a perfect human being, but my intent is rarely negative.  So I will attempt to view your actions in the light of your intentions, and minus that knowledge I will assume positive intent. Please afford me the same courtesy.

Ballroom Dancing? Really?!

When I would hear the term "ballroom dancing" the picture that came to mind was of men and women, in formal attire, gliding across a dance floor.  Usually a Waltz, or maybe a Viennese Waltz being played by a large orchestra.  Those who were dancing had, at the very least, some grey around the temples.  Definitely not an activity of a younger crowd.  There was one exception; the prince in Cinderella, looking for his bride at the Royal Ball...that was a younger crowd.  But he was royalty, and that was "Once Upon A Time".  

What I have come to find out is that ballroom dancing is much more diverse than I'd realized, both in terms of the types of dances as well as the people who participate in the activity.

I started by taking group lessons through the local recreation center and, like I'm sure most dancing lessons do, started by learning a basic box step.  That led to learning the basic waltz, foxtrot and rumba.  Wait...rumba?!  OK...well, that makes sense.  The basic rumba is really just a basic box step, so I get it.  OK now cha-cha....wait, wait, wait, wait.  I'm taking BALLROOM dancing.  You know...like at a ball?  Cha-cha, Rumba, Merengue, and the Jitterbug were all dances that were taught during my first six week foray in to the ballroom dancing world.  And even though I felt like Peter Boyle dancing to "Puttin' on the Ritz" in Young Frankenstein, I had enough fun that I decided to try it again.  In time, lessons would include dances like the Country Two Step, East Coast Swing, and my personal favorite, the Polka.

Another surprise awaited me that first day of class.  Given that my view of ballroom dancing was a more, let's call it "mature" crowd, I was expecting the instructor to be around my own age.  So, when I walked in to the first day of class to see a young lady in her mid-20's waiting for her class to arrive, I was a bit taken aback. How much could this girl know about ballroom dancing?  What I found though, was that Emily, the owner and lead instructor of Ballroom Dance Experience of Ohio, was not only very knowledgeable about all aspects of ballroom dancing, but very passionate about sharing her knowledge and skills.

As I've continued to progress in my own ballroom dancing journey I have met people of all ages, from all walks of life.  High school kids in their teens who wanted to do more at their prom than just sway back and forth on the dance floor, to couples in their 80's who have the same energy and attitude of those younger kids.  I've met world champion dancers, amateur competitive dancers, and dancers who just want to have fun doing something they enjoy.  Among those dancers are students, nurses, police officers, business owners, and professors.  I've met people from the United Kingdom, Russia, Poland, and many other places around the world.  All who came to Columbus, OH in order to pursue or continue their own journeys.

An interest in learning something new is what got me started on this journey.  The things I've learned and the people I've met are what has kept me moving along this path.  So Ballroom Dancing?  Really?!  Absolutely!!

My First Dancesport Event and My 34th Running State

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to compete in my first Ballroom Dance Competition.  It was really more of a late find for me.  I was originally going to compete in Cincinnati in early January, but that had to be scrapped due to some unforeseen circumstances.  Having the first weekend off in February, I started looking for a competition and was fortunate to find the Denver Dancesport Jam.  A couple other advantages to this competition was that it fell on my birthday and it happened to be in a state where I had yet to run a race.

In early December I spoke to my instructor about making the Denver Dancesport Jam my first competition and she agreed to go.

For the next couple of months I did what I could to increase my lesson and practice time.  Two weeks before the competition my instructor also let me know that she had signed me up for a dance that I had very little experience with.  Right up until I was actually on the floor dancing, I was afraid I was going to mess up the steps.

At the end of the day, I competed in twelve dances and took first place in all twelve.  Now, to be fair, I was contested by one other person in the first six dances, and was uncontested in the other six (although I prefer to think of it as 'incomparable').  My main goal for this competition was simply to compete and not make a complete fool of myself on the floor.  Mission accomplished!  I was happy with how I did, although once I started watching the videos with a more critical eye, I did see so many mistakes that I should not have been making at this point.

As for the competition itself, it was very well organized and stayed right on time throughout.  My instructor had never been to this competition, so she was unsure what to expect. The dance floor was great, and the fact that it was the exact same size as the floor where I've been taking my lessons, made it a bit more comfortable.  Given how nervous I was through the weekend, anything that could make things even a bit more comfortable was a plus.

I can't thank Emily Mertens, my instructor, enough for preparing me for this event.  It was last May when I first expressed my interest in competing in ballroom dance, and I've been so impressed with the professionalism and passion she displays in her dancing and her teaching.  It was that passion that grew my interest and took me from taking a few group dancing lessons to taking private lessons, to wanting to be on the dance floor as much as possible.

The next day, before flying back to Ohio, Emily and I ran the Superbowl 5K together at Washington Park in Denver.  This made the 34th state in which I've run a race.  Having never run or trained at altitude, I knew that I was not going to try to run a half marathon in Denver, so having a 5K scheduled in Denver the day after the Dancesport Jam worked out well.  I was able to combine both my passions, running and dancing, in to a single weekend.  Although my time for the 5K was much slower than any 5K I've ever run, it was a fun event and also very well organized.

As I continue towards my goal of running a race in all 50 States, I also have another passion that will have me travelling the country.  I won't be trying to compete in a ballroom dance competition in all 50 States.  That's not even a possibility.  But my instructor is the person who first mentioned to me combining my two passions, so when I can combine a dance competition trip with a running trip, I'll make it happen.

I will also take the time for a bit of a plug also.  Emily Mertens owns Ballroom Dance Experience of Ohio.  She teaches group lessons in both Dublin and Upper Arlington, hosts social dance parties in partnership with Topline Ballroom and Event Center in Worthington and teaches private lessons around the Central Ohio area.  She is a wonderful instructor and has introduced me to a world that I would have never realized existed had it not been for taking that first step back in October of 2016.

Don't be a Debbie/Doug Downer.

