Wednesday, December 8, 2010

cops have hobbies too

Something that has been cracking me up lately is the apparent shock that HF has other interests than being a police officer. It's true! He actually enjoys other things than guns, ammunition, working out, chest bumping, etc. Has everyone forgotten that just two years ago he was doing the same things that they like to do for fun? He just has a different day night job now.

I find myself wondering if I used to assume all police officers were jocks that were into bullying and shooting things up. Nope. I don't think I ever assumed that all cops were just tough guys in one form or another. Granted, some of them are, but I think if you look a little closer, you will find that cops are more than just "thugs with a gun" (to quote my favorite misrepresentation of the po po by the general public).

I love to see the mouths drop to the floor when I answer questions about HF's education. He went to an art school back east for painting and printmaking and then he transferred to the university that I was attending out west to be closer to me and changed his major because he didn't think being an artist would take care of a family (I never said anything that persuaded him to do this, and told him he could do whatever he wanted to do, but THANK GOD). He got a degree in Psychology and next year he is planning on starting on his MPA degree. People find it so strange that he went to art school. He is still passionate about art. His most recent piece of work was an oil commissioned by me for the guest bathroom. He currently gives our daughter art lessons. She shares his passion for art.

The other love in HF's life is music. He taught himself to play the guitar as a teenager and enjoyed writing his own music and performing it at local coffee shops and wherever else he could. When we were living at opposite sides of the country, he sent me a CD of his music. I swooned. I still love listening to him sing and play and I know he wishes he could do it more. He would love to be able to perform and record his own music and make a living as a musician. He makes up the best songs to sing to our kids and before GLEE made it famous, I overheard him singing a beautiful acoustic version of Journey's Don't Stop Believin' for the kids at bedtime. They loved it, but probably not as much as me. He loves tape cassette players. Any kind. He kind of collects them. He also owns more tape cassettes than any other human I'm sure. I have tried so many times to get him to donate his tape collection, but I no longer ask because I think it hurts his feelings. He wins any and all music trivia questions.

He still enjoys all things manly. He enjoys guns not just for training purposes. He loves playing airsoft as much as I will let him play (airsoft is the one thing that makes me not happy-long story), he loves video games, camping, hiking, all things outdoors and sporty, he is a search and rescue volunteer, he is a survival enthusiast. He is a gear whore. He researches and tries out all kinds of gear and among his friends and family, he is the go to guy about gear. He is also well read and loves to watch movies. He can browse at the library like no one else, and then when he brings home movies for date night, I want to scratch my eyeballs out because they are things like the biography of Abraham Lincoln or some old western or weird sci-fi, etc. But I like that about him.

The most surprising thing in my opinion, is that people can't understand how "a guy like HF could be a cop" because he is so nice and sweet and funny (They haven't seen him with his game face on). He has never been the stereotype that people attribute to cops. But I think his personality makes him a great cop. I think it takes all kinds to make a good cop. HF is a people person. He has a way of making people calm down and trust him. That doesn't mean he doesn't know how to react in other ways when necessary however. He is a good guy. He has always been good. He never went through a rebellious stage, he was always certain of who he was and what he believed and wanted in life. He follows the golden rule. He is a better parent and person than I am and he continues to show all who know him that he is a good person who loves his country and mankind. That is HF in a nutshell. I expect his rebellious streak to show up at anytime. . .

So what I want to know, is what makes you or yours so "unlike" a cop? What are your hobbies when you aren't leaping off of skyscrapers and clinging onto getaway helicopters? I want to know. I think we will see some interesting results! Things that will just shock the socks off of any non LEO readers!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad he got a degree. Most dont!

Lt said...

I coach my son's soccer team. I will do anything for my daughter, including allowing her to practice nail polish application on me. My favorite book is The Sea Wolf by Jack London. I'm half-way through my Masters in Political Science. I'm a photographer, generally sticking with the 50mm lense and natural light for my shots. Even though I'm a range instructor and former SWAT operator, I'm not that into guns. They are just another tool of no exceptional excitement to me. I love going out to breakfast. I love snowshoeing alone in the winter and being at the beach with lots of people in the summer. I love what I do. But it's not all that I am.

And I love the second to last paragraph you wrote about HF. Hopefully he read it too.

Sister Copinherhair said...

Lt...Nail polish, huh? What did you go with? Pink? Or a firey red? Or do you get a little funky with perhaps a blue? ;)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great post idea! I LOVE hearing about all the different sides of our dudes in uniform - we know the commonalities (see: uniform, etc) but the differences are sooooo interesting to me. I totally agree with your "it takes all kinds" statement. I'll do a similar post this weekend and cite you. :)

Slamdunk said...

