I just noticed something and wanted to start this totally off the wall thread about it--well, because there could be some theory there.
All my gaming friends carry some sort of "preparedness" accoutrement. I have a swiss army knife on my key chain, for example. Others in my circle of gaming friends carry, Leatherman tools, Fairbairn combat knives, Gerber utility knives, other swiss army knives and similar things.
By carry---I mean, they have these things with them no matter what....
Most of my friends who are not RPG gamers do not carry such things...
Are we gamers secretly fascinated with the multi-purpose tools that don't increase our encumbrance category and allow us to tackle those little things in life that need to be tackled with the right little tool at hand? Is the Swiss Army Knife our secret set of thieves' tools?
What do you guys routinely carry with you or in your vehicle? Is this just an aberration of statistics or am I on to something?
Here's what's in my truck at all times:
.357 revolver with spare ammo(I'm legal in all 50 states)
emergency blanket (the little silver reflective body heat retaining kind)
1 case of water bottles
tool kit
first aid kit
heavy duty jack
spare blanket
bandages
fire extinguisher
Folding knife
Snake bite kit
CPR one-way mask
I'm not a survivalist or subscriber to "Bomb Shelter Monthly" but I've come to realize that for the last 20 years, I've always filled up the empty spaces in my vehicle and pockets with things that are handy to have "just in case." Has playing RPG's, where lots of time is spent on preparedness inventories for characters, predisposed my brain to think like I need to be ready to go "adventure" at the drop of a hat--totally subconsciously?
Am I just a big weirdo? Probably.....
I have a thumb drive on my keychain. Does that count?
I have noticed that trait among several of my fellow gamers, with the exception of the ammo for firearms. That's a new one on me.
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You're a flaming weirdo on a fiery steed of weirdness wearing +5 plate of weirdiosity whilst weilding the dreaded Blade de la Weird. Sorry.
Anyway, yeah, I carry things for emergency purposes but I think you will find that people who do carry Emergency Equipment, will have different equipment based on environs.
I always carry a multi-tool (leatherman), a small knife, and each vehicle in my driveway has the same + some sort of large tool that can be used as a bludgeoning object to fend off an attacker. I am never far from a house or business (kinda congested in my part of Delaware) so I don't really need to carry water, emergency blankets, etc., but I have road flares, a first aid kit , etc in my vehicles also. I am guessing, by your items,that you live in a sparsly populated area in the mid-west? Mountains? I am more concerned with surviving a carjacking or mugging than with surviving a couple nights in the wilderness. Now my house, I have a flashlight within 10' of me no matter where I am in the house. Several improvised and real weapons are within easy/quick reach. I have a stockpile of canned goods and water in the basement along with several "self-defense" items. I have a basic tool kit for home repairs on each floor of the house. Safety items to get me out of the second floor in case of fire. All that stuff.
I could be a tiny bit wierd myself, though.
FH
.....man, I have a lot more stuff in my truck than I thought...I went and looked--three flashlights (including one that you shake and doesn't need batteries), magnesium fire starter, two bush hats, a bandana....I have a big tool box in the bed and lots of little compartments on the inside.
I called up a good friend of mine who lives in Phoenix. He's also a long time gamer but spent time in the Israeli Defense Forces...he has even more stuff stashed in his truck than I do.
He says it's just a phenomenon of people who realize that the world is not always an air-conditioned, friendly shopping mall and Murphy's Law says that you will invariably not have something you need when you really need it.
I pointed out to him that both he and I had "just-in-case" stuff stashed in our vehicles even before he joined the IDF and I joined the PD.....so he said he thinks it's because we live in an area of the country with lots of backcountry and many miles between towns....but I think it's because we're gamers ;)
My car, before it became a giant paperweight, had the following items in it:
Clean & empty beer bottles
A 2 gallon stockpot
A gallon of olive oil
Several towels
Numerous books
Several folding chairs (the nifty Savonarola style, even)
A wok
A butcher knife
A tent and blankets
Tire chains
First aid kit
Filled water bottles
Spare tire & tire jack
Why, you say? Well, I'm in the SCA and I have a really bad habit of not unpacking non-essentials. (Hence the tent, folding chairs, stock pot, wok, knife and olive oil.) What you pack in your car tends to be dependent on your locale - tire chains, emergency flares and thermal blankets are a must in my area of the world. If I could fit it, I would include a snow shovel. There have been times where the roads have been clear at 8am and by noon there was a foot of snow. Maybe I can get one of those folding camp shovels...
