January 29, 2004
Self-preservation on the road
With all the snow, ice, and chill this winter, I've been paying careful attention to automotive maintenance. And how often little things -- commonly overlooked -- can make such a big difference! Such as fresh wiper blades, and treatment of glass with water-repellant outside and antifog coating inside. What could be more dangerous than not being able to see well? Yet many who swear by their 4WD still don't bother to keep their glass clear.
Which brings to mind another self-preservation-related encounter from many years back. I was involved with a NYU-affiliated martial arts club at the time, and one of the other members invited us to a talk by his ninjutsu instructor. Didn't know what to expect -- among would-be ninjas there are many with, let us say, a rich fantasy life -- but the instructor was one of the most sensible and level-headed martial artists I've ever seen. What really won me over was when he asked if everyone was carrying some change, so as to be able to make a pay-phone call in a pinch. This guy was clearly taking the big-picture approach to self-protection. . . .
Posted by David on January 29, 2004 8:48 PM
Don't leave home without them: survival kits that fit in your pocket or in your car. If you must leave home, leave in one of these.
Or if you prefer just to get away from it all, pack up the family in the old RV and take off.
Posted by: Peter Shriner on January 31, 2004 5:31 PM
Reminds me of my Tai Chi teacher, who was very good...
telling us we should never attack since we use the energy of the assault against the assaulter..
what if we are really really threatened, asked a street fighty kind of acolyte ..
- you can always spit, he said.
thats when I knew he was a Master.
(not for me, sadly, in the long run..)
Posted by: david tiley on February 1, 2004 10:14 AM
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