When I was a young boy, perhaps 11 or 12, I went on a business road-trip with my dad. We drove throughout the Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia hills selling “ship propeller shaft “sleeves”” to prospective small boat yards.
In that week-long travel, we would stop at various small towns along the way.
I well remember us pulling into a out-of-the-way (on a dirt road) rural West Virginia General Store. We were in the sticks… the middle of nowhere. I am not kidding.
And we go into the decrepit old wooded unpainted building, and walking on the wooden floor that make noise with every step. There was an old man there. Shit! Older than God himself, I would say. And my dad wanted to get a coke.
Well, this place didn’t have a coke in the cooler. But the old man said that he “had just the thing”, and he went into the basement and after a few minutes of him rummaging about, and making a bunch of noise, comes up with this ancient old wooden box. Completely dust covered. I mean it. It was layered like you have no idea.
And he used a hammer to open it. He pried the wooden box open, and the nails were all rusty, and some of the wood was just brittle. I remember that clearly.
Inside were bottles of coke-cola. But they were strange bottles. He chuckled that “you’re getting the real thang“.
And handed each of us a coke.
Now, the bottle was strange. It was curved, but not like a normal coke bottle was. It had this fat Goose-Like shape. Exactly like the bottle in the picture below. The third from the left.
He said something about getting this in his inheritance from his father. But I wasn’t paying attention. I was simply asking my father if this was good to drink. And both he and the old man laughed.
“Don’t be silly.” My father said. “Of course it is.”
So the old fella got out a bottle opener and opened up three bottles, Yeah. He opened up one himself. And he kept watched me with this funny curious look on his face.
I wouldn’t have remembered this moment at all if it wasn’t for his amused look.
And so, I looked up at my dad. And he was swigging his. So I took a tepid taste.
I was good.
No shit. Really good.
Ah. But different.
You see, it was not refrigerated, but it tasted refreshing. Like those mint commercials that suggest a blizzard of freshness. It tasted like a normal coke, but maybe a little bit watered-down perhaps. Yet…but… had this lite refreshing “bite”.
It also wasn’t nearly as sweet. Oh, it was sweet, but not as thick, and not as super sweet. More like a gentler coke, but with a mint-like “bite”.
The old man smiled and chucked, and looked at me again.
“What do you think son?” he asked.
I told him that it was good. Yeah. I told him that I really liked it.
Again, he chuckled. Yeah. He nodded.
He said. “It’s the pause that refreshes.”
Then he added, “Son this is a special coke. You know that, right?”
I had no clue as to what the Hell he was talking about.
But I said “Yes Sir. It really is good sir.”
And then after that we both left and got in the car and drove off.
I will tell you that my dad and I had a great time afterwards just chatting away in the long drive. Man, we talked about so much, and so many things. Not that I remember them all, but it was really enjoyable. I do remember that.
We were “chatter boxes”.
Oh, I never went back to that old man, and haven’t a clue as to where that General Store actually was. But you know what I think?
I think that we drank the original Coke-cola; the one and only made with real cocaine leaves.
And that is both a blessing and a curse. As good as it was, the present day sugar-laden version cannot compete against the less sweet, but totally refreshing cocaine-laden version.
Real talk.
Today…
The three coups of July
In less than two weeks we have seen three events in the United States that could all by themselves be described as coups or coup attempts.
- Trump assassination attempt.
- Kamala’s coup, the forced removal of Biden from the ticket and possibly from the presidency.
- Trump’s counter coup after failed assassination, selection of JD Vance as candidate for Vice President.
The last event may be the most consequential of all, as it opens the possibility of a real regime change in America. During his first term Trump had little influence on the workings of the US government. He failed by surrounding himself with neocons and Deep State operatives.
The failed assassination now acts like the Reichstag fire of 1933, giving Trump Hitlerian powers to remove the old establishment. He is now manning his team with people the US mainstream likes to call “Russian agents” or “Putinists”. A real danger to democracy!
Interestingly, the Twitter account of TIME magazine published three covers and cover stories for a print issue dated with a sell-by date of August 5.
I do not know which one, if any, have appeared in print. Note, that the three covers do not match the three “coups” I have listed. Covers 1 and 3 are related to Biden’s ousting, cover 2 relates to Trump’s assassination attempt and counter coup.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Jul 24 2024 16:46 utc | 21
What was a red flag that made you stop talking to a person immediately?
I was scheduled to fly from Boston to Minneapolis very early on July 4th to celebrate my sister’s birthday that day (we always joke that she gets a fireworks show for her birthday each year).
