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Sometimes, a thing so improbable happens that you consider not even telling others – there is no way they're going to believe you. However, some facts or stories may sound like they're fiction, but are 100% real.

Like the Great Emu War that had Australian soldiers armed with machine guns against the local emu population that was destroying the crops (the soldiers lost, by the way). Or how about that time when Pepsi had the world's sixth-largest navy? That's how the Soviet Union paid them for their Pepsi syrup – a fleet of old, obsolete ships, submarines, and vodka.

But not only is history sometimes stranger than fiction, people's lives tend to be pretty strange and unexpected, too. The stories from people here prove that. We came across them in an online thread where a netizen asked: "What's something about you that sounds fake, but is 100% true?" And one comm

#1

I bought a suit once owned by my father at a vintage clothing store 500 miles away from where he lived. He died a few months before I was born. His National Honor Society card was in the jacket pocket. I discovered it the day after I purchased it.

LarsThorwald Report

Jaya
Community Member
6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, there are millions and millions of second hand items sold each year, so insanely rare things are bound to happen sometimes. But very very cool story! OP must feel so happy about it.

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    #2

    Hand shielding a candle flame during a dark ceremony, illustrating true stories that sound completely made up but happened. I’ve had exorcisms performed on me. I grew up in the charismatic church, where they believe every ailment is caused by a demon. I had depression, anxiety, and ADHD, which were supposedly caused by demons. So on more than one occasion they did deliverance sessions to try to cast the demons out of me. Disappointingly, nothing happened. Later in life I found out demons HATE Adderall and Prozac!

    manykeets , Andrej Lišakov Report

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too many people seem to think religion is fine to do these things otherwise we would be taking their rights away.

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    #3

    Child dialing a number on a vintage rotary phone, illustrating true stories that sound made up but actually happened. I misdialed a friend’s number in the 1980’s but got the person I wanted at the wrong number. She was at her uncles house.

    banditk77 , Kateryna Hliznitsova Report

    Gary
    Community Member
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My now wife dialled me but got the wrong number whilst away with family. The person who happened to pick up the phone happened to be a girl she though was after me who was visitting her sister a mile away. That took some explaining!!!

    Jaya
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mission failed successfully

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the before times of landlines I several times called someone only to hear them dialing their phone and be surprised when I was on the other end.

    Elchinero
    Community Member
    11 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    "whilst" yet ....

    #4

    Mosquitoes flying near autumn leaves in soft sunlight, illustrating true stories that sound made up but actually happened. Mosquitoes are afraid of me. I can walk directly into a swarm and they’ll split and fly away. This provides mosquito protection to me and anyone in about 2 feet to any direction. My wife enjoys this super power.

    bigfatfurrytexan , Maxim Mogilevskiy Report

    Jan Rosier
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it possible to do a complete blood transfusion? I would pay lots for all your blood.

    pelemele
    Community Member
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For me it's quite the opposite... I attract mosquitoes from 600m away... My loved ones also appreciate my super power because the mosquitoes therefore completely ignore them.

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    13 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yellow jackets are a bad problem where I live, but they do not like me, will stream right passed me to bother somebody else, and don't really nest on my property. That's entirely positive but I sometimes feel like I'm being shunned.

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is it really shunning if it's your enemies doing said shunning?

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    Leg less In Minneapolis
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Certain people smell bad to mosquitoes, learned middle school science

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have the exact opposite problem unless my younger brother is with me. The eat him instead.

    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did LSD for the first time at 17 and suddenly mosquitos just started to leave me alone. Could stand next to buddies being bitten and not have a single one come at me. Lasted for what might have been a few years after I last did LSD.

    An Interlicktual
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Would you consider to leave your wife and marry me?

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    #5

    Close-up of two sea snails on white sand illustrating true stories that sound made up but actually happened. I've discovered two new species of animal.

    I am not a scientist. I don't even have a job.

