Was I just almost mugged?!

[AlmightyALT]

I take combat karate and our teacher says that 98% of self defense is being aware of your surroundings and listening to your gut. You did good.

[dakhur]

Was actually mugged once. In the early 90's, in Liverpool, Sydney, Aus. Very bad area at the time. Was known as the 'Dole Capital' of Oz.

Anyway, was coming back to Holsworthy barracks at about dark o'clock one Sunday morning, and to get back by train, you had to cross a footbridge and walk up a dark road. A guy was hanging around at the end of the bridge, and I had the choice of waiting for 40 minutes at a dark train station or crossing the bridge and taking my chances. So, crossed the bridge, twit turns, waves the smallest knife I've ever seen, and tries the "give me your money" thing.

I counted on the fact he was an idiot, pulled out my wallet, and threw the contents at him -- which was an old gas bill, electric bill, water bill, and a layby docket. He snarled a bit and said "where's your money?" I pointed at the bills and put on an incredulous voice and said "what money? Have you seen how much those bills are?"

Pure luck had someone else coming up across the bridge and he took off running, jumped in a car on the road, and burled away. Looked around to find a couple of the locals coming across, and they escorted me back to barracks when I told them what happened. Very nice Aboriginal lads, who found it hysterical that the idiot thought I'd keep my money in my wallet when wandering around at night -- it was tucked into my socks, like any sensible person.

[blas]

No matter where I am, I always lock myself in my car (haven't figured out how to change my settings to stop it from unlocking itself when I park), and for that reason, I don't start fiddling with my purse or anything until I'm sure I'm locked in.

It also helps to have a sharp nail file in your bra or in your sock, and to carry your keys Wolverine style laced between your fingers. If you have that many keys in your chain.

This is also why I'm thanking the lord that it's finally staying light out later, so it's not pitch black at 5 pm anymore.