Ralph Marshall
I should Work at Oakley
Which decisions are "right" in situations like these can really only be determined in hindsight unfortunately. You just have to go with your gut and hope for the best. We both survived to tell our tales, so I guess that says something...I realize that sunglasses are just objects and can be replaced. I just don't know if I would have made the right decision in just handing them over and keeping myself intact. I had a similar situation happen to me 3 years ago. I was out with my dog, fishing at Peebles Island State Park. The island is surrounded by the joining of the Mohawk and Hudson river. The backside has a wide but small waterfall area known locally as the horseshoe.
Anyways, I'm standing on the falls fishing the horseshoe, when a group of five young men (maybe freshmen college age) approach me from my blindside and pass by me to swim right where I'm fishing. (Their leader?) says, "were going to be swimming here, hope you don't mind" So I reply "Do you mind man, you have the entire river to do that, could you guys go elsewhere?" the leader replies "are you getting long with me? I'm about ready to knock you out"
Before I could even think things through, I very coldly and matter of factly reply,"If you are feeling man enough, take a swing and we will see what happens"
In my head, I was ****ting myself at this point. I'm big guy, but against 5, odds are not good. Lucky for me though, I must have scared their leader because
my bluff worked and after a few more choice words said under their breath, they left me and my dog to get back to fishing.
In retrospect, very dumb move, but its just a huge pet peave of mine that you don't infringe on a mans staked out fishing spot.