Walking Sticks for Security

Most of us will never be ninjas or martial artists, nonetheless we have a right to be secure and able to protect ourselves while navigating through life. I personally like to go walking with my wife and on occasion walk through areas that may be less than safe. While some believe that the only way to be adequately protected is to carry something like a gun or knife, I don't have the appropriate legal qualification to carry a concealed deadly weapon and may not want that responsibility. My concession to being able to defend myself from errant dogs and other less desirables is to utilize a walking stick. It is innocuous enough to be carried almost anywhere, especially if it is thought you need it to walk. Yet, if properly designed and strong, it can present you with a formidable tool to defend yourself.

As with any tool, one must practice in the method in which you intend to deploy it and contemplate the situations where it would be appropriate. I would warn you that you are responsible for knowing the legal implications of carrying a walking stick and the implications of any actions you make take with it. Usually the best response to aggression in these cases is to retreat via your pre-planned escape route. You know, the one you planned and thought about before hand. While retreat may not appeal to the macho side of your psyche, it usually proves to be the smartest response.

A quick search of the internet will give you many suggestions for deploying your walking stick. I would suggest a simple system which you can practice over and over until you become proficient. When faced with a threat you will tend to fall back on your training. One caveat, be sure you include in your practice assessing the situation and then taking an appropriate response. Attendant to this is developing your situational awareness, so that you have adequate warning to craft an appropriate response and deploy your tools if necessary. Keep that awareness "on" all the time, until it becomes second nature.

The latest, most suggested walking stick I have chanced upon is the MendoWood Mendocino (http://yhst-1129393017033.stores.yahoo.net/mendocino.html) a replica of an English Blackthorn made from a natural wood head and a steel pipe and epoxy body, crafted to imitate wood. Certainly strong enough for any encounter, it combines function and good looks.

Happy walking!

Pet Pic Interlude

Psychic Forestry Clarification

The more I thought about why I named this blog Psychic Forestry, it became evident that it had a clear link to my time as a forester. As we walked through the forest, we gained the acuity to assess the particulars of the trees we were measuring and marking. But, it also gave us time to sort through life's stories and challenges, coming up with solutions to questions that we initially didn't realize needed to be asked. So although this blog may wander about, it will hopefully allow you and I to better revel in and deal with the convoluted path of our individual journeys.

Travel

Ugh, no posts for a while due to travel for work... Planes seem to be getting smaller and delays are longer. I'm a big guy so I strive for exit row aisles. But I just changed geographic areas so my premier status in one airline is now moot in this area. First thing I've done is start piling up miles with a carrier that predominates in my area. I recommend concentrating on one anyway, because as soon as you achieve premium status, it will get you options on upgrades, but more important it will assure a better seat on almost every flight. Plus, you'll get better consideration in bump situations and gnarly weather situations.

For even better insight into the best seats on the plane, go to www.seatguru.com. It will tell you the good and bad points of every seat on the plane.

Finally, I must state the obvious, the nicer you are to the front line folks at the airlines, the better service and consideration you will receive. They have a hard job, lots of responsibility, and little authority.

My Lists

I'm a fan of lists.. Not out of an anal compulsion to complete them, but to keep focused on what I feel is important. With today's increasing distractions, electronic and otherwise I could spend all my time being distracted and never do what I need to do. Note that what I need to do is not necessarily what society prescribes or values. For instance, I need to play my guitar more, not to get my songs on itunes and make a bunch of money, just to play. Sometime it gets hard to discriminate between these things, and as a wise person once said, " You can do anything, you just can't do everything." Lists help me to concentrate primarily on the things that sustain my basic existence and then concentrate on what makes me smile, Like my wife's smile and playing my guitar... So , make the lists, do the things and resist the distractions. Unless they become the thing you need to do.