As I finished 2017 and started 2018 I had found myself in a bit of a funk.  Not really sure why, as I find the Christmas and New Year holiday season to be one of my most cherished times of the year.  I found myself having to remind myself of something I tell my students when I teach.  You choose your mood. 

If you have known me for any length of time, you have probably heard me say this.  I am a firm believer that for at least 95% of the time you have the power to choose to be in a good mood.  So why be in a bad mood if you can simply choose the opposite?  There are some people out there who seem to thrive on always being in a bad mood.  If I'm in a good mood, nobody really pays attention to me.  They can tell by the way I interact with them that I'm in a pretty good mood.  But if I'm in a bad mood, then people pay attention.  Think about it...people are asking "Are you ok?"  "What's wrong?" "Why so glum?".  No one ever asks, "Why so happy?" So if you're in a bad mood, grumpy, sad, feeling down, feeling sorry for yourself...then the attention comes your way. 

I admit that I used to do it myself occasionally.  Until I got called on it.  One of those times when I was feeling sorry for myself a friend finally got sick of hearing it.  She told me to suck it up.  If I wasn't happy with the way things were...change them.  It was a wake up call for me.  It made me realize that I was making myself miserable.  The circumstances weren't making me miserable...they were the excuse.  The circumstances could be changed.  The people weren't making me miserable...they were the excuse.  I could change the people I chose to surround myself with.  The weather wasn't making me miserable....it was an excuse.  I could change the wea....OK..well I couldn't change the weather.  But I could change the way I reacted to nearly every situation. 

Circumstances around any person on any given day can give that person a reason to be in a bad mood.  I could look at the weather outside and focus on how cloudy it is.  It's raining/snowing/sleeting.  On top of that, I'm stuck here at work for a 16 hour shift.  Or, I can think about the fact that it is above the freezing mark for the first time in a while.  The rain is washing all of the salt and crud off of my car and off of the roadway.  The running paths will be clear of snow and I can hit the trails again soon. 

I hear some people in my head right now saying, "Easy for you to say...you don't have my life."  You're right, it is easy for me to say.  You're right, I don't have your life.  But I know this, most of those people could find the cloud in any silver lining.  If  you're always the one complaining, if you are always the person looking for the mistakes others make or the worst of any situation, please don't be surprised when I distance myself.  That's simply me "choosing my mood." 

Now this does not mean that, simply because you happen to be in a bad mood, that I'm going to cut you off.  Not at all.  I'm going to be there for the people who are close to me.  But if you are always a Debbie or Doug Downer, always finding the cloud in the silver lining, always looking for the worst in any situation, then I have to protect myself.  There's a difference between selfishness and self-preservation.

2017 In Review

 1 - What did you do in 2017/will you do in 2018, that you have never done before?

Well, I think I'd have to say that I stepped outside my comfort zone a lot more in 2017 than I ever have in the past.  My continued immersion in to the world of ballroom dancing grew in ways I never expected.  It went from just learning how to do something different to going to several social dance events and beginning private lessons in order to become a better dancer and to get involved in ballroom dance competitions.  In 2018 I will further that journey, with plans to compete at Dancesport events in Denver, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Columbus.

2 - Did you keep your New Years Resolutions and will you make more for 2018?

I made three resolutions for 2017.  One was to run at least 1200 miles, which I did not accomplish.  The second was to run at least one mile every day this year.  I was going well in to March, but a couple days of sick time ended that streak.  The third was to get my weight down to 240 lbs.  While I did lose some weight, and continue to lose, it does not appear that I will get to the 240 mark before the end of the year.
As for 2018, yes I do think I'll make resolutions.  And I know this may come as a shock, but I have no doubt that running and dancing will be part of that.

3 - Did anyone close to you give birth?

On November 1 my best friend's daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  If I'm not seeing pictures and videos posted to Facebook, I do get pictures sent to me by Carey.  The little girl is adorable, and it's such a joy to be able to watch her as she begins discover the world around her.

4 - Did anyone close to you die?

I'm a little nervous to answer that question since the year isn't over with.  Not that I'm expecting it to happen in the next couple of weeks, but why tempt fate.  I did have someone I know who had a death in his family this week and I continue to keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

5 - Which countries did you visit?

Stayed in the United States again in 2017.  There are some trips I'd like to take outside the U.S. in the future.  I'm not sure if I will leave the country in 2018.  I did take a few trips this year going to New York, Louisiana, Mississippi and Washington for running events.

6 - What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017.

Part of that answer is a little too personal to share in this blog.  Overall I'm in pretty good shape though.  I've got what I need.  I could always use more, but I think I've had a pretty blessed year.

7 - What dates in 2017 will remain etched in your memory?

I don't know if "etched" is the right word.  But March 24, May 24 and November 1 were three dates this year that meant a lot to me.

8 - What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Completing my 6th marathon in New York was an accomplishment that I'm proud of.  I'm also happy with where I've come with dancing.  I'm not a great dancer.  Not sure I would even consider myself to be good dancer.  But I'm better today than I was on January 1.  But it's not really about the dance "skills" so much as it is about my willingness to get way outside my comfort zone through dancing.  I don't know if the people I know through dancing can really appreciate just how far outside my comfort zone dancing has taken me.

9 - What was your biggest failure of the year?

I still tend to get sucked in to the negative from time to time.  I still talk about others at times when I should be focusing on myself.  I think I've done a little better, but as long as it still happens, it's still a failure on my part.

10 - Did you suffer illness or injury this year?

Another question I want to be careful with.  No injuries (as I knock on wood).  I did take a couple of sick days early in 2017, but have done pretty well since then.

11 - What is the best thing you bought?

I didn't really make any great material purchases in 2017.  It will come as no surprise to most that the best thing I bought for myself was dance lessons.  I am pretty happy with the Christmas present I bought for my best friend this year.  Over the years it can be a little difficult to find the right gift, so I end up reverting to gift cards.  This year though, I found a gift that was perfect to symbolize and celebrate her year with her family.

12 - Whose behavior merited celebration?

