So I was making making my way around town after I had my blood drawn for evaluation by the people at the Long Beach Mental Health Center. This Hispanic guy (who is affiliated with one of the crews in the area) says, "Hey, you look familiar."This is proof that if people don't know of your vendetta with them, then they pass off your claims as redundant jibjab. It's think they won't take seriously if you do not know who these guys are. I could have as easily went all out on this fella. But I was not in the mood for it, nor did I want to, since I had others things to do.
I said, "I do?"
He replied, "Yeah, you look like somebody I know. Somebody who did me wrong two years ago!"
"I think you are mistaken."
"I oughta get my revenge on you." He went on his spiel for the longest time. "What's you name?"
"Jo-Ryan," I said.
"You know what? I don't even care what your name is," he said.
I thought, "Idiot, that defeated the purpose of your previous question to me. Bloody bonehead. And you're still mistaking me for someone you are after."
He said afterwards, "Hey, you'd better quit talking shit behind other people's backs."
"I didn't come here to pick a fight with you scum and beat the likes of you. I'm here to take the next bus to Lakewood. You're wasting your time."
As I crossed the street to the bus stop at the corner of PCH and Long Beach Blvd., the Hispanic dude comes up to me and tries to get my attention, "Hey! HEY!" He even tried to whistle to get my attention. He failed.
The poor schmuck. He REALLY was picking on the wrong person to pick a fight with. And to think I had mental issues...
But people shouldn't take these types of so-called vendettas against them lightly. My advice to anyone that may have one against them is to talk them out of it, negotiate, or give them the could shoulder. Only when they brandish a weapon is when you go ahead and turn the tables on them, because it means your life is at stake.
This isn't anime or live-action drama, people. This is the REAL THING. And while it can give you an adrenaline rush, it could be one where your life is literally on the line.
I also have to pity this guy for labeling me a "nerd," without understanding anything about who I really am. This guy is not only concoss, but he is making his folks look terrible. (As if the recent news stories involving his folks brought enough bad press...) Besides, I don't believe in being burdened with such stigmas or labels anyway, given how far I've come.
Another thing to share: before my blood test, I saw a few people from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department handcuff some rube outside the Mental Health Center. He was in tears, on the ground and handcuffed, disheveled and emotionally wrecked. I just smiled and walked over to the entrance to get my blood drawn.
See, this is why I love this town. You get people with revenge on their minds, people getting handcuffed, people with issues that have debilitated them for umpteen days and weeks...it's awesome.
Really, it is.