Bad Luck Update: Finding Reasons to Smile
I’ve been absent from the blogosphere during the past month or so and I apologize. Finally my new Fang book has published; relief, sigh, jump up and down. The next book in the Bad Luck series is coming soon (I’m working on it today). My biggest excuse for not writing posts has been work. A friend and retired Bobby from England, currently residing in the US, just sent me an email and I think he says it best.
“Judging by what I’ve learned this last couple of months, doin’ police
work out here in the states is one dangerous occupation. There are
some whacked out nutters here, masquerading as the general populace,
holding down jobs and all.”
This pretty much describes what’s been happening on the streets lately. We are dealing with a huge methamphetamine problem. This leads to burglaries, violence, and just plain crazy actions on their part. Then we have the anti-government movement. There are a lot in our neck of the woods (Arizona in general). It doesn’t matter if the police agree or disagree with the current political agenda; they hate us for being part of the establishment.
We are also seeing a large coalition of white supremacists. I hate to lump them in with the anti-G but I think the two go hand in hand. I’m amazed at the number of homes I enter, for one reason or another, and see more and more symbols of hate. Click here if you are interested in knowing what to look for.
You know cops never like to admit they are scared but we talk about it amongst ourselves. We tell each other to watch our backs (cop talk – our 6), be alert, and make it home to our families. I feel bad that I’m one of the luckier ones because I only work two days of patrol a week and being a detective means I usually come in after the original volatile confrontation. Lucky me, but at the same time I’m afraid for the men at my department. They all have young children waiting at home for daddy. My husband bites his tongue many times (because he’s wonderful) but I know these wives live with daily fear and my heart goes out to them. I guess this is just part of being a cop’s wife or husband.
I want this t-shirt!
It’s quite difficult for me to tell everyone this but Mrs. Taylor from my post A Petrified Old Woman died on July 30th. Her declining heath finally forced her into a senior care facility. She was happy and chipper to the end. Her death has left an empty place in my heart even though I know she wouldn’t want it to. I’m smiling through my tears as I talk about her and her incredible spirit lives on.
I use this blog so I can smile and laugh frequently. I tend to stay away when I’m having trouble finding joy in my work life. The few posts I’ve written that deal with serious and sad issues have always generated words of comfort from my readers. I told myself this morning that if I didn’t break the cycle for my glum outlook I might never write another post, so this is it. Sorry!
I am thrilled to announce I’ve won another Top Cop Blog Award from VideoSurveillance.com I’m one of seven top blogs and the winning honors go to Cold Case Squad which is one of my personal favorite sites on the web. I am honored to be mentioned with the other great cop blogs though the paragraph and video below might make the powers that be change their mind in the future 
You can check out the top seven by clicking the link above.
On a completely tasteless, tactless, and inappropriate note, I looked up info to pass along about the symbols of hate and discovered if you put “white supremacist” in Google the top list of searches are all Dave Chappelle’s YouTube video of him masquerading as a black white supremist. I’ve included it below because I’m tasteless, tactless, and inappropriate, and this video made me laugh. Please do not watch if your sense of humor is on vacation or if you dislike strong language. Dave Chappelle I love you!
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Oh, Suz – so sorry things are so rough in Smalltown. As you know, I saw a piece of it when I did my ride-along with you, so I guess I’m not surprised it’s escalating. It doesn’t make it any easier on you or your safety. Big ol’ ugh. Stay safe my dear. (I’ve been off the blog circuit myself for more than a month, editing away). So it’s GREAT news to hear about your newly completed novel and the other in the works. Keep going! So proud of you for all your writing AND for the blog award.
Thank you Melissa and I hate to give up more bad news but our young mother in distress was caught with meth a few weeks ago and her children were removed from her home. I’ve had no contact and I’m thankful I wasn’t the arresting officer. Some days I just want to hit my head against a wall. Did you see the news about the “killer” on the loose running around the AZ lake? We dealt with him all the time here in Small Town. It just gets worse and worse. BUT, it’s so nice to hear from you and I promise to make my next post light and cheerful!
Oh my gosh Chappelle is hilarious!! We’ve especially enjoyed his rendition on Rick James~ induces side-splitting laughter in our house
I imagine your line of work does bring with it lots of sobering life-moments, and I’m so thankful there are people like you … willing to put yourselves out there for others for the betterment of us all. I have such respect for everyone involved in public service!
