"Coffee Table"

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Between black coffee, and shiftn' gears
She walked down the steps , eyes peering into the dark looking for me. I approached and gave her a hug, while doing so I slipped a SP101 in her Blazer Pocket.

We headed down the walk approaching another set of steps ,these would lead down to the sidewalk at street level.

I dusted the coffee table today - I said in conversation. Did you get the blades on the ceiling fan too? - she asked . YES

The heat of the day had given way to a slight breeze once the sun had set. She put her hands in her Blazer and it "appeared" she was just closing the Blazer closer to her for warmth. Smart looking dark gray business suit - with stripes.

I was in Jeans, my older scuffed tennis shoes, tucked in Kahki with stripes Oxford Shirt and wearing a Duck Head Green 100% cotton shirt as a hedge against the chill - just an overshirt.

Lighting was poor as we turned the corner and headed to my truck. What do you think about the Clock in the kitchen? she asked . I mentioned she was correct it did look better on "that" wall as opposed to where it used to be.

I unlocked her door, let her in and locked her in. I proceeded to the driver's side, taking note as I entered . We left the secluded street bathed in darkeness. I took the first right and sped down to the main road in town, found the row of fast food joints and picked one. We ordered something to eat, shot the bull and let a good 45 minutes pass. Then went back to get her car. I approached slowly , with my bright lights on, the area was very dark. I took her keys , she slid over and got behind the wheel of my truck, she waited for me to pull away, then followed me to her place.

Communication.

Young lady was on jury duty, the case, well sometimes family and friends of the "accused" don't take too kindly of verdicts, and those responsible for such "outcomes". I know, BTDT and had my "moments" - more than once.

Being an attractive female, and who knows whom is going to be around a Courthouse, what for and why...past history...

Young Lady and I have had some classes together when I attended another College, I had been to her house to study, to work on class projects, and when she needed a ride to and fro getting her car repaired. I know the layout of the house. Her dog knows me as well, perhaps too well, the bag of peppermint was for him...

Same Young Lady that inquired about shooting and where one could go locally- took lessons and obtained her CCW. State Law says she cannot CCW in a Courthouse. I went to wait as I was called the Jury had decided to stay late and finish this case. The SP101, is her gun. I didn't "feel" right about her leaving at night in the event some folks were "upset" about the "outcome". My gut was talking to me, perhaps from my own experiences...

We just communicated using the layout of her house. She was better able to Identify folks that were family or friends of the "accused". Not knowing these folks I communicated ANYONE and where they were. Very simple communications, anyone overhearing us, would not think anything of the conversation.

Upon my suggestion when I first learned of her being on this jury, she swapped cars with her mom, her dad agreed. They still live in a smaller town, so if by chance someone were to get access to her address via license plates...well her parents are shooters, and they both CCW as well.

Everything is fine, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Yes I was CCW-ing, actually two. She keeps a shotgun loaded up and in "snick and go" condition as I call it.

She has been there for me when I couldn't carry, like the moring I spent in a Federal Bldg, my gun was in the Simplex Bolted in her trunk when she came to pick me up that day. We had left my truck for service, and best to have locked up, where I could access it between the time I finished my business and the time my truck was ready - and I could go pick it up.

Just food for thought.

One never knows...
 
She walked down the steps , eyes peering into the dark looking for me. I approached and gave her a hug, while doing so I slipped a SP101 in her Blazer Pocket.

We headed down the walk approaching another set of steps ,these would lead down to the sidewalk at street level.

I dusted the coffee table today - I said in conversation. Did you get the blades on the ceiling fan too? - she asked . YES

The heat of the day had given way to a slight breeze once the sun had set. She put her hands in her Blazer and it "appeared" she was just closing the Blazer closer to her for warmth. Smart looking dark gray business suit - with stripes.

I was in Jeans, my older scuffed tennis shoes, tucked in Kahki with stripes Oxford Shirt and wearing a Duck Head Green 100% cotton shirt as a hedge against the chill - just an overshirt.

