Best Guess, They Would Have Shot Me. James Meets One Tough Marauder Owner! [Archive]

woaface

07-01-2005, 09:46 AM

So I'm driving down Haywood road near I-385 in Greenville today coming up on an intersection. My light is red and I see a black Marauder drive through going the other way. It looks like it's just been polished with dark tints and satelite raido. I make an immediate left into a gas station parking lot and try to go the same way. Traffic holds me for about 30 seconds and I see the Marauder disappear around a corner.

I finally get out and let me tell you, the mini-van ain't quick. I'm behind an Infiniti FX-35 going about 30 in a 35. After about a mile of this nonsense and not seeing the Marauder anywhere but having a vague idea of where it went (I'm smelling the trail.) I see it a little ways ahead of me making a left from a small two lane road to a narrow road where some businesses are.

I am caught up and I pull into the same parking lot the car does, and watch it back into a space. I pull into a space, wait for the driver to get out, pop out of my car with Slowpoke's card ready and say "Hey nice car, oh wait, I've met you before haven't I! (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11522&highlight=james+women)"

"Yes we've met." She said. A tallish woman with short curly blonde hair. She was very apprehensive with a cellphone against her head. I kept my distance and said "Sorry, would you like to try this again? Visit the website at all?" She was moving as quickly as she does drive towards the door of the office, saying "No."

I felt like I had just tried to accost the president of the United States! That was the end. I got in my car, admired a REALLY beautiful Marauder one last time and left. Now I'm back home admiring my MM.net mousepad and the Marauder I don't have yet.

Oh well, I guess not everyone can be savvy about the best group of car guys on the web.:rolleyes:

Slowpoke

07-01-2005, 10:05 AM

Bluerauder

07-01-2005, 10:06 AM

"Yes we've met." She said. A tallish woman with short curly blonde hair.
So, that would make her about 31 now, right?? :rofl:

Smokie

07-01-2005, 10:11 AM

James, you already gave her a card, which she promptly threw away I'm sure, remember this: we are in that 2% bracket, she is not. Don't approach that woman a third time.

Fourth Horseman

07-01-2005, 10:19 AM

Not that there are other Marauders in my part of the country, but if there were I'd stick to a policy of just leaving cards under wipers or tucked into the driver's window.

RF Overlord

07-01-2005, 10:25 AM

^^^what Smokie and Fourth said^^^

I've talked to a number of MM owners who say they understand exactly what the car is, but have no interest in mods, meets, joining the collective, or anything else. :dunno:

As the late Phil Lynott wrote in "The Boys Are Back In Town": "If that chick don't want to know, forget her..."

Shaft333

07-01-2005, 10:46 AM

That's funny. She's got to be thinking, "if another dorky college kid comes running at me with a business card about a car website - I'm trading this thing in for a Camry."

And I don't mean to call you dorky... but let's face it... we're sitting on computers, using the internet to talk about a very cultish version of an old man's car... we're all dorky here. :D

bigjon

07-01-2005, 10:49 AM

woaface

07-01-2005, 10:53 AM

Smokie - I know what the car looks like now and won't approach her again.

Bluerauder - I wasn't exactly a spittin' image of her:D

Fourth...that's what I usually do. There's a Black Marauder that sits in a parking garage on the weekends downtown with a New York license plate. I've left cards twice.

Like I said, some people just aren't savvy on the collective!

Logan

07-01-2005, 11:06 AM

Seriously, from me to you, stick to under the wiper or car doors please? I know how I am when I'm approached out of the blue while in or around my car, I'm more likely to shoot and ask questions later as it's well outside "normal" behaviour...

Car shows, cruises, MAYBE a gas station, but following and then approaching? Bad mojo...

Don't approach people in their car, it's just not cool... and makes it look like I run a website of rabid cultists... :nono:

Haggis

07-01-2005, 11:15 AM

... and makes it look like I run a website of rabid cultists... :nono:
WHAT!!!! You mean you don't??? :eek:

Logan

07-01-2005, 11:18 AM

...well I KNOW that, but it doesn't mean we have to go tell everybody... It's almost like bragging, it's just bad manners to tell everybody, "Hey, I'm a rabid Cultist, nanner nanner nanner"...