    Devilfish808 Report

    Pedantic Panda
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems they discovered 2 new species of sea snail according to the Reddit post.

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hopefully someone will hire them as a species finder

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    #6

    Ophthalmologist examining patient’s eyes with specialized equipment illustrating true stories that sound made up. I slid on ice while driving and hit a tree, totalling the car and giving myself a mild concussion and bruises. The hospital called the next day after reviewing the xrays to tell me I had broken my eye socket. In the follow up appointment with an ENT, I learned that I actually had a cyst that had been eating away at my eye socket. It would have caused blindness if not caught on time.

    Sometimes hitting a tree is a miracle?

    OutOfSpoonsNow , JSB Co. Report

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A friend had a chest scan after an injury and they discovered Hodgkin's lymphoma, in early stages. Happy accident? (He was cured.)

    #7

    I had a lobectomy … a right temporal lobectomy… to stop my seizures Its been 20 yrs im still seizures free.

    Seuss221 Report

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It worked and that's what matters

    My O My
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Really really good! I wonder if OP suffers from side effects

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    #8

    Police officer pointing directly at the camera with a serious expression, representing true stories that sound made up. Twice I have hit a pedestrian and both times the police thanked me.

    1st one - driving home from University (commuter) someone ran into the road, I slammed on my brakes and guy landed on hood of car, 3 police officers piled on him, handcuff him on my hood and one turns to me and says thank you, you can leave. Get home tell mom, we are watching the news and story on news is about how a bank robber was caught by 3 police officers. No they didn't, I did.

    2nd one - driving home from work, get off freeway turn left, turn right at light, turn right onto my street. As I am driving up my street, someone runs out form between parked cars and lands smack on my hood, 2 police officers appear and jump on guy and handcuff him on my car hood. One turns to me and says thanks for your help, you can leave. Next day read in the paper about how they were chasing someone, he got off freeway, tried to drive around behind the Kmart and ran into wall, got out, jumped wall, and was caught by two officers. No they didn't, I did.

    cmquinn2000 , Kindel Media Report

    MoBeLa
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This guy should just drive around high-crime neighborhoods letting the criminals thrown themselves onto his car hood.

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would move to a nicer neighbourhood.

    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am, the Driver. I drive crime out of town.

    Hassel Davidhoff
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Must live in a bad neighborhood, lol.

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    #9

    Woman in colorful sweater riding a bicycle outdoors, enjoying the moment in a true stories setting. Just learned how to ride a bike at 30. Literally last week. It's the proudest moment for me..and i have a phd lmao. Childhood things you achieve as an adult just mean more.

    CertifiedLunacy , Getty Images Report

    Kid Murray
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Careful Homer, your inferiority complex is showing.

    homer
    Community Member
    10 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Why does it matter that you have a PHD? That is totally irrelevant. Just like bragging?

    highwaycrossingfrog
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're saying that learning to ride a bike was an even prouder moment in their life than being awarded their PhD

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    #10

    Woman wearing gold hoop earrings and a dark coat with a red ribbon, expressing emotion in an outdoor setting, true stories theme. Maya Angelou played wingman to my (now) husband and insisted I go out on a date with him because “if you end up marrying him, you’ll never have to cook a day in your life.” She was correct.

    My husband is a professional chef and we met working at a boutique hotel in Santa Monica. He was the head chef, I was a server. Maya was a regular because she was obsessed with his food.

    coralynncoraa , Clinton Library Report

    Luke Branwen
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Any famous writer wants to hook me up with some cute lil weirdo? I can cook, too

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you're on any apps...mention that first. Guy who can cook is VERY attractive

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    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life... marry a chef. I guess if you love to eat

    Lauora
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But what about the long and antisocial hours?

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    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't want to cook at home if it was my job.

    sturmwesen
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    that's why I didn't chose a kitchen career. never felt like you should work what you like to do in your spare time

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    #11

    I know how and can successfully fold a fitted sheet.

