New Job, New Life

Bravesst

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Hey All,
Many of you on the Arizer Solo and Air threads know me well. I'm a retired FDNY captain (true fucker of combustion) who experienced 9-11 first hand, and have had to deal with some emotional issues over the last 15 years. The job just rehired me as a Fire Safety Educator (fucking combustion before it happens). I get to assume my old rank of captain (and uniform), and go around New York City educating children, adults, special populations, people with disabilities, and just about anybody, anywhere. It's a great gig, with flexible hours, no drug testing, and back with my old fireman buddies, experiencing the adoration from the public (it's like a magic tonic that makes everything else okay).

I'm enjoying vaping like never before, because I'm happy as hell versus trying to numb myself.

Lesson learned here, going numb bad, vaping for fun good.

Vape on my fellow combustion fuckers!

Captain Mike
FDNY
 
herbivore21

herbivore21

Well-Known Member
Bravesst said:
Hey All,
Many of you on the Arizer Solo and Air threads know me well. I'm a retired FDNY captain (true fucker of combustion) who experienced 9-11 first hand, and have had to deal with some emotional issues over the last 15 years. The job just rehired me as a Fire Safety Educator (fucking combustion before it happens). I get to assume my old rank of captain (and uniform), and go around New York City educating children, adults, special populations, people with disabilities, and just about anybody, anywhere. It's a great gig, with flexible hours, no drug testing, and back with my old fireman buddies, experiencing the adoration from the public (it's like a magic tonic that makes everything else okay).

I'm enjoying vaping like never before, because I'm happy as hell versus trying to numb myself.

Lesson learned here, going numb bad, vaping for fun good.

Vape on my fellow combustion fuckers!

Captain Mike
FDNY
Click to expand...
Man after our various encounters and remembering your story, I am so glad to see you working again! It really sounds like a perfect arrangement too! You take care out there and keep on doing what you love :D
 
biohacker

biohacker

H.R.E.A.M
@Bravesst - all the best brother, you know i'm 2 steps behind ya, and hope to be joining you on a similar path soon... it's amazing how things turn out in life. Just when you think you've seen the last glimmer of light and hope, the entire door opens right up. Stay up my friend, you deserve it. Way too many people killing themselves in our professions, if only they knew how much the system works against them, and that there are alternatives. Times change so slowly sometimes. My dept's psych benefits are $200/year, and you're not even allowed to use it all in the same visit! Sad.
 
CarolKing

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
Congratulations @Bravesst i am really happy for you. I have a retired fireman in my family. Being a fireman is a way of life, it's ingrained in your being. It's a special brotherhood that those on the outside don't understand.

My fav brother in law was a firefighter for over 30 years. He's retired now. We've heard such wonderful stories and he always puts in some humor but never talks about the frightening stuff. He keeps that to himself. Actually when I was in high school he was a school bus driver before he became a fireman. So I knew him before I knew his brother.

This sounds like a great job something that will be fun and get paid at the same time. We all think of our police officers, firefighters and paramedics as our neighborhood heroes. It will feel good to be needed and get the adoration of the public, especially the little kids and the elderly.
 
biohacker

biohacker

H.R.E.A.M
CarolKing said:
This sounds like a great job something that will be fun and get paid at the same time.
Click to expand...

There is a very dark side, it's that "frightening" stuff that your bro in law didn't talk about.

The job takes so much more from us than it gives. And it takes it from the last years of your life.

With that said, I can't imagine anything more rewarding. But there is a serious price to pay for it.
 
Bravesst

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Slow Draw McGraw said:
Out of curiosity, did you partake before 9/11?
Click to expand...
Started smoking over 40 years ago, always off duty, never on the job (plenty of time off to partake).

@CarolKing
The FDNY are a pretentious bunch (myself included). As the busiest department on the planet (no other department comes close), and after 9-11, we became heroes in the eyes of the public. It's an amazing feeling to walk down the streets of Manhattan, and have people actually thank you, "thank you for your service sir", still blows me away. But you're right, the children and the elderly, the people we really educate, adore us. I feed off that awesome feeling, and try my hardest to live up to the ideal.

That's the way I've always led my life, and just recently got a bit lost. But as the saying goes, "I'm back baby".

@biohacker
All the stress and anxiety of every fire you've been to, can hit you all at once when you retire. I never felt the least bit of anxiety after a good job (fire), quite the opposite. I felt euphoric, and invisible, but when you leave... you lose the superman costume and all that comes with it. It's important to have lots of outside interests before you retire for anyone in a life and death job - I didn't, and suffered the emotional consequences. But now, I'm on the mend!!!

Thank you all for the great support.
 
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TeeJay1952

TeeJay1952

Well-Known Member
My best friend is a retired Captain. His biggest battle in life was realizing that his rank didn't give him the responsibility for everything in the world. I laughed for years as he attempted to "pull rank" on his equally an Alpha wife.
 
biohacker

biohacker

H.R.E.A.M
@Bravesst - retirement is something that concerns me, since it seems like health declines so rapidly so soon after retirement....I think it's awesome that you're back with the FDNY! My department is waaaaay smaller, and we don't have too many major fires, but I share those same feelings. It's the fatalities and kids I have a hard time coping with....we are only human, no matter how the public perceives us. My biggest issue is maintaining health with the night shifts, which vaping has allowed me to continue, I think by reducing brain inflammation. However now that i've quit vaping for a while, and taken a leave from duty, i'm starting to feel human again, almost superhuman. It's a daily struggle between wanting to go back (miss it dearly) and placing my health as a priority. And now as you know, as soooo many in our professions go through - marital bliss has vanished, and it's just another layer on top to deal with. Ofcourse it doesn't help that she has PTSD from the job too.