As a student with a tight budget, I booked the cheapest flight, which had a layover in Chicago.
After landing in Chicago, the airline announced that the plane had mechanical issues and we were to fly at the same time the following day.
That was not an option for me.
Birthdays were important for my sister, and I was determined to get to my destination no matter what.
That’s how I ended up on a greyhound bus, traveling the 8 hours or so from Chicago to Minneapolis (by car it’s around 6 hours, buses tend to take their time and have a short bathroom break in the middle).
The bus was full and I ended up sitting next to a fellow college student.
We got to talking had had a really nice time chatting and time passed fairly quickly.
About an hour away from our destination, and having felt very comfortable with each other, this young man asked me where I was during the 9–11 attack.
This was in 2006, almost 5 years after the attack, and we each spoke about where we were when it happened.
He then said that he trusts me enough to let me know that the the US government was behind the attack and that they were framing Al Quaeda.
I thought he was kidding.
He wasn’t.
Uncontrollably, and quite literally, all that came out of my mouth was: “Oh no, I thought you were normal.”
I couldn’t even look at him after that, moreso because I was a bit embarrassed by what I said to him.
I didn’t mean to insult him, but was so taken back by what he accused the government of doing, especially after al Quaeda proudly told the world that they were reaponsible.
Not only could I not look at him after that, I didn’t speak to him at all.
I made it to my sister’s birthday though.
Why American Suburbs are so Creepy (liminal spaces)
Has anyone ever bought a car with the wrong engine in it?
I have.
I ordered a Ford Crown Victoria in 1981.
Three weeks before delivery I got a call from Ford Motor company.
”The engine factory in Windsor, Ontario is on strike. Would I mind if my new car had a “slightly larger” engine? No price change.”
It made no difference to me. I’m a sales guy, and I don’t ever do anything special with my cars.
It arrived.
The dealer apologized for this car on delivery. “It may have a little harder suspension than you expected”.
Wow, what an understatement.
This car was a V-8 powered police car in plain clothes, a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. It looked just like in the catalogue.
But everything outside the cabin was super heavy duty. Larger wheels, oversize brakes, extra-large radiator, battery, and alternator, as well as a heavy-duty transmission with overdrive. Top speed 225 km/h (140 mph). It could go faster, but I lost my nerve.
I drove it with utmost care.
It was so light in the rear end that I could spin the tires on dry roads up to 60 km/h (40 mph).
My wife used to have fun squealing the tires by jumping on the accelerator going around corners.
My teenage daughter? She NEVER drove it, not for one metre. NEVER.
The drawback? A 55 litre tank. In the city, two days between fillups. On the highway, about three hours between fill-ups.
I kept it for four years and sold it to a guy who added a tow-hook for his camping trailer and kept it for another six years.
The blessing – my company paid for all my gas in those days.
My next car – A V8 Pontiac made under the worst of the 55 mph rules in the United States. A wheezing engine and a speedometer that ended at 140 km/h (90 mph). I don’t think it could be driven any faster, not even downhill with a tailwind.
1950s USA – Real Street Scenes of Vintage America – Colorized
When did you realize small things matter?
Once, when I was sitting in my physics exam, there was this girl who was an assistant in the exam room. She watched and kept eyes on us so that nobody could cheat. She also organized all the stuff that was related to the exam.
She came to me and asked me for an extra pen, so I gave one to her, and I put my head back to my test. I kept writing and I didn’t raise my head till the time was over.
I got up from my seat and gave them my papers and they asked me to sign; I did. Everything was normal; I got out and met my friends. We started walking and talking. We probably walked an hour away from the university.
And…
Suddenly, I saw a car coming directly towards us, and the driver was a girl. She stopped in front of us dramatically with the sounds of breaks screeching and smoke everywhere.
She came out of the car. I saw that she held my pen in her hands.
It was her; the assistant girl from the exam room! What blows me away is that she did all that to bring my cheap pen back to me!
I mean it wasn’t even easy to find us after we walked so far, and I’m sure she had more important things to handle there in the university than to go out and look for me!
I always thought those kinds of people no longer existed, but they do exist and they are so beautiful and pure.
Sorry for my English, but if you get the story in general, that’s more than enough for me because I’m glad to share it.
CHINA Destroy U.S SANCTION Shackle, Produces Quantum Module
What was a red flag that made you stop talking to a person immediately?