Now, my backpack (no purses for me, they never have enough room) I have a digital camera, extra headphones & batteries, game notepad, another notepad, several pens & pencils, a mini-drug cabinet (I'm known as the "Pusher" among my friends - the legal drugs, thank you very much), two moleskin notebooks, a 3-ft tape measure, a USB thumb drive, work keys, house keys, two cel phones, three kinds of chapstick, two kinds of eyedrops, a leatherman ('cause you gotta), my iPod, extra copies of my SCA group's newsletter, the latest copy of the Kingdom SCA's newsletter, probably a snack or two for the day (I have hypoglycemia)...
Yes, I'm a packrat - however, it has come in useful.
I think it's a combination of SCA and gaming, for me. I never know when something might be useful, so I have the habit of carrying a lot of little things.
Hey- I have the Swiss Army Knife. But, really I don't have that other stuff. Pair of gloves and long sleeve shirt packed in the car. I carry a set of 4 screwdrivers (2 long 2 short / phillips and straight) in the car too...the longer ones for defense use as well, I guess. I bet they could stab real good. I have a baseball bat at the foot of the bed for defense there...
The only other thing I constantly carry is a pack of gum, and chapstick (in the winter).
To add a variable to the 'weirdness', I still carry a valve lifter from my old 327 Corvette engine that I used to have in my dice bag.
I live in a tiny dorm room and have no car, so I don't have nearly as much 'just in case' stuff as y'all seem to. However, I always carry a basic pocket knife wherever I go and sometimes catch myself day dreaming about using it to fend off a mugger or drunkard. I don't know how well any of my dreams would play out in reality, as my brain usually skips over the process of removing the knife from my pocket and opening it before the other guy has a knife in my face or has simply pummeled me to the ground. I know for a fact that my day dreams are a result of the violent nature of my favorite passtimes; D&D, fantasy novels and action/scifi movies.
TS
Up here at school (SVA, Manhattan) the only thing on my keychain is an I <3 Vermont bottle opener. My courier bag always has:
Shakable no battery flashlight
2-3 sketchbooks, of various sizes
Pencil bag; pens and pencils
Some manner of tape (either PH neutral art tape or scotch)
Marble composition notebook
'Not For Tourists' guide to New York (really comes in handy)
My car at home has more typical 'just in case' stuff for the Northeast; cat litter for traction, blankets, water bottle, flashlight, etc.
I usually DM, though, so that may make me exempt from the rules; I've never as a character had to face down a werewolf with nothing but a spoon, so I likely haven't had the same preparedness issues.
My car, before it became a giant paperweight, had the following items in it:
Clean & empty beer bottles
A 2 gallon stockpot
Hey, I know why you have those clean & empty beer bottles! Homebrewers also carry some unusual stuff with them sometimes, like packets of fine, powdery corn sugar that look suspiciously like something else...
I have a bottle tree in my garage and a tub full of iodophor satured water so I can keep up with the sanitizing.
I give my friends dirty looks when they throw away pop off beer bottles and I will go digging through trash to find a Grolsch bottle that's been tossed!
Maltodextrin is also good for looking like suspicious substances. If you can find it, get an attachment for your faucet - a jet bottle washer, I think is what it's called. It is a *huge* assist when doing that fun thing that is sanitizing bottles. Also a wort chiller is fantastically cool.
Another thing that's mighty suspicious looking is a large bag of oregano. I buy my herbs in bulk, and I got some really strange looks carrying it around.
Hey, I know why you have those clean & empty beer bottles! Homebrewers also carry some unusual stuff with them sometimes, like packets of fine, powdery corn sugar that look suspiciously like something else...
I have a bottle tree in my garage and a tub full of iodophor satured water so I can keep up with the sanitizing.
