tagging, a fun artist and a public safety announcement…

Saturday was quite an interesting day.  First, my new virtual friend, Chat (her blog http://memystampsandi.blogspot.com/) was chosen as the Featured Stamper on SCS!  Way to go Chat! Chat also tagged me – I am supposed to tell you all 7 random things about me and then tag 7 others (or 5?).  When you tag people, you need to include their links, so all the blog stalkers can click and stalk even more people.  Seriously, it’s a wonder any of us get anything done at all!

So, my 7 random facts:

1. My elbows stick out when I run, or workout- my DH reminds me of this frequently!
2. I am pretty sure that when I’m 70, i’ll be a crazy cat lady.  I cannot pass a cat in a yard without stopping and petting it.  Usually they follow me until Keith shoos it off.  When we’re old, I plan on kidnapping them all.
3. I’m extremely irritated that Jennifer Love Hewitt was cast in the role of Audrey Hepburn in the movie about her life.  Jennifer is a two-bit actress (imho) who in no way compares to the stellar grace & beauty of Audrey.  Shame on Hollywood for that insult!
4. My sister in law, Natalie and i plan to be on Amazing Race.  I’ll be the navigator, she’ll be the evil mastermind.
5. I believe someday space travel will be somewhat accessible to many normal people (not just the uber-rich) and I’d really like to be on a round trip flight to the moon. 
6. I cannot resist warm, crusty bread and butter.
7. I have 2 tattoos, 1 navel piercing and 3 piercing per ear.  I am planning my 3rd tattoo for sometime in the next 6 months.

That’s it!  I am now tagging:

Tune in tomorrow for more pics from this unique artist.  We spent the afternoon walking down a residential street that had a wide variety of figures made from recycled appliances, vehicle parts and housewares.

And now, a Public Service Announcement. 

Last evening, we were driving home along a busy, yet somewhat rural roadway.  This road used to be in the country, but the city of Santa Rosa is now developing it and the street is under construction to add lanes and homes are being built up.  Traffic was heavy but moving at the speed limit, but for some reason, a teenage girl decided to cross two cars in front of us.  She was hit by a older Chevy pickup at 35 mph!  She was knocked down.  Everyone jumped out to help.  The woman driving the pickup was in tears.  Keith, who used to be a Field Technician for the police department (basically did everything a cop did except deal with bad guys), jumped out of our car.  I called for the ambulance. 

This is where the PSA comes in: Knowing what I know about calling 911 from a cellphone- i decided to call the ambulance directly.  As a dispatcher, i know this number by heart anyway (as well as Walmart, Round Table, Safeway, Taxis…it’s sick!).  Others on the scene were trying to get thru to CHP (Calif Highway Patrol), who dispatch for 9 bay area counties and do not know landmarks as well as local agencies. Yes, they can get help to you, but it can take several minutes to get connected.  Since cellphones have become so main stream, CHP is innundated with 911 calls to their centers, that are not always emergencies but still taking their time away from answering fast.  In California, until just recently, all the 911 calls go to the CHP, regardless of where you are.  This is changing slowly, but PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS ON THE PLANET, PROGRAM YOUR CELLPHONES WITH ALL THE LOCAL POLICE NUMBERS IN THE TOWNS YOU FREQUENT!   That way, when you’re in Timbuktu, you can call Timbuktu police directly.  When you’re in NoMan’sLand, you can call the NoMan’sLand police directly. You will most likely get a person faster and someone who knows the area you’re reporting an emergency for.  Even if they have to transfer you, it can still be faster.  I can’t speak for other states, but it does make sense to have all the emergency numbers in your cellphone anyway.  I do this (as well as all the takeout restaurants, lol!) and I make sure my family has done this.  It will get you help faster and save you major frustration.

AS for the teenage girl, she was on a cellphone when she crossed and her little brother almost followed her.  There was a bunch of people with public safety experience on scene so she was in good hands while we waited for the ambulance.  She was conscious, and had an injury on her foot.  I’m pretty sure she’s just bruised but the woman who hit her was devastated.  It wasn’t her fault, and she did have the sympathy of everyone on the scene.  If I hear about the girl, I’ll post the update.

If you stuck with me this long, Thanks!!