abersparky in vegas

We all hear the stories… a friend, or a friend of a friend, has gone through the traumatic experience of being mugged – their wallet, keys, cell phone, watch, and/or other valuables taken from them by force; left feeling completely violated and helpless.  Well as of 12/27/2008, I can now be used for any one’s reference if they are in need of knowing someone who has been mugged – at gunpoint no less.  Yes… it was bound to happen sooner or later – I mean, really, have you seen my stature?  I’m 5’9″, and 140 lbs but still look as if I barely tip the scales at 120.  An easy target, especially at night walking alone (yes, I know, stupid)… anyway, so here’s what happened…

I had gone home again this year to visit family and friends for Christmas.  I stayed with my friend Bill again in DC as I definitely wasn’t planning to spend another year sleeping on the parent’s couch.  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day went as expected – got drunk the night I flew in and recovered Christmas Day with a LOT of water.  The day after Christmas was pretty lazy and when 10p rolled around, I made my way over to Town.  Ran into a ton of friends that I hadn’t seen in quite sometime and again, drank way more than I probably should have – but hey, I’m on vacation, right?

As my night drew to a close around 2a, I decided to head back to Bill’s.  I had been texting with a friend and, not thinking of the 10+ block walk, neglected to wave down a cab.  As I walked up 18th and turned the corner onto Kalorama, I noticed that there were two people standing in the sidewalk about a 1/3 of the way up the block.  Now, normally, I would have crossed the street – not for the reasons you may think but because I don’t like to walk in between people.  I feel it’s somewhat rude (although technically it would be them who are rude by standing in the sidewalk but I digress).  As I walk closer, I overhear the individual on the right on a cell phone telling someone to pick them up and as I started to pass them he asked “hey, what street is this?”  Keep in mind, I am two sheets to the wind and am texting… completely not paying any attention.  I look up to my right, I say “Kalorama”.  When I direct my attention forward again to continue walking, a third person had come down from the steps of a rowhome, has a gun pointed at me, and says “give me your money!”  At this point, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on… in fact, I had no idea what was going on.  My brain had completely shut down and couldn’t comprehend the immediate situation until one of the two first men, who were now behind me, forced me to the ground by my shoulder and the person holding the gun said “I’m not going to tell you again, give me your money!”.

Completely stunned, I frantically dig for my wallet – my new COACH wallet that I had JUST bought THAT DAY – and offer it up for them to take.  Meanwhile, since I had been texting on my iPhone, the screen was lit up and it was noticed.  The next thing I hear is “that’s a nice phone, we’ll take that too.”  And with that, my phone was gone.  All I could think of at the moment was the gun that was being shoved in my face and saying “that’s all I have”.  One of them says, “now get up and keep walking up the street”; to which another replies, “yeah, that’s a good idea, keep walking and don’t look back”.  Now, if you’ve ever been in a situation with a gun… you generally don’t want to have your back facing it.  As I got up, I stumbled a few steps and tried to cross the treeline so there was something between me and the gun.

I was only two streets over from where I was staying and as I made it back to the apartment, completely stunned (and also noticing the lack of any presence in that area, pedestrian, bike, or car), I became rather hysterical and tripped over every step up the two flights.  Once inside the apartment, I tried to get my mind to think of what to do.  I have no phone, I have no wallet, no ID, nothing… what do I do?  After having a slight… ok ok… mild panic attack, I notice my laptop and immediately jump on AIM.  Thankfully a friend was online and was able to come over.  We called the police and filed a report, credit cards shut off, and while I attempted to shut off the phone – the representative wouldn’t do it as its a company phone, regardless that it’s still company policy to suspend lost/stolen devices but I’ll deal with that later.

This whole ordeal has been a very trying experience.  I’m still dealing with getting the finances straightened out as they were able to get off a few charges on every card I had in that wallet.  The phone I have not yet had replaced and am using an old BlackBerry but I’m starting to go into iPhone withdrawal.  LOL. I am doing my best to take the positives away from this situation.  I know I should have been paying more attention.  I know I should have crossed the street.  I know I shouldn’t have been walking alone.  I know I should have gotten a cab.  All these things, and yet I still ignored every one of them.  Is it my fault I got mugged?  Of course not.  It’s not fair to place blame on myself like that – it would only lead to regret, and I have a strict policy on no regrets.

I am, however, thankful.  I am thankful that I was not hurt.  I am thankful that my life was not taken that night.  I am thankful for the lessons learned.  And I am thankful for the friends who were there for me when I needed them the most.