Lighting was poor as we turned the corner and headed to my truck. What do you think about the Clock in the kitchen? she asked . I mentioned she was correct it did look better on "that" wall as opposed to where it used to be.

I unlocked her door, let her in and locked her in. I proceeded to the driver's side, taking note as I entered . We left the secluded street bathed in darkeness. I took the first right and sped down to the main road in town, found the row of fast food joints and picked one. We ordered something to eat, shot the bull and let a good 45 minutes pass. Then went back to get her car. I approached slowly , with my bright lights on, the area was very dark. I took her keys , she slid over and got behind the wheel of my truck, she waited for me to pull away, then followed me to her place.

Communication.

Young lady was on jury duty, the case, well sometimes family and friends of the "accused" don't take too kindly of verdicts, and those responsible for such "outcomes". I know, BTDT and had my "moments" - more than once.

Being an attractive female, and who knows whom is going to be around a Courthouse, what for and why...past history...

Young Lady and I have had some classes together when I attended another College, I had been to her house to study, to work on class projects, and when she needed a ride to and fro getting her car repaired. I know the layout of the house. Her dog knows me as well, perhaps too well, the bag of peppermint was for him...

Same Young Lady that inquired about shooting and where one could go locally- took lessons and obtained her CCW. State Law says she cannot CCW in a Courthouse. I went to wait as I was called the Jury had decided to stay late and finish this case. The SP101, is her gun. I didn't "feel" right about her leaving at night in the event some folks were "upset" about the "outcome". My gut was talking to me, perhaps from my own experiences...

We just communicated using the layout of her house. She was better able to Identify folks that were family or friends of the "accused". Not knowing these folks I communicated ANYONE and where they were. Very simple communications, anyone overhearing us, would not think anything of the conversation.

Upon my suggestion when I first learned of her being on this jury, she swapped cars with her mom, her dad agreed. They still live in a smaller town, so if by chance someone were to get access to her address via license plates...well her parents are shooters, and they both CCW as well.

Everything is fine, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Yes I was CCW-ing, actually two. She keeps a shotgun loaded up and in "snick and go" condition as I call it.

She has been there for me when I couldn't carry, like the moring I spent in a Federal Bldg, my gun was in the Simplex Bolted in her trunk when she came to pick me up that day. We had left my truck for service, and best to have locked up, where I could access it between the time I finished my business and the time my truck was ready - and I could go pick it up.

Just food for thought.

One never knows...
Click to expand...

what
 
I'm a little confused myself. Do the references to items in her house refer to locations of relatives of the defendent that might want to harm her?
 
:D Outstanding Steve.

DSRUPTV, mr.trooper, Blackburn, You are relatively new here. Pay attention and you'll get to know SM. He has covered many miles and he's got allot of experience (has almost as many tales to tell - all worth reading). Sometimes it can be hard to grasp but you'll get the hang of it. Go hang out in the Shotgun forum and you'll see what I mean.
Just because he didn't ask a specific question, it doesn't mean there is no point. Put yourself in the shoes of SM or the juror. Would you be as prepared for a "worst case"?
His night was uneventful, but you can learn from his experience if you know what to look for.
 
Rupestris,
Thanks for kind words.

Sorry Folks about confusion. I am not a Arm Chair Quarterback. I am not into Carbon Fiber, Wannabe Mall Ninjaitis. The word "tactical" used today is NOT always used in the same context as I was raised.

What I am is a almost 50 year old guy that has his own life experiences. I was taught to think, to think outside the box, and to have a plan, then a back-up plan. I was taught to pay attention to surrounding, listen to surrounding and to trust my gut.

Strategy as do what to do, how to carry it out, and repetitive training and practice of the mind and body of these things. Methods ( tactics) if you will .

I'll do this same situation in another manner. I can get real formal and do it as LEO or Military formats dictate it as well.



Scenarios:

1: You cannot carry a Concealed Firearm Due to State Law in a Court of Law.
1b: You are a young attractive female Juror; concerns of friends / family of accused may not like verdict.
1c: Concerns of Safety extend to the types of folks that hang around a Courthouse, Parolees, friends of Parolees, those persons awaiting trail, attending hearings, those seeing / meeting Parole Officers.

