I've often wondered if someone would intervene if they happened to be eavesdropping on a conversation or two that I have had with a family member. I can picture being in line at the grocery store yapping away on my cell. The older couple shaking their heads in my direction, the woman gazing in sadness and concern toward my little children as their mother chit chatted away on the phone about the various trists her husband had been involved in that week.
So I keep "cop talk" confined to the walls of our home (or key strokes of my laptop), for the most part.
Seriously, what would you think if you heard one half of the below conversation at 2:00pm on a Thursday afternoon that went something like this:
CA Cop Mom: Hi how's it going?
Me: We're doing well, CA Cop is sleeping. There was a bar fight or something last night so he didn't come home until morning.
CA Cop Mom: Well how was his work week.
Me: Not too much going on this week. Monday he got a DUI. Tuesday I guess there was a car full of drunk strippers who were flirting with him, he ended up getting another DUI. Wednesday he called me when he left the jail after they had gotten in a fight with a guy but CA Cop wasn't hurt or anything.
CA Cop Mom: Okay, well you guys are welcome to come over for dinner.
Me: Okay. Take Care!
Wow, I think I would offer "Me" a dose of woman power and tell her to leave that loser!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, CA Cop
Bicycling is our new addiction. We are totally sold on the sport. Every spare hour we strap on our helmets load the kids in the trailer and take for the trails. I'm hooked. I like to feel the sun as it transforms my arms into a golden brown, the wind as it muffles my sense of hearing and leaves me focused on my rhythmic breathing and increasing heart rate. The smells as we pass by sprinklers slapping the edge of pavement or grass clippings blowing around a yard. My legs as the push the pedals and grow stronger with each rotation.
It is my new favorite thing to do.
And the bay area is a great place to ride. There are trails along mountains and hills, trails along beaches and lakes, trails through vineyards and farmland and redwoods, even biking trails over bridges and bays. I hope to have experienced a little bit of everything by the time the winter rains slow us down.
While out on our family rides or with just the two of us I have had the opportunity to watch "the transition" take place. I know very well that even when they are off duty an officer is still on high alert. Still scanning, planning, etc. But I have gotten to experience CA Cop taking his "alertness" (if you will) up a threat level on some of these various outings.
If a, shall we say "thug" or "crackhead" comes within 20 feet of me or the baby trailer every thing about CA Cop's demeanor changes. His posture, his expression, his eyes (oh my do his eyes change). He is well aware of any potential "threats" long before I am and has already positioned himself accordingly or "ordered" me to a different direction, to speed up, to slow down, or to stop. It is fascinating, really.
Most, of our outings do not give him cause to go into cop mode, but lets be real the bay area is a melting pot of cultures, ideas, religions, and unfortunately gangs and drugs. It is what it is and yet it is our home.
As we ride I know that my husband is intently watching over our family and guiding us on our journeys, ready to rip open is shirt and transform into CA Cop at a moments notice........ (Okay, I know he's not a superhero[but your dang close, honey] but a girl can dream a little.)
It is my new favorite thing to do.
And the bay area is a great place to ride. There are trails along mountains and hills, trails along beaches and lakes, trails through vineyards and farmland and redwoods, even biking trails over bridges and bays. I hope to have experienced a little bit of everything by the time the winter rains slow us down.
While out on our family rides or with just the two of us I have had the opportunity to watch "the transition" take place. I know very well that even when they are off duty an officer is still on high alert. Still scanning, planning, etc. But I have gotten to experience CA Cop taking his "alertness" (if you will) up a threat level on some of these various outings.
If a, shall we say "thug" or "crackhead" comes within 20 feet of me or the baby trailer every thing about CA Cop's demeanor changes. His posture, his expression, his eyes (oh my do his eyes change). He is well aware of any potential "threats" long before I am and has already positioned himself accordingly or "ordered" me to a different direction, to speed up, to slow down, or to stop. It is fascinating, really.
Most, of our outings do not give him cause to go into cop mode, but lets be real the bay area is a melting pot of cultures, ideas, religions, and unfortunately gangs and drugs. It is what it is and yet it is our home.
As we ride I know that my husband is intently watching over our family and guiding us on our journeys, ready to rip open is shirt and transform into CA Cop at a moments notice........ (Okay, I know he's not a superhero[but your dang close, honey] but a girl can dream a little.)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
In A Flash
CA Cop had the suspect back at the station.
He was preparing her for a trip down to county after she had been taking a joy ride around Baytown in a stolen vehicle. The younger, slightly overweight, female was nervous about her trip although it would not be her first.
CA Cop was telling her what type of repercussions would arise if she had any drugs still hidden on her person when she was delivered into the hands of the deputies. He advised her to surrender any narcotics (if there were any) to Baytown PD prior to climbing into the backseat of his patrol car for the jaunt down to county.
"I ain't got nothin officer, I promise,"
And with that line she grabbed the bottom edges of her shirt and moved it up her body. Her fingers also clasped the under wire of her enormous bra as her arms moved upward. The large double D's came abounding out of the cups as they were met with the stale air inside the holding room of Baytown PD.
"See officer, there ain't no drugs in my bra either."
"Yes ma'am, I see that."
Perk of the job? According to CA Cop there was nothing "perky" about it.
