What is in your cup?

[bjones6416]

Wrong place, I know, but I need to rant a little.

I got spooked on my walk this morning, in the one area that I walk where I'm not surrounded by houses. I tend to stay in the neighborhood, but toward the end of my walk I like to walk a block beside the railroad tracks and then turn and walk a block beside the high school baseball field (although on that block there are houses on the other side of the narrow street.) This morning I suddenly came upon a furtive looking skinny guy carrying something up close to his chest just as I was turning the corner to go beside the tracks. I said my usual cheery "Good morning!" because I'm a firm believer in looking people in the eye and exuding confidence, but he didn't reply which put my guard up a little. He had appeared to be going in the other direction, but I felt that prickly feeling on the back of my neck so when I got to the corner of the ball field I looked back, and saw that he was matching my (pretty fast) pace and looking at me, seeming as if he were trying to catch up with me. I carry pepper spray in my pocket only because my nephew insists, but I've never felt the need to even get it out. I did today, though, and crossed the street away from the ball field and over to the houses, and walked up some stranger's driveway to their front steps, then turned around. He had disappeared, either behind the dugouts or back the way he came. I went on home, but my beautiful cool cloudy walk was really spoiled by this. I REFUSE to let one person mess up the joy I get in my early morning walks, but I guess I'll skip that part of the route for a few days anyway. Or maybe just avoid it on weekends, when it really is pretty deserted over there.

[Aurora W]

Originally Posted by maianhvk

And one question: why do officers always shout when giving orders (and we're supposed to yell back)? Can't they turn down the volume? I'm the first in line so the sound effect is pretty awesome

Military instructors do the same thing here. Unless you REALLY messed up, in which case mine (at least) used to come over and talk to you very quietly.

For some reason, that was worse than getting yelled at.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Wrong place, I know, but I need to rant a little.

Right place. We're friends and we care...

I carry pepper spray in my pocket only because my nephew insists, but I've never felt the need to even get it out. I did today,

Your nephew is wise. Listen to him.
You plan for what your enemies 'can do,' not what they might do.
And from now on, carry a 'pealess' referee's whistle too. You can buy them in any sporting goods store. And don't keep it in your pocket. Keep it on an elastic wrist band where you can get to it instantly and you don't have to worry about fumbling and dropping it.

You may think twice or even three times before using that pepper spray, assuming you can get it out of your pocket in time when you really need it. You won't miss a beat to blow the whistle, and you don't have to worry about making a mistake. Better safe than sorry.

I think it's a sad state of affairs that we need to think this way. But the fact is, that in today's world we DO need to think this way.

I spent several years teaching 'Self Defense for Women' at a college in Vermont. I can't tell you how many letters I've received over the years from ex-students thanking me for their whistles...

I REFUSE to let one person mess up the joy I get in my early morning walks, but I guess I'll skip that part of the route for a few days anyway. Or maybe just avoid it on weekends, when it really is pretty deserted over there.

No need to skip that part. No need to let the bad guys win, and take away your personal power by their presence. If you REALLY want to take back the streets, you can find little pocket AIR HORNS that are loud enough to back off a bear being sold in many sporting good stores and bicycle shops. (It roars a lot louder than they can!) Only don't carry it in your pocket. Keep it in your hand when you feel you may have attracted the wrong attention. NOBODY will go up against that horn. It's just too painful to the ears! (Don't point it at yourself to try...)

You should be able to walk the streets and feel comfortable. Just remember the Six "P's"

Spoiler:

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

Stitchawl

[Iridal]

Originally Posted by maianhvk

Hi everyone. Long time no see

First week of "military training", actually it's called "national defense education", was over. Damn it was so tiring. Have to wake up at 5:30 am, I sleep anywhere I can lie down: at my friend's, in the uni's hall, in classroom... I'm glad to be reading your posts here instead of shooting.

Speaking of shooting, I know I'm not destined to be a hitman

So that's where you got to. I was wondering where you were! Military training sounds stupid ...

Originally Posted by maianhvk

@ Iri: So she's Oni, huh? She looks much bigger. Not cute anymore, she looks... proud. Ladylike.

