A Full Moon

Everytime there is a full moon, you here news reports of hospitals being more busy, crazy things happening and so on. I always thought "whatever"...I really didn't see a change in police reports, arrest data, etc...to substantiate the theory that crazy things happened on a full moon night.

As you all know, I've been a desk jockey for the past several years, not outside actually dealing with the "full-moon atmosphere". Well let me tell you something, if last night in Highland Village is a precursor to what is going to happen tonight, there just might be something to all this hype about full moon = crazy crap happening.

Last night, "full moon eve" I believe I met each and every weird person who lives in Highland Village. I can't go into too much detail however, I now have memories that will never fade away.

Lets say the following may have occured while I may have worked last night.

• Talking to a lady who bridge kept popping up and down, she kept pushing it back in with her tongue...it is very distracting not to mention her shirt was so low cut that her yahoo kept falling out too. Again, very distracting.
• Talking to kids who ride their skateboards in the house. When a kids does this, evidently the parents want us to solve that problem. The dialogue goes a little something like this...

OFFICER "What can I do for you?"

PARENT "My kids rides his skateboard in the house"

OFFICER "okay"

PARENT "We would like for you to tell him that he can't ride his skateboard in the house"

OFFICER "No problem, where is the kid"

PARENT "In his room, I'll go get him"

OFFICER " Hey kid, your parents don't want you to ride your skateboard in the house"

KID "Okay"

PARENT " Thank you so much officer for coming by and doing this for us"

OFFICER" No Problem"

Can you believe I get paid for this??????

• Lesbians in the nail salon after hours...they really really really REALLY should have locked the door.
• If you pick up "whores on Craig's list" you might get crabs...FYI, no criminal offense has occurred with this scenario.
• If you take a cell phone away from your 16 year old daughter and she argues with you about it, give me a call, I'll come over and tell your 16 year old daughter to quit arguing with you (can you believe I get paid for this???)
• If your brother is crazy, I can not put him jail. Even if he is asleep in his room and that would make it easier to "sneak up on him and put the handcuffs on"
• I can not "fingerprint" a beer can that you found in your front yard after it has rained. Also, trash and evidence can be the same item, but not in this case, trash is trash.

Tonight is the "real" full moon, there is no telling what will happen.

Later

The Day After Hump Day Thoughts

• It is sorta neat living through a historical event.
• Barack Hussein Obama was elected President of the United States of America, that gives me shivers just to write that.
• If a man is half black and half white, why does he only claim the black part? Why does the media only say "The first African American President? Why don't they say, the first half and half President?
• I really feel sad for Sarah Palin, I hope she is as Hawt in 2012 as she is right now.
• I can not believe that Lupe Valdez won the Dallas County Sheriff's race. She is a nut job. Not because she is a woman, not because she is a democrat, not because she is Hispanic, nor is it because she is a lesbian, it is just the mere fact she is a nut job.
• Yesterday was my last day on day shift for a while. I like the midnight shift, but evenings is a beating.
• My little Nissan Pickup is averaging 27.5 MPG.
• Gas in the area is averaging about $2.05 per gallon, I still see it around $2.20 at some places and last night I saw it as low as $1.96.
• My cousin is getting married this Saturday. When she was born, I took her to Tandy Center one day, she was only a couple of months old then, it seems like yesterday and now all of a sudden she is all grown up, starting a family and I feel so old. Congratulations and Best Wishes LaDayna.
• If a vacuum cleaner really "sucked", would that mean it is a good one?
• My new favorite Bar B Que Restaurant is "Red, Hot and Blue" it is some of the best BBQ I have ever eaten.
• I can not believe it is the "Holiday Season" already, I've already seen a Christmas commercial on TV.
• I conducted a traffic stop yesterday. a lady was driving 37 MPH in a 20MPH school zone, talking on a cell phone (ordinance violation during school zone hours), she did not have her DL with her, she was not wearing a seat belt, her tags were out of date and when she put on her brakes to pull over, she had a brake light out, that is a total of six violations. As I walked up to her Benz SUV, she asked "Is there a problem officer?", I laughed.
• By the way, she got three citations and three warnings...I'm a nice guy, what can I say.
• One of the things that I do each and every day is stop by some folks houses that have there garage doors open and remind them that it is open and warn them that a burglary can happen in a matter of seconds, 99% of people I talk to are very appreciative of this service and say how proud they are of the police department's efforts to make Highland Village the "Safest City in Texas". I smile real big as I walk back to my patrol car.
• Just to give you an example, The Azle News reported last week that Azle, Texas, population 11000 is expecting to have over 100 car burglaries (BMVs)this year. I looked up Highland Village's BMV rate for the year and we have had 7, oh yea, Highland Village's population is 17000, plus we have acres and acres of retail parking lots, Azle does not. I totally believe that this rate is 100% dependent upon the proactive Value Based Policing Model that the Highland Village Police Department adopts each and every day.
• And as each and everyone of you knows, I am a very blessed man and for that, I am so grateful.