I also wish that people remembered 9/11....all too often I hear the guys on the floor saying that we need another one, because people forget, which isn't right. Obviously it's different in NY, but we are starting to get hated on alot in the public and media because of distorted truths, and the brass treat us like absolute garbage. It's amazing how much people believe the crap in chicago fire drama. We are constantly being attacked in the media here in Canada, and starting to lack ALOT of support. Cuts are everywhere, and it's just a matter of time before they hit our department.
 
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hd_rider

hd_rider

Well-Known Member
tCgxy18.jpg
 
Nesta

Nesta

Well-Known Member
Bravesst said:
Hey All,
Many of you on the Arizer Solo and Air threads know me well. I'm a retired FDNY captain (true fucker of combustion) who experienced 9-11 first hand, and have had to deal with some emotional issues over the last 15 years. The job just rehired me as a Fire Safety Educator (fucking combustion before it happens). I get to assume my old rank of captain (and uniform), and go around New York City educating children, adults, special populations, people with disabilities, and just about anybody, anywhere. It's a great gig, with flexible hours, no drug testing, and back with my old fireman buddies, experiencing the adoration from the public (it's like a magic tonic that makes everything else okay).

I'm enjoying vaping like never before, because I'm happy as hell versus trying to numb myself.

Lesson learned here, going numb bad, vaping for fun good.

Vape on my fellow combustion fuckers!

Captain Mike
FDNY
Click to expand...
I'm glad to hear this- it makes me feel good. Especially since I experienced 9/11 firsthand as well (though probably not as close-up as you did). It took me a while to realize that day has had a lasting effect on me.
 
Bravesst

Bravesst

Full Steam Ahead
Manufacturer
Life has gone 180 degrees... I'm educating the inner city chidren, adults, seniors, on how to prevent and survive a fire - working 5 or 6 days a week. One of my duties, the *Fire Zone*, is on 51st and 6th in Manhattan, right by Radio City. I talk to people from around the world who comes in to learn about the FDNY. If you're ever in the city, look us up, it's the Disney World of fire safety ed. Lots of fun, very informative, kids love it.
 
ander

ander

Well-Known Member
kellya86 said:
Not many of us enjoy our work, we are blessed, it truly enhance's your life if you don't hate your job
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How would the world be if everyone could do what he loves... as It should be, probably: a fantastic place. I do what I love, and I'm with you, but I don't feel blessed... It's a choice (and often not a choice of convenience). We always have a choice.
 
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G

GOOREGON

Member
ander said:
How would the world be if everyone could do what he loves... as It should be, probably: a fantastic place. I do what I love, and I'm with you, but I don't feel blessed... It's a choice (and often not a choice of convenience). We always have a choice.
Click to expand...
oh yes. a world i would love to live in. first we have to demolish this idea we need 12 years of school,then 2-4+ more to get a job to pay off debt accrued while going through school.then get married have kids and eventually die?sounds like modern slavery to me.
 
GOOREGON,
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His_Highness

His_Highness

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
I love what I do. If I didn't do it for a living I'd do it as a hobby. So......

I've drummed the old adages into my kid's heads........

"Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life".

"A third of your life is spent working, another third is spent thinking about work and the other third is spent dreaming about work. Find out what your passionate about and do that."

When my youngest had to choose between a career doing something for more money or doing what she was passionate about I said she should consider the higher paying career. She repeated all the crap I had been saying all these years and went to work doing what she loves. It's been awhile now and she is still making way less money but....she can't wait to get to work every day and she's happy. Be careful what you tell your kids or they might not be able to lend you money....;)
 
G

GOOREGON

Member
His_Highness said:
I love what I do. If I didn't do it for a living I'd do it as a hobby. So......

I've drummed the old adages into my kid's heads........

"Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life".

"A third of your life is spent working, another third is spent thinking about work and the other third is spent dreaming about work. Find out what your passionate about and do that."

When my youngest had to choose between a career doing something for more money or doing what she was passionate about I said she should consider the higher paying career. She repeated all the crap I had been saying all these years and went to work doing what she loves. It's been awhile now and she is still making way less money but....she can't wait to get to work every day and she's happy. Be careful what you tell your kids or they might not be able to lend you money....;)
Click to expand...
i bet you are older no? i feel like this and last generation failed to tell their kids that...thats great to hear :) who cares if she isnt making a lto of money. as long as she is happy
 
Diggy Smalls

Diggy Smalls

Notorious
I just found this thread and had a wild string of emotions as I read on. @Bravesst , first of all, I hope all is still going well with the new position. That is so awesome.
Secondly, I work with children and they all adore me! About 70 kids (not all at once) on the regular. I get energy from them and pour it right back at them. I hold myself to a very high standard and can be critical of myself. I'm always trying to do better.
When you were talking about your job I was like yes! That's what I do!

Anyway, just wishing you the best.
 
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