It's Just a Scratch...

[Richard]

(sigh)

Had (my wife's) family reunion this past week. Bit of a backstory.....

She's got a nephew who's had substance abuse issues before. He talks a good smooth story but I/we never believe him. Seen too may cries of Wolf for that to happen. Truth be told, I suspect he's STILL wheeling/dealing with substances. He's selling "Cratum" or something like that. Has it delivered in packages full of coffee grounds (hmmmm.....I've heard about that one before too)

Brother in law wanted to liquidate a portion he owns in some family land.....nephew says he'll buy it (trying to wash the money a bit?) Shows up with over $30,000 in cash.

Yeah, call me a doubter on any/all he says which is unfrotunate. He's a bright kid (pushing 35 years old so kid doesn't work so much anymore)

He's here wants to go out with his brother (each on a ski). You can see what happened. The official story is:

1. "I was riding down the lake when the rope flailed up, got stuck INSIDE the throttle lever opening, locking it wide open.... I know they say the best thing to do is jump off and let the dead man wire kill machine HOWEVER
2. "The Dead Man strap had wound itself AROUND the handle so when I jumped off, it just broke in two, allowing the machine to go full speed into the rocks and it hit a tree"


There IS a rope on it. What they use to moor it to the dock. Rope gets wet...gets a bit more heavy. I'm dubious that the rope was "flailing about" to get caught in the opening of the throttle (though to be fair to him, I checked and it WAS long enough to have done that) But his comments that I heard suggest he/they were meandering down the water....at which point it's a slower speed. So the rope shouldn't be flailing about.....and if this is true, then it certainly did NOT jump up and wedge itself into the throttle.

The owner of the Skis (my wife's cousin who lives next door) is probably the first person in line when it comes to who's the nicest, least confrontational person you know. We all know this about him so EVERYONE was telling him to NOT let the kid off the hook. (who is fine by the way, not a scratch on him)

This 35 year old kid has skated without taking responsiblity through many many things in life. In fact, on this same visit....I walked by his car (he lives in North Carolina) he still had his Tennessee tags on the car...... that had expired FOUR YEARS ago. I asked him about this and through the 'giggle' and commentary, you realize he's doing it because he can. He wants to "stick it to the man". Even laughed that he's been stopped (where he lives) and been asked why do you have a N.C. Drivers license and a TN plate? He comes up with some story about having just obtained the car... That didn't make too much sense to me. (no bill of sale)

So his response after driving this into a tree? "We need to get back to the house.....Ira and myself need to leave to head back to NC" Absolutely zero apologies (that I heard) about what he did. Finally, my wife (who's been onto his antics for years now as he once lived with us until I essentially booted him out) raised cane with him about replacing the ski... "Well, Tom said everything was ok as long as everyone was safe and not hurt"

Oh, he DID utter "I've got $3,000 cash in my pocket I can give to Tom" (to compensate for the damage)

I think she lit into him at that point (deservedly so).

So now, he's supposedly looking for a replacement. I'm very tickled he's not my kid.

Since he is laughing at the local authorities (about them doing nothing regarding his 4-year expired tags) I'm debating on sending them a picture of the tags and let the 'Chief' know what a mocker he's being made of..... I'm hoping that they finally pull him over, bust him for the expired tags...perhaps a non-registered vehicle (?), probably no insurance (but I don't know that).

So, your thoughts? Let it go or call their local Police/Sheiff dept and give them some scoop? By the way, this is in Asheville so if you are in that area then he's potentially your problem too

(PS: if you notice the tags on the Ski's are out of date.... they are but the updated tags exist, just not affixed yet. So it seems to run in the family lol.

 

[dj1701]

Hey 35-year-old kid, you broke it, you own it.

 

[two_bit_score]

He should buy the owner of the ski a brand new comparable model and take the old wrecked one for salvage.

 

[WinterDeere]

Hey 35-year-old kid, you broke it, you own it.

Ditto. I'd be looking to sell it to the "kid" at a pre-crash value.

35 is not a kid, that's entering mid-life. Time to grow up, Bobby.

 

[mrmikey]

I'd say he just traded hisself a new jet ski for a shortened jet ski.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon Richard,
Wow, what a story ! This man, not boy, is a problemed person for sure ! I think you have known this for some time ! Let him buy this damaged ski at the pre damaged price !
Sorry for all your issues with this guy !