Congrats on the newest Fang!!
I’m going to search for the Rick James piece right now! More smiles are needed today
I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your friend, Mrs. Taylor. We all need a Mrs. Taylor in our lives – we can learn a lot about compassion, life and humility through the elderly. Friends like Mrs. Taylor gives us that needed kick in the britches we need every once to keep us grounded. When you lay your head on your pillow tonight, know that you made a difference in her life and gave her something to look forward to each day. Congratulations on your new book! That is major exciting! The DNC is in Charlotte this week. Please keep a good thought for my officers and all the officers and first responders coming in from all over to help us out. Tampa fared well with the RNC, so I’m looking forward to the same positive results.
I will keep all your officers and the first responders in my thoughts and prayers. Even if things run smoothly it will be a trying week for all. The green bean wraps were a hit and totally delicious, thank you!!!
I love Dave Chappelle!
I do worry about you; cops are on the front lines of the divisions in this country, and the DHS-financed “federalization” of local departments is putting you in even more danger. Most cops are truly good people, but it only takes a few bad apples to turn public opinion.
You’re absolutely right. There are so many wonderful cop stories happening every day but we only seem to see the bad ones on the news. Kind of like teenagers/youth stories. There are great kids out there but they never seem to get the media attention. Thank you for checking in!
It’s good to see you back, Suzie. I imagine the work you do can take its toll at times. I’ve always admired how you can remain upbeat most of the time. You’re only human.
Stay safe.
I promise to stay safe. I always feel better after sharing the bad times but it’s hard when I really love making people laugh and smile. Thank you Christine for your kind words!
Hugs, Suzie — just…hugs.
And HUGS back
I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Taylor. I know she was a ray of sunshine for you, and you her. What a blessing she must have been! Congratulations on your award! I’m sure it’s one of more to come your way. Mercy, The Dave Chappelle video made me laugh out loud. He’s a hoot. Congrats on the new book! I can only imagine the relief and joy that comes with that accomplishment. Stay safe with work – take care.
Thank you for the kind words about Mrs. Taylor. This is the first post I haven’t read to her since we met and I’m missing her greatly right now. I know she’s smiling down as everyone acknowledges her inspiration in my life
I think I’ll watch Dave again!
As always, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of our LEOs. Gawd, what a misunderstood bunch. You guys are NOT the enemy! Sorry, too, that things in Smalltown are not going so well. I look forward to every installment of your blog, and was happy to find notification in my inbox. Congrats on both the new book and the blog award!
You rock, as always, and thank you for letting me (and countless others, I’m sure) live vicariously through your writing!
Take care, girl, and be safe!
Awwwe, I’ll rock on and on after those words. Safety is my first, last, and middle name
I took a breatk over the summer too, Suzie. Sometimes it’s just needed. Glad to see you posting again,
Those symbols, and what they represent, are frightening, and it’s disheartening to think there is that much hate out there.
Stay safe, Suzie.
I agree about the symbols. Very sad but if I remember right you are also a fellow Arizonan and see and hear a lot of what I do. It’s scary and completely heartbreaking too. It reminds me of my youth growing up in the south in the 60′s and early 70′s. Hatred spreads but I feel love spreads even faster. I look at our children today and see hope
Nice to see you back, Suzie. Your blog is always interesting. I’m not interested in vampires myself, but I wish you well with Fang, and I definitely look forward to Bad Luck Detective. I’ll be one of your first readers!
Thank you Tim and don’t worry about being non-vamp, it’s an acquired taste
I am glad you are back.. I can’t imagine how hard / scary some of your days must be…
Thank you Hillary and thanks for dropping by.
I love you, Suzie, and I love your brave honesty. I know you have to keep your game face on whether you are on or off duty, so I am grateful that you can find some release here. After all, that’s what it should be about, right? Making us laugh is wonderful, you know I love it, but this is your space, and sometimes you need to just allow yourself to let your guard down and let things out. It’s for the best. And if you can’t do it here, you have my email.
P.S. I couldn’t help thinking of Steve Martin in The Jerk watching that video. “I was born a poor black child. . .”
