A View to a Knifing 2 (2/26/2005) in Keeping Safe

It’s now Saturday as I type this.

I went to court on Wednesday morning to testify to the grand jury. It went well, except that I couldn’t get up and demonstrate the moves the attacker made and the countermoves I used. On Monday, the oldest police officer responding was quite impressed with my floor-fighting move, noting that it was exceptionally defensive in nature, and it would have been nice to demonstrate it for the grand jury. However, everything had to be explained verbally, so I stayed seated to give testimony.

For many many years after the 1974 attack, I experienced chase and attack nightmares. In addition, when the emotional turmoil started in my life back in the early 1970s, I recall having tease-and-deny nightmares, for example, a big slice of chocolate cake on a plate just and forever out of reach. I’m glad to note that I have not (yet) had any nightmares relating to the assault which occurred on Monday. I somehow do not think I will have any such dreams; as I mentioned, I had the tools and the skills to deal with and end the attack, even after making the mistake of exiting my vehicle.

Fairbanks is somewhat of a small town. A number of people have asked me if I knew of the cabbie who was knifed after the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported the incident in the police beat, and were astonished to discover that he was I. One, a barista at the Starbuck’s inside Safeway North, regularly serves up a cup of brewed coffee (as opposed to an espresso beverage) to the oldest responding police officer. He told her of the incident, she related it to me, and was so surprised to find out, again, that the cabbie was I.

It’s a slow morning today; not many calls. Hopefully it will pick up later. Problem is, this is the end of the month, and many of the local taxi customers are paid monthly, either or both of wages (eg. military) or benefits. As a result, many people who might call for a cab are instead looking at too much month remaining for the money, and will instead stay home.

Anyhow, time to get back in my cab. Have a wonderful day, wherever you are.

~

Update 5/12/2005: Still no nightmares.

Last updated January 19, 2015