You gots to be coooooooooooooooool...:bandit: :beatnik: :rasta:

MERCMAN

07-01-2005, 11:20 AM

Who wants Kool-Aid????

:stupid:

woaface

07-01-2005, 11:31 AM

I agree, and I usually do place the cards on the driverside window. But you usually don't see Marauders around here, it's just not commonplace at all. It's more than rare.

Oh well, I guess that was my last try in Greenville for a while.

...well I KNOW that, but it doesn't mean we have to go tell everybody... It's almost like bragging, it's just bad manners to tell everybody, "Hey, I'm a rabid Cultist, nanner nanner nanner"...

You gots to be coooooooooooooooool...:bandit: :beatnik: :rasta:

Bluerauder

07-01-2005, 11:34 AM

... but let's face it... we're sitting on computers, using the internet to talk about a very cultish version of an old man's car... we're all dorky here. :D
Speak for yourself ....... I am sitting in a chair !!! :rofl: But, since you put it that ^^^^ way ......... I am gonna take the rest of the day off and re-evaluate my priorities. :rolleyes:

shakes_26

07-01-2005, 12:03 PM

James,

Will you please quit chasing Stiffler's mom!

duhtroll

07-01-2005, 12:14 PM

Car shows, cruises, MAYBE a gas station, but following and then approaching? Bad mojo...

Don't approach people in their car, it's just not cool... and makes it look like I run a website of rabid cultists... :nono:

Nope, just run 'em off the road and then throw cards at them whilst shouting obscenities and mooning them. Drool and snarl then leave them in a cloud of dust.

Heck, that's how TooManyFords got here! :P

-A

Brother Mike

07-01-2005, 12:59 PM

teamrope

07-01-2005, 01:11 PM

Who wants Kool-Aid????

:stupid:

EW! EW! I DO! :D

O's Fan Rich

07-01-2005, 01:18 PM

James,

Will you please quit chasing Stiffler's mom!

Nine ball anyone?

Donny Carlson

07-01-2005, 02:52 PM

we ought to find this woman and bombard her with cards! We need to figure out some way of letting her know this community of ours is a helpful group and will serve to further enhance her driving experience.

Seems to me she made it pretty clear she's not interested. Stalking and harrassing her will not likely change her mind.

James you're a great kid and mean well, but you keep this up and eventually you'll approach the wrong woman in the wrong Marauder at the wrong time and it, as Ozzie says, "will end in tears."

Logan

07-01-2005, 03:43 PM

Don't mind Logan...a Canadian living in Texas.....need I say more????Ummmm... Actually, yes. My Canuck brain just went, "Eh? What's that hoser talkin' 'bout eh?"

Half of Texas is from Canada or Mexico... I'm still waiting to meet an actual real live, honest to goodness, born in Texas, Texas type person... and I've been here 6 years! ;)

martyo

07-01-2005, 04:16 PM

gpfarrell

07-01-2005, 07:32 PM

James:

This is one of the most serious posts I have ever made on this site.

You really need to carry the cell phone number of a criminal attorney in your wallet. One day, perhaps sooner, than you think or will admit, you will end up in the custody of a law enforcement official.

Good luck. You are going to need it.

Wow, to me that seems a bit like an over-reaction, but I've got to think that Marty knows a bit more about how crazy people and the law can be than the rest of us.

I approached a '66 Shelby GT350 last weekend... was sure it was a friends car... I can't imagine I looked like very dangerous driving our BMW wagon with my wife in the front seat and our 16 month-old in the back, but the guy in Shelby was taken back by me. I told him nice car and left right away... people can't tell when we mean no harm, so perhaps its best to stick to windshield wipers & car cruises.

The world needs more nice people like James, but 'til then we're better off having smart people like MartyO on our side!

Svashtar

07-01-2005, 08:47 PM

James:

This is one of the most serious posts I have ever made on this site.

You really need to carry the cell phone number of a criminal attorney in your wallet. One day, perhaps sooner, than you think or will admit, you will end up in the custody of a law enforcement official.

