Neighborhood

This week another LV Metro officer was laid to rest. Officer Trevor Nettleton was killed in an attempted robbery at his home. His wife, two children and mother were all in the house when an assailant entered his garage where he was working. Officer Nettleton was able to wound one of the gunmen and the perpetrators were captured soon after. This death hit us all particularly hard as Trevor was a member of my brother George's squad. George rode with Trevor on patrol many times and learned a lot from him.

Officer Nettleton lived in North Las Vegas, just a few blocks away from my friend Chuck. Chuck was not surprised by the incident. He had witnessed the S.W.A.T. team conduct a raid on his next door neighbor's house last year. They were apparently conducting weapons sales from the home. One of these weapons could have been sold to one of the street gang members involved in Officer Nettleton's murder. You just never know what's going on in your neighborhood. I've been to Chuck's house a few times and his seemed like your average suburban street.

As we just had Thanksgiving, I know that I'm thankful that all my family members are safe. And I'm thankful for the men and women of the police department who are looking out for us everyday. I pray for their safety also. Especially my brother, but also those he works with, and those he doesn't. And even that Henderson PD officer that gave me a speeding ticket on Tuesday. It's such a hard job they do. And they all deserve our respect.

Alma Matters

Warning: Cliches to come, fast and in great numbers...

So the High School Reunion has come and gone. We made it through, Hina, Melissa, Andra, Sue and I. We're not so sure about Gerry. We worry about Gerry.

But overall it was good; it was okay. To see people you knew when you were in 1st or 2nd grade. To see how they have changed and that they haven't changed. And to see if they think you've changed and if so for better or worse? Yeah, all that stuff.

Who was too good (read too busy and successful) to come back to old BHS? Who did we hope to see? Who did we not want to see? In the end it was the core, those close friends you had, the ones you were delighted to be back in touch with via Facebook, that you stayed with most of the time anyway. And the rest, were a curiosity. Life did go on for them after you knew them, and it turned out pretty decent. Not great, not fantastic, but good, just like with you. The Ups and Downs. Check. Weight gain, check. Ill health, check. Those who still irritatingly look fantastic, check again. And there I was not sure where I fell. Somewhere in between I suspect.

It took a lot of energy. There were some awkward moments: one person's response to the fact that I have no family of my own: "Oh, that's okay." Yeah. So, in another 20 years, where will we all be? Who knows? But it'll go by just like *that*.