With the appropriate fringe benefits, I might be convinced to stay over and protect you. Or, you could just put a sticker of my likeness on your doors, car and window and no one will eff with you 
[quote]Professor X wrote:
This is something those of us who didn’t grow up rich but grew up in large cities learned very early on.
[/quote]
True that and good point about the electronics. I made that mistake once and got to PAY for it.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Once at 12 years of age.
Any more questions?[/quote]
Damn beat me…I was 16.
Haha I can’t suggest going into South East DC for any extended period of time.
There was a book called “The Gift of Fear” and it had scenarios where folks had ignored their initial instincts because any action would seem impolite.
For instance, you are waiting for an elevator and when it comes you are about to enter and a strange creepy guy waits behind you to enter. Your instinct tells you not to, but you don’t want to be rude so you enter.
Same thing as if the elevator arrived already filled with someone or someones that set off your alarm bells. Your instinct tells you not to enter, but you do it because it is the polite thing to do.
Also walking down the street. You think you are being followed. Instead of turning around and looking, or stopping to let the person or persons pass, you keep walking because to turn around and look to stop as and let them pass would be rude.
So, (sorry for the long post) what I am getting at is to trust your instinct. Don’t care if what you think you should do seems paranoid or rude. You have to do what you think is best, safest and feels right for you.
My mom hung little jingle bells on our windows and door knobs when dad would be out of town. Just a cheap way of giving a little bit of notice if someone tries to break in.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
If you live in a large city, which Dallas is, you should ALWAYS be concerned about your safety. That goes for everyone, not just women. You don’t leave your door open, and you don’t ignore the FACT that people will watch your habits in order to find your weaknesses.
This is something those of us who didn’t grow up rich but grew up in large cities learned very early on.
Even now, if I buy a new electronic product, whether that be a tv or computer, I will do my best to reduce to the number of people who actually SEE me bring it in.
All it takes is one time for someone to break in for you to lose any sense of security you thought you had.
What bothers me is that you didn’t know this already.
This is also why inner city kids aren’t as sedentary and un-athletic as kids who grew up in more relaxed surroundings. You do push ups as a kid when there is a risk someone will take advantage of you if you look too weak.[/quote]
Something tells me that nowadays you don’t have to be AS guarded with people watching what you do. A gun will take anything out, sure, but a fella’s gonna look for easier targets.
My opinion is that you simply cannot be too careful. Paranoid? Who gives a shit? It was high anxiety that kept our cavemen friends from bein’ eaten by a fucking tiger, and it serves the same purpose to this day.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
If you live in a large city, which Dallas is, you should ALWAYS be concerned about your safety. That goes for everyone, not just women. You don’t leave your door open, and you don’t ignore the FACT that people will watch your habits in order to find your weaknesses.
This is something those of us who didn’t grow up rich but grew up in large cities learned very early on.
Even now, if I buy a new electronic product, whether that be a tv or computer, I will do my best to reduce to the number of people who actually SEE me bring it in.
All it takes is one time for someone to break in for you to lose any sense of security you thought you had.
What bothers me is that you didn’t know this already.
This is also why inner city kids aren’t as sedentary and un-athletic as kids who grew up in more relaxed surroundings. You do push ups as a kid when there is a risk someone will take advantage of you if you look too weak.[/quote]
I grew up in one of the biggest cities in Ukraine. Eastern Europe: what a crazy place in the cities.
[quote]sluicy wrote:
<<< My dog is a mastiff/American bulldog mix. He is fantastic.[/quote]
Have someone who knows what they’re doing train your dog to bark at least when there’s any sign of someone other than you entering the apartment. If done correctly a dog can be the BEST burglar alarm there is. The emphasis is on “knows” what they’re doing". Maybe I missed it, but if you only have the sticker buy a gun and learn how to use it. Have it close by when you’re at home, especially at night.
I don’t care what bullshit propaganda you’ve heard, an unloaded weapon with the ammunition locked up somewhere and a trigger lock is almost as useless as no weapon at all. Actually may even BE worse. I keep my 12 gauge with 4 rounds in the magazine a snap cap in the chamber dry fired, safety off. It cannot be fired by accident, but all I have to do is cycle the action once and pull the trigger.
Of all the states you probably have the best chance of not being crucified for actually defending yourself in Texas. Apparently some people have not noticed all the disappearing women these days. A little paranoia may save your life, but that doesn’t mean you should live in terror either. Like somebody said, predators will pick up on your demeanor and if you look lost and scared that’s the ticket for them. Carry yourself with confidence.
Some good advice here so far – but if you can afford it – then a Security system would be recommended.
However mean and TRAINED dogs are just as effective…if not more so because they are able to respond immediately to a break in while cops may take a bit.
Even if you don’t have an alarm system you can get stickers that you can place on your windows signifying that you do have one…even though you don’t. And also I would get a wide angle peep-hole and not answer my door unless with you had the dog with you.
As to your gun - I wouldn’t advertise that. I would advertise the presence of the dog though. And hopefully you really do have a Glock and just aren’t bluffing. The next thing I would do is get a concealed carry license.
