I’m not proud of it, but I felt sorry for myself last week. 

I had to cancel my plans to go to the Romance Writers of America’s national conference in Orlando, Florida that takes place later this month.  No, I didn’t change my mind, and it’s not because I can’t afford to go.  It’s because of my stupid back. 

In April, I was in an on-duty traffic collision.  While no one else was injured, I suffered a back injury that’s been quite tenacious in its refusal to heal.  I’m not in any shape to travel; hence, the cancellation of the trip.

I did try to trick my mind by telling myself that not going to the conference was a good thing…that I’d be able to stay at home and write more.  But the truth of the matter is, I didn’t feel any better, and I wasn’t convinced I’d do anymore writing than I normally do.

All week I thought about the conference and how much I enjoy going.  I thought about the friends I wouldn’t see, the different events I’d miss, and yes, the money I was forfeiting for changing my plans so late.  This is only the second conference I’ve missed since 1996!

I tried to get psyched up to plug away on my current work in progress, Deadly Blessing.  But the general sadness of not being able to attend the conference was much like my back pain - not a debilitating blow, but a problematic constant ache.  Instead of throbbing radiating from my back down my left leg, this ‘conference’ discomfort emanated from my mind and into my heart.  I was feeling sorry for myself about the way my back felt and how that problem caused me to cancel a trip I look forward to every year.  So, overall, my week kind of sucked. 

But…yesterday, I opened my e-mail and I saw a subject line that stated:  Orange Rose Contest - Congratulations.  I paused, because to tell you the truth, I’d forgotten I’d entered the contest.  I’d entered the same work in another contest about the same time as I entered the Orange Rose, and in that other contest I did so poorly, I mentally wrote off my Orange Rose entry as well. 

But guess what?  I’d sold myself short.  I am a finalist in the Orange Rose contest and that one positive event, in an otherwise downhearted week, changed everything.  Suddenly, I was once again excited about my writing.  Ideas of how to fix troublesome scenes bombarded me.  Lines of dialogue filled my mind.  I was excited and I was energized. 

So the moral of the story is:  There are times when things aren’t going your way.  You feel picked on, unappreciated or cursed.  There will be well-meaning, cheerful people not in the same mental place as you are, telling you, ‘don’t worry, things will get better’.  You want to believe them, but you really don’t.  Then, something good will happen.  It may something small, something that starts a trend of pleasant experiences.  Or, like me, it could be something quite dramatic and affirming.  But know that when you get way down low, the only option is to go up.  And know there is always an up.  It may not be the ‘up’ you were thinking of or planning on, but there will be an up.  Trust me - I’ve been there and I know.

Until next time,

KMA 367

When two cops work well together they try to ensure they work together as much as possible.  Usually, it will start out that you have the same work ethic and that your “style” of policing is very similar, or if not similar, complimentary.

I was fortunate have such a partnership with another female officer whose name also happens to be Kathy.  We were “regular patrol cops,” also known as P-2 dogs…because regular patrol cops work like dogs.  We were known to other officers as, “The “K” car”, “Cagney and Lacey”, and “The Kathy Car”.   A  suspect once told us we were known on the street as Batman and Robin because we were “seen everywhere arresting everybody.”  The two of us laughed about that for quite some time.  Kathy and I did arrest a lot of people.  We were known to other cops as “magnets” because weird, complicated, stuff just dropped in our laps and usually turned into good arrests - or at the least, very good stories.

Eventually, the sergeants started splitting us up to work with rookie officers who were without training officers for a few days.  We weren’t getting paid to be training officers…we were still P-2 dogs, but decided if we were going to do the work, we were going to promote and earn the money to go with it.  So we did.

While we both moved on with our careers, I think we both recognized those five+ years we spent together in the wee hours of the morning arresting burglars, car thieves, narco suspects, and yes, even murderers, were the best of our careers.  We were so dedicated to each other we would go to work sick, just so the other wouldn’t have to work with someone else.  We had SO much fun together.

