found out over the weekend that the owner of the ambulance company died. while it wasn't a surprise, he'd been sick for a LONG time, multiple heart attacks (yes even dictators can have a heart) and several other issues related to his type A personality. I do not mean to say that he was a dictator(he gave dictators a good name) but when I first started working there he ran it with an iron fist, it was his way or the highway! plain and simple. he instilled deep fear into his supervisors who instilled the fear into us.

he was a great boss and very nice man when you got to know him. you also knew when you were in trouble, heck people half a mile away knew it! he said his peace and rip you a new seat but then it was water under the bridge and moved on no grudges. people would scatter like rats whenever he walked into the bay and that would piss him off. if the bay was clean and organized with all work done he didn't mind if you sat down. if there was work to be done or you were lounging out you'd know about it. people feared him more than any other person I know. whenever I saw him, I'd go up to him and greet him asking how he is doing and talk with him. I never feared him, respected his authority but also knew when it wasn't a good time to approach him.

he took great care of the employees who stayed on board for a long time. we have the best equipment available and cleanest ambulances in the business. health insurance was the only down side, not really great but who has good insurance anyways? he demanded the BEST service and care possible and didn't settle for anything less. our crew lounge was very comfortable, more than necessary.

now I worry some because his son is taking over the business. in the past I heard rumors that once he got control of the company that he'd sell it off. either that or run into the ground because he simply doesn't seem to have the same business sense and tact as his dad. his dad was a public icon who worked tiredlessly for the city to make it better using millions of his own money to improve the city. it doesn't seem like that is the case nowadays and I hope that we stay around for a long time. I worry slightly that I may need a new job if the company closes but I know the new operators will need experienced people to run on ambulances.

I just hope that when I work in the city on wednesday that all of the "detail" work is done. we have 26 ambulances, 16 wheelchair vans and 2 intercept vehicles that they want ALL of them in parade detail prepardness. meaning looking like they rolled off the factory line clean and shiny! that on top of the calls during the day. NO THANKS!!!!

being an aspie I really don't have any emotions or feelings to the passing of the owner. it is a pity that he died but everyone dies and he was very sick and has been for a long time. I can tell the mood around the bay is very somber and reserved but I think (feel) that we should celebrate his life and not mourn his passing. we will miss him but he no longer has to suffer or be so sick. I now know the reason why I lack feelings from his death so I am not as disturbed as I use to be.

"I think (feel) that we should celebrate his life and not mourn his passing."

Ever been to an Irish wake?

I think you'd like it....

no cant reckon that I've been to an Irish wake, though I am irish somewhat. pretty sure I'd enjoy it, especially in my youth when I drank a lot. to me, I always feel like it is needless and silly to cry and mourn the passing of someone. sure you will miss them and sometimes it is too early for them to die but death is part of life. it is the greatest adventure left. it has to be, why else would death be the last thing we experience if it wasn't such a great adventure?


way back when I first started we had a running joke. the quickest and most assured way to get fired was to go into management. we had a turnover rate of managers greater than George Steinbrenner and the Yankees.

am I bad for not going to wake service today then not going to the funeral on thursday? I am not a fan of wakes, so dang solmen sad, and depressive. it is a time to celebrate their life remembering the good times not lamenting off your loss. you can do that later. now is the time to laughing joking and reminiscing. the funeral I can not make it to because I have to get the kids from school at 1040 and the mass starts at 10am. it is a half day for parent teacher conferences

No, nothing wrong with it.

But the classy thing to do would be to make some other appropriate gesture of respect to the family, whether a card or a phone call or a brief conversation or sending a donation to the charity of their choice.

I was going to say the same thing Howie.

See, I've figured out the entire code!

Next up, "NTs for Dummies."

Just joking. Really.
95 pct.

;)

sounds like a good idea, I'll do that. it was suggested to me last night as well. I don't know his family's address but I'll send it to work addressed to the son. especially since he just inherited the company

Write that sucker up, Howie.

I'll buy it!

Damn, I got too many irons in the fire these days, so to speak.

That would be a great resource, wouldn't it? And it really IS a crackable code; they're not as complicated as they seem at first.



It's about gestures like this, but they mean so much to them. It's a tangible feeling for them of respect, appreciation, and so forth. It may not be the system I'd set up if I ran things, but there are some beneficial and reciprocal aspects to it. Main thing is that there is a need for such actions to be offered, for a feeling of security and sense of the world, I think.

An Aspie may not need that, but it's an ok system once you know it. You give people things or your time, and they do the same when you don't expect it, either.

You may not want a shoulder to cry on when a grandmother leaves you (or maybe you do), but the offer to help with arrangements surely is appreciated. The acts of consideration then build on each other, to where when your car won't start, your neighbor is happy to give you a ride to work since you just did the same a month ago. There's a certain logic in that part....