USNS Mercy

As a so called medical professional and having spent many years in Hawaii I had seen the two hospital ships, USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort, pull into and out of port on a couple of occasions while enroute to the pacific area of operations (AOR).  Since I first learned this wonder-boat was even in existence I have been amazed at its capacity and capabilities.  This thing has everything you could possible need, minus an MRI!  Fully functioning CT scanner, more trauma beds than my ER has total beds, and more DoD Civilians to limit working hours than you can imagine.  I've been on many Naval ship tours when they've pulled into port and every single one of them has opened their ship store for us so we could purchase some trinkets like belt buckles and ship coins, but the USNS Mercy's store is run by non-military personnel and even though they were literally right around the corner, they would not open the store because they were "off-duty".  The rest of the tour was quite impressive and I believe time on this mighty ship would be an extraordinary experience.

Things I Don't Do but others might...Quality security watch

So, anyone who's ever worked in an emergency room knows the suicidal/homicidal and the pysch patients pose a danger to self and staff.  We have the great benefit of having our very own hospital police force and they excitedly run over when we call a code grey (hospital speak for agitated person) so they can sit on the sidelines and watch my dainty and/or PTSD laden staff can take-down patients.  This fine gentleman must have been working a triple shift because he was more comatose than the patient.  I can't imagine why he fell asleep; all my conversations with these types of patients are very enlightening and extremely entertaining.

Things I Do...ER Fun

Never leave something you value unattended, especially around a bunch pranksters.  Here he left his workstation unattended so we thought we'd show the world his newest background favorite.  You'd think he would have learned after this, but....

New iphone 5 left unattended by the new Clinical Nurse Officer in Charge (CNOIC).  He's been working in this ED for some time as a civilian (he's a reservist now on active duty orders), so you'd think he would have learned.   YES....for anyone who is worried about the phone, it was wrapped in casting material.  It was super padded and protected inside to prevent any damage from the casting material heat and the fact he had to use a cast saw to open it!  It still works perfectly!  I must say this was awesome!

Things I Do...Extremely slow Taco build up

1st mod: Borla exhaust.  After having this exhaust for over a year, I think I'd like something less noisy.

2nd mod: deckplate for intake.  There is a slight noticeable difference in hp with this mod.  Very easy to do.

3rd mod: rock sliders.  Heavy duty steel tubing. 

Next: new body mounts and new KM2 with flat black rims (stock).

Things I Am...Military family

Things I Do...Frugality, ingenuity, necessity

26lbs of home-built core-killer.  Next one will have adjustable weight.

Things I Do-Mt. Ka'ala on Oahu

Although it's not extreme by climbing standards this was a good hike that took some effort.  At just over 4k feet in elevation and not a single switchback, it took me and two other guys close to 8 hours to summit and climb down.  We started from the Waianae trailhead and came down the DuPont Trail on the Waialoa side.  That's one peak down, only several hundred others to conquer!  Solid hike and well worth the trouble.  Throw in an off-road triathlon (XTERRA Mountain Man) the next day and I'd say my weekend was great!

Things I Do...Big Island Fun

The honeydew and I decided it was time for an actual family vacation.  Not one where we fly to the mainland to see family.  We wanted to stay close to home because the double troubles are still quite young at ages 4 & 2, and I loathe having to listen to crying or screaming children, airplane involvement or not.  Our favorite place in Hawaii has been the Big Island and that is where we went. 

We really enjoy getting off the beaten path.  I own a 4WD truck for a reason and the Big Island is a great place to rack up some miles of off-road driving.  One of our first adventures was a black pebble beach in Kona. Several miles of rough lava field driving in our rented Jeep Wrangler got us to this secluded pebble beach that I'm sure only a few local fishermen and party crew frequent. 

Almost like an oasis in the middle of the desert, this little gem even had two big trees to shade us during our picnic lunch. 

GREAT parking spot at the end of the beach.

Some friends offered to watch the little heads so we could venture out on our own.  We took advantage of the Paradise Helicopter ride.  If you are looking for a GREAT experience, try and get a good pilot.  I read that the pilot will make or break your experience and it was all too true.  Our early-bird pilot was definitely not at the top of his game.  Although the sights were a wonder to behold, his idea of commentary was "and on the left are the waterfalls", see pic below.  I did learn one semi interesting fact during the flight, that the largest predator in the Volcano National Park is the wild boar.  Like I said...the pilot will make or break your experience and I wouldn't pay for another helo ride again.  I'd rather stick to flying helo's with the military. 