I am white. At the time this occurred, my biracial daughter was 7. We had moved into our new house a month earlier and winter had just taken a break. So, while she was in school, I was doing some winter clean-up yard work. Neighbor from across the street waves. Older man, 70-ish. Crosses the street to speak to me. We introduce ourselves, he points out the house that he lives in and asks me: “Have you noticed a certain element moving into the neighborhood? Right on this block?”
“Certain element” is, of course white-speak for “non-white.”
The school bus driver’s timing was too precious: first graders were let off in front of their homes. My little darling comes skipping up the driveway behind the neighbor. She’s all smiles for mommy. I’m all smiles for her. I take her hand and reply to the neighbor:
“Element? Element? No, other than one old racist white guy, I haven’t seen anything odd. Then I said to my child, pointing to the neighbor’s house: “See that white house across the street? Don’t ever walk in that yard, a very mean old man lives there.” And with rake in one hand and child in the other I turned around and we went inside for an after-school snack. Needless to say, I never spoke to the MF again.
What was I born for? Tearful End of Little Kitten After Abandoned by Owner
What are some of the most messed up family secrets?
- My drug dealing Uncle was found in a hotel room with another drug dealer having homosexual relations by the cleaning lady. They both placed a hit on her life. She was forced to move out of state.
- Another drug dealing Uncle was caught drug dealing in his car with his children. The police made a deal with him. He snitched on all of the other drug dealers in town in exchange for not being arrested. The police promised to not tell. They lied. A family member had to resettle him in another state with fake identification.
- A cousin never told the family she was pregnant. Nobody even had the faintest idea until she gave birth. She threatened my grandma with giving the baby up for adoption. My grandma begged her to not make the decision. The great grandchild is now being raised by my Aunt. She looks just like her mother. My cousin won’t acknowledge her.
- My grandma goes to church with a lady whose husband she used to date and have extramarital affairs. My grandma had us call him Uncle as children. He’s been dead for many years, but my grandma and the lady act like nothing ever happened.
- My father is the only brother on his side of the family to never deal drugs or go to jail or prison.
- I’m the only nephew on my father’s side of the family to never go to jail or prison.
- On both sides of the family, many people have multiple children with multiple partners before marriage. But they mostly all go to church or mosque. And they tend to be overly preachy except for their life decisions.
- Mental health problems loom large on both sides of the family. One side pretend they don’t exist and claim Jesus is in control. The other side is bat crap crazy and bow at the feet of Minister Farrakhan.
- My grandma is the only reason everyone comes together for holiday functions. There are solidly formed cliques that hate each other. Some are able to move from clique to clique. Most aren’t.
- My dad’s side of the family thinks I am a sex freak. The same goes for my mother’s side.
Malted Milk Waffles
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup malted milk powder
- 2 1/2 cups buttermilk pancake mix
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, separated
- 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together malted milk powder, pancake mix and granulated sugar.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; set aside.
- Add egg yolks, buttermilk and butter to dry ingredients; mix well. Fold in egg whites.
- Spray preheated waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray. Pour batter onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown.
- Serve warm.
What is the most unusual and incorrect reason you’ve had the police called on you?
Not me, but my dad. Pictures in a house can do wonders for calming down a police officer.
My grandmother lived alone in a small town in NH. No police department, just the County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. As she was elderly and lived alone in a remote area, she had a check-in system with the Sheriff’s Office. She would call in every morning, just to let them know that she was up and about without any problems. On the rare occasion that she didn’t call early enough, they would call her. That happened every few months.
My parents were up visiting her, when my mom got sick and had to be admitted to the local hospital. The next morning, bright and early, my dad and grandma went to the hospital to see my mom. My grandmother, worried about her daughter in the hospital, forgot to call the Sheriff’s Office.
My mother asked my dad to go back to the house to get her a book. As my dad was walking out of the house, a deputy pulled in the driveway.
Scene: An elderly woman didn’t make her daily call, that she almost never forgot. Said elderly woman doesn’t answer phone when Sheriff’s Office calls. Deputy pulls into driveway, thinking a fall and a broken hip. Strange car with out of state plates in driveway and a stranger walking out of the house.
The deputy gets out, hand on holstered gun, and asks “Who are you and where is Dorothy”. My dad tells him that she is at the hospital, visiting her daughter/his wife. The deputy then asks if he can prove it. Dad tells him that his picture is on the piano. They walked into the house, dad picks up one of the many family pictures on the piano, there he is in a picture with my mom & grandma.