I give my friends dirty looks when they throw away pop off beer bottles and I will go digging through trash to find a Grolsch bottle that's been tossed!
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Another thing that's mighty suspicious looking is a large bag of oregano. I buy my herbs in bulk, and I got some really strange looks carrying it around
Did they think it was Kalamanthis? :)
Go leatherman! I lost my dad's leatherman about 20 years ago and I still get crap for it today. The telescopic rods are nice to carry and remind me of D&D for some reason. I live in AZ where everyone owns at least a few guns as well.
I don't think I know anyone who doesn't own a gun, often more than one.
I don't think I know anyone who doesn't own a gun, often more than one.
I don't currently own a gun. I have considered purchasing one, especially when I travelled at night cross-country, but something else always needed to be bought first.
I used to have a tool for just about anything, but the last few years have resulted in a lot of my property being lost. It's frustrating in the extreme, as I'm having to slowly reassemble a toolbox and supplies. There's nothing worse than /not/ having a tool handy when you need it; I have the same problems with trying to start painting mini's and modelling again...I don't have my brushes or my paints or my supplies. *grumble*
Imagine my annoyance when my girlfriend's car ran out of gas and she had no gas can in the trunk. I had to walk farther to find a gas can than I did to find gas. Now she has one in both of her cars...
.....man, I have a lot more stuff in my truck than I thought...I went and looked--three flashlights (including one that you shake and doesn't need batteries), magnesium fire starter, two bush hats, a bandana....I have a big tool box in the bed and lots of little compartments on the inside.
I called up a good friend of mine who lives in Phoenix. He's also a long time gamer but spent time in the Israeli Defense Forces...he has even more stuff stashed in his truck than I do.
He says it's just a phenomenon of people who realize that the world is not always an air-conditioned, friendly shopping mall and Murphy's Law says that you will invariably not have something you need when you really need it.
I pointed out to him that both he and I had "just-in-case" stuff stashed in our vehicles even before he joined the IDF and I joined the PD.....so he said he thinks it's because we live in an area of the country with lots of backcountry and many miles between towns....but I think it's because we're gamers ;)
I think that the main correlation here is that gamers tend to be higher on both the 'techy geek' and 'worldly intelligence' scales, and thus will tend to be overprepared compared to Joe Schmoe who thinks about as far ahead as that evening's beer.
The good thing about all this is that, should an asteroid hit the Earth and modern civilization be brought to a crashing halt, folk like F2K will be among those survivors in the aftermath - at the very least, fighting for survival and not standing in a miles-long line begging and rioting for government aid that will never show up.
...wait - didn't that happen already?
Oh.
M
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I use to carry a Gerber pocket tool, but got called out to a site where some trenching for construction was going on. The guy opperating the backhoe saw some bones in the wall of the trench he was digging from (about 14 feet below the modern ground surface) and they called in our office to make sure they weren't human. I went out to verify, and I was able to determine 'all is cool, they're just deer bones'. Work was resumed and we went back to the office.
Once there, I noticed my Gerber wasn't in it's pouch...of course I had used it to get some of the bones out of the trench wall. I had laid it down and while showing the bones to the workers and explaning what they had found and that they didn't have to see their priest because that hadn't ripped up a human bods, and then I had hopped back in the truck and drove back to the shop.
I went back the next day because I had to go check on a site, but the section of wall along where I had been had been collapsed. So my Gerber was either buried under several feet of soil -or- it was scooped up into a semi-bed as fill for a project somewhere in central Texas.
I just haven't gotten around to picking up a new one.
I don't think I know anyone who doesn't own a gun, often more than one.
Thats one thing that scares me about the US: Everyone seems to have a gun ready. I´ve never been to the US and probaby never will, and thats one of the reasons why. Here in germany, only the cops are allowed to carry guns in public, and not all of them do. You need a licence to even own a gun, and you need a real good reason the get this licence.