He was preparing her for a trip down to county after she had been taking a joy ride around Baytown in a stolen vehicle. The younger, slightly overweight, female was nervous about her trip although it would not be her first.
CA Cop was telling her what type of repercussions would arise if she had any drugs still hidden on her person when she was delivered into the hands of the deputies. He advised her to surrender any narcotics (if there were any) to Baytown PD prior to climbing into the backseat of his patrol car for the jaunt down to county.
"I ain't got nothin officer, I promise,"
And with that line she grabbed the bottom edges of her shirt and moved it up her body. Her fingers also clasped the under wire of her enormous bra as her arms moved upward. The large double D's came abounding out of the cups as they were met with the stale air inside the holding room of Baytown PD.
"See officer, there ain't no drugs in my bra either."
"Yes ma'am, I see that."
Perk of the job? According to CA Cop there was nothing "perky" about it.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Paranoia Two
The hyper awareness of criminals in the world continues to be present in our daily lives.
Exhibit A) This week I received lectures on three separate evenings (that I was home alone with the kids) for not having turned on the porch light immediately following sun down. I was reminded yet again that the bad guys "like dark places."
Exhibit B) The past few days CA Cop has entered a room and I literally jumped and screamed. I think I get used to it just being me and the kids home, and so it throws me for a loop to have a man wandering from room to room.
Exhibit C) I ran into the bank today to get some quick cash for an event we were taking the kids to. As I walked out of the bank and entered the car I handed CA Cop the cash. My "interesting" story I began to tell him was interrupted by him informing me that walking out of the bank with the cash on display in my hand was not a good idea. I was just asking for trouble. I know....I get it. Not something I typically do.
And Exhibit D) When discussing my plans to visit a good friend in San Francisco a few weekends ago I brought up the topic of transportation.
"Perhaps I will just take BART to the city?"
"No way. Its not a good idea for you to be taking BART, especially at night."
I give up.... our life is changed. Mostly for the better. But still, its change and change takes some adjusting.
Exhibit A) This week I received lectures on three separate evenings (that I was home alone with the kids) for not having turned on the porch light immediately following sun down. I was reminded yet again that the bad guys "like dark places."
Exhibit B) The past few days CA Cop has entered a room and I literally jumped and screamed. I think I get used to it just being me and the kids home, and so it throws me for a loop to have a man wandering from room to room.
Exhibit C) I ran into the bank today to get some quick cash for an event we were taking the kids to. As I walked out of the bank and entered the car I handed CA Cop the cash. My "interesting" story I began to tell him was interrupted by him informing me that walking out of the bank with the cash on display in my hand was not a good idea. I was just asking for trouble. I know....I get it. Not something I typically do.
And Exhibit D) When discussing my plans to visit a good friend in San Francisco a few weekends ago I brought up the topic of transportation.
"Perhaps I will just take BART to the city?"
"No way. Its not a good idea for you to be taking BART, especially at night."
I give up.... our life is changed. Mostly for the better. But still, its change and change takes some adjusting.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Until I Really Knew A Cop
There are a few things that I have learned since I have had the opportunity to get close to an officer.
1.) Being searched and handcuffed is very uncomfortable and very intrusive. Even when its your cadet husband practicing for his academy scenarios and you are dressed in your PJ's in the middle of your living room. It still feels violating and I cannot imagine going through it "for real".
2.) Routine traffic stops are dangerous. And the cop is calculating your every move as he/she approaches your vehicle. Keep your hands on your wheel.
3.) While "quotas" may not exist (at least not in Baytown) every ticket written equals a potential 4+ hours of overtime for the officer........
4.) All cops are "jerks" unless you need them to come protect you, then magically they are "actually not that bad" or "actually a nice cop".
5.) Officers are not interested in hearing your "jerk" cop stories. Ever. (And their wives are even more annoyed by them.)
So this is the start of my list. It has been interesting being introduced to the LEO life.
1.) Being searched and handcuffed is very uncomfortable and very intrusive. Even when its your cadet husband practicing for his academy scenarios and you are dressed in your PJ's in the middle of your living room. It still feels violating and I cannot imagine going through it "for real".
2.) Routine traffic stops are dangerous. And the cop is calculating your every move as he/she approaches your vehicle. Keep your hands on your wheel.
3.) While "quotas" may not exist (at least not in Baytown) every ticket written equals a potential 4+ hours of overtime for the officer........
4.) All cops are "jerks" unless you need them to come protect you, then magically they are "actually not that bad" or "actually a nice cop".
5.) Officers are not interested in hearing your "jerk" cop stories. Ever. (And their wives are even more annoyed by them.)
So this is the start of my list. It has been interesting being introduced to the LEO life.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Overtime
In the last two weeks CA Cop has worked 50+ hours of overtime. That is in addition to his regular full time shift.
I. Miss. Him. Terribly.
I. Miss. Him. Terribly.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Still Having Blogger Problems
Blogger is still having issues with comments on my blog. Hopefully it will be resolved soon. I have made several attempts to reply to comments, but have been unsuccessful.
If you have something you wanted to add to a recent post I do hope that you are able to post the comment soon. I appreciate all the great feedback that I get from my readers!
If you have something you wanted to add to a recent post I do hope that you are able to post the comment soon. I appreciate all the great feedback that I get from my readers!
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