tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post888848533614604056..comments2024-03-14T18:08:58.528-04:00Comments on I aim to misbehave.: I think I broke her.Captain Tightpantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13776345884480352979noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-40349645764007271742014-08-21T02:58:32.667-04:002014-08-21T02:58:32.667-04:00CT, what you have said here is like a giant search...CT, what you have said here is like a giant searchlight in my blackest tunnel.<br />I was in the Australian Air Force for 21 years, and two years Army before that, NEVER been on the two-way range, NEVER had to face your particular elephant.<br />On Christmas Eve, 1974 in Darwin, (then, pop 40,000+), Northern Territory of Australia, the city was hit by a cyclone,-Tracy,- and virtually obliterated, about 65-90 dead, hundreds of injured.<br />My elephant came to me that night.<br />I was 24 years old, married three years, two babies under three.<br />The monster raged in this blackest of nights for about 7-8 hours, my small house was destroyed around us, we survived.<br />Forward 37 years, I was asked by a 12 year old cousin to write about an Australian natural disaster, I wrote about Tracy.<br />I had NEVER written or said anything, even to my Wife, about that night of sure death before this, I was scared absolutely shitless all that long night, but I couldn't show it, I had to be the strong male, we also had company, my friend's Wife and their two babies, her husband was miles away, couldn't get home, so she and her babies took shelter with us.<br />I wrote my heart to my young cousin, but I left out things a 12 year old child doesn't need to know, I saw some very nasty sights, and smelled them, over the next few days.<br />My account, with my never before shown photo's I took the next three days after, made quite some impact on the adult teachers who saw it, though that was not my intent.<br />My point, I will never be able to get across to someone who was not there that night, what it was like, but I am significantly better for having got it off my chest, believe me!.<br />When my wife read my account, she said, Ï had no idea you were so scared, you didn't show it".<br />That was the hardest part.......<br />Regards, <br />Stuart Garfath. Sydney Australia.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16251090109470703986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-53057873573885477742014-06-23T15:41:11.805-04:002014-06-23T15:41:11.805-04:00As a rape survivor and after almost dieing from 1...As a rape survivor and after almost dieing from 17 stab wounds in the same incident, I under- stand profoundly your thoughts. I rarely say it aloud, but I have vowed never to be terrorized like that again. I will kill first if I have the chance. PTSD?? After eleven years, there are still vestiges of it remaining.geezerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16330369130661173077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-71136168361871160972014-04-23T08:29:59.302-04:002014-04-23T08:29:59.302-04:00Thank you for your post. I have never experienced ...Thank you for your post. I have never experienced the things you have spoken of but that doesn’t mean I want to be left in ignorance. I feel the community on the whole needs to understand what you guys are living through. Even if it’s only a limited understanding it would at least be a beginning.<br />It doesn’t sound like the female psych should have really been there. If someone is to provide help to others then perhaps life experiences need to be considered and not just qualifications. Do you as a group ever meet just to talk or is it only ever with one of the psychs present? It might give that “troopship time” that someone else spoke of.<br />Great to see you posting again as I was wondering how you were going and again thank you for your insights. Take it easy and all the best.<br />Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636239965764222636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-20939880698268694662014-04-22T19:27:29.329-04:002014-04-22T19:27:29.329-04:00I won't pretend to know what it's like to ...I won't pretend to know what it's like to kill somebody. I can give another example of an experience that changes you by taking you to the edge, though... I gave birth to three babies naturally, and one of them without any pain meds whatsoever.<br /><br />When you come to the point where you feel as if you will die if you push, and you decide that you are going to push anyways... that did change me, to come to the point and to exceed it.<br /><br />It's not a dark place at all, but it does change you.Gothelittle Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02033938810970984908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-70890620814027202952014-04-22T15:54:11.366-04:002014-04-22T15:54:11.366-04:00I have never seen that elephant, and with luck I w...I have never seen that elephant, and with luck I will never have to.<br /><br />But I understand what you mean. People who have not done what you've done cannot truthfully understand things that to you are simply truths.<br /><br />Glad to see you back Cap.