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Server Time:
2024-05-16 01:18:21
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 mewthree
   
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Gender: Male
 |  |  | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 20 on 9/29/2004 2:08 AM >
|  | | | I see your point, But what is the point of carrying a weapon such as a gun? AND I never called anybody James Bond, I said the guy I went UEing with OUT-EQUIPPING James Bond. I suppose that buying all those "Gismos" would only be because people like Gadgets.... But I wouldn't want to loose, break, or have to carry all this useless stuff when I am walking around in a condemned structure.
[last edit 9/29/2004 2:09 AM by mewthree - edited 1 times]
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Samurai
    
Vehicular Lord Rick
Location: northeastern New York
No matter where you go, there you are...
| | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 21 on 9/29/2004 2:15 AM >
| | | | Posted by mewthree
I see your point, But what is the point of carrying a weapon such as a gun? AND I never called anybody James Bond, I said the guy I went UEing with OUT-EQUIPPING James Bond. I suppose that buying all those "Gismos" would only be because people like Gadgets.... But I wouldn't want to loose, break, or have to carry all this useless stuff when I am walking around in a condemned structure.
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i can't speak for mark, but there are places here that I won't approach without a rifle with me. With this corner of NY, not too too far from you guys in Montreal, we have vicious little creatures that are called coydogs. Basically, your average domesticated Fluffy gone feral and bad tempered. They will attack you, and if there are enough of them, kill you. Hence, weaponry.
Other than that, i have a thing for boots. I have had nails come up through my normal boots... hence, big nasty fireboots.
Samurai
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mewthree
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 22 on 9/29/2004 2:25 AM >
| | | | Posted by Samurai
i can't speak for mark, but there are places here that I won't approach without a rifle with me. With this corner of NY, not too too far from you guys in Montreal, we have vicious little creatures that are called coydogs. Basically, your average domesticated Fluffy gone feral and bad tempered. They will attack you, and if there are enough of them, kill you. Hence, weaponry.
Other than that, i have a thing for boots. I have had nails come up through my normal boots... hence, big nasty fireboots.
Samurai
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Well That sounds horrible... but sorry, I forgot that there were people from the US where the gun laws are very different.
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Servo
| | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 23 on 9/29/2004 2:49 AM >
| | | | Posted by mewthree
Well That sounds horrible... but sorry, I forgot that there were people from the US where the gun laws are very different.
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Blah blah blah US guns blah... Can we PLEASE not turn this into a debate over guns on explorations or guns in general? If you want to do that, please make use of that nifty "New Thread" button on the forum page.
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BigPoppaMikey
This user has been banned. See the banlist page for more details.
Location: Milpitas, California
Gender: Male
Don't follow me unless you want to...
| |  |  | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 24 on 9/29/2004 2:51 AM >
| | | | Sometimes I pop off at the mouth and forget that I live in one of the states where gun laws are really strict. I.e.: rest of the US has no automatic weapon laws but California still does. Anyway, before I posted, I did not think. I personally caryy a sidearm in my vehicle and SOMETIMES while UEing. BUT, I also have a concealed permit and am an ex-police officer. So, my rather abrupt scream session was really uncalled for and others should just let it go.
Wishing I was Jack Dalton just to have all the cool leftovers... |
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Shard
Location: WA
Gender: Male
Baron Deathchemical
| | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 25 on 9/29/2004 2:54 AM >
| | | | I find that my martial arts training does a good job to boost my confidence in pretty much any situation, UE or not. Now if only I knew how to talk my way of things–that would be nice.
textfiles.com |
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ascjeffry
Location: Columbia, SC
Gender: Male
I put in work, but it sucks
| |  | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 26 on 9/29/2004 4:27 AM >
| | | | Even the smallest of weapons makes me feel safer when UEing- a 3 inch blade (which has more purpose than protection), or most times just my "police brutality maglite." Both of these can be explained easier than more lethal objects if you are caught
Sometimes life is like a drug- trips me out, fucks me up |
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Heartless
Location: Dakota Territory
Gender: Male
nowhere is a state of mind
| | | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 27 on 9/29/2004 5:12 AM >
| | | | I carry a Gerber Chameloen II with me while exploring, because I've carried a knife on me everywhere since I was a little kid; even to school and no one seemed to ever care. Not that it makes me feel safe, I HAVE been in a knife fight and it's not pretty; but it's a useful tool that I always seem to need when I don't have it. It's a screwdriver, a pry, a home manicure device...
