I got yelle at by a fireman

[digamma]

Seriously.

Tuesday night.

I was driving home, and there was an abnormal amount of traffic on the main thoroughfare to get to my street. After fighting through the traffic, mainly through the use of back roads, I get to my street and notice that there are fire trucks blocking my street. I do see a gap in between them, though, so I start to pull in between them.

A fireman jumps out of his truck, hits the hood of my car and says, "Who gave you permission to come up here?"

***A little back story. I live on a fairly narrow street in a rather hilly neighborhood. In the last several years, we've had some troubles with mudslides during rains, and they've periodically blocked the areas around my house, except to locals. I thought, somewhat reasonably (I still think), that there might be something going on on the street, but that access to locals is permitted.***

I say, "I live here. Just trying to get home."

He says, "Can't you see the streets blocked?"

I say, "Yes, but I thought you might be allowing local access."

He says, "What would give you that idea? You need to back up."

I say, "Can you tell me what's going on?"

He says, "There's a fire [unsaid: DUMBASS]."

I say, "Can you tell me what house--it could be mine? I have a pet there, so I'd like to make sure everything is ok."

He gives me the address--obviously not my house. Then he threatens to cite me for violating a fire line, and yells a bit more about me needing to back up. By this time, there are three other cars behind me, also trying to get up our street. I tell him I can't back up with three cars behind me. I ask him how I can get home. He tells me, so helpfully, that I need to find another way. Thanks, Chief.

So, they stop traffic in the intersection, and let us fire line violators back up.

Luckily, I know of a side street that spits out really close to my house, so I was able to take that and get home.

So there, Chief!

(story on the fire: http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_023222807.html)

[Subby]

Why didn't you just try and run him over? IDIOT.

[Draft Dodger]

your being a later again, Subby

[rkmsuf]

Is it not going well when you are "guy who sits in the truck guarding the fire lane"?

[Pumpy Tudors]

What were you doing in Calgary?

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

What were you doing in Calgary?

LAME

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

What were you doing in Calgary?

so lame

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

so lame

You're just mad that you didn't think of it.

[pennywisesb]

Funny thing was, is that I was on that fire. The main reason why we don't like people driving across fire lines is because usually there's hose and equipment all over the place and we don't want it getting run over or jacked up. He definately could have been nicer about telling you, but its just standard to not let anyone through while the fire is active. If the fire is out then its a different story and we'll try to start letting people in. Just bad timing on your part.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Originally Posted by digamma

Luckily, I know of a side street that spits out really close to my house, so I was able to take that and get home.

Just wondering why you didn't just take that route instead of going through the whole thing of trying to squeeze between fire trucks and yelling at a guy who could very well have the ability to completely kick your ass...

[Rizon]

I got yelled at by a fireman once. Though, I didn't really consider him a fireman. It was one of those back-woods, podunk, Mayberry, volunteer firemen and about 50 of these butt-plugging mountain men were standing around chewing hay helping direct a fire engine out of the station. They had the whole "intersection" blocked off, and despite it being a small intersection it didn't need to be blocked off, they were just using it as an excuse to feel important. So I tried to drive around them cause they moronic assholes were taking too long, either daydreaming of plugging each others hairy asses with their redneck dicks or daydreaming about eating raw bear meat while ma plays the banjo. So one of these flannel wearing hippos with only 4 teeth jumps out in front of the car and says:

"Whaterya thinker doin??!!"
"Huh, what did you say? Do you speak english? Fucking get out of my way, you dirty redneck"
"Whaterya thinker doin, der emerncy!"

So I stopped because he was clearly inbred and I feared for my life.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by pennywisesb

Funny thing was, is that I was on that fire. The main reason why we don't like people driving across fire lines is because usually there's hose and equipment all over the place and we don't want it getting run over or jacked up. He definately could have been nicer about telling you, but its just standard to not let anyone through while the fire is active. If the fire is out then its a different story and we'll try to start letting people in. Just bad timing on your part.

Wow. Small world. In all honesty, I wasn't trying to corss the fire line. I had seen two cars ahead of me drive up the street. I thought local residents might be allowed up the street. I had my windows rolled up, so I couldn't smell the smoke.

By all accounts the fire department did a great job responding to and putting out the blaze. I do think there could have been a better effort to inform locals of what was going on--but that is probably the least of the front line's concern. You're probably right that I may have shown up at an inopportune time.

Seriously, thanks for your service. I really appreciate it.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

Just wondering why you didn't just take that route instead of going through the whole thing of trying to squeeze between fire trucks and yelling at a guy who could very well have the ability to completely kick your ass...

I was coming from the opposite direction as the side street. I also never raised my voice. Given the history of road closings around my neighborhood, I still maintain it was reasonable for me to believe that locals were allowed up the street. Once told I shouldn't proceed further, I didn't.

Of course, that's not going to stop me from making light of the encounter in retrospect.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

What were you doing in Calgary?

Come on! This is funny shit!!

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Come on! This is funny shit!!

I went ahead and laughed because you deserve the benefit of the doubt, but now I'd like to know what was so funny.

Give me a few minutes before you explain, though. My sides still hurt.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Come on! This is funny shit!!

You're a lot funnier when you schedule meetings in the basement.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Come on! This is funny shit!!

I just got the joke. It took almost 24 hours, but it finally clicked.

I think it's funny. Definitely funny shit. There is a huge derth of good Stephane Yelle jokes. The more out there, the better it is for everyone, especially the children. In particular, the children in Calgary.

Well done, Pumpy.

[st.cronin]

A better joke would have been one about someone stepping on my toe. But Pumpy wouldn't make that joke, since it wouldn't be funny to him.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

A better joke would have been one about someone stepping on my toe. But Pumpy wouldn't make that joke, since it wouldn't be funny to him.

You're just mad that you didn't think of it.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

A better joke would have been one about someone stepping on my toe. But Pumpy wouldn't make that joke, since it wouldn't be funny to him.

What in the hell does Stephane Matteau have to do with any of this?

[Pumpy Tudors]

What's next? Someone will be talking shit about Stephane Richer?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Or maybe the other Stephane Richer?