Two more Halloween Pics

Happy Halloween

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween. Boo from me to you.

This pic on the left is from several years ago...Cerissa and Megan looking to score a lot of candy.

Now lets talk about the pic on the right....

this is actually me when I was about 10 or 11. One of my favorite shows was the Adams Family. And my mom, being the coolest around...made me this great "Cousin It" outfit. She worked all day and all night on this thing.

We loaded up in the car to get ready to go to my school's Halloween party and I was too embarrassed to get out of the car. I didn't want anyone to see me and laugh at me. Man, did my mom get so mad at me.

Looking back at it now, this was the coolest, especially after all the work and time my mom spent on it...but back then I just did not thing so.

Anyway, I owe you an apology mom, its about 3o years late, but I am sorry.

Day After Hump Day Thoughts

• I actually went to the above house this week. The guy left his Hummer H3T unlocked and had a pair of $750 sunglasses stolen. ($750 sunglasses)
• Thursday is "my" new Saturday.
• I want to see the following movies: 1) Saw V, 2) Changeling, 3) Quarantine
• An officer got a police report kicked back after a review from a supervisor for having "conflicting verbs" in a sentence. Improper sentence structure is a big no no at HVPD.
• Scenic Drive in Highland Village intersects itself at "three" different intersections...look it up, really....not only do I need to brush up on my English, Geography is a beating as well.
• Last Sunday's Extreme Home Makeover made me cry like a baby...very, very, very sweet story.
• I went to the doctor today, I officially have a cold. I also officially have a very sore left butt cheek.
• The HVPD won an IACP (International Association of Chief's of Police) for Excellence in Community Policing due to our Value Based Policing Model. The IACP are the "Worldwide Big Boys" Although the Value Based Policing Model is a little difficult to grasp at first, once I get the hang of it, I know it will be the most awesome style of policing I have ever been involved with. The week the Terrell Police Department adopted this same concept and style of policing, it was developed by my command staff...get you some!!!!
• Remember when I wrote about the SWEAT program getting their name on a big plaque at Central Park in Azle??? Well, the sign is up, but no SWEAT name on it...this story is developing. SWEAT's name will be on it, if I have to get a paint can and spray it on. Freakin Idiots!!!!!
• I went and voted last Thursday at the Wise County Convention Center...no matter how many times I vote, I still feel a sense of pride in my accomplishment of voting and for some reason I always think of veterans when I vote. Without them, I might not be able to.
• I joined LA Fitness in Highland Village, I can hardly wait to be start being referred to as "Greg Six-Pack" due to my bad ass abs...
• Like a said in my last post, although things are "different" at HVPD, the differences are amazing. I find myself not believing how much the community and department are really one in the same. It would be very hard to explain how this all works, but trust me. (the value based policing thing)
• I can't get into "My name is Earl". It reminds me too much of life in Azle.
• The weather in Texas has been the best for the past Month. Lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s. Christine is VERY particular about the windows being open, there are only a few days a year that everything is "just right" for her...tonight is one of those nights...the windows are open.
• I HOPE the CHANGE on November 4th will be McCain and Palin...He is a pretty cool old man and she is soooooo Hawt.
• I like beans and cornbread...it is my favorite...I am having that tonight...my wife is the best.
• I do not like the lesbian twist in this year's Greys Anatomy story line.
• When I ride the electric police vehicle in Highland Village, I do not feel like a dork. Riding around in a supped up golf cart is pretty neat. I even went to a call in it the other day.
• My favorite book of the Bible is "Job".
• I am so proud of my oldest daughter Cerissa, her school is going good, she is making good grades and she is a wonderful mother. I know she is getting her act together and growing up...I smile when I think about it all.
• I'm blessed and for that, I am extremely grateful.