I would also suggest you move – and still do all of the above.
[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
There was a book called “The Gift of Fear” and it had scenarios where folks had ignored their initial instincts because any action would seem impolite.
For instance, you are waiting for an elevator and when it comes you are about to enter and a strange creepy guy waits behind you to enter. Your instinct tells you not to, but you don’t want to be rude so you enter. Same thing as if the elevator arrived already filled with someone or someones that set off your alarm bells. Your instinct tells you not to enter, but you do it because it is the polite thing to do.
Also walking down the street. You think you are being followed. Instead of turning around and looking, or stopping to let the person or persons pass, you keep walking because to turn around and look to stop as and let them pass would be rude.
So, (sorry for the long post) what I am getting at is to trust your instinct. Don’t care if what you think you should do seems paranoid or rude. You have to do what you think is best, safest and feels right for you.
My mom hung little jingle bells on our windows and door knobs when dad would be out of town. Just a cheap way of giving a little bit of notice if someone tries to break in. [/quote]
I agree. I was walking through a park once and there was this black guy ahead of me. It was dark in the park and he turned around and saw me. After that, he stopped as if he was waiting for me. My instincts told me to get out of there. Maybe he just wanted to ask me directions, but fuck that…I didn’t want to find out. Better to be safe than sorry. Besides, I got jumped by three black guys in that area once so I had reason to worry…not trying to suggest that only black people rob you. 
Humans evolved to feel fear to keep us safe and alive. Sure, the fear response can get out of whack at times, but it’s there for a reason.
[quote]However mean and TRAINED dogs are just as effective…if not more so because they are able to respond immediately to a break in while cops may take a bit.
[/quote]
Good idea. How about sending Bowser to guard dog school? If your apartment gets broken into while you’re there, the dog will just act like a guard dog and you won’t have to worry about fumbling for your gun, especially if you don’t know how to use it.
[quote]CrewPierce wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Once at 12 years of age.
Any more questions?
Damn beat me…I was 16.
Haha I can’t suggest going into South East DC for any extended period of time.[/quote]
A couple of my college roommates were shot at (out in the country) they said they wished I was with them because I would have known how to handle it.
I told them to run.
[quote]TheBodyGuard wrote:
With the appropriate fringe benefits, I might be convinced to stay over and protect you. Or, you could just put a sticker of my likeness on your doors, car and window and no one will eff with you :)[/quote]
I don’t know if Kevin Costner’s picture is going to scare too many people.
[quote]OctoberGirl wrote:
There was a book called “The Gift of Fear” and it had scenarios where folks had ignored their initial instincts because any action would seem impolite.
For instance, you are waiting for an elevator and when it comes you are about to enter and a strange creepy guy waits behind you to enter. Your instinct tells you not to, but you don’t want to be rude so you enter. Same thing as if the elevator arrived already filled with someone or someones that set off your alarm bells. Your instinct tells you not to enter, but you do it because it is the polite thing to do.
Also walking down the street. You think you are being followed. Instead of turning around and looking, or stopping to let the person or persons pass, you keep walking because to turn around and look to stop as and let them pass would be rude.
So, (sorry for the long post) what I am getting at is to trust your instinct. Don’t care if what you think you should do seems paranoid or rude. You have to do what you think is best, safest and feels right for you.
My mom hung little jingle bells on our windows and door knobs when dad would be out of town. Just a cheap way of giving a little bit of notice if someone tries to break in. [/quote]
I probably should read it. Not necessarily because of this situation, but because in general I am way too worried about what people think, and I let it affect my own thinking, and this frustrates my husband because I do disregard my own safety because of it. And yes, I’ve gotten in trouble because of it. (Happily, trouble was too drunk to chase me…)
I’m trying to grow a thick enough skin to be able to think independently within situations, and stop being pushed around by the instinct to avoid confrontation at all costs. It’s not that easy… ironically, it also involves swallowing the egotistical mentality that “I’m special. Nothing can happen to me. And if it does, I can handle it.”
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
sluicy wrote:
<<< My dog is a mastiff/American bulldog mix. He is fantastic.
Have someone who knows what they’re doing train your dog to bark at least when there’s any sign of someone other than you entering the apartment. If done correctly a dog can be the BEST burglar alarm there is. The emphasis is on “knows” what they’re doing". Maybe I missed it, but if you only have the sticker buy a gun and learn how to use it. Have it close by when you’re at home, especially at night.
I don’t care what bullshit propaganda you’ve heard, an unloaded weapon with the ammunition locked up somewhere and a trigger lock is almost as useless as no weapon at all. Actually may even BE worse. I keep my 12 gauge with 4 rounds in the magazine a snap cap in the chamber dry fired, safety off. It cannot be fired by accident, but all I have to do is cycle the action once and pull the trigger.
Of all the states you probably have the best chance of not being crucified for actually defending yourself in Texas. Apparently some people have not noticed all the disappearing women these days. A little paranoia may save your life, but that doesn’t mean you should live in terror either. Like somebody said, predators will pick up on your demeanor and if you look lost and scared that’s the ticket for them. Carry yourself with confidence.[/quote]
Colorado has the “Make My Day” Law. If someone is physically trying to harm you and you protect yourself and kill them, you will not be charged.