Good luck. You are going to need it.
For walking up and saying "Hi" to a stranger? And what law would the law enforcement official be enforcing? What is the crime that would require a criminal attorney? I do it all the time. People love to talk about their cars for the most part. If they don't, then I just say "sorry to have bothered you" and walk away. It's still a free country, and I don't think I need a lawyer on retainer to talk to a pretty woman, or even an ugly man about his car, let alone a criminal attorney. James approached politely, she expressed strong disinterest, James left politely. Not exactly the Night Stalker.

The fact is, the only reason I have a MM is that I followed a black '03 MM discreetly until the guy stopped, and then asked him about it. The same thing has happened to me as recently as a couple of weeks ago when I saw a guy circling my car at the gas station, and he stopped and asked about it.

Guess I shoulda had him locked up. ;)

Norm

the_pack_rat

07-01-2005, 08:56 PM

Remember .....

What most of us MEN might just find to be annoying .....

Most women will probably take the same to be .... QUITE THREATENING when coming from a stranger.

You really cant BLAME them.

David Morton

07-01-2005, 09:09 PM

Oh man! First off, we get the repeat stalking episode from Jr., then Logans says (and rightly so)
Seriously, from me to you, stick to under the wiper...Don't approach people in their car, it's just not cool... and makes it look like I run a website of rabid cultists... :nono:...and then Haggis says...
WHAT !!!! You mean you don't? :eek: ...and then Logan says...
...well I KNOW that... :laugh:

God help me, I know I'm home! :D

Bag of mixed nuts! MM.net RULES! :banana2:

martyo

07-01-2005, 11:05 PM

For walking up and saying "Hi" to a stranger? And what law would the law enforcement official be enforcing? What is the crime that would require a criminal attorney? I do it all the time. People love to talk about their cars for the most part. If they don't, then I just say "sorry to have bothered you" and walk away. It's still a free country, and I don't think I need a lawyer on retainer to talk to a pretty woman, or even an ugly man about his car, let alone a criminal attorney. James approached politely, she expressed strong disinterest, James left politely. Not exactly the Night Stalker.

Norm:

No offense, but you miss the point. James was a bit more zealous in his approach than "walking up and saying hi." Keep in mind, he is, after all, James, which is why this event was described as "stalking".

Well, James can take your advice and do as he wishes. I am sorry I posted up, but remember this, it's the new millennium and what used to fly for friendly has changed.

Oh, and harassment is one of those funny little words that is subject to interpretation. And, when applied to an individual such as James, it can have the meaning that an LEO decides includes James' conduct.

See ya all around the court room! :D

BillyGman

07-02-2005, 01:34 AM

I Luv it when people who I don't even know ask me questions about my car, but I'm not only a car enthusiast, but I've went to great lengths and expense to make my Marauder better, and faster than it was from the factory. Not everyone is as enthusiastic about their cars, nor about cars in general as we are. That's just how it is. There's a blonde haired lady who drives a Black Marauder who I've seen a few times while I've been driving around in my own black Marauder, but despite the fact that I've flashed my headlights, and waived at her as she was going by three separate times, she doesn't even wave back.

There also once was a girl who tried racing me, and I blew her doors off, and she was giving me the thumbs up and laughing. But immediately after that occured, and she happened to pull into the same gas station as I did, she looked very apprehensive when I waived to her. It's a woman thing Jimmy. They can't help but to be on the defense, because they don't know if you're some kind of predator or not. Even if you don't look all that threatening, they just don't know. And if they're very attractive, they're also very used to guys of almost all ages trying to hit on them everywhere they go, and they get weiry of that too, to the point where they're constantly anticipating that even when it isn't your intention at all.

woaface

07-02-2005, 06:33 AM

Well, she didn't see me chasing her down, but she did see me get out of my car and proceed, and I wasn't THAT zealous. It was a quick encounter and as I said, I kept my distance by far. I was a little excited but I don't think I came across as more than a giddy youth.

I mean, YOU guys could easily come across as the stalker/I'm about to kill you type given your age and all, but one look at the scrawny kid driving a minivan? I know it happens, but it's unlikely.

But then again, I was thinking, maybe she has a past, something that makes her apprehensive and likely to carry a firearm. She's mentally aware of every guy or such around her. Can't blame her for being scared.

Either way this is good advice Marty and I don't take it with a grain of salt.
I have my dad's cell phone number of course, and he has quick access to his criminal attorney in a situation as this. In fact, he pretty much has quick access to ANY attorney in any situation. So I'm hooked up, as always.

