Self-defense with a bicycle: [link]
How you may Best Defend Yourself when Attacked by Modern Highwaymen, Showing how you should Act when Menaced by Footpads, when Chased by another Cyclist, and when Attacked under various other Circumstances; showing, also, how the Cycle may be used as a Weapon.
...
Self-protection awheel is an art full of possibilities. The cyclist who is a skilful rider, who possesses pluck and dash, who has mastered the elementary rules of defence on a bicycle, and who is armed with a knowledge of how to use a machine to the best advantage as a weapon, may rest content that he is able to defend himself perfectly when attacked under the majority of likely conditions.
Published 1901.
eta: They recommend women cyclists use a squirtgun for defense.
The last three or four methods of defence that I have described are hardly suitable for the lady cyclists, unless particularly strong-minded and strong-armed! A simple means of defence that may be highly recommended for the use of fair cyclists is the water squirt. This is an ingenious little weapon sold in cycling shops, made in the shape of a pistol, but with an indiarubber handle which holds water, and which, when pressed, will squirt a shower of water for a distance of 20ft. or so. The water squirt is guaranteed to stop an attack from the most vicious dog or man -- and certainly the foot-pad who attempted to approach a lady cyclist, and was met with a douche of cold water, would receive a severe shock that would probably cause him to stand back long enough to allow his prey to escape.
Ah, man, that actor! His TV character and his movie character both got killed!
t /general purpose bemoaning
DAMMIT. I thought I was going to succeed, and just as I got him halfway into the box, there was a flash of lightning and a loud clap of thunder, and he freaked and yanked away and ran. DAMMIT. That was probably my only chance.
The Good Wife's ending, man. I could have done without the song, but the elevator scene was awesome.
Consuela, you were asking about Threadless T-shirt sizing, yes? I wear a Girly 2XL, mainly to accommodate my chest, and I would say that sizing does run small and may shrink a bit after washing.
Good to know, Shrift, thanks.
Timelies!! Not sure if anyone is about at this time of day, but I find myself online and wanted to pop in!! We're in Mumbai today. I can't go out though; I don't have something called a Seaman's Book and so I've been detained. Boo hiss!! But I was out in Kochi two days ago and Goa tomorrow. India is sort of awesome. Lots of people are whining that it's too hot and dirty and crowded, but... it's India!! I guess I love everywhere, though. And we're in Maldives in a couple days, South Africa next week... this itinerary is pretty freaking awesome.
Hope all is well here!!!
Zuisa, you're sure ticking off a Life List of places visited!
I spent about $800 yesterday paying off the back balance for my heating bill for last winter. (I'll get $400 back for my roommate/tenant's share.) It's nice to get out from under these postponed obligations now that I Have A REAL Job but, still frustrating to see all that nice new money suddenly disappearing in a puff of bill-paying.
Still better than having the gas cut off. It's the little things.
Happy Birthday baby K! And happy baby K birthday Sparky & DH! WIll repost this morning.