I've explored alone plenty of times, but never in the city. Partly because I like the security of groups and partly because every time I make my way up there I'm meeting people to go somewhere I've probably never been before. I'd say the best advice to give someone who gets the creeps is to go prepared. Carry plenty of light sources and spare batts, try to scout the area first, etc.
Confidence comes through preparation, as the sign in the old wrestling room used to say.
"I hope that I find you in heaven, because I'm so lost without you down here..."
Lost Highway Photography |
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dsankt
Location: live and in the fresh
| | | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 28 on 9/29/2004 6:52 AM >
| | | | I think exploring alone teaches you a lot of things. You've no one to watch your back so you have to pay attention to everything. I rarely visit new locations alone, simply because the risk is so much more than something you know inside out. If you encounter squatter/junkies/vandals then you're basically running blind. I agree with Mark about learning the difference between the gut feeling of 'something isnt right here' and nerves/paranoia. I think solo helps to hone your skills, intuition and courage.
I find with big groups, everyone gets too relaxed. It seems everyone assumes someone else is paying attention, in the end nobody really does. Plus you have the logistical problems of large groups - noise, lights, access, visibility etc.
Personally I like 3-4 person exploration. It's enough to be intimidating if required, but small enough that you don't draw too much attention. If you all explore together regularly you dont need to talk much, everyone just knows what's going on. Group integrity is a wonderful thing 
I don't know if it would help you, but sometimes for kicks we'll be in a drain and just turn all the torches off and lie down for half an hour. In the absolute dakrness you (think you) see and hear the strangest things, but you get used to the types of sounds you hear I guess you could do the same topside.
sleepycity.net: watch out for the third rail baby, that shit is high voltage. urbex and urban exploration photography |
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Mark
Very Noble Donor
Location: South Carolina
Gender: Male
What is a lion, king of the savannah, when hes at the south pole?
| | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 29 on 9/29/2004 7:27 AM >
| | | | Sorry guys I pop off when people yell at the techies. I enjoy my toys like many here enjoy cameras. I found a camera useless for years and a liability for getting caught. I sense changed my mind coming on here. Sorry BMP and mewthree
"If the threat level goes up its probably because of me." "I am looking for a girl who enjoys headbutting beltbuckles" |
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Ninjalicious
Gone, but always with us
Location: Toronto
| | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 30 on 9/29/2004 1:30 PM >
|  | | | This thread is about overcoming fear, not about whether or not to use weapons. We've already had that discussion dozens of times, so further posts on that subject in this thread will be deleted.
Personally, I agree with Dsankt that big groups are too relaxing. I think it's useful to be nervous, as long as one isn't on the verge of panic. If you find you're too nervous when you go exploring, I recommend going exploring more often. (Personally I find the times I'm most nervous are when I haven't been anywhere for a few weeks.)
Ninj
http://www.infiltration.org
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MothMan
Noble Donor
Location: The Gem City
Gender: Male
If you didn't bring back any pictures with you then you obviously weren't there!
| | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 31 on 9/29/2004 2:46 PM >
| | | | Posted by Giblet
Anybody have mental exercises to share? Does one's imagination grow with use, and if so, does it eventually take over? (That would actually be kinda cool, I guess)
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I appreciate what you say. Off and on, I'll get nervous about some place in particular, or about UE in general. My take on this activity is I do abandonments and live infiltration. I'm most certainly a subterfuge junky.
I strongly listen to that little voice in my head; the one that says, "Hey, this isn't a good night to go there." (wherever there might be). I also listen when it says it's time to leave, even if I just arrived.
This is irrational, but that doesn't matter. This intuition works, and it works for me. I've been caught once - only once - and it was due to the fact I ignored my intuition. One night in a 4-story 100-room mansion used as a haunted house attraction, alarm bells started quietly screaming in my head, yet there was no rational reason for it. After 10 minutes more of adventure and ignoring what that little voice whispered to me, 4 deputy sheriffs pulled up on our location.