In this situation however, I almost would have dared an officer to take me in. Same way I told the officer my first time getting pulled over he couldn't give me a ticket if he couldn't tell me what code he would put on the ticket/violation I had commited. Off he went, nice try.

And on a final note...she wasn't that attractive anyway...:D

woaface

07-02-2005, 06:44 AM

Keep in mind, he is, after all, James, which is why this event was described as "stalking". Thanks, lol. Too bad this kind of personal interaction is the only sort of thing most of you guys hear about. Me being dumb, or getting in trouble for something.

Well, James can take your advice and do as he wishes. I am sorry I posted up, but remember this, it's the new millennium and what used to fly for friendly has changed. Maybe I should catch up and buy "PC for dummies" and I don't mean Personal Computer.

Oh, and harassment is one of those funny little words that is subject to interpretation. And, when applied to an individual such as James, it can have the meaning that an LEO decides includes James' conduct. True that. An LEO wouldn't arrest lil' ol' me though! I'm James! :rolleyes:

See ya all around the court room! :D I'll be there, all brushed up on being a cunning linguist. I might just visit for an internship one day!

twolow

07-02-2005, 07:07 AM

James,

You can come down to GA and leave a card on my window, I won't mind :P

I also saw a MM about a month back and turned around to give chase. Followed it all the way to WalMart and had my card ready. I saw it park and I sped up to meet the owner as they were walking in. It ended up being two old ladies so I rolled my window back up and they never noticed me as I passed them. If they were MM groupies in the least I'm sure they would have at least noticed my MM ride by in front of them - which they didn't.

I put my card back in the glove box and drove home slow and feeling defeated.

txkent

07-02-2005, 10:35 AM

Ummmm... Actually, yes. My Canuck brain just went, "Eh? What's that hoser talkin' 'bout eh?"

Half of Texas is from Canada or Mexico... I'm still waiting to meet an actual real live, honest to goodness, born in Texas, Texas type person... and I've been here 6 years! ;)
I was born & raised in Texas!!! :) AND I live just down the road from you! I'm not typical - I don't wear boots, or own a cowboy hat... :D I prefer a ball cap and a pair of new balance shoes.

woaface

07-02-2005, 11:34 AM

That's all?

I don't wear boots, or own a cowboy hat... :D I prefer a ball cap and a pair of new balance shoes.

valleyman

07-02-2005, 11:58 AM

In this situation however, I almost would have dared an officer to take me in. Same way I told the officer my first time getting pulled over he couldn't give me a ticket if he couldn't tell me what code he would put on the ticket/violation I had commited. Off he went, nice try.

And on a final note...she wasn't that attractive anyway...:D[/QUOTE

James, I've worked around and with cops for over 20 years and daring a cop to take you in is probably the last thing you'll say before they stick you in the back of the car. Having read tens of thousands of police reports and done well over a couple thousand criminal hearings I've seen plenty of times the last words before the citizen becomes an arrestee are, "You can't arrest me."

Which reminds me of a list we kept when I was on homicide (for 6 years) of "Stupidist Things to Say When Someone Is Pointing A Gun At You." My personal favorite: "You're not man enough to shoot me." BTW, those were, perhaps not surprisingly, the last words that particular fellow spoke on earth.

Alan

07-02-2005, 02:41 PM

BillyGman

07-02-2005, 03:15 PM

Well, she didn't see me chasing her down, but she did see me get out of my car and proceed, and I wasn't THAT zealous. It was a quick encounter and as I said, I kept my distance by far. I was a little excited but I don't think I came across as more than a giddy youth.

And on a final note...she wasn't that attractive anyway...:D...she just might not be a very friendly person anyway. That might be the case too. No great loss.

Svashtar

07-02-2005, 04:20 PM

Well, in retrospect I guess maybe Marty is more correct than I thought at first blush, after reading some other responses. I did speak to a woman a few weeks ago who drive up to the local coffee shop in a beautifully restored '62 Cadillac, and she about talked MY head off before I could make a graceful exit, but since I'm not as young as I used to be (for some reason!), I haven't hit on a pretty girl for a while, at least since I got married quite a while back, so will concede that maybe things have changed.

