CHIT CHAT in VOLTVILLE

[SandySu]

Next question. I was thinking about my attitude toward guns (total fear) and yours. I wonder if it was the way we were brought up. Did you who carry guns grow up with them, with parents who carried guns and taught you how to use them? Is that why you are comfortable and feel safer with a gun? Or was it because you've run into danger before, and feel more need of protection? I guess I've led a pretty safe life. I lived in NYC for about 20 years, but was only held up at knifepoint once. I was scared to death, and he got the $11 or so in my wallet and didn't hurt me, since I cooperated. That was truly scary, but if I had had a gun, would I have had the guts to shoot the guy? I doubt it. I guess I'm just a wuss. There were other times I felt threatened or scared, but I escaped NYC unscathed. I learned to watch myself and worry about who was around me and leave before something could happen. You get streetwise to some extent after living there for a while, especially after being held up at knifepoint. I probably wasn't as good at assessing my situation as a native New Yorker, but I got pretty good at it out of necessity. At the time when I was learning this, I realized that I had to change my attitude to that of prey, like a deer, who has to constantly be on the alert for danger and escape before danger descends.

So, if you carry a gun, do you not have to adopt this mind-set? Aren't you afraid that if you did get some guy holding a knife to you, and you shot him, there would be horrible repercussions, not only legal but emotional?

 

[Renolizzie]

Well, I have street smarts, too. I lived in Orange County CA and in Seattle WA. Two very big cities. I didn't grow up with guns.

I actually went out on the road without a gun for years as a single gal in my thirties. I camped in remote locations all over Arizona, Death Valley CA and Nevada. I had a plan. I left the keys in the ignition and if something woke me up in the middle of the night I knew I was supposed to try to get to the drivers seat from the back of the van, start the engine and floor it! I tried to camp where no one would see me so no one would bother me. I had a large coat I put over the back of the passenger seat so that people would think I had a guy with me in the back of the van somewhere.

I took self defense classes and karate. Not an expert by any means.

My scariest moment was when 3 chollos surrounded me in high school when a lived in CA. I wasn't paying attention and they came right up to me. Those were some mean girls. I said "Why don't you just leave me alone. I just want to go home." One of them knocked the newspaper out of my hands and I thought, "I am in trouble now." I kicked one of them in the knee, punched another one and the third ran off and my face remained unmarred by their long horrible finger nails

Hubby really likes hunting and shooting guns and such. I don't mind it. I wouldn't have it as a hobby without him but it is fun to go plinking. I got the CCW so that I could have a gun with me concealed without breaking the law. It is hard to open carry all the time since you might put your gun under the seat or in your purse when 4 wheeling. The roads are bouncy so the gun wants to slide off the dash board.

I decided he's right about having a gun with me when I am out by myself. And yes, the repercussions could be bad but then, if you are dead or maimed from some horrible jerk, then those are pretty big repercussions too. If someone had a weapon and threatened me, I would shoot them. In Nevada, I would expect it is possible I would go to the station, maybe even jail, while they sorted things out but I would not expect to be prosecuted. Still, you never know.

I find that the best recourse is to be someone who it looks like "Don't mess with her." I don't want to look aggressive but definitely not passive. I find that I want to be aware of my surroundings. Be proactive and cross the street instead of walking by people that set off my alarm bells. Stay safe by being aware. Don't walk down dark alleys. Don't look like a victim and don't look like you want a fight either. Most criminals are looking for easy pickings. I am not easy pickings. Walking tall and being aware are great ways to be left alone by criminals.

Definitely use your smarts and lie through your teeth if need be. When I broke down a couple of times at night in CA I had to tell several real creeps that I already called for help. They left. This is before cell phones were invented but it was enough to get them to leave. They don't want the police or the friends catching them there. They went for easier pickings.

 

[1st Officer]

In short it is part of the culture here, we worry about people that don't have guns. We have a very low crime rate here in fact it's almost nonexistent. Almost all the crime around here is domestic and just about anyone who gets shot is shot by a relative or spouse. You would never pull a robbery with a knife here either because someone with a gun would shove it where the sun don't shine. Funny thing is we hardly ever talk about guns unless it's to outsiders, everyone here just assumes you are packing heat and 99 times out of 100 they are right. Everyone in my family carried/carries at least one pistol including my Mother and Grandmothers. Also everyone hunts here including most women. All 5 of my Daughters carry except the youngest and she has a shotgun, they all hunt too.

