Anxiety

jyl · jyl's Garage

I hesitated to post this but oh well.

Events of late, local and not, have many people I know feeling more apprehensive. I'm not talking about the current market correction or goings-on in Washington DC. I'm talking about outright violence.

It seems that every couple weeks there is another mass shooting, some get a lot of attention (11 shot dead in the PA synagogue) and others barely a mention (just today, McDonalds' shooting, Riverside shooting, etc).

Bomb attempts are in the news, and while the Florida guy was targeting specific people, we know the domestic terrorism tradition actually leans more toward mass attacks via bombs in public places.

Locally here in Portland, we regularly have fighting all over downtown in what are ostensibly protests but have become rolling riots. My city has become a focus for flag-festooned, gun-carrying right-wing extremist organizations like "Patriot Prayer" and "Proud Boys", and our local left-wing extremist groups have been all too eager to do battle amid the CS gas and riot cordons.

On a more pedestrian note, reports of knife attacks and shootings are up, and some involve random or misidentified victims.

Like presumably most of us, my daily life is usually remote from such events. But lately the distance is shrinking. Two men had their throats cut by an attacker on the light rail train at the station that I use. The streets around my office are regularly shut down by riot police. Police are now guarding our local synagogues where many of my friends worship.

I haven't carried a weapon for a long time. My CCW goes unused, unless I'm going to be in a sketchy place late at night, which I avoid being. But on Saturday, as we were going out, I just had a weird feeling so I buckled on the holster under my tuxedo (Halloween outfit). And spent the rest of the evening wondering, why am I wearing this "spoon"? Why do I feel like I need to be? And, since I'm basically a gear-head, am I wearing the right cutlery?

Anyway, no real point to this post. Just sharing what's on my mind. And if anyone wants to trade a S&W 442 + $ for a G26 . . .

vash · vash's Garage

glock 26 would a good call.

good luck J.

fastfredracing · 10-29-2018, 07:53 AM

I don't want to do public events any more . Get me in a music hall, or movie theater, and I sort of feel trapped. I get it. Not being paranoid either.
I'm sure all the past victims thought it would not happen to them either.
Its not to the point where I will quit going out, but the thought does cross my mind . Large sporting events, music concerts, festivals, places or worship, shopping malls,
Its fkin nuts out there anymore .

Baz · Baz's Garage

'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I don't want to do public events any more . Get me in a music hall, or movie theater, and I sort of feel trapped.

I've been that way for a long time, so I understand. Crowds make me nervous. I want to know my escape route wherever I am. I think it's gotten worse since I moved out into the sticks. I look out my window and all I see are trees or the horizon. The more I'm away from people, the more nervous I get when I have to be around them.

sammyg2 · 10-29-2018, 08:05 AM

Quote:

what is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you... ...and to hear the lamentation of their women.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=conan-the-barbarian

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

That's beautiful Baz.

Every morning after I exercise I float in the hot tub and look down into the ravine. Sometimes there are deer and muskrats, usually a heron or kingfisher, always the trickling of the stream flowing over the rocks.

sammyg2 · 10-29-2018, 08:28 AM

pwd72s · 10-29-2018, 08:46 AM

I do indeed enjoy living outside of a small town, along a lightly travelled road that goes nowhere.

id10t · 10-29-2018, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=conan-the-barbarian

As for taking a spoon with ya... if'n you are wearing a tux ESPECIALLY as part of a halloween costume, the only suitable choice for carry is a Walther PPK. And you must drink martinis all night long...

ckelly78z · 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I do indeed enjoy living outside of a small town, along a lightly travelled road that goes nowhere.

Almost verbatum to what I was going post.....I work about 10 miles away from home, on the edge of a small town. I will curb going to large public gatherings for awhile. as long as the political statement idiots are trying to sway the vote, or protesting the results.

I haven't resorted to carrying my CCW yet, but will if I see things escalating....I have it at arm's reach in my car if trouble wants to find me.

tabs · 10-29-2018, 09:03 AM

My prophecy is all coming to pass as you speak. The swirl of madness is consuming you like a the proverbial frog in the boiling water...ants on a hot tin plate running about frantically trying to get away from the heat...

There is no safety anywhere...

Bell Book and Candle....welcome to the environment you have created.

dad911 · 10-29-2018, 09:20 AM

Since I've had a few friends and relatives die in fires, I am very aware of my situation in public, enclosed spaces. Always try to be near a fire exit, closer as the crowd gets larger.

However, we were almost trampled at a New Years celebration a few years ago.

And since the nightclub shooting, I tend to avoid crowds where there is no security. Passed on watching a parade yesterday.

Went to a bar with live music last week, joked with security when he patted us down. He related they found multiple knives, and a gun that evening.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

My prophecy is all coming to pass as you speak.

You predicted every kind of doom and gloom imaginable, so that's a given.

stomachmonkey · 10-29-2018, 10:09 AM

Yup, I find myself consciously checking every person that walks into a movie theatre while we are waiting for the film to start. Making note of are they alone, where are they sitting.

Similar for other public events like orchestra concerts at my kids school.

Visited my daughter at Wash U this weekend.

They have a tower that overlooks most of the campus. Walking across a large quad that was being set up for parents BBQ I could not take my eyes off the thing. If I were intent on causing mayhem the tower is where I would have done it from.

What aggravates me the most I think is I feel like it forces me to think like a bad guy, if I where to do this here and now, how would I.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

That's beautiful Baz.

Every morning after I exercise I float in the hot tub and look down into the ravine. Sometimes there are deer and muskrats, usually a heron or kingfisher, always the trickling of the stream flowing over the rocks.

Nice, Patrick. Very serene......