Jesse, it was. I still remember visiting her in the hospital after about a dozen surgeries.

The worst part is they never caught the thugs, and she ran into one in a store about a year later. I don't think he recognized her, but I can't remember the details.

I lost touch with her, and I've tried searching for her but she had a very common name.

Steelcut oatmeal:

I am hostage in my house. Salvation Army is coming to pick up my couch and some other furniture, and the window was "11:00-2:30". I was really hoping for closer to 11AM. Oh, well.

I am pre-emptively blaming you all if I punch someone because they look at me hinkey on the commute home, NOW THAT I AM TERRIFIED OF GETTING STABBED.

java,

Please just don't shoot or stab the Salvation Army people.

Please just don't shoot or stab the Salvation Army people.

I promise I will not.

At least, not until they have the couch in their truck.

At least, not until they have the couch in their truck.

See, now you're thinking.

It's weird--I remember all the gun defenses, including rifle and machine gun, as clear as day, but I can't mentally walk through half the knife defenses.

Otherwise I'd prep you, msbelle.

javachik, that's a terrible story. I know it sounds trite, but those people would probably have stabbed the shit out of her if they'd had knives. It's a gamble, but people who "don't mean it" more often have guns, and people who "don't mean it" are more likely to hurt you if they end up having a knife. People who do mean it will hurt you with any damned thing.

msbelle, getting arrested would not set a good example for your child.

Increase the peace, people!!

but those people would probably have stabbed the shit out of her if they'd had knives.

Oh, absolutely!

Occasionally we do chalk sparring at the dojo. (I think they do it with the kids to make them wash their gi). Anyway, it is difficult to get out of a situation without any chalk.

We often practice knife and club techniques, but I haven't learned any gun techniques.