Dubious Quality

His name was Chongo (no one knew his real name), and he had a van, because of course he did. He sold a little pot on the side, and that's why he had the van. He didn't talk much, but in a very sensei kind of way. You'd be talking to him and out of nowhere he'd say something like "Don’t walk in front of me, because I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me, because I may not lead. Walk beside me and just be my friend.”

The fundamental fascination of Chongo was trying to figure out if he read Camus or just saw a motivational poster at the mall, and the answer you chose said more about yourself than it did him. 

Thinking about him made me think about other people in my life who fit the "I knew that guy" category. 

Lived next door to Stevie Ray Vaughan and used to drink beer with him on the porch? I knew that guy.

On speed every morning when reporting for work, then did 5X the work of anyone else day after day? I knew that guy. 

Embezzled money to pay for a love affair with a stripper and wound up in prison? I knew that guy. 

Submitted falsified business expenses from a strip club and got fired for it, thus costing him 20+ million? I knew that guy. He was my boss. 

Owned a computer company and accumulated a massive inventory fraud over the years, then went scot- free except for the company going bankrupt? I knew that guy.

Robbed a liquor store and did a bid upstate? I knew that guy. Hell, I was related to that guy.

If you knew a guy (or girl), let me know. I'll do a compilation post.