My car is light on additional gear: some tools, the first aid kit, warning sign and vest required by law, some spare windshield wipers, water and window cleaner and thats about it. But the worst case I ever had when one of my cars broke down was a walk of perhaps half an hour to the next village to ask someone to use his phone and call a friend to get me from there. In this corner of the world, you have a village every 5 kilometers or so, so even on a minor road, there is no real danger of being stuck in the middle of nowhere. And therefore you don´t need survival gear in your car. Heck, if my car broke down, I´d just call the automobile service club with my cell phone and let them take care of the problem. It has its advantages living in a densely populated area.
Stefan
I don't think I know anyone who doesn't own a gun, often more than one.Thats one thing that scares me about the US: Everyone seems to have a gun ready. I´ve never been to the US and probaby never will, and thats one of the reasons why. Here in germany, only the cops are allowed to carry guns in public, and not all of them do. You need a licence to even own a gun, and you need a real good reason the get this licence.
Ah, the difference in cultures! =)
I can appreciate your concern, Stefan, but while it may seem like every American has a gun, quite a large number do not. Those that do, rarely carry them outside their homes unless they have permits (this does depend on what region you live in; the further west and south you go, the laws tend to change). It's not quite Johnny Cowboy with a six-shooter on his hip (mostly).
Back on topic, though... when I lived in Mississippi, my Saturn was filled to the brim with camping gear, a couple of different flashlights, armor (for the SCA), dance manuals (again, the SCA), gaming books, and a repair kit for most things automotive-related. About the only thing I didn't have was an air gauge for my tires. =)
I don't own a gun, partially because I am unfamiliar with them (last time I shot a gun, it was a 22 rifle and a 38 revolver at the firing range) and I don't want them around if I don't know how to use them safely and properly.
I do, however, have a couple of swords and knives in the bedroom. Those, at least, I have a passing understanding of how to use them. Especially a butcher's knife.
I do, however, have a couple of swords and knives in the bedroom. Those, at least, I have a passing understanding of how to use them. Especially a butcher's knife.
Heh. I find that SCAdians always have the best luck with break-ins. (If you can ever consider a break-in lucky! >.<)
How many robbers expect to see a half-naked person (or fully naked, depending on the SCAdian) wielding a broadsword? It adds a certain ... flair to the encounter. =)
Heh. I find that SCAdians always have the best luck with break-ins. (If you can ever consider a break-in lucky! >.<)
How many robbers expect to see a half-naked person (or fully naked, depending on the SCAdian) wielding a broadsword? It adds a certain ... flair to the encounter. =)
I come from Michigan, where sportsmen (hunters and shooters) are appreciated. I now live in Chicago, where they are not. It requires something close to an act of Congress to own a handgun anywhere near the city, and long guns are strongly frowned upon. Swords, though, in the category of 'decorative wall-hangings' aren't such a problem.
However! If you should ever be forced to use one in real combat (for self-defense, one hopes) be aware that you *will* face a lawsuit, if not criminal charges. There is plenty of precedent. Perhaps some of our police members can chime in, but if you go after a robber with a sword the law is likely to look at you as Johnny Nutcase-with-a-Ginsu doing cruel and unusual things to poor unsuspecting robbers. And Woe Be Unto You if the dirtbag actually survives the encounter (aside from the sloppy sword technique on your part). If a robber can win a lawsuit for breaking his toe whilst tossing someone's apartment, then you as a sword-wielding lunatic are pretty much done for.
In my opinion, an aluminum baseball bat is a better choice. A wooden one with large nails driven through it may look cooler, but it will get you a pretty hard look from most law-enforcement types.
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F2K, what is the official word on using archaic melee weapons on someone invading one's home. I know the cops would've hated me for chasing the guy down the street cause he was never in my house and left my property, but what if someone enters my domicile and I whack 'em with a flail that I keep hanging on my wall?
FH
F2K, what is the official word on using archaic melee weapons on someone invading one's home. I know the cops would've hated me for chasing the guy down the street cause he was never in my house and left my property, but what if someone enters my domicile and I whack 'em with a flail that I keep hanging on my wall?
FH
A lot of it will depend on the local prosecutor and the community you live in. In my hometown, a home invader is as good as dead, and the defender will be lauded for protecting what's theirs. Here in Chicago (a much more liberal community) lawmakers are just as concerned (if not more so) with the rights of the criminals. Probably because so many constituants ARE criminals. Then again, so are a lot of the lawmakers. But I'm not bitter or anything...