I think about three people specifically whose behavior, in my opinion, is commendable.  Without naming them specifically, I will say that all three of them have been very willing to step up and go way out of their way to help others.  In some cases these are not just the "favors", but truly going above and beyond to help out when they can.

13 - Where did most of your money go?

Dancing and running.

14 - What did you get really really really excited about?

Do I really need to say "dancing" or is just implied at this point?

15 - What song will always remind you of 2017?

My dance instructor has a tendency to stick to a lot of the same songs in our lessons.  So, any of those songs will stick in my head.

16 - Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

I'm not sadder.  Don't know if I can say that I'm happier really.  I was pretty good this time last year and still have that same general optimism.

17 - What do you wish you'd done more of?

More running.  A lot of times this year I allowed myself to give in to excuses not to get out and run.  I need to continue to get out on the roads.

18 - What do you wish you'd done less of?

I think I'm good in this regard.

19 - What's your favorite TV program?

One of the things I've done this year was get rid of cable television.  I've got an antenna on all of my televisions.  Because of this, I actually do watch less television. 

20 - What was your favorite film this year?

Nothing really stood out in 2017,  Didn't do a lot of movie-going this year.

21 - What was the best book you read?

I didn't read any books in 2017

22 - How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?

I think I'd laugh if anyone asked me that question out loud. But it basically boils down to asking someone else to buy me clothing that they think would look good on my.

23 - What kept you sane?

Running/Dancing/Spending quality time with friends.

24 - What political issue stirred you the most?

I've grown tired of politics in general.  I've become jaded, or maybe a better word is realistic, about politics.  To coin a line from a movie, politicians are more interested in keeping their jobs than they are about doing their jobs.

So there's your ghost of 2017 past.

If They Only Understood

In 2008 I re-discovered running.  I guess I should really say that I discovered the joy of running in 2008.  I had run in high school and when I was in the Army, but I hated it.  In 2006 I started running more in order to keep in shape, but still didn't care much for it.  It was 2008 when a couple of friends talked me in to running the Dam Fool 4 Miler and got me hooked on running races.  Since that time I've run 5 Marthons (The Myrtle Beach Marathon, The Columbus Marathon three times and the New York Marathon).  I've run close to 40 or 50 Half Marathons and a couple of hundred races of shorter distances.  During that time I couldn't understand why people didn't want to run.  I apparently had formed some type of amnesia, forgetting how much I had hated running earlier in my life. I could not fathom why it was that my friends and co-workers didn't want to run with me.  It was fun!  Others didn't see it that way, but I tried to convince them.  If only they would give it a try, they would find the joy that I had found.

Fast forward eight years.  In an effort to "expand my horizons", "try something new", "get outside of my comfort zone", I signed up to take Beginners Ballroom Dancing through the Dublin Recreation Center.  A co-worker took the class with me so that it wouldn't be too awkward.  It was, most definitely, outside of my comfort zone.  Aside from a couple of "slow dances" when I was in school, you know those dances where you shuffle your feet back and forth and turn in a circle, I had never danced.

After I had gone through the six weeks worth of lessons, I still didn't feel any better about my dance abilities.  But that really wasn't the point anyway.  It wasn't like I was going to be going out dancing on a regular basis.  I was just trying something different.  But I sort of liked this new activity and decided to sign up again the next time around.  This time I liked it a little bit more.  I felt a bit more comfortable and, while it was still outside of my comfort zone, it was a little more.  So, I did it again.

As time went on I continued to do group classes and my instructor told me of someone she knew who wanted to take classes, but needed a partner.  So, not only am I dancing, but NOW I'm going to start taking lessons with someone I don't know....SURE...WHY NOT?  Nothing uncomfortable about that, especially for an introvert such as myself.  (Do you feel the sarcasm coming from the page?).  Let's throw something else in to the mix....let's start going to dance parties every month...and if that's not enough, let's have a different partner every time!  Yes...."Introverts Unite....In your own homes.....separately!"  has always been my motto, and now I've traveled so far outside of my comfort zone that it can't be seen in the rear view mirror.

The funny part of all of this is, that as uncomfortable as it is, I enjoy it.  As a matter of fact, I love it!  I love it so much that most of my co-workers are sick of hearing me talk about.  I love it so much that I also take individual private lessons and am planning on eventually competing in Dancesport competitions.

So, much like when I started running....I have been trying very hard to get my friends and co-workers to give it a try....find the joy of dancing.  I think people hear "ballroom dancing" and a certain picture comes to their mind.  Many have made fun of me for doing this...but I don't care.  If they only understood.  Some have called me "obsessed".  Maybe I am, but I don't care.  If they only understood.  Some people think I spend too much money on it...well it's not their money, it's mine...and if they only understood.

Running and dancing have both been activities that give me a release from the stress of my job.  Those who read my last blog entry know that things at my job can get bad.  It is considered one of the most stressful jobs out there.  Any day at any time, we can face the worst of what people can do to each other or themselves.  So think whatever you want about how I have chosen to get away from that stress.  Running and dancing have saved me from burning out more times than anyone knows.  They have both been more than worth the monetary cost.

It Was a Bad Day

I often tell my students that people do not call us to tell us that they are having a good day.  In a lot of situations, when someone calls to talk to someone in my line of work, they are calling on a bad day.  For many, it may be the worst day of their life.  Many don't understand the toll it can take on the dispatcher.  To listen to these calls, want so badly to jump through the phone and make everything alright, but know that the best you can do is send help and offer some type of reassurance.

Because of this, I work very hard to maintain a positive attitude.  I am a firm believer that, in most cases, you "choose your mood".  Anyone who knows me has figured out how I choose to work out my stress.

I'm a runner - I've run 5 marathons, nearly 40 half-marathons and numerous 5K's, 4 Mile, 5 Mile, 10K's and other running events.
I'm a "dancer" - I still put that in quotes, because I'm still new at the activity/sport, and I know I've got a LONG way to go to really be able to do it with any real amount of proficiency.

But regardless of how good or bad I am at either, both help me to relieve stress and keep that attitude.  When I have that occasional bad day, running and/or dancing help me to focus on something else, sweat out the bad mojo and move on.

