We had our 2009 Installation Dinner last night.

First….a word about something near and dear to all of us…..the food.

Holy Slab of Prime Rib. I’m no slacker at the dinner table, and if I’m really hungry, I can do a lot of damage. That’s why I run….so that I can eat what I want when the mood strikes. I can usually clean my plate, but this…..this monstrously huge side of beef …..beat me down.

It was literally the size of my head, and almost four inches thick. I kept cutting and chewing, cutting and chewing….and sat back, completely done in, looked at my plate and it looked like I barely touched it. Since I ate too much, I donated the rest of my plate to Ron—he had cleaned his—but even he admitted defeat at the hands (or hooves?) of the Mega Meat Slab.

I digress....on to the installation… We went through the normal installation of officers (well, normal up until the Lieutenants installation…one of the newly installed Lt.’s is leaving for the military in two weeks in an unanticipated last-minute decision…should make for an interesting election at the next meeting), installation of the Auxiliary and the presentation of the 25 year, 40 year and 50 year members….all well-deserved. Then it came time for the “special awards” …some of these are humorous, and some are recognition awards.

Because one of my department pals had spilled the beans, I already knew that I would be getting something silly for losing my camera at two consecutive department events (I need a Clapper for that thing…) so I was fully prepared to take my medicine. Therefore I was listening, but not really paying attention while our Chief was presenting the three special awards….Bill Reddy for VFD Firefighter of the Year (that guy is my hero—he’s a firefighter’s firefighter in every best sense of the word)..and then I hear Chief talking about someone who goes above and beyond, training and safety oriented…yadda, yadda, and then he says “She’s only been with the department for a year” and I look over at Amy and she’s pointing back at me (we’re the only two females on the department) and mouthing “It’s YOU dumbass” at me.

It was for exemplary service to the department. I was so surprised and flattered that I have NO idea what I said while I was up there accepting the award…all I remember is white noise. Oh, and I did get my dumbass award for my inability to hang on to my camera….they bought me a retractable dog leash with a clip to fasten to my camera strap.

Lest I worry about getting a big head or an over-inflated ego about the whole thing…we were all walking out of the banquet facility and I stepped on a patch of ice in my high heels, slipped, went ass over teakettle and skinned my knee. My brethren made a valiant but unsuccessful effort to not laugh after they ascertained that I wasn’t seriously injured.

Leave it to me to keep it real while simultaneously making an ass of myself. Way to put the ego in check.

Til next time, wear your seatbelt and watch out for those ice patches.