Not pretty.
I've quickly left places before, and then come back later and realize what I thought was a threat (e.g. weird car parked near my exploration) was no threat at all (e.g. the car was there the whole weekend without moving).
I don't kick myself for this. I listen to the voice. It's hard to tell you how to cultivate this sensitivity, you just have to try. Trust yourself. Trust your feelings about the place. Sometimes men have this hard, but do it anyway.
For me, I typically explore alone. I face my fears (heights, for one) and push myself. There's nothing in the world like it. I control my mind. I won't let it run away with me because I just watched Gothika, or something.
Very importantly, get comfortable assessing things. If people see you, is there any way they could ID you? If authorities arrived at your location, do you have a workable plan to get out without getting caught or being seen? Etc.
Having a pre-made plan really helps alleviate some trepidation. Have you ever watched a movie called "Heat," with Kilmer, De Niro, and Pacino? Pacino played this hard-boiled detective who kept his angst close to him, so he could stay on the edge. "It keeps me sharp, where I need to be."
Face the fear. Keep some of it too. Just don't let it control you. Trust your instincts. It's sharp on the edge, and that's good. Take 30 minutes to relax in a building before you delve into it. Calm yourself and trust yourself. You'll be a better explorer, and a better person.
I don't mean this to come off as some pop-psychology crapola, but it's what I do.
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Burzum
Noble Donor
| | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 32 on 9/29/2004 3:28 PM >
| | | | I have actually been thinking about this alot, since in the near future i will be doing my first solo draining trip. tho i am excited, i do find myself haunted by dreams of the tunnel where we turned back. i would say i am simultanously afraid and eager, which is part of what makes UE so addictive for me.
www.rouskrew.com
because evil won't just do itself. |
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Crossfire
Location: Kay-Dub
Gender: Male
Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years.
| | | | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 33 on 9/29/2004 4:41 PM >
| | | | Posted by MothMan
I strongly listen to that little voice in my head; the one that says, "Hey, this isn't a good night to go there."
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I do the same thing. On a couple of different occasions I've heard that voice, and paid attention to it on all accounts. Then there are times when I'm surprised that I don't get that feeling; a situation where normally you would think that you should be more on your toes than usual.
I've had people give me a hard time about listening to that nagging feeling and acting on it, but it's never steered me wrong. Not yet, anyhow. And I don't mind if I'm wrong in listening to it, either. Better safe than sorry, I always say.
C.
Disgruntled. |
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Jester
Location: Vancouver,B.C. Canada
Gender: Male
Always just out of sight...
| | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 34 on 9/29/2004 5:15 PM >
|  | | | Posted by MothMan
I strongly listen to that little voice in my head; the one that says, "Hey, this isn't a good night to go there." (wherever there might be). I also listen when it says it's time to leave, even if I just arrived.
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I always trust my instincts in that way. There are many times i've said "I think we better leave now" and headed out, just in time to see security or police show up at the place... Doesn't matter to me if somebody i'm with argues against leaving, they can stay if they want, I warned them of what I think, it's up to them to decide for themselves. But everyone that's explored with me and had me say that to them has seen it was right at the time...
It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf. |
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Frost
Location: K.Dot
Gender: Male
No beer makes Frosty go..something something..(Taz: Crrazzy?)..Dont mind if I doo!
| | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 35 on 9/29/2004 5:20 PM >
| | | | My intuition keeps us out of trouble, at least I feel it does. Cross and I have been places with the crew and we've had feelings to get out, I'm just glad I listened, who knows what could've happened. I've relied on it a few times, including that freaky ass grain elevator.... that was just nagging at me to get the fuck out......
Why is marijuana not legal? Why is marijuana not legal? Its a natural plant that grows in the dirt. You know what's not natural, 80 year old dudes with hardons. Thats not natural, but we got pills for that. We're dedicating all our resources to keeping the old guys erect but we're puttin people in jail for smoking something that grows in the dirt. |
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Silent Knight
Location: Niagara region
Gender: Male
Kastle Archives Productions Inc. (since 1999)
| | | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 36 on 9/29/2004 5:41 PM >
| | | | Posted by Giblet
2) Squatters who see 'some Old-Guy with a half-decent camera'.