Recently however, I ran in to one of those days where I just couldn't shake off the bad.  I was nearly done with my normal 8 hour shift.  Nothing out of the ordinary had really happened.  I had four more hours to go, as I had agreed to work part of a shift for a co-worker who needed the day off.  That's when the bad stuff started.  I took one of those calls that no dispatcher ever wants to take, but which all of us will take several times in our careers.  The wife screaming on the phone because she just found her husband in the back yard with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.  I wasn't the primary call-taker this day, but he was on another call, so I picked up.  I wished I hadn't.  It was difficult to listen to the caller as she spoke some of the last words she would ever say to her husband.

The next call came from a woman who found her husband unconscious in his car.  The doors were locked and windows rolled up, an empty bottle of vodka laying next to him on the seat.  As I processed the call for what I'm thinking is going to be an intoxicated unconscious person, my caller mentions that she thinks her husband might have also taken some pills.  Further questioning reveals that this too is a suicide attempt.  The reaction from his wife was much different than the previous call, which made it also difficult to comprehend.  I wasn't the primary call-taker this day, but she was on another call, so I picked up.  I wish I hadn't.

The next call came from an insurance company.  They had been talking to one of their customers.  The customer was upset over some issues.  She admitted to the customer service person at the insurance company that she was not taking the medication she needed.  The condition she had made her susceptible to harming herself.  She told the insurance company representative that she was just going to "blow her brains out." then hung up.  I was not the primary call-taker this day, but she was on another call, so I picked up.  I wish I hadn't.  After the previous two calls, it was difficult to imagine the possibility of having responders pull up to another call like this.

The next call came from a resident who started by simply saying over and over again, "I f***ed up".  I tried to find out more, but he wasn't saying much.  I thought I could hear bath water in the background.  I had a bad feeling.  All I could think was that my caller had slit his wrists and was sitting in a warm bath tub.  In the end, it turned out that I was right.  He had done exactly that.  The call turned even more stressful when the address he was giving me didn't appear to be correct.  I tried to get the caller to go to the door so my responders could find him.  He said he was, but I could still hear the bath water clearly in the background.  I wasn't the primary call-taker this day, but she was out of the room, so I picked up.  I wish I hadn't. Listening to someone so distraught that they believe the only alternative is to take their own life is stressful.  Taking it for the fourth time in just a couple of hours....well that's even more stressful, taking the call from the actual victim, trying to locate him, trying to connect with him, trying to convince him to help me to get him help. It's not easy, and saying or doing the wrong thing could mean someone dies.

The next call came from the mother of a teen.  She had received a call from a friend of her son saying that he was having a reaction to the marijuana he'd been smoking.  Mom couldn't say what the reaction was, but said it sounded to her to be more severe than a reaction to marijuana.  The friend then told mom that her son had "taken a couple hits of acid earlier."  To add to the confusion, mom did not know where her son was.  The friend could only tell her that he was at a park that was closer to some other park.  I was pretty familiar with the "other park" where he wasn't.  But had never heard of the park where the friend told mom they were.  I was not the primary call-taker this day, she was on another call, so I picked up.  I wish I hadn't.

In over 19 years doing this job, I've taken calls similar to all of the calls I took on this particular day.  We learn how to deal with them.  We work through the stress.  We run or dance or do whatever we do to relieve the stress.  But these five calls came in during a three hour time span.  Any one of them is a lot to deal with, but all five in three hours...they hit me.  It took a bit more time to work through.  I ran some, I danced some, I worked some, I prayed some and eventually I got to a point where I didn't obsess and moved past it.

I got a lot of encouragement and offers to listen from some great friends and co-workers, for which I am very grateful.

I do this job because I want to help people. But I hope I don't have to help quite so much in the future.

State #32 and Dancing

I was looking at  my  last blog entry and chuckled some at what I'd written. I wrote about how I had found joy in my latest new hobby/physical activity. What I chuckled at  was my  thought at the time that I probably would not use what I was learning outside of the class. Since then however, I have expanded my experience with dancing. Not only am I continuing with the group classes, but my instructor had another student who was looking for a dance partner and the two of us are sharing in the "Ballroom Dance  Experience". (See what I did there?)

Meeting a total stranger for the first time in a private dance lesson is yet another experience that pushed me outside my comfort zone. In addition to the group lessons, and the individual lessons with my new dance partner, I have also been going out to "Couples dance parties" at a studio in Columbus. This has involved spending a couple of hours dancing. Sometimes with total strangers. A bit outside of my comfort zone? ABSOLUTELY!

So this week I will start my  5th time through the Beginners Ballroom Class. After many attempts at getting my co-workers to join me, I've finally found someone willing to give it a shot. I've also decided to take another leap of faith and  push myself a bit further with dancing and see what it's like to get involved in showcases and dancesport. I honestly have surprised myself with how much I've come to enjoy and appreciate this artform.

Having said all of that, I have not given up on my other passion. I am  still running, and I am starting my  training for the 2017 New York Marathon. Having run this race last year, I know it will be one I will thoroughly enjoy. In addition to that race, I have a few more races  scheduled for this year.

This weekend I will be traveling to Gonzales, LA. There I will run the Jambalaya Festival 5K & 1 mile runs. Louisiana will be State #32 in my quest to run a race in all 50 States. In August I will run the Dublin Irish Festival 5K, as I do every year. In the fall things start  getting busier. I will be running the Ohio State 4 Miler  (Which finishes on the 50 yard line of The Horseshoe), The Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Half Marathon, and the New York Marathon. Thanksgiving weekend I will once again travel to Cocoa Beach, FL for my fifth and final running of the Space Coast Half Marathon. Then, in December, I will travel to Biloxi, MS for State #33 and the Gulf Coast Half Marathon.

So this is where I'm at. No one is ever too old to grow. No one is ever too old to try and  better themselves. No one is ever too old to change. 

Ballroom Dancing

Anyone who follows me on Facebook as probably seen me post a comment or two about taking Ballroom Dancing classes through the Dublin Recreation Center.  I decided to post this to my blog to give a little insight in to how this came about, how it's going and to give a little advertisement to the class.