In my opinion, an aluminum baseball bat is a better choice. A wooden one with large nails driven through it may look cooler, but it will get you a pretty hard look from most law-enforcement types.
That's what I'm talkin' bout! A short aluminum ball bat (for like Little League), gets you some major damage on the poor unfortunate home invader...and still gives you some swinging room in cluttered hallways and whatnot. And you can use it as a ranged weapon, too! Of course, then you are standing there in yer boxers wishing you had a taser or something.
A friend of mine in Kansas City used a paintball gun to shoo away some punks that were climbing over his fence into his backyard at 2 AM.
The law depends on the state, FH. In Texas, things are pretty liberal, but the law is interpreted ultimately by the District Attorney and the grand jury that chooses to indict or not to indict.
I would consult the Penal code (usually available on your state government's website) to determine the defenses to using force to defend yourself or your property. My rule of thumb would be that if you're defending your life or someone else's life from serious bodily injury or possible death, you're okay.
I would never use deadly force against someone who was just stealing my stuff, even though in Texas there are some situations where I would most certainly be justified in doing so. Finding a burglar in your home almost always raises the bar to defending yourself because it's not like you're going to ask 20 questions "Are you here to steal my prized possession of D&D miniatures or are you here to kill me?"
I don't want to get into a gun law debate. There are strong positions on both sides of the issue. Yes, having a lot of guns in a society does increase certain kinds of dangers, but not having any guns most certainly raises a LOT of dangers.
Most countries with strong anti-gun laws still have gun violence. The only thing I will say for sure on this issue is that IF you choose to own guns, you have a responsibility to store them safely and make sure kids can't get a hold of them.
The fact that everyone I know owns guns doesn't necessarily increase the level of danger. Feel free to travel in the U.S., Stefan--you'll find your perceptions are largely colored by TV and the media. Americans are very friendly people and unless you're breaking into someone's house, stealing their car or robbing their convenience store, you'll most likely never see a gun if you travel in the U.S---I guarantee it.
When I first came to America I thought that it was like I had seen in all the U.S. crime shows and magazine articles I had read in Germany. I came to find that it really is not that dangerous here. For example, El Paso--where I live now, usually only has about 15-25 murders per year, per 700,000 people--which is really low and compares favorably to the overall murder per capita rate for many European countries.
By the way--the only place I ever got mugged was in Troisdorf, Germany--at knife point....I sure wish I had had a gun then, because that really pissed me off!! I think the street crime problem is just as great in Germany as it is in the U.S.
Will the criminals, who violate the law by definition, always be able to get a hold of guns? Sure....does that mean I think everyone should be armed all the time? No, most certainly not...I know a lot of people that own guns that probably shouldn't carry them around with them in public--but then, these same people also probably shouldn't be driving 3000 lb automobiles anywhere near pedestrians....
...but when you hear a window breaking at 2AM and you call 911 or the "Notruf" number in Germany and they tell you that someone will be there "as soon as possible"....I think everyone has a right to defend themselves and their family when you can't count on the police to be there fast enough.
On the flipside--I lost two of my closest gaming friends 4 years ago when one of them shot and killed the other one during a marital dispute....might that murder still have occurred had a gun not been readily available? Probably not--probably would have just been a really nasty fight, not a murder.
I hate to be so wishy washy on this topic--normally I have a strong opinion and I stick with it....one side of me wants to thump his chest and say that God, Guns and Guts made America great....but the other side of me would willingly give up all of his weapons if we could assure with 100% certainty that the bad guys could never get them again either.
I can totally see both sides of the gun issue and find it difficult to condemn strong proponents of gun control...but neither would I ever take away someone's right to defend their home and family. Professionally, no law-abiding citizen with a gun ever caused me any problems.
I think that the main correlation here is that gamers tend to be higher on both the 'techy geek' and 'worldly intelligence' scales, and thus will tend to be overprepared compared to Joe Schmoe who thinks about as far ahead as that evening's beer.The good thing about all this is that, should an asteroid hit the Earth and modern civilization be brought to a crashing halt, folk like F2K will be among those survivors in the aftermath - at the very least, fighting for survival and not standing in a miles-long line begging and rioting for government aid that will never show up.
