Man Who Has Been Lying to His Son For 24 Years Says the Deception Has Taken Over His Life

A mortified man has admitted on social media to lying about his love of manatees for almost a quarter of a century to protect the feelings of his son. The man, who wishes not to reveal his identity, explained that when his son was just 6, he gave his father a mug with a picture of a manatee on it for his birthday. “He got upset when I wasn’t sufficiently thrilled with his gift,” said the man. “I assured him that I loved it, saying that manatees were my favorite animals in the whole wide world.” Unbeknownst to him at the time, the man would have to live that lie for years to come. Little junior began giving his dad manatee shirts, calendars, beer steins, and many other manatee-themed gifts for every occasion. “There are now 24 years of manatee items displayed proudly in my home,” said the man. Unfortunately, the deception has now reached its zenith. The son, who is now 30, planned a special manatee-themed present for his father’s 55th birthday — a trip to Florida to see manatees. Despite his love for the ocean, the father isn’t thrilled with having to once again pretend that the manatee is his favorite animal. Comments on social media in response were hilarious, with one user writing: “You’re going to have to take this secret to your grave, I’m afraid.” Another user posted, “You will be buried in a manatee-style coffin and smile about it.” Others believe the father will change his mind after seeing a manatee up close, with one user saying, “They will indeed become your favorite animals in the whole wide world.”

Continue Reading...

Gas Pump Mistakes You Need to Stop Making ASAP

Pumping gas is boring. Maybe you watch a minute of gas station TV while you’re waiting to hear the click of the nozzle, or you grab your phone to pass the time. While pumping gas might seem routine, gas pump mistakes are more common than you might think, and a moment’s distraction can put your safety at risk. Like distracted driving, distracted fueling can be dangerous. To understand more about gas pump mistakes and the fire hazards that go along with them, check out the things you should stop doing right now by reading below.

 

Smoking a cigarette while pumping gas is the biggest fire risk there is. One loose ember can ignite gasoline vapors in the air, setting anything and everything nearby on fire. If a fire does start, DO NOT REMOVE THE GAS NOZZLE. Back away immediately and alert the store attendant so they can shut off the fuel.

Reentering your vehicle while it’s fueling up is a no-no. Getting in and out of your vehicle builds up static electricity on your body, which you could then transfer to the gas pump’s nozzle. That tiny spark can start a fire. To discharge any static before reaching for the pump handle, touch something metal, like your vehicle door.

Driving away with the nozzle attached is another danger that’s caused by distraction. Although breakaway nozzles stop fuel from spilling, you could be on the hook for repairs — remember, gas stations have cameras. Stay alert as you leave the gas station, making sure the nozzle is secured to the gas pump — your wallet will thank you.

Contrary to popular belief, using a cellphone near a gas pump can't start a fire, but checking your email or social media can still be risky. Retailers say that a high percentage of people who drive off with the nozzle attached to their cars is the result of drivers being distracted by being on the phones.

Topping off the tank is another thing you should never do. That’s because automatic shutoff valves are there for a reason — gasoline needs room to expand, and overfilling the tank can build up pressure that could lead to a dangerous leak. Besides, you’re likely to spill a few drops as you get them into your tank, and that’s not very cost efficient. When the automatic shutoff clicks, stop pumping and put the nozzle back on the pump.

Leaving your car running as you refuel is not a good idea. Gas vapors can mix with heat or static electricity, increasing the risk of fire — especially in colder, drier months. Double-check to make sure your car is in park and the keys are out of the ignition before you reach for the nozzle.

Putting diesel fuel in an unleaded-gas tank is a mistake you want to avoid. Diesel pumps are clearly labeled with bright green handles, and the nozzles typically don’t fit into standard gas tanks. Still, accidents happen. If you accidentally put diesel into an unleaded gas tank, your car won’t run right, if it runs at all. Diesel doesn’t ignite the same way unleaded and regular gasoline do, so your engine will likely knock, misfire or not tart. Diesel is thicker than plain gas, and it could clog your fuel injectors, filters and other engine components. It’s an expensive screw-up, so if you accidentally add diesel to your non-diesel tank, turn the engine off immediately and contact a mechanic to drain it before driving.

 

Continue Reading...

Couple Spends 30 Years Restoring Historic Train Station

Mark and Carol Benson, who are crazy about trains, have spent the last 30 years restoring a derelict railway station in England to its former glory. The couple spent tens of thousands to transform Ebbertson Station in North Yorkshire, after purchasing the property in 1996, four decades after the station closed in 1950. Thanks to their hard work, tourists are able once again to visit the depot — now called The Old Station — and even stay in one of three former first-class train cars, or in the converted ticket office, which is now a cottage. The last passenger train on the line ran 75 years ago. It was then used as a private house until the Bensons purchased the piece of railway history 46 years later. “We always had the idea of running a business that would enable me to continue working full time as a quantity surveyor until I could retire,” said Mark. “Carol also didn’t want to return to working as a school nurse, so it worked out well.” After renovating the ticket office, they converted the train cars to include kitchens, bedrooms and seating areas. In 2021, they carefully knocked down the men’s bathroom and porter's room to salvage the bricks, which they then used to renovate the former ticket office. The couple transformed it into a vacation cottage using the bricks and added two bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms. Weekly rates range from $950 to $1,128, with 3-night rates ranging from $765 to $1,276.

 

 

Continue Reading...

Pet Robotic Butler Can Feed and Play With Your Animals

If you worry about your pets getting lonely while you’re gone, a new robotic companion might be the perfect solution. Aura is the robotic “pet butler” designed to keep your furry friends company while you’re away from home. Developed by the AI service provider Tuya, this smiling robotic assistant can wheel around the house, filming and interacting with your pet. Equipped with a digital smile, voice module, and the ability to shoot treats out of its face, Aura claims to address your pet’s “deeper emotional needs.” The robot is claimed to have the ability to accurately interpret a pet’s emotional state through behavior and sound analysis. Owners will then receive automatic reports through their smartphones, telling them whether their pooch is happy, sad, anxious or excited. Aura can even play family photographer, autonomously capturing your pet’s memorable moments while you’re busy working, shopping, or running errands. Aura is a 3-wheeled robot that looks like an iPad stuck to a hamster wheel. It’s body is hollow, apparently to allow cats to ride around inside the robot. It uses a pair of cameras to give it depth perception and can autonomously navigate your home. There’s some bad news though — Aura moves freely throughout the home, seeking out pets to interact with them, and that can be a problem for nervous cats. Now for even worse news — Tuya hasn’t yet revealed when the pet butler will become commercially available or how much it will cost.

Continue Reading...