My interest in learning a little bit about ballroom dancing really started a while back.  I was never something I ever really thought about seriously, just more of a "gee, it'd be fun to learn how to do that" sort of thing.  But I've got a friend who I work with that kind of inspired me to take the next step.  A girl that I work with makes a point of seeking out and taking interesting classes and always trying out new and different experiences.  So when I saw that the Dublin Recreation Center offered a Ballroom Dancing Class at a pretty reasonable rate, I decided to give it a try. 

Fortunately for me, the first time through, that same friend agreed to take the classes with me.  So, although I was outside my comfort zone, having someone taking the class with me who I was comfortable with made it a bit easier.  I will be honest and say that, had she not joined me for the class I might not have taken that first step, or wouldn't have continued after that.  What probably helped me though, was that my friend (we'll call her "Caitlynn"....well, that's because her name is Caitlynn) had to miss a couple of the classes.  Because of that, I was paired up with the instructor for those couple of classes.  Gaining a little bit of a comfort level with the instructor ending up working out well for me, as it gave me the courage to go ahead and sign up again without being accompanied by Caitlynn and knowing that I would either be doing a lot of dancing with the instructor, or possibly be paired up with someone I don't know if another student signed up as a single instead of part of a couple.

I've really come to enjoy the classes...I must, because I just started my third round of the beginner's class and as well as my first round through the intermediate class.  Some of what I've been learning is what I thought I'd be learning, and some of what I'm learning is nothing like I thought it would be.  The dancing will definitely have you breaking a sweat.  I may never use any of what I learn outside of the class, but that's ok.  

I'm having fun.  I really look forward to the classes on Thursday evenings.  

I'm meeting new people.  Dancing is obviously a social event.  I probably won't become life long friends with anyone I meet in these classes, but it's always good to get out and socialize.

I'm exercising.  Anyone who knows me knows just how much I love running.  Running is a big part of my life.  But it's been great finding another physical activity that I like as much as I like running.

One of my former high school classmates and a facebook friend mentioned to me that she and her husband had tried taking ballroom dancing, but got disenchanted because the instructor was too critical.  I will say that the instructor for this class (Emily Mertens) is not that way.  While she is working to teach the right way to dance, she also works to make sure the classes are fun and social.  

As I said, I may never use any of what I learn outside of the classes.  But I'm having fun and enjoying myself..  

It Lived Up to the Hype

Late last year I saw an ad on Facebook.  The ad was to enter the lottery to gain entry in to the New York City Marathon.  I had already decided at that time that I would probably not run another marathon.  Half Marathons provide a challenge, they're strenuous, but I enjoy them.  At that point I had three marathons, none of which I can say I enjoyed.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm glad that I ran them, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment.  But in every single one that I ran this thought entered my mind...."What was I thinking?"  So last year, when I entered the lottery for the New York Marathon, I was thinking that the odds of getting in were pretty slim.  (And they are...less than 1 in 4 get chosen).  But this is one of those marathons that everyone who runs wants to run.  It's one of the big ones.  For me, it's one of the two major marathons in the world.  There's Boston, and there's New York.

In February or March I had figured that the drawing had already happened.  Having not heard anything, I assumed that I was one of the 75% who didn't make it in.  Then it happened.  A notice on my phone that my credit card had been charged.  I was at work at the time, so I immediately thought someone was trying to make a fraudulent charge on my card.  Then I saw who had charged my card...none other than the New York Road Runners Club.  Later that day I got the official email letting me know that I'd been selected to run.

Not a day has gone by since then that I didn't think about what it would be like to run that race.  I've watched this race on TV in past.  Friends who have run this race have told me how great it is.  Now I was actually going to run one of the top marathons in the world.  I would be crossing the bridges with professional athletes, running the five boroughs, entering Central Park, making that turn, and heading for the finish line that I had seen on ESPN on more than a few occasions.

At that point, things started to work out pretty well for me.  In my line of work, trying to schedule time off so far in advance is not necessarily an easy thing.  I went ahead and submitted the requests, but knew it would be September or October before I knew for sure if those requests could be approved.  But as it turned it out, luck was on my side.  Throughout the new couple of months, several of my co-workers were looking to get time off themselves.  So I was able to work out some trades.  Those trades made it possible for me to take the entire week of the marathon off, and an additional day off to recover the following week.  All without having to use any of leave time.

I traveled to New York with my best friend.  On the way there we stopped by the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania.  It was a moving experience and one I won't soon forget.  We made it to our destination in time to stop and grab dinner while watching game #7 of the World Series.  We had planned to go over to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island the next morning, but with the long drive and late end to the game, decided just to sleep in.  Our first day in New York we headed to Times Square and Rockefeller Center.  We went to the Top of the Rock, which I would recommend over the Empire State Building.  The view of fantastic, the wait is not nearly as long, and from the Top of the Rock, you get a great view of The Empire State Building, which you don't get from the top of the Empire State Building.  We then headed over to the convention center for the runner's expo.  Thursday evening we got back in to the city for The Lion King.  I had managed to get front row tickets, right on the aisle.  The show was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone going to New York.

On Friday we headed downtown and started our day at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.  We took a guided tour of the Memorial - well worth it.  To hear the stories of the memorial and the stories of some of the people who died in the terrorist attacks in both 2001 and 1993 at the World Trade Center was very touching and humbling.  One fact, if you ever make it there.  A white rose inserted in to the name of a victim around one of the two reflecting pools, means that person would have been celebrating a birthday on that day.  There are white roses on those walls all 365 days of the year.  We then went in to the museum.  As big as the museum is, it is very crowded.  One could spend hours in that building and still not see everything.  As we watched school children on tours in the museum, we both remarked about how even the high school kids there are too young to remember the events that seem like yesterday to some of us.

Friday evening we took a boat tour around Manhattan to see the City lit up at night.  A-MAZ-ING!  New York is such a beautiful City at night.  The boat also swung very close to the Statue of Liberty.  Being that close to the statue, with it lit up like it was, made up for missing it the day before.

