Accosted by a drunk :(

[doc]

[QUOTE=Melody]
Thank you everyone for the advice. I'm gotten into the habit now of carrying a whistle and honestly, I'll probably stop going to the pharmacy on the bike and just take the car. It's not worth the stress level of having to deal with this sort of thing.

/QUOTE]

Oh Mel. Don't stop the healthful, enjoyable, ecological and economical things you would naturally do because of this jerk. You deserve to be able to safely go to the pharmacy by bike. And anywhere else you want. Don't avoid and cut down the things you do. I like bikerz suggestion of www.bamm You can't run scared.

All that being said, you can only do what you are comfortable doing. But be aware of what you are doing. And limiting your activities is not the ideal solution.

This came out preachy and jugemental. I don't know how to make it sound more supportive which is what it is meant to be. I hope you take it in the spirit in which it is offered

[Trek420]

What Bikerz sed. There are similar classes all around. A good source of info is your local police department for reccomendations in your area.

Feel free to PM me also if looking into how to choose one or tell if a school is good.

Martial arts themselves are not about self defense. As well as fitness, body/mind awareness, there's a spiritual aspect and those "ah HAH" moments "oh THAT'S how that works, about time I figured it out".

It's a lifetime thang, no short term about it.

I don't want to be the biggest baddest mofo, at 5'1" that's a good thing. And I never ever want to "use it"...again.

In a good school it will take years of basics to get to anything that could be "used".

So find a good short term 1-2 day class if you want something right away.

Meanwhile I feel that anything and everything we do to make us strong, aware, confident and comfortable in our body whether it's your first Ironman or first time clipless may make you less likely to be "picked" by bad guys. (I say bad guys but it's not always guys).

On the other hand, some days it just doesn't pay to get outa bed

But it's not the fight that happens, it's the ones that don't, or do but don't go so far etc. As you become stronger everyday there may be someone who decides "naaah, not that one, not today I won't mess with her".

That's the best self defense there is, the fight that never happens.

So trust your instincts, listen to your gutt and ride on TE gals. My rule of thumb is if situation feels iffy..it is. Better to risk embarasement by leaving than worse.