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On Hollywood Boulevard at night in my heyday (photo by John N. actor/photographer/lover)
Gather around the campfire, boys and girls, I have another true tale to astonish you with.
In my previous post, "Misconstrued", the subject of stabbings came up in the comment section. Bizarre, of course, but then, my blog is infamous for unconventionality. That's why you like it.
I'm seldom boring. Boring, mundane things annoy me.
Okay, let's go back to my youth in Southern California. I'll forget the murders in Orange County.....and transport you to Hollywood.
I was very familiar with Hollywood and downtown L.A. Both places, of course, could be dangerous after dark.......but downtown L.A. was extremely dangerous. I could reveal numerous hair-raising stories that I had in L.A., but I'll get to the stabbing.
I carried a switchblade in my right boot. Never thought I'd need it, but it accompanied me.
By the way, switchblades were illegal in L.A. County and still, I think, everywhere in California.
I bought mine in Mexico. It was easy to bring illegal stuff across the border back then. I brought fireworks and.......huh, other things....
Couldn't do that nowadays.
So, I resume my intriguing story - - -
It was very late one night when I happened to be walking around downtown Los Angeles. You're risking your life doing that. No lie.
The main library downtown is on Fifth Street. It was closed that late night. Coming from Sixth Street, I made a HUGE mistake by taking a short cut through the library property.
Dark. Deserted. Dangerous.....
Here's a daylight picture of the library. Imagine it after midnight....
I wasn't expecting anything. I was walking quickly, and
Suddenly
a guy came out of the shadows. A small, heavyset Latino....pulled a gun, angrily demanded money....my wallet.
"Dinero....dinero....rapida!"
I wasn't dumb. I knew the words and acutely sensed desperation.
"Billetera, cabrona!"
(sorry, I know dirty words in Hungarian and Spanish)
The unexpected shock almost killed me. I wasn't prepared. But I acted extremely quickly. Pretended to reach for my wallet.....reached in my boot.
The switchblade was ready for action - - - I slashed his gun-toting hand. Not enough for a serious wound, but vicious enough for the gun to fumble. Was it a real gun? Don't know. Didn't care.
Dark. Dark shadows.
I was scared witless. Ran like a bat out of hell, ran faster than I ever knew I could go. ZigZagged somewhere, here there, wound up on Main Street. Still clutching the switchblade. Wiped it off....on my jeans. Blood?
Holy Sheee-it!!!!
Was I a criminal? Was the guy okay? It was only a superficial wound. Probably. A neat deep scratch.....or cut....
I was shaking like a pansy in a zephyr.
In retrospect, I'm positive that he was following me before I got to the library. I should have been much more aware.
Truth to tell, I am vehemently against violence. I'm anti-war, I abhore hunting. Hate any kind of fighting.
BUT
I ain't no sissy, boys and girls. I'll damn well protect my sweet ass if I have to.
The little chubby Taco Mugger certainly survived, probably with a neat mean scratch....but maybe he learned a lesson.
TACO?? Hell, I ain't no racist. I just use....colorful phrases....to impress you.
Moral of the story?
Beware of knife-toting Gringos near libraries after midnight. That's me.
So.....where else can you find true fascinating free entertainment like this?? Maybe in the public library.
And in my memoirs, when they're published.
Jon 💚 entertaining and cute
Leaving a comment is absolutely free, with no obligation!
That is a memory not to be forgotten! You did live life in the edge, Jon.
ReplyDeleteI don't like violence, but I'm certain my guardian angel was there that night. It's a good thing I was a fast runner!
Deleteno jodas conmigo, indeed! The chances we take in our youth! Thankfully you had a way out and took it. I could not survive now in such an environment. When I think back to some of my shennagans....Yikes! Naughty with a capital N. I hate violence, too. I can see why you chose the wilds of Tennessee. Those bears and rattle snakes are safer! Speaking of the wilds of Tennessee....I sure hope you can get back to your beautiful area and enjoy the quiet and beauty that surrounds your home. Any updates on that situation? Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteParanormal John
When I look back at my wayward youth, I'm completely astonished. Where did I get the energy and the audacity?? How did I survive in Big Cities?
DeleteAll I want now is peace in the TN woods. I'm supposed to see another doctor on Sept. 9th. I'm not optimistic at all.
I want to go home by autumn no matter what is involved. I can't keep wasting time. I'm exhausted, John. Yes, fingers crossed.
It's not so popular a notion in the South, but I abhor hunting, as well. Knives? I never felt particularly threatened by them until I heard a police officer speak. According to them, an officer feels more threatened by someone with a knife than a handgun. Your account gives me chills!
ReplyDeleteI hate hunting, and I get furious hearing the gunshots during hunting season where I live. Ironically, I don't like knives - - but I thought I was tough carrying a switchblade when I was young. Never thought I'd use it.
DeleteWhy are you pretending your "midnight cowboy" photos are real, taken by "John N"? Even your so-called original photo is clearly AI, and clearly not you.
ReplyDeleteHow would you possibly know a photo taken of me fifty years ago isn't me? The original photo is damaged. I carefully restored it with the Freepik editor and the result was remarkably accurate. I mentioned that on my blog when I first posted the photo.John N. was an actor, photographer, and very close friend. He worked on many films, including Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Band.
DeleteHow could you know anything about my past, or how I looked fifty years ago?
It's a shame that, with your remarkable photographic expertise, you remain anonymous.
You might want to investigate my books, which are now available on Amazon, and my two upcoming memoirs. And I invite you to check out my piano recordings and other videos on my YouTube channel, JayveeSonata.
I appreciate your input, Anonymous, but it is unfortunately erroneous.
I'd be curious to know your name, see how you look, and learn about yourself and your past. I have no doubt you will be fascinating.
Jon
You’ve posted photos of yourself as a young man…they don’t match up. The “retouched” photos are also obviously a different AI person. My comment came out harsher than I intended, I just wish you had more respect for your readers who have stood by your side through so much. You can check out my blog Stargazer if you want to know more about me.
ReplyDeleteJon, your stories about your background are endlessly interesting and, of course, a diversion from your present situation. But, even more interesting was the above exchange between yourself and the anonymous commenter. And, your sarcasm aside, I have never felt that you did not appreciate your readers.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with self defense in the frightening situation you were in on that night Jon. Sadly, you would have been just another murder statistic like so many others.
ReplyDeleteI can remember when there were some streets in Hollywood and Los Angeles you wouldn’t dare walk in the middle of the day let alone at night in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and a few are still that way ! As night times were scary enough with some wild and out of control people about the streets.
-Rj