15th Apr 2004
Mistaken for a Terrorist
I just got back for a jog down to my Mail Boxes Etc. office. (When I run errands, I try whenever possible to literally run them.) I picked up three boxes and rode the bus home.
I was listening to my radio with headphones, so it was probably the third “Hey Mr.!” that caught my attention.
I had noticed two teenagers sitting near me at the back of the bus staring at me on and off, but I hadn’t paid much attention to it. Now the girl of the pair — the were both probably 15 or so — asked what was in my boxes.
I thought to myself, well, honestly, I don’t know, as a friend who is visiting from abroad in a few weeks ordered them online and had them sent to my address. But if figured they didn’t want to hear that. “Electronic drum machine stuff,” I said, as I believe that’s right. I hoped they weren’t enthusiasts and would start asking specifics.
No, instead the girl said, “He’s afraid of boxes,” referring to her sheepish companion. “He thought you were a terrorist.”
Wow. I remember being that age and fretting about nukes. Now it’s boxes that consume the nightmares of our youths.
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“I said, as I believe that’s right” Sounds weird, probably correct, but sounds weird. Also, stop telling stories in past tense and then saying stuff in present tense. It was annoying. See!!! Isn’t that awkward sounding. Jeez.
SDM, you forget, I am a Grammar God. “Sounds weird” is not a grammatical error, and is in the ears of the beholder. “I said” it in the past tense, because the event took place in the past. “I believe” it in the present tense, because I continue to believe it to this moment. Had I said in the past tense “I believed,” that would suggest I have since changed my mind.
Now, snatch this pebble from my hand, Grasshopper…
Thats a long ass link Rick. *snatch*