Saturday was a rest day, and Carey flew back to Ohio.  On Sunday morning I woke up early to catch the bus for the starting area of the marathon.  Even though my corral didn't start until 11:00am, I had to catch the shuttle at 5:00am.  By 6:00am I was at the start area, found a tree to lean against and napped as best I could.  Fortunately, friends who have run the race before let me know what to expect, so I was prepared.  I had some light snacks, dressed in warm clothes that I could shed prior to the race and was prepared to be in the starting village for a few hours.

The start area was very organized, especially considering the fact that they had 50,000 runners to get through. But the time finally came when the cannon fired and I was on the course.  Starting in Staten Island, runners immediately cross the Verazono Narrows bridge in to Brooklyn.  The view of Manhattan from the bridge is awe inspiring.  Then you hit Brooklyn.  More than half of the race is in Brooklyn, and for the entire stretch the streets are lined with people cheering the runners .  The Police Officers from the NYPD and FDNY firefighters are in to it as well.  We then crossed in to Queens, and the crowds there were just as awesome.  We were only in Queens for a couple of miles, but one sign I saw a spectator holding made me laugh "Welcome to Queens. Get Out".  After crossing the Queens Borough bridge in to Manhattan, we headed north in to the Bronx.  Although we were only in the Bronx for about a mile and a half, this year, running there held a little extra meaning.  Just a couple of days before the marathon an NYPD officer working in the Bronx was shot and killed by a domestic violence suspect.  Another officer was also shot in that incident.  But the crowds were still there cheering.  The officers were still there doing their jobs, as well as cheering on the runners.  This was the spot in the race where I literally slipped on a banana peel that was on the road.  I didn't fall down, but the irony made me laugh.  We then crossed back in to Manhattan for the final part of the race, movin' on up, through the east side.  Again, the crowd support never ended.  It was amazing.  I was near the back of the final group of runners, and still people were lining the streets.  The second coolest part of the race though, was running through Central Park.  At this point, you know you're almost done.  But this is the point I recognized most from watching this race on TV.  Especially  the last few turns.  I had never been on this course before, but I had seen it.  Crowds were still there, hours after the pros had finished, there were still crowds cheering and giving high fives to the runners.

I've always told people that the crowd support in Columbus is the best I've seen.  That's no longer the case.  New Yorkers come out for the race.  New Yorkers stay out for the race.  It was well worth it!  I'll never run another marathon again.....maybe.

States 29 & 30

As I have said far too often in my last few blogs...It's been a while.

I just returned home earlier today from a long weekend and a couple of more runs.  Those who have followed my blog, or have listened to me ramble on about running, know that I have a goal of running a race in all 50 states.

This past weekend I set out for Hartford, CT.  This was my first trip to any of the New England States and was set to be State #29 and my 5th new state for 2016.

I really thought that a highlight of this trip would be the fall foliage in CT.  As the plane came in on the approach to Hartford I noticed two things.  One thing I noticed was that there was a lot of trees...I mean A LOT of trees.  But I also noticed that most of those trees were still covered in green leaves.  Very few had even started to change color.  I noticed the same on my drive from the airport in to Hartford on Thursday morning.

I got in to Hartford early enough to get to the runners expo just as it was opening.  I got my bib, my t-shirt and all the other race day SWAG and checked out some of the booths.  Afterwards I walked a little bit around downtown Hartford, then headed over to the hotel.

On Friday I took advantage of the weather and did a bit of site-seeing.  Being a bit of a fan of American History, visiting the homes of Samuel Clemens (AKA Mark Twain) and Harriet Beecher Stowe was interesting.  I made it out to the Connecticut Fire Academy and the New England Air Museum as well.

I was a little nervous for the race on Saturday.  The fact that I'd spent the day before a half marathon on my feet walking around so much, as well as the fact that I ate like crap on Friday, had me wondering how I'd do running 13.1 miles on Saturday morning.  However, maybe I've found the secret to a good run....the race went fine, better than I expected for sure.  No matter where I ran in Hartford, the people were out cheering on the runners.  Weather it was a firehouse, a resident, or even a Valvoline Instant Oil Change, everyone came out.  Having that kind of crowd support always makes the runs more fun.

Prior to running on Saturday I met Jackie.  Jackie was from MA and, like me, had set a goal of running a race in all 50 states.  UNLIKE me, she plans to run a marathon in all 50 states.  As we talked over breakfast about the race she jokingly mentioned that there was a Half Marathon in Rhode Island on Sunday, only an hour or so away.  Well, after the race on Saturday I did a quick Google search and did find a 5K race the next day in Providence.  So...I registered.  On Sunday morning I woke up and drove the 90 minutes to Providence and ran in a very wet, rainy 5K race.  The course was very nice, circling a park and zoo.  Had it not been raining the whole time, I'm sure it would have been nicer.

But even better than adding an unexpected new state to my list, was the drive back to Hartford.  I drove back through a lot of wooded state roads.  There I was able to admire all that fall foliage I had been hoping to see all weekend.  That is the most enjoyable part, for me, of running in the fall.  Seeing the trees change to the reds, oranges and yellows.  It's like running routes I've run hundreds of times, but never run before in my life.

So now I'm back in Columbus.  Tomorrow I head back to work.  This week I prepare for my longest run of the year as I tackle the 26.2 miles around Columbus on Sunday.  All of this to prepare for the ultimate 2016 race.  The New York Marathon in November!!

Sad Week

It's been quite a while since I posted to this blog.  But I had some things I wanted to get off my chest and this was the best way I felt I could do that.  Anyone who knows me can probably tell by the title what this blog post is about, and if it is going to bother you to read about it, please don't.

A little over 18 years ago I was hired on as a communications technician (aka dispatcher) with the city of Dublin, Ohio.  (A few years ago we became the Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center)  It didn't take me very long to realize that this was a career I was going to love, but also a career that would come with a lot of stress.