 

[tradosaurus]

(sigh)

Had (my wife's) family reunion this past week. Bit of a backstory.....

She's got a nephew who's had substance abuse issues before. He talks a good smooth story but I/we never believe him. Seen too may cries of Wolf for that to happen. Truth be told, I suspect he's STILL wheeling/dealing with substances. He's selling "Cratum" or something like that. Has it delivered in packages full of coffee grounds (hmmmm.....I've heard about that one before too)

This 35 year old kid has skated without taking responsibility through many many things in life.

Instead of turning him in for expired tags call the sheriff about his suspected drug dealings.

Maybe a stint in prison will turn him into a man.

Beyond that I wouldn't have him around my house or family.

I'm going out on a limb and guess the nephew has no father figure?

 

[tradosaurus]

He would have two choices if this happened to my ski. Make good on the ski - replace with a new one. Or come with me - we are going to visit the far end of my property. It's a place where I put everything that dies. A place where the coyotes clean everything up. It would be unique - he would be the first person to make a visit there.

So you are saying you would murder the 35 yo "kid" over a ski boat? Or is this just big talk over the internet?

 

[oosik]

Probably best that we don't go down this path - tradosaurus. Let me say this - I've had to use force - more than a couple times- to remove folks who thought they had the right to be on my property. Word spread - NOBODY bothers me now.

 

[2manyrocks]

I don’t see how turning him into law enforcement will get the jet ski replaced or repaired. If he is willing to burn his bridges in his own family, sooner or later that will catch up to him.

 

[two_bit_score]

I don’t see how turning him into law enforcement will get the jet ski replaced or repaired. If he is willing to burn his bridges in his own family, sooner or later that will catch up to him.

Don't turn him in until you get the money.

 

[tradosaurus]

Don't turn him in until you get the money.

Or unless there's a reward for turning him in.

 

[tradosaurus]

Probably best that we don't go down this path - tradosaurus. Let me say this - I've had to use force - more than a couple times- to remove folks who thought they had the right to be on my property. Word spread - NOBODY bothers me now.

Probably best you delete your first comment and keep the second comment.

 

[oosik]

I have this hang-up. tradosaurus. I spent most of my younger adult life in Alaska. 1960-1982. In those days, in Alaska, trespass was a MOST SERIOUS offense. Folks were shot - killed for mere trespass. Not a single person ever spent any time in court or jail for this. Then the "do gooders" came and everything became so very "civilized".

That is when we up and left Alaska and came down here. I have the utmost respect for a person and their property - unfortunately - many do not.

 

[Richard]

Been busy working today. Some interesting (and somewhat expected) comments.

It did dawn on me earlier.... 'gee.... what if I was taking the backhoe that was parked in the field next to his car and accidently cave the roof of his car in'

"Sowry Daniel.... it was an accident.... I have to go inside now and listen to some Marie Osmond songs...."

Of course he would go ballistic because now the shoe is on the other foot.

Father figure.... won't go too far down that path. There are dysfunctions within his family as in many. Theirs might be more intense or off the wall...

There are 5 1/2 children. Five by "mom & dad". Dad has a fling... (girl from hades) and oops, now all his kids have a half brother. This was the other person with him on the ski's.

Dad regrets some of the shortcomings that might have happened when the kids were.....kids. So he's trying to make that up with his youngest son (unsure, let's call him 15) Well.... THIS reality essentially ticks off the drug son because he never had that relationship with Dad....

dysfunction compounding upon dysfunction.

His dad is my wife's brother. Their OTHER brother brought his two side by side's (4 wheelers). One of them evidently has a limiter switch on it.... and one doesn't. He pulled the keys out of the non-restricted machine brought it to me essentially saying "keep this, I don't want EITHER of them to have access to it"

It's always good to see the family when all get together however, this dysfunction then shows up and really dulls the fun.

 

[Richard]

Regarding turning the plates in (yes, AFTER payment of course).... frankly, I think he's going to get busted sooner or later. I'm trying to speed things up.

Kid used to say when he lived here in town, the cops always picked on him.... hunting him down to stop him (yada yada yada...)