Dad said that was when the deputy finally took his hand off his gun, and radioed in to cancel his backup. The deputy told him that as soon as he saw him walking out, he called in saying he might have a situation and the Sheriff called back letting him know he was on the way.
The funniest part of this story happened years later. There was a family gathering at my grandma’s over Christmas. My nephew hit a deer and totaled his car, no injuries except for Bambi. He called it in, and called grandma’s house to ask if someone could come pick him up. Dad’s car was at the end of the driveway, so he’s elected. He shows up at the accident scene, and as he’s walking up the same deputy looks at him and says “I know you. Your picture is on the piano”.
Shuffle dance of Chinese school principal
What is a split-second decision you made that changed your life?
I was a ‘plus 1’ to a wedding reception that I knew no body except my ‘date’.
I really felt only friendship towards this guy and I made it obvious. I was planning on cancelling because I really didn’t want to be in a room full of strangers with a guy who I felt kinda awkward with at this point. But I decided to suck it up because the bride and groom had paid for me and it would have been rude to cancel. The drive up was a nightmare – I was driving and it was pouring – I could barely see. I was getting really annoyed at the guy because he kept talking about how great he was in every single way and also said I could have made more of an effort with dressing up (I had minimum time to get ready since I had worked the morning). 🙄 so I was regretting my decision to attend.
we got there, sat down at the table and that is how I met my husband. He was sat at the same table, we got talking/dancing. He was a twin and I took a chair ribbon to put on him so I knew which one he was. We started dating shortly after, moved in together after a month of dating. We’ve been together 15 years, married 12 and have 4 children.
Me and the bride are still in touch, and sadly another lady I met there and remained friends with-died in her 20s of cancer when our (same age) children were only 2 a few years later. That day changed the entire course of my life for the better. I’m glad I didn’t cancel that crappy date.
What is your most interesting encounter with the police?
When my older daughter was a toddler, I took her to a friend’s house for a play group. When we were getting ready to leave, I put my daughter in her car seat and proceeded to open my front door; to my shock, my door immediately swung closed. I was baffled as to why this would have happened.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed that a car had hit my car right where the door hinge was. There were now straight white even lines on my blue car. I took my daughter out of her car seat and rang my friend’s doorbell. I explained that it looked like somebody hit my car and took off.
At this point, my friend’s son piped in. (Keep in mind that this child was also a toddler – he was not yet three years old!) He said “I saw a car hit your car!” When I questioned him about the details, he said it was a white car and he even told us the make and model of this car!
The reason why he was able to do this was because he owned over 500 dinkies and he knew every make and model of every toy car he owned! The child then looked out the window, pointed and announced “There’s the car!” It was parked across the street.
At this point, I called the police to report a hit and run. The police came over pretty quickly and I told him the whole story. After inspecting my car and the car across the street, the officer rang the neighbour’s doorbell.
After denying that he had any knowledge that he hit my car, the police officer made this man back his car right up to where my car was hit. The white lines on my car matched up with the lines on this man’s bumper. Imagine the look on the police officer’s face when I told him that the person who identified the car responsible for this hit and run was a toddler!!!
strong independent woman gets a TRAIN RAN on her and regrets it
I’m married for 30 years. My husband is 63 and I’m 60. He acts more like 73 than 63. He’s very boring and I can’t stand it anymore. What should I do?
I am now very close to 68 years old. when I was 54 my wife was two years older than me and 56. We had been together for 28 years. You will notice that I used past tense. I started to be bothered with her lifestyle compared to mine. She liked to smoke cigarettes and drink beer all day long and I was and am very fit.
She was my soulmate but in 2010 I left her for a while because I didn’t want to watch her grow old and die prematurely. At that time she looked like she was 10 years older and then she was. It didn’t take me very long to find out that I couldn’t live without her and we got back together within a few months, but it was difficult because some damage was done. We were able to overcome our obstacles because of our deep love for each other even though she was still hurting her body through her lifestyle. In 2016, she was diagnosed with a very severe form of COPD. After several tests, we sat in the doctor’s office and she was told that if she changed her lifestyle that day she might live seven years and if she didn’t, she might live four. Two years later, they discovered a mass on her lung. Damage done. On April 20, 2020 she died in my arms at home.
If you’ve been together for 30 years, then you have something. Sometimes you might think it’s boring but when they are gone, it is really boring and awful. I have never forgiven myself for leaving her although maybe someday I will, but for right now I miss her so much.