Not cute?!? She's the very definition of cute And officialy she's called Onigiri. I lost her a while ago. I searched everywhere and started thinking up the worst scenario's. What if she got into the washing machine ... What if she jumped out of a window ... But she had crawled in a cupboard to sleep Stupid kitten, scaring my like that.

I just finished a pot of Rooibos Aronia Acerola. Now I'm going to enjoy some leek soup.

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

You may think twice or even three times before using that pepper spray, assuming you can get it out of your pocket in time when you really need it. You won't miss a beat to blow the whistle, and you don't have to worry about making a mistake. Better safe than sorry.


Stitchawl

Maybe I will get a whistle. And of course, this guy may have been absolutely innocent of any malicious intent. Maybe he was hurrying to get to the bus stop or something. The thing is, I try not to ignore that gut feeling of "DANGER!" If something or somebody makes my skin crawl, I'm outa there.

Thanks for the reassurance and support.

[maianhvk]

@ bjones: phew, bad morning, but at least you're safe! I doubt you want to come back to the crime scene tomorrow Is that a safe area for joggers, you know, without crime and addicts and stuff? Can you ask someone to jog with you?

@ Iri: cute is used for small things. Oni is a big girl now. She looks kinda mature, and confident...

[Latinandgreek]

Rant away, Betty. I am glad that you were o.k., and as Stitchawl says, better safe than sorry. I think that is wise to trust your gut feeling.

I'm off to make some Vanilla Earl Grey.

[astra]

Originally Posted by Iridal

Vanille Latte Macchiatto. I'm going to spend the whole day lying on the couch with a book And then tonight ... Gentse Feesten!!!

Have fun!

Originally Posted by maianhvk

Hi everyone. Long time no see

First week of "military training", actually it's called "national defense education", was over. Damn it was so tiring. Have to wake up at 5:30 am, I sleep anywhere I can lie down: at my friend's, in the uni's hall, in classroom... I'm glad to be reading your posts here instead of shooting.

Speaking of shooting, I know I'm not destined to be a hitman



Yes, unfortunately it is. I'm supposed to fail if I don't focus in class, disobey orders... It's a compulsory subject in high schools, colleges and universities here.

And next week would be all lectures about building armies. Exhausting. Listening to Marxist opinions on war for a week makes me feel like we're about to be sent to battles really soon

And one question: why do officers always shout when giving orders (and we're supposed to yell back)? Can't they turn down the volume? I'm the first in line so the sound effect is pretty awesome

Heh...been there done that.
We had similar training camps and military training lessons in schools&universities in the xUSSR that I mostly managed to avoid but got caught by IDF

Sergeants are supposed to break you (or your spirit) then re-shape/re-model you to suit the Army needs. When you are in the Army you are the Army's property


A cup of Iron Goddess of Mercy

[orlok]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

The thing is, I try not to ignore that gut feeling of "DANGER!" If something or somebody makes my skin crawl, I'm outa there.

Always go with your gut - it's usually right.

Stitchawl's advice is sound, the whistle is a great idea.

In my cup: Caramel Latte

[Ivy]

I asked my boyfriend to buy me a pepper spray after reading this now...

He asked why, I explained and then he said this>

I'll get you a knife too, and a stun gun...if you want

Overreacting much?

[Iridal]

Originally Posted by maianhvk

@ Iri: cute is used for small things. Oni is a big girl now. She looks kinda mature, and confident...

Oh yes, she's all grown up now. 7 weeks is very mature Trust me, she's still a little baby, there's nothing mature about her

Originally Posted by astra

Have fun!

Thanks, I will At least I will if the rain clears up. I'm not going out roaming the streets in this kind of weather

Originally Posted by orlok

Always go with your gut - it's usually right.

Stitchawl's advice is sound, the whistle is a great idea.

In mu cup: Caramel Latte

I would have been scared too, walking up to a house was a very smart thing to do!

In my cup: coke zero decaf

[astra]

Belated post dinner Pu-Erh aged.

[poohbear_nc]

Campari & soda - perfect with fish dinner!

@Betty - ALWAYS trust your gut!

[orlok]

Crabbies over ice and lemon. Yummy.

[astra]

The last cuppa for today.
Finest Keemun Mao Feng.