[kj] the beast of LA

[sade1]

> ..Sounds likely in your situation however you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and did the right thing. 

 
  Ha, i turned right on a quiet stretch of a main street all along the whole stretch of which there is a "safe/r" and well-regarded Jesuit school, and a cemetery on the other. I was walking with a backpack, thinking of a song or something, and out the corner of my eye i see them rounding a corner, and upon seeing me their whole body language said, "pounce." So they did. 
  My mistake: i went down a quiet stretch of an otherwise safe street in a bad area, and I did it at the wrong time when there's little to no traffic at all. So I thought afterwards, so the police told me afterwards, so my cousin "the Fed" told me that next weekend. 
(btw, my cousin the 6'3" 240lbs. 'screw-you'-looking "Fed" was stopped [not-robbed] and shot right in front of his mom's house) 
 

> It's not so much about looking tough as not looking weak, scared, and unaware... 

 
   No doubt about that in general, but I'm just trying to point out the local variation to that. 'Round here they don't really size you up. 2, 3 guys armed = no need. (only lone crackheads do that, when you're coming out of a store or something.) Otherwise, most other criminals are usu. in clumps so they 1) always outflank you, and 2) have numerical superiority. " 'Round here," there's a not-too-frequent but regular drip-drip of tv news where so-and-so just came back for Afghan-Iraq, was walking down the street he was stopped and killed.   
 
   The good thing about local violent crime is that it's not at all anarchically rampant either, there is a method to all this madness: tho' it's gone up further where it was already high, it has also gone down in the areas where it was normally low to begin with, so Mr. Lawrence, to sum up, if you hang out in a half-decent area (that includes most of the Wilshire Corridor too), you'll be fine, really. 
 
 
 
It's hot here today, 83*F but feels about 90*+ with the dry air....


... ... ... ... ... ... 

[looking at the current state of things..]
 
'Save me...
  save me from Tomorrow..
    I don't want to sail in this Ship Of Fools...'   





________________________________
From: Brendan <bq at soundgardener.co.nz>
To: A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!) <gathering at misera.net>
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 10:39:59 PM
Subject: Re: [kj] the beast of LA


It's not so much about looking tough as not looking weak, scared, and unaware. Don't keep your head down and avoid eye contact cos that screams FEAR. But you don't really want to look cocky or challenging. Just not like a victim, cos wealking predators will generally go for the easiest target with the highest liklihood of success.
 
And self defense 101 would still potentially help in your situation because the primary goal in self defense...is self defence. Be aware at all times, notice and avoid dangerous situations, if you have to enter one keep an eye on who's around, where they are, are they armed, who's in charge, are there other people nearby, escape routes, weapons or environmental advantages, let perople know where you are etc. Escape if you can't avoid, negotiate, comply or bluff if you can't avoid / escape, and if you have to defend yourself then be prepared to escalate further quicker than the other guy, use dirty tricks, surprise, weapons if possible.
 
Sounds likely in your situation however you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and did the right thing. 


________________________________
From: gathering-bounces at misera.net [mailto:gathering-bounces at misera.net] On Behalf Of sade1
Sent: Saturday, 18 July 2009 9:19 AM
To: A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)
Subject: Re: [kj] the beast of LA


Around here, just keep your street wits about you and you'll be fine. 


> spot on jel


That said...
 
   In general, around here when it does happen (rob/assault), there's no "choosing" yourself/-ves as a "victim" (unless one seriously overreacts or cringes to their knees at the sight of some low-life), naaah; ethnicity aside, it happens to just about anyone, cab drivers, lawyers walking to their car, athletes leaving the gym, off-duty policemen (who can and do carry concealed firearms) dining out, sheriffs getting in their car to go to work in the morning... at some point they all get assaulted or shot in L.A. (ever wonder why all the cops buy houses miles and miles outside L.A.? It's like a chef who'll never eat his own food). 

   Around here, any self-respecting robber worth his trade will have a gun (they're so cheap), or a knife.  It's more about where you're at and when you're there: wrong time, wrong place - you're fucked, it's that simple.  So bring whatever street sense you've absorbed on the big-city streets of the U.K., it should be more than enough. 

   (I'll risk being wrong on this, but) I'd just add to a U.K. big-city street sense that, if i guess correctly, over there criminal/victim are more evenly matched due to guns being much rarer, then you may be more used to relying on physical presence, height, bullshitting, posture, poise,etc. getting you through. and good if it does. Over here though, if they're at all set on robbing you, the above won't count for shit. I had that refreshed to me 1st-hand when i was stopped and robbed right before last Christmas by 2 guys around 5'5", 16-19yrs.old,  and about 40lbs. smaller than me (5/11'', 190 lbs.) - but the puny automatic gun serving as a handrest in the one guy's waistband  kinda evened things out in their favor. 

 .. wrong place.. wrong time........

some more links,
Yellow Cab: http://www.layellowcab.com/
Indipendent Cab: http://local.yahoo.com/info-20442723-independent-cab-company-los-angeles

... ... ... ... ... ... 

[looking at the current state of things..]
 
'Save me...
  save me from Tomorrow..
    I don't want to sail in this Ship Of Fools...'   





________________________________
From: Stephen Lawrence <stephen.l at live.com>
To: "gathering at misera.net" <gathering at misera.net>
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 2:11:10 PM
Subject: Re: [kj] the beast of LA

spot on jel
 
________________________________
From: jelbod at hotmail.co.uk
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:09:24 +0100
Subject: Re: [kj] the beast of LA

 
With respect, it's always easy to say what you might do in any given situation, but when it comes to it, hell , thats a different thing. Truthfully, if you are outnumbered or in an area anywhere in the world where guns in particular are used, compliance is recommended. However, living in London, i find eye contact, confidence and a certain amount of arrogance, will see you through. I do believe that generally 'victims' choose themselves, by their fear, shitheads can smell it, it is the smell of themselves, Hyenas, fear driven. Pack mentality. God this world is sad!
 
