I began this blog over a year ago and judging by the frequency of posts, I quickly lost focus. “Rarely Lucid” sat stagnant while I... fill in the blank. I could come up with plenty of excuses but it’s really just lack of focus and discipline on my part. Besides, I am the blog's only reader so who am I making excuses to? It is time to get things flowing again.
After re-reading my first post I have decided to make some adjustments. I am a lot less concerned about where this is going. They say that variety is the spice of life and I have to agree. Not to mention keeping up a blog on one specific topic is exponentially harder than mixing brain droppings. If writing about a single topic, day after day, was somehow fulfilling to me I would have stayed in academia. So I will now feel free to branch out a bit. I am a jack-of-all-trades in life so I think my writing should be a reflection of that.
So what do I want out of this? I am not sure. I do find a great deal of pleasure in writing and my old graduate committee would agree that I need the practice. It is also important to keep my creativity flowing through words or other mediums. Too many times in the last year I had a good idea for a post and I did not act. If that is how I treat a small write up then how will I ever face my larger goals?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
First Aid
Last year, while out running errands, I came upon a car crash that had happened only moments before my arrival. The two cars involved were in the middle of a busy road. Almost instantly there were onlookers along the side of the road. Much to my surprise these folks, rather than rushing to help, were busying themselves taking cell phone pictures of the now smoking cars. I have to admit that it was the sight of the onlookers rather than the crash that inspired me to act. I parked my truck out of the way and ran to the scene.
I noticed that there were still people in the cars as I approached. With both vehicles smoking heavily, my concern for the people inside greatly increased. Upon closer inspection the smoke was coming from the discharged airbags. After helping open one of the car doors I found myself asking, “what next”? Everyone appeared to be ok, though considerably shaken up. It was clear that the airbags had saved everyone in both vehicles. The cars were not on fire and I could hear sirens in the distance. A fairly happy ending considering the situation.
As I went back to my truck I became quite angry with myself. I was embarrassed that I had no idea on how to help anyone. Sure I had the guts to run out there but then what? Am I just an up-close onlooker? My ignorance was unacceptable and I had to take action.
The first chance I got I signed up for a first aid class through the American Red Cross. I did not have any prior first aid training and I was excited to learn. The class was small and there were only two of us that were there on our own accord, as opposed to job requirements. We took an entire morning and afternoon to discuss and practice the fine art of first aid. At the end of the day I left with 2-year certifications for first aid, AED, and CPR. A tedious job requirement for some but a real achievement for me.
I hope there is no “next time” but when it comes, I will be ready.
I noticed that there were still people in the cars as I approached. With both vehicles smoking heavily, my concern for the people inside greatly increased. Upon closer inspection the smoke was coming from the discharged airbags. After helping open one of the car doors I found myself asking, “what next”? Everyone appeared to be ok, though considerably shaken up. It was clear that the airbags had saved everyone in both vehicles. The cars were not on fire and I could hear sirens in the distance. A fairly happy ending considering the situation.
As I went back to my truck I became quite angry with myself. I was embarrassed that I had no idea on how to help anyone. Sure I had the guts to run out there but then what? Am I just an up-close onlooker? My ignorance was unacceptable and I had to take action.
The first chance I got I signed up for a first aid class through the American Red Cross. I did not have any prior first aid training and I was excited to learn. The class was small and there were only two of us that were there on our own accord, as opposed to job requirements. We took an entire morning and afternoon to discuss and practice the fine art of first aid. At the end of the day I left with 2-year certifications for first aid, AED, and CPR. A tedious job requirement for some but a real achievement for me.
I hope there is no “next time” but when it comes, I will be ready.
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