Let me keep it simple

Saturday, 8 June 2024

In search of adventure

Mind readers have a knack for understanding human psychology, which they use to create the illusion of being right, particularly when presenting choices for others to select. This can lead to the perception that one has been outwitted, contributing to a sense of vulnerability. These individuals often receive accolades for their exceptional cognitive strategies, which seem to reflect a high level of intelligence. Guess they practice continuously the way actors do in a set until the outcome achieves a level of remarkable finesse. However, the longevity of such a display of cleverness is typically short-lived unless the person has undergone extensive training to perform captivating mental feats that can evoke amusement or astonishment at their skillful deception to their audience.

Often, it is a spark of inspiration that awakens our yearning for adventure. A sedentary lifestyle lacks thrill and can dull the senses; it's monotonous to do the same thing repeatedly. We crave experiences that yield tales worthy of recounting. This desire often propels us into action. People go to great lengths to create memorable experiences. For some, the quest to explore life comes naturally, while for others, it must be carefully planned and nurtured. It's not always as seamless as it seems; it requires effort and cultivation.

I appreciate the natural way life provides for our needs without forcing it. However, expecting nature to take its course entirely is unrealistic for some people. Those with a strong work ethic, characterized by rigor and discipline, understand that success typically demands continuous effort. These individuals develop and refine their skills through repetition, building muscle memory, and expertise in their endeavors.

To find someone successful, they’ve likely invested over 10,000 hours into their skill, honing their prowess until they understand the potential causes of the innate quirks and nuances that may arise. It takes time to have consistency. You have to turn up daily and immerse yourself in the craft. Even with consistent effort, maintaining the routine can be a struggle. For instance, sometimes I find the journey of blogging a painstaking one. It's not that I have a shortage of topics to pen about. The struggle can sometimes be overwhelming, and you want to call it a day and quit. 

Just when you think of retiring and think, let me now concentrate on something that can improve my life. Like walking 10,000 steps a day, uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep, eating one meal a day, and drinking 8 cups of water, you realize that maintaining these wellness habits can be challenging. It reaches a point where as much as you want to maintain all these wellness routines unless you have a coach to help you with the process, you may just end up backsliding and revert to old habits. Naturally, we are wired to abhor routine because of its restrictive nature. What enslaves us and makes us caged, well, you can just drink when your throat feels dry. The flawless, glossy skin often attributed to water therapy becomes an elusive goal. The kind of visage that is associated with water therapy. Few people manage to capitalize on these wellness practices, but those who do often create a livelihood from it. They develop masterclasses on how to achieve these wellness goals, attracting many who want to try their secret methods.

Given a choice to travel the world, most people would seize the opportunity enticed by the adventure and enjoyment it promises. I would quickly grab that chance because I know it would offer a broader perspective on my worldview. But, traveling is not the only form of adventure that satiates our lust for discovery. The everyday experiences we encounter teach us valuable lessons that shape our future interactions. There are people we might prefer to steer clear of, yet we often find ourselves unable to do so as they become part of lifestyle.

Recently, an acquaintance of mine found himself in a precarious situation after being apprehended for driving under the influence. He was escorted onto the "Mariamu" lorry, and his vehicle was impounded and towed to the station. This anecdote highlights how, at times, we can outwit even the most elaborate processes designed to protect us and society. Upon arrival at the police station, amidst the chaos of processing numerous detainees, he took a gamble and slipped away in the opposite direction of the holding cells. Concealed behind a door, he assumed a false identity. In the ensuing disarray as the authorities organized the detainees, he emerged from his hiding spot. Mistakenly assumed to be an outsider caught up in the commotion, he was instructed to leave the station, as he seemingly had no business there at night. 

After escaping the police station, his next challenge was retrieving his car. It took him several days and numerous calls to get the car released from the police yard. Paying the tow guys was unavoidable, as they typically work in cahoots with the police. The key takeaway from this experience is the importance of opting for a cab instead of driving after drinking. Using a taxi can save you from the risk of accidents or getting caught by the police.

I later spoke with an Uber driver who explained that the cost of cash bail in such a case is 20,000 for the police and an additional compulsory 5,000 for the tow service. This experience, while adventurous in its way, underscores the lesson that if you've been drinking, it's far wiser to hail an online cab and retrieve your car later. Not only does this avoid legal troubles and hefty fines, but it also ensures your safety and that of others on the road.

After the narrow escape from the police station and avoiding the unpleasant odor of cells reeking of urine, he went again to the vibrant atmosphere of another club, opting for a taxi because his car had been confiscated. Unbeknownst to the authorities, he had slipped away. Later, he even considered surrendering to a traffic officer to confess, only to realize it would add the charge of escaping detention to his record. However, money has a way of softening the hearts of the police. By providing a bribe with no strings attached, he was able to go scot-free. Financial incentives have a way in which they influence outcomes, and it seems to hold true. Many people prefer this route over navigating the judicial process, which is often long and circuitous. This approach also saves time that would otherwise be wasted in the back-and-forth of legal proceedings.

He later told me about a person he knows who never offers bribes. If caught for any reason, this individual would endure the lengthy legal process instead of corrupting it, which is generally considered the proper way to handle such situations. I have bribed the police a few times for minor infractions like having a cracked windscreen, worn-out tyre treads, and speeding in areas where I missed the speed limit signs. For instance, if the limit was 50 kph and I was driving at 70 kph.

Once, I was even caught not displaying the insurance sticker. Before being booked, I managed to bribe the officer and he let me go. Another time, I failed to stop when signaled by a policeman, who then took a motorbike to catch up with me and charged me for failing to stop. If you have some loose cash, they will easily accept it. My rule of thumb is never to part with more than 1,000 shillings for these petty offenses.

Most of the time, parting with money is not a premeditated decision, it's the lengthy processes that prompt an individual to expedite matters, albeit informally. You always opt for greasing the wheels of justice though it undermines the integrity of established procedures put in place. It's not until you encounter an irate and hostile police officer,  who is unapproachable and vociferous, unwilling to listen, shouting like a madman that you realize why some people develop PTSD when they think of police stations. They end up with unexplained anxiety in their law enforcement interactions.

Hasta La Vista Baby

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