...wait - didn't that happen already?
Oh.
M
I think that's a really good answer to my original thread question..."worldly intelligence" and "techy geek" scales are certainly higher among gamers....as is the tendency to "think and plan ahead".....although I do believe that last year's natural disasters and subsequent human tragedy has raised the level of preparedness at all levels--we shall see anyway because another hurricane or other major disaster in an area of urban decay is inevitable.
Totally off-topic here, feel free to ignore it. And it holds personal opinions as well.
Most countries with strong anti-gun laws still have gun violence. The only thing I will say for sure on this issue is that IF you choose to own guns, you have a responsibility to store them safely and make sure kids can't get a hold of them.
You are completely right there, of course. Laws don´t prevent criminals from breaking them, they just set the measure for the penalties.
The fact that everyone I know owns guns doesn't necessarily increase the level of danger. Feel free to travel in the U.S., Stefan--you'll find your perceptions are largely colored by TV and the media. Americans are very friendly people and unless you're breaking into someone's house, stealing their car or robbing their convenience store, you'll most likely never see a gun if you travel in the U.S---I guarantee it.
Surely you are right there again. I know only one person at all who owns guns (a hunter), and most people I know probably don´t even know anyone owning one. So, a sentence like "everyone I know owns a gun" sounds somewhat scary to me. Of course not everyone owning a gun in the U.S. is a homicidal maniac using it at the slightest provocation, the media are providing a totally wrong picture for sure.
For example, El Paso--where I live now, usually only has about 15-25 murders per year, per 700,000 people--which is really low and compares favorably to the overall murder per capita rate for many European countries.
Well, as I´m somewhat patriotic, I have to object for germany: the police statistics say there are 1 to 1,5 murders per year per 100.000 inhabitants - thats only about half as much as El Paso.
By the way--the only place I ever got mugged was in Troisdorf, Germany--at knife point....I sure wish I had had a gun then, because that really pissed me off!! I think the street crime problem is just as great in Germany as it is in the U.S.
I´m sorry to hear that. But I´m not sure if guns would have made that any better, because if you had had a gun then, the muggers could (and probably would) have had them also...
(not quite sure about the grammar here...)The whole gun issue is very much a matter of personal taste and opinion. I´m against liberal gun laws, but thats just me. I´m quite happy with the current german laws, and I have no reason to feel threatened at all.
Stefan
Well, I'm Canadian.
So I can't go anywhere without my trusty beaver traps and moose repelant. I also seem to carry many shovels (even during the summer time). I don't carry bear bait cause it's available pretty much everywhere.
Ultradan
Just pulling your leg, guys!
But I DO have more hockey sticks than tools in my garage.
Ultradan
1.5 murders per 100,000 people in Germany? That's pretty good....I couldn't find the statistics last time I looked.
I think German law is fine the way it is as well. If I lived in Germany, I'd probably have a Waffenschein for a little .22 caliber target rifle or pistol, because I enjoy target shooting, but that would be it.
By the way, my cousin is a police officer in Troisdorf. Ironically, when I got mugged I was on the way to the police station to meet him so we could go have beers after he finished his shift. The mugger didn't get anything from me...I pretended not to speak German and I ran....however, being in law enforcement myself--running from a criminal is not something I'm programmed to do, but I didn't want to get stabbed.
I do agree that had we both had guns, things might have been worse....but armed citizens in the U.S. do prevent a lot of crime---but that very rarely makes news.
Just pulling your leg, guys!
But I DO have more hockey sticks than tools in my garage.
Ultradan
Hey Ultradan--you're the model for the "Canadian template" LOL!! Are you sure I didn't see you on SCTV??? Just kidding....you can never have enough hockey sticks!! I have way more golf clubs than I truly ever need myself.
I always carry my skinning knife on my belt when I'm not at school. In my car I have one of those no battery flashlights, a small but reliable toolkit, a roadside emergancy kit including an air compressor, no survival gear but I've never had the opportunity to buy, two magnesium starters (I love those!) and a good sized fire extinguisher. And generally at least a pint of flammable materials.
