There's a thief in our neighborhood

[Damion]

@T_Bone

Probably just some kids doing it simply for the "thrill" of performing such a risky heist...I mean, ya gotta admit it, sneaking two miles there and back, broad daylight, undetected one way with bicycles...is pretty damn impressive. Not something even I'd of attempted back in my "hoolie" youth days.

So what I'm saying is while it's annoying, it may just be a fluke and not necessarily indicate a trend.

Reminds me of the time my bicycle was ripped back when I was about 18 or so, only I had the lucky occurance of catching the stupid mofo as he peddled up to the grocery store where I worked, whilst I was out front for a smoke. :-)
   

[Damion]

@X-ray

It's actually a sad story, the kid looked about 15 or so, I gave him only a little slap and took back my bike, at which point the kid starting crying, apologizing profusely, and swore that he'd only just "bought" it from another kid, and had no idea it was stolen. I believed his story, and felt terrible for slapping him.




Now this reminds me of another story, fortunately one of the only two times in years (with the other being the above) I nearly had a physical confrontation with another, both times ending with me feeling like a complete jackass. (I'm generally a very calm, relaxed person, not usually one to "blow a gasket". My philosophy is, if the person is reasonable, always best to talk it out over a beer.)

Anyhow, I'm standing in my driveway, just stepped out of the car, and having a *really* bad day. A guy is slowly driving through the cul-de-sac (we live at the very end), and absolutely out of nowhere, flips me the finger as he rolls by, not totally uncommon in our neighborhood these days.

So in a moment of heightened intelligence (keeping in mind I'm already p!ssed), I decided I'd "had enough", jumped back into my car, and followed the guy a few blocks away to what appeared to be his house.

I sprung from the car, confronting him like a derranged maniac, only to find...the guy went to high-school with my brother, apparently they were good friends at one time, and that's who he thought I was!  It was a "friendly finger"...honestly, I don't think I've ever felt more  embarrassed of myself before or since :lol:, not to mention what I did is a great way to get shot these days.