I think anyone in my profession who truly knows the job knows that our number one goal whenever we come in to work is to see to it that the men and women who are put in our care...the men and women who go out every day and risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe...go home to their families safely at the end of their shift.  We accomplished that goal every day that I came to work, and even on my days off, for over 18 years.

Sadly, on May 19, the day turned out differently.  We didn't meet our goal.  One of our guys, Officer Sean Johnson #637 of the Hilliard Police Dept. did not go home to his family that evening.  It was an accident that took our officer's life that day.  No one is to blame.  But that doesn't make the loss any easier.  I've known departments and people who have dealt with Line of Duty Deaths, and like many things in life, there was part of me that was thankful it wasn't one of our guys.  But this time it was.

Beginning very early in the process I began seeing many different reactions in myself and from the people around me.  Some of those reactions gave me a deeper respect for people I work with, as I watched how they stepped up and did what needed to be done to start dealing with something we knew would be difficult.  Some of those reactions surprised me, while other reactions were what I would have expected.

Another role that I have in the public safety arena is as a member of the Mid-Ohio Critical Incident Stress Management team.  When asked, we work with agencies whose responders, dispatchers, and employees have had to deal with a critical incident.  As a member of this team, I was asked to respond to help out.  This was a little unique, as I was responding to help people deal with a critical incident in which I was also part of.  But there were a lot of unique factors in this situation, and responding as a member of this team was the way I felt I could help best.  To anyone of my HPD or NRECC family who may read this...I hope that my presence there helped, or at the very least, has not hurt your ability to move through this incident.

When our people have experienced a critical incident, one of the things we tell them might help to work through it is to write down their thoughts.  Journal (or blog).  And that's part of why I'm posting this.  But a bigger reason for posting this is to thank some of those people who did step up over this past week.  I won't name any names, but I think if you see this you will know who I'm talking about.

At many departments, each year, the officers fill out a form that outlines their wishes should they ever be injured or killed.  One of the questions on the form asks if there is a specific person on the department that they want making the notification to family.  In this case their was.  Sean had asked for one of his friends and fellow officers to make that notification.  That officer became the person responsible for being with Sean's family throughout this time.  One of my co-workers and fellow dispatchers, in turn, spent a lot of time handling the household chores for that officer, so he could be with Sean's family.

Other dispatchers covered extra time in the communications center so that those who wanted to attend calling hours or the funeral could attend.

Others covered extra time in the communications center so that I could be out of the communications center working with the Mid-Ohio CISM team.

Others worked went to the Hilliard Police Dept. to cover for their Records Dept. staff, allowing them the time they needed to grieve, attend calling hours and the funeral.

Others covered extra time in the communications center so that those shifts in the Records Dept. could be covered.

Many did this without complaint.  Some made it a point to let the supervisors know they were available for extra coverage.

One of my fellow dispatchers and friend became my sounding board.  The person I was able to vent to when I needed.  She spent one particular morning getting her phone blown up with my "venting".

I'm told that five other dispatch centers also offered to help cover for us during this time, and to those agencies I also say thank you!

For everyone, please know that there has been a fund set up to help out the family of officer Johnson. If you can contribute, even a little, please do.

To all of my HPD and NRECC family, the grieving doesn't necessarily stop when the funeral is over.  We know this.  It will take some time to find our new normal.  But we will.  We will learn from this tragedy.  We will go to bed every night praying we never have to deal with it again. We will honor Sean and his life and his impact on those around him.

Long Overdue - Birmingham Bust - Awesome Atlanta

It's been quite some time since I last posted a blog entry, and really quite a bit has happened over the last few months.

Start with my house:

Late last summer, while mowing, I noticed some shingle fragments laying on the ground behind my house. I took a couple of steps back and noticed that several shingles had come off the edge of the roof.  I was able to get a recommendation from my nephew's girlfriend for a reputable roofing company and started work on getting some repairs done.  Not only did I have the damage to the roof, but they also found damage to the siding.  The entire story of the repairs is probably one most of you have already heard in person, but bottom line is that, after some time I was able to get my entire roof, including the decking, replaced, as well as all of the siding on my house.  While I was at it, I was able to get the roofing company to remove the old, non-working, insert AC unit from the side of the house and patch the hole that it filled, and also put new porch lights and mailbox on the house for me.  I am so much happier with the way my house looks now (at least on the outside).

In February I was scheduled to run the Mercedes Benz Birmingham Half Marathon.  That would also be the race where I would meet my IRUN4 buddy for the first time.  Unfortunately, I woke up to a lot of snow in Columbus, which led to my flight being cancelled and having to scrap the weekend.  While there was some disappointment in missing out on the weekend, and an out of state race, it ended up working out for the best.  I did lose some money on the hotel room (because I cancelled with less than 72 hours notice) and on the race registration, Brett's mom ended up not feeling great and some illness went through the family that weekend, so travelling for them would not have been a great experience.  One other thing I learned from that experience was to stick with the Hilton brand of hotels.  I had decided to get a room at one of the "host" hotels for the Birmingham race.  Now I understood when I reserved the room that there was a 72 hour requirement to cancel the reservation without losing the cost of the hotel room for the evening.  However, when I called to cancel I was told by Sheraton that "some of the Sheraton properties were giving an exception to the 72 hour rule due to the weather conditions around the country cancelling travel."  Apparently the Sheraton property where I was planning to stay was NOT one of those properties, so I lost the cost of the hotel room for the night.  Again, I knew that going in, but I've found that Hilton is much more considerate of "special circumstances" and doing what they can to keep their customers happy (more on that later).  Over the past year I have traveled quite a bit, mostly staying at Hilton brand properties.  In one case I stayed at a  Marriott property.  While that hotel (Fairfield Inn) was fine, the employees were not what I would consider "friendly".  The other non-Hilton situation was the Sheraton in Birmingham.  Lesson learned....stick with what works.