Hang in there, find things to do to keep yourself from being bored and cherish the people you’re close to including your husband or wife.
China leaves West’s financial system? Sells record amount of Dollar Assets. De-Dollarization.
Why did 10 million Americans lose their homes after the 2008 financial crisis?
“Sir, I need a loan to buy my dream home,” says Luigi.
“Do you currently have a job?” asks Mr. Greedy.
“Yes sir, I have a good job!”
“Do you currently own or rent a home?”
“I rent a home. We pay $1,500 per month.”
“Oh, I will be able to help you save so much money!”
“What do you mean, Mr. Greedy?” asks the innocent Luigi.
“Today you pay $1,500 a month. That’s terrible. You’re giving that money away to your landlord. You save zero in equity! Terrible investment, Mr. Luigi,” salivating for his HUGE commissions.
“Well, I know. I hope we can someday qualify for a loan, Mr. Greedy.”
“With our loan, you will pay the bank only $1,300 a month, saving you $200 every month.”
“Wow, that’s like a dream.”
“Mr. Luigi, are you sitting down?”
“Yes, Mr. Greedy. Why?”
“You are qualified for a 100% loan, Mr. Luigi! No money down! The bank will give you all the money needed to purchase the house.”
“Really? Really? Wow, this is life-changing news, Mr. Greedy! Every one of my friends that have purchased a home is happy — real estate prices just keep going up!”
“And they will continue to rise, Mr. Luigi. Congratulations!”
“This is a life-changing event! Thank you, Mr. Greedy!”
Now, to answer your question, why did 10 million Americans lose their homes after the 2008 financial crisis?
Remember when you last purchased something with credit?
When we buy something, we’re focused on the satisfaction of the purchase, not on the obligation of the payment we just assumed.
Our behavior as a consumer is easily influenced by emotions and excitement to fill that emotional void with the purchase. This becomes a huge problem in a world where there’s an alarming lack of financial education — people may be deceived or make bad decisions.
I still remember those pre-crisis years. The world was different. Everyone wanted a piece of the pie. The real estate “party” was something nobody wanted to miss. Naturally, millions of Americans were emotionally attracted to the dream while ignoring the future legal and financial demands of their loans.
The banking system was extremely greedy. Banks qualified what are known as subprime mortgages. These are loans granted to individuals with poor credit scores (640 or less, and often below 600), who would normally not be able to qualify for a mortgage.
Mr. Greedy abused many consumers like Luigi, selling too many unqualified mortgages. Now, Luigi purchased his home for $200,000. He qualified for a 100% loan.
Luigi started making payments.
Then, the unexpected happened. In 2006 home prices started to drop. Suddenly Luigi’s $200,000 home was worth $50,000 less.
Luigi faced a decision: pay back the loan for $200,000 or give the home back to the bank.
Like Luigi, millions of Americans were not willing (or able) to pay the mortgage on their unreasonably expensive home anymore.
People stopped making their payments, which triggered defaults.
Now the banks were full of expensive foreclosures in their inventory. Prices kept falling. Nobody was willing to buy them.
The problem quickly spread nationwide.
Meanwhile, financial corporations who owned these junk sub-prime loans stopped receiving payments. This triggered the perfect storm.
A collision of two gigantic “cornerstone” industries of the economy followed.
It was scary … Devastating for millions around the world.
The rest is history …
…
…
Will history repeat?
What do you think?
Shorpy
Why Men Are Walking Away From Dating And Marriage
Have you ever accidentally touched another person inappropriately? What happened?
Rule of life:
-
If it is your mistake, no matter, of what age, the person could be, fall back and say sorry.
-
If it’s not your mistake, no matter, of what age, the person could be, rip him/her off, if the person tries to mess with you.
This is how I lead my life and I got no regrets.
Delhi metro is funny and accommodating at the same time. The other day, some months back, I was late for my office and had to reach Gurugram as soon as possible.
The option of using a cab was haunting me because, at peak hours, the traffic on Jaipur highway tends to intensify.
I landed at AIIMS metro and boarded a metro up to Sikanderpur.
The metro was overcrowded with office people, frustrated with their boss and distance from the offices, even one could say it looking at their faces.
Somehow, I got adjusted in the crowd, have put my earphones on, and started listening to songs.
A girl boarded metro from Saket, New Delhi and was in a hurry.
I understand. People could be in a hurry but there should be a protocol of no panicking because anyway, the metro gonna get the same time for everyone.
She stood opposite to me.