Its been awhile.

It has been awhile since my last post and thought I would sign in and post a little bit of information. First and foremost, let me say that my "new" job is absolutely wonderful. The other officers, the command staff, and the people of the community are just wonderful folks. It is alot different than Azle in soooooooo many ways. Different styles of policing, different policies and procedures, different ways and saying the same thing. It is taking my a few weeks to adjust to all the many differences, but each one of them are positive. It is taking me a little longer than I would like to learn the city geography. There are many winding, curving roadways and streets that all wind back into one another. There are no "basic gridded" neighborhoods in Highland Village, not one. And because of that, it is really confusing at times. It is also confusing learning the many A.O.R.s (Areas of Responsibilities) in town too. Not only do you need to know what street your on and district, it is important to know what AOR you are in as well. Even though I think I am having somewhat of a difficult time, I did score very good on a geography test last week. I have a great F.T.O.(feild training officer) he has been an officer in Highland Village for almost 5 years and I can tell he knows his stuff. We have become friends and that helps through the FTO program. I only have one more week with him and then I will be transferred to evenings with a different FTO for two more weeks and then another FTO for the final phase, I am due to be "cut loose" from training on December 1 and I will be flying solo. Things are going very good and I am loving every minute of it. Just wanted to get everyone updated...thanks again for all your support and prayers through this transition. Talk soon.... G

My First Day !!!

Today I started all over again. My first day of the 'rest of my life'. I didn't really want to start over, not at this stage of the game. I've been doing this for 21 years, why would I start over? Whatever fork in the road I took to lead me to this 'new' adventure, was the right choice. I've been known not to make the right choices over the years,but this my friends, seems to be the perfect choice. I was burnt out, a dinosaur, a crusty old "brasshead". I was spent, tired of fighting all the BS, it was putting a strain on many things in my life, friendships, relationships...my whole attitude was different. I was turning into the cop I never wanted to become and I decided that the road I was headed down was just a dead end. Today is the first day to start over for me, a second chance to NOT become the cop I was becoming...to not have a bad attitude, the chance to have the same feeling I did 21 years ago the very first time I sat behind the wheel of a brand new 1988 Ford Crown Victoria (man that thing was a boat) with red and blue light on top...and today was just like it was 21 years ago. All the same feelings came back, the smile, the pride, the excitement, the honor...it all came back in a flood of emotions that was very hard to control. For the first time in over six-years, I had "my" Chief of Police tell me he was "proud to have me on board". I had fellow officers come up to me and smile and say "welcome" , "glad to have you here" , "look forward to working with you". As I took a simple "Oath of Office" tears welled up in me as I swore to uphold the laws and rules of my County, my State, and my Community. The pride came back and it was all so hard to contain. As the day progressed and met more and more co-workers and supervisors who said the same things, all day long, over and over again and I felt a connection to the department and community immediately and I can't wait until tomorrow. I'm upset that I am going to have two days off a week, I truly feel like a rookie" again and I was so worried I would not. I'm not sure why God continues to bless me, but I'm not going to complain...I can truly say that this is one of the very best times of my life. I've got the best wife a man could ask for, three wonderful children, who I love more that I can ever express, a grandson who is healthy and a joy, a mother who cares for me and friends that have stood by me through this difficult process. I get to say something now that I have not been able to say in a very very long time...I love my job, I know that this is going to be fantastic. I'm looking so forward to more and more and returning to the person I once was, the husband, son, friend and father that I once was. I'm blessed.

