While Tom Carpenter toiled as a CPA, he realized something didn't add up.
He worked at a firm in Los Angeles, returned to Tucson and forged his own accounting business, but something was missing.
"I always wanted to be a firefighter," said Carpenter, who earned an accounting degree from the University of Arizona in 1985.
"It wasn't hard to make the break because I was just in a place where I needed the change," he said. "I'm just not a person that can sit behind a desk. I need to interact with people."
So when the chance to join Rural/Metro Fire Department came up in 1991, the Salpointe Catholic High School grad traded his suits for firefighter garb.
"It takes an act of God to get a tie around my neck right now," the 48-year-old said, laughing.
People are also reading…
Carpenter added a stint with the Mount Lemmon Fire Department a year later, then tested for the Tucson Fire Department in 1994.
In his 17 years with TFD, Carpenter moved up the ranks to captain.
He also branched out in other ways since his number-crunching days.
"I think that life presents endless opportunities for challenges," Carpenter said. "If you don't learn something new each day, you're probably not challenging yourself."
In 2002, he helped start Crystal Ridge, a four-member bluegrass band that plays originals and covers. The Chicago native plays guitar and sings.
"There's only so many hours in the day," he said. "It's important to find the things important to you and balance your day so you can wrap yourself around them."
The band is working on its second CD. Its eponymous debut album sells on Amazon.com for $17 and at gigs for $10.
Crystal Ridge practices - "that's a loose term," he says - at the 800-square-foot home Carpenter shares with Howie, a 3-year-old Jack Russell terrier.
The band plays a gig or so a month, usually at Frog and Firkin or occasionally in California.
More recently, Carpenter has been all about sustainability.
"I think the common person can make a huge difference - I think I'm living proof of that," he said. "I don't have a degree in chemistry; I'm not a diesel mechanic. But I've learned enough to actually make a difference."
Carpenter converted his 1997 Dodge truck to run on salvaged vegetable oil in 2005 and his 1987 VW van to run on biodiesel fuel a couple of years ago.
"I feel like I can drive down the road guilt-free and not contribute to our demand for foreign oil," said Carpenter, noting that he decided to do this "over a bunch of beers - I said, 'I can do this.' "
He collects used vegetable oil from local restaurants and has a setup in his 1,200-square-foot garage to convert the vegetable oil.
"It's pretty nice to be able to go to San Diego and back - twice - for about $4," he said of his truck.
Carpenter has persuaded seven fellow firefighters to convert their vehicles to run on vegetable oil, too.
"You're never wrong to follow your dreams," he said.
Carpenter's Advice
1. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. They're the best learning tool that you have.
2. It's possible to learn anything if you just take your time. You need basic knowledge before you can tackle a big project.
3. People who know what they're doing are your best source of knowledge.
4. You're never too old to make a change.
5. Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. You're going to learn a lot more by listening than talking about what you've already done.
If you go
• What: Crystal Ridge Bluegrass Band.
• When: 6 p.m. Jan. 17.
• Where: Frog and Firkin, 874 E. University Blvd.
• Cost: Free; must be at least 21 to enter.
