I have always loved adventure. It makes me feel alive. I feel sorry for people who do not have adventure in their lives. I try to inspire people to get out of the normal whenever I can.
An old high school friend named Seth came to visit. We went for a night hike along the Missouri River. We did not use flashlights. Our eyes quickly adjusted to the moonlight. We watched the swirling currents drift by. He told me about his rock climbing adventures.
I drove him back to the high school where we left his car. As I turned into the parking lot, my headlights swept across a group of teenagers who were sitting in a circle on the pavement. Their expressions were uneasy as if they expected us to give them trouble for being there.
I parked the car and chatted with them casually. They relaxed and went back to looking like bored teenagers. I felt sorry for them. I got a soccer ball from the car and started juggling it with Seth thinking they might join in. It was meant to be an indoor soccer ball. The kind with a thin felt coating on the hexagonal panels.
After a while one of the guys approached with some cash in his hand. “Would you buy us some alcohol?” he asked. I was about to say no. Then I looked at the soccer ball and had another idea.
“Actually, I think I have some in the car” I replied. Seth looked at me in surprise. He knew I did not drink. Why would I have alcohol in the car? And was I really going to give it to these minors?
I opened the trunk and pulled out a bottle of medical alcohol. 70% Isopropyl. I poured it over the soccer ball until all the felt panels were moist with it. The sharp scent of alcohol vapors wafted into the night air. Seth caught on to what I was doing. The teenagers watched in confusion.
I thumbed the wheel of a lighter and held the flame to one of the lower panels. It caught. A blue and yellow ribbon of fire slowly grew up the side of the ball. I rotated the ball with the soles of my shoe. It was soon engulfed in flames.
I kicked it to Seth. The flames made a soft roaring sound and trailed behind as it rolled along the pavement. He passed it back.
The teenagers stared wide eyed. The bored expressions were gone.
I passed the ball to one of them. There was a flash of panic as the flaming orb approached but he managed to return the pass.
I let it roll onto the top of my foot, flicked it straight up and juggled it. Left knee, right knee, shoulder, under kick. The ball with its flaming comet trail arced toward Seth.
He did a similar combo and returned it. The others joined in with awe on their faces. They were cautious at first, then quickly gained confidence.
The flames slowly diminished. I picked up the ball and held it up in my fingertips. The blue flames did not cover the entire surface anymore but traveled around the sphere in unpredictable paths.
As they watched the blue energy wrapping around a globe, I said, “Now that is how you have fun with alcohol!”
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Disclaimer: I am not responsible for your actions. Although alcohol burns at a lower temperature it can still burn you, just not as fast. Especially in the first minute, excess alcohol can come off of the ball and stick to clothing, hair, and skin. I do not kick the ball hard or pass the ball to beginners until the excess is burned off. I keep the ball away from cars and other flammable objects.
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