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31
Serious Business / Re: Cataclysmic interactions with the state.
« on: October 21, 2011, 04:19:53 PM »
I've had a couple, although one was not directly. It hit close enough to home to be traumatic, though. Both left me with an innate fear of the police, even though my dad was an auxiliary officer (unpaid) from the time I was 3 or so until I was out of college.
1. When I was 18 or so, my dad and his buddy (another auxiliary cop) decided to switch the towns they volunteered through. They went from our little town to the village right next to it. My understanding was that the only reason was that they could have more hours/shifts with the new assignment. Well, soon after the switch, Dad came home and told my mother and I that we were going to have to be very careful driving through our little town. The cops had taken the switch very personally and the word was out that we were to be given tickets for any infraction - 1 mile over the speed limit, etc. Dad's partner told his wife and daughter (same age as me) the same thing. So for many months, I held my breath whenever driving through town (no more than 2 miles in any direction -- small town!), went a mile under the speed limit and stopped 3x as long as necessary at any stop signs.
2. 20 years ago, maybe longer, my dad's cousin was shot and killed by a rookie cop, while cousin was standing on his back steps in his underwear. That was bad enough. But to make matters worse, he and his partner concocted this elaborate story which had cousin attacking the rookie, who was only defending himself. The news showed footage of the back door - although cousin has supposedly jumped the cop in the yard, the blood splatter was all over the door, as if he had been standing in front of it when he was shot. It was played out in the news for several days, cousin (who was the gentlest, sweetest guy) made out to be a monster, until a couple of college girls (used to call them co-eds) came forward. IIRC, they did so through the press, because they were afraid to approach the police. They'd seen the whole thing: alarm at neighbor's house went off, when police went through his yard, cousin stepped out to tell them that the alarm went off all the time and that he'd already been over to check. Skittish rookie turned and shot without hesitating.
1. When I was 18 or so, my dad and his buddy (another auxiliary cop) decided to switch the towns they volunteered through. They went from our little town to the village right next to it. My understanding was that the only reason was that they could have more hours/shifts with the new assignment. Well, soon after the switch, Dad came home and told my mother and I that we were going to have to be very careful driving through our little town. The cops had taken the switch very personally and the word was out that we were to be given tickets for any infraction - 1 mile over the speed limit, etc. Dad's partner told his wife and daughter (same age as me) the same thing. So for many months, I held my breath whenever driving through town (no more than 2 miles in any direction -- small town!), went a mile under the speed limit and stopped 3x as long as necessary at any stop signs.
2. 20 years ago, maybe longer, my dad's cousin was shot and killed by a rookie cop, while cousin was standing on his back steps in his underwear. That was bad enough. But to make matters worse, he and his partner concocted this elaborate story which had cousin attacking the rookie, who was only defending himself. The news showed footage of the back door - although cousin has supposedly jumped the cop in the yard, the blood splatter was all over the door, as if he had been standing in front of it when he was shot. It was played out in the news for several days, cousin (who was the gentlest, sweetest guy) made out to be a monster, until a couple of college girls (used to call them co-eds) came forward. IIRC, they did so through the press, because they were afraid to approach the police. They'd seen the whole thing: alarm at neighbor's house went off, when police went through his yard, cousin stepped out to tell them that the alarm went off all the time and that he'd already been over to check. Skittish rookie turned and shot without hesitating.
32
Guns, Drugs, and Crazy Independence Stuff / Re: Tell us about your loss of cannabis virginity.
« on: October 21, 2011, 01:47:07 PM »
It was my 30th birthday (see user name). One of my co-workers smoked in her car every day at lunch (no idea why she told me) & she found out that I'd never imbibed. On my birthday, she showed up at my house with some weed and rolled a joint for me. I was a little nervous so she suggested smoking it in her car. I got nothing, because I can't fucking inhale. I didn't try again for 10 years.
33
Guns, Drugs, and Crazy Independence Stuff / Re: Halloween!
« on: October 21, 2011, 11:43:16 AM »
Great cakes! I've not been on Pinterest much, but I've pinned a bunch of things I want to make.
Halloween is my holiday. I pretty much celebrate it year 'round, though, so the actual day often ends up being a let-down. (We don't have trick-or-treaters out here (no sidewalks, houses too far apart) and the house isn't all that visible from the road, so we don't decorate outside (we keep planning to).)
I was off work for a few weeks, right around the time I'd be planning for a party, so no party this year (back to work now). Next year! (Last year, my August birthday party was Halloween themed, because that was how I wanted it.)
This year, one of my friends and I are getting Halloween-pedicures as close to the holiday as our schedules will permit, and the hub and I are hoping to get to Greenfield Village this weekend.
Halloween is my holiday. I pretty much celebrate it year 'round, though, so the actual day often ends up being a let-down. (We don't have trick-or-treaters out here (no sidewalks, houses too far apart) and the house isn't all that visible from the road, so we don't decorate outside (we keep planning to).)
I was off work for a few weeks, right around the time I'd be planning for a party, so no party this year (back to work now). Next year! (Last year, my August birthday party was Halloween themed, because that was how I wanted it.)
This year, one of my friends and I are getting Halloween-pedicures as close to the holiday as our schedules will permit, and the hub and I are hoping to get to Greenfield Village this weekend.
35
General / Re: Yet Another "What are you reading?" Thread
« on: October 20, 2011, 10:33:21 PM »
Paused in the re-read of the Sword of Truth series to inhale Snuff* (Pratchett), then back to Faith of the Fallen. I don't know if I can wait until I finish the series to read the latest book. (That's the plan, but I'm not married to it.)
I'm actually considering getting a library card (cringe) because they have ebooks now, even our small-town one does.
*Loved it.
I'm actually considering getting a library card (cringe) because they have ebooks now, even our small-town one does.
*Loved it.
36
General / Re: So about Chartarum
« on: October 20, 2011, 10:26:40 PM »And double awesome on the googly-eyes.
Dude, I totally squeed when I saw that flash on the screen. (I got to see the credits in varying stages while in-progress.)