 

[awsum140]

I remember Sean Connery's line "...bring a knife to a gun fight". I like to be on the superior firepower end of the equation. I carried, legally, here in NJ for years. Once I did have to show it to prevent violence being perpetrated on me and a friend by a gang of about six "young adults". They backed off very quickly. Once, responding to a silent alarm, I did "draw down" as I was being "drawn down" on. Thankfully, the police officer and I had gone to school together and everything ended safely, with both of us wanting a change of underwear. I will say the sound of a pump shotgun when the action is pumped, even if it's empty, can defuse many dicey situations.

I was raised with BB guns, then graduated to a British Enfield, .303, similar to an M1. As a teenager I went hunting and learned how to handle a shotgun. I got involved with security work and needed a carry permit to protect a client who had received multiple threats, that even the police were taking very seriously. Being the type of person I am, I got into shooting pretty deeply, it pays to know exactly what to do and when to do it, and even taught gun safety and marksmanship for a while. As a result, I am comfortable around guns of any type.

The bottom line, at least to me, is that a gun is just a hunk of metal, noting more, nothing less, unless it is deliberately and maliciously used to harm. People don't realize that knives and blunt instruments kill far more people than are killed by guns every year. For some reason, we attach something extra to a gun that doesn't get attached to a knife or baseball bat. I guess it's because a gun doesn't have to be used "up close and personal" like a knife or baseball bat, but they are just as lethal when it comes to mayhem.

 

[SandySu]

I remember Sean Connery's line "...bring a knife to a gun fight". I like to be on the superior firepower end of the equation. I carried, legally, here in NJ for years. Once I did have to show it to prevent violence being perpetrated on me and a friend by a gang of about six "young adults". They backed off very quickly. Once, responding to a silent alarm, I did "draw down" as I was being "drawn down" on. Thankfully, the police officer and I had gone to school together and everything ended safely, with both of us wanting a change of underwear. I will say the sound of a pump shotgun when the action is pumped, even if it's empty, can defuse many dicey situations.

I was raised with BB guns, then graduated to a British Enfield, .308, similar to an M1. As a teenager I went hunting and learned how to handle a shotgun. I got involved with security work and needed a carry permit to protect a client who had received multiple threats, that even the police were taking very seriously. Being the type of person I am, I got into shooting pretty deeply, it pays to know exactly what to do and when to do it, and even taught gun safety and marksmanship for a while. As a result, I am comfortable around guns of any type.

The bottom line, at least to me, is that a gun is just a hunk of metal, noting more, nothing less, unless it is deliberately and maliciously used to harm. People don't realize that knives and blunt instruments kill far more people than are killed by guns every year. For some reason, we attach something extra to a gun that doesn't get attached to a knife or baseball bat. I guess it's because a gun doesn't have to be used "up close and personal" like a knife or baseball bat, but they are just as lethal when it comes to mayhem.

I think the reason a gun is considered more dangerous than a knife or baseball bat is because it's easier to kill someone with it. Like you say, you don't have to get up close & personal. When you get close, there's the possibility that the weapon could be taken away from you before you get a chance to use it. Also, knives (many of them) and bats have other uses, so people feel justified carrying a knife so they can open boxes, etc. I used to have a Swiss Army knife in my purse, and it was never intended as a weapon but as a tool. It came in handy, too. I don't go around carrying a bat, since I don't play, and it's big and clumsy enough that no one probably just walks the streets carrying one unless they're walking to the park to play.

I agree that a gun isn't the problem, it's the person using it. I'm not trying to get into gun control here, just trying to understand people with different points of view, why they have them and how they got them. I realize my point of view -- to not carry a gun -- is based on fear of the things, which isn't particularly rational. But I guess it's like this. If you are a person afraid of dogs, would you have a pet dog?

Anyway, thank you all for answering my questions. It gives me a little better understanding of why someone might want a handgun.

