Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Colds vs. Flu

Know the Difference between a Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms:
 
Symptom
Cold
H1N1 Flu
Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.
Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.
Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.
60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.
Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.
Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Elite DefensiveTactics Halloween Party

Halloween Party Pictures flickr, A Special Thanks goes out to all the people who helped setting up and cleaning up. I very much appreciate your time.

Shihan Gary

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Nothing Good Happens After 11:00pm

Nothing Good Happens After 11:00pm

Years ago when I began doing security work I remember one of the veterans telling me "Nothing good happens after 11:00 pm." Since that time, there has been little to prove him wrong.

On October 18th at approximately 1:00am, Star University of Connecticut (UConn) cornerback Jasper T. (Jazz) Howard was murdered following a stellar performance on the gridiron against the Louisville Cardinals only hours earlier. Howard, who was in attendance at a student dance late Saturday night, was stabbed to death on the Storrs campus. Details of the event are murky while the assailant still remains at large.

As the story unfolds on this tragedy, one can only think of how this could have been avoided. Personally, I have could ended up just like him, a college kid after a big game, in the wrong place at the wrong time. My judgement impaired by alcohol combined wi th the invincibility of youth would make me an easy target for a steet wise thug.

What we learn as we get older is that there are certian situations that increase our exposure to risk. One of those situations is the "witching hour". That point in the evening when more bad than good can happen. That time is 11:00pm. People out at this time are usually coming home from dinner, happy hour or even a long day at work. Either way, a little drunk or alittle tired makes you a prime target.

It has only been through personal experience that you come to realize when you are getting in over your head. Coming home alone after a big game on a college campus one might think that one was safe. But kids away from home for the first time are easy victims of violence They are on their own for the first time, dealing wi th new freedoms and new responsibilities ad of course making new and more dangerous mistakes.

Experience is the best teacher. It's only by getting burned that we learn how to avoid the fire.The hope is that we can teach others to avoid the mistakes that we made so that we can evolve and grow.

It is unfortunate that we must learn from the mistakes of the innocent and there is no way to bring someone back, but you can honor their memory by teaching others how to avoid this pain and suffering.

The choice is yours, turn a blind eye or swing a clenched fist.

Start Doing Something NOW
www.theselfdefenseco.com

Until Next Time,

Damian Ross
Master Instructor and CEO, The Self Defense Company
Police Investigation is Ongoing

UConn Police and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Unit are actively investigating Howard’s death and are asking anyone with information pertaining to the incident to contact UConn Police at 860-486-4800.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

45 Lessons Life Taught Me

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others.
You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret,you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
But the second one is up to you and no one20else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life,
Don't take no for answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't
save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this
matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is,
not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab
yours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves

Monday, September 14, 2009

Always a Cop:


Once the badge goes on, it never comes off, whether anyone can see it, or not. It is fused to the soul through adversity, fear and and camaraderie.  We've worn it with pride, integrity, and fearlessness others would think crazy.

When a good cop leaves the "job" and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder.  Wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know.  After a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times.  We know in the law enforcement life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet . We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. 

The burdens of the job are great, it's what we signed up for. You will always look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore.  We will always will look at the rest of the law enforcement world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never thinking for one moment we are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the "job" and  being allowed to leave '"active" duty.

So what I wish for you, whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that we have been blessed as the "peacemakers" and will always have a place in heaven.

Civilian Friends vs . Police Friends

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week.
POLICE FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
POLICE FRIENDS: Have cried with you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
POLICE FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you..
POLICE FRIE NDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
POLICE FRIENDS: Will kick the crowds' ass that left you behind.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while.
POLICE FRIENDS: Are for life.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences. ...
POLICE FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of...

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough.
POLICE FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, 'You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!!' Then carry you home safely and put you to bed...

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will talk crap to the person who talks crap about you.
POLICE FRIENDS: Will knock them the hell out for using your name in vain.

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
POLICE FRIENDS: Will forward this.

There are those that think they understand. And then,. . . . there are cops

Kenpo Salutation Explained