Yesterday was a really good day at work and I have a sentencing hearing on Thursday for a trial from a month ago. 25 to 35 years in prison and I’m looking forward to putting this one behind me. All in all I’m finding more reasons to smile. This doesn’t mean you might not get a long, incoherent, rant email from me in the near future. Thank you Ruby
Suzie,
This too shall pass.
In the meantime, your honesty and beautiful spirit inspires me every moment of every day.
Heh, many years ago, when the idea of stress was gaining ground amongst the Ruperts, our force decided to appoint a psychologist and for every division an officer dedicated to stress management.
The psychologist was a complete nutcase who….no, I can’t tell that story in a public place…Oh Dear L****, how on earth did they ever let you through the door, or OUT again? I loved you, but you were as mad as a box of frogs.
The stress, “management,” officer for my division was a stocious drunk with dreadful gout, just waiting on retirement and on grass leave out in the New Forest, guarding deer.
An officer from my nick who had been diagnosed with stress probably caused by a barking wife/girlfriend/boyfriend or CC debts had been referred to him. The superintendent arranged an appointment.
Oddly enough, these appointments were always held at 1900 hours at the bar on the premises of the support HQ at Lyndhurst police station, in Hampshire, UK. Where the beer was full strength and cheap.
I’ve drunk that beer, it goes straight to the knees. They put something in it, I swear.
The young, stressed officer met the superintendent in the bar and was greeted.
“How bad is the stress son, 4 pints, 10 pints, or are we going to be here all ****ing night?”
This too shall pass, dear Suzie.
Warmly,
brendan
Okay, I want a psychologist that judges stress by the pint. We aren’t permitted to drink at the bars in town and must drive an hour away. Since no one wants a DUI we usually don’t bother. After my children left I turned my living room into a tacky pool hall bar. It allows me to live on the wild side in my own home. After a couple of drinks I forget I never drove anywhere. Thank you for the Smile Brendan!
Sorry things have been rough lately — the white supremacist stuff is so scary to me, terrifying, and especially so that it’s on the rise. And meth seems like it’s everywhere, also very scary. My condolences on Mrs. Taylor, I loved that post. Congrats on the well-deserved award; but I’m so sorry that you feel glum — I’m assuming sometimes it goes with the territory. You and your brothers/sisters do phenomenal work in the face of such danger. You all serve us well (and you even more so with your wonderful blog that educates and entertains and helps us empathize) — thank you so much!
Thank you Julia, Life is better and the glums are fading.
Congrats on the top blog award! Well deserved! So sorry about Mrs. Taylor’s passing. She seemed like a very special friend. hoping you find something really good to smile about soon! Sending hugs.
Thank you for the hugs Linda. Phone call soon. Work has been busy, busy and MUST let up soon!
Congrats on the book and welcome back to the blogosphere! Missed you!!!! And find those smiles!
I’ve been smiling a lot this week though I think today is a sad one for most of us. Reflection & remembrance. I’m heading to your blog right now to grab a few extra smiles this morning
Hi Suze, been missing you and had to come by your blog today to see what you’ve been up to (besides writing, writing, writing). Seeing the violent sides of people as you do so often in your work has got to be incredibly hard. Please know that your friends are thinking of you often and wishing you and your fellow officers the best. Thanks for making the streets safer for us.
I’ve missed you Melanie! {hugs} your way!
Wow, you’ve had a lot going on. Crime in our area has jumped, budget cuts are taking officers away…scary. I was having coffee with a friend of mine when she ran into a cop friend of hers. During their chat my friend mentioned her husband bought her a gun, to which the cop replied, “Good, because it is getting scary out there.” I know I live in a big city (and yes, San Jose is a pretty damn big city), but that sort of freaked me out! Modesto, a town not too far away, was once reported as having the highest number of hate groups in the US…in California. I found that amazing. I don’t know if it is true anymore, but I just have to turn on the news to see that it is alive and well…like…everywhere. Sigh….to end on a high note, I just finished Bad Luck Cadet. Loved. It. Oodles. Can’t wait to get Bad Luck Officer. What an amazing journey you’ve taken. I can’t wait to keep reading!! Alienbody signing off.
And that my friend gives me lots of reasons to smile. I hope you enjoy book 2.
You are AMAZING I just wanted u 2 know that!!!!
You’re pretty amazing yourself. I love your new blog design!
Well thank u