Here are some of the safety tips people have sent me.
Oh and yes, that monastery is real. It is in Tibet, in Gyantse, a small town outside lhasa. It is the Pelkor Chode Monastery…
—–Original Message—–
From: nan
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006
To: margaretcho
Subject: Safety
Here’s my tip for when walking solitary & approached by “mens”: Look them dead in the eye & say “how you doing?” It tells them you are paying attention & they can’t take you by surprise if they have dastardly intentions. It’s worked so far for me.
I have 2 other things to tell/ask you, Ms Cho.
The first is Thank you. I’ve been loving you for a long time,since TV, you know, and see you every time you come to St. Louis Mo….missed you for Assassin (you didn’t come to my town!), but am currently reading the book. And Thank you. You have affected this middle aged butch dyke in the midwest in many many ways…..I think you are aware of this, as intelligent as you are, but to name a few: you make me prouder to be me because of who you are. You have made my mouth even bigger because you are fearless…….and that helps for me to have strength. You encourage me and teach me and make me laugh so hard I snort. A lot. In short: I love you Ms. Cho. My life partner does, too, and we’re not even jealous of each other!
And second: I was sneaking looks ahead in “I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight” (me, too, and you helped me to decide to do that with your courage & audacious ways) and I read that short chapter on the dog monastery….Is that for real? Didn’t you just imagine that place? I have wished there were such a place because it fits in with my whole world view & feeling about dogs but FOR REAL?
Your Friend,
nan
—–Original Message—–
From: Allison
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006
To: margaretcho
Subject: Safety Tip
Hi Margaret –
First off, I was sorry to hear about that jack-ass hitting your car. Here’s a little personal safety tip that I’ve thankfully never had to use, but makes me feel a little more powerful and prepared: When I’m walking out to my car or home, particularly at night when there’s more shadows for the weirdos to lurk in, I like to hold my keys so that one of them is pointed jagged end up between my middle and ring fingers. This serves the dual purpose of a quick way to gouge somebody in your choice of locations (I’ve always thought I would go for the face) as a stun to get away, and also you get to feel like you’re giving a big ‘ol metal “Fuck You” to anyone who may come along with bad intentions.
– Allison
—–Original Message—–
From: CM Mayo
Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006
To: margaretcho
Subject: fr CM Mayo / re safety tip
Dear Margaret Cho,
Your fan here. Re: request for safety tips: key: never, ever walk around in public or drive while on a cell phone, ipod or similar device. It’s like making oneself deaf– literarally deaf– to one’s immediate environment. And advertising the fact!
Kind regards,
C.M. Mayo www.cmmayo.com
Editor, Tameme www.tameme.org
Madam Mayo: http://madammayo.blogspot.com
—–Original Message—–
From: Eric
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006
To: margaretcho
Subject: Self-defense tips
Hey M! Eric here. I take tae-kwon-do, and there’s a great self-defense technique I learned. Now this is only when you are in close proximity to your attacker. It is also a very harmful move, so only use it if you are in
absolute danger.
Curl the top half of your fingers downward, at the knuckles in the middle of your fingers. Do NOT make a fist. Keep the rest of your hand straight. With as much force as possible, hit directly in the middle of their throat. This should do pretty severe damage, giving you a chance to run.
Also, when physically defending yourself, use it only to get away. You should never try to further provoke your attacker. As soon as they are down, run away and get help immediately.
Hope someone finds this useful!! Keep on rockin!!
E
————————————
Safety tip:
-always have a disposable camera next to you, already wound and ready to snap. Camera phones work too, but take too long to get it ready for a snap.
-drive regularly. Speeding up and/or moving lanes will put you at more danger. If you move over, the agresser will only gain one car length (woopty doo)… they will need to go around you eventually. If you fear he will push you into the next car, lightly brake.
– Cynthia