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That's one aspect I'm always wary of. I can handle myself in any sort of physical confrontation (if need be)...but my first concern is always my camera gear. Most often I carry the camera mounted on the tripod, but if I detect a vagrant or homeless person in the vicinity, I'll tuck the camera away in the shoulder bag until I'm sure the coast is clear. Not that a camera bag isn't rather obvious itself, but at least the camera ain't in plain view. And if it comes down to a physical confrontation, the bag will afford the camera some padding against possible damage.
Silent Knight
[last edit 9/29/2004 5:41 PM by Silent Knight - edited 1 times]
You can always tell when you're watching Canadian television - the actors in the show are the same ones doing the commercials. |
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Kay O. Sweaver
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Gender: Male
Happiness is saying yes more often than no.
| | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 37 on 9/30/2004 7:11 AM >
| | | | I think MothMan has given the best description so far of handling oneself in the face of fear. Fear is a good thing, panic is not. If you don't have a bit of fear something's eventually going to happen to you. Fear keeps your mind and your body on alert and prepared to act.
I personally often find myself slightly uncomfortable exploring with others. Groups can be a great liability, in large part due to the phenomenon of the "group mind." Its like the devil and the angel on your shoulders debating what to do, you just end up standing there debating instead of taking action. Even worse is when one or more people decide to do something foolhardy and the rest of the group is forced to follow. People get too relaxed in groups too, sometimes I want to tape peoples' mouths shut.
I don't want to sound negative in all of this. Groups provide great support, social interaction and a variety of skills and knowledge. They can turn into a liability though when they're not all on the same wavelength. Personally when exploring a new site (to me) or someplace potentially risky, I like two person explorations best.
In terms of gear, I always figure the less gear you pack, of any kind, the better off you are. Bring what's absolutely needed, and be willing to see it smashed, stolen or lost. It happens. Your brain and your body are your greatest assets. If you've got intelligence and confidence on your side you should be able to deal with anything - stark naked.
Perhaps that one word is the single key. Confidence, in yourself, in your abilities and your decisions whether in UE or in life.
I have grown more cautious in terms of my UE in the past year for a variety of reasons. I've been arrested in the past so I know I'm not invulnerable. As I get older other aspects of my life take on greater significance - how would an injury or arrest effect the rest of my life? I also feel less of a need to push myself. I don't need to prove anything to anyone. I've seen a dozen factories and a hundred drains, its not a tragedy if I have to sit this one out.
Ultimately UE is a hobby. A powerful, invigorating and exciting hobby with true historical and ecological purpose (because this is the environment us urbanites dwell in every day). Yet it remains a hobby. Sometimes the risks outweigh the benefits, and that's perfectly fine.
==========================
Amy Smith is an infected slut |
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NoSuchPerson
Stop, or I'll ask you again!
| | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 38 on 9/30/2004 9:23 AM >
| | | | Posted by MothMan
I strongly listen to that little voice in my head; the one that says, "Hey, this isn't a good night to go there." (wherever there might be). I also listen when it says it's time to leave, even if I just arrived.
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I couldn't agree with you more.
There's been many times where that little voice says to me "Don't go - bad idea". I usually pay attention to it. Each time I've ignored it, something bad has gone down, be it getting caught, flat tire, etc...
Rule number One is trusting your instinct. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
Confidance comes through practice. Period.
-Ex
Unit calling radio say again? |
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Duke
Noble Donor
Location: Awww-shitby, Ontario
Gender: Male
Move it or lose it
| | Re: Overcoming Fear Of
<Reply # 39 on 10/5/2004 1:10 AM >
| | | | I find exploring with someone who's a little reluctant themselves is a good counter for fears. You both tend to kind of forget about your own fears and instead poke fun at eachother's. I also tend to find myself concerned for the safety of whoever I'm with more so than my own so it tends to keep me cautious. Helps you realize which fears are irrational and which are honest-to-goodness preparedness
Contrary to popular belief, death isn't just for dead people. I know I was surprised too! It can happen to anybody! Horses, fiddler crabs, even a potato can die! - Tick
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