    Mycoffeebreath Report

    Risa
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can fold one too, it just doesn't look very good afterward.

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I enjoy watching someone fold fitted sheets for the same reason I enjoy watching a magician saw his assistant in half. I know neither can actually be done in real life, but I enjoy someone successfully creating the illusion.

    Upstaged75
    Community Member
    10 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh come - that's just a myth! 😂

    tameson
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom could, and there are videos and instructions on the web, but I never learned. Fortunately my husband does the laundry so it isn't my problem.

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    #12

    Medieval battlefield chaos with warriors and villagers in a dramatic scene illustrating true stories that sound made up. I’ve had the Black Death. (I got better).

    ButterflySuper2967 , Pieter Brueghel the Elder Report

    DeShotz
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hah! And OP gets to be a living Monty Python and the Holy Grail reference.

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, that disease never actually died out. It's just a lot more survivable now.

    Kirsten Kerkhof
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True. It is caused by the Yersenia Pestis bacteria so antibiotics can cure it.

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    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I heard RFK Jr wants to make the Black Death great again.

    Glix Drap
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But have you ever been turned into a newt?

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Loads of times. Especially Saturday nights

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    MoBeLa
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This still exists? 😳

    Kim Kermes
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Plague is endemic in the squirrels of the Sierra. Every year in Reno the media warned to avoid disoriented squirrels. How do you tell?

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    Jedi Panda
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read that in newt boy's voice

    Ravenkbh
    Community Member
    10 hours ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    No you're not. You'll be stone dead in a moment.

    ZombieMommy
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's highly inaccurate. Many people survive the plague today.

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    #13

    Hand holding fresh bright red cherries on white cloth background illustrating true stories that sound made up. At my peak I was almost certainly in the top 1% of cherry pickers worldwide, pounds picked per season, and also per day.


    Personal record is 2700 pounds in about 8 hours.

    deadfisher , Olivia Watson Report

    Sofia
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    at first I thought you was just very choosy on the source of your news

    Michael None
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine would be 27 pounds eaten. 50 pounds stolen. Fired after 1 day.

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh 100%. How fruit pickers manage without eating the fruit I have no idea

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    Az Oz
    Community Member
    11 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    5.6 lb per minute

    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's pretty amazing. I used to get 10 kg or so in a day!

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    #14

    Person playing a retro video game late at night, illustrating true stories that sound made up but actually happened. When I was younger my brother and I would try to beat super Mario world as fast as possible and use a stop watch to time it. Years later we found the Internet has Speed Run records and learned our times on the unmoded console were between 3rd and 4th for the world.

    Nudebovine1 , Anurag Sharma Report

    Laserleader
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With or without warps to end? I used to know the entire sequence of which pipes to take, and I bet I still have the muscle memory to do it.

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I bet there are many "world" records held unknowingly.

    #15

    I was a background rando in both The Vikings and Game of Thrones.

    In both cases, my whole "role" was standing in the background, while menacingly sporting long hair and a beard.

    There are a pass-by shots with my face in them in several episodes of both shows, since being cold and uncomfortable for hours on end gave me the properly grim "Northern Barbarian" frown.

    Freevoulous Report

    Panda Kicki
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was a extra in a Swedish kids show, viking age episode. We where in Birka viking village, each family got a house, me and the kids was cooking viking food, playing around, doing crafts, while they filmed. They had wonderful, very authentic looking shots. Also a couple of directed scenes, but most was just a bunch of viking nerds goofing around.

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    #16

    Close-up of a wrist with a healing scar, illustrating one of the true stories that sound completely made up. I'm a twin, and we both have scars from separate accidents on the same part of our bodies.  I was sliced and he was impailed.  Both were deep wounds and required going to the ER for lots of stiches.  These events occurred about 15 years apart.

    its-how-i-roll , handarmdoc Report

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Universe wanted to make sure you still matched.

    Dusty's mom
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pic is showing carpal tunnel surgery scar. Best thing l ever did to that hand.