I'm thinking 'no they don't.... unless...... perhaps you have a history with them and it's deserved' He was playing the poor pitiful me, getting picked on by the cops....

pfffft. As they say, I wasn't born yesterday.

 

[Sigarms]

Been busy working today. Some interesting (and somewhat expected) comments.

It did dawn on me earlier.... 'gee.... what if I was taking the backhoe that was parked in the field next to his car and accidently cave the roof of his car in'

"Sowry Daniel.... it was an accident.... I have to go inside now and listen to some Marie Osmond songs...."

Of course he would go ballistic because now the shoe is on the other foot.

Father figure.... won't go too far down that path. There are dysfunctions within his family as in many. Theirs might be more intense or off the wall...

There are 5 1/2 children. Five by "mom & dad". Dad has a fling... (girl from hades) and oops, now all his kids have a half brother. This was the other person with him on the ski's.

Dad regrets some of the shortcomings that might have happened when the kids were.....kids. So he's trying to make that up with his youngest son (unsure, let's call him 15) Well.... THIS reality essentially ticks off the drug son because he never had that relationship with Dad....

dysfunction compounding upon dysfunction.

His dad is my wife's brother. Their OTHER brother brought his two side by side's (4 wheelers). One of them evidently has a limiter switch on it.... and one doesn't. He pulled the keys out of the non-restricted machine brought it to me essentially saying "keep this, I don't want EITHER of them to have access to it"

It's always good to see the family when all get together however, this dysfunction then shows up and really dulls the fun.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but apparently your wife's nephew is bringing out the dysfunction in you as well.

You're best bet? Just stay away from it.

You can't pick family, but you can keep your distance, and when it comes to stupid family, that's one pig you really don't want to wrestle.

If the kid brought 30k in cash with him, he really isn't that smart driving with his tag / plate situation.

DO NOT call him in or report him, just keep your mouth shut and stay away from him. Sooner or later his actions will catch up to him and you really don't want to be a part of it IMO.

 

[Torvy]

I hear you, Sig, but whenever the 'kid' gets busted he will blame everyone but himself anyway. Better to get him off the streets sooner before he "accidentally" injures or kills someone.

Tips can be anonymous.

 

[Richard]

Just visited with the owner of the jet ski. He said the kid has already called him, found one but wanted to keep looking (I expected a delay situation, it's his M.O.)

Anyway, I told the owner that since it got submerged, it might be prudent to drain the oil and check for water ingestion in the cylinders.

I've got a borescope. He said that there is no external crank, that it's all encased so no turning by crank it seems.

Anyone know if you can rotate the cylinders (with plugs removed) by rotating the impeller (in the correct direction of course)

Ultimately, what I'd like to do is see if there is a way to hook a hose to it, drain it and get it fired back up. If he ends up with another machine, he might either have a spare engine OR, an engine he can sell to help mitigate the situation. Either way, I'd not want to wait (I say this because he was putting it's cover on, preparing to drive the trailer out to where they've sat for the last two years.... I don't want this to slip by him if I can help salvage)

Truth be told, there is a slight (not huge so slight is the correct word) feeling of responsiblity since at one time, we had the kid living here and I was a surrogate authority figure to him. This was during his known substance abuse days (since I don't know factually if he's doing anything today or not) so I kept a pretty tight reign on him. He came home from work one day, maybe 30 minute drive.... and it took him four hours. Had his chance. From then on, he had to call and tell me when he was leaving work (and I'd sometimes call to verify his hours) and he had about 45 minutes to get him in case he had to stop & get gas or chips...

He finally had enough of being forced into responsiblity, I think it was the month of February several years ago, his father was here as well.

Finally with my explaining the rules he was going to have to follow....he said "That's fine. Maybe I should just pack up my stuff and move out!"

Again, this was in front of his father so there were no second hand stories here....well, except for me telling it now!

Anyway "maybe I should pack my stuff and leave"

To which I said 'Fine. I will expect you and all your stuff to be out of here by the time I get home tomorrow"

To tell you the truth, I was hoping he'd have to live in his car for a day/week/month..... he instead, mooched in with some friends and carried on as before.

I appreciate the wisdom here, thank you.

 

[Thomas]

If you play hard pay hard.