I wonder if this was the guy who was screaming at me and flipping me the bird as I was trying to take pictures of the Dyckman St. 1-9 elevated station.
I’m so sorry you were assaulted, in so many senses, Dragon. Snuggle up with TLOYL and just heal. (From your description of her, she’s a strong lady and any freaking out she may do is solely on your behalf.) I’m just grateful you’re basically okay. Call it an easy, outsider’s sympathy, but I’m also grateful to all those anonymous strangers who rushed to your aid. Tapping out words on a keyboard is easy; those folks were able to come through for you right then, in person.
As for your guilt over reflexive flinching, lose it. It’s not willed, personal or even categorical. It’s a hardwired reaction. It’ll fade. It sounds similar to what a friend went through after she was raped. For quite a while she was unwillingly, against all belief and knowledge, gut-shaking terrifed by men, all of 'em. It took a while–some friends and a lot of casual, ordinary, courteous men–to ease her reflexes back in line with her heart, mind and will.
It’ll happen. Give yourself time to heal. You’re very well loved and have plently of friends, Dragon, even if they’re of the cyber variety. For the one crazy person who assaulted you, by your own account, dozens of other total strangers immediately rushed to your aid and defense. They couldn’t undo the damage, so their help might pale in effect. But they were there for you, too.
Fear not, rest easy, heal up. The lone crazy is far out-numbered by folks protecting you and wishing you well.
Veb
The heroes are everywhere DragonAsh (see the Cervais story above for further proof). Don’t let flukes scare ya away from that great city. The number of good people in NYC easily out number the bad.
I’ve never been to NY, so I’m not sure if I’m qualified to comment, but I hope you get right back on the horse and keep enjoying your city. Obviously you’re neither a bigot nor a misanthrope, and I hope you stay that way.
And if you do move, can I have your apartment? A block from Grand Central? Damn!
Thanks again for the cyber-support. You don’t know how heartwarming it is. Walking past the spot this morning was a bit rough - someone had cleaned the blood up, but you could still see the stains.
Thankfully, the LOML (no, I haven’t told her - maybe someday) has been able to offer support of a more physical variety that has also done wonders 
although I admit that just coming home to her here is—well, hard to explain. If it is possible to be in an oasis of peace and tranquility in the middle of New York City, well this apartment, with her in it, is it.
Baldwin - this is a great apartment, great help. Decent view if you get up high enough, and from about the 46th floor or so the view is absolutely obscene. Rents aren’t as bad as they used to be, from what I hear. Got a two year lease, so check back with me in early 2005 <g>
Walking around today was a bit hectic. We could see the demo-goers all morning and into the afternoon walking up third avenue. And, they have a lot of the cross streets (including ours) blocked off for the demo, so we had to show proof that we lived here or the police weren’t going to let us down our cross street.
I have resisted checking the Times today to see if the incident was reported in the news…
In the future revenge fantasies, club-em in the kneecaps. A kick in the balls hurts, really hurts, but a blow to the kneecaps is worse.
Huh. When I lived in NJ I used to like walking around NY, but I can’t imagine doing so in condition white.
Not even up here in northern New England, where someone who went around assaulting people probably wouldn’t last long…
Yeah, this has happened to me too.
I’ve also dealt with assault victims in other situations.
It’s very likely that you’ll have a delayed reaction to it. Fear of going out, anger, strong reactions when you see similar types of people. Ask your friends how you seem to be doing. I suggest you talk to someone (a non-judgmental counselor) about the experience sooner rather than later. Keep talking about it, repetitively, until it feels finished.
Otherwise, it can stay inside you and fester so that 30 years from now you’ll be an angry old fart and no one will understand why.
Oh, that sucks. I can’t offer any more advice, except that it’s still your city, too, more than it belongs to the psychos.
$50 says it was. He gets around.
**Dragon Ash,
I’m sorry you had this happen.
Look at how you felt about there the day before. Look at the Love Of Your Life! Think for a moment just how disturbed this poor fool is. If I was in your shoes with a gun I would be the same as you and I oppose gun control as well for these and other reasons as well.
Again she is the Love Of Your Life. Not LOYL(LOML). You’ve found her, you are with her. You are still the “luckiest man on earth”. I once was.
Never lie. When you lie you don’t protect, you lie. Tell her. If you don’t she will wonder everytime you tell a story.
I think back and I wonder what mine said was real or a lie. NEVER LIE!
Get well soon m’boy. Then get wealthy enough to buy land and move there. Live simple, raise children with love and be even more happy.
Best wishes, heal fast.
don’t buy a gun.
I just wanted to say that I like the LOML acronym much better than SO. It sounds so much more affectionate and personal. Oh, and tell her what happened. If she truly is the LOYL (and it sounds like she is), she is in for all of it, the good and the bad.