As I sit in my ambulance listening to my partner rant about new workout as he sucks down a cigarette. I can't help but reflect on a genuinely awesome weekend that I had. Over the past few weeks I have been in a major rut that seemed almost impossible to get out of. This caused by overworking with non stop bullshit calls and never seeming to have enough cash in the bank account. However I was able to take a nice break from the normal.
Friday I was able to partake in a tradition that I have participated in for several years. This is the event known as practice. The history behind practice is simple. Every year the Wallington fire dept hosts a St. Patricks day happy hour. Now we all know St pats is the Super Bowl of drinking. And similar to old saying of "how do you get to Carnegie hall?" That's right you have to practice practice practice! So as a result we have to practice before the big game. You don't want to get to the big game and be unprepared. So we practice, and boy do we.
Warm ups usually start with few easy aerobic curls. Usually of 16 ounces and move up from there. As the night progresses everyone convinces the new guy to touch the pot above the bar. Once they touch the pot, the pot is filled with a fine whiskey or classy crown royal. The pot is a small metal pot no more than 10oz in size. A small amount of dish soap is put on the bar allowing a nice viscosity allowing the pot to spin. Where the handle points to has to drink from the pot. This goes on until the pot is empty.
As the weeks go on, you become more and more prepared for the big day. Unfortunately the big game doesn't compare to practices. A much better time is had at practice due to a smaller group of guys. My favorite aspect of practice may be because of the fact that my family, more importantly my mother, hates me during practice season. When I tell her that I will be attending she quickly rolls her eyes in a state of disgust. She knows all too well that I will be becoming belligerent and, come crawling back home making even less sense than normal.
The morning after practice I continued the fun by partaking in the polar bear plunge. An annual event that raises money for the special Olympics and is run by the nj police benevolence association.
For those who don't know, it is when a group of crazy asses muster up the liquid courage to jump Into the ocean in the winter months. For raising the money you are given a sweatshirt, the more you raise the more swag you are given. Things like robes and bags are sported by those who raised more money than you did. I tend to avoid these people because the are essentially the same popular people I avoided in high school. Everyone likes them and gives them their money. I was never one of those people.
Unfortunately there were a few internal issues involving my team and I sadly did not receive my parting gift. Which is fine because I've never been one to do things just for the swag.
Saturday night I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite bands, 6 years after their farewell tour. Being in the right place at the right time I was also able to get a picture with James. Always a great time seeing reggie and the full effect play and introducing new people to the experience that they provide. Not a bad night.
The next morning I was introduced to southern nj eating at a place called, "shut up and eat". A place with all kinds of goofy shit on the wall and a menu that is pretty much anything under the sun(kinda like shenanigans). As you walk in you are greeted by a staff wearing pajamas. The place uses utensils and mismatched plates. Gives it that at home feel where nothing matches. I have to admit it was a very enjoyable experience. I was able to have meatloaf and eggs, which in my opinion is an absolute genius concept and something I plan on having often.
This weekend was a nice break for the monotony that I have been going through. I also was given a refresher of old times and how much simpler that time was looking back on it now. You never really can tell how much you have accomplished or what you've done until you look back at where you were a few years ago. It brings everything into perspective. So for now I'll keep chopping along and see what everyday brings. Hopefully there are more good times like this. I really needed that change of pace.
No comments:
Post a Comment