posted
It seems that I am spending more and more time in the shop after my husband leaves at night or maybe he just isnt there that day. I usually seems that its well after dark before I think about my own protection. I then lock the doors.
My landlord did put up motion lights but I still get a little nervious walking 20 feet to my van. I am in the city and before the motion lights, my parking lot used to be a great place for kids to do what kids do in the dark. On Mondays we would have to go clean up teh parking lot as we would find panties and condoms back there. Its amazing kids would go there because just over my back fence where they would park, is the Taco Bell parking lot and drive thru.
Anyway, ladies, anyone else in this situation? Ever had a scarey situation? Every so often I think about being robbed and keep thinking that I should get some cameras. I would be the worst business to rob as I try to only keep $60.00 in the till.
[ February 16, 2006, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
Laura, when I had a storefront I felt like you did. I did indeed lock the doors when night approached. A shop dog btw is a wonderful idea and great companion to boot!
My ex husband put up a fake camera in the corner of my shop with a flashing light on it to simulate it was taping. It made quite the impression on my customers throughout the day, they'd talk to me but lose their words when their eyes made contact with it when they thought they were being taped. LOL
I was connected to a bodyshop so I attempted to leave when they did so I wasn't completely alone, but there are those times that you just are. Just lock up and don't open the door to anyone you didn't invite after hours is the only suggestion I can make. Blinds on all the windows and doors can also give you privacy at night rather than you being totally illuminated for all to see.
posted
Yeah, I know what you mean, it's just one of the resons I no longer live in a city... My shop is in a tiny village and even though things happen occasionally, I feel safe. Sometimes I wonder if we are not all a bit paranoid from watching too much "CSI" and "America's Most Wanted" and all that other stuff they're feeding us non-stop on TV
posted
Good thing to be aware of fact danger may lurk, being forewarned is good advice, being aware of your surroundings is number one piece of advice to give you ladies...not just noting ppl. around you, but where, say in Laura's case, you park your car. Park car where it can be seen from office, if surrounded by thugs when leaving, don't leave, call police... Another tip is to call someone on cellphone and be talking to a live person until safely in car and underway, if something goes wrong, you can forward important information, like, sex, color, features, car driven, or whatever...plus the act of you on phone adds to thugs list of things to go wrong, making you a less attractive target... A dog of course, makes an excellent guard, their bark drives off most, and if it's a little dog that yaps, thugs hate them the worst, won't shut up...other pets works just as good; geese for instance, almost any bird, they can sense stuff, sometimes it takes training the eye to notice changes in birds behavior, but birds know... As simple as it seems, a alarm company sign displayed promintately in front yard works well also... The whole thing is to make yourself as unattractive to a thug as you can and at same time, become aware of them and like a mears cat colony when one approaches, the damndest noise and catawhaller of all times takes place telling everyone in earshot that an undesirable is in the neighborhood and everyone beware!!! Result? Thugs go elsewheres for pickn's, you see, down deep these thugs are cowards and everyone knows that cowards don't have faces, just footprints...do anything to threathen that and thug will go away and look elsewhere....hope these little seeds of advice help you feel more comfortable at home and around your territory...
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
Being raised in East Los Angeles, I have learned to never let my guard down. I always watch my surroundings. Sometimes, if I'm the only one in the "yard" or "job site" I bring my dog. She is my alarm. I also will keep my exacto blade knife handy. You know about us Latinas and knifes.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Another vote for a dog here, and for keeping your car parked closer and in clearer view too. If I ever sensed anything "out there" before walking out, I'd not hesitate to call someone for an escort.
There is a really good book I recommended once on here before, many moons ago. I'll mention it again now. It's called "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin DeBecker, and it talks about listening to your instincts.
One of the points it makes is that animals sense danger and then act on it. They don't reason like humans do, so they don't make excuses and try to rationalize situations that don't "feel" good to them.
Women especially, may be uneasy about something, yet pass that feeling off as being silly, or don't want to be rude ... or whatever. They'll take risks for the sake of being "nice".
The book also talks about warning signs and reading people's motives.
It's not a book that makes you paranoid or anything, it just shows you things to look for, ways to handle situations, and encourages you to use your instincts.
I loved the book, and have read it many times. It's got a permanent home on my bookshelf.
Nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
posted
Another thing you can do: I have a motion activated driveway alarm. The beeper that came with the unit wasn't loud enough so I went to Radio Shack, bought a 100+ decibel one, and wired that into it. It was simple to do but now that thing is loud.
But a good dog could probably sense an approach before they enter alarm range. I think dogs are good about sensing bad vibes from people too.
[ February 17, 2006, 08:36 AM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Thanks for the great input, Frank - all good ideas.
I admit that sometimes I lock the door when everyone else leaves. I have had some very strange characters come through the door in daylight hours when I'm here alone. I set them straight right off the bat, and let them know I'm not afraid. That's usually not what they expect, and it throws them for a loop.
I've learned to trust my instincts, and to confront someone under those circumstances. If I don't - even if I've only been scared or made uncomfortable, then I still feel like a victim. And I refuse to be a victim.
posted
i letter on location after hours for alot of my customers. sometimes i'll be in a huge garage all alone at 8 or 9pm...i feel i live in a fairly safe environment...but lets face it there's rapists, robbers and freakshows everywhere. there have been a few times when some of the truckers have showed up while i was there cause they were late getting back from a haul or something and i startled them...but then again there have been a few that have to come over and start chatting while they pop open their "bud" and proceed to tell me their twisted life story...that's the time i want to run! haha but i have thought about it from time to time...cause some of those boyz are pretty scarey looking. i make sure my exacto is always in my hand so i could easily poke out an eye or slit a throat vein. i wouldn't want to fuk with me if i was predator...i would be a crazy bytch if someone was threatening my well being. i used to carry a concealed weapon when i did bank cleaning at nite but haven't felt the need to pack when lettering..yet anyway. plus the fact i'm a fairly big rugged woman..i think alot of these losers like to prey on the meek...i don't think i look meek and whimpy.
always good to stay strong and be totally aware of your surroundings though.
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
When I lived in town I eventually had a little portable building right behind my house for a shop. It was just me and my oldest daughter who was then about 5. She was about 9 or 10 when I got the little 'shop' building.
My front yard was about 15' deep...on a 5 lane highway. Lots of 'questionable' lookin' people and guys hitch-hikin' thru. Also, my drive-way was accessible to 3 homes making a circle around the house next to me with a 2-acre open-feild behind it. This was all houses and businesses along there.
Living right on a major highway, we would constantly hear police, fire trucks ambulances, jake-brakes and screeching tires and such. Every once in awhile I'd see some 'homey'-lookin' guy slinkin' thru the feild behind the houses.
But when I lived there I often worked all night, especially in the summer when it was cooler. I've always had a dog, but I can't recall any times when anyone came around to cause trouble. I never had anything stolen. I lived there for 13 years. I don't recall ever feelin' really scared, but I would lock the house while my kid was asleep and have the shop door locked while I was in there paintin'.
The one weird thing I do recall that happened there- the house had been empty awhile and not long after we moved in a bunch of kids pulled up in cars and got out and were sitting around on cars and drinkin' and comin' up on the porch and such. They were already pretty rowdy. Apparently this was their 'hang-out' and they did'nt know someone had moved in! I flipped a few lights on and they gradually got back in their cars and left.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
A dog is a great idea, but is there other shops or ppl near by, you could set up a watch on each other in the shopping community. Bad things can happen and we can plan incase something should arise. I have done this at my own home and shop, I know my neighbours and we watch out for each other. If someone comes into my yard at least two neighbours are asking questions, like " Hi, I am so and so, who are you?" amazing graffity is down and so is theft. To offten is a crime watched and the only thought is at least it is not happening to me.
posted
Laura, anything you do for 2 weeks everyday becomes a habit. Get in the habit of locking the door promptly at 5. Install a buzzer in case you're waiting for a customer afterhours. I'd also make it a habit of parking closer. If you can't park closer during the day, when your last employee leaves, walk out together & bring your car to the door then. After 2 weeks, these habits will become second nature. Frank's advice about being on the phone is great! I was going to post that myself. I'm rarely afraid, but I've done the same thing, it'll at least calm your nerves.