 Jel
 
________________________________
From: stephen.l at live.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:58:38 +0000
Subject: Re: [kj] the beast of LA

hmm sorry folk but that doesn't sound like good advice 
never turn your back on a friend and especially not an enemyor group of potential ones 
i would continue forward and cross the street at the next avaiable opportunity 
failing that i would stop and stand with my back to a wall and allow them to pass 
if they wish to accost me , well oobviously i am gonna politely negotiate my way past 
if they are gonna mug me , i guess it is best to hand over whatever you are carrying as life  is more precious than possessions  
________________________________
From: folk.devil at hotmail.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:51:14 -0700
Subject: Re: [kj] the beast of LA

I guess, with regard to everything but the Berlin incident (which was down to my own stupidity)! lol!
Advice; if, when walking into a side street, you see a group of ten or so highly conspicuous individuals, turn around.
 
 
________________________________
From: jelbod at hotmail.co.uk
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:43:03 +0100
Subject: Re: [kj] the beast of LA


 Yes, I have had a gun pulled on me here, but I have also been mugged in Berlin, a city with one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. I experienced guns in the UK and Netherlands too. 
 
 Is your nickname 'Lucky'?
 
 Jel
________________________________
From: folk.devil at hotmail.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:39:29 -0700
Subject: Re: [kj] the beast of LA

Stephen, what you are going to find is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. 
There is a lot for you to see and do here, take your pick..clubs, beaches, mountains, plastic people, religious pilgrimages?..it can be disappointing musically, a bit of a backwater.
Just like any other city, you are going to know whether being in a certain place is a good or bad idea, just keep your radar on. Yes, I have had a gun pulled on me here, but I have also been mugged in Berlin, a city with one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. I experienced guns in the UK and Netherlands too. I would rather walk in downtown LA than many parts of (North) East London ;)
Enjoy :) 
 
________________________________
From: stephen.l at live.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:24:33 +0000
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

hmm it's the relatively word that raises questions 
possibly more dangerous to a tourist than a local hmmm?
 
________________________________
From: folk.devil at hotmail.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:53:44 -0700
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

hahaha..no mate, it's safe ;)
relatively :)

________________________________
From: stephen.l at live.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:33:10 +0000
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

classed as dangerous 
maybe a gang thing 
you tell me if you know different thanks 
 
________________________________
From: folk.devil at hotmail.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:54:35 -0700
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

what's bad about the Wilshire district? :/
 
________________________________
From: stephen.l at live.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:59:13 +0000
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

thanks for tip 
a mule trek was considered but i don't know how i would manage my luggage so i'm taking a raincheck and sticking with the comfortable option 
even considered a helicopter flight 
have to decide when i get nearer to it 
L A looks daunting just by the shear size of it 
learnt to avoid wilshire district 
pity sounds like a great club there 
 
________________________________
From: folk.devil at hotmail.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:48:45 -0700
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

Don't go to the GC from late November/early December..unless you are really a hardcore hiker. Much of it will possibly be closed to the public , too.
 
________________________________
From: stephen.l at live.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:44:26 +0000
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

i wanna pair for when i trek the grand canyon 
 
________________________________
Date: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:35:07 -0700
From: saulomar1 at yahoo.com
To: gathering at misera.net
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected



> ...I'd not recommend you to circumnavigate Sicily....unless 

> your.... James Bond, and..armed to the teeth.  


I would cross Sicilia on foot but only on these, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkfXvMHIXJg



 
... ... ... ... ... ... 

[looking at the current state of things..]
 
'Save me...
  save me from Tomorrow..
    I don't want to sail in this Ship Of Fools...'   





________________________________
From: "countessghoulita at aol.com" <countessghoulita at aol.com>
To: gathering at misera.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 10:57:48 AM
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected


I'd not recommend you to circumnavigate Sicily by pedalo, Darren. Unless your pedalo is provided by James Bond, and you are armed to the teeth.




-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Weil <karen.weil at sddt.com>
To: dpeace at suspiria.demon.co.uk; A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!) <gathering at misera.net>
Sent: Wed, Jul 15, 2009 10:54 am
Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected


Alligator wrestling in Florida?  Will you be charging admission? ; ) 
 
Cheers,
 
KW 
the States
----- Original Message ----- 

>From: Darren A. Peace 

>To: 'A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)' 

>Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 10:31 AM

>Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

>

>

>Fuck me, Stephen. You’re a cheery fellow today.

> 

>But I agree with you. Life’s too precious to waste. Tomorrow, for example, I shall be scaling the Polish Line of K2, followed by all igator wrestling in Florida. Friday I’m unicycling to the Meteora monastery, and then circumnavigating Sicily by pedalo.

> 

>Saturday and Sunday I think I’ll have a bit of a rest, as next week is quite busy.

> 

>Darren

>Hungerford, UK

> 

>From:gathering-bounces at misera.net [mailto:gathering-bounces at misera .net] On Behalf Of Stephen Lawrence

>Sent: 15 July 2009 4:10 PM

>To: gathering at misera.net

>Subject: Re: [kj] mark of the beast closer than expected

>

>well life has no guarantees 

>you or i could be knocked down by a vehicle crossing the road 

>or drunken idiot mounting the pavement 

>car crah whilst in friend's car 

>electrical accident at home 

>fire caused by neighbour 

>or left a parplegic by any one of those scenarios 

>or as you say struck down by some disease 

>all you can do is try your best and enjoy life every second you have and be grateful for another day  

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>Gathering at misera.net

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