We have seen that they are cracking down on skipping boasting sessions. I have seen that thread stating the three F's (Fever, Fracture, Funeral) as the only valid excuses for missing one. And there are reports that the book study hounder will hound people for missing one. I saw a thread recently about people that went through hell and high water (including one that paid with their life) to make every boasting session.
Now, I thought it appropriate to discuss the flimsiest excuses for missing meetings. I have heard the football one just about every time at the boasting sessions (that seems to be the stock excuse). Any sport event on TV seems to be a good reason to blow off the boasting sessions.
As children, I can imagine some of the tricks used to skip a meeting. They are similar to the ones to skip school (running hot water on the thermometer, puking on purpose, and having the sore throat that miraculously goes away after the bus goes by are the common ones). Producing a mountain of homework that seems to get done in 10 minutes after the boasting session starts is another. I have also heard of rigging parents' alarm clocks, usually disabling the alarm, so it will not go off when they have to get up for the boasting session or so they will sleep through the alarm. I remember blowing off regular church by going in the basement, locking the door, and taking the key in with me so they had to waste the time to buy another key.
Grown ups have other excuses. The common ones are having to work late, having a headache (which usually means you need more sleep), and taking too long for supper on the ever-present boasting session nights. Other excuses are rain (if you have to walk, "forget" to get that umbrella and use the "I don't want my suit or littera-trash to get wet" excuse). You can also use the car wouldn't start excuse if it is cold. (Funny, it starts perfectly when it is 10 degrees colder in the morning). I used to "forget" to call for rides when the person picking me up has a talkout and I needed a ride (and I skipped the boasting session). "Forgetting" to set one's alarm clock is another trick--you can then use the old "My alarm clock didn't go off" excuse.
Then there is the mix-up on dates excuse. It is common for witlesses to think it's Wednesday when it's Thursday and miss the boasting session (but they usually remember what day it is when it's time to go to work). Or, you can "forget" to set the clock back (you will be an hour late for the boasting session, then decide not to go at all).
Anyone else have any other flimsy or wimpy excuses they have used to blow off the boasting sessions?