Good for HF. I think having diverse interests on the side will keep him mentally happy during a draining job.

I was always a sports and book geek.

Genesis said...

Love this post!
Mike could care less about being with the guys at work - he can't wait to get off duty and come home. A family man above all else. I think that shatters people's perceptions of what cops are like...thankfully!

Yellow said...

wow this got me thinking. I am not sure what all T-rex likes that can't be "cop work" related some how, or at least help out the "thugs with guns" idea. But T-rex became a corrections officer when he was just 21 or 22, so not a lot of time to really find what he likes ya know. He loved paintball but says real guns are better! Video games, as most do, and Nebraska Football. He is also very intrested in Politics. I think all of that only helps with the cop look ya know.

But T-rex is the best father in the world! He plays with the kids in a way that I just can't. I guess I just can't see T-rex as anything but a cop. Humm, maybe I should . .

W said...

I guess we're not ones to talk. The husband loves guns and hunting, wishes he had a pilot's license, in the military and would enjoy jumping out of planes.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I'm a police wife as well, and am so happy to have come across your blog. :)

My husband seems very similar to HF in that he is definitely a people person, and nice, sweet, and funny. The other day our priest asked me if there ever is a time that Mark isn't smiling. I'm sure there is, especially when he's on duty, but I know he uses his personality to keep the situation in his control.

My husband never fired a gun until he was in the academy. His degree is in Mathematics, with a minor in French. He'd rather watch "Scrubs" than "NYPD Blue".

CAcopwife said...

I enjoyed reading this and learning about HF. I think I'll go ahead and do a copycat post on everything that is CA Cop as soon as I get a break from the babies (you know how that goes). I'll link your post when I do!

Cop Mama said...

Do I count??? :-)

Pretty much everything I do away from work has nothing to do with being a police officer. I love camping, hiking, running, scrapbooking, photography, creative writing, and of course, blogging!

Ann T. said...

Dear Mrs. Fuzz,
I love this post! Yes, I don't think many people get it that a law enforcement officer has other things they like to do.

Sometimes Officer Smith talks about this a little bit--like at parties, when no one knows what to say when they learn he is a police officer. I always wonder--what's so hard about asking What do you like?

And I love to hear how happy you are. Love is the greatest.

So is art! Go HF!
Ann T.

Momma Fargo said...

Ha! Glad you personalized us coppers. We do have normals in life somewhere. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Ha! Reminds me of how kids think their teachers are sleeping at school every night. They are so shocked to hear about me when I tell them anything about something I did other than teach them! Hooray for a balanced life.

AnnouncerJoe said...

Been a cop for 15 years, before that I was the sports guy on our local TV station. I still announce local high school and college sports on some area radio stations/internet as well as provide voiceovers for commercials.

I'm a bit of a home biz addict and have turned most of my hobbies into businesses. I call them hobby/jobs - usually find a way to make some $$$ while having fun away from the streets.

www.announcerjoe.com
www.illianaslotcars.blogspot.com

RipCurlMama said...

Hubby doesn't have the typically cop look. He's a surfer and just like yours nice and sweet. I saw him be "cop" once to somebody, totally shocked me. He's also like Momma Hen where he'd much rather be home with the family.

Natalie said...

My cop is a true gamer at heart, from board games to RPG, yet he doesn't fit the stereotye of that, either. He's also into art (especially hands-on mediums) and will excitedly decorate a gingerbread house with the kiddies this weekend!

Anonymous said...

My PoPo is a very Zen'd out kinda person.... loves to read self help books and stuff about psychology. He is also working on a masters degree in counseling right now. He says that is what he wants to do after he finishes playing cops and robbers. But he has definately stated that he will not counsel criminals. For some reason he thinks that he may not be able to be objective with them. Imagine that!

John Rambo's Wife said...

My cop plays the guitar, goes to church on the Sunday's he can, used to be in a punk rock band and loves picking out little dresses for his daughters. However he has always had a love of hunting and fishing, firearms and shooting. So there are some 'stereotypes' that stick I guess. But he likes coming home to us at the end of the day. He doesn't always need to be with "the boys". I love my cop for the man that he is, not cause he walks out the door in a uniform, though it is very attractive.

I've just started reading your blog. I'm looking forward to stopping by here again.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I just started reading your blog (read a couple of entries) and I'm enjoying every moment of it. Just thought I'd let you know ;)

Keep it up :)

C