Aware of what is around you?

[shooter32]

I like to walk past someone's shopping cart and toss in a box of Magnum Size condoms when they aren't looking, then follow them to the checkout. The best was when I was in an Old Navy store, I spied a box of those clothing tags that set off the alarm and tossed one into a lady's open purse. Security wanted to look in her purse after they checked everything else, she was not getting out of the store until they knew what it was...that was funny to watch.

And you wonder why everyone's out to get ya

[tombogan03884]

I like to walk past someone's shopping cart and toss in a box of Magnum Size condoms when they aren't looking, then follow them to the checkout. The best was when I was in an Old Navy store, I spied a box of those clothing tags that set off the alarm and tossed one into a lady's open purse. Security wanted to look in her purse after they checked everything else, she was not getting out of the store until they knew what it was...that was funny to watch.

Thanos, You are a Pr!ck, But I bet your a RIOT at parties 

[Frisco]

Well....my Daddy WAS a travelin' man.

In all seriousness...in my LE career, I rarely ran into a big guy who was a bully or the instigator of a conflict.  There were exceptions, of course, but a vasy majority were just guys who wanted to go home and watch TV.

I know I don't like MY day being made longer by having to deal with someone else's foolishness.  I don't get paid to resolve other people's issues any longer.  One of the things that made dealing with my injuries easier was the realization that I would NEVER have to file another report, or go to another DV call again.   

Heck, I can't remember the last time I was even in a bar.  I avoid them like the plague (except HOOTERS, because the wings are GREAT)...just because there is SOMEONE there with a chip on their shoulder who wants to start mess with a big guy.  I can't be comfortable, because I am always looking over my shoulder.  I really don't want to run into anyone from my LE days...that won't end well.  So, I just remove myself from the equation, and don't go.  Kind of like knowing there is going to be a gunfight at X place, at Y time. I will always win, because I won't show up.   

[THE CORONER]

One thing, when I drop my wife off, I always keep the exit door in my direct line of sight. She never has to come out and hunt for me. She calls me on the cell and lets me know she is on the way out and I watch for her to exit and drive over to pick her up.

I don't mean to p*ss on your post PegLeg, as I used to do the same thing as you, and probably many other husbands do.  However, as I watched some of these people walking in and out of Wally World, my imagination began to get the better of me.  What I mean is, I became unnerved at the idea that one of these seemingly harmless; though strange and even unusual people could be phychopathic killer.  So I no longer play that game from the pickup truck anymore.  I  go in with her and we shop together.  The thought of leaving her in the store to shop alone just got the best of me.  The awareness factor can make one paranoid and even wary of those strange and unusual people whom we might think will do us or our loved ones harm.  I began to run scenerios though my mind with the "What if" factor all the time.  Maybe it's just my own personal awareness training getting the best of me?  Maybe my paranoia is normal, even justified these days.  I don't know...maybe it's just me that feels this way.  I hope not.  But one thing is for certain... I have learned not to trust much of anything from anyone these days. 

I've heard throughout my life that people are generally "good".  Perhaps.  But I wouldn't bet my life on it.  And the "game" isn't fun anymore.  I'm wary of "everyone".  I mean....how well do you really know someone?  I know, what a sad look at life I have right?  Well, I now take a more careful notice of my surroundings, then I ever did playing the game.  Am I being too serious?  Perhaps.  But in my 44 years on this earth, I've learned that even the good people I've known all my life can, will, and do turn on you.  Family, friend, or foe, you never really know what is in the heart of others.  So I carefully and quietly hold on to my loved ones, my right to bear arms, and my humanity.  I'm a good man, with a good up bringing.  I'm compassionate, and I care about my fellow man, but I won't be his victim.  I hope I never have to draw my weapon on anyone ever.  But I will when the "If" factor comes to life.  Yet, even a justified shooting has complications after the fact, that are enormous no matter how you look at it.

The Coroner
 

[PegLeg45]

I don't mean to p*ss on your post PegLeg, as I used to do the same thing as you, and probably many other husbands do.  However, as I watched some of these people walking in and out of Wally World, my imagination began to get the better of me.  What I mean is, I became unnerved at the idea that one of these seemingly harmless; though strange and even unusual people could be phychopathic killer.  So I no longer play that game from the pickup truck anymore.  I  go in with her and we shop together.  The thought of leaving her in the store to shop alone just got the best of me.  The awareness factor can make one paranoid and even wary of those strange and unusual people whom we might think will do us or our loved ones harm.  I began to run scenerios though my mind with the "What if" factor all the time.  Maybe it's just my own personal awareness training getting the best of me?  Maybe my paranoia is normal, even justified these days.  I don't know...maybe it's just me that feels this way.  I hope not.  But one thing is for certain... I have learned not to trust much of anything from anyone these days. 

I've heard throughout my life that people are generally "good".  Perhaps.  But I wouldn't bet my life on it.  And the "game" isn't fun anymore.  I'm wary of "everyone".  I mean....how well do you really know someone?  I know, what a sad look at life I have right?  Well, I now take a more careful notice of my surroundings, then I ever did playing the game.  Am I being too serious?  Perhaps.  But in my 44 years on this earth, I've learned that even the good people I've known all my life can, will, and do turn on you.  Family, friend, or foe, you never really know what is in the heart of others.  So I carefully and quietly hold on to my loved ones, my right to bear arms, and my humanity.  I'm a good man, with a good up bringing.  I'm compassionate, and I care about my fellow man, but I won't be his victim.  I hope I never have to draw my weapon on anyone ever.  But I will when the "If" factor comes to life.  Yet, even a justified shooting has complications after the fact, that are enormous no matter how you look at it.

