Silent Auction

Tonight, our session held a silent auction with all the proceeds going to Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S. Kids). Each session holds a silent auction to raise to raise money for this worthwhile charity. I bid on a couple of items. Didn't get the one I really wanted but I did walk away with a couple of Harley t-shirts, 2 hats, 2 coffee mugs, and 2 mouse pads courtesy of Killer Creek Harley Davidson in Roswell, GA for $65.00. Like I said, its for a good cause. Part of the auction was a live auction where any item that received a bid for over $100.00 went to live auction amongst the highest bidders. John Hearn of Philly PD acted as auctioneer and did a great job. Some of the bidding got pretty lively and apparently some of the cops here make a lot more money than I do. Several thousand dollars were raised here tonight. Great job 247!

Journey to OZ

This morning was our Journey to OZ challenge run. 5.2 miles through the mud and muck (it rained the past three days). The sun was shining when I got up this morning but, by the time we went out for the run at 10:30, it became a little overcast. It was also cold. For whatever reason, I was a little slow dressing out and didn't leave myself much time to stretch and warm-up. With the colder temps., I was afraid I might pull a muscle. I guess I got enough stretching in because I did fine. After about the first mile, the cold didn't bother me anymore either.

Most of the run was through the woods and trails around Lake Lunga. Unfortunately, the trails aren't that wide so there were times when I got bogged down behind some slower runners/walkers. About the time I was able to make a pass and get around some of them, my right foot found a mud hole. That was real pleasant. Nothing like running in wet socks and shoes. I was able to keep a pretty good pace throughout, though. And I made my goal of finishing under 1 hour; I finished at 57:20...about middle of the pack. No problems with the knee either. If you would have asked me 10 weeks ago if I could run 5+ miles, the answer probably would've been "NO". I'm proud of myself and of everyone else here. The last runner came in at about 75 minutes so, we're all qualified for next week's Yellow Brick Road Run.

This afternoon's Enrichment Speaker was Bobby Smith. It was a good presentation. This man has had plenty of tragedy in his life. He's a Louisiana State Trooper who was shot in the face in 1986. Because of the shooting, he's totally blind. He also lost his daughter in a traffic crash and his son to a drug overdose. In spite of all this tragedy, the man has obtained his doctorate degree, written three books, and instructs new recruits at the Louisiana Academy.

We're almost done!

Week #9

Week #9 and the countdown has begun. We started back today after the Thanksgiving break. Everyone is already complaining about the food here again after eating real food for several days. I have to admit...dinner tonight was not good.

Tomorrow is our Journey to OZ Challenge Run. 5.2 miles to be completed in 80 minutes. A lot of people are worried about this run because of the distance and because it is timed. If you don't make the run in the allotted time, you don't get to participate in the Yellow Brick Road Run next week. I'm not too concerned, though. I think I could walk 5.2 in 80 minutes but I have no intention of walking. Except for the earlier runs where my knee was hurting, I've done well in the runs. And besides, I've already bought my stand for my brick. I'm actually hoping to finish in under an hour. If I can keep my 10 minute mile pace, I should make it. Weather is looking good for tomorrow but it will be cool...temps probably in the 40's when we start.

Week #8

Like I said...short week. I hope to be out of here and on the road by 2:00. Hopefully, no later than 2:30. That should have me getting home around 11:30. I just finished loading up the car so I can leave as soon as I'm out of class.

Everyone have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving and I'll be back next week posting for Week #9.

Week #7 - DONE!

We're getting close. It's been a busy weekend here at the NA. After pretty much an uneventful Thursday and Friday, yesterday we did tours of the Capital Building, The White House, and The Pentagon. Up and gone by 6:30 yesterday morning to be on Capital Hill by 8:00. I still can't believe the traffic around here...even early on a Saturday morning, I-95 towards DC was packed. We ran a convoy up to DC, with some of the cars even running the blue lights. Everyone pretty much got out of our way. When we got there, we parked right in front of The Capital. It was a beautiful day, too! Cold early but not too bad as the day went on and not a cloud in the sky. One of the guys in the session is US Capital Police and he arranged everything. In fact, we had the Capital Building to ourselves for the tour. That being said, I really expected more. The tour was okay but, they didn't even take us to the House or Senate Chambers.
Next was the subway trip to The White House. This was my first subway trip in DC and I'll say this...its the cleanest subway system I've ever been on.

