
I got a message Monday afternoon to report to the firehouse at 5:00 pm for training. Fire Chief Air said, "If we can get some extra training in there may be some promotions for folks who need to get off probation." It was the first chance I've had for fire department training, since my schedule never works out for it, so I was pretty excited. It turned out to be a little different from what I'd expected - and funny thing - nothing was ever said about promotions after the session ended . . . .
Only three trainees showed up - me and Oracon, who I've seen around quite a bit, and Ash, a person new to me. You can see her standing with me beside the ambulance. Ash and I really got along well and I'm hoping she and I can be the K-9 search and rescue team. But I have to ask her what she thinks about that! She sure likes dogs and she has a great sense of humor, so I will be really happy if she agrees.
Air decided to show us how to drive the ambulance, so he got in the driver's seat with Oracon in the passenger seat. Ash and I got in the back and Air started up the engine. The next thing I knew we were barreling down the street, swinging madly around the corner. The back doors flew open and I don't remember anything for the next few minutes. Then I realized I had been thrown out and the ambulance had driven into a canal! It took forever for Air to get it out of the water. We were all laughing so hard (out of character, that is) that we never did calm down.
Maybe (in character) it was really one of those training simulations where you have to solve a really hard problem. But maybe it was just one of those days. We finally got back to the firehouse and it wasn't a minute later that someone stole the fire truck right in front of us!
I stayed in world for three hours last night! It was pretty crazy - but it was so cool to have a computer that kept up with all the excitement. I could type and the words appeared right away. I could move around without getting stuck. I can see I'm going to have to watch my time here - because after all, I do have a Real Life too!
[17:57] Marzipan Zanzibar looks sadly down at the ambulance - if only she had been trained in search and rescue. Oh well.