The Mellow Mushroom Review

Picture yourself in a boat on a river, With tangerine trees and marmalade skies Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly, A girl with kaleidoscope eyes...

Okay maybe a little overboard but once you walk into this restaurant you quickly get the feeling of the 60s quirky psychedelic vibes.

Spring water pizza dough with names like "Magical Mystery Tour", "Kosmic Karma" and the "Gourmet White" after the "White Album" by the Beatles you get the hint of the culture of the eating joint. They even have a cow outside painted with bright colors and the words "peace and love" painted in the horns.

Aside from the theme, the food and service are good. The place was very crowded (we parked in the parking lot of an apartment complex across the street) but were seated immediately in the outside patio area. Since the weather was great, no problems eating outside (except for the flys)

We ordered the salads, wings and then had two small pizzas and all were pretty good. The wings were typical appetizer quality but still good but the pizzas were much better , especially the crust. Not your typical Domino's or Pizza Hut crust here, no sir...old school hand tossed cooked on stone crust.

I'm not so sure how the food ties in to the theme other than the names of some of the dishes, but nonetheless and pretty good restaurant, service, cleanliness, and atmosphere.

I give the Mellow Mushroom a 4 on the scale.

We will go back, but I'm not going to have to go tomorrow.

Moms Moved

My mom got moved today to a wonderful little townhouse Downtown Ft. Worth. She is .9 miles from her parking garage at Radio Shack Corp. I'm so proud of her, she has wanted to move downtown for quite awhile and today she did it. Policeman Movers moved her in record time, were very polite and on time. She said she would recommend this service to anyone. The neighborhood is very nice and quiet and the parking lot is in a secured area, each resident must have a access key to get into the parking garage area. City Center Security patrols the area regularly and are very visible. I feel comfortable with her living there. This is the actual pic of her house...congratulations mom.

Hump Day Thoughts

• Even though 'Nuttin but Strings' did not win America's got Talent, Neil E. Boyd made me enjoy Opera and I would see his show in Vegas.
• My wife is going to her '20th' High School Reunion in a couple of weeks. Her and Heather will be hooking up with some cool t shirts...I'm so glad I'm not going, I would be so out of place.
• I cried when the yellow Dad and Daughter team got split up on The Biggest Loser last night, but at least the daughter still got a chance, and the Dad has done great on his own...he lost over 70 lbs. and the final show is still weeks away.
• I thought the David Blaine show was stupid.
• The Season Premier of Grey's Anatomy was weak in my opinion.
• I watch way too much TV.
• Christine and I went to the Fort Worth Zoo today and even rode the Trinity Park mini-train...we had a great time. It has been forever since I have been to the zoo and I learned it is the oldest zoo in Texas.
• My allergies are kicking my rear.
• It is really beginning to sink in, I'm starting a new job Monday.
• It is really beginning to sink in, I miss all my old work buddies.
• My mom is moving Saturday to this great town home in downtown Ft. Worth...I'm a little jealous...Christine and I both think it would be way too cool to live downtown.
• I usually cry when they "MOVE THAT BUS" on Extreme Home Makeover. (I watch way too much TV)
• I picked up my uniforms from HVPD last week, but I had to take them to my own personal alterations lady, because the pants looked like bell bottoms.
• I cleaned out my Ford truck tool box, I found stuff I didn't know I had.
• We now have several shelving units in our back bedroom, they are full with "Coupon Task Force Operations" goodies.
• Azle Police Department's Chaplin is Glyn Murphy, he performed Christine's and my wedding, and when I introduce him to people, I tell them he married me...I get weird looks.
• Bendije más que merezco y eso es realmente grande!!!