Below is one pic of many that we took of the active vent on Kilauea.  Even with no active lava flows the show was amazing.

One of the few things we had to repeat was our trip to Waipio Valley.  The stream crossings were mild but fun as we had expected, and letting the littleheads get close enough to the wild horse that they would eat out of your hands was priceless.  In a tradition to try something new I decided to cross the river and hike to the other side of the valley with my youngest strapped to my back.  He had fun using my noggin as a drum and I got to show my prowess by providing fresh coconut. 

My eldest even surprised me by attempting to wade the river with me.  He made it to about his abdomen and then wanted to turn back.  I was super impressed that he wanted to do it at all! 

Here we are enjoying lunch while visiting Lapakahi State Historical Park.  Make sure you bring some insect repellant as the flies were abundant.

Another off-road adventure up on the Kohala Coast.

Insanity

Round 2 if the Insanity workout program. This time my honeydew is doing it with me, actually, I'm doing it with her. Getting up at 0500 isn't my idea of fun but she wanted to do it and if we don't do it then the little-heads won't let us until they are in bed.

The Things I Do...Home Brew Mead

First batch of mead. Started 10 May 2012.

This, my very first attempt at mead turned out to be a very expensive vinegar.  I was disappointed but I won't stop until I run out of honey or money, whichever comes first.

The Things I Do-Celery Experiment

Who knew celery would grow like this!

Well, it didn't last too long, or I'm just very inpatient!  It got tossed with the baby's bathwater.

Time Sure Does Fly

Has it really been 2 months?  I guess I got carried away after I came back from leave in Oregon.  Since then I have been quite busy.  Crossfit, Advocare, aquaponics, Brothers wild.  Lost a few % of BF since September; 7% to be exact.  From 20% to 13% ain't so bad, must be from hardwork and proper nutrition and a little healthy goodness known as Advocare! 

Built a small aquaponics system on the upstairs lanai and in less than 1 month I have harvested enough greens to make two salads.  Plants are growing like weeds and the tilapia are growing just the same.  I will be building another system here soon because the growbeds I've got now are weak plastic and need to be stronger.

The Things I Don't Do, But My Littlehead Does

I didn't teach him this

The Things I Do...Passing on Good Character Traits

My mini me hard at work

Things I Am...Trauma Pioneer

I hope the title leads one to say, uhh.  No, I'm not a pioneer in the traditional sense.  I'm not building log cabins, milking cows, and doing things the hard way.  I'm pioneering in a modern way!  At the military hospital I work at I am building a Trauma Service from nothing.  I have 1 General Surgeon, 1 Physician Assistant, and me, an ER/Trauma RN.  The initial venture began several months back while I was in Afghanistan but upon my arrival and the pending deployment of the RN before me, I received the torch and have had to start from near nothing.  The former RN, a friend of mine, did an outstanding job for not having anything to go on and no resources.  She laid a very basic foundation that enabled me to step in and start building and coordinating with the surgical and emergency departments, operating room, and now the intensive care units. 

Here is our mascot...don't laugh, I didn't understand it either at first but after hearing the following story I think it fits.  We had our graphics department adjust it a bit and I'll post that later.  OK, here's the story.

During our very first presentation to the commanding general we had three pictures up, a dragon, a little kitty cat, and this puffer.  The explanation went something like this...Everyone thinks of trauma as being this big ugly beast (dragon) and doesn't want to go near it or have anything to do with it.  It's not that at all.  What trauma is NOT, is this little cute kitty cat.  Trauma is somewhere in the middle (puffer).  We should not be afriad of it but we need to be cautious of it all the same. 

So far, we've made quite a bit of headway.  Being recognized by the state as a participating self-declared military trauma center.  That basically says we will take any and all of our DOD beneficiaries instead of letting the state hospitals care for them (with a few exceptions).  We have always taken civilians but we've always had to since EMTALA was introduced.

The Things I Do-Grow My Own

Aquaponics day 1 & week 2

I Didn't Know

Didn't know they serviced Hawaii!

Hump...h!

Humpback Whales in Honolulu Harbor!

CPT's WOD

Dynamic Warmup
Row 50 Calories

Mobility
Burgener Warm Up

Strength
Push Press
3-3-3-3-3
Work up to a 3RM
(95-115-135-155-185x2)

METCON WOD:
2 six minute rounds of:

5L Pullups
10 Pushups
20 Double Unders
Max Reps 50lbs Kettlebell Swings (100)