As I noted last week, I’ve been busy slogging through EMT paperwork.  This week I completed my livescan background check, finished up at the DMV, passed my ambulance driver’s test, got the ambulance driver’s license and am now waiting for my new CADL to be sent in the mail (so long, ye wonderful and beloved Riverbend Drive of Mystic CT license!  Oh, how I adored that photo! — ed. note: who ever lucks out with an absolutely great license photo? so rare!).

In the meantime, I have my paper temporary license and now nothing to do but, as my friend Nils was so fond of sighing, “hurry up and wait.”  Because all of this rigmarole is annoyingly and tediously sequential, I can’t process my state or county EMS certifications until I have the actual CADL in hand.  Then those two certifications apparently take about two weeks to process themselves, so I’m looking at about a cool month before I can actually start working as an EMT.  @##&%(@!!

I have, however, been busy having a lot of fun in the ER at St. Lukes.  This Thursday was my busiest shift yet!  We were so slammed that I stayed an extra two hours, and the entire shift just flew by.  Saw a lot of interesting stuff, although I don’t think I can talk about it here.  I believe if later I am so inclined to share any ER stories, I’ll have to go the way of some of the cool EMS blogs I’ve been reading (example: here, here, and here) and insert a hearty disclaimer.

Okay enough boring paperwork talk!  Let’s have some photos and updates, shall we?

Earl and I were thrilled to finally have a weekend all to ourselves- we immediately stole off on a daytrip to our favorite escape.  We loaded up Linus and the beach gear, snagged sandwiches from the stupendous Colombo’s Deli in Pacifica and camped out on highway 1 for an oceanview picnic.

Now this- as my friend VJ would declare- is a sangwich.

my fav, the tomoso- turkey, melted swiss and cheddar, bacon, on sourdough with mayo, roasted red peppers and lettuc

my fav, the tomoso- turkey, melted swiss and cheddar, bacon, roasted red peppers and lettuce, on sourdough with mayo

Linus shows off his “MANNERS” trick where he balances a treat on his nose. He is REALLY good at this- he will sit there with the treat on his nose while I leave the room or cook an entire meal. As soon as you announce “okay!” he will chomp it down.  [And make a puddle of drool while he waits. -- earl]

Linus, do you have good manners?

Linus, do you have good manners?

Mmm, that was good, gimme some more.

post-nosh

post-nosh

Apres picnic, we hiked down to the beach which was practically deserted. This beach is never crowded and it’s just so serene and gorgeous. We bring books, water and snacks, park ourselves in a hidden enclave between rock outcroppings and while away the day reading, playing with Linus and cuddling.
But first, a rousing game of fetch!

the squeeky kong toy is a big hit

the squeeky kong toy is a big hit

Phew, safe from the oncoming waves!

here it is, throw it again! and again, and again, I could do this all day.

here it is, throw it again! and again, and again, I could do this all day.

Earl tests out the water- it was FREEZING.

shortly after this photo was taken, he got pwned by a big wave

shortly after this photo was taken, he got pwned by a big wave

Linus just adores exploring the rock bands which envelope the beach.

rock dog loves to play on rocks

rock dog loves playing on rocks

He found a few salamanders which hurriedly scurried away from CERTAIN SLOBBERY DOOM!

hey! check out what I found over here!

hey! check out what I found over here! c'mere check these crawly things out! hey, hey! lookat this!

How gorgeous is the California coast?! I can’t get over how this beautiful beach is only 20 minutes away from our San Francisco home. We are so lucky to live here!   Full disclosure:  I attempted a spontaneous cartwheel immediately after taking this shot (couldn’t resist a frolic in all that glorious untracked sand!) and kinda crashed right onto my head. Hopefully after a few more weeks of crossfit I’ll have a bit more upper body strength and can pull off a more graceful maneauver.

empty beaches are made for cartwheels

empty beaches are made for cartwheels

Linus and Earl hold down the fort at our happy little camp.

taking a rest

taking a rest

I think we need a bigger beach blanket, especially since this lazy beach day is quickly becoming a cherished routine.  I don’t know if you can make it out from here, but Earl is actually reading Finite-Dimensional Vector Spaces, by Paul Halmos. On the beach. His “beach reading” is literally linear algebra. By way of stark contrasts, my beach read was a breezy (yet fascinating!) biography of Jackie O which I borrowed from my Aunt. :P But I mean, hello, Earl… get with the program here. The whole point of a beach read is it’s supposed to be light and fun. And not HARDCOVER for pete’s sake. Take it down a notch! Maybe… switch to something easier… like trigonometry.

bigger blanket?

bigger blanket?

After an hour or so of reading, snoozing and chilling it’s time for …. ANOTHER ROUSING GAME OF CHASE!!!

Now you cant catch me, Baby, you cant catch me cause if you get too close, You know Im goin like cool breeze

Now you can't catch me, Baby, you can't catch me 'cause if you get too close, You know I'm goin' like cool breeze

A day at the beach is only complete if EVERYONE is salty, sweaty, and sandy.

tuckered out and ready for home

tuckered out and ready for home