Thanks to the idiotic firewall rules, I can’t see many of the links, so I’ll have to play OP tonight.
I ran a total of 6 calls this weekend, with only one being mildly interesting. Instead, I will go through some observations on the personalities in the Navytown Rescue Squad. In random order:
Chuck, a Navy Medic in real life, and very much the male model pretty boy. Nice enough guy, but the “I’m gorgeous and know it” gets a bit old.
The Jennifers, a pair of women who ran together for the first time this weekend. One is a college student from the DC burbs with a penchant for say “Nice…” in response to anything said to her, and the other is a young engineer and fellow probie.
The Other Bob, who was described to me as “The nicest fascist in the squad”. A quick recon established that he has similar political and religious views as mine, and a similar sense of humor. We’re gonna get along fine.
Matt, who called The Other Bob the nice fascist, and is almost the polar opposite of me in political views. Gave me a thumbs up on my skills and knowledge.
Daisy The Driver, a retired pro firefighter from the DC burbs. Her ability to be a smart-ass leaves me in the dust.
The Chief, who I’m tempted to dub Severus, for his facial resemblance to a thin faced Alan Rickman.
Over all, the number of gays in the squad surprises me a bit, considering the number of active and retired military members. Well, if we could have 2 in the Cottonfield County squad, which would be even more gay hostile, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised here.
My one mildly remarkable call was the last one yesterday, for trouble breathing. The patient was a lady a couple years older than me, and she had just about everything wrong with her that you could have related to bad lifestyle. No wonder she was having a panic attack, she was evaluating her mortality and having an “Oh, shit!” moment.
We got her in the unit, and I put her on oxygen, a standard trick for anxiety patients. It’s partially physical, and partly psychological. Oxygen slows down the heavy breathing, while the patient thinks you’re really doing something for them so they calm down.
When we rolled, she said, “You know, you guys need a volunteer who will sit with the patient and just hold their hand.”
I piped right up. “I’ll do that, because it’s something I’m very good at. If you think you need to, break my fingers if it will help.”
She smiled a bit, laid back, and continued dumping her fears and frustrations on us.
I waited a bit, then said, “You know, a pretty woman like you (she really wasn’t) holding my hand… people might talk.”
She looked shocked and tried to let go. “If it’s going to cause a problem, I won’t.”
Well, that calculation failed. “Hon, I was joking and being flirty. As long as you feel the need, you can hold my hand. It’s why they pay me the big bucks.”
With that, she relaxed and I got the smile I was looking for. I had to let go while we wheeled her in to the ER, but resumed once inside and she was on the hospital bed. She was grateful.
Anyway, post a link to show what you want to give to someone or everyone here. Spoiler it if you want it to be a surprise! 