If you have other businesses around you, talk to them & see if you can set up a buddy system where when 1 person leaves, they call another in the complex & that person watches out the window to make sure they're in their car ok.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Before we moved to our new location, no I was not worried about being at the shop alone. Since we have moved we are located in an industrial area.
When Ron & Fernando are out of the shop, and I am here by myself, I will usually keep the door locked and only open it for clients. But I always have my babysitter with me where ever I go.
This is Sable (yes like the brush) She is a great deterrent and gives me a greater sense of safety. Because if she does not know you, she is not friendly towards you.
There has only been a few people (and they are all letterheads) that she has warmed up to right away. And one little white dog who she is afraid of...right Frank...hehe
I think that Frank has some EXCELLENT safety tips and I will be following many of them. For the most part it is up to us to make sure that we are aware of things around us. I for one am not willing to be a victim and do what I can to make sure that I am not.
-------------------- Kristi Percell 2013 Bodega Ave Petaluma, CA 94952
posted
Billie, If I got a goose than I could make a sign that said "All trespassers will be goosed."
I'm not paranoid about this. It was just a topic that I hadn't seen on the board and that I thought someone might benefit from it being discussed.
I too, like Frank's idea about the telephone. A couple other ideas of protection is that if someone comes in (while I am alone), I don't tell them I am alone. If they ask (if I am alone), I ignore them and pretend that I didn't hear them or I tell them that I my husband, another customer, etc will be right back.
Like Kissy said, I just have to get in the habit of locking the locks. Its just that sometimes I loose all track of time.
A few weeks before the meet in Detroit, an old sign guy in Detroit had been working late and some thugs broke in, robbed and killed him. What some of the local sign people said is that he wasn't hurting anyone and everyone around there liked him.
[ February 17, 2006, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
The only thing I should be slightly afraid of here at home, where my shop is....
A few nights ago while painting a sign in the barn below, my husband saw a big rat moving under the floor boards! When we cement the floor, I imagine we won't have that problem.
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
Just so you know, some of us men take precautions when we work alone at night. If I'm at my shop alone at night I always lock the door. I don't need to be surprised by someone who thinks I'm carrying a lot of money and it would be worth the trouble to take it.
Here's something that happened to me one night. A friend and I were working on his car late in the shop and when we went to leave it was dark and there was a van pulled right up to the garage door. We didn't hear it pull in but there it was with a big guy with sunglasses and a baseball hat in the passenger seat and no driver in the van . We figured the driver was lurking around so we started looking around and couldn't find him. I went up to the window and asked the guy what he was doing there he just looked at me and didn't answer. Now it was getting a little spooky. My buddy came around and we shined a light in the van. Turned out the van belonged to a customer who had an appointment for the next day and the scary guy was a mannequin he was going to use in a trade display along with his newly lettered van. He knocked on the door but we couldn't hear it with the tools going . I felt pretty stupid after that but better safe than sorry. I still lock the doors at night.
-------------------- Lou Pascuzzi www.economysigns.com Fine Hand Lettering since 1973 Danbury, Ct 203-748-4580 "IOAFS" Posts: 341 | From: Danbury, Ct | Registered: Feb 2000
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Nothing stops a criminal like a good dose of lead poisoning
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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quote:big guy with sunglasses and a baseball hat in the passenger seat....I went up to the window and asked the guy what he was doing there he just looked at me and didn't answer. Now it was getting a little spooky.....turned out....the scary guy was a mannequin
Good one Louie!
[ February 17, 2006, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Guess I'm lucky to never have been worried by things like this. We pretty much never lock our vehicles. I don't know about the kids, but the keys are usually in the ignition of my car or truck sometimes for weeks at a time. I lock the shop when I leave, but 9 times out of 10 the front door of my house (4 miles from the shop) is unlocked. Guess it's one of the perks of living out in the boonies, but I'd go crazy living in the city. There may be a pile more money, but it seems like there's an equal amount to be concerned about.
-------------------- Ed The Signwerks 1951 SR 254 Orangeville, Pa. Posts: 199 | From: Orangeville, Pa. USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
Ed, one sad day in my life, I can remember, was when I returned home to ranch from Navy for the first time and discovered locks on all outside doors...grew up on that ranch, never needed em before...truely sad.
