- Joined
- Nov 5, 2006
- Messages
- 17,874
- Reaction score
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- Location
- dunking doughnuts at Dunkin' Donuts
I'm off from work this week, and I've been trying to get some research done for my writing. I need to find some more information on potential markets for a short story I've completed, and somebody recommended a particular book that would help me with writing a query on a novel I've been meaning to get out there for almost a year now (then came the flood last year, but that's another story). I've been having difficulties getting to area libraries, which is making this task stretch longer than necessary.
I had problems with the St. Paul library yesterday. Couldn't stick around too long because I was suffering a minor case of TMI WARNING! diarrhea. Was there long enough to find out they didn't care a particular magazine I'm trying to read so I can see if it's a good fit for the short story.
Today? Today was a different story entirely. I was on my way to the Minneapolis library when I happened to see a guy smacking a woman around. He appeared to have let up by the time I'd crossed the street but he just started in on her again. I will admit, I was incredibly selfish when I was waiting for the light to change, sort of like "Please stop before I get across the street" or "Ghod, why does this shit always have to happen to ME?!" but when I saw him pulling on her hair and heard her screaming at him to let her go, I did what I hope anybody else would have done.
I went up to the guy and clocked him with my umbrella.
I honestly don't know what the story was, but my mother always told me YOU NEVER HIT GIRLS. Unfortunately, I also found out when you hit a girl, she might be able to defend herself. In this case, she was clearly incapacitated and couldn't do anything. As we waited for the police, I kept myself and my damaged umbrella between him and the woman (the umbrella no longer had a handle on it, but I could have used it as a pointy stick, if necessary). He kept yelling that I didn't have to do that to him because she had his cell phone and wouldn't give it back. Besides, the police at the substation a couple blocks away wouldn't do anything about it and I didn't have to hit him like that, etc. etc., "FAGGOT!" (I almost started laughing in the little shit's face for saying that!), why did I do that to him?, "ain't none of your business what's going on", etc.
Of course, he did what I'd expected as the sirens approached: the chicken shit ran.
A couple of the other witnesses and the police on the scene were actually rather amused that I'd destroyed an umbrella -- in a way, it is kinda funny, in a "OMFG! WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?! HERE COMES THE ADRENALINE CRASH! NEED TO LAUGH NOW TO RELIEVE THE TENSION!" kinda way -- but all of the officers I spoke with thanked me for actually getting involved when the situation needed it.
I have no clue if they caught the fucker who did this. I don't even care whose phone she had. I feel awful that I had these selfish thoughts but I can go to bed tonight with a clear conscience because I found the strength to put those thoughts and feelings aside, and excuse me if I seem a little egocentric right now but I am damn proud of myself that I helped somebody today.
I had problems with the St. Paul library yesterday. Couldn't stick around too long because I was suffering a minor case of TMI WARNING! diarrhea. Was there long enough to find out they didn't care a particular magazine I'm trying to read so I can see if it's a good fit for the short story.
Today? Today was a different story entirely. I was on my way to the Minneapolis library when I happened to see a guy smacking a woman around. He appeared to have let up by the time I'd crossed the street but he just started in on her again. I will admit, I was incredibly selfish when I was waiting for the light to change, sort of like "Please stop before I get across the street" or "Ghod, why does this shit always have to happen to ME?!" but when I saw him pulling on her hair and heard her screaming at him to let her go, I did what I hope anybody else would have done.
I went up to the guy and clocked him with my umbrella.
I honestly don't know what the story was, but my mother always told me YOU NEVER HIT GIRLS. Unfortunately, I also found out when you hit a girl, she might be able to defend herself. In this case, she was clearly incapacitated and couldn't do anything. As we waited for the police, I kept myself and my damaged umbrella between him and the woman (the umbrella no longer had a handle on it, but I could have used it as a pointy stick, if necessary). He kept yelling that I didn't have to do that to him because she had his cell phone and wouldn't give it back. Besides, the police at the substation a couple blocks away wouldn't do anything about it and I didn't have to hit him like that, etc. etc., "FAGGOT!" (I almost started laughing in the little shit's face for saying that!), why did I do that to him?, "ain't none of your business what's going on", etc.
Of course, he did what I'd expected as the sirens approached: the chicken shit ran.
A couple of the other witnesses and the police on the scene were actually rather amused that I'd destroyed an umbrella -- in a way, it is kinda funny, in a "OMFG! WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?! HERE COMES THE ADRENALINE CRASH! NEED TO LAUGH NOW TO RELIEVE THE TENSION!" kinda way -- but all of the officers I spoke with thanked me for actually getting involved when the situation needed it.
I have no clue if they caught the fucker who did this. I don't even care whose phone she had. I feel awful that I had these selfish thoughts but I can go to bed tonight with a clear conscience because I found the strength to put those thoughts and feelings aside, and excuse me if I seem a little egocentric right now but I am damn proud of myself that I helped somebody today.
YAY BEN 
You deserve one pal! Good job!
