Preparing for the Blind Date

Tell me ladies, what's  you experience.  I am a control freak until I am mentally sure enough of someone to release control. Therefore, this dating thing means I'm gonna be driving the bus as it were.  Breathe!

I cannot let someone take control of where I am going and what I am doing.  My comfort level says I'm the who that's in charge.  Can't release the IC position for this.  Breathe!

Dude, I'm really sorry that I scared you so bad.  My profession and life require that I go and do and that means sometimes nights, weekends and holidays. My dance card is pretty full between now and June,  I know you live a quiet, scheduled life, mine fell apart twice Saturday before I made the drive to meet you and I still got there on time. Breathe!

Wish you could lean a little more the to spontaneous side.  That's how I live.  Now. Not in the future or when you have a day off (what's that).  Now. Breathe!

Maybe when we get together to visit again you won't be quite so scared by this brassy blonde who was clearly, in charge and on point.  Don't you ever just get on that motorcycle and go without a specific destination in mind?  Breathe!

Life's too short to be left looking! Breathe!

Back On Topic -- SHEEP, WOLVES and SHEEPDOGS

By Lt. Col Dave Grossman

Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident.” This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another.

We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

Then there are the wolves and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy. Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

Then there are sheepdogs and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf. Or, as a sign in one California law enforcement agency put it, “We intimidate those who intimidate others.”

If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen: a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath–a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero’s path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.

We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms and fire exits throughout their kids’ schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kid’s school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep’s only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard, and so they chose the path of denial.

The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheep dog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.

Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn’t tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, “Baa.” Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.

The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary circumstances they would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them. This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog when the wolf is at the door.

Look at what happened after September 11, 2001 when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel? Remember how many times you heard the word hero?

Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right along with the young ones.

Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America said, “Thank God I wasn’t on one of those planes.” The sheepdogs, the warriors, said, “Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference.” When you are truly transformed into a warrior and have truly invested yourself into warrior-hood, you want to be there. You want to be able to make a difference.

There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that destroys 98 percent of the population.

There was research conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said that they specifically targeted victims by body language: Slumped walk, passive behavior and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself.

Some people may be destined to be sheep and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I’m proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.

Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When he learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd dropped his phone and uttered the words, “Let’s roll,” which authorities believe was a signal to the other passengers to confront the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers – athletes, business people and parents. — from sheep to sheepdogs and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.

There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men. – Edmund Burke

Here is the point I like to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each year. In nature the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They didn’t have a choice. But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision.

If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you. If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down and you will never have rest, safety, trust or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior’s path, then you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.

This business of being a sheep or a sheep dog is not a yes-no dichotomy. It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between.

Since 9-11 almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors and the warriors started taking their job more seriously. It’s okay to be a sheep, but do not kick the sheepdog. Indeed, the sheep dog may just run a little harder, strive to protect a little better and be fully prepared to pay an ultimate price in battle and spirit with the sheep moving from “baa” to “thanks”. The degree to which you move up that continuum, away from sheep-hood and denial, is the degree to which you and your loved ones will survive, physically and psychologically at your moment of truth.

We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a small pat on the head, a smile and a thank you to fill the emotional tank which is drained protecting the sheep. And when our number is called by the Almighty, and day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens just may be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep. And be grateful for the thousands, millions of American sheepdogs who permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas.

For Lunch today I nearly had a heart attack

I now have a supremely enforced impression of the definition of stupid.  That's me.  Ladies, I don't care what he says about her, it's a lie, he's only after one thing!  And last week he got a pretty fair dose of that, it was what he wanted and hadn't had for so long, poor baby. 

Today, my years of professional theatre training paid off.  THEY sat down and had lunch with me after he introduced us.  The most fun part was watching his face turn red across the table as his blood pressure rose in fear.  Of course the restaurant owner friend of mine nearly blew it when he came up and remembered I had taken him in there last week.  And then went on to ask how they were enjoying the "new year new me" "softer look" I am sporting this year.  Oh my god, am a I fool! 

Sent him an immediate text upon us all leaving restaurant together with one word only....bastard.  When I saw her exit vehicle at bank a few blocks later, the next one said "damn I'm good".

Exit strategy is now back on the table.  I learned a whole lot in the hour and a half that she and I talked.  bastard.

I believe I learned a preparedness lesson today girls.

I Had Forgotten

Had a really interesting day recently.  My new friend and I were traveling in separate cars.  I had to stop for gas.  Went inside to pay, when I came back out he was pumping the gas for me.  Wow, forgot there are still gentlemen on the planet!

Once upon a time

I figured it out its the DAMN full moon effecting my good sense. Maybe I should cut my losses and whip out the "Exit Strategy". Self doubt is a double edged sword that is razor sharp. Full moon was beautiful on bay. Now it only peeks between the clouds rolling in from the Gulf. Maybe I'll get a daisy and pick petals...

I know that I live in the tropics! Why am I putting on thermal undies and wool socks today?
BRRRRRR!

All Hazards

Alright ladies!  Here's one that I truly, never seriously considered, before the last month or so rolled around.  OK, so you're prepared for the next great crash, civil unrest, outright anarchy; what do you do when there is now someone else to consider.

Send me your comments I want to know how you've overcome this one in your preparedness plans.  I don't bug out, my job keeps me in the target zone.  See ya'bubba!  Be right here when ya' get back!  Holy mackerel!  My brain is spinning.  DAMN

New Development

Oh my! Thought I was truly prepared for all hazards! I've found a new hazard for this widow. Defnitely "man"made!
You know after wd40 passed on, I just knew I would spend the next 50 on my own. Kiss that theory goodbye, it's just blown out the window! DAMN

Yesterday was a tough day

I was determined to face the "music" before the New Year.  I had to put that incident behind me.  It has changed my life drastically.  I hadn't owned a pistol in 30 years.  I now own and shoot it frequently.  Malwart guy calls me the 9mm granny, I don't buy less than 250 at a time.

When I went in to the restaurant, my stomach sank as I walked in. I had already stopped outside and looked thru the windows, just like I did that night.  Almost turned around.  No plastic in the mail yet, so I was unarmed.  I waited in the parking lot til I could park in the door.

3 employees in the kitchen, 2 came out to greet me and wanted to know where I had been.  They both knew I was the customer who came in during the robbery, they had seen the video. Then I learned the rest of the story. 

I was right, it was someone the employees on duty that night knew.  From what I learned it was all a set up. And, it wasn't the first, the same thing to the same employees had occurred about 10 months before.

That kind of made me feel better, but at the same time, those guys know my name and phone number and where I work. Apparently there have been no charges filed, I must remind the local gendarmes that I too am a victim and request my rights as a victim.

I'm not sure why, but I am more confident about my own abilities than I was.  I have a friend, who says if anything happens, she's coming to wherever I am because she knows that I will be able to handle anything.  She said she had dreams about me coordinating incidents, 3 radios, 2 headsets and 2 clipboards. Personally, I call that a nightmare!

Happy New Year All!