Roughing it: Phase 2 Urban Hell

J

JD Spydo

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Nov 20, 2004
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For all of you aware of my previous thread "Roughing It: For Real" this is kind of an update of that thread. Before I can head to the tall timber to start my true test of survival I have an even meaner test of survival before I leave. I'm temporarily stuck living in one of Kansas City's meaner neighborhoods. For all of you who are aware of Kansas City Missouri there is an area known as Independence Avenue:eek:. For those of you who are unaware the AVENUE as most of us here in KC call it is the epitome of urban survival and hell on earth for a better description. All of the not so nice ladies and various other undesirable people of the city tend to congregate heavily on the AVENUE.

I must admit this is the first time I"ve ever taken on this form of survival. You definitely don't go anywhere after dark. You constantly look behind yourself. It really makes me appreciate all those years I lived in milktoast surburbia. I haven't seen more pimps and hustlers in the past 10 years combined until now :eek:

But it's only for about 13 more days and then I'll be set to head to the tall timber. If any of you brethren or sisters have any advice on dealing with this type of survival environment I"m all ears on this dilema too :)

It's hard to believe that there are really people who live in this area on a daily basis. I'm already learning to sleep with my eyes open :o. I didn't realize that KC had a place this scary :eek:. I don't know how my buddy lives here but he has been here for about 3 years now and it doesn't seem to bother him much. I hope some of you have advice for this situation
 
My preferred method of urban survival is threat avoidance. Sounds like you are taking a different approach. More power to you, but I prefer the safety of my secret underground bunker. :thumbup:
 
Keep whatever you have of value very low key.

I'd likely try to go to Lowe's and get some of the battery powered door alarms or make some noise maker of my own, keep a bright, heavy flashlight by the bed...and some other things handy but out of sight.

Going from there to a cabin in the woods is going to be an interesting transition!
 
Where are ya sleeping, in a box ?

If sleeping in the streets I'd put a cardboard sign round my neck saying " I have AIDS and I bleed real easy !" should put any would be muggers off !
 
Although I see Independence has been twinned with sister city Higashimurayama in Japan your description reminds me of parts of Manchester England. That said, the first thing that springs to mind is to download a bunch of episodes of the Channel 4 series Shameless. Fiction, but well grounded fiction.

"Tickets this way for the Chatsworth Express
Come and watch pikeys making a mess
Of the lives they were given by him upstairs
And kids they're convinced aren't actually theirs

What sound on earth could ever replace
Kids needing money and wives in your face
Cos this, people reckon, and me included,
Is why pubs and drugs were kindly invented

To calm us all down, stop us going mental
These are Chatsworth Estate's basic essentials
We are worth every penny, we're grinding your axes
You shit on our heads, but you pay the taxes

Imagine a Britain without Chatsworth buccaneers
We'll cum on your face for the price of a beer
Make poverty history, cheaper drugs now
Make poverty history, cheaper drugs now!"


Lighten up and party a little you'll be away from people soon enough. And I wouldn't be surprised if you met some potentially very resourceful allies.
 
Mumble to yourself and laugh uncontrollably while you walk make a weird scream or two now and again and generally act like a lonny. Nobody wants to mess with crazy people ;)
 
Stay low key, be observant, blend with the surroundings, do your errands in the morning or early afternoon before the goblins come out to play.
 
I agree, go the crazy route. Have an argument with someone that's not there. Walk around with a small forest ax in your hands for no apparent reason in an environment where no one would actually need an ax.
 
Two words: "Situational Awareness."

Sight, sound, smell.

Those people have a sixth sense about fear and the phoney tough. I worked with enough of them at one point to know.

Keep doing what you're doing and don't draw attention to yourself.

Don't get complacent--aka "lazy".

Don't let anyone follow you home, and never volunteer information.
 
I think it's obvious that what you really need to do is go to Prac/Tac, and check out Phil's videos on developing short range power:D
 
I don't know about what the rough parts of KC are like, but I do work and go to school in innercity Detroit. I live about 4 blocks from Detroit city limits in a nice suburb with with good police, but there are still some problems even there from time to time.

What I've learned I'll pass on. I treat the inner city like being in the woods. Yeah there's alot of things that can lead to your untimely death, but don't be scared of them be RESPECTFUL.

Don't go looking for trouble but don't be seen as someone who is weak or afraid.

Have a purposeful look about you that says "I'm supposed to be here and I know what I'm doing".

Don't try too hard to fit in, but try not to stick out. I watch what I'm wearing so as not to scream "suburbanite" or "rich guy, rob me". But I'm also not walking around in Phat Pharm and FUBU with a flat brimmed cap on. Your manner of speech is also a major part of this.

If you know you've got to be somewhere REALLY bad, the morning is your friend. Thugs stay up late and sleep in, the whole city is completely different at say 11 am than at 4 pm.

Be observant, but don't make it look like you're trying to watch everything (as this is a sign of nervousness). If something doesn't feel "right" get the hell out.

Don't know what your states concealed carry laws are like, but that is something you could look into.

