My “Joe” is now in the FBI

Monday, April 26, 2010 at 5:52 am

One of the main characters in my book, “Joe,” is loosely based on my partner who worked the streets with me when we were on the force. He is now with the FBI working white collar cyber crime. “Joe” was a very good officer – smart, fast, strong – that it surprises me he’s content […]

Categories: On the Job

Why baseball is like police work

Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 6:55 am

That’s right – a baseball game is so similar to police work, it’s scary…Think about it – moments of routine and boredom punctuated by seconds of chaos and drama. Maybe that’s why I love the game so much; I’m willing to invest the time to share in those flashes of excitement. I shared one of […]

Categories: Overview of the Book and Me

Tim Tebow spoke

Friday, April 23, 2010 at 6:14 am

Listening to Tim Tebow last night as he defended his first round pick to the Broncos, rather than savoring that moment for the pure joy of being an NFL drafteee, he had to answer questions about why him and why there. Bradford didn’t. Pouncey didn’t. Their moments of limelight were pure celebration. But Tim did […]

Categories: Overview of the Book and Me

When they grow up

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 6:30 am

Driving home from an unsuccessful baseball tournament this weekend, my 13-year-old said to me that his teammate “acknowledged that he needs to work on…” Maybe I shouldn’t have been taken aback by his use of the word “acknowledged,” but I was. He’s a teen. He’s growing up. But the beautiful thing is that his language […]

Categories: Overview of the Book and Me

Red wine and bookstores

Friday, April 16, 2010 at 8:56 am

I met with a group of ladies last night, a spirited bunch who had me giggling from beginning to end. They were my readers, full of great questions about the book, writing and police work. All but one were strangers to me in the beginning, and now none are. I shared in their enthusiasm for […]

Categories: Overview of the Book and Me

Kevlar is not cool

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 6:13 am

Worn your bullet-proof vest lately? Probably not…At our department, we wore them on the job. The vests were low profile but definitely dense. Sitting at the ballpark (again) this weekend, feeling sweat drip down my back, I was reminded of a hot July night when I was pretty sure I was going to die. A […]

Categories: On the Job

John Irving in the hands of the law

Friday, April 9, 2010 at 7:05 am

The director of the police academy I attended was one tough hombre. He really did scare me, probably because I was so out of my element there, but he was a make you or break you kind of man. Super smart, too. Witty with a deadpan delivery. I have already told you that I love […]

Categories: On the Job

Phat and phunky

Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 5:56 am

u never no what 2 expect. With the evolution of technology comes the destruction of language, and taking the greatest hit is spelling. I am one of the wacky ones who loved spelling, loved vocabulary, and clearly loved writing. But for those of you math wizzards or business people who never much cared for language, […]

Categories: Overview of the Book and Me

Keen is kool

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 6:38 am

My sons washed the car yesterday in Florida sun and warmth. The front bumper was splattered with 1300 miles of bugs and dust collected from our cross-state trip over spring break. My youngest asked me to see how well he cleaned the front with my “keen eyesight.” “Keen,” I asked? “Great word!” My 12-year-old is […]

Categories: Overview of the Book and Me

The juxtaposition of nature and steel

Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 10:10 am

We just left the Tampa Electric plant for a tour – not of the facility but of the creatures swimming in the waters surrounding the billowy stacks. In the colder months, manatees seek the shelter of warmer waters, and Tampa Electric has provided walkways, viewing areas and a museum free to the public. Not only […]

Categories: Overview of the Book and Me