Day One: Well its a relief in a way that I’m sitting at the control desk. After all its been a while since I’ve been here and luckily its all come back to me no problem. Pick the phone up, make introduction, jump to the the card set and we’re off jotting down the info. Fill out the run card and pass it off to the crews. Its easy, like bike riding a bike once you learned you never forget or some happy crap like that. The first night is filled with wonder and amazement. Your to your self, you have the chance to catch up on shows and surf the internet. Catch up on reading blogs, watch some Top Gear and all around enjoy this mini vacation one gets from the road.
Day 2: Entering the station you still feel glad to be on the desk, yet you hadn’t thought it all the way through. After all you never paced your self the night before with all the things you accomplished. Taking your seat the first three hours fly by with taking direct calls and county calls. As outrageous a night as it begun it as suddenly stops, with no rime or reason. Now having forgotten the nights initial concerns of what you had left to do for entertainment, you begin watching TV. Not ever having a chance to watch TV at 2100hrs while on shift before you know not the series plots of shows. So you begin flipping channels, finding nothing to catch your eye you continue through the channels you already went through.
Day 3: Prepared! Bringing in movies and magazines to fill the time the boredom of stationary life behind a desk brings you. After all if the movies and home improvement mags are a bit lacking, you can always take brakes and watch the ever unfolding drama of the womans shelter soup opera across the street. I think Lucy found out Nancy has been sleeping with Jamal, and is torn whether to tell Latoya or not. Ya its that rough at night, I have to read lips to get the dirt from the gaggle of smoking girls.
Day 4: Well I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy dispatching, but sitting here for 12hours a day 4 days a week is a bit much for me. I need to be out in the world, sitting in an idling rig, subjected to the rain and cold. Although it is very nice being in this climate controlled room while its hot and humid out this evening.
Day 5: Unlike the last few nights, there is a sense of relief that tonight is the last night of work. Five in a row is a bit much, and not typical for me, switched a few things around to have the weekend off with the family for Easter. In doing so, I coincidently surrounded myself with a great bunch of guys. Hard working and funny, who must have known it was a rough stretch for me. I have not laughed this hard and been so reminiscent in some time, and it feels great.
If was fun while it lasted but I hope not to be on the desk any length of time any time soon. I have no complaints of the job, and rather enjoy it occasionally, but being stationary is just not my thing…..for twelve hours anyway.
