Roughing it: Phase 2 Urban Hell

Magnussen said:
but keep these kind of prejudice views to the political arena where they belong. :):thumbup:
Click to expand...
Funny you don't seem to mind cramming your belief down someone else's throat while telling them to take theirs elsewhere.
 
Sorry Owen:thumbup: I was INCLUDING my rambling in with the "prejudice views". Perhaps that wasn't clear... I apologize. I don't want to clutter up W&SS with my political opinions, either. I don't mind folks displaying faith in posts by mentioning and thanking their god/s in a positive way. I just don't take kindly to someone insinuating that because I don't follow their beliefs, I'm more likely to be evil... that has negative connotations and goes both ways, depending how you look at it. I come to W&SS to relax and talk "Wilderness & Survival Skills".

Rick
 
Last edited:
Hmmm? I was just simply making an observation from my point of view the way I see it at this time. It certainly wasn't meant to be a blanket statement to cover each and every situation. Yes there are people that have never entered a church, synogogue or mosque that seemingly are decent people. But spirituality is a part of human existence since the beginning of time.

I've been here on Bladeforums since the fall of 2004 and I've yet to encounter such hostility; especially when there really wasn't anything to be that hostile or mean spirited about. :confused:

Wow! talk about kicking someone when they're down :( I've never made either one of you guy's aquaintances but I can assure you that I would have never treated or talked to either one of you with that kind of disdain and outright hostility. Yeah I'm aware that spirituality and religious beliefs are varied and sometimes controversial and we've sure all gone down different roads in our lives and thus have come to different conclusions on the matter.

But this particular sub-forum is about the subject of "survival". And "survival" is a subject with many particular points of view. And not everyone's survival tactics will be the same by any means. The only reason I started this thread or even the preceeding thread I did on this journey I'm currently on was to maybe compare notes and learn something. But the responses I just got from the 2 of you guys was a very bitter education of a human's capacity for outright cruelty and hatred. But I can say with 100% honestly that I would never wish the 2 of you to have the bad luck I"ve had in the past year. Nor do I wish anything but the best for both your lives.

But I guess one extremely important element of any survival situation is knowing who your friends "AREN't". And that to me is very precious knowledge indeed. :)
 
^^ wow ^^

JD... oh please..... feeling dramatic are we? ... don't play the victim here... it holds no water... I believe you meant no offence in your post, but it was implied. I am at least aware that my statement about religion playing a role in war, etc.. was a shot. I was angry.... but I showed no hatred or cruelty toward you. If we were having this discussion face to face, I'm sure you would have felt no hostility from me. It is an arguement, pure and simple. Shot's given, shot's taken... ON BOTH SIDES. If you still feel that there was no offence given (to people outside the church) in your below statement... I really don't know what else to say.

JD Spydo said:
The people on the AVENUE in one sense are no different than the rest of us. Somewhere along the line spirituality was omitted from many of their lives and thus you have an end-product that is very dark and wicked.
Click to expand...

This was not a major blow up, by any means. Perhaps because your belief was in question, it appears more dramatic to you. I'm okay with it, now... admitt my own role in this disruption and would like to move on. I hope you can, too.

EDIT to add

Okay... I know you have a beef with me... but who is the other guy you are refering to?.... C.Kyle?

I agree. There is right and there is wrong, and that has nothing to do with religion or spirituality.
Click to expand...


You can't be serious? ......... hatred and cruelty?..... hmmm







And I definately respect the trials you are going through, bro.

Rick
 
Last edited:
Now to get back to the subject at hand I've picked up a couple more tactics that I'm finding very valuable for this type of environment. First of all find a sanctuary. Oh yes they do exist even in this environment. For one I've found the local library where I'm currently using the WiFi to be a great place to find some solice and meet some people that have street knowledge that can be quite helpful.

