The Hobbit Hole VIII - Still round the corner we may meet...

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[JenB]

I'm thinking about taking a self-defense class at some point soon... just the basics, like you say... though with brothers, I have at least a peripheral awareness of how to hit a guy. Also I am a really good screamer.

[g'nad]

That is truly one of the weirdest things I have ever seen.

I have to second my homely brother on that...

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, then I have accomplished something!

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

I thought the scary-clown-faced crab monster was kinda cool...

[g'nad]

well, I was in a full contact course, but we stopped short of permanent disfigurement... the point is to get yourself mentally prepared to act in this manner... instinctive, merciless, remorseless... efficient...

[g'nad]

yeah... but will you bite a guys nose off... or rip out his throat with yer teeth? of jam yer keys into his eye or into the sinus cavity?...if you have to think about it, yer dead...

[g'nad]

on that happy note, g'nite folks...

[HairOfTheDog]

Good night g'nad! Thanks as always!

[Wneighbor]

I like the way you talk. :-)

[osagebowman]

g'nad; well, I'd advise plucking the first 4 or 5 off each wing, they are the primaries and first class deluxe feathers, the secondaries are the next set. Put em in a plastic newspaper cover or other long envelope, dust in a little insecticide. Save 'em for thegirl's arrows. There will will be a short tutorial coming when we get together on stripping quills and wrap fletching. :-) Heck, you got most of the makings for first class arrows growing all over your place. Keeps costs very reasonable. :-)

[Fedora]

yuh don't need to be graceful to be dangerous... everything, and I mean everything, can be a weapon...

*snif* that's just beautiful

Warms my heart [tear rolls from Fedora's eye] :)

Two of my favorite self-defense books I've read were 1) a book on how to sucker punch in bars and 2) this little manual called "Power Throwing" which first explains how to maximize force in knife throwing and then explains how the same principle can be applied to common everyday objects. Jen, here's one for you:

"In my experience, the prize for the most creative improvised weapon used in Power Throwing goes to an undercover narcotics agent who used a paperback novel deivered to the face of a door guard at a shooting gallery. He delivered the strike using the bound corner of the book to the suspect's nose from seven feet. The blow took the guard out of action before he could even think about using his shotgun. The reason the strike was so devastating is all of the energy was concentrated in a 1/4 square inch. The book actually cut into the suspect's face, along with breaking his nose."

So next time you're in Barnes and Noble, just think: you're sitting on an arsenal! :) Uh-oh, better not tell Janet Reno or they'll start outlawing books :) When books are outlawed, only outlaws will have books. . .

[Wneighbor]

Whaddayathink? Shall we attend a session at gnad's school of self-defense?

[JenB]

See, no, I won't. I know that about me - I'll run if I possibly can. I'll do my best to avoid being in that sort of situation - I'm very good at thinking defensively.

Perhaps a self-defense course would help. It's not that I'm opposed to hurting people, it's just I would instinctively avoid any of the good spots to attack, because my first reaction isn't "kill". It's "get away", which would hamper me.

But I do know I'd rather get shot/stabbed than get in a car with someone. So I may end up dead but at least they won't have to look for my body.

[JenB]

Wait... books as weapons... so I'm safest in my own room! Just as I always instinctively felt!

I'd better start keeping a book under the pillow though.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think I'd rather do the thumb in the eye than I would rip a guy's throat out with my teeth. I hope I have use of my hands.

[Wneighbor]

I think after all my years if I were attacked again I'd be happy to do both! But, whatever presents itself first would be what I'd go for!

[osagebowman]

300winmag; got the proto knife today, the blade took the edge well, I can see it'll be a bit more useful as a working knife but the original HH is a lot easier to Snap-Click; Snap-Click. :-)

[Wneighbor]

We just can't beat our snap-click snap-click huh? Love that!

[Fedora]

Wanting to get away is a good instinct. It's how you get away if someone tries to detain you which might become an issue. You do need to be willing to hurt them, though if you're squeamish about certain target areas there are many alternative targets to the more gruesome ones (example: a round-style forearm strike to the base of the skull is a potentially deadly blow but not particularly icky to deliver), and learning leverage and joint locks can also deter many grabbing-type attacks without requiring excessive gore. But in some situations, especially if a weapon becomes involved, there is no alternative to killing, except being killed. At that moment to make that decision you need to have a very strong awareness of why your life is worth fighting for. Thinking of someone trying to harm your family or child is an image I use in seminars to help women get into that mindset. Many people who would not stand up for themselves would not hesitate to fight to the death for someone they love.

[Fedora]

I'd better start keeping a book under the pillow though.

When you need the heavy artillery, it's good to keep a copy of LotR around--the hardcover edition :) Either that or The Stand--ouch!