    #17

    Young baseball player wearing Giants cap and glove on field, capturing a moment from true stories that sound made up. When I was 12 years old I pitched a perfect game playing for my little league team. 18 batters faced, 18 strike outs. I didnt even know what a perfect game was, I thought I had a no hitter going.

    After final strike out everyone came and jumped on me, and told me what I did. They didn't mention it during game to not jynx it. Ended up with a nice trophy, local media attention, and got to be in Sports Illistrated for Kids. Turns out, one had never happened in my state for my age range that they could find. I tell people now they dont believe me, until I show them the trophy in my man cave. Fun time.

    RandomHero565 , Nicole Green Report

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's kind of cool. I hope he has a framed copy of that Sports Illustrated

    DB
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Age 8 I won the first baseball game I had ever played in. Last inning, losing by one run and with two strikes on me I hit a base loaded double. Knocked in two runs. Got my name in the newspaper. Still have the clipping somewhere. My mother laminated it.

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    #18

    I messaged a girl randomly on Facebook thinking she was someone I talked to when I was in my early teens. All I remembered about that person was her name and that she lived in some other state. This person had the same name and was also from another state. It turned out she wasn’t the right person but it just so happened she had just moved to the other state to mine. That was five years ago, we got married in August.

    jeefyjeef Report

    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So. She actually WAS the right person, just not who you were looking for!

    #19

    I am a diagnosed sociopath. They call it something else now, but about 1% of the population has Anti Social Personality Disorder. Sociopaths aren’t just people who lack empathy because we’re evil. Our brains are wired differently. You can see it in an MRI scan. 

    While sociopaths are overrepresented among violent criminals, it’s still a spectrum and plenty of us live ordinary lives. Please don’t use “sociopath” as an insult, we can’t change the way we are. .

    My-Dog-Says-No Report

    Daisydaisy
    Community Member
    Premium
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I watched a fascinating talk by a sociopath on YouTube yesterday, a very impressive and intelligent woman. It's a brain quirk and they deserve as much compassion as everyone else - really opened my eyes.

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No one is actually evil. People do evil acts. I do find it interesting there are people actively trying to make sociopaths.

    Nichole Harris
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same! And I don't hurt anything... Heck I barely leave my bedroom

    Wij
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hmm. So lack of empathy to be a sociopath - does it involve all living things or can it just be hairless bipeds?

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry it does actually have to include lack of empathy for animals as well. Otherwise the numbers of diagnosed sociopaths would probably be about 50-60% of the population.

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    GalPalAl
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They really should classify the difference since they are different diagnoses. Wonder how it is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sociopaths are usually just fine in daily life. It's psychopaths you need to watch out for.

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    #20

    Person in gloves and plaid shirt mowing a green lawn with a green lawn mower in daylight true stories image. Once I was cutting sod in the middle of a baseball field… and got hit by a car.

    Racist_Godzilla , Alan Miller Report

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, that tree which was the only one in the middle of a huge desert managed to get hit by a car, TWICE, so...

    #21

    Young man sharing true stories that sound completely made up during a casual conversation in a cozy living room setting. I have been diagnosed by a psychologist with an extremely strange form of hyperthymesia. I cannot forget information relating to a human. Names, dates, addresses, faces, entire conversations verbatim, feelings, they do not fade or leave my memory. Ever. This only applies to real people. (Fictional people just don't trigger it for some reason) In other subjects my memory is rather mediocre. It started when I was 4, and I can recall anything related to a person ever since with perfect recollection.

    jamesofearth1 , SHVETS production Report

    Céline France Dumont
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This would be rad as hell and also f*****g suck

    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Be great for a salesperson, politician or scammer.

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    Laserleader
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I confirmed that I can recall the first year of my life, and possibly even the womb. We moved from my first house before 16 months old, but 16 years later I saw it again and explained all the topiary changes and described the old garage door, hole in the fence, carpets, flooring, floor plan, backyard. But I barely remember my own full name some days.