Second I've found that some of the local merchants you trade with i.e. convenience stores, laundrymats, fast food joints ect,ect,. can be great sources of information. The good merchants ( and I've found 3 of them that have been a huge help) can steer you toward good information sources and can get you help with cheap bus passes and other discounted goods and services. I've found that even most of these merchants want repeat customers and will be nice to those people who do them right.

On a bit of a negative note I must say that I have found that "avoidance" is probably the best overall tactic when you're out walking or getting around town on the bus or other public transportation. You can just sense that some street people even radiate danger. It's best to avoid when it's possible I've been told by my roommate that you don't want to give change to any street people because if you do they will never leave you alone afterwards.

Again I can't wait to get to the Ozarks but in some ways I'm glad for my short stay here on the AVENUE; it sure has put a lot of things into perspective. I just can't wait to be reporting on the mushroom crop and the fish I hope to catch this spring along with many other great things in the country.
 
All good tactics, JD. Finding "sanctuary" and local info hubs are important. I like how CMDionne made mention to befriending the prevalent locals. They are familiar with the rythm and flow of the area and can be a valuable contact.

Rick
 
Magnussen said:
^^ wow ^^

JD... don't play the victim here... it holds no water... I believe you meant no offence in your post, but it was implied. I am at least aware that my statement about religion playing a role in war, etc.. was a shot. I was angry.... but I showed no hatred or cruelty toward you. If we were having this discussion face to face, I'm sure you would have felt no hostility from me. It is an arguement, pure and simple. Shot's given, shot's taken... ON BOTH SIDES. If you still feel that there was no offence given (to people outside the church) in your below statement... I really don't know what else to say.





EDIT to add


Rick
Click to expand...

Magnussen I'm sure as long as you've been on Bladeforums and knowing as many of the guys/gals here I've traded with over the years that you are a good guy. I guess I'm a bit on edge here of late and if I interpreted your post incorrectly then you have my apology. For GOD's sake the last thing I want to do at this point in my life is make enemies or to become not liked by many good folks here at BF.

Maybe we just simply misunderstood each other. I'm willing to let bygones be bygones in a heartbeat. But please do understand some things from my point of view. I was simply calling things as I seen them through my individual eyes and through my own perception. I wasn't in any way, shape or form trying to evangelize or convert anyone to my beliefs.

In the past year I've lost 2 jobs and I quit another job because of completely intolerable working conditions. This is the first time I've been umemployed since 1981. And believe me I wouldn't wish my current plight on most enemies I've made over the years. There are only 2 politicians I would wish this on :eek::D.

But I will say this much I'm not trying to be perceived as a victim. This is an education you couldn't buy with all the student loans available. No I consider you all brothers and sisters and I was just caught off guard and took your post the wrong way. I should have waited 24 hours before I responded which is what I normally do when I don't completely understand something.

But I can assure you that I have just as much or even more interest in wilderness survival as you have. And this urban survival I find much more dangerous and forboding than anything I've ever encounter. No Sir I'm just simply trying to gain knowledge. Because knowledge is power and it can save your life and mine when applied properly.

All is forgiven. I'm still all ears :)
 
As an atheist I definitely have a moral compass and consider myself to proudly sport a sheepdog mindset. Believe what you want but your god won't keep you from getting your ass handed to you at an ATM.

That said, when I worked in Alaska I spent a month in Seattle. I had my pool cue case slung over my back one night and didn't realize the buses stopped running at a certain time and had to make the 9 mile trek to my uncle's house by the lake from Belltown. I encountered literally every form of shady bastard on the way and finally I realized why none of them were messing with me when I ran into the last, somewhat normal, Aleutian Indian as I exited the "crack head" district. He asked me for a smoked politely and slightly slurred to which I politely and casually said, "no sweat man". He then said, "what the f*** is a crazy white boy like you toting around a rifle downtown at this hour for?". Problem averted, curiosity satisfied.
 
JD Spydo said:
On a bit of a negative note I must say that I have found that "avoidance" is probably the best overall tactic when you're out walking or getting around town on the bus or other public transportation. You can just sense that some street people even radiate danger.
Click to expand...

