not so cool story, bro: Back when I was 22, I was working for an IT company that was setting up computers and such for a Boys and Girls Club in a very not so nice part of town.

I had been working late to wrap things up and get ready for pre-opening testing, and was in the process of hauling empty computer boxes out to my car when a group of 3 folks noticed me and decided they wanted to make some extra cash.

The three guys jumped me and started beating on me, then when they figured out the boxes were empty decided to have a little fun instead.

40 stab wounds and multiple deep lacerations later, including one that was only a couple of millimeters from spilling my guts (thank the gods I'm chunky), I was left to lay in a pool of my own blood.

It was another hour or so before someone passed by and bothered to call 911.

I ended up looking like Dr. Weir at the end of Event Horizon (though I still had my eyes).

No way for me to fight back at the time, and between infection, loss of blood, etc. I was lucky I didn't die. The time in the hospital and everything else was hell.

Between that, having had run-ins with a few meth heads that frequented a park near my company's offices, and going to some viking-themed events and dealing with legit nazis that showed up and got quite upset that we didn't want them there...yeah, this is why I'm generally afraid of people. Also why I strongly believe in firearms for self defense.