In March I did get the opportunity to meet my IRUN4 buddy Brett and his family.  I traveled to Atlanta for the Publix Georgia Half Marathon.  I had heard some scary things about the traffic in Atlanta and was honestly a little bit concerned.  I considered cancelling my rental car and using my feet and a taxi for anything I did while in Atlanta, and maybe only renting a car one day.  I was glad I decided to go ahead and keep the rental though.  Fortunately I did not experience many problems with the traffic.  I always happened to be travelling in the right direction at the right time of the day to avoid heavy traffic.

I arrived in Atlanta on a Wednesday evening.  If you've never traveled to Atlanta, let me tell you something...the airport is huge!  Nice long walk from the gate to baggage claim.  And because I walked instead of taking the train across, I almost had a luggage issue.  My bag was the last on the belt when I arrived and was being removed by an employee as I walked up.  Fortunately I saw him grabbing my bag and was able to get it before it went to a "lost luggage" office somewhere.  I got to the rental car area with no problem, and thanks to "self-service kiosks" was able to by-pass standing and waiting in line while rental car employees did sold customers on extra insurance and GPS units on their cars.

Traffic from the airport to the hotel was light and I made it there with minimal issues.  When I arrived at the hotel I was surprised to find that, despite using the early bird check-in on line, there was not a room available for me at the Embassy Suites.  However, they had made arrangements for me to stay at the hotel across the street for the first evening.  In exchange for the inconvenience, Embassy Suites paid for my hotel room the first night and my breakfast the following morning.  The next day I went back to Embassy Suites to try and check in early.  They informed me that my room was not ready yet, but I could leave my luggage and it would be in my room when I returned.  More on that later.

I headed out to Douglasville where I finally met the Smith family.  Brett showed me his lego village that was set up in his bedroom.  Emma showed me her Elsa dress.  We all played a game of Yahtzee.  Then we went bowling.  I haven't bowled in a long time and I will say this.....I SUCK at bowling.  But we had a good time.  After bowling the Smith's took me out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse.  Most of had a good dinner, although Emma's home health care person must have gotten some bad chicken wings, because she apparently woke up sick later that evening.  We had a nice evening though, and by the time we finished dinner, all of the traffic was now trying to get out of Atlanta, while I was driving back in to Atlanta.

When I returned to my hotel I was informed that my room had been upgraded to make up for the inconvenience of not having a room that first night.  I went from Embassy's basic two room suite to the "King Executive Suite".  Although my luggage was not in my room when I got there, it was delivered shortly after my arrival, along with a large plate of fresh fruit and a note from the manager apologizing for the inconvenience the first night.  Also in the envelope was a $25 voucher for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  As I posted on Facebook....THIS is why I remain a loyal Hilton customer.  I didn't fuss, I didn't yell, I didn't complain, when the issue happened.  I wonder now if maybe that had something to do with the nice treatment.  Is it possible that the manager who checked me in was so relieved that I took the issue in stride and even joked with her, that she did more to make up for the issue than she would have?  Or did she do the same she would have done with any other guest in the same circumstances?  Or would she have done even more had a caused a fuss?  I don't know, but what I do know is that my stay was more pleasant than it would have been otherwise, and complaining about a situation that I really couldn't have changed, would have started my trip out on the wrong foot.

On Friday I was able to find my way to the race expo.  It was pretty much the same as most other race expos I've been to.  It didn't take me too long to pick up my race packet and check out some of the vendors.  I was able to pick up a couple quick items that I would need for race day, then I headed back out to Douglasville to the Smith family home again.

This evening they took me out to dinner again.  Because Brett and I both like crab legs, we did a seafood restaurant.  A place called the Marietta Fish Market.  We kind of lucked out pulling in to a packed parking lot on Friday evening, to find two empty parking spots right near the front.  We expected a wait...probably a lengthy one, which told me this place must be pretty good.  Well, again we got lucky, maybe due to the size of our party, but a table opened up fairly quickly.  Again, a very good dinner!!  And once again, I headed back in to Atlanta at a time when most people were heading out of Atlanta.

On Saturday we all met at the Atlanta Zoo.  It was one of first really nice weekends in Atlanta, so the zoo was pretty busy.  It seemed like Emma was enjoying things a little less at the zoo, maybe more because it was difficult for her to see some of the animals while she was in her wheelchair and a lot of kids would move in front of her and block her view.  But, I also found that Emma and her mom are frequent visitors to the zoo in Atlanta and to the zoo website, so they keep up on the animals in the zoo, the babies that have been born, and I could see that Emma got more excited when she was able to see some of the animals that she'd been hearing about from the website.

After the zoo we made our way to lunch at Johnny Rockets.  Any time I've been to a Johnny Rockets they are usually pretty busy, and rightfully so.  A 50's style hamburger joint that serves up good burgers and root beer floats!  After lunch we headed over the World of Coke.  A whole museum dedicated to Coke.  For me, the best part of the World of Coke was the tasting room.  Although it was crowded and there were a lot of people pushing their way in front of others, it was interesting to try different Coke products from different parts of the world.

Sunday morning was race morning.  One of the nice things about where I was staying was that I was able to literally walk out the front door of my hotel and directly in to my starting corral for the race.  This allowed me to sleep in a little later than I would for most races, especially those that are as big as this one.  It did rain for most of the 13.1 miles.  It was a steady rain though, not storming, so it ends up not being too big of a problem.  As a matter of fact, it is sometimes nice to have some rain falling to keep from getting too hot.  Brett and his mom were at Mile 13 to cheer me in to the finish.  I was really great to have someone there cheering me in to finish.  It's been a while since I was fortunate enough to have that experience.  People are usually at the finish line and cheering in all the runners.  But to have someone specifically cheering for me, holding up a sign with my name on it, is a great motivator!  The fact that they stood out there for me, especially in the rain, meant a lot!

I ended the weekend heading back to Columbus.  Again, avoiding too much traffic by leaving a little bit early.  I made it through security fairly quickly, again avoiding the large rush that typically comes with Monday mornings in an airport as big as Atlanta.

On Monday morning I arrived back in Columbus, and while still waiting for my luggage, got a call from work.  Someone had called off sick and coverage was needed....so back to work I went, relaxed from a nice long weekend away.