Best self-defense is to avoid dangerous situations. Ppl see, hear and notice a lot more things then they realize. Its that "sense of danger" you talk about. Trust it, even if it means accepting some inconveniences like taking a longer route home.

Another thing, someone suggested playing a basket case or similar in public. Thats a bad idea. The best way to avoid trouble is to blend in.
Walk fast but not too fast, look around but dont be paranoid, look confident but dont challenge ppl by staring... i.e. try to find the middle road with all things :)

And one thing I've learned the hard way; do not stop if someone approaches you. Keep walking.
 
Walk west 1 block, ( to Just past the high school), then north on VanBrunt, you will see a different side of the area. Being on the main drag anywhere is not a real representation of the area as a whole. You can walk all the way up Van Brunt( my neighbours were a Doctor, Lawyer, a higher ranking Cop, and professional folks), to Gladstone Blvd, then along Gladstone, and see normal folks watering their yards, walking the dog, even families riding their bikes together.
Things to see in the area,

Cliff Drive has some fantastic views, ( including the occasional Milf cooling off in the water fall, and posing for the camera).
Up on Gladstone Blvd ( toward the eastern end) occasionally you may hear the drone of bagpipes, seems hard to place the source, but if interested, when you hear them, walk north to Gladstone Blvd. the east 3 streets , and check out the parked Metro Bus. The driver would park there for his break at the end of his run, and before he started his next run, and walk up and down the bus playing the pipes.

I recently sold my place on Van Brunt, at St. John. and miss it at times. As a survival tip, best advise is daylight travel, until you are comfortable ( not complacent) with your surroundings. Pick the brains of the locals, they know the terrain, and finally, some of the med students at UHS, over on Independance, and Brooklyn are HOT and smart.

You may encounter dangerous people anywhere, I have heard a couple of gunshots late night there, but all in all, be aware and enjoy. There are far worse areas.
 
My first tactic would be to get the hell out of any urban area as fast as I could. Those looking for easy pickings are going to stay where they can steal everything they need, I would get out where the outdoorsman has the big edge. I want them in my jungle.
 
attej said:
Best self-defense is to avoid dangerous situations. Ppl see, hear and notice a lot more things then they realize. Its that "sense of danger" you talk about. Trust it, even if it means accepting some inconveniences like taking a longer route home.

Another thing, someone suggested playing a basket case or similar in public. Thats a bad idea. The best way to avoid trouble is to blend in.
Walk fast but not too fast, look around but dont be paranoid, look confident but dont challenge ppl by staring... i.e. try to find the middle road with all things :)

And one thing I've learned the hard way; do not stop if someone approaches you. Keep walking.
Click to expand...

All good advice you give "attej" :) I have already followed many of the points you make. And NO!! there is no way I'm going to act like someone who belongs in a mental health ward. I am who I am and I will always try to be who I am. I don't appreciate anyone who puts on a phony act and I won't put one on myself. That's not to say that I wouldn't do something out of the ordinary in a very desperate life threatening situation.

Truly this game of "urban survival" is a totally different game. I've been studying wilderness survival for many years now but this game of staying safe in a dangerous urban area is one I don't ever care to repeat. I am basically a country boy deep down in my heart. Nothing is more beautful to me than the view of an alpine lake with a mountainous backdrop. Or being in the middle of the Ozarks amidst some Hickory and Blackjack Oak trees.
 
Never go anywhere without something sharp, preferably two sharp things, or something that shoots lead out of it's nose like some sort of magic dragon.

On second thought, just stay inside, KC is nasty, especially when the weather gets better. I spent enough time in KC, NYC, And Detroit to know I NEVER want to do it again.
 
If you can't adapt or ovecome the situation given you keep moving , you say that there are nice people in your area of the street, just stay out of dark places. I mean people are surviving and living there , why not you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top