Saturday, January 08, 2005
The end of innocence
On Friday night as I walked away from a Perth train station - on my way to a local gay venue - I was mugged. There were four of them and luckily for me their only weapons were their fists. However, there is a bruised lip that doesn't think itself lucky.
At first I thought they were joking - until of course a couple of punches landed on my face and I found myself on the ground, with one of them removing my watch and bracelet and the others rummaging through my pockets.
They were kind of nice about it - relatively speaking - since they gave back my wallet (at my request) after removing the cash and they returned my mobile phone. While I was walking away they gave me back $10 (presumably so I could get home). As the first - and hopefully the last - time that I've been mugged it was also relatively tame.
With all the walking around alone at night that I do, I'm a little surprised that it didn't happen sooner.
This, however, is the end of innocence. The end of (naively) feeling safe wherever I go, at whatever time it is. I can no longer claim that "it won't happen to me" because, quite clearly, it can and it did. I shed a few tears today at this realisation and the realisation that I will be watching my back for years to come.
And, if you're wondering, I did report the incident to the police and I did end up going out. A mugging is one thing, letting it ruin your night is another.
UPDATE: Here is a picture of the watch and the bracelet that they stole. They have more personal value to me than material value. If you see them, please let me know.
I was indeed heading to the Court.
I arrived back in Melbourne on Saturday night. The mugging happened on my last night in Perth.
Thanks for the positive feedback about my Lanes blog. I've received a few comments today which makes me think it's had a little exposure somewhere else in cyberland. Rest assured, I will update it soon.
Sorry to read of your mugging. Things like that are always awful, no matter how much you think that it could have been worse.
Good to see you didn't let ruin your night though - that's showing them.
Thanks Andrew
:o)
Post a Comment
<< Home