I'm quite the fire bug but I've always been worried about hurting someone or their property with my hobby so the fire extenguisher actually sees some use every now and again.
In my house growin up there were four rifles a shotgun and a .357 magnum revolver at all times. I never even knew they existed until I was 16 and now at 18 I only know where one of them is stored.
1.5 murders per 100,000 people in Germany? That's pretty good....I couldn't find the statistics last time I looked.
Its from the german wikipedia under the entry "mord" (murder in german). In 2004 the quota was down to 1 on 100.000 - including murder attemped but not resulting in a kill. Thats of course only those attempts that got into the statistic, though. I think that fits for my home town - 100.000 inhabitants and one murder (or attempt) per year.
By the way, my cousin is a police officer in Troisdorf.
If you ever visit him again, let me know - my sister lives in Niederkassel, perhaps five miles from Troisdorf - perhaps we could meet there.
Stefan
1.5 murders per 100,000 people in Germany? That's pretty good....I couldn't find the statistics last time I looked.
Its from the german wikipedia under the entry "mord" (murder in german). In 2004 the quota was down to 1 on 100.000 - including murder attemped but not resulting in a kill. Thats of course only those attempts that got into the statistic, though. I think that fits for my home town - 100.000 inhabitants and one murder (or attempt) per year.
By the way, my cousin is a police officer in Troisdorf.If you ever visit him again, let me know - my sister lives in Niederkassel, perhaps five miles from Troisdorf - perhaps we could meet there.
Stefan
That would be great!! I would really enjoy that. My wife has been wanting to go back to Germany for a long time to visit, but my son's health has precluded any return trips for now....however, he's getting better and we are hoping to make it back to Germany to visit all my remaining family there sometime in 2007 or 2008. I also have cousins and aunts and uncles living in Waldbroel, Bonn, Siegen and other places all over NRW.
BTW I got mugged at the train station in Troisdorf. The police station is just a block away.
My two cents:
Just to confirm what F2K said. I'm Canadian, but lived and trained in the U.S. for a few years. Most Canadians I know (myself included) don't own a gun. Most of my american friends also don't own guns. This was in Massachusetts of course. What many non-americans often don't realize is how heterogeneous the individual states are in regard to laws etc. Massachusetts probabaly has more in common with eastern canada then in does with Texas, and I know that Alberta has more in common with Texas then, say, Ontario.
Most people are good and reasonable on both sides of the border, having lived both south and north of the 45th parallel myself.
....and 2 of the 6 guys in my group do carry Swiss-army knives or something like them. One guy is military, the other is RCMP.
Hmmm... I checked my group of 6 gamers last night and I'm the only one with a swiss army knife on my key chain. Now bottle openers is quite a different story though.
Well lets see, the most gear i ever had in my car at one time was.....
a three first aid kits, splints, 5-6blankets, oxygen and a spineboard complete with three c-collars (you know neck braces)
but that was on the way to a guard competition. Now I just have a blanket, emergency pack, with some rations of some sort, and flares, and a knife and a hatchet. First aid kit, speed splints and a flashlight.
that is it, I try to keep it light, and I always have a folding knife in my pocket and an emergency mask for just in case CPR/AR has to be started. BE prepared....ahhhhh, the boy scouts rubbed off on me, as well as the lifeguarding, It will probably haunt me for the rest of my life!
later
A.
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First off, I am an ex-special forces
medic...
that being said I carry a gerber multi-tool and mini mag light in an oversized hip case, with fishing gear and matches; in my wallet I have a slim metal multi tool the size of a credit card.
in my personal vehicle, I carry a .38 revolver, extra ammo, a full med kit, rain gear, fishing tackle(a cane pole, and an orvis rod both collapsable,included), a pack with extra clothes, a bed roll(the kind you see on cattle drives), a feild mess kit, 2 rolls of toilet paper, and several packets of rations(read MREs),road side emergency kit(with a nice tool kit) and a full rock climbing kit(for the life of me I don't know why it's still in my car, I live in Florida and havn't had a chance to go climbing in years).
as for going to work, since I drive a company vehicle to and from work,no firearms, basic med kit,bag with change of clothes, blanket, and beef jerky trail mix. and the ever present fishing gear, and for personal defence, I have a 10 oz hammer in the front seat of my truck, and a machette in the tool box...
game on
Am I just a big weirdo? Probably.....
