Trashing The Sell-By Date and Introducing SP

Let's start with a major blog update - shall we?

"Kat's On Fire" is my third blog which follows a "one-year project" format.  When I started this particular project back in November, my goal was to travel around the area, visiting fire events and writing about them, bringing some well-deserved attention to our small-town fire departments.  I also decided to prep to become a firefighter myself - at least, a pretend one.  Eating plan, working out, studying for the exam - to end in November 2012.

Well, some opportunities have arisen as of late which have caused me to make some format changes.  I am going to have the opportunity to do a little travelling, I do believe, and so I'll be writing about fire stuff on a national scale, instead of just in my metaphoric backyard.  Also - I am LOVING this blog. I mean, seriously LOVING IT.  So - Kat's On Fire will no longer have an "end date" of November 2012.  It will survive as long as firehouses, museums, and bemused fire chiefs continue to allow me to encroach on their turf.   Can I get a woot woot?

On a more shameful note, the exam prep stuff is completely kicking my ass.  I keep failing the practice tests miserably.  You see, I have zero spatial ability.  I can't look at a building and remember how many doors and windows there are, and where they all lead to, and which direction I have to go to haul your sorry ass out if need be.  So more prep is highly encouraged.

And, of course, the other facet of Kat's On Fire is my Siren Sex Goddess love life.  There's an update there too.

I am in love.

Allow me to introduce you to Sweet Prince, from now on known affectionately as "SP."  I've known SP since 1988, when I was a young pup, and he was a slightly older young pup, and serving in the Navy.  We never dated back then - I was engaged and married shortly after to husband no. 1, so it wasn't really an option - but we were buddies.  I don't remember much about my Navy days, those memories being blurred at the edges and eventually drying up, like an Eastern Washington rain puddle.  I remember Kas - we were together, basically, from day 1 until I got out - other than her, I remember a few faces, fewer names.  But I remember SP vividly. 

We would usually sit together in the break room, if we happened to be in there at the same time.  I remember his facial expressions; I remember how his ball cap sat on his head.  I remember the jokes he used to tell me. I remember meaningless conversations about random topics.  I remember the look on his face when he showed me a picture of his now-ex; I remember when he told me that he was going to be a father.  Then, boom - one day he was gone.  I went on maternity leave for 6 weeks, and when I came back, SP had been transferred.  We never saw each other again after that, but I never, ever forgot SP.  He was, among other things, the kindest, funniest man I had ever known.

Well, fast forward to last year - and enter the FaceBook age.  Badda bing, badda boom - there's SP.  We talked on FB, you know, like you do with all your old friends.  Talking occasionally turned into talking frequently.  Talking frequently turned into talking daily.  And talking daily turned into - wow.  This is what finding your soul mate actually feels like.  We both have moments where all we can do is laugh over our good fortune.

SP and I have details to iron out (doesn't everybody).  I'm moving, he's moving, and he has some very serious health issues.  Our relationship appears to be chaos to the outside world, I'm sure.  But to us, it's safe, secure, warm.  I don't need to know how it's all going to work out, but I'm absolutely certain that it will.  And I'm absolutely certain that we will be blissfully happy together, in whatever form our relationship takes.

There you have it.  You are up to speed.  Questions?