On a lighter note; Louie sparked memory of incident in my earlier life as a working bodyguard/bounty-hunter, involving a mannequin. My partner was a fifth-staged trained, timbershepard weighing about 115 lbs, blonde as a surfer, except for black racoon style mask and nasty as all hell...I've always had a shop, no matter the sideline, and upon returning to it one early morning before dawn, to get a head start on day, as I'd worked that nite longer than normal and if I went home, I'd sleep all day, I was really tired.....so I parked, got out, "Raker" went nuts, headed right to office door, wouldn't leave office door alone and it wasn't like him to be showing how happy he was to be at office......As office is some sort of bastion of safty in ones mind, it didn't click to me right away, something was wrong within confines of my own office!!! I approached from proper angle as not to get shot in case someone or something nasty was watching from inside; tint of window prevented me from seeing inside at all, at any angle...so I stretched out and unlocked door, jabbed a peak and freaked!!! A guy was sitting in my chair, behind my desk, pointing a gun at me!!! I jerked back and pulled my weapon from holster, just in time to see my partner go thru door in my proliferal, I jumped up straight and threw door open, ready to fire at stranger when there was an opening, if need be, without shooting my dog in process...as dog and, uh, stranger went tumbling over onto floor behind desk, "Raker" had attacked by leaping onto him, over desk...I heard more than saw the next few seconds and it sounded as if "Raker" was winning, though, what I DIDN'T hear was sounds of pain and suffering, which seemed really odd.....that's when the fact "Raker" and I had attack a mannequin; put there by nephew as joke; became apparent. "Raker" had chewed it quite suffienctly, so I put a round between it's eyes, took it next door to nephew's shop and left it for him to discover and witness our answer...the mannequin was the top of an Old West slot machine, where arm had a gun in hand and ppl. pulled the arm to play machine...
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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My ex boyfriend wanted me to carry a pistol on me in play site off all people who walk in the door. This would upset certain customers. Instead, I took some targets left over from our last trip to the shooting range and taped them to the wall by the entrance door. Amazing how many people notice them. I also have a few shotgun shells rolling around on the desk and if someone is looking over when I open the desk drawer, I have 357 bullets in the tray where the paperclips should be.
I don't have to say a word, but their imaginations will usually run wild with what my capibilities may be with firearms.
I also keep my propane torch within reach and cans of brush cleaner are ready to be thrown in the face of anyone being aggresive.
As far as outside, being on the cell phone is a great idea and don't get in a habit of leaving at the same time everyday, or when working late.
I read where some rapist admitted to looking for women who have a ponytail they can grab, or women who wear high heal shoes they cannot run in very well.
A lot of good advice on this thread.
I will be reading the book Janette mentioned, and putting up more cameras this spring. I have a driveway monitor and door monitor, but want more cameras for the shop and the storage business both.
Take care and be aware.
Pam
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
This is how dangerous it got for us one nite...
I had been working at the shop about 12 hours and was ready to leave when Pat decided to work a while longer.
Her car was in the back so I told her to pull it around front andd I walked back with her just to make sure there were no goofy characters from the bar next door lurking in the parking lot. She got in to drive it around front (Main Street downtown) and I walked out the front of the shop to wait for her...she never arrived...I went back to the alley to see if anything was wrong (like the car stalled or something) she wasn't there ...now I started getting concerned so I walked the alley around to the front and there she was ...a cop had pulled her over (thinking she had just left the bar) I walked up and asked what was the problem when this cop snarled at me to "mind my own busines ...this has nothing to do with you" I quickly (in no uncertain terms) informed him she was my wife and it "was my business"...well I guess that ****ed him off and he wrote her a $72.00 ticket for driving from the back of our shop to the front without a drivers license.
So you see there are all kinds of scary things lurking out there...I was just thankful she was ok...and she was thankful to see me...we were ticked off for days and still get ticked when we think of it but it could have been a far worse situation.
[ February 18, 2006, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
posted
I want to thank Laura for bringing this post to light. It may just save someone's butt, (if not more than one).
May I suggest to everyone of all ages to take a course in self defense. It builds self awareness and gives you the physical "and" mental capability to boost self esteem and be ready and able to defend.
