This freaking violence and rioting has to stop. It has now hit downtown Buffalo. I understand that a man has lost his life due to a reckless police officer. That was a very unfortunate and sad development. I don't think that the destruction of someone's livelihood is going to change this. All this violence and looting is just going to create more unrest and violence going forward. 

On 5/30/2020 at 11:35 PM, Mac#23 said:

This freaking violence and rioting has to stop. It has now hit downtown Buffalo. 

 

Bear with me folks.  This post may run long and I will try to refrain from hyperbole and unnecessary drama.

 

April and I took a spur of the moment trip over to the Carolina coast.  My oldest niece celebrated her 18th birthday on Friday.  My sister arranged a trip for her and my nieces and nephew to spend the weekend on Kiawah Island.  There were other houses available for rent so me and April picked up my mom and dad on Friday and headed over.  The plan was to spend a nice weekend with the family and have a birthday celebration.

 

Things were going according to plan until we went up to Charleston for dinner on Saturday night.  Went to one of the best restaurants in Downtown Charleston and within a couple of minutes of our food arriving, the shit hit the fan.  I had seen the lights of several police cars but chalked that up to city life.  Then we heard some rumblings outside and immediately they targeted the restaurant we were in.  Some of the domestic terrorists, I refuse to call them protesters, started throwing bricks and rocks at the windows.  Even more troubling was the rhythmic popping noises outside.  The mainstream media is claiming that these "mostly peaceful protesters" were only throwing rocks and bricks.  However, I'm familiar with guns; I know the sound of a small caliber handgun when I hear it.

 

It was utter chaos inside the restaurant.  The front windows were being smashed in.  The sounds of gunshots rang out in the streets.  And there I was with everybody in my life that I love and care about the most right there in harm's way...terrified and confused.  I turned over a couple of tables to provide a makeshift barricade.  My nephew and I rushed everyone to the back of the restaurant.  An employee of the restaurant opened the door of a storage area in the back and recognizing that we had a pregnant lady and two elderly people in our party went above and beyond to help.  With the family locked away in the back with a few other patrons and workers, the employee gave me and my nephew a ride over to the parking garage in his truck.  My nephew had his SUV parked there close to my truck.  He fell in right behind me and we covered four city blocks in just a matter of seconds.  I keep a gun locked up in my truck and I have never been so relieved to be armed as I was Saturday night.  We got back to the restaurant, hurried everyone back into one of the two vehicles, and made like bats out hell getting out of Charleston.

 

It wasn't until the adrenaline started to wear off and we were several miles out of Charleston that the brevity of the situation really started to hit home.  That was when the real fear and anguish set in.  My wife, only weeks away from giving birth to our baby daughter.  My mother and father.  My sister.  My nieces and nephew, who have already dealt with more than young people should ever have to having lost their father when they were just kids.  There are eight people on this planet that I would lay down my life for, and they were all just terrorized by a bunch of goddamned thugs destroying things because they've never built anything in their life.

 

The fear has subsided but the anguish continues.  April wanted to get out of the house and enjoy a little beach time before the big day, but I really regret putting her in a situation like that.  The last thing she needed at this point in the pregnancy was a stressful situation like that.  My mother and father have both had health issues and don't move around like they used to.  My sister hugged all three of her children, she was crying uncontrollably at the thought of her children being caught in a situation like that.  You can only make decisions based on what you know, but that trip to Charleston never should have happened.

 

Know who and what matters, disregard everything else.  Take care of your family.  Look out for your friends and neighbors.  Pay attention and be safe out there.

Hey Boo,

 I am so sorry that you and your family had to put up with that. I am so glad that everyone is safe and sound. The gutless people that have been causing all this violence need to be incarcerated with no chance at parole. Like you I also keep a gun in my truck just in case. I also have a few weapons at my residence. I have never used any weapons other than for target shooting. I would never hesitate to use them on anyone who remotely threatened me our my family. In fact i wouldn't hesitate to use them if any coward was threatening any innocent individual. Stay safe my friend. I am going to get off this subject before I get in full rant mode.

Omg @Boo that must have been terrifying 😞 Thank goodness that everyone made it out safely. I can't figure out why these morons who loot and riot think they're justified to do it. Imo it's an excuse for people to act like heathens instead of seeking justice the right way. One innocent life was lost as it is without destroying other innocent people's lives........ 😥

My last post ran long, but I need to add one point.  I called April's doctor first thing this morning and she agreed to an unscheduled office visit.  Miss Maddie is in good shape and April, while a bit shaken, is in good health.

 

We're back in the solitude of our home on the Cumberland Plateau and don't have plans to venture out more than a couple of miles anytime soon.

 

9 minutes ago, Mac#23 said:

Like you I also keep a gun in my truck just in case. I also have a few weapons at my residence. I have never used any weapons other than for target shooting. I would never hesitate to use them on anyone who remotely threatened me our my family. In fact i wouldn't hesitate to use them if any coward was threatening any innocent individual. Stay safe my friend. I am going to get off this subject before I get in full rant mode.

 

In the heat of the moment, my nephew and I agreed that anyone trying to block us would be run over.  If needed, I was ready to shoot somebody.