Questions:

1: Do you take precautions when you cannot carry concealed firearms, OC Spray, edged weapons, et-cetera?
1b: What are these precautions?
1c: Have you actually trained, practiced, or used these precautions in real life?

2: Do you communicate while out with others?
2b: How do you communicate with others as you watch out for one another?


Debrief:

Young attractive female friend of mine was staying late to deliberate Verdict of a Trial. I met her as she descended from courthouse, already dark outside, in an area that it is NOT good to be in after dark.

In the event she gained too much attention from seedy folks or from disgruntled family / friends because she was a Juror, she had swapped cars with a family member. Yes even a Criminal can use resources to find out where one lives. License Plates are just one way. Pick Pockets do work courthouses. Overhearing one’s address, or phone number – Using a “Criss-Cross†or Internet Search can give one access to another’s address.

We used the LOCATIONS of ITEMS found in her home to communicate where folks, groups of folks were as we left the courthouse as we walked in a poorly lit area to my truck. I had possession of HER CCW with me outside of Courthouse, which I placed in HER coat pocket.

WE came back later to get the vehicle she drove to Court that day.

Normal conversation, just any "couple" might have. Using the numeral positions on a clock is really obvious, besides crooks are crooks - don"t mean they are stupid. Some of the stuff I have learned have been from crooks btw.

Yes we had a pre-arranged password, ( same as we had in College) and we had a back up plan.

If...If one of us had asked me about "our son's" day at school, or of mentioned about remembering to get "cat food". Well we are not married, we are just friends , neither of us have kids, and we both hate cats. These too would have been signals for something.

It would be like me asking Preacherman how his wife was - A Red Flag would go up and Preacherman would KNOW something was amiss with me .

Outside is nice, no monitors. Thinking outside the box is nice too.

HTH

Steve
 
Go read his other posts. No kidding, they are better than many books I have read. This night was uneventful as most are but somehow he makes em good reading.
 
Steve - more great stuff dude . Sure, some don't or won't get all of it but - there are hidden messages and when they ''get used to'' your presentation, they'll enjoy all the more!

You are the junior ''stripling'' at near 50 - I am the ''ole fart'' at 60 and some. We do have, over the years, tales to tell and maybe even advice to give - but the thing is - that we share it, for better or worse!.

It is not always obvious what we mean - maybe that is half the fun for the younger folks - find out and see what is meant!! :)

Don't give up Steve - these lil' pieces of literature are good - and even those that ''don't get it'' first time around, almost certainly will quite soon. :)
 
Thanks Chris-

To answer two emails: " Why were you dressed like that?"

1) Being an older returning College Student, this is the way I dress.

2) I blended in, sure there were LEOs, and folks in nice clothes. Then again there were folks there on the other side of justice as well. I was "just a regular guy hanging around". Amazing what one can hear if they "listen" to folks, and the folks either don't see you, or you offer a book of matches to someone. I wanted to hear what "these" folks were sharing. ;)

3) The colors I wore, blended in, neutral natural colors. Worked before the sun set, and in darkness, even the scuffed white LL Bean tennis shoes, didn't show.

Shirt: Kahki, with blue stripes, accented with smaller red stripes. Jeans: stonewash/ faded. Duck-Head over shirt: Forrest Green.

Leaning against a tree, in a smoking area,while the sun was still out, doing my best James Dean "lean" I had 3 folks almost walk right into me. I said "hello" and they jumped back startled. " Didn't see you standing there".

I have a tendency to do that to folks...startled them - I actually practice it. I like to see how low profile I can be. ;)

Amazing how much money a crook can make off a person's tossed bank statement, those cancelled checks in the trash are quite valuable to "some folks". Forget Credit Card Theft - this "money maker" is just too easy. They didn't realize I was "there" -much less paying attention - "listening". :)
 
Hey SM thanks for the clarification. I agree that it is great to have plan, and to have a not so obvious way to communicate if need be. I will go and look over other posts of yours as other members have suggested. BTW, after the clarification I went back and read the post again and many lightbulbs went off. Thanks again.
 