Lock your doors, even during the day. Don't leave anything of value in sight in your car. Park in well lit areas. When driving don't allow yourself to be boxed in, I always try to stay in the left lane of bigger streets when coming to a red light, so I can skip into the oncoming lane to get away if need be. Have your keys in your hand before you get to your car, really just common sense stuff.

If I'm out late or in places that probably aren't the best to be (walking back to the car from a hockey game in not great areas for example), I try to find other people in the same situation. Safety in numbers.

That's what I do, alot of it is common sense, but then again I've been exposed to the hell hole known as Detroit since I was born.
 
Why do you have to stay there for 13 more days?

I wish you luck and don't envy your situation. Stay vertical.
 
even though you are only going to be there for a short time, meet the neighbors and be friendly.it will help with everything said above about "fitting in",and then they might not back you up in a fight,but they probable won't jump in and beat your ass just for sport.
 
just do your thing, be aware and dont talk to anyone. bringing the neighbors a fruitcake and meeting them is not a good idea.
 
KEmSAT-Survival said:
Two words: "Situational Awareness."

Sight, sound, smell.

Those people have a sixth sense about fear and the phoney tough. I worked with enough of them at one point to know.

Keep doing what you're doing and don't draw attention to yourself.

Don't get complacent--aka "lazy".

Don't let anyone follow you home, and never volunteer information.
Click to expand...

Smell... Sounds like ninja awareness to me.

Print the picture below off and whenever you are out pretend like you are reading it. Your encounters will go like this

JD Spydo: "Do be do be doo... Just reading my ninja papers..."
Punk: "Hey F***ing dirtbag, give me all your knives!"
JD Spydo: "Okay dude, let me just put down this ninja paper I was reading and I'll get you my knives..."
[Punk pauses and sees what you're reading]
Punk: "Sorry dude, here's twenty bucks, see ya later!"
bassai_dai.jpg
 
Now that Daylight Savings Time has hit, it may help if you need to go somewhere.

I know exactly the road you are talking about in KC. Not real nice but survivable.

It was mentioned before - situational awareness. This should be done at all times wherever you are. In your case it will be heightened. I think pepper spray in your hand to and from the door is appropriate. Refuse to be a victim and the lowlife tend to leave you alone. They look to prey on easy targets. Best of luck. Stay safe.
 
cmdionne said:
I don't know about what the rough parts of KC are like, but I do work and go to school in innercity Detroit. I live about 4 blocks from Detroit city limits in a nice suburb with with good police, but there are still some problems even there from time to time.

What I've learned I'll pass on. I treat the inner city like being in the woods. Yeah there's alot of things that can lead to your untimely death, but don't be scared of them be RESPECTFUL.

Don't go looking for trouble but don't be seen as someone who is weak or afraid.

Have a purposeful look about you that says "I'm supposed to be here and I know what I'm doing".

Don't try too hard to fit in, but try not to stick out. I watch what I'm wearing so as not to scream "suburbanite" or "rich guy, rob me". But I'm also not walking around in Phat Pharm and FUBU with a flat brimmed cap on. Your manner of speech is also a major part of this.

If you know you've got to be somewhere REALLY bad, the morning is your friend. Thugs stay up late and sleep in, the whole city is completely different at say 11 am than at 4 pm.

Be observant, but don't make it look like you're trying to watch everything (as this is a sign of nervousness). If something doesn't feel "right" get the hell out.

Don't know what your states concealed carry laws are like, but that is something you could look into.

Lock your doors, even during the day. Don't leave anything of value in sight in your car. Park in well lit areas. When driving don't allow yourself to be boxed in, I always try to stay in the left lane of bigger streets when coming to a red light, so I can skip into the oncoming lane to get away if need be. Have your keys in your hand before you get to your car, really just common sense stuff.

If I'm out late or in places that probably aren't the best to be (walking back to the car from a hockey game in not great areas for example), I try to find other people in the same situation. Safety in numbers.

That's what I do, alot of it is common sense, but then again I've been exposed to the hell hole known as Detroit since I was born.
Click to expand...

Good post. Detroit really is a hell hole. I can't imagine a place like Mexico city being any worse. I was there on business a few years ago and decided to go check out downtown one evening thinking it can't be that bad. I was wrong.
 
there are rougher parts of kc for sure. but "the avenue" is certainly one of the rough ones. would hesitate to walk around with the axe. many kcmo pd are ruthless. just asking to get cuffed, beat and then dropped off at truman med center psych ward for 72 hrs. maybe a tougher stint than the ave. a concealed knife of course. i carry one no matter where in the city. and pepper spray too, why not? theres a bike shop called sunshine on the ave and they would carry "halt" spray. then down towards the bottoms is the "super flea" only open on wkends but i would bet ya could find some other smaller, more easily concealable type of mace or pepper spray there. if you are so inclined. are you actually living on the avenue? or in one of the neighborhoods right off? know lots of folks who live in the area. its a tad quieter in the hoods than directly on the ave. acting crazy usually keeps most at a distance, but once again could very well end ya up in the back of that squad car with similar results as the axe.
sorry ive not gotten a bike to you. now that yr in the city it will be easier. is that phone number you sent still on? good luck dude. you will be hearing from me.
 
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