"I Carry Myself Like A Victim"
By Rozie37
@Rozie37 (15499)
Turkmenistan
January 10, 2009 11:24pm CST
On Friday, I visited my old neighborhood in Mid-Town Los Angeles. This is where I lived for about four years total, with my oldest sister and her six children. Most of my friend's on Mylot know that I was robbed at gunpoint at that time. I will not go into detail, as I have before, but I will just say that I was badly traumatized from the experience.
When I got home that day, I was screaming and crying. My brother-in-law who had recently moved back in, from his girlfriend's house, came downstairs to see what all the commotion was about. He made a statement that day, that popped back into my mind yesterday. He said that, "I carry myself like a victim." I kind of understood it when he said it, but it really made sense to me yesterday.
I was coming to the shop where I use to get my hair done over there. But first, I needed to stop at the bank. Although, there is a bank right across that street from the shop, I like that one less than the Mid-town branch, so I went in to the one at Mid-town, to feel safer and because I needed to get some rolls of quarters for the bus. Ever since I got robbed, I hate to carry a large amount of money on me.
The day that I got robbed, I had just cashed a check and apparently the guy had been watching my routine for a while. He even knew my name. When I was in the bank yesterday, I did my best to stall, until one guy who look suspicious left. Then I asked for what I needed. I hated to have to do it out loud. But if I had written it on a piece of paper, they would have thought I was attempting to hold them up.
After I put my money in my(fanny pack)pouch, I look to the other side and there was another guy watching me. I got so spooked that I walked right out of the bank and jay-walked to get to the bus stop as soon as possible. But when I got there, I did not feel any better. The businesses behind me had been shut down for good and the area looked deserted.
That is when I remembered what my old crooked brother-in-law said. So I started sitting like a dude and trying to make my face like I was mean and had had a hard life. I wanted to look as if I did not take no mess from anyone. I believe, I only managed to look totally retarded, especially, with my glasses on. I ran into some unsavory looking characters, but no one did me too much harm.
Accept, when I got off the bus, there was a little ways to walk to the shop. This mentally ill lady was coming my way. She was yelling at people that were not there. She even pointed at this little school girl and was yelling in her direction. She scared the little girl pretty good, but I do not even think that she was aware that the girl was there.
As the lady walked, every now and then, she would stop and start swinging out at the air. I managed to pass her unharmed, but as soon as I did pass her, she turned around and started following behind me. I wasn't so much afraid of her, I just did not want her to get beside me and start swinging. So the only way to avoid that, was to keep some distance between us and she was walking very fast.
I do not believe that she was after me, but because she was flailing her arms, I had to walk twice as fast as her. Because of that, the stress, and the heat, I started having an asthma attack. I was so happy when I got in the shop with all those men, I did not know what to do. It was a very tiring day, but my hair came out pretty nice, so I guess it was worth it.
2 responses
@HeavenUnaware (1757)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Wow Rozie.. you sure had an eventful day, didn't you? And all you wanted to do was get your hair done! I'm glad you made it home safe and sound and I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad incident in the past that has left a lasting imprint on your heart and head.
I notice when I'm out alone in areas where I feel vulnerable, I will attempt to seem tougher than I am or at least try to come across that way to those around me. I doubt it works so I also remember things my mother told me about being alone and being careful. I will hold my purse on my shoulder but I will tuck it under my arm and make sure my hand is looped through the strap so that someone won't think I'm an easy target for a purse snatching. I'm always trying to be aware of my surroundings and the people around me. I do not trust anyone. A woman I know was recently leaving a store near our home and she had her keys in one hand and her cell phone in the other (she was getting ready to call her husband to let him know she was headed home) and a young kid ran up and pulled her purse right off her arm and took off. This was right before Christmas and she had a large amount of cash in her wallet. So sad.
Anyhow, I'm glad your hair came out cute but I worry about you having to travel so much just to get your hair done. Do you have family who can drive you there once a month or whenever you need to go? I wish we were closer, I'd take you myself! Be safe, my friend.. ((hugs))
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
12 Jan 09
I will be moving soon and I will find a place close by. One thing that I learned from being robbed is, like you said, I had to start being aware of my surroundings. Before the incident, I would go all over the place while mentally, I was in my own little world. There was even a time when I would not go anywhere without my headphones and music. I would go out, do what I had to do and get home. I could ride the bus for hours with a person sitting right next to me and if I had to identify that person, I would not be able to say much of anything.
I would relax with my music and zone out, while looking out the window. It was such a nice experience, but I can not afford to do that anymore. The guy that robbed me had been watching me for a long time. He knew my routine and exactly where I kept my money. I always carry a backpack, instead of a purse when I have money. If people think that you are in school, they will assume that you do not have very much money.
I usually kept my money in a small coin purse. I would tuck the keys in the top of my pants or shorts and the coin purse would hang over. I always would always wear tops long enough to cover it. I figured if I dropped anything, I would feel it come out, because it was against my skin. But this guy knew this from watching me. So when he robbed me, he pulled up my shirt and snatched my money, keys, identification, and all. The fact that he took it from off me, made me feel even more violated. This is why I do my best not to carry cash at all anymore.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Oh Rozie....Nobody should have to feel this type of stress..I am so sorry you had to and still go through this traumatic event...
I grew up afraid of people...I still am..I'm always watching to make sure no one is following me or just watching me...which I do find some guys do watch me when I am shopping and stuff...It does bother me..
I just try to act normal and to not let them know I know they are watching me...I think everyone should be aware of their surroundings at all times but we shouldn't have to feel panicked when we do it....
I am glad your hair turned out...
Take care......big hugs........((((Rozie)))
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
13 Jan 09
I have never been the type to enjoy the special attention that men assume we should be flattered by. I have always been tall for my age and when I was in grade school, I had the figure of a model. When guys would bark, whistle, and make their silly little cat calls, I would get very annoyed and ignore them. I couldn't understand what made them think that I was in the mood to be bothered and here all of that. These were grown men and if they had approached me, I would have been glad to tell them my real age and hopefully watch them backtrack like the idiots they were. It might not even phase some of them. Which is frightening in and of itself.



