the way people have been acting lately I think there must be sunspots, cause I'm convinced everyone has lost their mind.

Land Line 911 goes to local PD dispatch.
Cell phone 911 goes to an outsource service connected with CHP (i think its in modesto) who transfers you to the local PD dispatch depending on where you are.
Moral of the story: Calling 911 on a cell phone in a 'right now' emergency about as useful as filtering piss from the ocean.

Interesting to know. I had never really thought about that before.

Also, landlines (with phones that can operate with only the power from the telco) will work in a power outage, while other phones may not.

We use VOIP and cell phones for most stuff, but we keep a landline at home for 911 and for the front door buzzer.

-G

Two things:

Stumbling upon that while riding is probably the best case scenario. If it comes to it you could just headbutt one or both of them.

Landlines are also better for 911 calls as it is much easier for the operator to send aid to your location.

Holy shit, dude...

Here's to a relaxing vacation - sounds like you could use it.

-G

You'd probably know better than I would since you actually took Spanish, but isn't the term "puto" and not "punto?" I think it means fucker. A classmate from Peru often says "puto madre!" which I think is "motherfucker".

I never studied Spanish swearing.

Glad you didn't get hurt, or your house either. If these guys are going to rumble, I'd suggest they rumble in front of their own houses.

isn't puta pretty directly translated as bitch?

‘Puto’ is diminuitive and masculine, like ‘muppet’ or something. ‘Hijo de puta’ is much more insulting, at least in Spain.

‘De puta madre!’ is an energetic exclamation of approval, in Spain.

Ah; the RAE say ‘puto’ also means ‘fag’. ‘De puta madre’ hasn’t made it in there yet.

Yet another reason why I carry a gun. Because I'm not going to get hurt getting caught between two idiots like that.

Glad you were not hurt dude.

Put this number into your cell phone: 415-553-8090

That's the SFPD emergency number.

...in earnest, I always liked that expression.

and mother Russia will not be a democracy anymore! You see how that bottle could've affected the 2008 presidential election in Russia? Perhaps Putin should send a KGB detail to watch over you man... If you see guys on Harleys tailing you, don't be surprised :)...

And you didn't take any pictures?!

Yeah, I had my camera phone.. not sure why I didn't... too shocked maybe.

you've done right, Brad. why should we take snapshots of the guys who are not worth it?
actually, in Russia the police are more violent than the bullies(

I'm from Los Angeles and lived in some higher crime neighborhoods. I've had some pretty scary incidents at times, used to being on guard a bit, etc. I can deal with a fairly high degree of violence and trouble -- but god damn does SF make me nervous ever time I stay in the city. It's disgusting and dangerous.

You've had repeated car break-ins and now this. It's only a matter of time before something scarier happens. IMHO.

Gah, it happens even in the nicest, quietest neighborhoods. Sounds like glass bottle guy had really lost it by the time the police came. The other guy would have had a much worse time of it, if you hadn't come home when you did and called 911.

Holy crap, the emergency services put you on hold? Is that normal in the US?

No clue. I don't call it often enough to know.

But it doesn't surprise me.

Yep, it's pretty normal, unfortunately.

Something similar happened to my cousin-in-law a couple of weeks ago. Her dad hit his head in the backyard of her house, and when she called 911 on her cell phone she was put on hold for at least 5 minutes. By the time they took her call, her husband had already run next door, dialed 911 from the neighbors' landline, reached emergency services, completed the call, and come back.

Graham

"All operators are currently busy.... Todos los operadors estan occupado..."

That is definetely not something you want to hear when dialling 911 (or local equivalent). Glad to hear you're ok though.

good times indeed.

I love a good street fight. Too bad you couldn't have some chai while watching it....