Those who know me can attest to my undying passion for music. One could argue I'm an audiophile because I'm obsessed with all genres and how they are written, produced, recorded, and performed. It could be rock, blues, jazz, country, rap and even some classical; it doesn't matter.
The idea of a satisfying life without listening or playing music is utterly alien to me, and since I love my job as a paramedic, I thought a tongue-and-cheek approach of combining the two would make for a fun read.
After reading that David Lee Roth, the on-again, off-again singer for the rock band Van Halen, had trained in 2004 as a paramedic with a New York City ambulance crew, I was, to say the least, astonished. I couldn't envision the roller-skating spandex-wearing buffoon from the "Just a Gigolo" video driving an ambulance, let alone holding a human being's fate in his hands.
To help support my argument, most people I asked would assume they were in heavy metal purgatory if they opened their eyes to see Dave Lee Roth wielding a defibrillator or IV needle above them.
Better yet, imagine yourself riding in the passenger's seat of an ambulance at 70 mph while "Diamond Dave" lip-syncs "Running with the Devil" as it blares from the stereo speakers. Actually, scratch that; that might be fun.
According to The Associated Press, Roth has provided emergency services to more than 200 NYC residents over an approximately four-week period, and during this time saved the life of a Bronx woman by shocking her back to life with a defibrillator.
As I was reading the article, an interesting thought hit me: is the emergency medical technician (EMT) more like a rock star than we think? As I juxtaposed the respective and often odd circumstances the EMT and rock stars encounter, I would have to say yes.
Here is my hypothesis:
1. Like rock stars, EMTs are typically up all night or working into the wee hours of the morning.
2. Some rock stars and EMTs go two or three days without showering. Don't ask.
3. A rock star's limousine is often chased by fans, where an EMT's ambulance is often chased by lawyers.
4. Although many of them shouldn't, individuals from both professions wear extraordinarily tight clothing and big boots.
5. Both are often exposed to mind-altering substances. Only for the EMT, it's for the treatment side of it, we hope.
6. EMTs, like rock stars, characteristically have poor diets, eating fast food and drinking copious amounts of caffeine, especially while on the road.
7. Both are often exposed to violent or belligerent behavior.
8. Loud noises are a fundamental part of both professions. For the rock star it's of course the music. For the EMT, it's the siren and sometimes the music, depending on who your partner is.
9. EMTs are often near people who are sweaty and smell bad. Rock stars ARE usually the people who are sweaty and smell bad.
10. Both professions are frequently exposed to unwanted, or dare I say wanted, bodily fluids.
11. Sleeping in a van or "bus" is sometimes the only option for the rock star or the EMT.
12. Both are either idolized or hated by the people they "perform" for.
13. Like the rock star, the EMT must be skilled with the instruments he or she uses.
14. Many now have tattoos and/or piercings, and that's just the EMTs.
15. In order for the rock star or the EMT to improve at their job, he or she must practice.
16. Finally, some rock stars aspire to be EMTs, while some EMTs aspire to be rock stars.
As of October 2007, David Lee Roth returned to singing for Van Halen, and plans for an upcoming world tour are in the planning stages.
Apparently when Dave signed on to be a paramedic, he missed the memo stating the biggest difference between the two professions is how much money you could earn. Come to think of it, so did I.
So, as I leave you with this column to digest, think of me cooped up in my basement eagerly trying to master the guitar. However for me, playing the guitar is strictly for fun. I wouldn't trade anything for being the low-paid "other rock star."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
Hey Shawn, nice article. Nice to read something on the light side once in awhile. It brought a smile to my face on a monday morning!! Keep up with the guitar practicing - you never know!!!
Happy Turkey Day!! - Nanci
I enjoy your sense of humor very much, Shawn. You make me laugh. It's great to see it in print!! Do you have a stalker like a rock star?? Maybe you need a body guard?? (WINK!) ;)
I believe Roth's father was a doctor. Actually, from what I can gather Roth is a well educated, informed and big hearted guy. And yes, Van Halen are one of my favourite bands. They were a hell of a lot of fun - a recipe for good health in itself.
Lanesborough Planners Bring STR, ADU, Signage Bylaws for Town Vote
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Planning Board held a public hearing on the much anticipated bylaws for short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units, and signage to be presented at the annual town meeting.
For the past few months, planners have diligently been working on wordage of the new bylaws after Second Drop Farm's short-term rental was given a cease and desist because the building inspector said town bylaws don't support them.
The board voted on each of the four articles and heard public comment before moving to entertain any amendments brought forward.
A lot of discussion in the STR section was around parking. Currently the drafted bylaw for parking states short-term rentals require two parking spaces, and with three or more bedrooms, require three spaces but never more than five.
There were questions about the reasons for limiting parking and how they will regulate parking renters choose to park on the lawn or the street. Planners said it is not their call, that is up to the property owner and if it is a public street that would be up to the authorities.
Some attendees called for tighter regulation to make sure neighborhoods are protected from overflow.
Lynn Terry said she lives next to one of the rented houses on Narragansett Avenue and does not feel safe with all of the cars that are parked there. She said there can be up to 10 at a time on the narrow road, and that some people have asked to use her driveway to park. She thinks limiting to five cars based on the house, is very important.
The wordage was amended to say a parking space for each bedroom of the house.
Rich Cohen brought up how his own STR at the Old Stone School helps bring in money and helps to preserve the historic landmark. He told the board he liked what they did and wants to see it pass at town meeting, knowing it might be revised later on.
He said the bylaws now should not be a "one size fits all" but may need to be adjusted to help protect neighborhoods and also preserve places like his.
After asking the audience of fewer than 20 people, the board decided to amend the amount of time an short-term rental can be reserved to 180 days total a year in a residential zone, and 365 days a year in every other zone. This was in the hopes the bylaw will be passed and help to deter companies from buying up properties to run STRs as well as protecting the neighborhood character and stability.
They also capped the stay limit of a guest to 31 days.
Cohen also asked them to add "if applicable" to the Certificate of Inspection rule as the state's rules might change and it can help stop confusion if they have incorrect requirement that the state doesn't need.
The ADU portion did not have much public comment but there were some minor amendments because of notes from KP Law, the town counsel.
Brooke Harrington scored four goals, and Abigail Rodhouse had a hat trick as Wahconah won its second straight Western Mass title and the rubber match against the Mounties in the third one-goal game between the teams this spring. click for more
Mount Greylock Regional School seventh-grader Scarlett Foley Sunday beat two opponents from Division 2 Longmeadow to capture the Western Mass Tennis Individuals Championship. click for more
Qwanell Bradley scored 33 points, and Adan Wicks added 29 as the Hoosac Valley boys basketball team won a Division 5 State Championship on Sunday. click for more
Adan Wicks scored 38 points, and the eighth-seeded Hoosac Valley basketball team Saturday rallied from a nine-point first-half deficit to earn a 76-67 win over top-seeded Drury in the Division 5 State Quarter-Finals. click for more