 

[abracadebra]

Hi chitchatters! I'm completely sure this is the wrong place to be posting this, but what the heck? I just found out I won $50 from the what I love about spring contest. Woohoo!!! I'm so excited because I have a coworker who is interested in finally switching over from cigarettes, and I hope to set her up right with this gift from Smokeless Image. I've never bought a thing from this vendor. I use a REO and am way out of the loop on everything else. What do you all think would be the best way to spend this $50 to set up a newbie the very best I can to ensure she'll stick with e-cigs over analogs? I just visited the site, and I just don't know. I know that she's concerned about PG and hopes to use VG juices. So with that in mind, could any of you suggest how the money would best be spent? I am SO sorry for interrupting the flow of conversation, but I'm eager to get her started right away, and I knew the most people would likely see this here. I'll start another thread just to thank Imagine and SI. But thank you all here SO much, in advance, for any feedback, whatsoever!

I won also becky...congrates to you..lovely your helping out a friend..id like to say...go straight to the spinners n t3s...if I could go back in time..with what I know now...but like others have said..its best to keep it simple...I had pg n vg issues in the start...for me its all about balance...I find 50/50 best...nicquids line of juice 60pg/40vg....fine also....it all takes time to find what works best for us...your friend is lucky to have you...to guide her...

 

[SandySu]

I won also becky...congrates to you..lovely your helping out a friend..id like to say...go straight to the spinners n t3s...if I could go back in time..with what I know now...but like others have said..its best to keep it simple...I had pg n vg issues in the start...for me its all about balance...I find 50/50 best...nicquids line of juice 60pg/40vg....fine also....it all takes time to find what works best for us...your friend is lucky to have you...to guide her...

Congrats to you, too, Deb, for winning. What are you going to get?

 

[abracadebra]

Congrats to you, too, Deb, for winning. What are you going to get?

thanks sandy...rainbow spinner n t3s

 

[abracadebra]

you beauty...looks like autumn is finally here...you can go to sleep air con....have a well deserved rest...

 

[SandySu]

you beauty...looks like autumn is finally here...you can go to sleep air con....have a well deserved rest...

Deb, to celebrate your fall, here's what it looks like around here. This is Taughannock Creek gorge again. I posted a photo of this same gorge in the snow.

 

[abracadebra]

wow that's so beautiful....

 

[abracadebra]

when old mate goes away...for a few weeks...I must admit ..im a little afraid...as our laws only allow guns...if you live on 40 acres or more...or belong to a gun club,something like that....I have a huge knife....old mate said in his 30plus years..living here ,,hes never had any trouble..and laughs I have this knife...but better to be safe then sorry...

 

[Konstantine]

Mornin.

Get a funny colored water pistol and put acids (nitric, sulphuric) inside.
FAR more dangerous than a real gun...

 

[abracadebra]

Mornin.

Get a funny colored water pistol and put acids (nitric, sulphuric) inside.
FAR more dangerous than a real gun...

100% nicotine.....sprayed in the eyeball....maybe.....

 

[abracadebra]

Mornin.

Get a funny colored water pistol and put acids (nitric, sulphuric) inside.
FAR more dangerous than a real gun...

would"nt the acid melt the plastic?....ive only ever seen plastic ones

 

[awsum140]

Congrats Becky and Deb on winning the contest!

Becky, although Debra says if she could go back in time she'd just get Spinners and T3s it might be a better idea to stick to the 65mm or 78mm cig-a-like batteries to begin with. They emulate a tobacco cigarette much more closely and can make it easier to get off of tobacco as a result. I still use 78mm batteries with CE3s even though I have a bunch of X2s and two different, much larger, so called "mods". The problem is it takes a hand to use the bigger stuff, but the cig-a-likes can be used exactly like a cigarette. Talk with your friend to try to get an idea. Cudos to you for using your winnings to help someone get off of tobacco.

Debra, the nicotine would be very effective, but it would be a shame to waste it if you have that knife, think soprano!