 

I'm not trying to sound like an internet tough-guy, but when the law of the jungle kicks in the entire game changes.

12 minutes ago, Boo said:

If needed, I was ready to shoot somebody.

 

I'm not trying to sound like an internet tough-guy, but when the law of the jungle kicks in the entire game changes.

 

I totally agree with this statement. I am in no way,  waiting for or going to look for trouble. I would much rather never have to use any of  my weapons on anything other than a target. If threatened well that's another story. I firmly believe that no weapon should be used to hurt any living human or animal. once again I'm so glad everyone in your family is safe.

I am relieved to hear you and your family are safe, @Boo.  What a terrifying experience.  This is INSANE.

Be kind to yourself, it will be a while calming down after all that adrenaline.

 

I live in an urban environment.  The shit could hit the fan here at any moment.

Hurricane season is here adding extra concerns.

I will not own a firearm.  That is who I am.

I respect people that are responsible owners of weapons.

This is simply my personal choice.

That I live in this city is my choice also.

 

It is going to be a long hot summer.

A very hot summer.  

Please stay healthy and safe everyone.

I keep my head down, this is all I can do.

Change is happening and it is volcanic.

 

 

 

I am driving down to western North Carolina on Wednesday...just me and my little dog to visit my boyfriend and do some hiking.  I planned an overnight stay in West Virginia at a dog friendly hotel as it is a 13-14 hour drive for me and that's about the 1/2 way point. I have never been to WV before.  At first, I was worried mainly about the driving and the Covid19 virus and stopping at service areas. Figured I will be ok by bringing my disinfecting and sanitizing supplies, masks, gloves, etc. Now I have to worry about rioting and looting and massive protests!! Everyday it seems things get crazier and crazier....first, with all the rules about social distancing, people being furloughed and wearing masks and no gathering in groups greater than 10...which I understand will help stop the spreading of the virus but then why are these massive groups of people allowed to wreak havoc with no regard to anyone's health and safety?  Marching with signs is one thing, destroying other people's property or business, destroying where you live? What does it prove? How does that change anything????? 

 

@Boo- glad you and your family got out of that situation in Charleston safely.....scary times, for sure!!!!  

Oh Boo, I would have been petrified.  So thankful you are safe and that baby is okay.  We had the same in Cleveland, Ohio. Businesses were damaged and vehicles set on fire.  I am so sad and frightened for the state of our country right now. Unfortunately, sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.  I do believe we are on the cusp of that.

FARK!

WTF.....

Boo...I am stunned reading your post ....Carnt believe you and your family were exposed to this carnage ...

Thankfully no one was hurt ...and all your family are safe ...but badly traumatised....

Reading it felt like I was watching a movie ...it's madness....

Poor April ...I carn,t even imagine the fear for herself and her baby ...

Two wrongs don't make a right ...

Stay safe Sweetheart ❤❤❤

3 hours ago, notsmokinjo said:

FARK!

Ditto!

Crazy chit; stay safe!

12 hours ago, Rozuki said:

I am driving down to western North Carolina on Wednesday..

 

Western Carolina is still peaceful and beautiful as ever.  Leaving Kiawah on Sunday I mapped out a route that took us south and east of Charleston and west of Columbia.  There was no way I was going to drive through Atlanta, things got really bad over there.  By the time we were north of Spartanburg, the mountains of North Carolina started to come into view.  I've loved the mountains my entire life but I have never been more relieved to see them again than I was on Sunday afternoon.  When we hit the Green River Gorge, it felt like I exhaled for the first time in hours.

 

Have a safe trip Rozuki.

 

7 hours ago, Doreensfree said:

WTF.....

Boo...I am stunned reading your post ....Carnt believe you and your family were exposed to this carnage ...

Thankfully no one was hurt ...and all your family are safe ...but badly traumatised....

Reading it felt like I was watching a movie ...it's madness....

 

I was right there in the middle of it all and I'm still having a hard time believing that actually happened.

 

What is particularly weird is that I remember minor details of that evening yet simultaneously it feels like a blur.  I don't know if it is simply survival mode or what, but in the heat of the action, I didn't feel panicked or particularly fearful.  I was on a mission to get my family to safety, there was no time for panic.  The fear and panic didn't set in until we were a safe distance from the chaos.

 

My nephew handled himself very well through all this and is to be commended.  I was there the night he was born.  I remember watching him weeble and wobble around as he was learning to walk.  Now, he has grown into an excellent young man that understands the value of protecting your family.  I couldn't be more proud of that kid.

 

14 hours ago, Sazerac said:

I live in an urban environment.  The shit could hit the fan here at any moment.

 

11 hours ago, Mee said:

We had the same in Cleveland, Ohio. Businesses were damaged and vehicles set on fire.  I am so sad and frightened for the state of our country right now. 