Thanks, SM.
My wife and I have been trying to come up with a code to communicate with in these situations.
You just gave us one.

Usually, we can do it with a look. Sometimes I see her face change and know there's a new someone to watch.
But it doesn't always work that way, so we need a spoken method.
 
Barry - you are welcome.

I have found that with kids, using the layout of their room works really well. Kids are extremely smart, and they retain things they are interested in - at thier level of development. Multiple kids - use the youngest member's level of association to items.

A kid will forget upteen times you ask them to pick up their socks in the last ten minutes.

They will remind you that 2 weeks ago at 3:47 pm you "promised" ice cream after picking them up from schoolif they made a good grade on that book report ( for example) ...they will remember and hold you to it.
 
I hesitate...

Folks - I am no big deal. I know that. I will be the first to remind you of that.
Larry and Preacherman have met me - they will attest to this.

I was raised in an industry that folks HAD TO pay attention 24/7/365. I thought it was "normal" to think as I was raised to think. As I got older and stayed in that industry I learned more stuff, from folks in the industry that got hurt, from LEO's, from criminals. I also had some great elders and mentors.

I didn't know about Col. Cooper and his color codes - when I did - made perfect sense , since we had been doing this - just didn't have a name for it.

I have NOT had any formal training per se'. What little I know I learned from folks that had been victims, LEO's, mentors/ elders, and the "School of Hard Knocks".

Tamara has more knowledge in her little finger about firearms and shooting than I do.

pax is another that could beat me like a drum and I could learn a lot from her.

Only saving grace I'd have is "maybe" the shotgun - I have "some" trigger time with one...then again I'd put my money on Tamara or pax.

Just two examples, and there are WAY too many folks on this board and TFL for example that one is better to learn from. We have professionals, Dave Mc, Jeff White, for example. Correia is a better shotgunner than I will ever dream to be. We have folks that have /are in harm's way -

Listen to and heed the advice of others. Go get trained up as El-Tejon recommends.

All I can share is what itsy bitsy life experiences I have. And that ain't much, and is probably wrong.

So if I share something, if I share some "informal" training as I call it - and I do get together with some folks and work out "what ifs" , work out how a person recovering from surgery can defend themselves, or how to make a home/ business secure.

Perhaps instead of reading my posts - read SWAT magazine - or Posts from other folks on THR/ TFL. Better quality of information for sure.

Heck I have been working with a family I know, old friends. The daughter and I share the same DOB - only she is twenty years younger. So I may not share these "trainings" as they are impromtu. I'd rather you folks get the correct information.

Yeah it sucks to have a 30 y/o in a mini-skirt use a briefcase and knock your butt down. Skirt hiked up and beating you about the head with her heels...but we learned something...

Even with head gear and such...heels hurt.

Why this? She often wears mini-skirts, so in a no CCW area how to protect herself - I was the aggressor. Her parents took note,made suggestions, and critiqued. Another one was me being in wait for mom to return home...based on a situation I am familiar with ( stealing keys) and what to do...as "I waited for her to be in the shower" . [ yes she was dressed for this] Interesting what all in the bathroom can be used as a 'weapon'.

I may not do these afterall...need to be edited and such anyway...

You folks know by now whom knows what - read their stuff.
 
sm: yeah, you old buzzard, you got nuthin' to share! Been here too long and read too many of your posts to believe that. I remember one about shotgun training by some old timer, seem to recall he was and old Black family friend, respected and revered from the tone of your description; I never tried the stuff you said the old guy put you through (wondering how to rough up the 870 foreend so I can shuck against my leg one-handed)but I sure enjoyed reading it!

I'd say most of your "informal training" would put to shame the formal traing of TSA and several other alphabet agencies. Maybe it's just the mindset!

Stay safe.
Bob
 
Wonderful read sm, Thank You. It took me a moment to catch the story line. Almost thought I was reading a Sam Spade novel.

It's like hunting, pay attention.
 
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