The White House was, in my opinion, the poorest excuse for a tour I've ever seen. You have to jump through hoops to get in, which I understand but after that, it's like, "okay, you're on your own but you can't go here, you can't go there, and you can't take any pictures". 10 minutes and you're done. We walked around downtown to find a place to eat for lunch and one of the guys even heckled some protesters. It was great!

Back on the subway to The Pentagon. This tour was the highlight of the day. The Pentagon cops went out of their way for us and they acted like it was their pleasure to do it. Once again, we had the place to ourselves. Take as many pictures as you want to unless they specifically say not to. They didn't. I had heard stories about The Pentagon pretty much being its own little self-contained city and it really is. We visited the indoor 9/11 Memorial and got to see things that the general public does not get to see on their tour. Like I said, The Pentagon cops were great.

Tonight was Louisiana Night down in the Atrium. The Louisiana students put this one together and it was a good time. Authentic Cajun food and just a lot of fun. They asked us to bring patches or pins for the band that was playing for us so I went back upstairs to get a handful of ORPD patches. One of the guys that I've become pretty good friends with, Glenn Hutchins from Washington State, was also going upstairs to get some patches. Glenn also rides a Harley so he and I have plenty to talk about. Anyway, he says he has a gift for me. He hands me a Harley T-shirt from his home dealership in Bellingham, Washington and says that he had his wife pick it up as a gift for my recent promotion. Thanks Glenn!

Very short week (day and a half of classes) and then its Thanksgiving break.

International Night

Today started off not so bright and too early. We had our fitness challenge, the "Winged Monkey Assault" today. 30 minutes of pretty much non-stop circuit training. Everybody did great! Next challenge is the 5.2 mile "Journey to OZ". Unfortunately, its right after we return from Thanksgiving break. Note to self: easy on the turkey and dressing.

After the challenge, students in Col. Vance's and Ms Parrish's media classes left for DC to visit the Newseum. This place was cool! We spent a good 3 1/2 hours there and I didn't get to see everything. The FBI exhibits were good and the 9/11 exhibits, especially the short film, was very moving. The Pulitzer Prize photos were phenomenal!




















After dinner and trip to the basement to do laundry, it was back upstairs to the Atrium for International Night. This is where the International student get to show off. Plenty of their native foods and of course, drinks (as in adult beverages). Needless to say, it was a very good time.





























P.S. For whatever reason, the pictures don't always post they way they do when I'm writing this. If it doesn't look good or the pictures seem to be out of order, I apologize. I don't know what to do to fix it.

Good News Today

Okay, let's try this for the third time. Apparently, I'm having trouble posting tonight. Anyway, I got the word today...I got promoted! I was in Col. Vance's media class when I got the call late this afternoon. I had to excuse myself in the middle of the Colonel's lecture to take the call. During the break, I apologized to the Colonel and told him about the call. Of course, he announces to the class that I got promoted. Everyone congratulated me. That was nice and I really appreciated it. The promotion takes effect on Jan. 8th and I do have to go back to Patrol. I had hoped that I would get to stay in CID but in the back of my mind, I knew that I would have to go to Patrol. And, I'm going to have to give up a few things that I've grown accustomed to...like my office, my car, my weekends off. The good news is that my dry cleaning bill should drop drastically now. Seriously, the good news is that two of my Detectives also got promoted so, congratulations to them.

Winged Monkey Assault tomorrow morning followed by a field trip to the Newseum in DC tomorrow afternoon. The field trip is for the students in Colonel Vance's classes and from what I've been told, the Newseum is a great place to visit. International Night is tomorrow night...this promises to be fun.

The end is near and coming quicker than any of us expected.

Thanks to all of you who supported me and encouraged me throughout the process for promotion. I promise, I won't let you down.