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
CrewPierce wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Once at 12 years of age.
Any more questions?
Damn beat me…I was 16.
Haha I can’t suggest going into South East DC for any extended period of time.
A couple of my college roommates were shot at (out in the country) they said they wished I was with them because I would have known how to handle it.
I told them to run.[/quote]
Did they need to be told that?
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
TheBodyGuard wrote:
With the appropriate fringe benefits, I might be convinced to stay over and protect you. Or, you could just put a sticker of my likeness on your doors, car and window and no one will eff with you
I don’t know if Kevin Costner’s picture is going to scare too many people.[/quote]
Well, pictures of him seem to scare people away from theaters pretty well.
…I’m here all week!
I don’t know how helpful it is to spend life worrying about things that might happen. I commute a fair distance to work on a daily basis and the one in a million chance a semi truck can cream me off the road is something I can become preoccupied worrying about. What good does it do?
All you can do is take precautions, be aware of your surroundings when out and lock doors and windows when at home.
Likely it will never happen and in the one in a million chance the Manson family does show up at your door hopefully the fact that the door is locked, fido is barking, and you have your pistol in the night stand will keep your ass safe.
D
[quote]sluicy wrote:
I probably should read it. Not necessarily because of this situation, but because in general I am way too worried about what people think, and I let it affect my own thinking, and this frustrates my husband because I do disregard my own safety because of it. And yes, I’ve gotten in trouble because of it. (Happily, trouble was too drunk to chase me…)
I’m trying to grow a thick enough skin to be able to think independently within situations, and stop being pushed around by the instinct to avoid confrontation at all costs. It’s not that easy… ironically, it also involves swallowing the egotistical mentality that “I’m special. Nothing can happen to me. And if it does, I can handle it.”[/quote]
I unfortunately had a situation where I was walking in a parking lot at the beach late at night, alone and disregarded my instincts. I ignored a couple of guys because I didn’t want to be rude and stare, or be rude and turn around and not enter the parking lot.
It was pretty bad. I have since learned my lesson. I will yell, I will scream, I will run, I will ask for help or an escort and if I don’t feel safe I don’t go forward.
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
sluicy wrote:
<<< My dog is a mastiff/American bulldog mix. He is fantastic.
Have someone who knows what they’re doing train your dog to bark at least when there’s any sign of someone other than you entering the apartment. If done correctly a dog can be the BEST burglar alarm there is. The emphasis is on “knows” what they’re doing". Maybe I missed it, but if you only have the sticker buy a gun and learn how to use it. Have it close by when you’re at home, especially at night.
I don’t care what bullshit propaganda you’ve heard, an unloaded weapon with the ammunition locked up somewhere and a trigger lock is almost as useless as no weapon at all. Actually may even BE worse. I keep my 12 gauge with 4 rounds in the magazine a snap cap in the chamber dry fired, safety off. It cannot be fired by accident, but all I have to do is cycle the action once and pull the trigger.
Of all the states you probably have the best chance of not being crucified for actually defending yourself in Texas. Apparently some people have not noticed all the disappearing women these days. A little paranoia may save your life, but that doesn’t mean you should live in terror either. Like somebody said, predators will pick up on your demeanor and if you look lost and scared that’s the ticket for them. Carry yourself with confidence.[/quote]
Having Titus learn to bark is a good suggestion. We have an excellent trainer and I’ll talk to him about it. He NEVER barks now, unless I make him do too many tricks before dinner.
My dad made sure his kids were thoroughly firearm-educated, and my husband is an ex-cop, so I’ve never lived without a weapon loaded and accessible, and I’m very comfortable with that; though another downside of living here is I can’t just drive to the gravel pit or our friend’s backyard, I have to go to the range and pay $15, so I haven’t been shooting in a long time. I know, I’m cheap, and it’s worth it.
I’ve been asking for a shotgun for Valentine’s day for several years… my birthday’s coming up so I’m hopeful. My brother-in-law is a cop and a gun collector and he has this Mossberg that I love, I don’t remember what model it is…
Darn it, now I’m going to waste another hour on the internet.
[quote]Dedicated wrote:
I don’t know how helpful it is to spend life worrying about things that might happen. I commute a fair distance to work on a daily basis and the one in a million chance a semi truck can cream me off the road is something I can become preoccupied worrying about. What good does it do?
All you can do is take precautions, be aware of your surroundings when out and lock doors and windows when at home. Likely it will never happen and in the one in a million chance the Manson family does show up at your door hopefully the fact that the door is locked, fido is barking, and you have your pistol in the night stand will keep your ass safe.
D[/quote]
I don’t think anyone is talking about sitting around wringing your hands worried about what may happen. However, there is a certain level of alertness that you gain from growing up in a rougher neighborhood. I associate it with what some soldiers experience in combat. You don’t walk around killing everyone after that, but you sure as hell are more prepared than most when something does actually pop off.
Notice how people react the next time a car backfires. The ones who flinch or duck probably didn’t grow up on the richest side of town.