What is in your cup?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

I hope you were at least using one of them secure bags...

"Pac-Safe" Messenger Bag, slash-proof against razor artists (not a problem at all in Japan, but a HUGE problem in Thailand and Malaysia,) braided cables sewn inside the shoulder straps, etc., etc. I've been around the block before... I had a manriki-gusari in my left hand... kept mostly in my pocket (I'm a lefty,) and a modified hapkido rattan cane in my right. Who looks twice at an old man with a cane? (I prefer a larger crook in my cane style.) I've trained with both. (I thought tonfa, kama, and sai might be overdoing it. All in all, I felt pretty secure.... even in Starbucks.


Stitchawl

[ProfCrash]

Love the Pac Safe bags. Great bags. I use them whenever I travel.

[CRussel]

Good looking bags, I can see the appeal. Especially in high risk areas (the Paris Metro, for example). I'm not really doing much travelling any more, but can see the appeal.

Peet's Anniversary Breakfast Blend tea. Though the way I'm feeling, I may have to brew some coffee today. I will be VERY glad when my DW gets back, finally, tomorrow evening.

[CRussel]

Feng Huang Dan Cong Oolong. One of several Dan Cong Oolongs I have here. I'm reminded how much I like Oolongs!

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

"Pac-Safe" Messenger Bag, slash-proof against razor artists (not a problem at all in Japan, but a HUGE problem in Thailand and Malaysia,) braided cables sewn inside the shoulder straps, etc., etc. I've been around the block before... I had a manriki-gusari in my left hand... kept mostly in my pocket (I'm a lefty,) and a modified hapkido rattan cane in my right. Who looks twice at an old man with a cane? (I prefer a larger crook in my cane style.) I've trained with both. (I thought tonfa, kama, and sai might be overdoing it. All in all, I felt pretty secure.... even in Starbucks.


Stitchawl

Cool. That is one of the reason I am studying Escrema currently, most of what you do with that can be done with large number of easily findable things, while some other weapons are very specific.

[Stitchawl]

What a day for a daydream
What a day for a daydreamin' boy
And I’m lost in a daydream
Dreamin ‘bout my bundle of joy

And even if time ain’t really on my side
It’s one of those days for takin' a walk outside
I’m blowin’ the day to take a walk in the sun
And fall on my face on somebody's new mowed lawn

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCotUwReUDs )


Good morning, everyone! Great huge mug of East India Company's "English Breakfast" tea, a teppanade made with Kalamata olives, spread on home made tortillas (Yippee! I'm using up stuff from the shelves!) and then it's back to the boxes. Today is the day to start removing decorations from the walls. I've been holding off to try to keep the place looking a bit nicer for the prospective buyers, but time's getting short....

Originally Posted by CRussel

Good looking bags, I can see the appeal. Especially in high risk areas (the Paris Metro, for example). I'm not really doing much travelling any more, but can see the appeal.

PacSafe makes a large variety of high quality security travel items. And while nothing will stop a determined thief, these things will certainly give them good reason to pick a different target. I use the steel mesh pack cover on my larger camera bags, with the security cable fastening the bags to immovable objects. My wallet has anti-RFID Scanner linings, as does my passport cover. My wife likes the anti-slash fanny pack as it's small and light weight. And there is nothing quite as effective as their 'Travel Safe' when in areas where you need to leave things (passport, cash, etc.) with the Front Desk at guest houses in Third World countries. Sure beats the envelop they give you to put your stuff in...
[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Cool. That is one of the reason I am studying Escrema currently, most of what you do with that can be done with large number of easily findable things, while some other weapons are very specific.

Escrima, kuntaousilat, kali... all great for that. There is always something around that can work. Combine 25 years of teaching Kung-fu, 20 years of competitive fencing, a dash of Aikido, and a bit of Escrima, and a whole ration of street, and the cane works wonders for me and I can even carry it onto the plane. Being made of rattan, it's so light weight no one ever considers that it could be a weapon. It used to be that way for the Kubotan too, but those days are long gone.

More tea... and more tape and bubble wrap....


Stitchawl

[MrDoug]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Have some fun with a good practical joke.... (No one get's harmed in any way)

Very carefully wash out a Windex bottle. Wash it several times... Then fill it with blue Powerade or Gatorade, etc. and put the nozzle back on. (Be sure to wash the nozzle several times too... Then sit on a park bench with a good book, and every once in a while, give yourself a good drink through the nozzle (very nonchalantly of course) of the Windex bottle. You might want to have a friend secretly filming the reactions to people seeing you do this.

In the same vein, try filling a large Brand Name mayonnaise jar (after washing it out, of course,) with vanilla pudding, and sitting on the park bench eating it with a spoon...

Life is too short to take it seriously.


Stitchawl

Good idea .. I will try it.. My wife is photographer and she can take some candid street shots!

[The Terminator]

Just some tea, nothing fancy.


Hi everyone. Long time no visit.

[dreams]

Hi Terminator

Coffee in my cup and apricots, strawberries, grapes, and banana slices on my plate.
*Wishing I still had M&M's though.*

[CRussel]

Hi, Terminator. Welcome back!

Diet Coke with dinner. (I know, horrible.) But some fresh squeezed orange juice to take my pills with.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by The Terminator

Just some tea, nothing fancy.


Hi everyone. Long time no visit.

Hey there! Long time and all that schnizzle!

[Stitchawl]

Welcome back, Terminator. I do seem to recall you saying something to the effect of 'I'll be back...'

Afternoon tea time with a mug of Bigalow's English Breakfast tea. Surprisingly good...

Stitchawl

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by The Terminator

Just some tea, nothing fancy.

Iced water in my cup. Well, it was iced twenty minutes ago. Now it's just cool water.

Welcome back!

[desertblues]

Well, about the Safe-travel bags and such. I'm always in two minds about that.
Especially in the South Americas, thieves are getting desperate: I know the story of a friend of a friend of mine who travelled there with a sturdy bag......the thieves got at her with a knife to slash the bag....that didn't work and she ended up in hospital as she was cut up.

When traveling in Central-Asia, China, Iran or other countries that don't have many ATM's or money change facilities: I take cash with me for the whole of the journey and will have two pockets on the front of my trousers. In the one I stash all money and in the other one my passport, the flap secured with velcro and a safety pin inside. I will not ever defend my backpack or bag with my life.......not even for my iPad that goes where I go.

As I often travel alone, I will not go near a bank or ATM; as not to get into trouble. And I always keep small change in my pocket, for the market/tips and such.

When traveling in Europe, it depends on the country. Obviously most countries are safe if one proceeds with the normal caution.

At one time I cruised the USA for a month from one cheap lodging (with coupons) to the next....nothing happened. The traffic was more disciplined and less crowded than in my own country. But the day after I got back home, I did some shopping on my bike and when I left the store, my bike was stolen.....

In my cup: hot Rooibos papaya.

[ProfCrash]

Welcome Back! Hope you stay around.

I miss old friends.....