Later, more people boarded the metro from Qutub Minar and she got pushed, in a way that my elbow got pressed with her breasts, and I felt it, I won’t deny, but it was not my mistake.
According to physics and logic, which she lacked, I was stationary and she was acting as an object who interacted with a stationary object.
Someone patted on my shoulder.
She: Hello? Are you desperate?
She shouted loud enough to get the attention.
Me: Excuse me?
She: Dude, watch your elbow. You just tried to press my breasts.
Everyone started to give a look as if I am the harasser here.
I understood, she was wanting fun.
I raised my eyes, came closer and shouted loudly.
Frankly, you lack common sense. I was standing opposite to you and didn’t even notice you standing because you’re not worth looking. You are an attention gainer. You think, boys being a minority in such cases would step back, ask for a sorry even if it doesn’t justify a mistake. You are an arrogant girl who just wants attention.
I can prove it.
Who wears a “Deloitte” hoodie in the month of April?
The temperature is already above 30, and you are wearing a hoodie not because you feel cold but you wanna make everyone realize, I work in one of the best advisory firms.
Get a life.
And about your breasts, I didn’t even feel it.
The last line, if someone could have understood, was kind enough to rip her off and two people started laughing on the last line.
Rest didn’t get it.
Even, she didn’t.
She made a face, turned back and didn’t say anything after that.
She got down at the next station.
After leaving, everyone said: Good, you have at least spoken. It happens a lot in the metro.
Lesson: Zulm karne se, Zulm sehna Jada bara apraadh hai- Bhagwad Geeta.
English: One who harasses is not the bigger criminal, but the one who endures it is the biggest criminal.
Homemade “Maple” Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring or extract
Instructions
- Combine granulated and brown sugar in a saucepan. Add salt and water. Bring mixture to a boil.
- Remove from heat. Add maple flavoring or extract.
- Cool and serve.
Notes
Use any combination of granulated and/or brown sugar as long as it is two parts sugar to one part water.
If you fell from 14,000 feet without a parachute, where would the safest place possible be to land?
In WW2 my father made a water landing from high enough that he did not notice the shrimp boats at first. Luckily he remembered the training about men hitting water from altitude and the theories about how to survive. He became a dart. Legs were crossed and toes pointed to avoid having the legs ripped in different directions. Chin over the shoulder to avoid having it ripped off. Not looking down to avoid having the face smashed in. Arms tight against the sides. Do not have your butt stick out—be as straight as possible.
He had to take in another breath as the air pressure increased. Once he slowed down in the water he inflated his “Mae West” but the water pressure did not allow it to fully inflate yet. He kept the dart sharp because it worked. He claimed he still went in over his head the third time he hit the water.
The navy’s take was to alter the training about when to leave your parachute during a water landing to avoid getting tangled in the lines and drowning. Instead of jumping out of the harness when you are 10 feet from the water (my hillbilly father thought the Gulf of Mexico looked like the local pond he used to jump into—after all, how big is a wave?) you waited until your toes touch, then jump out.
You shouldn’t do that on purpose since getting a detail wrong results in death.
What is the most “illegal” thing you’ve done and gotten away with?
I have to go anonymous on this one.
It is the year 1999.
I helped my friend / flat mate escape from jail..
We were in Egypt at the time, and were young and still in university. I am an Egyptian citizen, he on the other hand was a foreigner, and did not have a valid driving license.
For some stupid reason he was driving his friend’s car and got heckled by a pedestrian (who pretended he got hit by the car to scare some cash from the driver, common practice in egypt and some other countries I will not be mentioning that I have been to). Anyway, my friend did not have any cash on him, minutes later police came over and booked him. He managed to call me for help from someone’s cellphone.
That night I went over to the police station, with food for my friend. At that point it was not my intent to help him escape. Anyhow, being an Egyptian, I know how to “grease someone’s hands” to let the food and cigarettes in.
The soldier whom I bribed gave us a couple of minutes while he smoked a cigarette, and there was an open door at the end of the hall. My car is parked close by.
I told him, if you can run to that door, jump over the fence (a shitty low cement fence), I will wait with my car in 2 minutes, and I will take you to the airport.
That is exactly what we did. Took him in my car, stopped by his place which was close by for not more than 30 seconds for his passport, and off to the airport.
I saw him once after that in his country of origin almost 10 years later.
Edit: thank you Gargi for the edit and review. Really appreciate it!
Pearl created the hierarchy of WHOREDOM
I laughed and laughed!