I should probably wait a few more days, but, I’m bored and Facebook is down, so, here I am.

I recently applied for a Police Officer position with the City of Tucson. I have now completed the Physical Fitness Assessment, Written Test, Stress Assessment, and Oral Board Interview. I have submitted all my applications and background investigation documentation. Six days ago I was told that they would be letting us know our ranking in 10 – 14 days.

There were two processes for the next Academy. The first one had approx 200 applicants, the second had 350. They are hiring between 40 – 50 recruits. My estimation is that they interviewed between 100 – 125 people total, so, at the worst, I have a one in three chance of getting hired, and I would put it higher with my test scores and gender.

I was semi-proud of my Physical Fitness Assessment scores. I could have done better, and I’m disappointed with myself that I didn’t exceed my training numbers, but, the scores were not bad.

The PFT used the Cooper’s numbers to figure percentages. A passing PFT had to be at least a 40% average of the 5 assessments. The 5 tasks with my scores and percentages are:

1.5 mile run – 11:53 – 85%

Sit ups in one minute – 41 – 90%

Push ups (total) – 12 (boo) – 40%

Vertical Jump – 12.5 in. – 50%

300 meter Sprint – 59sec. – 90%

So, overall, I had a 71%, and all I needed was 40%. If I could have done just a few more push-ups. Damn! I was up to 15 push ups in training, so I’m not sure what happened. 15 would have put me up to 60% and really helped my overall score.

The written test was 100 questions. I scored a 95%.

On the Stress Assessment I received positive marks in all 5 areas.

Overall, I’m happy, and I really did not want to come home.

Everything else has been on the backburner. Work here is work. The weather is warming up. The dogs are doing well. Not much else to say.

I’ll let you all know when I get my ranking.

Extras

Dan Aykroyd
Harry Belafonte
Lindsey Buckingham
Sheila E.
Bob Geldof
Jackie Jackson
LaToya Jackson
Marlon Jackson
Randy Jackson
Tito Jackson
Waylon Jennings
Bette Midler
John Oates
Jeffrey Osborne
The Pointer Sisters
Smokey Robinson

I will be taking off the last weekend in the month however, when my sister and mom are coming to visit! I am really excited and can’t wait till they get here.

I thought I had more to say, but I guess at 0400 and not a whole lot of sleep I’m just too tired to concentrate.

Till next time.

All last summer, from about April through August, I ran every other day in the neighborhood that I live. I started out running a .5 mile, then a mile, until I ran the Zoo Run Run, a 6 mile race, in August. I really felt like I accomplished something then, and truly missed running when the cold weather hit. As the fall and then winter dragged on, I could see that my body was going back to it’s old “stick-figure” shape and that’s all the further motivation I needed to get back to exercising again. Exercising isn’t just to slim down for those that have a few extra pounds, its also great for us who have no mass, to actually get some.

Now that I’ve been exercising for about 4 weeks again, I am really making strides towards regaining the level I was at in August and even surpassing it in ways. On Monday, I ran 1.5 miles in 12:32. I’ve never done that before. I have been running 10 minute miles at the top of my game back in August. To be able to surpass that in such a short time of exercising and running again has me really amazed. I thought it was supposed to be harder to make these gains as you got older??

On top of the running, I am also keeping up with a pretty good strength training routine, not to mention drinking fresh veggie/fruit juice and otherwise eating a high-protein diet. I even came down with a nasty – nasty cold, and within three days, was up and at ‘em, with little residual effect of the illness. Amazing!

I also now know what days my Physical Fitness Assesment is, and I am going to ace that thing!!!