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have the exact opposite problem.

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For me fictional characters stick but real people...not so much

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    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think my brain forgets anything. The problem is, it's organized like my garage and sometimes I have to shuffle a few layers before the sought after item comes into view.

    Learner Panda
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I had at least some of this skill. I am hopeless at recognising people's faces.

    Sofia
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if your memory has a size limit or not...

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP should be the one to organize her high school reunions.

    Lynchamigsakta
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember basically anything someone tells me about themselves that I consider personal information. If however someone tells me something personal about another person that I also know chances are very low that I'll remember

    B.Nelson
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm betting a spy agency would love this. No need for records of people, just this guy.

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    #22

    YouTube homepage interface showing menu options including Home and Trending on a computer screen. I live in a country of only 17 million people.

    I once made a stupid animation video, put it on YouTube and somehow it got more than a million views.

    A few years later I made an album with two other guys. One of my songs somehow got more than a million streams on Spotify.

    We also did a TV gig with that band. More than a million people have watched that.

    Most of the people I know have no idea.

    WhatsWithTed , Christian Wiediger Report

    #23

    While I was in high school my father and I flew across the Bering Strait in our Cessna. We were the first Americans to enter Soviet air space in 40 years. We followed the Lend Lease route used in WWII. All very official. It had taken a year to plan and get clearance.

    MysticTortoiseAK Report

    JB
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To *legally* enter Russian airspace

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    #24

    Newborn baby resting on mother’s chest in hospital bed, illustrating true stories that sound made up but actually happened. I didn’t know I was pregnant until 6 days before my son was born. He was full term.

    Sunday - @ home test confirms

    Monday - ER says I’m only 2 mo along according to blood test

    Tuesday- called OBs all day, found appt for Thursday

    Wednesday - bugging out

    Thursday - OB nurse says ~5-6 mo look wise, OB does exam says “HA no like 34 weeks, can you come tomorrow for ultrasound?”

    Friday - ultrasound tech going off crazy “THIS BABY HUGE, OH IT COMIN! Y’all probably got about 3 weeks

    Saturday - Go into labor, son arrives on 9/23/23 @ 23:23:45, 5lb 6oz and 23.75” long

    I was living on an unfinished bus with no running amenities, just a hose outside and an electrical cord through a window. Fully renovating the interior of a rental from studs from about 6 months pregnant, all essentially alone. His dad left me hanging so much. Doing side work of all types (I was on a roof the month prior replacing framing and roofing after a tree guy messed up the garage roof) replacing floors, building custom cabinets, and working full time teaching carpentry to juvenile detention residents in max security detainment.

    I’m going to buy a house in a few months and we’re doing so great now! Got a promotion and been able to lay off side work as much.

    AboldSavage , Getty Images Report

    Gingersnap In Iowa
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    September 23rd is a good day to be born!

    Norfolk and good
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    September babies unite! I, too, was the result of a very Merry Christmas.

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    Laserleader
    Community Member
    7 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Had a friend who worked every day up to the day of natural birth for all 3 kids. I always admired her body could do that, she is a rare one.

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have known two women who were as surprised as everyone else when they gave birth.

    Emie N.
    Community Member
    6 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This would really suck if this person never wanted children or just didnt want them at the time.

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    #25

    Powerful tornado touching down in a rural area, illustrating true stories that sound made up but actually happened. I've had my pants sucked off in a tornado, at the same time fractured my neck.

    Edit: Lost one shoe, but somehow, the other one was still on. So once I eventually got up, I had to walk around downtown with 1 shoe and no pants. Walking over all of the debri, it was... bad. It's amazing that I didn't step on anything or have any bad falls with all the walking I had to do.