 

[Wuzznt Me]

Next question. I was thinking about my attitude toward guns (total fear) and yours. I wonder if it was the way we were brought up. Did you who carry guns grow up with them, with parents who carried guns and taught you how to use them? Is that why you are comfortable and feel safer with a gun? Or was it because you've run into danger before, and feel more need of protection? I guess I've led a pretty safe life. I lived in NYC for about 20 years, but was only held up at knifepoint once. I was scared to death, and he got the $11 or so in my wallet and didn't hurt me, since I cooperated. That was truly scary, but if I had had a gun, would I have had the guts to shoot the guy? I doubt it. I guess I'm just a wuss. There were other times I felt threatened or scared, but I escaped NYC unscathed. I learned to watch myself and worry about who was around me and leave before something could happen. You get streetwise to some extent after living there for a while, especially after being held up at knifepoint. I probably wasn't as good at assessing my situation as a native New Yorker, but I got pretty good at it out of necessity. At the time when I was learning this, I realized that I had to change my attitude to that of prey, like a deer, who has to constantly be on the alert for danger and escape before danger descends.

So, if you carry a gun, do you not have to adopt this mind-set? Aren't you afraid that if you did get some guy holding a knife to you, and you shot him, there would be horrible repercussions, not only legal but emotional?

I grew up with guns. I guess I was about 9 when I got my first BB gun and the first focus was on gun safety and proper use rather than accuracy. I think it's more common in rural areas than urban for kids to grow up using them except for places like Chicago and a few other big cities where they are now being used by very young kids illegally. As far as having to use it to take a life I still train extensivly in proper use and have shot in IDPA practice matches. If the situation presented itself it would be reflex. You will always default to your level of training. Then I would have to deal with any stress or consequences. I would rather be tried by twelve than carried by six is one old cliche that still holds true. What you call streetwise is emphasized by defense training instructors as situational awareness to avoid trouble in the first place. Look up the anatomy of a crime sometime and you will find out street crime usually starts with an interview. "Could you spare some change?" "Do you have a light?" This is the most common method although others don't actually use close contact. Criminals are looking for victims, not combatants and that's one of the reasons a gun is more often a deterent. Your mind is your greatest defense weapon. A few other cliches are: I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy. Cops are minutes away when seconds count. And my favorite these days. I'm too old to fight and too tired to run.

 

[beckyblue]

Becky, that is so sweet of you. I would have spent it on me getting some 555 and Ry4

Becky, I not sure why your coworker is worried about PG as the vast majority of people have no problems with it. That said, the SI ejuices are 80/20 or 70/30 PG/VG if I remember correctly.

Nicquid I do not know about the ratios but it is popular.

I would get:


Smokeless Image | The Best Electronic Cigarette

It is $44.95. I would upgrade to the 78mm batteries for an extra $1 each. I would get one auto batt and one manual batt so she could try the two available styles. I would choose the Smooth sampler which is tobaccos.

I would throw in a sweet sampler for another $8.95

Yes, that does total $55.90 but because it is over $55 you will get the free shipping.

Your coworker can always try out the other wonderful options in the future.

I have NOT caught up (obviously), but this is my first moment back at the laptop since jumping in here (cuckoo schedule, long story). This is just too eerie for me to catch up before responding. I went ahead and ordered from my cell phone before even checking what you all recommended because I'm so eager to make Sarah (the coworker) a convert. I ordered EXACTLY what I now see that Renolizzie suggested, to a T. Smooth sampler/extra sweet sampler. 1 manual/1 auto. Too funny! Okay, now I'll resume the catch up to see if a bunch of folks chime in with, "Oh, no, anything but that"! Thank you, everyone, for not begrudging me the rude interruption. It's fun to see that some of my former fellow battle of the sexes Lounge lizards are here in Voltville (hi, JoAnn and abracadebra!).

 

[JoAnnW]

Good morning Volties! Congratulations to our winners Debra and Becky. Fancy meeting you here Becky and Welcome!

Coffee's on and hot water for tea is ready too. Please partake of some other goodies as well.

Fruit granola View attachment 195490

Some scrambled eggs View attachment 195491

and carmelized apple rolls View attachment 195492

I'm feeling much better this morning and now the waiting game to get the results. My return appointment is Tuesday but I have a good feeling about it since I haven't been contacted yet. No news is good news right?

 

[CatLady007]

Yep. If it's bad news, they hurry to let you know, dontcha know?
I believe I'll have one of the caramelized apple rolls; I'm going to indulge myself, since I'm home with a really nasty cold. After working with it for 3 days, I'm going to see just how much I can sleep today.
Hope you get some good news JoAnn.