 

I've never been more sincere when writing something is this forum than I am right now...For the love of God, stay safe out there!  I grew up on a farm in a small town.  Now I live in a town that people jokingly refer to as Mayberry.  People like me see this stuff on the news.  We see scenes of urban chaos on television shows and movies.  People like me never imagine that we'll find ourselves in a back alley with the cars parked strategically so our family has cover while they rush into the passenger side of the vehicles while we stand there with a gun drawn scanning the area for domestic terrorists who would kill us without remorse.  That kind of thing only happens to other people...until, without warning, you become those "other people."

 

On a closing note: Me, April, and little miss Maddie are back in the friendly confines of Dayton, Tennessee.  Mom and dad are back on the farm.  My sister and her kids are back on Signal Mountain.  With the virus lockdown the schools were all closed anyway, so my nieces and nephew are all staying at home with their mother.  Home is not only where the heart is, but also where our asses are going to be for the foreseeable future.

2 hours ago, Boo said:

've never been more sincere when writing something is this forum than I am right now...For the love of God, stay safe out there! 

 

 

Thank you, beautiful man. 

Your experience was,  in part,  more chilling for me because you aren't in the centre of the powder keg

and it opened my eyes to the enormity of the calamity, the piercing terror. 

It is close to all of us, no one immune.

This is us now.  

 

Keeping my head down and machete handy.

Making sure to tell everyone how much I love them, why I love them.

IRL and here.  

 

QTrain is a large part of my consciousness and  v. important to me.

I Love y'all. 

Each of you took the chance and did the work to free yourselves from a deadly addiction.

My Heroes.

 

Sally

 

Story of my life, a renegade bar is open and serving beer and I know this because my husband's idiot frucking friend sent him a picture of him having a beer at the bar. Shortly after my husband had to "mail" a letter and get lunch.

Well guess what, your ass just got reported to the public health department.

How do you like me now?!..........

On 6/2/2020 at 3:42 PM, jillar said:

Story of my life, a renegade bar is open and serving beer and I know this because my husband's idiot frucking friend sent him a picture of him having a beer at the bar. Shortly after my husband had to "mail" a letter and get lunch.

Well guess what, your ass just got reported to the public health department.

How do you like me now?!..........

👍 👍

Good for you Jill. Why do people think or behave like they are better than everyone else? That their actions do not have any repercussions.

Jillar, many people are not taking this virus thing seriously. That's unfortunate not only for them but for everyone else as well 😒 

Risking your own health is your choice and that's fair. Extending that risk to loved ones is not acceptable IMO. They're making it pretty easy to be safe where I live as nothing much other than essential services are open and there's NO public restrooms open anywhere so your trips better be short unless you're prepared to do your business on the side of the road 😱

On the plus side, our lawns and gardens are looking fabulous this year lol. Lots of yard time since spring has arrived 🤩 

They are allowing us to open our restaurant next week but only for outside dining. The bar is not open to customers and inside dining is also closed to customers as well. 

My husband ended up just driving by the bar yesterday to see if his friend was lying. He wasn't lying but luckily my husband doesn't want to take that chance. Big relief except the idiots come over here after the bar 😠

The fire Marshall went in and told them they opulent be open and the owner flipped him off and told him he needed the money.

Our dining rooms were allowed to reopen as long as they could follow strict guidelines including social distancing. And hair salons and barbers are also open now too.

Shops are opening slowly....no bars ..no hairdresser's...MC Donald's drive through only ..

We were told yesterday our Big famous Chester Zoo is to stay closed and may never be allowed to open ..

I'm a bit confused ...it all outside ...I can go in and buy a dress ect...but not walk around a open zoo...

I think Zoo,s are important for children to see a array of animals they would never get to see.....sad...

My heart is broken for Gerry and  Kate McCann......❤

12 hours ago, Doreensfree said:

I'm a bit confused ...it all outside ...I can go in and buy a dress ect...but not walk around a open zoo...

 

We're all confused by these lockdown rules.

 

Here in Tennessee, I could go to any of the big-box stores like Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc....Places where crowds of people gathered and the air is artificially recirculated.  However, I couldn't go out to a remote trailhead and take a long walk in the woods by myself.

 

When they tell you not to ask questions, that's a good time to start asking questions.

Edited June 4, 20206 yr by Boo

17 hours ago, Doreensfree said:

My heart is broken for Gerry and  Kate McCann......❤

Yeah! New lead on the possible abductor 🤨 A German fellow currently in prison for an unrelated sex crime. Apparently he was in the area where the abduction occurred within the time frame it occurred. It's a real tragedy for the family as a parent would never give up hope when something like this happens. I hope they can finally solve this case and give the parents some closure at least. What a tortuous nightmare for them that has lasted 13 years now!

 

Watched a Netflix series about this recently. Unnerving that this could happen. Every parent's nightmare!!

 

Edited June 5, 20206 yr by reciprocity

Just got a call from my friend who has the pulse on everything in this town.

She warned me that  fascists are planning a rally here tonight to include tiki torches and people in sheets.

 

Our police are warning everybody, businesses and individuals to keep our heads down.

So far,  our protests have been peaceful and respectful but, now with white supremacists...the sheet may hit the fan.

and

a tropical storm due Sun/Mon

and

it's only June.

 

Love you guys.  I'll be way in the back with the lights off but, keeping an eye out front.

Maybe take a nap this afternoon.  

S