Responding to work-related surveys: are they really relevant?

Have you completed a work-related survey recently? I’ve participated in a number of them in recent years – most dispatcher-specific. In fact, while researching for my book, I had one posted on my blog and a few other dispatcher websites.

I have come to the conclusion that most of the surveys are developed by those who don’t know or understand our profession at all.

A quest for his lady's love: Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein. The real knight's tale

In 2001 Director Brian Helgeland brought his version of A Knight’s Tale to the big screen. The story was part of The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer (played by Paul Bettany in the film).  In Hollywood’s take of the classic medieval story, a tradesman’s son, William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) is apprenticed as a squire by his father to a knight. When the knight dies during a tournament, William takes his master’s place. He wins and assumes a new identity: ‘Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein’. As he and his companions travel the mainland, ‘Ulrich’ keeps gaining experience and winning accolades. At one event, he runs into Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon), a noblewoman and his nemesis – Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell). Through adversity, and some compassion from Prince Edward, the Black Prince, William earns his true spurs and his love. All this takes place with hip music and great jousting scenes (even if the continuity messed up by allowing a horse to magically change colors in the middle of a joust run).

Of course, that not what really happened.

Getting medieval on the silver screen

It’s time for the annual review of the silver screen’s portrayal of the medieval world. This year is a plethora of television and movies for the history enthusiast. Let’s begin with the big screen.

The Highway to Hell

Let me warn you ahead of time: this is not a PC post.

Spend any amount of time in a communications center and chances are your ears will begin to catch fire. We’re not known for our ‘pc’ nature. In fact, dispatchers tend to vent – a lot. We have to. It’s not healthy to keep the anxiety we face every shift bottled up inside.

The plague of the medieval century: the Black Death

The death of feudalism was brought about the great equalizer in the mid 14^th century: The Black Death, or Black Plague. What was the Plague? Where did it come from and what was the true impact of this deadly disease?

NHL Playoffs: Go Sharks!

Wednesday, April 12th was the start of the NHL playoffs and the San Jose Sharks are facing off against the Edmonton Oilers. Most of the hockey experts picked the Oilers to win the series.

I fart in their general direction and taunt them in multiple languages.

Game one went to San Jose 3-2. Melkor Karlsson scored the game-winning goal. The Sharks had a slow start in the first but poured it on in the second and took over from there. The Oilers were mown over by the Sharks in the third. In all San Jose had a total of 44 shots on goal to Edmonton's 19 (amazing!).  The Sharks were better in the face-off circle, taking the puck 57% of the time. Getting on the forecheck and creating scoring chances can't happen without puck possession and that starts by winning the face-off.

Another key to winning the game was shutting down Edmonton's star player: Connor McDavid, which the Sharks managed to do very well. In fact, the Oilers were very sloppy in the neutral zone with changes despite having the larger number of hits and blocks. Happily, San Jose had Logan Couture on the ice for the first game. We hope Joe Thornton will join the team soon but the younger players showed they could step up their game. Tomas Hertl had a few near misses on goal and seven shots. Brent Burns was his usual dominating presence.

I'm looking forward to the next game on Friday.

Go Sharks.

oh yeah...stay safe out there!











https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/sjs-vs-edm/2017/04/12/2016030181#game=2016030181,game_state=fina

The new face of the Magna Carta: King Henry III

Who was King Henry III of England? How did he make a name for himself in the annuals of history?

Henry III was born in 1 October, 1207 to King John of England and Queen Consort, Isabelle (Isabella) of Angouleme. He took the throne on the death of his father in 1216 when he was only nine years old and ruled until 1272. As the eldest, his official titles were: king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and count of Anjou.  Unlike his ancestors, much of Henry’s life including his conflicts, accomplishments, and policies were documented by his contemporaries.