    Walked about a quarter mile with the neck fracture, didn't know how injured I was till I got to a hospital

    I went to the spot a week later once I could walk around again. My pants were still there really mangled up in some debri

    ItsAlwaysBlue2 , Greg Johnson Report

    JB
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fractured your neck while getting sucked off in a tornado?

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably not since his phone was in his pants pocket

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    #26

    Bullied constantly throughout high-school as a morbidly obese girl. Staff knew. Spent 7 weeks first semester of senior year in the hospital because I got violently ill (stress from school) came back with doctor/hospital notes - given ISS. Teachers didnt provide work in ISS because it was 'hopeless' and I wouldn't pass regardless. Was told I'd have to repeat senior year. Dropped out. Went and got my GED. Found out I got an Honors GED (didn't know that was even a thing) and offered a full scholarship to the community college where I took the GED because of my grades. Lost all the weight naturally and most of the kids that terrorized me in high school are fat, balding, on their third marriage or became a priest 😂.

    DramaticChickenNug Report

    Sofia
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    or the 3 things at the same time

    Spencer Arnold
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You were on the International Space Station?

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In-school suspension. But that would have been cool!

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    Laserleader
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Senior year only needed 2 half classes to graduate, took college on the side. New high school principal refused my credits and was gonna give me a zero (not a F which is 60 but litterally a zero which destroy GPA entirely) dropped out and redid all high school classes by correspondence, he refused those. Was fired the next year and they asked if I wanted to walk in graduation a year late. I did not. Have only ever walked in ONE graduation EVER and it was for my AA MCL, and I have a BA MCL. No such thing as ceremonies for elementary or Jr high when I grew up.

    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aw, what a terrible high school experience! That principal was evil.

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    #27

    Young person wearing a colorful superhero hoodie, showcasing one of the 68 true stories that sound completely made up. I once won a costume contest that I didn’t enter. The kicker? I wasn’t wearing a costume.

    I was wearing Jeans and a zip up hoodie. It was at work.
    I did not realize until after the contest that the Batman hoodie had little bat ears and a mask on the hood, so HR thought I was dressed up.
    I won Funniest Costume, so there were other winners as well.
    I don’t really remember too many of the other costumes, but one guy in my department dressed up as Baymax from Big Hero 6.

    Writing_Nearby , Marco Gomes Report

    Julie S
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How píssed off would you be if you spent ages making a costume and then someone just wearing a hoodie won.

    Papa
    Community Member
    6 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My daughter won a contest at the local county fair when she was very young (Little Miss Go Texan, if I remember correctly). One of the judges told my wife that it put her over the top when she blew a kiss at the judges. When she mentioned it to our daughter she said "I wasn't blowing them a kiss. I was wiping my nose."

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh how I have been there. Even at Dragon Con I've had people admire my " costume" and had to admit I'm not wearing one.

    Robyn Hill
    Community Member
    59 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I legit thought he was going to say people thought he was dressing up as the Unabomber.

    Fungus John
    Community Member
    5 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I won a costume contest dressed as a hobo. full shoe polish beard, sack and bindle, ripped clothes that I buried in the garden for a week.

    #28

    My best friend from 3rd grade moved to Texas and I thought I'd never see him again. I was in Missouri and this was pre-Internet.

    We bumped into each other when we were 20, in St Peter's Square surrounded by thousands of other tourists.

    We instantly recognized each other.

    pinniped90 Report

    Laserleader
    Community Member
    7 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Husband's best friend went into the marines. Hadn't heard from him in 15 years assumed he died, found him at a local mall. Had been in town for a year and was about to move the next week, but stayed because he found us.

    DB
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Happened to me twice when I was in the Air Force. First time I was walking in the marketplace in Trier, West Germany and saw a guy walking towards wearing a t-shirt that said the name of the city I was raised in. Stopped and talked to him. We went to middle-school together. Second time I was walking down the flight line at Nellis Air Force Base and passed by a Captain walking in the other direction. We both turned and looked at each other. We had gone to middle school and high school together.