The Coroner/Ruger P97 .45
The Toetagger/Ruger LCP
 

Your point is well taken, and I'm not the type to get riled up when someone offers a differing opinion than mine. Times are changing at a more rapid rate than in years past and the paranoia you speak of may well be justified, even in areas that once were considered benign.

I do accompany my wife (more than I used to) into and out of many smaller shopping places and even into and out of wally world sometimes, if it is a quick 'in-and-out-get-it-and-go' trip. However, on some of the longer 'marathon' shopping excursions, due to circumstances beyond my control, I just can't tag along with her everywhere. If I tried to go in and keep pace or go the same distances she does, I'd be stuck in bed for three days on pills and heating pads.
I don't use the electric carts in wally world because they hurt worse than walking (and they are usually taken up by someone that really don't need it anyway) and I don't want to become dependent on them.

I have tried to get my wife to re-evaluate her shopping habits and go to smaller stores like the locally owned grocery stores, but inevitably, they don't have what she is looking for.

She loves guns and hunting and such, but says she is not ready for CCW yet. But she is coming around to my way of thinking.

We don't live in a perfect world, and a little 'well-thought-out-paranoia' in the right dosage can't be a bad thing, because you and m58 are the LAST two guys I want to do business with.

We just have to prepare ourselves as best we can.

Thanks for making me think a little.

[Sponsor]

[Frisco]

Heck...I want my wife to accompany ME to Wally World.   

She is a cop after all.

Strangely though...I DO still feel the need to be her grizzer bear knight in fuzzy armor.

It could be that old cop machismo that still runs though my veins.  I can't say for sure.  But one thing IS for sure...she takes the security of our family just as seriously as I do.  Until she became a cop, she didn't realize how "real" the "real world" really can be.  Even living out in a small town as we do.

CORONER and PegLeg...I think both of you are on the same trail, just not at the same place on that trail yet.

[CZShooter]

Just because you're paranoid...doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

I constantly run scenarios through my head also, and usually have multiple reactions planned out for any given situation at any given time. Maybe I'm over-compensating for my wife...she's usually in condition "transparent" (condition white would be a step up for her). She doesn't notice things even when I point them out.

[cooptire]

Just because you're paranoid...doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

I constantly run scenarios through my head also, and usually have multiple reactions planned out for any given situation at any given time. Maybe I'm over-compensating for my wife...she's usually in condition "transparent" (condition white would be a step up for her). She doesn't notice things even when I point them out.

And it is hell to have your head on a swivel, running scenarios in your mind and have her smack you in the shoulder for "looking" at other women when you are really just trying to be aware of what's out there..................No really..............I WASN"T looking at them, er, I mean her! Honest. 

[PegLeg45]

Here's one for you that I saw today.
The wife and I were out collecting pledged donations for the silent auction at our son's annual FFA awards banquet. I pulled up to a location with a rather small parking area and was not more than 10' to 15' from the entrance so I sat in the truck waiting. I noticed a guy ambling up the sidewalk in my general direction kind of nervously looking around and such, so I paid a little more attention due to the neighborhood we were in (not too awful, but some things do go on after dark). I noticed that he was looking over a few vehicles and had not noticed me yet, but when he did see me sitting there, he kind of hurried on along across the street. As he was crossing the street, his jacket kind of opened up and I noticed a ball-peen hammer stuck in his belt. I said to my self "WTF?".
Why would a guy be walking around the neighborhood with a ball-peen hammer in his belt? He didn't have a bag or any other tools like a worker or contractor would have, and he was acting nervous.
Then it kind of hit me.
A few months ago there was a string of 'smash-n-grab' auto break-ins in and burglaries going on (don't think it was in that neighborhood, but in the city limits). A ball-peen hammer would be the perfect tool for this type of work. About 15 years ago I myself was victim of a 'smash the truck window and grab what you can and then run with it' theft. Thief got about $300 out of my truck like that.

Anyway, you never know who or what you will see if you pay attention.

[ericire12]

Here's one for you that I saw today.
The wife and I were out collecting pledged donations for the silent auction at our son's annual FFA awards banquet. I pulled up to a location with a rather small parking area and was not more than 10' to 15' from the entrance so I sat in the truck waiting. I noticed a guy ambling up the sidewalk in my general direction kind of nervously looking around and such, so I paid a little more attention due to the neighborhood we were in (not too awful, but some things do go on after dark). I noticed that he was looking over a few vehicles and had not noticed me yet, but when he did see me sitting there, he kind of hurried on along across the street. As he was crossing the street, his jacket kind of opened up and I noticed a ball-peen hammer stuck in his belt. I said to my self "WTF?".
Why would a guy be walking around the neighborhood with a ball-peen hammer in his belt? He didn't have a bag or any other tools like a worker or contractor would have, and he was acting nervous.
Then it kind of hit me.
A few months ago there was a string of 'smash-n-grab' auto break-ins in and burglaries going on (don't think it was in that neighborhood, but in the city limits). A ball-peen hammer would be the perfect tool for this type of work. About 15 years ago I myself was victim of a 'smash the truck window and grab what you can and then run with it' theft. Thief got about $300 out of my truck like that.

Anyway, you never know who or what you will see if you pay attention.

Shoot or no-shoot?