I’m sure we got on each other’s nerves from time to time, but the only time I can remember us really having a fight was the time I volunteered for a radio call that involved a dog.  It’s been a long time, and I don’t remember what the call was, (probably something like ’vicious animal attacking people’) but Kathy doesn’t really like dogs, and I knew it, but the call was in our area and I felt obligated to handle the incident.  She was so mad at me!  I don’t think she talked to me for a couple of days.  The call turned out okay, but I should have let the call go to another unit rather than have her mad at me.

Eventually, our paths split and we went our seperate ways.  She now has six kids and I have my family and my writing.  But when I pick up the phone and call her, or send her an e-mail, we’re right on track as if we’d never left that black and white patrol car.  In fact, with just the smallest communication we’re once again partners…and always friends.

            We’ve all seen it - and most of us have probably done it.  The traffic signal is displaying a yellow light and you speed up to “make the light.”  Unfortunately, you caught the light at the end of its phase, and when you finally get into the intersection, the light is r-e-d…red.

            As you safely make it across the junction to the other side, you glance hurriedly in the rear-view mirror hoping with all your might you don’t see a police officer.  You breathe a sign of relief when there isn’t one back there.   Mentally, you vow that the next time you approach an intersection you’ll slow down at the yellow light and stop at the red.  But guess what?  The next yellow light you see, you blast right through it, and the red light that follows.  You make your mental vow…again, and you do mean it - until the next time.

            Now, let me tell you about the person in the car on the other side of that intersection approaching you perpendicular.  They’ve had a horrible day.  They fought with their spouse in the morning, and in the afternoon, got called by the school regarding their son’s bad behavior.  After their computer at work froze and deleted the project they’d worked on all afternoon, they’re on their way home to diminish their troubles in a glass of wine.  As they approach the intersection (the same one you’re approaching) they see a red light facing them, but…miraculously the light changes to green.  They think to themselves, “Finally!  Something has gone right in this awful day,” and they press the accelerator a little harder to get home that much sooner.

            Here you come, sprinting to and through the yellow light that turns to r-e-d…red.  Can you guess the outcome of this story?  That’s right, disaster.  A traffic collision.  If everyone is very lucky, they’ll be battered and bruised, but no one will be seriously hurt.  If things go the worst way they can, one or more people will be dead.

            I made up this story to, hopefully, get you to re-think the way you drive.  When I’m on patrol in my black and white police car, most people are very aware of my presence, and drive like model citizens.  However, when I’m in my personal vehicle going home, it’s a whole different story.  People drive like they’re training for the Indy 500, changing lanes without signaling, but worse yet, they’re cutting off the driver behind them.  Then there are the folks who cruise through the stop signs in their residential neighborhoods because, “no one is ever coming the other way.”  Do I even need to bring up the cell phone issues?  I doubt it.  Even Oprah has started a “No Phone Zone” campaign to discourage people from using their phones while driving.  I’m sure you know what I mean because you’re out there with all the negligent drivers as well.

            As a police officer, and someone who spends the majority of my time at work driving the streets of Los Angeles, I see all kinds of traffic violations.  Most of the time, those violations don’t result in anyone getting hurt - most likely because other drivers have seen me in my black and white and drive defensively near the one person who hasn’t seen me.  But I’d like you to honestly think about the way you drive…the slips you make and the rules you break.  I’d like you to resolve to do better as a driver.  Otherwise, when we do get the opportunity to meet, you’ll be saying, “But officer, the light was yellow!”          

It’s a long story that I won’t go into, but I found myself on vacation about a month earlier than I intended. 

I didn’t have time prepare for being out of the office for an extended period, so there were a lot of loose ends to finish up.  So, the first day of vacation I worked a full shift, and tried to tie up some of those loose ends.  Then, the second day, I got a text from my boss saying an additional report was due.  I spent a couple of hours and finished up that report.  The next day, guess what?  Something else came up and I worked for about three hours that day. 

