I am a total dork, I admit... I watched So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) this summer. There was jack-shit on and I have always loved dancing. I was watching the last competition episode this past week and there was this song I couldn't get out of my mind. I have a special place in my heart for classical music. It's not my first choice, but I do like the genre.
The last dance the 4 finalists did together was choreographed by Mia Michaels, who is excellent! Her song choices are always funky and fresh. The song was by the Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) and the song was Hallelujah. I frantically searched the net for the song. I found it and found out the Vitamin String Quartet does classical cover albums for really anyone... from Pink Floyd to Incubus to Billy Joel to the Beatles. It is a totally different perspective listening to your favorite songs in string. So this newfound favorite song of mine is from Paramore, who I like. But I love this song.
It's funny because at first I started watching this show alone then it was something the girls and I enjoyed together since Em is in dance.
I am going to miss the show because it introduces new songs and artists I have never heard of. I look forward to next year.
SYTYCD and music!
It hurts... Part II
I wrote a post back in June about a friend of mine "It hurts". Well I haven't really talked to this friend because I just didn't want to be the one putting forth all of the efforts for nothing in return. I just feel very guarded. I try to call on occasion and the one time I called to tell her about Em and a surgery she had she vented to me for 15 minutes with me saying virtually nothing. It was a waste of time - for me. Good thing we both have Verizon and share free minutes with our cell phone calls.
Yesterday I get the mail and there is a card. I notice it is from my friend. Begrudgingly, I open it up. I didn't know what the hell was going to be in the card.
I start to read the Hallmark, my favorite, card:
Finding time for friendship
seems more complicated than ever.
That's why the easy
kind of friendship
we share means so very much.
I know I can depend on you,
no matter how much time passes
between our visits or phone calls.
Just knowing you are there
fills my days with the comfort
of being thought of,
the warmth
of being cared about,
and the joy
of being understood
It would be wonderful
to see you more often,
but it's also wonderful
knowing we don't
have to work
at impressing each other
or building trust
-- open card --
Whenever I think
of true friendship,
I think of you
- Barbara Loots
My friend writes -- normally I wouldn't share this, but I need advice...
Sorry I can't not really been around much. Things have been hard, financially, emotionally, physically, not really an excuse, but it's all I have.
Thanks for sticking by...
then signed XXX
The one thing that ticks me off is I offered to pay for her plane ticket to come and visit and she flat out said no. She said she can't afford it. What the shit?? How can you not afford paying for nothing? Um... sounds wierd. I know at her job it is almost like commission. She is a therapist and makes a certain amount of money per patient she sees. But... not even a weekend??? Come on.
I honestly am out of emotion.... I think the card came a little late... Maybe I am just an unforgiving bitch. I don't like to hold things against people, I honestly just don't know...
...sigh...
End of Watch for J. Miktarian 1974 - 2008
The Greater Cleveland area lost another officer last week. Joshua Miktarian was laid to rest on Friday, July, 17, 2008. He was killed in the line of duty at a "routine" traffic stop early one morning. At the young age of 33; he leaves behind his wife and his daughter only 3.5 months old.
Miktarian was shot in the head area 4 times all close range. He was shot from a 23 year old kid who had a concealed weapon. He did have a license to carry a concealed weapon, but did not have a license to kill someone. Miktarian did not have a chance to call his K-9 partner out. So his K-9 partner witnessed his death. Had his partner been called out I am sure the outcome of this situation of this horrible tragedy would have been much different.
The suspect was apprehended at his mothers house with one handcuff on from the traffic stop. So one would speculate Miktarian started to handcuff him and the kid drew his gun on him.
I watched the live feed of the funeral procession and the funeral ceremony on a local news website while at work. I had a rough day doing my job because I had this all on my mind. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose my spouse, let alone in the line of duty. I don't ever want to wake up in the middle of the night to a knock on my door. I know every day my husband walks out the door, there is a chance he will not come back. I realize we all have that chance, but his is greater much like all of us. I have tried talking to my husband about this situation and he is taking it very hard in his own right. He was a fellow brother. We never knew Miktarian but we all "related" through the Thin Blue Line.
I just need to suppress my own personal feelings and put my husbands life in the hands of his platoon. If he trusts them, I trust them.
To Mrs. Miktarian and your daughter... I am so terribly sorry. There is nothing I can write or say to put into words what I am feeling for you and your family. I am sorry I never knew Josh. He seemed like a really great man and your surrounding communities have lost a wonderful man. I know Twinsburg Police Department and the community will be there for you.
God bless you and your family.
New tattoos banned for police officers...
I read an article on FoxNews.com this morning regarding the Des Moines, Iowa police department prohibiting any future tattoos on their current officers and any new hires. Potentially narrowing out excellent officers from the hiring pool because they are inked. This article goes on about this new policy. The officers have filed a grievance saying it is "unreasonable". Any officers with visible tattoos will be photographed. I would presume so there won't be any sleeves being finished.
I can see both sides of this coin...
While I see the point of having the "powers that be" tell you what you can and can't have on your body and where is crossing some sort of fine line, however when you are in law enforcement those markings become almost a liability. If you have a tattoo of a clown on your forearm and you are working undercover in a Vice Unit that becomes a liability. Think about it... If you are on duty and a drug dealer sees your clown tattoo that is one thing, but if he recognizes you in plain clothes doing whatever you do off duty with your family that creates a problem. And one could imagine what would the end result would be.
Some departments also prohibit facial hair. I presume they want to maintain some sort of professionalism. I believe officers need to connect with the public. They aren't working in a suit and tie. They are dealing with criminals. To be quite frank, they need not to be impressed. If you have a mustache, beard or a goatee that's cool. That's who you are.
A problem I see is people are afraid of their officers. I remember growing up our cities officers had trading cards. Yes it's cheesy and I may be a little younger than most, but they were involved with the community.
I wish this was a simple topic, but our officers need to be able to live somewhat freely. They are not "owned" by the government. From what I understand the military has also implemented this [tattoo] rule too. While I am not sure of the reasonings for the military I totally understand for law enforcement.
I guess you just never know what you really will be when you grow up or what promotion will be coming up. So be mindful before you get inked, it could potentially cost you a career you have envisioned since your childhood.
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