Tis what I think. your not alone and no not a big weirdo(as far as this post go :)and that it may just be our mind being extra careful like we are in adventures. Or maybe they are over protective. Eithier way you are deffinetly not alone. So this post is odd yet tells how our brain works. Don't swet it.
Go with the flow'-Gubbaffet
First off, I am an ex-special forces
medic...
game on
I was a 91-A in the USAR from '84 to '92. We had a Special Forces Medic as one of our instructors at Fort Sam in 1985--craziest bastard that ever walked the face of the Earth. We all loved him because there was not an ounce of bullshit in the guy....hats off to all you SF guys!!
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First off, I am an ex-special forces
medic...
game onI was a 91-A in the USAR from '84 to '92. We had a Special Forces Medic as one of our instructors at Fort Sam in 1985--craziest bastard that ever walked the face of the Earth. We all loved him because there was not an ounce of bulls&*@ in the guy....hats off to all you SF guys!!
F2K,
thank you sir, I would adress you in your native German, however my Duetch is rusted closed and my instuctor was Dutch...for all my SFmed brothers(and I understand now a few sisters), I think you... HURA ParaRescue...
91-A?, sorry USAF your terms are strange my gropo brother.
First off, I am an ex-special forces
medic...
game onI was a 91-A in the USAR from '84 to '92. We had a Special Forces Medic as one of our instructors at Fort Sam in 1985--craziest bastard that ever walked the face of the Earth. We all loved him because there was not an ounce of bulls&*@ in the guy....hats off to all you SF guys!!
F2K,
thank you sir, I would adress you in your native German, however my Duetch is rusted closed and my instuctor was Dutch...
for all my SFmed brothers(and I understand now a few sisters), I think you... HURA ParaRescue...
91-A?, sorry USAF your terms are strange my gropo brother.
Sorry for the confusion--USAR (U.S. Army Reserve)--the underfunded backbone of the Army. 91-A was the old MOS designation of the Combat Medical Specialist 10 week course at Ft. Sam Houston back in the 80's. I understand most MOS' were re-classified and re-numbered, but I don't keep up with all that stuff.
I was low on the totem pole--I was a medic in a hospital unit...can't get lower than that. I spent most of my time driving deuce-and-a-halves.
I actually got a draft notice for the Bundeswehr while I was in basic training at Ft. Dix, NJ, since I was still a German citizen at that time. My C.O. made some calls and I was off the hook, LOL!
Ft. Sam Houston was awesome, because I love San Antonio and a buddy of mine had the luxury of having a Ford Fairmont with him while he went through AIT (split option reservist's deal--go to Basic one summer and AIT the next). I never got to see much of Killeen because I was only at Ft. Hood for my two weeks and we spent the entire time in the field for Brigade level exercises. I still enjoyed it, because my old unit was full of such cool people, from the Colonel (a local pediatrician who sounded like Henry Kissinger) to the First Sergeant. I always ran an AD&D game in the field, for 1-2 hours each day, whenever possible.
I normally carry a small "girl's" swiss army knife with a small blade, nail file,tweezers, toothpick and most importantly scissors. Scissors are useful.
The first memory I have of finding out about my dad's guns was him teaching me why *not* to play with them. He let me fire one at a target (hit decently too) and learn about recoil. Being a weak kid I didn't like that too much. But I still think guns are cool looking when it comes to collectibles. Or maybe it's just the nice hardwood handles on older guns.... eh. I don't think I could ever own one in my house, too much risk involed, not to mention if we could afford a gun we'd most likely get a sword or more boffering equipment instead.
I have no clue what's in my car, since I take the bus, but my bag normally has food for a day, spare batteries, DS, CD player, planner, gloves, hat, scarf, scarf in progress (after all, "D&D, totally compatible with knitting."), cell phone, bus pass and textbooks for 4 classes.