Posted: 11/27/2007 7:01:48 PM EDT
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I have always been slightly paranoid--not nuerotic but cautious more so than the "main stream" friends and white collar coworkers I have/ am around. I live in a destination and "quasi resort" country town. It is mix of old and new, farmland, beach and growing metro. I have also always been a gun nut. It does not figure that I never bothered to get my concealed carry permit. I usually had a pistol stashed under the seat of my car and always had a ready gun at home. Last year I had dressed for an early morning hunt. I was on my way to my favorite spot at about 4:30 am. Still dragging butt and sleepy from the hour of the morning, I pulled into a self serve gas station to get a soda (don't drink coffee) from a machine. I jumped out, went to the machine and started dropping quarters in...I never heard or sensed a thing... "Yo mannn, can I catch a ride?" came from a deep voice behind me..between me and my truck. He had worked his way up there quietly. I have no panic tendancies but this was as close as I have come to flat out shitting my pants. I knew, even before spinning around, I was at a disadvantage. That dark lit station lot was the last place expected to be taken out. My eyes were just enough adjusted to the dark to see he was no bigger than me and had a service uniform shirt on (like the kind gas station guys wear) with his name on it. Before I could react, he started to tell me his ride never showed up for him (he was usually picked up there by someone after being dropped off by a coworker from 3rd shift). I had stepped back a few feet when he started talking and while I was turning to see him. I was in fight mode but calmed quickly. He explained his situation. He seemed allright enough but I would not let him in with me and my rifle. His destination was on the way I was going and I knew where he needed to be dropped off. I said he could ride in the bed if he wanted to and he was thankful. He did (it was cold out and had no jacket) but that was best I muster myself to offer. I dropped him off in the road in front of his house and went on to my hunt. This is not a big draw down story. I was lucky--and I know it. It changed my entire awareness and perception of each moment. This man could have been the one that took me, my truck, rifle, wallet, whatever out for good. The feeling I had of being taken by surprise, so unaware, and unarmed changed me. I applied for and received my CCW. I have a firearm with me at all times that I legally can. I watch and am aware of even minute situations. I survey every area as I am arriving and any changes that occur as I am there. It's now second nature. I am thankful to that hitchhiker. He did not offer any money for the ride and I did not ask. I consider us even. |
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Situational awareness isnt always 100% I pulled into a liquor store one night and I swear there was nobody around but when I opened the door to get out, there were two black tree trunks blocking my way. They were the legs of a huge individual and he was right on top of me. He wanted to tell me about a brother that I know who had been injured and was having a catfish fry/shoot/benefit that weekend. If he had meant me harm, I would have been fucked. I still dont know where he was when I pulled in. |
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Thanks for sharing your story. It was a good reminder that just because we act paranoid doesn't mean "they"aren't out to get us... (even when they aren't)  My "moment of Duh" was when I was about 25 years old in a supermarket that was held-up by a couple guys - one with a chrome-barreled shotgun. I didn't even know such a thing existed before that. I was walking toward the checkout lanes and it took me a few seconds to realize what was going down. What was going down was every other person in sight - hitting the floor - and I was standing there all alone like a dumbass lighthouse staring at the guy/shotgun. Fortunately, he and the other guy just had all the cashiers empty their cash into bags and they ran out and jumped in a car waiting outside. But I swore I would never let my guard and situational awareness down like that again. Now, I'm like the mob movie guys - I only take the seat in the back corner of restaurants where I can see all the entries/exits, and nothing in back of me but a wall. I try to be vigilant always outdoors, but especially in stores, banks, etc. I'm nowhere near the level of a trained professional, but do the best I can. |
AMEN! The good thing is, after a while you can do it without freaking out the people you happen to be with at the moment. You know where to ask for a table, you know which seat to sit in and you smoothly maneuver to that spot with noone the wiser or concerned about your "paranoia"... |