All seminars and trainings seem to have something different to add too. It can be intriquing as many instructors add a bit of humor and down to earth language to the info to break up the monotony. but definitely rewarding. I think all of us have faced challenging situations before in our lives, and I don't think it is going to get any better as the cities move into the quiet small towns and villages. Times are rough, and even two miles from my home was a robbery by gunpoint, the night before they suspected the same person to hold up a thrift store. Now that's different.
A click online or a trip to the library are wonderful resources, as some fellow letterheads go to the web to post info here on the bb many a time.
Information is priceless! My personal friend won national fame for her ability in woman's karate. I still am trying to get my knee and ankle joint in shape to take her courses she has been offering me for years. Still, I've learned a bit from her. (the struggle to compete in a male dominated sport took more endurance than the sport itself. I admire her mental, spiritual and emotional strength she exhibited through the five years prior. She faced some of the most dire situations in her personal and professional life to get where she is).
On a lighter note, reading Frank's post brought to mind when I first got into signpainting. Some folks had a dressed mannequin with a gun on his side sitting in a chair on the roof of their warehouse facing the main busy road I drove everyday. Ha. Bet it steered away a few unwelcome pests. Not a bad idea but he was at least in plain site to examine! except the first time I saw him, I almost went out of my skin driving. No one made them take it down in years, so I think the cops didn't mind it too, since they could tend to other areas instead!
[ February 18, 2006, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
Deb's post calls to mind our own situation.
Back in '86, we traveled quite a bit on a motorcycle--weekends and vacations. Short trips, long trips. We ran into more characters of questionable intent than a little bit. At any rate, we decided to take a karate course by way of adult education at the local high school.
I stayed with it until '93, and made brown belt 2nd degree in '90. By '93 though my age and decreasing stamina took its toll and I dropped out.
My wife on the other hand, has stayed with it to this day, and next week I will put her on a plane to California to test at Sensei Fumio Demura's dojo in Santa Ana for her 3rd degree black belt. Now, this lady is 67 years old, and her knees are beginning to give her grief. Other than that, she is in remarkable physical shape, and has competed up until fairly recently. All that aside, I would feel a small measure of sympathy for anyone who tangled with her. I'm sure there would be a lot of surprise on the part of that unfortunate. (spell that p-a-i-n.)
The point is, that one is never too old to learn self-defense, my wife being a classic example.
For those who don't know, Sensei Demura did the stunt doubling for Pat Morita in the Karate Kid movies, and is highly regarded in martial arts circles.
For myself, too old to put up a long fight, but if I could get in the first lick, so to speak, then ----well---who knows? And it won't be the fists, but the feet an attacker should be concerned about.
One other anecdote--- one of the students in our class is currently living in Japan. She is a very pretty young woman, and has run into being groped on the subway, or train. The last individual who tried that got put into a wristlock, and was held that way all the way to her station. It was all very quiet, but observed by many in the immediate vicinity. When she went to get off, and released this man, there was much bowing by those nearby who had seen this little escapade. Training pays.
FWIW
bill preston
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
When I worked in a dept store many years ago, they offered a quicky type self defence course. One tip was to hold a pen or your keys hidden in your palm at all times when walking to your vehicle. Hold it in such a way that it can instantly become a stabbing mechanism. For the keys, have one key sticking out between your index and middle finger.
Yelling was also huge on the list. Start yelling/screaming like an idiot if you fear someone approaching. Thugs don't like the noise level and tend to bolt.
Walk confidently like you mean business and make direct eye contact with everyone you see. If you slouch and look down, you're an easy target.
Check around the vehicle and inside before unlocking and climbing in.
Get in and lock up immediately.
Never 'wear' your purse around your neck then across your body as it can be used to pull you in. Better to hold it and have it simply stolen. Let it go and RUN.
If someone does get a hold of you, NEVER quit trying to get free. Kick, bite, fight, scream, twist, drop, do whatever it takes. RUN as soon as you can.
I have long forgotten the moves but one of them was that arm twisting thing. It's something that needs to be practiced continually to be remembered. If you live in a higher risk area, I'd say it's definately worth taking at least a mini course on.
posted
As far as Ladie's and fear.... It is the the ladie's of the bulletin board that I fear!
But Laura, you might just check around some of those junk yards around Detroit. to see if one of them might sell thier dog to you.
CrazyJack
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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