Then, I had two glorious days where I didn’t have to do anything for work…but I worried about a meeting I was going to attend the next day.  The meeting had been scheduled before I knew I was going to be on vacation.  It was like orchestrating an eclipse to get all the people scheduled for the meeting, so there was no way I was going to cancel.    The meeting was quick, but once in my office, a series of other work-related issues needed attention too.  I worked about four hours that day.  

Today, I had to go in to the office because a report that someone sent me was in some foreign computer program, and I’d taken my portion of the report home to complete, and I needed their report too.  I go to work, and guess what?  The e-mail system at work wasn’t working, so I do some other stuff while I wait for the system to come back up.  Finally, I’m able to get my co-worker’s report - and he’d attached the wrong file!  Anyway, I worked for over seven hours today. 

I think I’m done for the remainder of my vacation with the exception of the monthly Neighborhood Watch meeting I host later in the month.  That will be another 4-5 hours (preparation and then the actual meeting).

Don’t think that I’m not being compensated for this time I’m working.  Basically, I’m “saving” the vacation hours I’m not using now for use at a later date.  Now here’s the question…

Am I dedicated or dumb?  Yes, I know I’m taking a risk asking the question that way. 

The fact is, that every month there are certain reports or duties that I know need to be done.  Because my job is so geared to a particular area of the city, an area that I’m supposed be the subject matter expert, it’s not like anyone else could just whip out these reports or audits.  Had I known I was going to be on vacation now, I could have been better prepared and gotten at least some of this stuff done early.

So go ahead and weigh in.  Am I dedicated or dumb?  And you can be honest…because I think it’s a little of both!

Until next time…

KMA367

You and your family are sharing a quiet night at home watching television and listening to Simon Cowell tell some American Idol hopeful they were, “simply dreadful…sorry.”   From somewhere outside your home, someone suddenly screams, “Help!  Call the police!”

You and your spouse exchange worried glances as your children leap up and run toward the window.  You yell at your kids to come back and sit down.   You go to the window and peer out from behind the plaid curtains. 

 
You see several adult males milling about in the street and yelling obscenities at each other.  One of them has a metal baseball bat and the man holding the bat seems the most agitated of all the men in the street.  Another man is sitting on the curb holding his head.  You can see this man has blood running down his face and dripping onto his white T-shirt. 

You tell your wife what you see and she says, “You’d better call the police.”  So you dial 9-1-1. 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL 9-1-1?

Your call will be received by a dispatcher/operator who is trained to screen calls quickly and efficiently.  The dispatcher has to get information quickly in order to get police unit en route to the location.

Tell the 9-1-1 operator what you need, ambulance, fire truck, or police.  Be calm.  When you are upset, it’s hard for the dispatcher to understand what you’re saying or to get vital information quickly.  Stay on the phone.  Do not hang up.

The operator will be asking you questions.  Be prepared to give your name and address.  If your address is different from the location of the crime, be sure to let the operator know that.  The dispatcher will be asking you questions about what you’ve seen, what you’re currently seeing, and descriptions of people and vehicles involved. 

