Pediatrics. Pediatrics have to be the hardest calls to go on. Could be the apneic 4 month old that after checking responsiveness starts breathing and acting age appropriate, or the 7 y/o behavioral outburst that trashed the place because he didn't get the extra cookie he wanted, or the 4 year old having feveral seizures. And then there was yesterday's call, the 7 week old with the flu. Working with a medic you get to see a lot of types of calls. but none hit harder then those pediatrics, and seeing this little 'un in the car seat strapped to the stretcher with an iv going just kinda breaks you a little. You don't want to see kids like this, because you know it's something serious if they are going by ambulance. There I am, up close and personal, sticking the electrodes of the monitor to the kid, thinking to myself, "This sucks, this kid shouldn't already being going for a trip on an ambulance already." Just weighs heavy on the mind. It's like the parental mechanism kicks in and you want to do everything in your power to make this kid better.

So I have made the decision. This upcoming year I will be working my way out of debt and setting myself up for further education. The plan educationwise is to prep for a certificate in Paramedic studies or go for the associates degree in Paramedic studies and Emergency Management Response. Either way, I'm aiming to become a paramedic. It'll be much more responsibility than just being an EMT, but it'll allow me to do more than just provide basic life support to people. Anywho, for those that actually follow, i'll keep you updated along the way.

On the ambulance, when a priority 1 is called for a code or unresponsive, it's all about racing the reaper. I guess the Reaper has been quicker on his feet that I have been. You really gain a sense of mortality. That life is infinite, but it is finite. Just kinda weighs in hard on the mind.

Started at another Volunteer EMS organization. That makes 2 volunteer and 1 paid commercial ems job. Totally awesome. But again, have to go through bloodbourne, HIPPA, harassment, etc again. It's too bad that there isn't some kind of universal system set up for that.

So I have accepted that i'm going bald about 2 weeks ago. Now I've got a new thing going on. Seems to be a grey patch growing in. Some of my friends think it is cool and my cousin is calling me a badass wiseman. Is this a win win situation??

Photography has been a little slow these days. Funny thing is since I changed my day job schedule to a double double on the weekends, it seems everyone is contacting me about doing their weddings on weekend... How does that work out??

Have to say, there is nothing worse than being stuck with a partner that can't back an ambulance into a space, let alone make the normal attempt to drive it straight...

So in case there are those out there wondering about my photographic style and previous work, here is a link to my portfolio. Yes i know, it is the basic portfolio, but it helps to have a visual until I have some work to post on here.

http://patganz.daportfolio.com/