You've had some tough times. But you must be fine now enjoying your time on agnostic.com.

@nicknotes thats true and the past is irreparable so just suck it up and I do have a wonderful life these days. Thank you 1

Glad to hear you are doing well.....@jacpod

It must have been a close call...but here you are able to share on this forum. Great!

@nicknotes I almost got murdered over 30 years ago... so near death... that's not it! the ultimate got to be the one without comeback. The one we can't survive. I had experienced some great blowjobs but... got to be something bigger!!!!

I'm glad you are still with us and are a fellow non-believer in religious nonsense. @GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes it was close... 4 thugs, a carjack, wife 8 month pregnant, FBI in the middle of an anti-terrorist operation in the island, my wife medical record in the car and so my Top Secret Security badge with the disclaimer if found, "Return to the FBI". So I have to convince the thugs that the local police are not going to look for them if I disappear... it is the FBI. And they are already in the island at full force and my pregnant wife will be noticed. I did not mentioned to them that my car was unique in the whole island... a 1984 Isuzu Impulse Special Edition purchased in the states that was never imported to Puerto Rico... The gold Mag Wheels had a price alone of $475 each and the 4 sets imported were silver and nobody had bought them for expensive. I knew that information because when I went to main Isuzu dealer, they took pictures because they had never seen the car in the island. They let me go, an hour later they killed somebody else, dished the car and tried to pin it on me, leaving the victim wallet in my car. Needless to say that they were seen in the strange car. After that... what can I fear? But my then wife noticed that the event did not changed my non believe. But of all this there is only one moment that stays on my mind. At the beginning of the ordeal a police car was coming in opposite direction. I am in the backseat with a 45 on one side of my ribs and a 38 in another side. I thought about jumping forward grabbing the wheel and direct the car toward the police but my pregnant wife condition stopped me from doing that and I took my chance. If I would had not been married the outcome would had been totally different. Everything you do or not do changes the rest ahead of you. Now I got a son, outstanding citizen that would had never been born otherwise. Shit happens though!!!!

You and your family had an exciting situation. Glad it turned out OK @GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes Every time I look at my Air Force veteran, network engineer, feature dancer of a Salsa Dance Company in Las Vegas all 6'4", smart and handsome Son I remember how close he was from never exist.... so Reality, what's not to like?

Sounds like you have a wonderful son. @GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes My hero, my bromance but he belongs to his mother.

It is wonderful to have a "good" son. @GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes Yes, the credit to the mother... I always say that. She made of him what I should had been. Very happy with my 2 daughters too. The fact I don't have to go visit them to a hospital, prison, sanatorium, rehab center or cementary makes me the most content father you can see. I truly picked the mother to my kids right.

You sound happy...very good. @GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes I taught the kids too how to handle a Divorce. Our joke is she needs to keep me alive to continue drawing half my military retirement and I need her dead so I can get that other half back.... know any "hitman" working on commission?

Don't joke about that....the kids need their Mom. @GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes We are in good terms enough to joke about it. That money is the only reason she worries to keep me alive. Funny thing is she said I was driving her mad, she remarried and drove hubby nr 2 mad. Me and the kids are placing bets what will happen with incoming husband nr 3. We still go dancing, dinner or movie. She closed three weeks ago the selling of the house I allowed her to have when we divorced 18 years ago. I am a Super Ex Husband. All hurting I was gonna do to her... is simply now in the past and we both know that. But she still get on my case when I get out off line.

You appear to have the situation under control. @GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes Oh yeah and she says the same thing... I been listening to her for about 40 years. She don't listen to me. Maybe the only woman on earth that won't read what I write but I understand. After all something I wrote cost me the divorce. Never wrote something that pretty for her she said... YOU ARE NOT HER LAWYER ARE YOU?

No..of course not.@GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes Okay, had me worried for a moment.

We are cool. @GipsyOfNewSpain

@nicknotes hey man, you turn your back to an ex.... you asking for it. They never forget!!!!

Many women have looooong memories. @GipsyOfNewSpain

Always look at the bright side of things. Look to the future. Things will work out.

@goldenvalleyguy I mean, this is as life altering as possible, while still remaining somewhat achievable. Not everyone can fly into space, but anyone can go for a long hike in the woods, you know?

Fighting a bear is certainly a life altering experience. Where did this incident occur?

@nicknotes It didn't. I meant to say that it's something that, imho, everyone should do at least once

I hear they have a lot of bears in Yellowstone park. Although fighting a bear might not be a good idea. @Karnaph

@nicknotes well then, to Yellowstone we go!

They have grizzlies there. I hope I don't read your obituary that you were lunch for a grizzly bear. @Karnaph

Per personal experience that almost got murdered over 30 years ago and within an hour somebody else did got murdered... I disagree. I recalled my wife then saying.. "and even after that experience you still not believe in god!" Mother is twice cancer survivor. Did not noticed a big chance but if the illness changed you... it did changed you and that is your experience and thank you for sharing.

Yes..Yes...Yes... I'm positive this has opened your eyes and made you appreciate your life.

Sure...like the nail in the horses hoof, or the butterfly flapping its wings the smallest incidents can have great consequences.

@goldenvalleyguy Fair point but 'grand' is a relative term. What may seem insignificant today may reveal itself as very significant tomorrow. We never know how these things will play out.

@goldenvalleyguy I don't see any limits that the life alteration is always for the good?

You reminded me of Captain Kirk and the Starship Enterprise pushing against the boundaries of human experience.

And more will come your way.......