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    #29

    Elderly man in a suit and patterned tie speaking during an interview about true stories that sound made up. I worked in a bank in South Africa and had to set up for the board meeting - I used the chairman’s elevator to get there quickly - doors opened and there was the chairman and Nelson Mandela.

    Pixie6969 , Reelblack One Report

    Pandemonium
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw Desmond Tutu in the Atlanta airport. He saw me and was thoroughly unimpressed.

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    #30

    Newborn baby held by nurse next to mother after birth, illustrating true stories that sound made up but actually happened. There was a short time when I was the youngest person in the world.

    CommentMaleficent957 , Jonathan Borba Report

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    #31

    I once embezzled a clients money(I had a bad debt with bookies and was going to be shorter as they were gonna take my kneecaps) I asked a friend to place the money on a horse for me, as I was well known around the courses, she bet the wrong horse, it won, we paid off the debt and I put the money back in my customer’s account, they never knew and we got married and had a wonderful life together till she sadly passed away, I have never gambled again since that day.

    Outrageous_Bet_1971 Report

    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    17 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's an amazing story! I'm sorry for your loss, though.

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Life comes down to so much luck that we all refuse to recognize.

    Phantom Phoenix
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The way this is written it's unclear whether OP married the embezzled client or the bet-placing friend. The question was asked and answered in Reddit post comments. In case you're wondering, it was the friend.

    #32

    I chased down a drunk driver and forced her to pull over, and got someone on the sidewalk to call the police. It was in Manhattan, at night. I was riding a three speed Mary Poppins style bicycle.

    cheesepage Report

    Tucker Cahooter
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Installed fear in the driver by ringing that little bicycle bell over and over

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dude- laughing so hard that multiple adults have checked on me. Thanks for the laugh and the mental image

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    #33

    Graduate woman in cap and gown holding diploma outdoors with peers in the background in a true stories that sound made up setting. I both failed out of college and graduated with honors.

    Pando5280 , Ahmet Kurt Report

    Nils Skirnir
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me too. 6 years and one war apart.

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one doesn't seem odd. My guess is that they were different majors and that means a whole lot to this story.

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Really? Because I failed out of college in history then went back and got my degree in history and another degree in psychology and another degree in education and a masters in psychology. Just because you fail out doesn't mean you aren't smart or capable in a subject. Could be undiagnosed ADHD or family crisis, or all kinds of things that cause a person to fail.

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    Michael None
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can't fail out if you say you quit before packing.

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    #34

    Man lying on stairs after a fall, illustrating one of the true stories that sound completely made up but actually happened. I'm in double digits for the amount of staircases I've fallen down, not like a trip, broken a few bones.

    LazyFantazy89 , Kiwistocks Report

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or an ENT. The ears could be out of balance.

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    JB
    Community Member
    18 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hmm... Start checking for autoimmune and neurological disorders

    Sofia
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I flew 200 mission and was shot down in all of them. Was never able to land"

    DaisyGirl
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was prolific with stairs accidents - removalists knocked me down whole flight hit me with piano, backwards down flight of steps when around 4 by eing licked on face by great dane, tripped over my own feet going up stairs and multiple times going down stairs

    Lila Allen
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well to be fair, that's kind of a trait of Danes. They're very affectionate but lack spacial awareness.

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    Littlemiss
    Community Member
    Premium
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I tripped down 3 stairs, kicked and tripped on each step and landed on both feet. Sprained half my body in one accident.

    CaliPanda
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A combination of vertigo while wearing progressive corrective lenses can lead to difficulty finding that visual sweet spot while descending stairs.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My ex-BIL no doubt. We used to laugh that he fell over stuff that didn't even stick up out of the ground.

    Just me...
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, but can you fall "up" the stairs? It's my specialty.

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    #35

    Way less exciting than most of these comments but worked for a small business and made profesional hula hoops. I manufactured plus shipped more than 30 pro hula hoops a day and I can’t even keep a hoop up more than a second. I didn’t even learn tricks until I left.

    bakedpeachez Report

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    #36

    Ive been licked by a lion, gored by a goat, and sat on by a seal on the sea floor.