<br /><br /> Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07041372518026028618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-29061541005353524842014-04-22T11:25:46.517-04:002014-04-22T11:25:46.517-04:00I agree with both you and tweel. The best 'the...I agree with both you and tweel. The best 'therapy' I've ever had was sitting down with guys and gals like me and just talking. Sometimes we told war stories, sometimes we just talked about life, but we always seemed to get things out that we couldn't talk about otherwise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-42614547286455748832014-04-21T15:09:35.833-04:002014-04-21T15:09:35.833-04:00Capt. TP, your analogy of combat vs rape is to me ...Capt. TP, your analogy of combat vs rape is to me a fair one. I had a stalker (a co-worker back in the day before such labels became common). I found out quickly that I was the only person responsible for my safety. I heard it all: I encouraged him, just go out with him anyway and he'll stop, he's just a good old boy...<br /><br />After hearing these comments from the LEO's I confided in, I accepted the fact that I would do whatever I needed to do to protect myself. Thankfully, he is no longer a threat but I still carry that mindset. <br /><br />My co-workers don't understand. They still think bad things only happen to other people. Self-defense and the 2nd Amendment theories to be discussed over coffee.<br /><br />Surprisinging, the few people at work who understand are combat vets.Tasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12891343835821766733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-34830084671707349962014-04-21T07:34:01.355-04:002014-04-21T07:34:01.355-04:00A commenter tried to leave an comment for you here...A commenter tried to leave an comment for you here, but couldn't do so anonymously. He did so on my blog, and asked me to refer you to it there. You'll find it at:<br /><br />http://bayourenaissanceman.blogspot.com/2014/04/captain-tightpants-nails-it.html?showComment=1398068710923#c3222739044638994509<br /><br />Thanks again.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-73450374042482163912014-04-21T00:03:57.798-04:002014-04-21T00:03:57.798-04:00Thank you for this.
I've always thought of it...Thank you for this.<br /><br />I've always thought of it in terms of, "on this side of the line you think; on the other side you know."Angus McThaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09295013525738248801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-26000728721020621002014-04-20T19:09:06.471-04:002014-04-20T19:09:06.471-04:00Thanks for the comments folks I appreciate it. Som...Thanks for the comments folks I appreciate it. Sometimes it's hard to say this things in the right words - sometimes it just seems like it's not worth the effort. But feedback like this reminds me why I try. Captain Tightpantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13776345884480352979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-26433467006219644462014-04-20T16:21:29.498-04:002014-04-20T16:21:29.498-04:00Well said, you've hopefully given her a 'd...Well said, you've hopefully given her a 'different' perspective to think about. And welcome back.Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-88678242641096377872014-04-20T15:13:37.424-04:002014-04-20T15:13:37.424-04:00Thank you for your post. I have just come from &qu...Thank you for your post. I have just come from "Peter" and needed to read it all. <br />My elephant is different. I have been unable to understand why so many people could not relate to what I was saying about our current situation in the U.S., which is because they had never lived through my "elephant." That "aha" moment is missing and I shall stop ranting and railing. Pointless.<br />My deepest thank you for this post. Yes, we must find ways to help our returning Veterans and their families, especially, their children.<br /> trailbeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06830065132795330618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-64799535218559400062014-04-20T15:13:14.377-04:002014-04-20T15:13:14.377-04:00My father noted that his generation came back from...My father noted that his generation came back from war on troopships, taking weeks to get back home. They met, talked it out among themselves, and healed each other as best they could.<br /><br />In Vietnam up through today soldiers are put on a jet and flown home, then released. You go from one world to another, and are dumped out before the jet lag is over. There's no opportunity to deal with the soul wounding; by the time you can do that the scarring is well underway.tweellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164718561825615886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-38185606074751334532014-04-20T11:19:47.406-04:002014-04-20T11:19:47.406-04:00Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! I'm going...Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! I'm going to quote you on my blog. You've stated very succinctly what I've tried - and failed - to put into words for years.<br /><br />Well done, Sir.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976334216965295921.post-90385241061476772922014-04-20T10:35:39.760-04:002014-04-20T10:35:39.760-04:00I've never seen your elephant, but I've se...I've never seen your elephant, but I've seen a few of my own. I think your assessment is dead on. Hopefully, she will internalize the lesson you gently applied and be better for it. Daddy Hawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01386749814126280114noreply@blogger.com