    Scenario:
    Dispatcher:  “Operator 911.  What are you reporting?”
    Citizen: “There’s four guys outside my house creating a disturbance.”
    Dispatcher:  “What are they doing?”  (WHAT)
    Citizen: “They’re yelling at each other and one of them has a bat.  He may have hit one of the guys, because one of them is bleeding from the head.”  (HOW)
    Dispatcher:  “I’ll send an ambulance.”
    Dispatcher:  “Is the problem happening right now?  If not, how long ago?”  (WHEN)
    Citizen:  “They’re standing out their yelling right now.”  
    Dispatcher: “Where is this problem happening?”  (WHERE) 
    Citizen: “Right outside my house at 4321 Maple Lane.  
    Dispatcher:  “Okay, I’ve got the police and an ambulance en route.”
    Dispatcher:  “What does the guy with bat look like?”  (WHO)  Male or female, descent, hair color, eye color, height, weight, age, clothing, unusual features (tattoo’s, scars, physical defect etc)
    Citizen: Gives description of people involved. “Wait! Some of them are running away!”
    Dispatcher:  “Is there a vehicle involved?”  Vehicle: (if involved) – Year, Make, Model, 2-door or 4-door, Color, License Plate Number, Unusual features (Traffic collision damage, tinted windows, wing on the rear, chrome rims etc)
     Citizen:  “No, I don’t see anyone getting into a car.”
     Dispatcher:  “Which way did the suspects go?”
     Citizen: “They went southbound toward Main Street.  They’re on foot – not in a car.”

    Obviously, you may not be able to answer all of these questions.  Just do the best you can.  Sometimes it may seem the questions are unnecessary, or may not make sense to you, but there are good reasons why they are asked.  You can help by providing brief accurate answers. 

    Patience will help us to process your call and get help to you as quickly as possible.  After all, you have to get back to watching the singing contest and Simon’s critiques.

Last fall, the Northern Los Angeles area was hit with a number of brush fires that left the hills and many neighborhoods devoid of vegitation.  This is not a new phenomenon and one that many Angelenos accept as the norm and the risk that goes with living in rural areas. 

So now it’s winter.  And another common occurrence is at hand.  Rainfall in those same barren hills.  The local media has been on ”storm watch” since last week - even before the storms hit.

I know for a fact that, for months, the City of Los Angeles has been preparing for potential mudslides.  There have been numerous community meetings (not well attended) to prepare the community for the possibility of mudslides. 

So here we are in our fourth day of heavy rain.  The ground is saturated and the city and county officials are asking people to evacuate their homes.  The police and fire departments have diverted officers and firefighters to the affected areas to issue mandatory evacuation orders.  And how are people responding?  They’re NOT evacuating.  Why?  From what I’ve seen on the news, the citizens don’t think they’re in danger.  In fact, the media is reporting there has been less than a 50% compliance with the evacuation orders.

As a police officer, I just don’t understand it.  Even though the public has been warned that if there is a mudslide event emergency services might not be able to get to them, the citizens still stay.  Many of those interviewed by television reporters are saying they don’t think they’re in danger and they’re prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.  The trouble is, that if the ground decides to shift, they’re not going to have a moment’s notice.  The mud can slam into their homes before they’ve had a chance to grab their car keys.

I just don’t understand why people would place themselves at unnecessary risk.  As our Police Chief, Charlie Beck has said, “We’re not asking you leave your homes because your carpet might get wet - we’re asking you to leave because your lives are in danger.” 

As I tell people all the time, as a police officer, I’d rather respond to a situation and find out it’s not an emergency than to respond to an incident and find it’s a disaster.  So, to all those citizen who are gambling that everything will be okay, I say, “I hope you win that bet.”

Until next time…

KMA367

I’ve been writing and learning my craft for more years than I care to remember.  When I first entered the writing arena, I listened intently when someone talked about how they went about writing their book.  I wanted the “secret”  - you know, the easy way to write a book.  Ha!

One of the most important things I learned was that most writers measure their work output by pages written per day.  Not by how much time they spend doing the deed.  So, over the years I’ve listened to a number of published authors speaking about how many pages need to be written each day to be a successful author.  

I’ve taken hope from the authors who point out that if I only write one page a day, at the end of a year I’ll have a finished book.  I’ve been inspired by the author who disclosed that if I wrote five pages a day that in a year’s time I would have written two single-title, and two category books.  And then there was the author who shook up my world by divulging that I needed to write twenty pages a day to be successful in this business.  Yikes!  

So, my question to you today is:  How many pages do YOU write a day?  Are you successful with your daily output?  Do you have a day job, and if so, how do you fit in your writing time?