    Acegonia Report

    UnclePanda
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When a guy in the mechanics shop was told he'd blown a seal, he had a meltdown screaming '"seals lie!"

    Mike F
    Community Member
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But, the seal's smile said differently.

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    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    17 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How did the lion and goat get onto the sea floor?

    J Clerk
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    what were the lion and the goat doing on the sea floor?

    Ben Kay
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They were probably selling sea shells on the sea floor.

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    Glix Drap
    Community Member
    12 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You probably also have been clawed by a cat if you want to expand your list.

    DaisyGirl
    Community Member
    20 hours ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #37

    I once was invited to the bridge of the Disney Magic cruise ship and turned the ships wheel while in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. So I’ve technically driven a car, truck, airplane, and cruise ship. .

    Traviscat Report

    Laserleader
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cars, various buses, trolly, float plane, yacht, and various motorcycles/carts. Vehicles are fun.

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    #38

    Used to be a gogo dancer. Lived out of my jeep for 2 years and made money by spinning fire on the beach.

    Master_Insurance_381 Report

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    #39

    I got cancer twice. Both completely unrelated to each other within a 10 year span. Beat it Both times.

    thafezz Report

    #40

    Two men smiling and embracing outdoors, illustrating true stories that sound made up but actually happened. My name is Justin and I have an older brother also named Justin.

    rehumanizer , Ahmed Report

    Sofia
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    well maybe refers the way you was conceived? Just in?

    Giraffe Sitter
    Community Member
    11 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Hi, I'm Larry. This is my brother, Darryl, and this is my other brother, Darryl."

    Lukas (he/him, it/its)
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Justin case something happens to one of you....

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The parents were keeping a spare - just in case.

    Norfolk and good
    Community Member
    8 hours ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    George Foreman has five sons, all called George. Giving the same name to more than one child not that uncommon in Britain until the 19th century.

    DawnoftheDead
    Community Member
    Premium
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My name is Dawn and I have an older sister named Dawn

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Was the person being glib and didn't add a qualifier to brother like step or half?

    Tucker Cahooter
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The other day there was a post about two sisters both called Maria. It seems that Bob Newhart show has a lot to answer for

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    #41

    A teacher sharing true stories that sound made up but actually happened with students in a classroom setting. I once failed every single class in high school and had to repeat the year. Somehow got into a good university with my story of failing high school. Got good grades from college and grad school. Got a good job at a top tech company. Became a tech fellow in the company and also a part time teaching professor at a top university.

    googoodaidai , Vitaly Gariev Report

    Laserleader
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an employer, I honestly dont care what your grade was, only that you survived and learned how to be trained. That is why people hire this guy, he failed and redoubled.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly. On a sheet of paper, you don't know the wide blade from the narrow blade of a plug, when it's in your hand however, you know what you have

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    #42

    For several years of my life I was unable to speak if I turned my head to the left.

    Catacendre Report

    MoBeLa
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now I need to know why...

    DeShotz
    Community Member
    21 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Click on the link to the original Reddit post and you’ll often find the answers to the BP posts that don’t tell the full story. In this case, OP’s vocal cords were damaged by a surgery to remove a cancer in their neck.

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But the poor seatmate on the right, oy!

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    8 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I sat next to that guy too for a while. Just nothing to say to him.

    #43

    I have an obscure qualification that would allow me to manually calculate plane tickets if the power went out in an airport. .

    Keeping100 Report

    Tucker Cahooter
    Community Member
    19 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I assume OP means calculating the cost of plane tickets? In which case I have that qualification too, it's called a random number generator

    CP
    Community Member
    9 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is called how much money can we extract without too many complaints.

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    Note: this post originally had 68 images. It’s been shortened to the top 43 images based on user votes.