I guess a young guy with a van might give me scond thoughts as well. For sure I would just make sure I didn't have my roll of duct tape and handcuffs with me, while asking her to come help me lift something heavy in the back of the van! :nono:

Also, since everyone is disarmed here in the PRK you can probably approach a woman more safely whether your intentions are good OR bad, than in a state with sensible carry laws where a woman who felt threatened might have the means to do something about it.

Regards,

Norm

Bluerauder

07-02-2005, 04:34 PM

In this situation however, I almost would have dared an officer to take me in.
Yeah, that is always a good idea to PO an LEO. :rolleyes: Insert tazer video of uncooperative woman here for a reminder of how that can turn out.

Fourth Horseman

07-02-2005, 07:42 PM

And on a final note...she wasn't that attractive anyway...:D

James, buddy... you're stalking the ugly ones!?

:lol:

MENINBLK

07-02-2005, 09:14 PM

You want to get some attention, you can do what I do...

Put a MM.net card with a MARAUDER PEN under the wiper.
They will see the pen and say "COOL" !
Then they will look at the card and see "MercuryMarauder.net".

Only 1 of 2 things will happen...
They will be drawn to the site because the pen stroke up the curiosity,
or the card will go into the circular files and then pen will go in the glove box...

Next time have a pen handy and walk up to her and say...
"Hi, would you like to have a pen that goes perfectly with your car?"

If she accepts the pen, which is harmless, and it doesn't strike up a conversation,
then write it off as someone who likes the car but isn't interested in being part of our collective.
You can say you are sorry if you've intruded in her space,
you only meant to complement her on the Marauder,
and see if she would be interested in meeting up
with other local Marauder owners.

It's okay, really.
You will meet all kinds of people everyday...
I work with a BULLSEYE on my back almost every day,
and I get hits from the iPod collective and shrug them off very easily.

Just go off and look for another Marauder in your travels,
and remember that not everyone is suited for our group,
and not everyone is group material either...

If you want to view it from her point of view,
when was the last time you were in a store and someone approached you,
and you just looked at them and said, "I don't need any help.", before they
even had a chance to ask you ???
Well to her, you might be the person who doesn't want to go away.
Its not bad, but with the timing of things, and you NOT being in a Marauder
it will felt that way to her.

Shaft333

07-02-2005, 09:41 PM

i would suspect that anyone with a Marauder (or wants one), internet access, and a desire to talk and read about their car would find this site on their own. I did.

Smokie

07-03-2005, 04:58 AM

Since I purchased the car 3 years ago I have spoken to 2 MM. owners that I ran into at a campground and a restaurant parking lot, we spoke at lenght and I provided info on this web site, neither one is a member here.

Point is, this is a very exclusive club made up of a tiny percentage of all the total owners, so even though I've had dozens of conversations with people that have admired the car I do not promote this club to anyone....period. No one forced me here, it was my overwhelming desire to connect with others that share my passion for this car.

You either have that desire or you don't, I prefer that those with a fire in their bellies for the MM. find us....than the other way around.

woaface

07-03-2005, 07:17 AM

I don't think it could have been put any better. This sums up or says exactly what many have said here. And that's the way things are.

Since I purchased the car 3 years ago I have spoken to 2 MM. owners that I ran into at a campground and a restaurant parking lot, we spoke at lenght and I provided info on this web site, neither one is a member here.

Point is, this is a very exclusive club made up of a tiny percentage of all the total owners, so even though I've had dozens of conversations with people that have admired the car I do not promote this club to anyone....period. No one forced me here, it was my overwhelming desire to connect with others that share my passion for this car.

You either have that desire or you don't, I prefer that those with a fire in their bellies for the MM. find us....than the other way around.

Bluerauder

07-03-2005, 07:22 AM

You either have that desire or you don't, I prefer that those with a fire in their bellies for the MM. find us....than the other way around.
:up: ^^^^ :2thumbs: Makes sense to me !! It took me almost 4 months from the time I bought the car until I found the MM.Net. :rolleyes: Regular internet searches don't point in this direction. They do, however, point to the other site at ".org". Some members who visit both sites helped to direct me to the MM.Net. :D The rest as they say is history.